Imperial County Magistrate

Chapter 412: The National Preceptor Saves Me
After chatting with Wu Guanhai for a while, Zhao Kang returned to the room.

Ye Hongxue was warming herself up by the fire. When she saw him coming, she moved to the side. Zhao Kang sat down. The former asked with a smile: "Have you met the ninth princess of Qi?"

"I saw it. She is a great beauty, but she is quite dangerous. The prince told me..."

After listening to Zhao Kang's words, Ye Hongxue hummed: "This is true. The Three Kingdoms Conquest was indeed proposed by Qi State at the beginning. She also proposed the step-by-step coordination of infantry and cavalry, and it did have a good effect in the early stage."

Thinking of what Princess Mingzhu said before, Zhao Kang became curious: "Then why did this girl seem to remind me of something in her words just now?"

"Perhaps she has special plans in mind. All in all, this woman is not easy to get along with. You have to be careful the day after tomorrow."

Ye Hongxue couldn't help but feel worried as she spoke.

Zhao Kang nodded.

Compared with Qian State and Jing State, there were quite a few people coming from Qi State this time except for the guards.

There were as many as 30 scholars participating in the cultural conference alone. When you walked out of the room, you could see these people gathering together in twos and threes. They were obviously determined to gain a good reputation in this four-nation cultural conference.

Zhao Kang was not very interested, but Wu Guanhai was very chatty with them.

The scholars of Qi State also admired this prince of Jing State who could put down his figure.

But it is obviously not the same taste for Zhao Kang.

That's true, after all, not everyone is as open-minded about the war between the two countries as Princess Pearl.

In the blink of an eye, dusk has arrived.

As soon as Zhao Kang took a bite of the food sent by the reception staff of the State Guesthouse, people from Qi State came and knocked on the door.

"Guoshi Zhao, my Royal Highness the Princess is hosting a banquet in Queyue Tower. She has specially invited the Imperial Master to attend the banquet. I also ask the Imperial Master not to refuse."

Zhao Kang was stunned when he heard this and glanced at Ye Hongxue, Wu Guanhai and others opposite.

Wu Guanhai looked surprised, obviously not knowing about this.

Zhao Kang asked doubtfully: "Just invite me?"

The visitor from Qi Kingdom was obviously a little embarrassed and nodded lightly.

Putting down his chopsticks, Zhao Kang asked seriously: "Did the princess say that she could bring women with her?"

Ye Hongxue chuckled and said casually: "Those who are unintentional don't need to do anything extra. The key is to be conscious. Is that right, Your Highness?"

Wu Guanhai laughed and went to eat.

The visitor from Qi State said awkwardly: "His Highness has not explicitly mentioned this Imperial Preceptor."

He stood up with a smile, wiped the oil stains on the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "Okay, lead the way. Thanks to Her Royal Highness, let's go to a restaurant!"

"Don't overeat." Ye Hongxue chuckled.

Zhao Kang made a face and followed the Qi envoy away.

Que Yue Tower, a well-known restaurant in Yandu City, Zhao Kang arrived in a sedan chair.

When I got down to the ground, I saw that the restaurant was almost surrounded by Qi's guards.

Looking at the four-story restaurant, Zhao Kang smiled and said, "Let's see what kind of medicine you are selling in your gourd."

A lavender palace dress makes the nine princesses of Qi look like fairies descending to earth, making people feel lost.

Seeing Zhao Kang arriving, she knelt down and saluted: "National Master."

Zhao Kang handed over his hand: "Your Highness the Princess."

"I take the liberty of inviting you, and I hope the master will not blame you." Princess Mingzhu said with a smile. "Princess, what are you talking about? This is Zhao Kang's honor."

After some polite exchanges, Princess Mingzhu asked the others to leave and led Zhao Kang into the box.

The food and drinks were all ready, and the two of them sat facing each other.

"First of all, a toast to the Imperial Master."

Princess Mingzhu picked up the wine glass, and Zhao Kang did not refuse. The two of them drank one glass of wine.

Zhao Kang didn't intend to argue too much. He went straight to the point and said with a smile: "Her Royal Highness the Princess only invited Zhao Kang. It shouldn't be as simple as just having a meal, right?"

Perhaps she didn't expect Zhao Kang to be so straightforward. Princess Mingzhu was stunned for a moment. She realized that she had lost her composure and then covered her mouth with a smile. Then a trace of sadness flashed between her eyebrows.

"Since the Imperial Master is quick to speak, Yanran will no longer pretend to be pretentious."

As she spoke, Princess Mingzhu sighed: "Yanran is here not only to wish Emperor Zhou a birthday."

"Is there any other purpose?" Zhao Kang became interested.

Nodding slightly, her eyes fell outside the window, and Princess Mingzhu said quietly: "In the battle with Qian State, Qi State suffered the most, with hundreds of thousands of troops dying on the battlefield. Jing State even divided its territory into three cities and fifteen County, 2000 million silver.”

"The defeat in this battle has shaken the foundation of Qi State. Although the foundation of Qi State is still there, its national strength is only a little bit stronger than your country. What should the National Master think of this situation?"

Zhao Kang said without thinking: "Of course it's time to recuperate."

Princess Mingzhu nodded, and Yurong showed a bitter smile: "Yes, it's a pity that others will not let you get what you want."

When Zhao Kang heard this, he already had a guess in his mind: "Could it be the State of Zhou?"

He already knew about Jing Guo's situation, but Qian Guo had not taken action against Qi Guo recently.

Then only Zhou Guo is left.

Princess Mingzhu hummed and said softly: "The State of Zhou sent people to Qi a month ago, blaming all the reasons for the defeat on our country, and demanding that our State of Qi cede the land of the two states and pay [-] million silver as compensation. Otherwise, we will send troops." Attack my country Qi."

Zhao Kang couldn't help but be shocked: "Zhou Guo is such a capable person! He really doesn't want to suffer any losses!"

Princess Mingzhu said with a hint of resentment in her tone: "The Imperial Master is right. This has always been the case in the Zhou Kingdom."

"Among the four kingdoms now, the strength of Jing State is well-preserved, and it is far away from Zhou State, so they dare not move lightly."

"And Qian State and Jing State's offensive and defensive alliance also dare not target them, so they have no choice but to use our Qi State to make up for the losses."

Zhao Kang subconsciously said: "But I have to say that this is a good choice."

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was wrong. Sure enough, even without looking at him, he could feel the resentful eyes looking at him with aggrieved eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Princess, continue, I'm listening."

Princess Mingzhu continued: "The conditions offered by Zhou are too harsh, and our country will naturally refuse to agree. However, if Zhou does not agree, once Zhou really sends troops, Qi will never be able to stop it, and there may even be a risk of annihilation."

"There is no choice but for Yanran to continue this time to wish Emperor Zhou a happy birthday and enter the Kingdom of Zhou."

Zhao Kang realized something and looked at Princess Pearl across from him in surprise: "You... are you here to get married?"

"The Imperial Master is right."

Princess Mingzhu sounded helpless: "Li Musen, the second prince of the Zhou Kingdom, has always had thoughts about Yanran. If he doesn't agree to the Zhou Kingdom's request, Yanran will have no choice but to get married."

As she spoke, Princess Mingzhu stood up and knelt down towards Zhao Kang: "Please save me, Imperial Master!"

Zhao Kang was stunned. He looked at Princess Mingzhu kneeling in front of him and quickly stood up and said, "This is impossible. Princess, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

(End of this chapter)