When they heard the Regent Ninth Prince Chun speak, everyone pricked their ears and held their breath.
Jiu Ye smiled faintly and said, "Today's drink is prepared entirely from my salary. Although it is the people's money, it is very clean. This place is clean, and the wine and food are also clean. Everyone, please feel free to enjoy it." He raised his wine glass and said, "Come, please, everyone."
After saying this, he drank it all in one gulp. Everyone stood up, raised their cups towards this side, and drank the cup.
Jiu Ye said: "Deputy General Xiao, please advise everyone to drink a few more cups on behalf of this king." Then he said to King Hui beside him, "Nephew,"
"Yes, Ninth Uncle."
"You should have a few more drinks too. There's nothing serious going on today, so don't worry."
Prince Hui nodded in agreement, but he understood what the Ninth Prince meant. From the Ninth Prince's invitation to him to his current request to let him go, his intention was clear. Even if he was sent by his father to spy on him, so what? At worst, he could report everything he saw and heard to his father. Could he possibly find some evidence against the Ninth Prince?
Lieutenant General Xiao agreed, a sinister smile on his face as he passed the wine glass around the table, urging people to drink. As he walked, he shouted, "Okay, I'll serve the wine on behalf of Master Jiu. Everyone should drink as soon as they are served. As for me, I've been by Master Jiu's side, fighting through life and death with him, fighting in hundreds of battles, both large and small. I like to serve wine according to military orders. Anyone who shies away from drinking will be forced to drink!"
Duan Sihai, the head of the salt merchants, had always been close to Duan Qinghong of Duanjiazhuang. Hearing the toast, he was the first to stand up, cup in hand. Seeing Lieutenant General Xiao approaching in a circle, he smiled thoughtfully, "Lieutenant General Xiao, last time the Second Prince sent a letter from Prince Shan's mansion, saying that the Ninth Master enjoys all kinds of weapons, and asked me to forge two fine swords for him. I wonder if you like them."
Deputy General Xiao glanced at Master Jiu. Duanjiazhuang was originally from Prince Shan's palace and had been given advance notice by Prince Shan. Seeing Master Jiu's snort, he said, "So those two swords were a gift from you. Master Jiu thought someone else had given them as a reward to one of the soldiers."
He smiled again and said: "Since you are a disciple of the Second Prince Shanwang Mansion, you should serve the country. How about donating 800,000 taels?" After saying that, he drank a glass and left without waiting for Duan Sihai to refute.
The two old officials sitting with the chief, Pang Wenguang and Chen Tiande, felt relieved after hearing this and clinked their glasses together to drink.
Pang Wenguang cracked melon seeds and whispered, "This deputy commander beside Master Jiu is truly formidable. He secured eight hundred thousand taels in a flash. The Duan Family Estate is the worst hit by financial problems. They thought they could rest easy by bringing in the Second Prince, who would then have to respect Master Jiu as his uncle. He's too arrogant, and he'll surely be punished by Heaven."
After saying that, he clinked glasses with Chen Tiande from the Salt Bureau.
Jiu Ye smiled and said, "What did the two gentlemen say?"
Chen Tiande said respectfully, "Oh, Master Jiu, Duan Sihai usually relies on the power of Duan Qinghong's family to do evil. Today I feel relieved."
Jiu Ye smiled and said, "You said, Duan Qinghong..."
Lu Zhenzhi recalled how Duan Qinghong had poisoned the plum cake in Lengjue Town to prevent him from entering Shangyang County. He also recalled the day when Fu Tong'er had worn that captivating Western Region tube-top dress with bells, and that paper-thin, short skirt that barely covered her buttocks. He smiled calmly and said, "Anyone who harms the court will not be able to escape."
"Yes, Master Jiu is right." Chen Tiande responded respectfully again.
"The king is here. You two old officials should also make more memorials to the king and send people to deliver them to me. Writing more frequently is also your duty."
"Yes, Master Jiu!"
Pang Wenguang and Chen Tiande were instructed by Master Jiu to reveal as much as possible. They both raised their glasses and drank.
At this time, a soldier trotted in from outside, came to Jiu Ye and whispered, "Jiu Ye, Miss Fu ran into the owner of Duanjia Village at the government office. He insisted that Miss Fu go to his village for a visit. Even Lord Wei at the government office couldn't stop her, so he told me to come and report this to Jiu Ye!"
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