Like a concentric circle, the Grand Ballroom is divided into four halls from the outside to the inside, which is incomparably large, can accommodate thousands of people to feast, and the decoration is luxurious and exquisite, all of which show the identity and status of its host as the lord of a country.

The first entrance area is the largest, and it is used by many low-level Hongwu family heads and low-level minor nobles in Beijing to sit.

Standing guard around this advance were more than 300 elite warriors, all heavily armed and wearing black armor.

The second entrance is for the middle-level Hongwu family heads and middle-level ordinary nobles in Beijing to be seated.

Around the second entrance banquet hall, nearly a hundred warriors in blue-gray heavy armor stood solemnly, these were bronze warriors.

Sitting in the third place were the few heads of high-ranking Hongwu families and high-ranking nobles in the entire principality, but there were only a few dozen people.

And on guard around this entrance were about thirty Silver Knights in silver-white armor.

Those who are qualified to sit in the fourth place in the center are the most noble and powerful people in the whole principality.

And in this core area, more than a dozen mighty figures with golden light stand around like sculptures, and these masters in golden armor are the Golden Guardians, also known as worship.

The Iron Warriors, the Bronze Samurai, the Silver Knights, and the Golden Guardians are the core of the Praetorian Guard in the capital.

The three armies of the capital are the city guards, the royal forest army and the janissary army, the city guard is responsible for the snow siege defense, is the garrison army, heavy defense; the royal forest army is the general reserve of the entire principality, generally dispatched when the duke is on the expedition in person, is the field army, heavy attack, and the janissary army is responsible for the security of the duke's palace and the big nobles headed by the duke, and attaches the most importance to the combat effectiveness of individuals.

The three armies in the capital were under the control of the military department, and the military department, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Taichang Division were all under the control of Wei Hui, the right minister of the current dynasty.

Another giant in the court, Zuo Cheng Dou Xian, is in charge of the other half of the six departments and two divisions, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Households, the Ministry of Industry and the Department of Dali.

In the Dali Division, there are three guards that make people fearful, Jinyi Wei, Xuanyi Wei and Yin Yi Wei.

The three guards are spy organizations, the Jinyi guards are in charge of ordinary soldiers and civilians, and focus on investigation and torture; the Xuanyi guards are in charge of high-ranking officials and nobles, and they are heavy on weaving assassinations; and the hidden clothes are in charge of foreign intelligence, and they are heavy on infiltration and espionage.

The balance of power in the principality is delicately balanced.

In the fourth core banquet hall, the lord of the entire Duchy of Tuanyue, Duke Shi Zheqi, was already half-drunk, his face was full of red light, and he was in a good mood.

"National teacher, please drink this cup, the brothers have worked hard today, especially these worship guards, most of them are still injured, but they have to stand here!" Shi Zheqi raised his glass and gestured to He Guoxiang, the national teacher who was several seats apart.

He Guoxiang is Shi Zheqi's martial arts teacher since he was a child, so he is respected as the national teacher, he is also the head of the enshrinement, and he is also the commander-in-chief of the Praetorian Guard, he is qualified to sit in this core area.

"This is the duty of the brothers, the annual Kaiyuan feast, is the time to show the majesty of the Duke's Palace, even if there are some small injuries, but also to serve the guard, with a strong reputation. The tall and vigorous He Guo wanted to get up and return the salute with a cup, and then gestured to the dozen or so Jinhui guards around him one by one, and then drank it all.

One of He Guoxiang's hands, wrapped in layers of bandages, was obviously injured, and it seemed that many of the dozen or so Jinhui guards around him were also injured.

"He Guoshi, I heard that it was the two demon clans who were in the calamity, and the demon clan was the most vulnerable at this time, why did all of you Jinhui worship guards miss when they went out, and several people were injured?"

"If it's just two little demons, it's naturally okay, they have been injured at that time, and they can take their lives in a moment, but I don't want to have an old demon rush to protect the Dharma, and I was caught off guard and suffered a loss. He Guoxiang replied in a deep voice, with a trace of disgust and anger in his eyes.

"If we knew that this would happen, it would be better for us to send some masters out of the three guards! Dou Xian smiled and turned his head to ask the right minister on the other side, Wei Hui, the uncle of the current duke.

Wei Hui, who had a Chinese face and a solemn expression, snorted lightly and said: "Lord Zuo Cheng's three guards, I'm afraid to probe the gossip, and catch ordinary people is still good, if you catch demons, I'm afraid there will be no return!"

"Hehe!" Dou Xian laughed dryly, and said gloomily: "I'm afraid that Lord Right Prime Minister is too confident, right? No wonder there will be such a big loss in this demon extermination, and the arrogant soldiers will be defeated!"

"You ......" Wei Hui slammed the wine glass on the table with an angry expression.

"Alright! Alright!" Shi Zheqi rounded, "although these two monsters were not removed, they were also forced to flee with injuries, and they could no longer besiege the city for the disaster, which could not be regarded as a failure." ”

Hearing Shi Zheqi say this, the two sides stopped talking.

"Speaking of which, there have been more and more people from various countries sending envoys to propose to the county lord for their princes recently, which prince does the county lord have a crush on?"

"I don't like any of them! I won't marry!" When Shi Feiyun heard this topic, he immediately shouted loudly and puffed up.

"Huh, how can you not get married!" Wei Hui, who has always been serious, looked at Shi Feiyun with a kind face: "I think the third prince of the Hongyuan Empire is good, since the last time he went to our country, he has never forgotten the county lord of Feiyun, and the county lord's ceremony has just been held, and he immediately sent someone to ask for marriage, which shows his sincerity." Moreover, he was born to the same mother as the crown prince of the Hongyuan Empire, and when the crown prince ascends the throne, he will be reused, and marrying him will be of great benefit to my principality. ”

Seeing that Wei Hui was right, Shi Zheqi also nodded again and again, Shi Feiyun was anxious, and shouted: "Uncle! I said that if I don't marry, I won't marry, that third prince is sour all day long, and he is annoyed to death." It's a shame that you have always loved me, and you actually want me to marry him, and you want to marry Xiangjun's cousin to him. Hmph!"

"I think the county lord is right. Dou Xian's eyes were momentary, and he said loudly, "The ancestor is Baosheji, and he has been sealed by the Hongyuan Empire and reduced to a principality, and the two sides have been allies forever since then, and there is no need to strengthen each other's bonds through marriage." Moreover, Phoenix City is going six thousand miles, and the lord has always loved this one sister, and if he marries into the Hongyuan Empire, it will be difficult to see each other from now on. It is better to choose a noble, talented, and matching person in China to become a husband and wife, so that they can see each other often without damaging the friendship between brothers and sisters. ”

"Don't marry in China!" As soon as Dou Xian's words fell, Shi Feiyun simply refused, "I am dedicated to studying spells, Master said, when I am promoted to the spirit of law, she will come and take me away, the world is so big, traveling everywhere, this is what I want." ”

After saying that, Shi Feiyun stood up with a "whew", stomped his feet, twisted his delicate body, and left the table in a puff.

As soon as Shi Feiyun mentioned her master, everyone was silent, their eyes showing awe.

"Again, again. Shi Zheqi said as he raised his glass and drank it all.

Wei Hui's thick eyebrows frowned, he pursed the corners of his mouth vigorously, and said in a solemn voice: "Now the Junlu Kingdom in our east has invaded its borders under the pretext of our border army, and Chen Chongbing has been on the border between the two countries for more than a month, and the small conflicts and frictions between the two sides are continuous. We were forced to transfer the defenders from Yanhui Pass in the south to help defend the defense, and the situation was extremely tense. And the Kunqi Kingdom to our west has always had the intention of encroaching on our country. According to secret reports, the Kunqi Kingdom has been secretly dispatching troops, and once we have a major conflict with the Junlu Kingdom, they will inevitably take advantage of the situation. At this time of crisis, if I can get the high-profile support of the Hongyuan Empire, the crisis will be solved, so I still insist that the county lord should marry the third prince of Hongyuan to become Qin and Jin. Although I love the county lord, for the sake of the country's society, I categorically cannot accommodate her in this matter. Moreover, the county lord will marry after all, and marry the third prince of Hong Yuan, which can be said to be the right match. Now the county lord is a child's temper, and he will understand in the future. ”

"My Duchy of Yue is a dignified country, and when I encounter a crisis, I only think about relying on external forces, I am afraid that I will attract the ridicule of the world. In my opinion, Liu Anshi, the general of Andong who guarded the eastern border pass, was afraid of the enemy like a tiger, and he only knew how to shrink blindly, so the Junlu army would become more and more arrogant. He should be removed from his post and a new cadre should be appointed so that the crisis on the eastern border can be resolved. Dou Xian was full of words.

"What are the good candidates for Lord Zuo Cheng?" Shi Zheqi asked.

"Bao Bin, the commander of Jinyiwei, was born in the army, and before joining Jinyiwei, he was the county lieutenant of Taixi County. I think this person is Shen Yong and strategic, but he can take this position. Dou Xian recommended.

"It's just a county lieutenant, and Taixi County is not a border county, and the defenders are just doing some things to maintain law and order, and catch thieves and thieves. With such experience, how can he be worthy of the heavy responsibility of guarding the border and serving the country's barrier!" Wei Hui's voice became solemn, "Liu Anshi has been fighting the border for many years, and he has experienced many vicious battles, so he is not a cowardly person at all. He knows a lot about the Junlu Kingdom, and now he is self-assured, and he must have a reason. ”

"Lord Right Xiang defends Liu Anshi so much, but rejects Bao Bin as much as possible, I'm afraid it's because Liu Anshi is your protégé, and Bao Bin is from my Jinyiwei, right?" Dou Xian said in a weird manner.

"Hmph! I only look at ability, don't hold a little bit of selfish thoughts, the old man will never look away, Liu Anshi can be entrusted with a big responsibility. Wei Hui said coldly.

"I will never look away, Bao Bin will definitely be able to retreat from the enemy. Dou Xian didn't give an inch.

Looking at the left and right ministers who did not give in to each other, Shi Zheqi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he smiled: "The two Aiqing said that their vision is accurate, but it really makes it difficult for me." Either way, the two sides can first compete to see whose vision is more accurate, and who wins and whose opinion I will adopt, how about it?"

"How do you compete?" Dou Xian and Wei Hui asked in unison.

"Let's take the final of the Carnival Competition the day after tomorrow as a contest between the two of you. You can support one of the teams according to your own vision, and whoever supports the team wins the championship will win, how about it?" Shi Zheqi felt more and more interesting.

"Isn't this too child's play!" Wei Hui frowned.

"How could it be! That's the fairest, so let's decide. Shi Zheqi was quite persistent.

"Then I'm optimistic that the leader will win the crown. Wei Hui saw that it was impossible to disobey, so he said loudly without hesitation.

Dou Xian hesitated for a moment, and said: "I'm optimistic about the victory." ”

"Okay, then everything will be revealed the day after tomorrow!" Shi Zheqi laughed, looking proud, as if he was quite complacent about the method he had come up with.