“Of course it’s His Majesty’s decree,” the young eunuch said somewhat displeased.
"Send the eunuch who delivers the imperial decree directly to me; I don't have time to go out."
Jiang Tian picked up a slice of watermelon and began to take big bites.
Han Xin walked over and said, "My lord, there's no need for this. The imperial court has just issued an edict, and they may be asking for your help. Why don't you give the court some face and accept the edict according to the established rules?"
Jiang Tian glanced at Han Xin. When Han Xin joined Liu Bang, he was incredibly arrogant.
He wanted Liu Bang to ascend the platform and be appointed general.
How come Han Xin has become so understanding now?
"The Great Xia Dynasty is already in a precarious state; there's no need to take such a court to heart."
"My lord, that is true, but wouldn't it be better if we could get as many benefits from the court as possible under the current conditions?"
Jiang Tian nodded.
"Okay, we'll do as you say."
Jiang Tiantian led Han Xin, Xiang Yu, Li Guang, and Huo Qubing, along with 500 cavalrymen, directly out of the city.
The entourage of the Grand Eunuch Liu Jin was waiting ten miles outside the city gate.
Jiang Tian glanced at it and sneered, "These guys are quite good at putting on airs, actually expecting me to greet them from ten miles away."
Jiang Tian immediately became unhappy.
Han Xin advised from behind, "My lord, the last ten miles are the hardest. We've already left the city, so let's walk these ten more miles."
"Han Xin, I'm giving you face today. You are the Grand Marshal of my army. As for the emperor and the eunuch who delivers the imperial edict, I don't know them at all."
The team advanced rapidly.
The eunuch Liu Jin saw a lush green expanse outside Flying Fox City, with several clear and wide rivers flowing gently past him.
The guy was completely stunned.
The last time he came to Flying Fox City, the area outside the city was still a desolate wasteland of withered grass and barren willows.
In less than half a month, Flying Fox City has become a vibrant place.
Liu Jin looked at Jiang Tian and led his men to charge over.
The eunuch in red quickly produced the imperial edict.
Jiang Tian rushed to Liu Jin and dismounted.
"Jiang Tian accepts the imperial decree."
Jiang Tian reached out to cover his sleeve and glared fiercely at Liu Jin.
If this eunuch ever tried to make him kneel, he would chop off his head without hesitation.
“Lord Jiang, you can just stand and receive the decree,” Liu Jin was indeed quick to understand.
Jiang Tian nodded in satisfaction and cupped his hands in greeting to the eunuch Liu Jin.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:..."
The eunuch Liu Jin read the imperial edict aloud for a long time.
Jiang Tian understood; the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty still wanted to marry Princess Xue'er to the Xiongnu.
"The mighty Great Xia Dynasty, with its 400 million people, needs to rely on a girl's belly to protect this great land."
Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if people say that?
Liu Jin quickly put on a smiling face, knowing that Jiang Tian could take his life with the flick of a finger.
"Lord Jiang, there's no need to trouble yourself. This time, the Grand Secretary's eldest son, Pang Bo, will personally lead the expedition to the Xiongnu. There's no need to trouble you, sir."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Tian became even more displeased.
Who is Pang Bo? He actually wants to send Princess Xue'er to the Xiongnu.
Once Princess Xue'er arrives on Jiang Tian's territory, she becomes Jiang Tian's woman.
No matter what imperial decree it was, no matter whose intention it was, Jiang Tian could not possibly send away that woman whose beauty had almost made him forget to breathe.
"Lord Jiang, congratulations!" Liu Jin smiled slightly.
"Congratulations my ass, what's there to congratulate?" Jiang Tian would never agree to give Princess Xue'er away.
“My lord, you may not know this,” Liu Jin said, pulling out an imperial edict from his sleeve. “His Majesty knows that you possess the talent to stabilize the country and bring peace to the land. His Majesty wishes to appoint you as the General of Zhenyuan, to guard the three cities of Longcheng forever.”
The position of General Zhenyuan is hereditary and can be passed down without fail.
After Liu Jin finished speaking, he quickly stepped forward and handed the imperial edict to Jiang Tian.
Then he waved behind him.
Several eunuchs came over carrying official robes and the imperial seal.
Jiang Tian gestured towards Han Xin behind him with his lip: "Han Xin, take these things."
"promise……"
Han Xin put away his official robes and seal.
"How much is my annual salary as the General of Zhenyuan?"
"3,000 shi of grain and 20,000 taels of silver."
Jiang Tian laughed when he heard that.
This little bit of money is utterly useless.
"Lord Jiang, I wish you a bright future in your career. The eldest son of Grand Secretary Pang will be arriving in a few days."
"Understood, Eunuch Chen, go and have some fun in the city. There are so many interesting things to do in Flying Fox City now."
"No, I have to go back and report to the emperor."
Jiang Tian didn't stand on ceremony with the eunuch.
...
Jiang Tian's courtyard.
In the reception room.
Han Xin and several others gathered together.
"Everyone, tell me, the emperor wants to marry Princess Xue'er to the Xiongnu, but I have my eye on Princess Xue'er."
Li Guang: "A person chosen by our lord is our lord's person. There is no need to send a woman over."
Huo Qubing: "They're just the Xiongnu. My lord ordered me to lead 10,000 cavalry to raze the Xiongnu royal court. What right do they have to compete with my lord for women?"
Han Xin sat there without saying a word.
"Han Xin, I'd like to hear your opinion."
"If our lord likes Princess Xue'er, then let her stay. With our current strength, we can dominate a region. Given time, it's not impossible for us to conquer the entire 16 northern kingdoms."
Jiang Tian smiled slightly: "Han Xin, didn't you advise me to consider the overall situation? Why aren't you advising me today?"
Han Xin cupped his hands and said, "As the saying goes, 'When the ruler is in trouble, the ministers are disgraced.' If we ministers can't even protect the woman our lord likes, what right do we have to be ministers?"
“However, I do think I’d like to take a trip to the Xiongnu.” Jiang Tian stood up. “A few days ago, I stood on the Great Wall and looked north.”
Everywhere I looked, there was only withered yellow grass.
The soldiers guarding the Great Wall also told me that there had been a three-year drought north of the Great Wall.
"I'll take this opportunity to see what the 16 kingdoms of the northern grasslands are like."
"My lord, there's no need for you to personally visit the 16 kingdoms of the northern grasslands if you wish to learn about them," Han Xin said, worried that Jiang Tian might be in danger if he went.
After all, the 16 kingdoms of the grasslands were all barbarians.
These uncivilized barbarians are capable of anything.
"Li Guang and Huo Qubing, my mind is made up. You two will each lead 1,000 cavalrymen to accompany me."
"promise……"
"Order Xiang Yu to continue pursuing and killing the Khitan traitors along the way. Kill every single Khitan who enters the Great Wall without exception. Do not let any of them escape."
"promise……"
"After I left, Xiang Yu and Dian Wei strengthened the defense of the Great Wall and attacked cities and territories for me."
"I am now the General Who Guards the Distant Lands, how can the General Who Guards the Plains simply defend the three cities of Longcheng?"
"promise……"
"Han Xin, after I leave, the three cities of Longcheng will be in your hands. Intensify the training of troops and dominate the world as soon as possible."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
