In the Golden Palace.
This morning's court session was the longest ever.
Because we received an urgent message from the border, which is eight hundred miles away, and the content is extremely important.
The court officials had different opinions and each stepped forward to express their ideas.
"Your Majesty, General Li is asking for one million taels of military pay. This is tantamount to asking for too much. We must not agree to this."
"Yes, General Li not only wants one million taels, but also the power to appoint and dismiss personnel in the six counties surrounding Shatuo Town. If we agree to this, it would be like handing the border control over to one person. How can we feel at ease?"
There are also those who hold different opinions.
"Your Majesty, if we can win this battle in the Northern Frontier, we can annex the four countries including Canlang Nation, which will be beneficial to the expansion of our empire's territory."
"Yes, Your Majesty, if General Li can win this battle, it will be a hundred benefits and no harm."
The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet said:
"Master Zhang is wrong. When General Qi Yan was here, the emphasis was on winning small battles and linking up attacks. The food and fodder required was never so large, making it easier to allocate. Why does General Li insist on such a large expenditure?"
Xuan Ling knew that the national treasury had 30 million taels, so it would be no problem for him to take out 1 million taels, but in previous wars, the front line would not demand such a large amount at one time.
He asked, "Prince Teng, you are in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. What do you think of this matter?"
Prince Teng stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am worried that once the war begins, one million taels will be just the beginning. I ask Your Majesty to reconsider."
Xuan Ling said sternly, "Please think about this matter again, my dear ministers. We will decide on a specific plan at the court tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xuan Ling stood up and left the throne.
Prince Teng hurried out of the Golden Palace to find Qi Yan.
Qi Yan had already been waiting in the garden woods not far from the Yangxin Palace.
"Brother Qi, you've returned just in time. Come with me to meet the Emperor."
In the Yangxin Palace, Xuan Ling had not yet changed into his dragon robe when the imperial servant came in to report.
"Your Majesty, Prince Teng said he needs to see you for something."
"Xuan."
At the gate of the Yangxin Palace, Qi Yan was filled with emotion. It had been three years since he had been here.
The white marble dragon-patterned slope at the entrance was used as a slide by him and Xuan Ling when they were children.
Every brick and tile here carries the growth of the king and his minister.
I still remember the day when Xuan Ling ascended the throne at the age of twelve.
Before the succession ceremony, Xuan Ling was nervous and restless in the back hall.
Qi Yan took out a dagger and stuffed it into his dragon-patterned soap boots.
"Your Highness, with this sharp weapon for self-defense, you need not fear anything. I will hide behind the throne to protect you. Our grappling skills are unmatched in the world."
Xuan Ling took out the jeweled dagger hidden in his other dragon boot.
It turned out that the two of them thought of the same thing.
They looked at each other and smiled, their faces showing the ambition of young people.
"Qi Yan, I'm not afraid. You must hide well and don't let those pedantic old officials look down on me."
"I understand, Your Highness, don't worry."
........
The imperial attendant came out and said, "Your Highness, please come in."
Prince Teng led Qi Yan into the Yangxin Palace.
Looking over from the perspective of the black gauze hat, the young emperor on the throne was concentrating on reading a memorial.
The emperor was worried about the civil affairs.
He was known for his diligence and love for the people.
Prince Teng bowed and said, "Your humble servant greets His Majesty."
Xuan Ling did not look up or speak. He picked up the vermilion pen, wrote a line of words on the memorial, and put it into the golden basket.
Just picked up the ginseng tea,
"Prince Teng, you didn't finish what you said in the hall. I thought you would come again."
Prince Teng smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I know that you are worried about the border affairs, so I specially sent you a timely rain."
"oh?"
Xuan Ling looked at the man in black robe next to him.
"You brought a counselor with you? Perfect, it'll give me a change of pace."
Prince Teng said respectfully, "This matter is of great importance. I ask you to dismiss your attendants."
Xuan Ling signaled, and Eunuch Fu led the palace servants to leave and close the palace door.
Qi Yan took off his hat and knelt down.
The teacup in Xuan Ling's hand tilted and the tea spilled out.
She opened her eyes wide in disbelief. Is this Qi Yan?
The teacup was placed on the dragon table with a bang, and the tea splashed out.
Qi Yan clasped his hands together and bowed with his arms forward,
"Long live the emperor..."
Xuan Ling suddenly leaned back on the throne, his handsome face showing a half-smile, his narrow and long eyes sparkling, full of surprise and shock.
The only sound in the hall was Qi Yan's sobbing.
In an instant, Xuan Ling swept down like a hurricane, and no one could stop his imperial power.
"Qi Yan! Is it really you?"
Qi Yan hugged Xuan Ling's legs and cried like a child.
"Your Majesty...I am incompetent and have just returned. I am worried about Your Majesty day and night..."
Xuan Ling's eyes were warm and she grabbed his arm and helped him up.
"Qi Yan, what have you been doing these past two years? Tell me about it."
As the matter concerned military intelligence, Prince Teng left the Yangxin Palace to wait, leaving behind the monarch and his ministers who had not seen each other for a long time.
On the Arhat couch, Xuan Ling personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Qi Yan.
Qi Yan said as he drank, "I have again gotten the emperor's tea."
"You like white tea, so today's is Tangerine Peel and Buckwheat Tieguanyin, Yanyan said..."
This is Sheng Xiyan’s herbal tea for relieving fatigue.
Xuan Ling didn't continue, but Qi Yan heard the last three words clearly.
The king and his ministers' eyes were red and their voices were hoarse.
Xuan Ling poured himself a cup of tea and said solemnly:
"Qi Yan, before we discuss state affairs, I want to tell you something. Sheng Xiyan is now my consort, not your wife. I hope you can remember this."
Qi Yan knelt down and begged, "Your Majesty, please return A Yan to me, I..."
He kowtowed several times in succession.
Xuan Ling helped him up.
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