In this world, there are always very few people who are patient. And patient hunters are even rarer. Once they see that their long-awaited prey has finally entered the trap they have dug, they are always eager to launch. With the excitement of imminent success, even a calculating old fox can't afford to wait too long!

No one expected that the situation would change overnight. King Zhao, who rode into Los Angeles in the midst of the crowd, is about to usher in the most difficult moment of his life. Longtan Tiger's Den, life and death. It's so unpredictable!

Zichen Palace, the lights are brilliant, and the grand night banquet begins at dusk. In order to welcome the arrival of King Zhao, the banquet held to receive the wind and wash the dust was grand and warm. Originally, according to the standardized etiquette, it should have been held by Wang Brother Ji Moming after he rushed back from Zhongyue Mountain the day after tomorrow. But in order to show respect for King Zhao, and a warm welcome to his early arrival. The ministers of the royal court, led by the old uncle Chun Yuxian, decided to hold a night banquet tonight to comfort the king's hard work all the way. And this decision has also been agreed by the Son of Heaven. For this reason, Ji Yuan, the Son of Heaven, who was preparing to meet King Zhao tomorrow, specially sent the young son Gongzi Jiao, who had returned to Los Angeles for many days, to represent the will of the Son of Heaven.

The banquet was held in a side hall. Originally, it was a place where large-scale events were often held in the past, and although it was night, it was spacious and bright, and the palace lanterns lit everywhere, between the towers and palaces, were sprinkled with fantastical colors, and it showed the majesty of the palace complex.

Tonight, it's the first quarter moon. The moonlight is hazy, and between the courtyard corridors, women in palace clothes shuttle back and forth, all kinds of delicacies, fine wines and musical instruments, and court dancers, all of which are preparing to play one by one.

A grand banquet of this scale has not been held in Zichen Palace for a long time. Many of the old royal ministers basically came. These old guys are just like this twilight dynasty, although they can barely cheer up, but the decadent atmosphere cannot be hidden. And today, Gongzijiao, who deliberately wears luxurious clothes, is a little conspicuous among this group of people who are gloomy.

"Childe, you're getting more and more atmospheric! Seeing your current appearance, Lao Chen is really pleased! ”

In the gap waiting for King Zhao's arrival, Chun Yuxian looked at the son beside him with a loving face, and there were already tears in his eyes unconsciously. He, like many others, was already keenly aware that after several years of training, the temperament of the royal prince who had returned to Los Angeles had been very different from the inside out. It filled their hearts with anticipation for him.

And Gongzijiao's face was a little blank. For this uncle, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, he didn't show any closeness. On the contrary, the anxiety hidden in the depths of his eyes exposed his inner emotions. However, he has been a person who knows etiquette since he was a child, and the old royal court minister in front of him is the person who his deceased mother personally entrusted to take care of him before she died. When he was growing up as a teenager, Chun Yu did give him meticulous care and attention. These affections and inseparable blood ties cannot be completely erased by him.

"I was relieved to see that my uncle was in good health."

Gongzi only said this sentence flatly, then lowered his head and refused to say more. Unexpectedly, Chun Yuxian, who seemed to have known his indecision in his heart, would never allow him to escape the problem. A sharp gaze was firmly fixed on him, and the voice in his ears was a little stern.

"Childe, the reason why the old man is holding on to his body and working tirelessly has been laying out everywhere over the years, waiting for your return. Don't you understand what is so? ”

Gongzi's head fell a little lower, and his heart was bitter, but he couldn't refute it. Once upon a time, he had great respect for his uncle, who took care of him. And deep down in his heart, he has the determination to repay them in the future. However, when they bewitched the Son of Heaven into putting a huge problem in front of him, what should he do, but he fell into a depression and pain that he had never felt before. It was really difficult for him to make a choice in such a short time. Even though he couldn't sleep day and night, he couldn't come up with a good way to get the best of both worlds. And when he finally saw Zhao Wang Chu Jiangmian tonight, his heart was already full of anxiety and panic. After hearing Chun Yuxian's reproachful tone, he had to forcibly suppress the complicated emotions in his heart and replied in a dull manner.

"Of course I know my uncle's kindness. However, I knew I was not ...... the right person for the social work. ”

"How do you know you're not a good fit? It is not right to be presumptuous in this way. If you are still hesitant in your heart, think of your poor mother, who died a long time ago! She doesn't want to see you look so cowardly. Childe, you have to remember that only the strong can survive better in this world. And your background has long been destined to take on the mission you shoulder. This is an inescapable reality. ”

In a low tone, Chun Yuxian gently patted him on the shoulder. Then he turned his gaze to the door, and with the voice of the muezzin, tonight's distinguished guest, His Royal Highness King Zhao, had arrived. The old uncle's brows furrowed, he was not worried that Gongzi would do anything unexpected. This young man, who has been a little gentle and cowardly since he was a child, knows better than anyone else. Even if he didn't want to do the thing in front of him, as long as he asked him in the name of his mother, he would never refuse.

And the most important thing at the moment is not to pay attention to Gongzi's feelings. With a smile on his face and an unsuspecting look, Chu Jiangmian, the king of Zhao, was the one who needed to deal with it with all his might. Chun Yuxian stood up quietly, and all the conspirators understood, and they suppressed their excitement. Begin to prepare secretly according to the original plan.

Chu Jiangmian, who was respectfully greeted by everyone in the hall, did not bring too many entourages with him. In fact, even tonight's banquet was a bit unexpected for him. However, since it was a welcome ceremony in the name of the Son of Heaven, he still came.

What is the physical condition of Ji Yuan, the Son of Heaven, has become the biggest secret of the Great Zhou royal family. If you look at the information collected by the Thousand Machine Pavilion, the Son of Heaven should not have any big problems in a year or two. Although he is already more than 100 years old, he rarely has a strong will to survive. And this is of course what Zhao Guo wants to see.

"Obey the Son of Heaven to order the princes". This strategy proposed by Chu Jiangmian at the beginning, after five years of time testing, has been recognized by Zhao and all the princes who have received great benefits as the most correct political line. And the young King Zhao became one of the most famous princes and kings in the world. Since he has received such an important benefit from it, he must keep his promise. For the Great Zhou royal family, there can be no slightest neglect.

After greeting each other, they all sat down according to their status. The seat of the Lord was empty, and it was the seat that represented the Son of Heaven. Even if he is not there, he is not to trespass on it. And sitting in the chairman's seat is naturally pure and fresh. As the old man of the dynasty, he fully deserves this qualification. The people present were all some elderly ministers and nobles, and most of them used a curious look to secretly observe Chu Jiangmian at close range. And Gongzi Jiao, who was sitting on the side after respectfully saluting Chu Jiangmian, looked a little lonely with his face hidden in the silhouette of the light.

Chu Jiangmian didn't care about anything else. On such an important occasion, and in Zichen Palace, it is expected that there will be no accidents. Because of this, he only brought Bai Ye and another young squire with him when he came. This young man named Xie Mingren was one of the many people who had gathered around King Zhao loyally in recent years. And most of their identities are from the family of merchants. This also shows the attitude of King Zhao from another aspect. That is, the sentence that he has often hung on his lips recently: "There is no noble or lowly background, and no one is superior or inferior." Only those who are virtuous can rule the world together to achieve prosperity. ”

The meaning of this sentence is not difficult to understand. It is also occasionally mentioned in some of the writings of the sages. But only from King Zhao's mouth to say it himself, it is too exciting! Because, more and more people have begun to believe that perhaps only this talented king who was born out of thin air can really achieve this goal that countless people look forward to.

It was the first time that Xie Mingren had followed King Zhao to such an important occasion. Although he was only an acolyte, his heart was already excited. He and many others like him understood his mission. King Zhao's future is their future, and it is also the future of the fate of the family behind them. For this reason, on the day they left home, they had already made an oath to the elders of the family. Protect King Zhao until death!

And Bai Ye, who has long been accustomed to seeing big scenes, looks very bland. He and Xie Mingren stood behind Chu Jiangmian, listening to their own king's response one by one without arrogance or impatience amid countless compliments, and in a humble tone. Its bearing is extraordinary, and it is impressive.

In the main hall, the lights are brilliant. Accompanied by the melodious sound of silk and bamboo, there are dancers dancing. Under Chun Yuxian's secret signal, the royal court ministers and nobles toasted King Zhao one after another to thank him for his consistent support of the Great Zhou royal family. Chu Jiangmian basically did not refuse to come, and took a sip of everyone's toast, and talked very happily. Not long after, Chun Yuxian, who was sitting opposite him, smiled, looked up at Chu Jiangmian, whose face was already a little ruddy, and said.

"On the birthday of the Son of Heaven, King Zhao came in person, and he was very happy. Although he could not come out to receive him in person, he specially prepared gifts and imperial wine for King Zhao. The first is to publicly recognize the merits of the king. The second is to thank you for teaching him the friendship of the son! Speaking of which, Gongzi should also call you a teacher! Hehe! Then, this cup of wine from the Son of Heaven will be done by the prince and dedicated to King Zhao! ”