C96 (1/2)
Chapter 96 - Giving the Prime Minister his edict
The imperial guards led by Cai Mao dared to stop the commoners and low-level officials, but when they met with a senior official like the Minister of Rites, they could do nothing, because whether it was in terms of age, qualifications or rank, Jin Changsen was superior to them.
At the outer perimeter of the picnic, Jin Changsen saw his family's butler. Taking advantage that no one was looking, he whispered a few words into the butler's ear, and very quickly, Jin Changsen brought the palace attendant back to the banquet.
”Your Majesty, this is the twenty years old red wine I bought from a merchant of Qing Kingdom. All these years, when the southern regions were at war, these high-grade goods from Jiangnan are becoming more and more expensive, and the quantity is not that great. This subject is able to sell this jar with great difficulty …”
Just as Jin Changsen was bragging about the wine that he brought with him, his butler had already left the cordon, and sneakily approached the direction of the Hidden Fog Kid.
”Hurry and report to Lord Hua Shan, this banquet is very strange, Shang Tai is extremely abnormal. Right now, all of you should go and find out where the group of people you invited are. If you cannot find Xiao Letian, then there is a high chance that you will meet with Shang Tai at the banquet. This Qing Nation is extremely dangerous, and might very likely cause great harm to the Japan … ”
Hearing that, Hidden Fog Kid's heart dropped to the bottom because ever since Xiao Letian left home this morning, all of the ninjas in Naha Harbor had lost track of him. Xiang Shaolong and the martial artists in the Central Plains were simply too powerful, even the Hidden Fog Kid could not get close to them.
Right now, the Japanese could only make a rough estimate and knew that Xiao Letian should be in the business district that was very close to the Shouli City.
”There's no other way. I'll go meet Lord Hua Shan. Right now, we can only rely on Sir to forcefully pass the trial. With our identities, we won't even be able to break through the barrier …” Maybe it was to prove Hidden Fog Kid's judgement, at this time, a Ninja disguised as a docker staggered over from the distance, clutching his chest.
”As soon as this Ninja stood in front of everyone, he started spitting out large mouthfuls of blood. The color of the blood was black and there were many congealed pieces inside.” The Qing people had sealed off the whole business district... ”It was that person surnamed Xiang who personally led them. Their attacks were really ruthless …” After speaking, he spat out another mouthful of blood.
”Hidden Fog Kid tore the clothes on his chest, and saw a purplish black palm print protruding from his skin. ”Hiss …” ”Such tyrannical Chinese martial arts …”
Without further ado, the Hidden Fog Kid made some arrangements for the mission, and then madly rushed towards Hua Shan Manor.
Time passed minute by minute, the sun was already high in the sky, the banquet at the edge of the cliff was at its warmest, after the twelve singers finished dancing, Shang Tai could not help but stand up to show his respect. Just as a few officials from the pro-Japanese faction wanted to support His Majesty, the pro-Chinese school, represented by the Minister of Revenue, Lin Yuanmiao, hurried forward to toasts to the Emperor, their conversation had steadied them.
It was only now that Minister of Rites' Assistant, Jin Changsen, finally understood that his guess was ninety percent correct. The hidden intelligence that leaked out from the inside of the palace earlier could finally be ascertained, that the person who came to offer treasures in the early summer was Xiao Letian's envoy. Today must be the day of the secret meeting between Xiao Letian and Shang Tai.
Jin Changsen's palm was now full of sweat. He was the most powerful spy the Shimadzu Family had planted in the imperial court, if the Shimadzu Family found out about his dereliction of duty this time? Jin Changsen didn't dare to think further, he had not only felt a cold shiver down his spine.
”Your Majesty, this old subject has drunk too much wine. May I serve Your Majesty …” Just as Jin Changsen stood up and was about to follow along, the general of the imperial guards Cai Mao reached out to stop him, ”Lord Jin is joking, who doesn't know that you are a big shot. Come, let's drink three cups …”
How could a civil servant be a match for a military general? gently pulled him back to his seat. Just at this time, Shang Tai had already gone around the corner and disappeared.
After getting out of the crowd's sight, Shang Tai's drunkenness disappeared from his face, and he went around the place where the people were most loyal, and rushed straight to the warehouse of the goods station where Xiao Letian was.
At this time, underneath the Shouli City, in a warehouse filled with rice, Xiao Letian was quietly waiting for Shang Tai to arrive with the protection of the Musketeers. Xiao Letian was not anxious at all, he was just quietly tasting the island's delicious dried little seafood, with a big bottle of Japanese rice wine beside him, he had only drank a little in an hour.
Aeolian Crab Foot, Small Ink Fish, Bamboo Shrimp... All kinds of small snacks were extremely delicious, but Xiao Letian who was deep in thought did not have the mood to pay attention to these dishes, so he casually chewed them just to keep up with his thoughts.
Just then, Xiao Hexin suddenly walked in. ”Advisor, King Shang Tai is here.” Not long later, a young man with a cloak over his head walked into the goods station under the protection of two attendants.
”Greetings, Your Majesty!” Xiao Letian bowed respectfully, but Shang Tai did not return the bow. When Xiao Letian raised his head and looked up, he realized that the young Shang Tai was already tearing up.
”Sir, I beg of you, Sir …” Shang Tai bowed in return, her waist bending much more than Xiao Letian's.
It seemed that two hundred and fifty years of suppression had made Shang Tai very clear about his position. This rational youth knew how to lower his head, how to be humble, and this way, the negotiations would be much smoother.