Chapter 626 Zhao Duan: Long time no see, Prince Jing (asking for monthly votes)
In the antique room, Zhao Duan felt his eyes burned by a ray of sunlight coming in from the window.
He turned over and sat on the bed, lowered his head, rubbed his slightly bulging belly with his hands, and murmured to himself:
"It's up to you today."
As if it heard his voice, the dragon soul that was actually hidden in the sea of qi turned over and almost pushed a tentacle out of his belly.
"……Grass."
Zhao Duan curled his lips, cursed, and put on a loose robe so that outsiders would not be able to notice anything unusual in his dantian.
During this period of time, through the "Dragon Control Art" to communicate with it continuously, Zhao Duan can clearly feel that the dragon soul is about to wake up at any time.
As long as he gives a strong stimulus, this "half-step god" who has accumulated Emperor Taizu's life-long cultivation will come back to the world.
“Squeak—”
Pushing open the door and walking outside, the warm sunlight illuminates the entire house.
Almost at the same time, the sound of a door opening was heard from the adjacent room.
Zhao Duan turned his head and looked at the empress who came out.
"Are you back?"
"kindness."
Xu Zhenguan returned to the capital last night, showed up, and even took the time to hold a morning court session.
Her slender white hand stroked the hilt of the sword at her waist, and a smile appeared under the fox mask:
"It's time to put an end to it."
At this time.
The emperor and his minister looked towards the hanging flower gate, only to see Song Jinxi coming in again. He first looked at the "female worshipper" with some suspicion and hesitation.
After Zhao Duan indicated that it was okay.
Song Jinxi then said, "The latest news is that Prince Jing's fleet landed on the island last night."
…
Today's banquet is scheduled for noon.
In the morning, Zhao Duan took a carriage and headed for Dongxuan Lake at the foot of Yutou Mountain, escorted by several masters including the Empress, Yuxiu, Gongshu Tianyuan, Jinjian, Jiyue, and a team of soldiers from the Shenji Camp.
The wealthy businessman Guo Zhun went to prepare for the banquet early in the morning.
Along the way, Zhao Duan could see through the car curtain that there was a rag doll hanging on the lintel of every household on both sides of the road.
"This is Winter Goddess. The Spring Goddess Festival is a festival where people welcome the Spring Goddess. Legend has it that the last bit of winter's cold will transform into Winter Goddess and stay in the human world.
Therefore, on this day, every household in Binhaidao would whip Winter Goddess with fresh willow branches to drive away the cold winter," Xu Zhenguan explained casually.
Zhao Duan was surprised:
"Your Majesty... do you know the customs of this place?"
The empress smiled. She was not an emperor who was ignorant of grains. She just felt that this festival seemed to be a good omen.
The team continued to move forward, and the emperor and his ministers even saw a parade in which the people were carrying the statue of the "God of Spring".
It’s just that this year’s Spring Festival seems a little deserted.
Even the most obtuse people have heard in the past few days that King Chen’s navy fleet is docked outside Daluo Island.
As well as several warships carrying artillery docked at the dock by the Shenji Camp.
As early as last night, the fleet of the Shenji Camp had already set out and arrived at Dongxuan Lake ahead of schedule, driving away irrelevant personnel and blocking the entire water area.
When Zhao Duan's convoy finally arrived at Dongxuan Lake, he saw that the pavilions and towers extending from the lakeside had been decorated with colorful silks and looked brand new, creating an atmosphere of a grand festival.
There were many carriages parked by the lake, and servants were either waiting or walking around the banquet hall.
All the local people of Daluo Island, dressed in silk and satin, as well as many more powerful people from various Binhaidao families who arrived here by boat a few days ago, gathered here and sat at the banquet tables.
"This group of people is so bold that they even dare to join in such a fun? Aren't they afraid of being affected by the war?" Gongshu Tianyuan said carelessly.
Zhao Duan came out of the car and smiled when he heard this:
"From these people's perspective, since I'm willing to meet King Chen and King Chen is also attending the banquet, it means this is a negotiation. There's a high probability that a fight won't break out, or even if a fight does break out, they won't be hurt."
After a pause, he pursed his lips into a line and said in a cold tone:
"However, none of the above is important. What really matters is that they dare not not come."
"Commander Zhao has arrived!"
At this time, the servant of the palace who was guarding the lakeside shouted loudly.
In an instant, everyone in the huge banquet hall looked over, then stood up, bowed, and greeted him.
What a spectacular scene!
Almost all the bigwigs in the entire Coastal Road gathered here, terrified and frightened just because of one name.
Zhao Duan walked forward, and the empress and others followed him.
Wherever the procession passed, the guests on both sides solemnly addressed him as "Grand Commander."
finally.
Zhao Duan arrived at the center of the banquet hall, which was a huge open-air "pavilion".
Inside the carved and jade-paved fence, King Chen and his wife stood in the host's seat, standing up to greet them.
Princess Chen did not hold the cat today. Instead, she changed into a dignified and solemn dress and dressed up very carefully.
Standing next to her was the elegant and gentle Prince Chen, dressed in a python robe.
"General Zhao, I have long heard of your great name. Today I finally get the chance to meet you. You are truly a man of great talent." King Chen smiled and took the lead in complimenting him politely.
Zhao Duan also smiled, but his eyes turned to the princess who did not "steal the show" and said with a smile:
"Princess Chen, we meet again. You are even more beautiful today than the day before."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the retainers of Prince Chen's mansion who were accompanying him changed color.
The princess's expression also froze. She turned her head to look at her husband beside her, and saw that the smile on Prince Chen's face was frozen.
Zhao Duan seemed not to sense this atmosphere, and then he looked at King Chen and said lightly:
"I heard from the princess that Prince Chen was terminally ill and unable to see guests. But now it seems that he is still in good health."
King Chen felt a surge of anger in his heart, but when he caught a glimpse of the masters behind Zhao Duan, he could only force a smile:
“Hehe… yes…”
You’re welcome!
No one present expected that Zhao Duan would reveal his domineering attitude as soon as he entered the room.
He didn't even try to save face, and acted as if he had already defeated King Chen.
But unfortunately, everyone in Prince Chen's Mansion dared to be angry but not to speak out.
——Not to mention the warships of the Shenjiying that have arrived in the past few days, the number of artillery on them is shocking.
Let’s just talk about the masters of cultivation.
If Zhao Duan wanted to, he could kill King Chen and his wife right here.
The situation was not favorable to them, so Prince Chen’s Mansion could only bow its head and be humble.
"General, please sit down and talk first. Today is the Spring God Festival in Binhai Road. General, you have come to the capital from afar, and you may not be familiar with the local customs. I have memorized some local delicacies here." Princess Chen was forced to speak, smiling.
Zhao Duan shook his head, pointed to where he and his wife were, and said with a smile:
"I'm afraid you two are sitting in the wrong place."
The princess pretended to be confused:
"Really? The governor is a guest from afar, and my wife and I are the hosts, so we should..."
"No," Zhao Duan shook his head and said seriously:
"Princess, haven't you heard that the whole world belongs to the king? This governor was appointed by Your Majesty. When I am on the road, it is as if Your Majesty is present in person.
Therefore, I should take the host's seat... This host-guest ceremony must be done with impeccable ceremony, Your Highness Prince Chen, what do you think?"
Get mad!
At this moment, the entire banquet hall was silent. None of the guests expected that Zhao Duan would start firing as soon as he entered.
Even though everyone knows that today's banquet is essentially a negotiation.
There's bound to be some tension, but at least there should be some greetings, right?
Even Guo Zhun, who was in charge of arranging the banquet, was stunned. Thinking about the intelligence report that the Binhai Navy had been increasing its forces over the past few days and had already surrounded the entire Daluo Island...
He swallowed and worried for himself.
But Zhao Duan didn't care. He had no intention of attending any banquet.
Facing his words, the faces of Chen Wang and his wife turned gloomy and uncertain, and they were unable to cope with it for a while.
If the master gives up his position, it will undoubtedly be a statement of his position. If he does not give up, he will face the risk of negotiations breaking down at any time.
And just when the atmosphere in the field was extremely solemn.
Suddenly, a noise and laughter came from another direction of the banquet hall:
"Haha, Brother Chen, I'm a little late. I've kept you waiting for so long!"
brush--
Suddenly, countless eyes looked in the direction of the voice, and Zhao Duan and the empress also turned their heads to look at the same time.
The crowd slowly parted, and a team of dozens of people came forward.
The leader was none other than Prince Jing Xuwen, who was also wearing a dragon robe and looked awe-inspiring without even getting angry!
On his left and right stood Princess Lu Yan'er, who was wearing a simple light blue dress.
And the short, nose-sunken, cloaked Senior Brother Qingshan, and the world's top master Duan Shuiliu!
Not just two!
Zhao Duan looked past them and was even more surprised to see some familiar faces.
Chai Keqiao was wearing a coarse linen shirt and had an axe tucked into his waist.
Xiao Ran has a slender waist and cold eyes.
Swordsman Nanaya, with his eyes covered with black cloth and a scabbard in his hand!
Qingshan disciple!
These three contemporary Qingshan disciples who once rushed to the capital to "exchange ideas" with the court officials appeared again after a year!
Moreover, Zhao Du'an was slightly surprised after a brief sense, realizing that these people had actually advanced to the worldly realm.
In addition, there were some other people following, who were either Qingshan or guards from Prince Jing's Mansion.
The moment a group of people entered the venue, there were bursts of exclamations.
"Prince Jing!"
"Aoyama Takeo!"
"Why are they here?!"
At this moment, all the guests on the scene panicked and began to think of retreating.
Although these people are considered powerful in the local area, they are like ants in front of the real big shots. They are isolated from information and do not know the movements of many high-level officials.
It was not until this moment that many people realized that today's banquet was probably not a negotiation at all.
It is a trap, a battlefield, and a whirlpool that can swallow people.
As if to reflect everyone's mood, at this moment, the clouds in the sky began to gather, the sunlight was blocked, and the wind became colder.
…
far away.
In an inconspicuous pavilion on Yutou Mountain.
The Drunken Sword Immortal Zuo Tang was wrapped in "gauze" all over his body, and was accompanied by several local martial arts masters including the surging Aunt Gu, the skinny man, the middle-aged man with two swords, etc.
After the battle that day, a few people were lucky enough to survive, but Zuo Tang suffered the most, being seriously injured by the empress's sword.
Logically, they should have hidden themselves until the storm was over, but after learning about Zhao Duan's meeting with King Chen and King Jing's movements.
Despite being injured, Zuo Tang managed to trick a few people into coming to watch the fun.
"Alliance Leader Zuo, are you sure nothing will happen? There's bound to be a fight, right? If we get affected by that... I'm afraid we won't have the same good luck as last time." Aunt Gu was worried.
Zuo Tang leaned on a crutch. This wine immortal no longer had the demeanor of a master. He said proudly:
“Don’t worry, have you seen those people around Prince Jing? I, Qingshan, have already finished.
Don't forget, this is Binhai, Qingshan's territory! Zhao Duan humiliated us so much, today I must witness his tragic end with my own eyes!"
…
Yutou Mountain, another mountain, in a hidden forest.
At this moment, a soldier from the Shenji Camp had already been hiding here.
A huge "cannon" with an exaggerated shape, almost as big as a house, was hidden in the mountains and forests, and was covered and concealed by the soldiers with grass leaves.
“Here I come!”
Chen Gui, the director of the Firearms Battalion, held a "thousand-mile tube" in both hands and looked at the movements on the Dongxuan Lake in the distance.
"Who's here?" Young Master Tang Ping asked nervously.
Chen Gui put down the telescope, licked his lips, and said, "Prince Jing..."
Immediately, he turned his head and looked at the huge "Tianyuan Cannon" beside him, which looked like a sleeping ancient beast. The craftsman's eyes were filled with passion... or rather...
fanaticism!
"Damn it, only the priests in the Tianshi Mansion can build such a big cannon. Haha, I, Chen Huoshen, have finally come to this day. I can personally operate this unprecedented cannon. Even if I die today, I have no regrets!" Chen Gui murmured.
Tang Ping said with a serious face:
"The governor ordered me to protect you. Don't keep talking about death. With the governor here, everything is under control today."
…
"Xu Wen!"
The moment Xu Zhen saw Prince Jing, her eyes under the mask suddenly became sharp, but she hid it well.
But the hands hanging at the waist still clenched involuntarily.
Prince Jing Xuwen...
She has been the biggest rival since she ascended the throne.
He was also the culprit who started the Rebellion of the Eight Kings.
He was the mastermind behind the serious injury to her during the Fengshan ceremony at Luoshan.
And recently, she finally met him again.
At this moment, the empress wished she could just take off her mask and behead him with a sword.
But... she forced herself to endure it.
Prince Jing has arrived and can no longer escape, but she still wants to draw out the cards hidden in Prince Jing's hands one by one, leaving no survivors.
"Xu Wen! You're here as expected!"
Zhao Duan felt Zhenbao's emotional fluctuations, stepped forward, blocked her behind him, and stared at Prince Jing who was approaching with cold eyes.
At this moment, Chen Wang and his wife had completely become supporting roles, and both sides no longer had eyes for them.
But this is exactly what the couple wants to see.
Two tigers fighting.
If King Chen is not careful, he will be doomed.
"Zhao Duan!"
Prince Jing walked to the center of the banquet hall, stopped, and stared at him with complicated eyes:
"Why, are you unhappy that I am here?"
The grudge between the two is too deep.
It starts from when Zhao Duan first brought down the Zhang brothers and accidentally implicated the secret agent of Prince Jing's Mansion.
Later, he uncovered the officials in the Privy Council who colluded with Prince Jing and caused losses to him.
Then, Prince Jing and the Empress competed in the Taicang Silver Mine, and Zhao Duan killed the Governor Gao Lian.
When Huting opened for business, the two sides completely fell out, and the first assassination attempt on Zhao Duan failed.
Finally, on the eve of the Fengshan ceremony, the second curse against Zhao Duan failed in Jiancheng Mansion.
…
Even if we put aside the empress and the act of seizing the throne itself.
The feud between the two has long been to the point of no return.
"Happy, how could I not be happy?" Zhao Duan laughed:
"I was so happy, I clapped my hands and cheered, it was all clear."
He smiled and said:
"At the beginning of the year, I issued a military order in the Golden Palace to kill you. Now you've come to me, how could I not be happy?"
Prince Jing smiled faintly, his eyes swept over the masters behind Zhao Duan one by one, especially looking at the empress for a second, with a sneer on his face:
"Kill me? Just relying on these bunch of chickens and dogs behind you?"
"Oh, that's wishful thinking!"
(End of this chapter)
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