Anfu, who was standing next to him, almost burst out laughing when he saw that Anfu's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
He forced himself to speak, using his hoarse voice.
"General Gao, His Majesty is busy with other matters. If you wish to express your gratitude, please wait until tomorrow in the court."
"General Gao, I would like to trouble you to register the principal of the 1,000 taels of government bonds with this old servant."
Who the hell wants to kowtow and thank the Emperor for his grace?
Who the hell should be grateful for a thousand taels?
He cursed inwardly again, and Gao Chao forced out an expression that was even more unsightly than crying.
"May I ask, Eunuch An, what exactly does His Majesty mean by this registration of principal?"
Being on the front lines in Youzhou, he had only heard of these national debt bonds, but knew very little about them.
Anfu nodded and gave an explanation.
"It seems General Gao is unaware of this. The national debt is like this: you have to pay the principal first to receive it. Then, you will receive the principal plus interest, which is one thousand taels."
"What?"
Upon hearing this explanation, Gao Chao's eyes widened in disbelief.
Is this even considered a reward?
Everyone knows that those government bonds are a complete rip-off; a whole bunch of people in the court have tried to get them back but haven't been able to.
So, how much reward did that tyrannical emperor actually bestow upon himself? Probably not even two hundred taels of silver.
Moreover, you won't be able to get the government bonds back at all!
Gao Chao thought about it more and more, and realized how terrible this tyrannical emperor was.
Why am I so miserable?
This is outrageous! I'm losing money!
Gao Chao felt his blood surging, and he almost spat out the words through his teeth.
"Eunuch An, how could I refuse this reward of government bonds?"
Anfu looked displeased.
"Oh dear~ This is a personal reward from His Majesty. You're just going to refuse it like that. What do you take His Majesty for? You'll probably displease him!"
Gao Chao: A moment later.
Inside the Prime Minister's residence.
Gao Chao was so angry that his hands trembled, and he put the government bond roll on the table.
"Prime Minister! The Emperor has bestowed upon me a reward of one thousand national debt bonds, of which I have contributed nine hundred in principal."
Upon seeing this, Sima Lie did not empathize with him or share his indignation; instead, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"That tyrant is utterly shameless, General Gao. Although I feel deeply saddened by your misfortune, please don't be too distressed. By the way! What exactly did he say?"
But the next second, Sima Lie couldn't laugh at all.
"Prime Minister! The foolish emperor has been completely blinded by our fabricated victory report. He is now utterly arrogant and won't listen to any explanations. He is completely unaware of the consequences of angering the Xiongnu. He is still gloating over his actions!"
It’s over!
Sima Lie felt a deep sorrow in his heart, and his face was deathly still.
He also hoped that the incompetent emperor would realize the seriousness of the situation and take some remedial measures, preferably by issuing a state edict or something to appease the anger of the Xiongnu, just in case things could turn around.
But judging from the current situation, that's impossible!
What's done is done.
In this way, the Xiongnu will surely launch a fierce and frenzied counterattack, and his Youzhou and his son guarding the front line will bear the brunt of the Xiongnu's wrath.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sima Lie slumped into his chair, his face deathly pale, and even his breathing became labored.
Gao Chao was extremely worried. He was terrified that the old man would get so angry in front of him that he would faint. He knelt down and asked the question in a mournful voice.
"Prime Minister, are you alright?"
Sima Lie closed his eyes, the veins on his hand gripping the teacup bulging, and after several seconds, he gritted his teeth and cursed angrily.
"The Zhao family! Zhao Hu! Zhao Jian!"
It was all because of the Zhao family; without them, this accident wouldn't have happened.
He couldn't even imagine how the Xiongnu Chanyu would react upon learning of his son's death!
This boundless rage will not reach the Zhao family, the instigators, but it will reach Youzhou!
Thinking of this, Sima Lie hated the shameless Zhao family even more!
no!
The fact that the Zhao family was able to get the news and take action so quickly must be closely related to Zhao Lan in the palace.
The Empress has now become his greatest threat!
Sima Jing must act quickly; that hateful empress must be made to die without a burial place!
at the same time.
Zi Yan was giving a lively report in the Empress's palace.
"Young Miss! Great news! Zhao Jian was on his way to carry out the mission when the Xiongnu were suddenly killed by a mysterious force!"
"A mysterious force?"
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Lan's body stiffened, and she asked incredulously.
"That's right, Your Majesty. Zhao Jian reported that the skills of that group of mysterious assassins are absolutely terrifying, especially their overlapping and attacking tactics, which are simply unbelievable!"
"The Xiongnu were slaughtered so badly they cried out in despair, with almost no chance to fight back!"
In the capital, which other faction has the manpower to do this?
Zhao Lan's eyes widened in shock, and she even paused for a few seconds.
After some thought, she realized that the person she had killed must have been the Xiongnu prince!
For him personally, the shadow cast by the peace talks had dissipated, and it had relieved the Zhao family of their immediate crisis.
While sharing Zi Yan's joy, she was also very curious.
"Yan'er, tell me, who exactly is that mysterious group?"
"This servant dares not make a judgment; it is truly difficult to guess!"
Besides the Zhao family, the Sima family is the only other family in the capital capable of such a grand scheme.
But how could the Sima family, who were the most eager for peace talks, have killed Tuofang?
So now, who is left?
Zi Yan pouted, tilting her cute head up as she thought.
"Young Miss, do you think it could be the work of a martial arts master from the capital?"
"That's quite possible!"
Throughout history, there has been a constant stream of skilled individuals from the common people.
Especially in the capital city, there is no shortage of hidden masters!
The most indignant people when the Xiongnu launched a large-scale invasion southward were those who practiced martial arts.
They all had a deep sense of patriotism and cared most about the safety of the land beneath their feet and the people.
Upon learning of Tuo Fang's arrival, they felt that an opportunity had come, and it was not impossible for the various experts to join forces and launch a joint attack.
After Zhao Lan finished imagining the scenario, she immediately nodded and gave the order.
"That's probably it! Yan'er, go and investigate thoroughly. If possible, recruit them to your side."
"Tell them that if they join our Zhao family, they will not only be treated with great wealth and respect, but they will also be able to fight against the Xiongnu!"
Just as Zi Yan solemnly agreed, Qin Yu swaggered into the palace.
In the blink of an eye, Zhao Lan's casual demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
This woman was already tall and slender, giving off an icy and aloof feeling. Now, she deliberately adopted this posture, her eyes as cold as icy stars, exuding an innate sense of authority and distance, making people dare not approach her easily.
In addition, having been an empress for many years, her speech and demeanor exuded an unparalleled nobility!
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