When the enthusiastic third son of the King of Wei tried to tug at his sleeve, Zhao Zheng calmly took a step back, avoiding the tug.

This scene made Zhao Kai feel quite embarrassed, but as the third son of the King of Wei, he must be very capable, so he calmly put aside his enthusiastic demeanor and introduced himself to everyone.

"Haha, everyone, you may not know the young master next to me yet. Now let me introduce him to you. This is the young pillar of our royal family, the garrison commander of Nanya Pass."

At this point, Zhao Kai clearly emphasized the word "South Cliff Pass".

Many people at the scene clearly understood Zhao Kai's meaning and immediately laughed in agreement. Of course, many others frowned in dissatisfaction upon seeing Zhao Kai's expression.

However, since Zhao Kai was the host of the banquet, these people couldn't say anything more.

"Hehe, cousin, please sit here."

After introducing Zhao Zheng, Zhao Kai pulled him to a secluded corner, and his tone was no longer as enthusiastic as when they first met.

Zhao Zheng understood that this was because his reluctance to interact with Zhao Kai had caused Zhao Kai great dissatisfaction.

However, to Zhao Zheng, Zhao Kai's appearance was tantamount to courting death, so there was no need to pay too much attention to him.

So without saying a word, he sat down in the seat Zhao Kai had suggested.

Seeing that Zhao Zheng was still in the same state, Zhao Kai's expression became even more unpleasant, but he still did not show it. He walked to the center of the hall and continued to chat with the other people.

"My name is Meng Xiujie. I greet Your Highness."

A dashing young man sitting next to Zhao Zheng greeted him with a cupped hand.

After hearing the young man's introduction, Zhao Zheng smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Zhao Zheng greets Young General Meng."

Zhao Zheng was very clear about Meng Xiujie's identity. As the most outstanding member of the younger generation of the Meng family, he was now a commander of ten thousand men in the Northern You Wolf Cavalry.

It should be noted that the Northern You Wolf Cavalry, as the most powerful army in the entire Northern You Empire, only numbered around 200,000 men, including one commander-in-chief, four lieutenant generals, and twenty captains.

Therefore, Meng Xiujie's identity can be described as anything but simple.

In particular, the Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry requires its commanders to have at least the cultivation level of the Life and Death Realm.

Therefore, although Meng Xiujie is young, he already possesses the strength of the Life and Death Realm.

For such a talented person, Zhao Kai actually placed him in such a remote position. Is Zhao Kai out of his mind?

How could someone like this not know how to win them over?

Zhao Zheng shouted in his heart.

"Why does Your Highness refuse Prince Kai's kind offer?"

Meng Xiujie said with a smile, seemingly completely unconcerned about Zhao Zheng's reputation as a good-for-nothing.

Yes, in many people's eyes, Zhao Zheng, who did not practice martial arts, was a good-for-nothing, because there is a world of difference between ordinary people and martial artists.

"Then why did General Meng refuse Zhao Kai's kindness?"

Zhao Zheng also said to Meng Xiujie, "It's obvious that the reason Meng Xiujie was arranged to sit here is because he is someone Zhao Kai doesn't think highly of."

"Haha, my Meng family has been supported by the Northern You Empress for generations, so of course we are loyal to her. What is Zhao Kai? He doesn't even deserve to win me over."

Meng Xiujie said arrogantly, his eyes filled with disdain.

Seeing this scene, Ye Yi couldn't help but praise Zhao Zheng in his mind.

"Haha, as expected of a member of the Meng family, forever loyal to the emperor alone. Very good, very good indeed. Perhaps the Meng family can become your ally."

Ye Yi's words made Zhao Zheng's breathing become unsteady for a moment, because Zhao Zheng was very envious of the Meng family's power, especially the Meng family army, which was a very powerful army in the Northern You Kingdom.

As one of the four great military families of the Northern You Empire, the Meng family's prestige in the Northern You Empire's military circles is unmatched by ordinary people.

Putting everything else aside, if Zhao Zheng could truly win over the Meng family, he could easily raise a new army of a million men, with the core strength of the army being filled by the elite of the Meng family's forces.

Therefore, it is clear how powerful the Meng family was.

However, the Meng family was extremely loyal, so loyal that no one dared to have any thoughts about them.

That's why the Meng family is so powerful and yet not suppressed.

Seeing that Zhao Zheng did not respond, Meng Xiujie immediately showed a hint of disappointment. He had thought that Zhao Zheng would be one of the more outstanding members of the royal family this generation, but he did not expect that he would turn out like this.

"What's wrong, Your Highness?"

Although he was initially disappointed in Zhao Zheng, as a member of the Meng family, he absolutely had to protect the face of the royal family. So Meng Xiujie brought up the topic again, not wanting Zhao Zheng to be so embarrassed.

"Haha, it's nothing. I just felt General Meng's loyalty. If my Northern You Empire had more people like General Meng, what difficulties would the Northern You Empire have?"

Zhao Zheng said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Your Highness is aware of Empress Beiyou's injury, right? And you understand what Zhao Kai is doing now, don't you?"

Meng Xiujie, who had stated this confidently earlier, asked with a somewhat doubtful look when he arrived at the back.

Clearly, Zhao Zheng's demeanor at this moment was somewhat unfathomable to him.

"Of course, powerful families also broke into my Prince Yan's residence yesterday."

Zhao Zheng spoke out without any attempt to conceal anything.

Indeed, the matter of numerous powerful families rebelling was hardly a secret, given the sheer number of families involved in this alliance; it was practically common knowledge throughout the land.

However, the royal family remained completely unresponsive to this situation, as if they had discovered nothing.

Most people believe that the Northern You royal family does not want to break ties with these aristocratic families. After all, the Northern You Empress is injured, and if these aristocratic families break ties with the Northern You royal family, it will have a huge impact on the entire Northern You Empire.

That's why these powerful families dare to be so arrogant now.

However, Zhao Zheng understood that there were two supreme beings in the Northern You royal family, one of whom was still intact. Therefore, they were not afraid of the rebellion of these aristocratic families at all. The reason why they did not rebel now was that they wanted to see which other aristocratic families had ill intentions and wanted to carry out a major purge.

The situation on the mainland is becoming increasingly unpredictable, requiring the entire Northern You Empire to manage all internal affairs in order to weather the storm safely.

Seeing Zhao Zheng's knowing look, Meng Xiujie realized that this son of the Prince of Yan, whom everyone in the capital called a good-for-nothing, didn't seem to be so good-for-nothing after all.

"Now that Your Highness understands all this, why not report these matters to Her Majesty the Empress?"

Meng Xiujie said with a half-smile.

Zhao Zheng glanced at the most outstanding young man in the Meng family and said casually.

"Her Majesty the Empress is wise and powerful. She has long seen this matter. Why should we, the nobody, remind her?"

This casual demeanor earned Meng Xiujie's high regard.

In fact, everyone understands one thing: the entire royal family is generally divided into two forces, one called the Northern Nether Empress and the other called the Northern Nether Royal Family. Generally speaking, the Northern Nether Empress has the ability to command the entire Northern Nether Royal Family in major matters. Only at this time is the Northern Nether Royal Family truly in power.

This was also the time when the Northern You Empire was at its most powerful.

Another scenario is when faced with minor issues or internal turmoil, the Northern You royal family will try to cause trouble for the Northern You Empress in order to assert their own presence.

This is the composition of the entire Northern You royal family.

This is also the norm throughout the entire Northern You Empire.

It was both incredibly dramatic and incredibly stable, plunging the entire Northern You Empire into a strange state of tranquility.

As a member of the Northern You royal family, Zhao Zheng's failure to make any attempt to gain attention this time was quite surprising to Meng Xiujie. It was a miracle to see such a well-behaved member of the royal family.

Meng Xiujie thought to himself.

"Haha, I heard that Your Highness commands five thousand soldiers at Nanya Pass. I have a question I would like to ask Your Highness."

"Oh? What is it, Young General Meng? Please ask. If I know the answer, I will tell you."

Zhao Zheng's expression shifted, and he immediately replied.

"Alright, I'd like to ask, since Your Highness is stationed at Nanya Pass, you must know that there is an elite cavalry force in the Western Desert, right?"

Meng Xiujie said with a somewhat solemn expression.

Zhao Zheng paused for a moment, then nodded and said.

"This lad does know a thing or two. May I ask what Young General Meng wishes to know?"

"Our Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry, half a year ago, chased the Blood Tribe into the Western Desert. The last 5,000 Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry were all wiped out in the Western Desert, which greatly angered our commander. In the Western Desert, the only force that could cause our Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry to suffer such heavy losses was that elite unit."

Meng Xiujie said with a somewhat grim expression, after all, the loss of 5,000 men by the Northern Nether Wolf Cavalry was indeed hard to believe.

Upon hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Zhao Zheng's eyes.

He remembered that half a year ago, Li Ge had reported to him that he had discovered a nomadic tribe in the Western Desert, along with an elite cavalry force. This cavalry force was extremely elite; although it consisted of only a small force of 5,000 men, 30,000 of Li Ge's 100,000 iron cavalry were dispatched, and they were still able to achieve a one-to-one battle loss ratio. This greatly disappointed Li Ge, who thought that his troops were nothing special.

After all, it was indeed somewhat shameful for 30,000 people to surround and kill 5,000 people, and still be defeated in a one-to-one battle.

When Zhao Zheng saw this intelligence report, he also felt that Li Ge's troops were not up to par and were not as powerful as he had imagined.

So for the next six months, they kept demanding that Li Ge train the troops like crazy.

I never expected it to be the legendary and renowned Northern You Wolf Riders.

"Well, actually I'm not familiar with this unit either, but according to the intelligence I received at Nanya Pass, this unit has about 100,000 men and is a very elite cavalry force."

"Yes, thank you for informing me, Your Highness. Please inform me if you spot them again, as my Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry must avenge this blood feud."

Meng Xiujie said with a serious expression. Clearly, the loss of five thousand Northern Nether Wolf Riders had greatly angered Meng Xiujie.

"Yes, yes, I have noticed it and will certainly inform General Meng."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Meng Xiujie cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Zheng.

At that moment, a voice suddenly broke in.

"I am also very interested in what you two have to say. I wonder if I could join you two for a chat?"

A young scholar slowly appeared before their eyes.

Zhao Zheng glanced at the jade pendant on his belt, and his pupils immediately contracted.

"Li Baiqiu".

When Meng Xiujie saw this person, his expression immediately turned sour, and he blurted out a name.

Upon hearing this name, Zhao Zheng couldn't help but feel a strange sensation. He usually couldn't even see a single member of the younger generation of the Northern You Empire, yet he was able to see two of them tonight.

"Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, General Meng."

When Li Baiqiu spoke of General Meng, he clearly emphasized his words.

Meng Xiujie's expression immediately turned even worse, clearly indicating that the two had a major conflict in the past.

Zhao Zheng was somewhat aware of the conflict between the two, after all, one was a member of the Meng family, a family with a long history of military achievements, and the other was a member of the Li family, a family with a long history of civil officials. It was impossible for them to have a good relationship.

Zhao Zheng immediately acted as a lubricant between the two.

At this moment, Zhao Kai, with an excited expression, was at the heart of the banquet, discussing his ideas at length.

These ideas were met with nods of approval from many members of the royal family and aristocratic families at the banquet.

Of course, there were also quite a few people who viewed the performance of the third son of the King of Wei as if he were a clown.

At this moment, Zhao Kai no longer concealed his true feelings and even extended an invitation to many people present.

Those who were already planning to join Zhao Kai's side immediately responded, and Zhao Kai quickly and successfully invited neutral forces thanks to their support.

Those who originally wanted to refuse couldn't refuse directly under these circumstances, and instead delayed Zhao Kai's invitation by saying they needed to think it over.

After all, Zhao Kai's influence is enormous these days, and these people wouldn't be so foolish as to become his target directly.

Just as Zhao Kai was getting more and more enthusiastic about winning people over, Zhao Zheng and the other two were having an increasingly heated discussion.

"Brother Ma, do you want to join our alliance? If you do, we will recommend you as the Grand Marshal of our alliance."

Zhao Kai looked at the dashing young man in front of him with a hint of longing.

The man referred to as Brother Ma is Ma Ruofei, a disciple of the Ma family, one of the four great military families of the Northern You Empire.

He was also one of the twenty commanders of ten thousand men in the entire Northern Ghost Wolf Cavalry.

Ma Ruofei first said with a smile.

"Your Highness, would you please give me some time to consider this?"

Many people have successfully used this excuse to delay Zhao Kai in the past.

However, it was of no use to Ma Ruofei, because Zhao Kai coveted the power of the Ma family.

"Haha, if it were anyone else, I would give them a long time to think it over. But Brother Ma is a talent that I covet. Please tell me quickly. Don't worry, even if you refuse me, I won't be angry."

Upon hearing this, Ma Ruofei wanted to say, "Don't worry about me! If I dared to refuse, I don't know if I would even be able to leave this room."