Unable to find either the person or the body, Gao Chao was extremely anxious and hurriedly returned to the Prime Minister's residence.
"Prime Minister Sima! Something terrible has happened! Tuo Fang and his party have been attacked and their fate is currently unknown. They are most likely dead." Sima Lie was still sound asleep when he heard the news. He was shocked and immediately became fully awake.
He excitedly grabbed Gao Chao by the collar.
"What? What did you say?"
Qiu Beiming arrived upon hearing the news and immediately stopped Sima Lie.
"Prime Minister! Let him finish speaking and give the details!"
After a flustered description, Qiu Beiming's eyes darted around.
"Wait! You said that when you left, a group of people brushed past you, and one of them was someone you had seen before at the front lines, who looked like Zhao Jian?"
"That's right!"
Gao Chao was resolute.
The two had fought side by side, and he was certain of it!
Qiu Beiming stroked his beard and nodded.
"Then that's it!"
"The Xiongnu prince was most likely killed by Zhao Hu and his gang in order to sabotage the peace talks, prevent General Tianbao from returning to the capital, and keep the eldest son and the Xiongnu locked in a tug-of-war so that the Zhao family could stir up trouble and reap the benefits."
Sima Lie snapped out of his rage and listened to Qiu Beiming's analysis; his heart immediately trembled.
A strong sense of crisis arose from the bottom of my heart!
Zhao Hu, oh Zhao Hu!
This old man is indeed my greatest rival!
Just as he was filled with resentment, the steward rushed in to report.
"Prime Minister! His Majesty is sending people everywhere to search for General Gao Chao, but they haven't been able to find the post station, and he's very anxious!"
Gao Chao was extremely nervous.
The moment the incident occurred, that tyrannical emperor immediately sought help; this matter is definitely not simple!
He looked at Sima Lie and asked hesitantly.
"Prime Minister, should I go now or not?"
"Go, of course we have to go! Otherwise, wouldn't that be a guilty conscience, tantamount to admitting guilt!"
After pondering for a moment, Sima Lie then followed the voice and gave instructions.
"That tyrannical ruler must have also received news of the prince's murder!"
"So, you'll insist that Zhao Hu sent people to kill you. You have nothing to do with it! Understand?"
Gao Chao nodded repeatedly, "Your subordinate understands!"
He hurriedly answered the summons and went to the palace, where the emperor had been waiting for a long time.
"This humble general, Gao Chao, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
Qin Yu pretended to be overjoyed, approached with a beaming smile, and then personally helped him up.
Praise and compliments were constantly being offered.
"General Gao, you did a great job! I know all about it!"
Gao Chao was a little confused and couldn't help but ask slowly.
"Um, Your Majesty, what do you know?"
Qin Yu patted him on the shoulder and continued to praise him.
"Why is General Gao being so modest with me?"
"Eunuch An has already reported this to me! You intercepted and killed the Xiongnu prince, achieving a great feat and enhancing our national prestige! I've long disliked him, well done!"
"I will reward you and General Tianbao handsomely!"
Qin Yu rubbed his hands excitedly and immediately raised his voice to give the orders!
"Issue an imperial decree! General Gao Chao shall be awarded a yellow riding jacket, one thousand taels of national bonds, and the title of Marquis of Wuwei! His fief shall be located in Chuyun County!"
Upon hearing the reward, Gao Chao felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
"Your Majesty, no! This humble general is unworthy of such an honor, it is unacceptable!"
No matter what was said, he absolutely refused to accept the reward.
Damn it, that's a Xiongnu prince, the biological son of the Xiongnu Chanyu!
If this accusation is pinned on him, the Xiongnu will tear him apart alive! Even if he's in the rear, the Xiongnu will definitely send assassins to avenge him!
And also.
This reward is absolutely outrageous!
The yellow jacket is just a symbol now. With the imperial power waning, what use is it? Who cares?
The fiefdom of Chuyun County is still in the hands of the Xiongnu. Although the battle report says that it has been successfully recovered, that's just bragging to cover up General Tianbao's attempt to make peace!
Even more outrageous were those government bond certificates.
What is that? It's just plain toilet paper!
You're offering to wipe my butt, fine, but can't we at least be a little more generous?
They keep calling themselves national heroes and pillars of the Xia Dynasty.
It's only worth a thousand taels of silver!
This tyrannical ruler was not only lustful and tyrannical, but he also deducted from their pay!
So stingy!
Qin Yu remained arrogant, the smile in his eyes never fading, his lips curving upwards, and even his brows revealing an irrepressible joy.
"As you know, that Xiongnu prince dared to provoke me and show me disrespect during court. General Gao has really vented my anger! You are truly a good general to me!"
Immediately, Gao Chao shook his head like a rattle drum.
Today, we must make this tyrant know, no matter what, that he did not kill the man!
"Your Majesty! You have truly misunderstood! I did not kill the Xiongnu prince; I dare not accept such credit!"
"That's right! The person who made the move was very likely General Zhao Hu. When I went there, I just brushed past his subordinate Zhao Jian. It must be them!"
Seeing Gao Chao sweating profusely, eager to explain and clarify his situation, Qin Yu was overjoyed!
Of course I know you're not stupid!
Because Lao Tzu sent people to kill him!
However, you'll have to make sure you actually achieve this honor!
Qin Yu's face was full of mischievous smiles.
"General Gao, you and the Emperor's father-in-law are truly unparalleled heroes. Such a great achievement, yet you both humbly yield to each other, makes me feel ashamed!"
Before Gao Chao could continue to explain, Qin Yu silenced him again.
I had already prepared those excuses myself.
"The Empress has already reported to me that Zhao Jian did indeed come from there, but he came from the Northwest to deliver lamb for hot pot to the Empress and me!"
Of course, when it comes to the authenticity of those reports about "little lambs" and "queens," one can only say that they were made up on the spot.
Gao Chao was still very dissatisfied, his face showing bitterness. He wanted to speak up again to explain, but Qin Yu interrupted him a second time, not giving him a chance to speak at all.
"I personally witnessed General Gao kill the Xiongnu prince, and the teahouse owner is also a witness! General Gao, there's no need to be modest. How could Zhao Jian and his men, who were just delivering mutton, possibly have committed murder? The other side was a group of highly skilled Xiongnu warriors!"
"No! Your Majesty, listen to what I'm saying, 'Hahahaha~'"
Qin Yu burst into laughter and stood up abruptly.
"I'm going to see my beloved concubine. You, remember to go to Anfu to register the principal of the national bonds!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
"Wait, Your Majesty, wait!"
By the time he realized what was happening and chased after the figure, it had already disappeared into the rainy night.
"I!"
Gao Chao rolled his eyes, took a deep breath, and almost fainted from anger!
Then, a feeling of birdsong and fragrant flowers filled my heart.
This is fucking ridiculous!
You are such an arrogant and conceited ruler! Can't you even let people finish speaking?
They didn't give me a chance to explain at all!
This trip not only resulted in me gaining nothing, but I also allowed this tyrannical emperor to shower me with praise, which actually solidified my reputation.
What's infuriating is that I ended up taking the blame for Zhao Hu.
Who the hell would dare claim such credit? The Xiongnu would kill him!
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