Upon hearing this, all the Imperial Guards took a step back as if facing a formidable enemy, and Zhao Qingyao and Prince Duan were also caught up in the situation.
It's important to understand that both of them, as well as the Imperial Guards present, represented imperial power!
The fact that a single sentence could cause all those who symbolized imperial power to take a step back is a serious matter that could warrant execution!
But at this moment, Lu Tu was no longer afraid of anything. When he could not grasp Zhao Qingyao's intentions, it meant that he could not control his own destiny.
This feeling compelled him to stand up and fight back. If he were to be reborn into this world and unknowingly become someone else's pawn, he might as well just die!
Lu Tu lowered his halberd naturally, staring intently at Zhao Qingyao: "I only need one word from you: will you give me the credit or not? If not, I'll leave immediately without saying another word!"
Faced with Lu Tu's domineering and forceful interrogation, even Zhao Qingyao, who was used to big scenes, felt immense pressure.
It's important to understand that she hadn't always stayed in the inner palace; everyone she came into contact with was a high-ranking official of the first or second rank, and every one of them exuded an air of authority.
But right now, she was actually frightened by a mere sixth-rank military officer from the countryside!
She had no doubt that if she said no, Lu Tu's cold halberd would pierce her body!
Zhao Qingyao was already feeling regret. She regretted not believing in Lü Tu's strength and instead trying to mediate and gain more favorable conditions for herself.
"I already believe you captured Samhe alive. What conditions do you still want me to agree to? Shouldn't such a big matter be reported to the Ministry of War and let them make a decision?"
Lu Tu sneered, "I understand, Princess. In that case, I won't stand on ceremony..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Qingyao quickly interrupted, "Wait a minute, Commandant Lü. Actually, before I came here, the Emperor granted me a power to investigate the situation of the six border towns with Prince Duan, and then let Prince Duan make a decision. We can then submit a memorial directly to the Emperor!"
Prince Duan was startled by these words. He looked at Zhao Qingyao in disbelief and said in a low voice, "You're my own sister! You wouldn't push me into a fire pit, would you?"
"Get to the point! What are you standing there for?" Zhao Qingyao showed him no respect either, scolding him in a low voice.
Prince Duan quickly explained, "Yes, yes, my second sister is right! In fact, you have made such a great contribution, why would you need the Ministry of War's documents? I can appoint you as the Deputy General of Wuchuan right now, commanding 3,000 troops!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingyu's face turned black with anger. Lü Tu, with only 800 men, dared to so boldly go north of the Great Wall and capture the chief of the third largest tribe of the Wuhuan. If Lü Tu had 3,000 men, Ye Qingyu felt that Lü Tu would dare to attack Longcheng.
Actually, he wasn't wrong; Lü Tu was indeed bold. But he shook his head and said, "Prince Duan, let's be frank. Empty promises don't work on me very well."
After hearing this, Liu Hong, Nie Yun, and the others nodded repeatedly. This matter had escalated to this point; if it were just a verbal agreement, they wouldn't even know how they died afterward.
Moreover, he was even more unwilling to accept this deputy commander Lü Tu. After all he had done, he was still outranked by Yun Tian in terms of rank. And this deputy commander was the same position that Yun Wei had held before.
Prince Duan was also troubled upon hearing this: "Lu Tu, are you really ignorant or pretending not to understand? The position of deputy general is the highest official position I can appoint for you at present. You should know that each of the six border garrisons is independent of the Ministry of War and is only under the jurisdiction of my imperial brother. Even I am not qualified to appoint you as a captain!"
Lu Tu sneered: "So, does that mean the deputy general position you appointed for me, Prince Duan, is valid?"
Seeing Lü Tu's disdainful look, Prince Duan angrily pulled out an official seal from his robes: "Look carefully! This is my seal. My brother has decreed that I may make some personnel appointments in the six border garrisons!"
Lu Tu raised an eyebrow: "If that's the case, then why not take down Zhao Wuyou, who is accused of treason?"
Upon hearing this, Prince Duan was speechless.
At this moment, Zhao Qingyao, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up loudly: "I stopped him from going! Do you have any objections?"
Even Lü Tu was somewhat surprised, considering that Ye Qingyu was hiding like a coward, yet Zhao Qingyao still dared to stand up and reprimand Lü Tu.
Lu Tu narrowed his eyes slightly: "Has the princess forgotten what she told me before?"
These ambiguous words drew knowing glances from everyone present.
Zhao Qingyao's eyes were frosty: "Come with me!"
After saying that, Zhao Qingyao shouted at the Imperial Guards around her: "Get out of the way!"
"Your Highness, no! That Lu Tu is heartless and insane..." The Imperial Guard was halfway through his sentence when he felt countless gazes on him, which made him feel a chill run down his spine, and he quickly shut his mouth.
Zhao Qingyao arrived at a corner in front of the Commandant's Mansion and looked at Lü Tu defiantly, saying, "I'm not afraid, so Commandant Lü, are you scared?"
Lu Tu snorted coldly: "I'm not afraid of anything. Today I'll see what you have to say."
He then urged his horse forward and dismounted in front of Zhao Qingyao.
With her back to everyone, Zhao Qingyao's eyes instantly reddened when she faced Lü Tu, and tears streamed down her face.
Lu Tu was stunned on the spot and whispered, "What are you doing? Where did that bullshit go?"
Zhao Qingyao was crying so hard her eyes were streaked with tears, and she could barely speak: "Why won't you give me a chance to explain? Why did you have to bring troops here to force me to abdicate? Do you really think I would harm you?"
Lu Tu frowned upon hearing this: "Our relationship isn't that ambiguous, is it? Can't we just talk things out?"
"I'm talking to you about something!" Zhao Qingyao glared at Lü Tu with her beautiful eyes.
Lu Tu said helplessly, "Knowing that Zhao Wuyou is colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, and is constantly targeting me, you actually chose to compromise with Ye Qingyu. This makes me see no sincerity in cooperating with you!"
"It's that simple?"
"Yes! It's that simple!"
Zhao Qingyao sighed softly: "Why don't you think about it? Is this matter really that simple? Do you know why Zhao Wuyou also has the surname Zhao? His collusion with the enemy and selling salt and iron privately has been going on for more than just a day or two. Why hasn't anyone reported or exposed him?"
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu asked incredulously, "He wouldn't happen to be your relative, would he?"
Zhao Qingyao nodded: "He is not only my relative, but also the illegitimate son of the woman my father loved most when he was alive. He deliberately placed him in Huai Shuo! Before my father passed away, he also instructed the current emperor that Zhao Wuyou was shot by an arrow and became a eunuch when he saved him, so Zhao Wuyou must not be touched unless absolutely necessary!"
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