Night fell, and the Gu Manor.
Bang!
Tian Zhongxun kicked over the table in front of him.
His eyes were cold and filled with killing intent.
“Ah, ah, ah, ah… These good-for-nothings!”
“They actually agreed to such terms!”
“Bastards!”
“They forced this King to cede Linzi County!”
“Ning Que, this King wants you dead!!!”
Roars echoed throughout the Gu Manor.
Gu Mingzhi and his son both trembled in fear.
Don't blame Tian Zhongxun for losing his composure.
Anyone in his position would be upset.
Who would have thought that Ning Que would succeed in the negotiations?
Ceding Jiuquan was like cutting a piece of Western Liang's flesh!
The two nations had been fighting for hundreds of years, with countless casualties.
And now they just agreed to it?
What are you afraid of?
Why don't you dare to fight Great Feng?!
They even notified Western Liang in advance.
As long as Samuer disagreed, they could replace the negotiator.
Once Gu Yuan took power, he could offer better terms.
They never expected…
This time, they lost both the bride and the soldiers!
Ning Que had completely solidified his position as King and would inherit the royal power.
Tian Zhongxun, on the other hand, would lose Linzi County.
His fiefdom would be split in two.
From now on, he would be monitored by others.
“Your Highness, calm your anger…”
Gu Yuan advised from the side.
He was also distraught right now!
Ning Que had achieved a great merit and inherited the royal power.
The Western Border Wolf Army would also return to Prince Ning's command.
And all his years of hard work had been in vain.
“Calm my anger?”
“How can this King calm his anger?”
“Linzi is rich and strategically important.”
“Now, this King has to hand it over to others!”
Gu Mingzhi pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and said, “Your Highness, I do have an idea.”
“Speak.”
“The wager Your Highness signed used Linzi as the stake. I believe that now, all the wealthy households in Linzi can be relocated, leaving an empty city for Ning Que. Destroy the water conservancy, breach the dikes, and ruin the fields. In short, leave them with a mess. This way, it doesn't violate the wager. Since Your Highness cannot have it, then destroy it!”
“Hmm?”
Tian Zhongxun narrowed his eyes.
He looked at Gu Mingzhi with interest.
“You, you always manage to come up with new tricks for this King.”
“However, this King likes it!”
“Good, let's do it!”
“What this King cannot have, I would rather destroy it!”
“Your Highness is brilliant.”
Gu Mingzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Yuan stood by, then stepped forward and said, “I also have an idea.”
“Speak.”
“Princess Samuer is still in Chang'an these few days.” Gu Yuan's eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent, “According to His Majesty, Ning Que will take her to tour Chang'an. We can spread rumors, saying that Ning Que negotiated peace with Western Liang and even promised them one hundred thousand shi of grain. There are many people who have grudges against Western Liang. What would they do if they knew?”
Tian Zhongxun's eyes immediately flashed with a brilliant gleam.
Well said!
Great Feng and Western Liang had been fighting for hundreds of years; their fathers, brothers, sons, grandsons… all died at the hands of Western Liang people. They only need to incite public anger and they can reap the benefits.
Gu Yuan, on the other hand, smiled sinisterly.
“Like that foolish woman Lin Xianhong.”
“With just a few words, she will definitely go find Ning Que.”
“When more people gather, we will have an opportunity.”
“If Samuer dies, can the national letter still be signed?”
“Ning Que's failure to protect her means he is at fault!”
“By then, he will still have lost the wager.”
Gu Yuan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he sneered, “After Samuer's death, Western Liang will also be completely enraged. No matter how Great Feng explains, Western Liang will only raise an army and launch a massive attack on Yumen Pass, and at this time, I can regain military power!”
“Hahahaha…”
Tian Zhongxun laughed heartily.
Good, good, good, well said!
The national letter had not yet been formally signed.
They still had a chance!
If Samuer died, who would sign the national letter?
At this point, Western Liang would blame Great Feng.
A princess envoy dying in Chang'an!
This was a great humiliation!
They would retaliate against Great Feng at all costs!
Thus, Gu Yuan would be able to regain military power!
“This matter will be left to you and your son.”
“Remember, do it cleanly.”
“This King wants Ning Que dead!”
…
…
The next day.
Lin Xianhong carried her medicine box and stood in front of the Gu Manor.
She was quite exhausted at the moment.
Too many things had happened in the past few days.
Chang Baicao had uncharacteristically opened a medical clinic.
Even before dawn, there was a long line at the entrance.
Now, few people came to her for medical treatment.
Fortunately, the Gu Family had not forgotten her.
Last night, they specifically sent someone to find her.
They said Madam Gu invited her to the manor for a consultation.
Lin Xianhong naturally agreed immediately.
She had already heard about Ning Que's accomplishments.
He successfully negotiated peace, forcing Western Liang to sign an alliance treaty.
From now on, Western Liang would have to bow down and pay tribute annually.
Furthermore, Western Liang would also have to give up the Jiuquan market.
Great Feng could station troops in Jiuquan.
From now on, Jiuquan would be jointly governed by the two nations.
This matter had already spread throughout Chang'an.
They couldn't even imagine such a thing!
The area of Jiuquan was too important.
Western Liang and Great Feng had been fighting over this place for over a hundred years.
Countless people had been buried there.
Everyone regarded Ning Que as a hero of Great Feng!
He seized Jiuquan without a single soldier!
The key was that he brought about a rare period of peace.
In the short term, Great Feng did not need to worry about Western Liang.
They could free up their hands to deal with the Southern Barbarians or Liaoguo!
They could even send troops to attack Goguryeo.
But in her opinion, it wasn't that simple.
How could she not know what abilities Ning Que possessed?
Boasting and fabricating, Ning Que was very skilled at that.
But when it came to real talent and learning?
Did he really understand?
He was just a petty person who only knew how to use connections to cover up his shortcomings.
To fool her, he even got the Empress Dowager and others to put on a show.
Saying that all the medicines over the years were prescribed by him?
Heh…
Just as her family said,
This was all Ning Que's trick to get revenge on her.
Did he really think she was stupid with such petty tricks?
“Miss Lin, please come in.”
The butler respectfully walked out and bowed.
Lin Xianhong nodded in acknowledgment and followed him in.
Walking along the covered walkway.
They soon arrived at the back of the Gu Family's residence.
“Xianhong, I greet Madam Gu and General Gu.”
“Quickly rise.”
Madam Gu was plump and rarely went out. She showed a kind smile, intimately took Lin Xianhong's hand, and sat her down beside her.
“You are half a Gu Family member too.”
“From now on, when you come to the Gu Family, don't be so formal.”
“Just treat it as your own home, don't be shy.”
“That boy Yuan'er is just thin-skinned.”
“There are some things he's too embarrassed to say, don't take offense.”
“Today, I said I invited you to see a doctor, but in reality, he wanted to see you.”
Madam Gu was most skilled in household infighting, and over the years, she had seen countless women. Even though Gu Mingzhi held a first-rank official position, he dared not take a concubine to this day.
She actually looked down on Lin Xianhong.
She felt that Lin Xianhong just wanted to climb up the social ladder by marrying into the Gu Family.
Coupled with the absurd things she had done, Madam Gu was even more displeased.
But when Gu Yuan was poisoned, only she could save him.
Madam Gu only pretended to approve.
This time, inviting her was also Gu Yuan's idea.
Ning Que had stolen all the limelight yesterday.
One invitation after another was sent to Ning Royal Mansion.
Everyone was rushing to curry favor with Ning Que.
The Gu Family obeyed Qi King Tian Zhongxun.
They owed their current position entirely to him.
Naturally, they had to find a way to deal with Ning Que.
Prevent Princess Samuer from signing the document!
“Gu Lang…”
Lin Xianhong's cheeks flushed, like a shy peony about to bloom. She secretly looked at Gu Yuan and whispered, “Actually, I've heard everything. Gu Lang, did Ning Que play some trick again?”
“Forget it, I won't tell you.”
Gu Yuan feigned hesitation and waved his sleeve.
In reality, he was leading Lin Xianhong step by step into a trap!