"A formal memorial of apology from Chen State?"
Zhang Sheng carefully weighed every single word in this state document before rendering his judgment. "There is an ulterior motive behind this Chen State. They speak only of offering an apology, yet they fail to mention what crime they have actually committed."
Speaking of state affairs, Zhou Wenyong reined in the smile on his face, looking gravely at Zhang Sheng. "Chen State is merely a minor nation, sandwiched between our Holy Dynasty and Beiyuan. Decades ago, Beiyuan sought to annihilate Chen State, and it was our Holy Dynasty that dispatched troops to preserve them. Ever since, Chen State has revered our Holy Dynasty as supreme and began paying annual tribute. Our Holy Dynasty has also extended generous aid to Chen State, and all has been peaceful between us. Yet now, they have suddenly sent the Crown Prince of Chen State himself as an envoy, claiming to come in apology, though we have heard of no wrongdoing on their part. Therefore, His Majesty has sent me to consult with the Grand Secretary and ask for your esteemed opinion."
"This official cannot immediately discern the true intentions of Chen State," Zhang Sheng began, his long, slender eyebrows twitching slightly. "However, regardless of the pretext the Chen State envoys use, I suspect their ultimate goal boils down to tribute and diplomatic relations." Zhang Sheng's brow twitched again. "In any case, we must not allow Chen State to defect to Beiyuan. Over the past few decades, Chen State has grown far too familiar with us."
A fierce look crossed Zhang Sheng's face. "No matter what brings the Chen State delegation here this time, the moment they show the slightest hesitation between our Holy Dynasty and Beiyuan, that Chen State Crown Prince need not return. Our frontier generals shall push into Chen State with the utmost speed; we might as well destroy and annex them ourselves."
The Second Prince wore an expression of admiration. "No wonder His Majesty insisted that the Grand Secretary review this promptly. The Grand Secretary is truly thorough in thought. I shall cooperate fully with the Grand Secretary in receiving the Chen State delegation this time."
Zhang Sheng's brow arched, forcefully swallowing the question that almost slipped past his lips. "Everything shall be in accordance with His Majesty's decree."
Zhou Wenyong laughed. "Naturally. Grand Secretary, do not forget to drink your ginseng tea and take good care of your health. I shall take my leave."
"This official respectfully sees Your Highness off."
Zhang Sheng rose to accompany him out.
Watching Zhou Wenyong depart from the official office, Zhang Sheng stroked his beard, his mind turning over the situation in a continuous stream of thought.
Receiving diplomatic delegations had always been the purview of the Crown Prince. To judge by the Second Prince's words, this reception duty seemed to have been assigned to him directly by the Emperor. What could this possibly mean?
As for the Crown Prince, he had not been seen for the past two days; heaven knows where he had run off to.
A sense of surreal haze hung over Zhang Sheng, but no matter what events might transpire, nothing could shake his confidence in the nation.
The decline of a country stemmed solely from internal trouble and external aggression. While Beiyuan remained an external enemy, the Holy Dynasty had won far more than it lost in their clashes over the years, while the diminutive Chen State was not worth mentioning. With the Holy Dynasty's formidable national strength and valiant soldiers, there was little need to worry about foreign threats.
The only real variable was the Emperor's sudden severe illness. Whatever the outcome of his condition, as long as the transfer of political power went smoothly, it would cause no major shock to the state of affairs. The single true wildcard was Niu Wanbao, the different-surname Prince of the Northwest who commanded three hundred thousand Iron Ox Guards. His threat to the central government far surpassed that of Beiyuan. It was true that he and the Emperor were sworn brothers through life and death, but would anyone still be able to keep him in check under the circumstances to come?
If this Prince of the Northwest were left without an heir, would he still find the inclination to make moves detrimental to outbursts against the Holy Dynasty?
It was just that the Qingming Pavilion was far too sluggish in their work. So many days had already passed, yet no news of Niu San's demise had arrived.
Ah, well.
Zhang Sheng reined in his thoughts. There was still a mountain of official business in the Cabinet awaiting his attention. Casting a glance at the steaming cup of ginseng tea on his desk, he stepped out of the official office as well.
...
"Brother Fēi, why are we rushing out of the city so quickly?" Niu San asked, deeply reluctant. There were still so many brothels along the Qinhuai River that he hadn't finished enjoying. "Besides, we only killed someone from the Qingming Pavilion. Anyone would say we were eliminating a public scourge."
Chen For his part, Xiaofei had no wish to mention that he had fled simply because he had slashed his way into the Qin Pavilion and feared Yiyi coming after him. He dumped the blame squarely onto Niu San. "Third Brother, what am I going to do with you? You dare to lay hands on just about anyone! Are those fellows from the Qingming Pavilion people you can just provoke? They're like dog-skin plaster, sticking to you wave after wave. I did it to save you, you ungrateful wretch. Did you think I was all that eager to rush on the road?"
Niu San sidled up to Chen Xiaofei with a wronged expression. "Brother Fēi, I really don't remember."
"Third Brother, I can save you for a moment, but I can't save you for a lifetime," Chen Xiaofei said, wearing an expression of profound exasperation.
"Brother Fēi, teach me some ultimate moves. I yearn so badly to make progress," Niu San pleaded.
Xia Yun looked on with utter disdain. "Chen Xiaofei, don't you dare teach him. Once he masters them, he'll just go out and torment innocent young girls."
Chen Xiaofei felt Xia Yun's words were inaccurate and interjected in defense of his sworn brother. "Now hold on, Third Brother doesn't torment innocent young girls. He only torments women who have already been married."
"Brother Fēi, you'd save face if you just didn't speak."
Niu San wished the ground would swallow him up from shame.
"Xia Yun, how many of those Blood-Qi Pills do you have left? The two of us will split them between ourselves. Since my third brother made a mistake, it's only right that he accepts a small punishment."
"Brother Fēi, Xia Yun, though I have no idea what I did wrong, I admit my fault! Leave some for me!" Niu San wailed.
Xia Yun pulled out a small vial. "They're all right here."
Chen Xiaofei casually took them. "Then I'll divide them up. Since Third Brother's attitude in admitting his fault is so good, we'll just give you a few less."
"Why should I have to share mine?" Xia Yun asked, puzzled.
"Oh, never you mind."
Chen Xiaofei patted Xia Yun on the shoulder. "Today, right here outside Yangzhou City, regardless of the reason, you Xia Yun are going to distribute these Blood-Qi Pills for us to eat, agreed?"
"Why?" Xia Yun still didn't understand.
"Third Brother, explain it to Xia Yun." Chen Xiaofei shot Niu San a look, signaling it was his turn to work some brainwashing magic.
"Yeah, why?" Niu San was equally bewildered.
Left completely speechless, Chen Xiaofei had no choice but to speak up himself. "Look here. To be alive in this world is to seek happiness, right?"
"Right," Xia Yun nodded.
"Then if you distribute the Blood-Qi Pills to us, won't we be happy too?"
"Right."
"And if we're happy, we'll be grateful to you and revere you like our own mother. Won't that make you happy as well?"
"Right."
"So should you share them with us?"
"Yes!"
Xia Yun beamed with delight.
"Third Brother, get over here," Chen Xiaofei called out to Niu San, who was standing there looking completely dazed.
"Are you ready to embrace happiness?"
Chen Xiaofei raised his arms in a grand gesture. The two people in front of him nodded repeatedly, their faces filled with eager anticipation.
He slowly uncorked the vial, and the rich fragrance of the Blood-Qi Pills began to drift out.
"One for Xia Yun, one for me."
"One for Third Brother, one for me."
"One for me, one for me."
Chen Xiaofei distributed the pills in high spirits. Watching Niu San and Xia Yun happily catch their shares, he grinned even more broadly.
Shaking the heavy little bottle, Chen Xiaofei tucked it away into his tunic with profound satisfaction and pointed ahead. "No more counting! Prepare to move out!"