The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Several of His Highness's senior officials immediately stepped forward and knelt behind Crown Prince Xiao Lie.

"The Crown Prince was merely expressing concern for His Majesty's health; such words of concern are not punishable."

"Indeed, the Crown Prince's actions demonstrate great filial piety. The Emperor should not only refrain from punishing him, but should also reward him handsomely!"

Seeing that several high-ranking officials who had never been fond of the Crown Prince were now standing up to speak for him, Crown Prince Xiao Lie was deeply moved.

Shen Qingci, who was sitting below, frowned, as if she had sensed a conspiracy.

But the emperor was furious, and the crown prince was kneeling in the hall. As the crown princess, she was naturally not exempt from punishment at this moment, and immediately stood up as well.

"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. The Crown Prince was momentarily careless and his words were too harsh. I urge Your Majesty to investigate further."

"The Crown Prince is by no means the kind of person who lacks manners!"

Your Highness, whether they are high-ranking officials or other officials, they all know very well that no matter how bold Crown Prince Xiao Lie is, he would never dare to so openly force the Emperor to abdicate.

Moreover, if one truly harbors ambitions to usurp the throne, one should raise an army in rebellion, not engage in empty talk here.

However, given the current unclear situation, those who haven't grasped the facts dare not rashly step forward to silence dissent.

Just then, His Highness let out a burst of mocking laughter.

"Your crown prince is violent and tyrannical; how could he possibly be a person who understands the law?"

"If he truly understood the law, why would he have come to our door a few days ago and brutally beaten up several of us envoys?"

The one who stood up to speak was none other than the Di envoy.

The Japanese envoy next to him, who was drinking, quickly stood up and echoed this.

"I think so too. After all, the Crown Prince is the next emperor of the Great Wu Dynasty, and the attitude he represents is the attitude of the Great Wu Dynasty."

"I think your Great Wu Dynasty simply doesn't want to get along well with us Di and Wa people!"

Instantly, the officials inside and outside the hall were in an uproar!

Unexpectedly, this matter suddenly became a big deal.

Shen Qingci couldn't help but clench her fist tightly, after all, she was the one who brought up the topic.

What should I do?

How should this situation be resolved?

Although Shen Qingci was kneeling, she couldn't help but turn her head to glance at Chen Changgeng.

Chen Changgeng remained calm and waved to reassure her.

From the moment those important officials stepped forward, Chen Changgeng understood that the direction of this game had already fallen into the hands of the emperor.

From now on, all we have to do is watch them act.

Whether it's the Crown Prince or Shen Qingci, they've done everything they were supposed to do.

"Damn it! How dare these lowly Di and Japanese people be so arrogant on the birthday of my Great Wu Emperor!"

"That matter was a complete misunderstanding. Both my Ministry of Rites officials and the Crown Prince have expressed their sincerity."

"What exactly is your purpose in bringing up this old matter now?"

Officials from the Ministry of Rites stood up and angrily rebuked them.

The birthday banquet had turned into this mess, and Xiao Jingtian, contrary to his usual behavior, stopped roaring and looked at Xiao Lie calmly.

"It seems that the meaning of my Great Wu Dynasty has not been clearly conveyed."

"Your Highness, please step forward again and explain the position of our Great Wu Dynasty to these two envoys."

Seeing the question handed to him again, Xiao Lie was extremely flustered.

He stood up shakily, looked at his father, and his mind began to race.

He thought about what would happen after he went to the Ministry of Rites, about the national policy, about being kicked out of the Imperial Study last time, and about Chen Changgeng's instructions.

As his thoughts gradually became clearer, he finally bowed nervously.

"Your subject believes that the current national policy of the Great Wu Dynasty should focus on nurturing the people and allowing them to recuperate in order to strengthen the nation."

"Once war breaks out, the people will be displaced, trade routes will be blocked, and fields will be abandoned. This is not what Father Emperor wants to see."

Crown Prince Xiao Lie finished speaking with trepidation.

A glint flashed in Xiao Jingtian's eyes; he was clearly quite satisfied with the answer. He then looked up at the two envoys.

"Did you hear me clearly?"

The Di envoy grinned, his eyes full of mockery.

"I heard it quite clearly, but I've heard that the Crown Prince of the Great Wu Dynasty is a fierce general who has made countless outstanding military achievements."

"I never expected to meet such a cowardly and spineless person today. I'm afraid his war achievements were all fabricated."

"The Great Wu Dynasty once conquered its territory by fighting with swords and riding horses. In my opinion... Your Majesty of the Great Wu Dynasty, you are truly getting old."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

No one expected that, even at this point, the Di envoy would still be so reckless as to provoke them, leaving the officials with expressions of anger and embarrassment!

"Fuck your grandpa!"

Xiao Lie finally couldn't hold back any longer. With a roar, he charged directly at the Di envoy.

The two exchanged blows, neither giving an inch, and in an instant, they were locked in a fierce fight in the imperial court.

"You bastard, stop right now!"

Xiao Jingtian roared angrily.

Several guards immediately rushed up and pulled the two apart.

The Di envoy swung his arm violently, glared fiercely at Crown Prince Xiao Lie, then bent down, picked up a bowl of wine, gulped it down, and smashed the bowl on the ground.

"Is this how your country humiliates our envoys!"

"When I return to my tribe, I will report to the chief and show you the might of the Di people!"

"Goodbye!"

The Di envoy turned and left.

The Japanese envoy sneered at the sight and then walked out.

"Arrogant!"

"How dare such a small vassal state be so arrogant!"

"Your Majesty, I request permission to send troops to punish the Di tribes and the Japanese, and to uphold our national prestige!"

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that proposal!"

The officials were so angry that their faces turned red, and one after another they fell down like wheat being harvested.

Xiao Jingtian squinted at the departing figures of the two envoys and let out a heavy snort.

"Today is my birthday, and I had no intention of arguing with them."

"Who would have thought these two would be so ignorant of the bigger picture, treating our Great Wu Dynasty as nothing!"

"It seems that in recent years, our Great Wu Dynasty's policy of recuperation and development has not enriched its people, but rather emboldened these wolves in the surrounding area!"

"They absolutely need to be taught a lesson!"

Seeing the anger flashing in Xiao Jingtian's eyes, the officials seemed to understand the emperor's awakening and immediately rushed forward to express their loyalty.

In particular, the military generals in the court all stepped forward and expressed their willingness to lead troops to conquer the enemy!

Seeing this, Xiao Lie could not contain his excitement and immediately stood up to speak, but Shen Qingci grabbed him and pressed him down.

"Very well, I understand the intentions of all my ministers."

"But now the national treasury is empty, and there is not enough silver and grain to fight against the Di and Japanese."

"I have decided that all the birthday gifts I received today will be auctioned off to raise funds for the army's expedition."

"After today's birthday banquet, the three ministers should discuss and recommend one of them as the imperial envoy to go out and raise funds and provisions for me."

"We must complete all preparations within six months!"

"Huh? Half a year?"

"Judging from the attitude of those Di people, they'll probably be able to reach the capital within six months!"

"But the Ministry of Revenue has neither money nor grain, what should we do?"

Whispers reached the ears of the Third Prince, Xiao Ce.

He was itching to act, almost unable to contain his impulse!

After hesitating for a moment, he finally stood up abruptly.

"Father, I volunteer to serve as Imperial Commissioner to raise funds and provisions."

"Furthermore, I am willing to sign a military pledge that I will complete the task in just one month, not six months!"

"Then we can prepare the necessary funds and provisions for our Great Wu Dynasty's royal army, and lead them to vanquish the enemy!"