Chapter 203:
Respect When Gan Fanren and his companions arrived, the banquet had not started yet, and the palace maids and eunuchs were arranging the meals.
Gan Fanren knew this emperor too well.
Even if this emperor wanted to kill someone, he would do it in a very respectable manner and act as if he was giving a gift.
Naturally, he would not simply kill Tang Shi. He would definitely chat with Tang Shi and then kill her at the banquet.
So Gan Fanren found a position closer to Tang Shi.
Tang Shi was wearing a gorgeous dress, like a carefree rich young man. His black hair was tied up with a beautiful jade hairpin, and his eyebrows were bright and unrestrained.
His eyes, which were originally deliberately narrowed, were now relaxed and opened, and they actually felt blunt. There was no strong sense of oppression, and they were a bit more innocent and carefree.
There was a gleam in her eyes as she lingered on the beautiful flowers and plants in the garden, exclaiming in amazement.
"When I was young, I was in poor health and stayed in bed. My mother was afraid that I would catch a cold and get sick, so she didn't let me go out. I had never seen such beautiful flowers and plants."
"When I grew up, my father found that I was quite talented in marching and fighting, so he trained me day and night. I was exhausted physically and mentally at that time, and had no mood to appreciate these flowers and plants."
"Later, I went to war for my father. Although my father and brothers' confidants in the army took good care of me, I was busy fighting at that time, and the border was full of wind and sand, so such beautiful flowers had never grown."
"After we won the war, I took my brothers to defend the city. The city was prosperous, but outside the city was full of weeds, and such delicate flowers could not grow. I was also no longer at the age to enjoy appreciating flowers."
"This is the first time I have the opportunity to sit down and quietly look at these flowers."
Tang Shi's hands, which were covered with knots, gently stroked the delicate flowers, and a smile appeared on his face.
A palace maid sniffed and poured a glass of wine for Tang Shi.
She turned her back to the emperor at the top and spoke to Tang Shi in a very low voice.
"General Tang, my family is from Xiaoye City. You guard Xiaoye City and keep the people of Xiaoye City safe. I am very grateful. Today I want to thank you."
"If you need anything from me, just ask, and I will repay you."
The palace maid's eyes were full of water, obviously hinting to Tang Shi that as long as Tang Shi gave the order, she would do her best to help Tang Shi escape.
Tang Shi shook his head.
"It is my duty to protect the people. It is my responsibility. Why should I be grateful?"
Tang Shi looked at the wine poured by the maid and took a sip. He smiled and said to the maid, "This wine is your thank you gift."
"At the last moment, I can get a little kindness, which is worth my hard work for half a lifetime."
How can there be half a lifetime?
General Tang is only in his twenties now.
The maid's eyes were red, but because of her low status, she dared not say a word.
She could only retreat sadly.
Tang Shi didn't care about life and death.
Gan Fanren pretended to serve Tang Shi and whispered, "General Tang, we are here to save you."
Gan Fanren handed the gold medal of immunity from death to Tang Shi's arms.
"With this, His Majesty will not kill you for the time being. Let's hide tonight first, and then think of a proper way to help you escape after leaving the palace."
Tang Shi accepted the gold medal of immunity from death and smiled calmly at Gan Fanren.
"Your Majesty's money bag was destroyed, the concubine died, and the warehouse was also robbed clean. His Majesty is very angry."
"His Majesty believes that I built Feixing Pavilion and spent a lot of money. He has a grudge against me. If I don't die, His Majesty will be unable to sleep or eat."
"If I die, it will be enough to protect the safety of several people."
Gan Fanren placed the food on the table, slowly stood up, stood behind Tang Shi, and said in a very low voice: "You shouldn't take it on yourself."
The more Tang Shi did this, the more guilty Gan Fanren felt.
Although he had saved Tang Shi, his friendship with Tang Shi was not deep. He
was not worthy of Tang Shi's help.
Tang Shi knew what he was thinking and retorted, "You shouldn't have come either."
The Tang Army came.
They were brothers who depended on each other for life and death on the battlefield. What was Gan Fanren doing here!
He was a businessman and a weak scholar who didn't know any boxing. Wasn't he looking for death by coming here?
Gan Fanren stopped talking.
He just stood quietly behind him, as if he didn't know Tang Shi.
Tang Shi was originally very relaxed, but he became uneasy after knowing that his brothers had sneaked in.
He looked at the flowers and plants in front of him with an uneasy mood. He
quietly made hand gestures to the brothers behind him.
Gan Fanren didn't understand, but the Tang Army did.
[Don't worry about me, go away! ]
The eyes of the Tang Army were red.
On the battlefield, they would never disobey military orders.
But this is not a battlefield.
They all turned their heads away and pretended not to see it.
Although Gan Fanren didn't understand, he guessed something from the reactions of the Tang family soldiers.
He didn't expect General Tang to be so stubborn.
He secretly gave the Tang family soldiers a look.
General Tang was unwilling to cooperate and would not take out the golden medal of immunity from death.
They might have to change their plan.
Before coming, Gan Fanren had already made three plans.
Among these three plans, there is always one that will work.
His Majesty was not wearing a dragon robe, but a yellow casual dress with beautiful patterns outlined with gold thread.
He smiled kindly and talked cordially with the ministers around him, but his eyes were fierce and he quietly observed the surroundings.
After three rounds of drinking, His Majesty finally spoke: "Although General Tang has not returned to the capital for a long time, I have heard a lot about him."
"Everyone says that General Tang is young and promising, and that he loves the people like his own children."
"Listen, the phrase 'loving the people like one's own children' is so well used. If everyone is like General Tang, then would Dayun still be prosperous?"
The ministers around him said yes, but looked at Tang Shi with a joking look.
"General Tang's reputation is really great. Although he is far away in Jianan Pass, his followers are all over the capital."
"General Tang is really good at tricks. His reputation is even better than your Majesty. Why don't you teach us some skills so that we can also surpass your Majesty like General Tang."
Tang Shi ignored all the ridicule of these ministers.
He just listened quietly and drank quietly.
Seeing that he didn't react much, everyone felt bored and gradually stopped talking.
His Majesty felt a little bored, so he said, "General Tang, don't you have anything to say to me?"
Tang Shi put down the wine glass and said softly, "Your Majesty, what do you want to hear me say?"
"Why don't you tell me, General Tang, why did you disobey the imperial edict and why did you privately build Feixing Pavilion?"
"I believe that I have never treated General Tang badly. Although you are only a fifth-rank official, your salary plus various allowances are comparable to that of a second-rank official. General Tang does not gamble or visit prostitutes and has no family background. I really don't understand why General Tang is short of money?"
"I am short of money. I am short of a lot of money."
Tang Shi looked at His Majesty sitting in the main seat, his voice low.
"Although my salary is high, the soldiers in the army are short of food and clothing. Those who retired due to injuries are unable to support their families due to serious illnesses. I need a lot of money to ensure that every soldier has enough food and clothing."