#493 - Propose Marriage (4000 words, two chapters in one)

Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes and saw the familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling.

"Am I in... the Jinyiwei Commandery?" As Xu Ming's consciousness gradually returned, he realized where he was.

"Fifth Brother, you're awake."

Soon, a chubby face with a happy smile appeared in Xu Ming's sight.

Xu Ming sat up, shook his head, and felt a slight pain in his skull.

"Fifth Brother, here, have some water." Xu Pangda quickly poured Xu Ming a glass of water.

"Thank you, Third Brother." Xu Ming took the water, drank it in one gulp, and asked, "By the way, Third Brother, what happened? Why am I in the Commandery?"

"It's normal that Fifth Brother doesn't remember, after all, the imperial physician said that you were exhausted, and you would have memory loss like being drunk after waking up."

Xu Pangda smiled and earnestly explained to Xu Ming.

"After Fifth Brother withstood Da Guozhu's three punches, you lost consciousness, and we directly sent you to the Commandery."

Listening to Xu Pangda's words, Xu Ming finally remembered everything.

Just as Xu Pangda said, after withstanding Da Guozhu's three punches, he announced the verdict for Mo Yuanshan, and then couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed.

"How long have I been unconscious?" Xu Ming asked.

Xu Ming hadn't felt so drowsy in a long time. Usually, when he was so drowsy, it meant that he had slept for a very long time.

"Today is the sixth day," Xu Pangda replied, "In these few days, many officials wanted to visit Fifth Brother, but they were all rejected by Her Royal Highness the Princess."

"Mm." Xu Ming nodded, looked at his bandaged fist, released it, and then clenched it.

Xu Ming felt a faint pain in his arms, but it wasn't a big problem. He could still move them, and he didn't feel like he had suffered any lasting damage.

"Speaking of which, Fifth Brother, your physique is really strong. When the imperial physician in the palace came to treat Fifth Brother, he praised Fifth Brother's recovery ability.

Xu Pangda said with emotion, his expression and tone filled with pride for his brother.

"That imperial physician said that if it were anyone else, Fifth Brother's arms would be ruined. But Fifth Brother's body has a bit of a copper head and iron arms feel, saying that Fifth Brother must have obtained many opportunities."

"Heh heh heh..." Xu Ming smiled, "I have indeed obtained many opportunities, but these are mainly cultivated during my travels. If my body weren't strong, Third Brother, you would have to burn incense for me now."

"By the way, Third Brother, what's the situation in the imperial court now? In these days that I've been unconscious, how is the Jinyiwei? What kind of reaction does His Majesty have?"

The situation in the imperial court changes every few days, not to mention that he had done such a major event, which would definitely cause a great shock in the imperial court.

Especially Emperor Wu, who probably had a considerable reaction.

In fact, Xu Ming had already guessed a thing or two about Emperor Wu's reaction.

Emperor Wu couldn't possibly not know about the things that happened in the Jinyiwei, after all, there were also Emperor Wu's people in the Jinyiwei.

Even from the moment he walked into the Jinyiwei and sent messages to Da Guozhu and Daliqing, Emperor Wu had already received the news.

But Emperor Wu had never intervened in this matter from beginning to end, which meant that Emperor Wu acquiesced to what he did, and Emperor Wu also wanted to knock Da Guozhu down a peg.

Or rather, Emperor Wu wanted to test his ability.

As for whether the final result was what Emperor Wu wanted, he didn't know, but it didn't matter anyway, he was just doing things according to the rules.

The most likely thing was that after his son was imprisoned by him, Emperor Wu should go to comfort him and try to please both sides.

In any case, this Da Guozhu was the number one expert in Wu Country, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was the guardian of Wu Country.

Many people had ideas about Wu Country, but most of the plans took Da Guozhu into consideration, and eventually came to nothing.

In fact, Emperor Wu was also quite worried now, because Da Guozhu didn't have much lifespan left.

Once Da Guozhu died, Wu Country's combat power would decrease by one level, unless another Peak Realm martial artist appeared before Da Guozhu's death, and the most likely person to become a Peak Realm martial artist now was his daughter.

Xu Pangda organized his words and said concisely and selectively: "The Jinyiwei is still good now. Originally, when Fifth Brother was unconscious, the Jinyiwei was indeed very angry, but Mr. Yu and Her Royal Highness the Princess stabilized all the Jinyiwei.

In these few days, even I can feel that the Jinyiwei is now becoming an iron barrel. If one person has an accident, another person will definitely help without reservation.

And Fifth Brother's prestige in the Jinyiwei is even more needless to say. Many brothers are really willing to die for you from the bottom of their hearts.

This is also normal. If it were me, if I were injured, and my superior disregarded everything to seek justice for me, I would also be moved.

Throughout the entire Wudu, the reputation of the Jinyiwei has also spread. Basically, everyone knows about your deeds. Now, in the hearts of most people, they basically only know the Jinyiwei and don't know the Jingzhao Prefecture.

The imperial court is naturally even more afraid of the Jinyiwei.

During the time that Fifth Brother was unconscious, many officials came to give gifts. We didn't know what you meant, so the ancestor took them for you first, and recorded them in the register as usual.

When the time comes, whether Fifth Brother accepts them or not, just ask the old lady to take a look at the account book."

"Mm." Xu Ming nodded, everything was within his expectations, and there wasn't much deviation.

For a newly established institution to gain the true recognition of the court officials, or to gain the true recognition of the people of Wu Country, this kind of recognition, whether forced or voluntary, must have certain events to support it.

In other words, it must give the court officials or the people a first impression of this institution.

This impression will accompany this institution for a very long time, until this institution disappears.

And Xu Ming's actions this time let everyone know that the Jinyiwei is an iron plate, and no one can shake it.

When others mention the Jinyiwei, they will even tremble involuntarily in their hearts.

"But Fifth Brother, your limelight this time didn't last long, and His Majesty originally wanted to visit Fifth Brother, but someone came to Wudu.

Now the streets and alleys of Wudu are discussing that person, and His Majesty even personally left the palace to welcome him.

His Majesty doesn't have the mind to visit you anymore."

As he spoke, Xu Pangda sighed.

From Xu Pangda's expression, Xu Ming understood some of the undercurrents in the imperial court: "Who is this person?"

"The King of Xiliang—Wu Tianhu."

"..."

Listening to the three words "Wu Tianhu," Xu Ming frowned.

Xu Ming had naturally heard of the King of Xiliang's reputation.

The King of Xiliang, Wu Tianhu, was one of the founding heroes of Wu Country, and the younger brother of Emperor Taizong of Wu Country.

After Emperor Taizong of Wu Country founded the country, he once set up ten founding ministers in Lingyantai.

Among them, Liu Feng ranked first among the ten meritorious officials.

Da Guozhu, Mo Peinan, ranked second among the ten meritorious officials.

Wu Tianhu's ranking was third.

And of the ten founding meritorious officials, only the top three were still alive.

Wu Tianhu was enfeoffed to Xiliang, controlling the land of three prefectures, as the King of Xiliang.

Xiliang bordered Chu Country, defending against Chu Country.

The relationship between Chu Country and Wu Country was not very good. It was actually better in recent years, but a few years ago, Chu Country and Wu Country often fought, but Wu Country often occupied a certain advantage.

The main credit for this naturally all relied on this King of Xiliang.

In these years, Emperor Wu often had actions to weaken the vassal states, but the knife of weakening the vassal states had never fallen on the head of the King of Xiliang.

Even the Edict of Grace was useless.

Not to mention that the King of Xiliang only had one son, no matter how much grace was pushed, the position of the King of Xiliang in the future would also be inherited by his only son.

Even if the King of Xiliang had multiple sons, the King of Xiliang could completely ignore it.

If the King of Xiliang ignored it, what could Emperor Wu do to the King of Xiliang?

The King of Xiliang was completely the local emperor in Xiliang. In the three prefectures of Xiliang, the King of Xiliang's orders were much more effective than Emperor Wu's.

Even if the King of Xiliang raised his arms and shouted, the three prefectures of Xiliang could secede from Wu Country.

Of course, the King of Xiliang wouldn't be so stupid, after all, he was sandwiched between Wu Country and Chu Country. If he really seceded, he would be attacked from both sides.

But Emperor Wu didn't dare to do anything to this King of Xiliang either.

Emperor Wu had always been worried that his weakening of the vassal states would provoke this King of Xiliang. He didn't dare to, bringing the 200,000 iron cavalry of Xiliang to trample the city!

Although even if the King of Xiliang's power was compared to the entire central Wu Country, it was indeed not enough to see.

The problem was that many vassal kings had long endured the Edict of Grace, and they had long wanted to rebel.

Who didn't know that the Edict of Grace was a conspiracy?

If the King of Xiliang rebelled, many feudal kings would definitely rebel with the King of Xiliang.

At that time, Wu Country would be in chaos.

Even if Emperor Wu finally quelled the rebellion, Wu Country would be greatly injured.

If Wu Country was greatly injured, there would be the Northern Wilderness in the north, Chu Country in the west, the Southern Border Demon Country in the south, and the various human countries in the east.

Wouldn't they take the opportunity to kill you while you're sick?

That's hard to say.

Or rather, it was highly likely.

So Emperor Wu had not been at ease at all in these years.

Emperor Wu was probably dreaming of the King of Xiliang dying suddenly.

But, as a Peak Realm martial artist, the King of Northern Liang was living well now, and even heard that he was very careful about his health every day.

"Did the King of Xiliang enter Wudu at His Majesty's invitation?" Xu Ming asked.

"Of course not." Xu Pangda shook his head and sighed again, seemingly troubled by the affairs of the court. "If His Majesty had invited him to Wudu, it wouldn't have caused such a commotion. The King of Xiliang entered the capital without permission."

Xu Ming frowned upon hearing Xu Pangda's words.

"How many people did the King of Xiliang bring?" Xu Ming asked again.

Xu Pangda shook his head: "The King of Xiliang didn't bring many people, but..."

As he spoke, Xu Pangda looked at Xu Ming, appearing hesitant.

Xu Ming smiled: "Third Brother, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need to be secretive between us brothers."

"Alright then, Fifth Brother, I'll say it, but don't get agitated." Xu Pangda took a deep breath, "Although the King of Xiliang didn't bring many people, he brought a lot of betrothal gifts. The King of Xiliang wants his son to marry our Princess."

Xu Ming was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, "The King of Xiliang really has a good plan."

"Fifth Brother, how can you still laugh?" Xu Pangda was anxious for his fifth brother. "Although our Wu Kingdom's laws forbid marriage within five generations, the Princess and the Heir of Xiliang happen to not be within five generations. That means the Heir of Xiliang can actually marry the Princess. Aren't you worried?"

Xu Ming calmly asked Xu Pangda, "What was Yanh Han's reaction?"

Xu Pangda thought for a moment, "She didn't really have any reaction, just calmly said 'I won't marry'."

Xu Ming smiled: "Then that's that."

Xu Pangda was even more anxious: "Fifth Brother, just because the Princess says she won't marry, does that really mean she won't marry? What if His Majesty bestows a marriage decree?"

Xu Ming shook his head, interrupting Xu Pangda: "Third Brother, you're thinking too much. Since Yan Han said she won't marry, then Yan Han will not marry, even if His Majesty decrees it."

"However, Third Brother, you did remind me of something. I need to go see the Princess."

Xu Pangda blinked: "Now? How about tomorrow? I heard that the King of Xiliang is visiting the Qin Mansion with his son."

Xu Ming smiled: "Then I need to go even more."

Xu Pangda: "???"

Xu Pangda worried: "Fifth Brother, you're not thinking of causing trouble, are you? Fifth Brother, I really must advise you to calm down at this time. The Great Pillar General is still alone, but the King of Xiliang has the entire Xiliang behind him."

Xu Ming still maintained his smile: "No need for Third Brother to remind me, I know what I'm doing. Please help me prepare a carriage, Third Brother."

"Alright..."

It was impossible for Xu Pangda not to be worried.

But his fifth brother had already said so, so what else could he say?

Before long, Xu Pangda had prepared the carriage.

Xu Ming thought for a moment and decided not to wear his flying fish uniform.

Now was his vacation time. If he wore his official uniform, it would seem too real, and the meaning would be completely different.

The carriage traveled on the street.

Xu Ming closed his eyes to rest in the carriage, while Xu Pangda was nervous and focused.

The Jinyiwei Commander's mansion was not far from the Qin King's mansion. Before long, the carriage stopped.

Inside the main hall of the Qin King's mansion.

Wu Yanhan sat in the main seat of the hall, while on one side of the hall were the smiling King of Xiliang, Wu Tianhu, and his son, Wu Lei.

At this moment, a maid walked quickly into the hall and bowed to Wu Yanhan:

"Your Highness, Jinyiwei Commander Xu Ming has come to visit..."