After the banquet concluded, Emperor Zhou summoned Shen Jing to his bedchamber.
“I am very pleased with your performance tonight!”
Emperor Zhou looked at Shen Jing with satisfaction, “However, I still have a question for you!”
“Your Majesty, please ask.”
Shen Jing replied humbly.
Emperor Zhou pondered for a moment, then asked seriously, “Are you so strongly in favor of war because you fear I would punish you for disrespecting the Yong Country Delegation?”
“No!”
Shen Jing shook his head.
“Then I am relieved!”
Emperor Zhou’s face broke into a smile again, “So, you deliberately slighted the Yong Country Delegation for another reason, didn’t you?”
“Indeed, there was a reason!”
Shen Jing nodded in admission, “However, your humble servant cannot tell Your Majesty now!”
Cannot say?
Emperor Zhou frowned slightly.
This boy is even hiding this from him?
“Alright, I don't doubt those I use, and I use those I don't doubt!”
Emperor Zhou smiled, then continued, “Then let me ask, how confident are you in the task I entrusted to you? This should be acceptable, right?”
Shen Jing thought for a moment, then said ambiguously, “If Your Majesty trusts your humble servant, your humble servant is very confident. If Your Majesty does not trust your humble servant, your humble servant has no confidence at all!”
“Did you use your ears to fan mosquitoes? I already said, I don't doubt those I use, and I use those I don't doubt!” Emperor Zhou glared at Shen Jing with a smile, “Just based on the strategy you offered regarding the marriage alliance, I have no reason not to trust you!”
Thinking of Shen Jing’s strategy, Emperor Zhou couldn't help but laugh again.
Although Shen Jing’s strategy was not highly feasible, its strength lay in its cunning!
This strategy could silence many people.
Meeting Emperor Zhou’s gaze, Shen Jing said seriously, “If Your Majesty trusts your humble servant, then please, Your Majesty, prepare for war with all your might!”
“Pre… prepare for war?”
Emperor Zhou was astonished, “You are very confident, yet you still want me to prepare for war with all my might? If I am to prepare for war with all my might, do I still need to approach Yong Country…?”
Mid-sentence, Emperor Zhou suddenly paused, then lowered his brows in thought.
Shen Jing was not drunk, so he obviously wouldn't say such contradictory words.
He must have a purpose for saying this.
After a moment of contemplation, a look of sudden realization appeared on Emperor Zhou’s face, “You want me to cooperate with you by preparing for war?”
“Yes!”
Shen Jing nodded, “The Yong Country Delegation is pressuring us, and we must, in turn, pressure them! To be honest, tonight in Linde Hall, your humble servant wanted to curse.”
Emperor Zhou pondered for a moment, then said with interest, “Tell me more specifically.”
“How can Your Majesty ensure that what was discussed in Linde Hall today will not reach the ears of the Yong Country Delegation?”
Shen Jing stared at Emperor Zhou, “Has Your Majesty considered what would happen if the Yong Country Delegation knew that we approached this matter from the outset with a non-combative mindset?”
As Shen Jing spoke, Emperor Zhou’s eyelids suddenly twitched.
Spies!
Or rather, someone in court is colluding with the enemy!
In an instant, Emperor Zhou broke out in a cold sweat.
Damn it!
He had actually overlooked this!
If it weren't for Shen Jing and others strongly advocating for war, allowing the pro-peace faction to gain the upper hand, and these words reaching the ears of the Yong Country Delegation, Great Zhou might truly be at their mercy!
“Whew…”
Emperor Zhou let out a long, heavy breath, his gaze sharp as he asked, “Did you discover something?”
“I discovered nothing! Your humble servant merely speculates.”
Shen Jing said in a deep voice, “From the time your humble servant received the Yong Country Delegation until just before the banquet, the Yong Country Delegation seemed quite normal! But when they arrived at Linde Hall, they suddenly became so aggressive, even publicly humiliating Your Majesty! This is clearly abnormal!”
Hearing Shen Jing say this, Emperor Zhou also felt it was abnormal.
Indeed!
Even if Yong Country was aggressive, they wouldn't be so openly offensive.
Unless they were certain that Great Zhou wouldn't dare to go to war with them.
Although the current strength of Great Zhou is indeed weaker than Yong Country, it’s not so weak as to be negligible!
Why was the Yong Country Delegation so certain that no matter how they provoked, Great Zhou would not dare to fight them?
There might be quite a few issues here!
The more Emperor Zhou thought about it, the more he feared, and he said thankfully, “My most correct decision today was to keep you here!”
Shen Jing chuckled, “Your humble servant is also fortunate that Your Majesty did not believe Prince Jing… Minister Fu’s words and punish your humble servant. Otherwise, how would your humble servant dare to say those things!”
Although Shen Jing corrected himself in time, Emperor Zhou still guessed who he was referring to!
Prince Jing!
The second prince!
It would have been better if Shen Jing hadn't mentioned the second prince, but his mention of him inexplicably ignited a flame of anger in Emperor Zhou's heart.
The second prince was also a strong advocate for peace!
This rebellious son, despite having no personal grudge against Shen Jing, constantly targeted him to win over Yao Jian!
Did he really think he couldn't see through his little schemes?
It seems he needed to give the second prince a stern warning!
Seeing Emperor Zhou's silence, Shen Jing felt relieved.
Hmm, he hoped he would give Ye Qing a good beating!
“Alas!”
Emperor Zhou suddenly let out a long sigh, “Don’t blame those officials who strongly advocate for peace. The court indeed faces difficulties. The chaotic wars of previous years had too great an impact on the court, and it still needs to recuperate…”
Shen Jing shook his head, “Your humble servant respectfully disagrees with Your Majesty's words.”
“Oh?”
Emperor Zhou looked up, “What is your esteemed opinion?”
“No esteemed opinion, only some humble thoughts.”
Shen Jing said seriously, “Your humble servant believes that some ministers advocate for peace out of consideration for the court, but some ministers advocate for peace because they see things too clearly!”
“Hmm?”
Emperor Zhou was puzzled, and asked with curiosity, “What do you mean by that?”
Shen Jing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “For some people, they want to enjoy wealth and luxury. Whether Great Zhou perishes has little impact on them!”
“If Great Zhou perishes, only the imperial clan perishes!”
“And some ministers in court, with a quick change, become trusted officials of another country, and can continue to enjoy wealth and luxury…”
Listening to Shen Jing’s words, Emperor Zhou’s heart twinged fiercely.
Indeed!
Throughout history, has there ever been a country that fell and all its officials were buried with it?
Only when a country falls, the imperial clan is annihilated!
Such a simple truth, he actually failed to understand!
“Alas…”
After a long while, Emperor Zhou sighed heavily, “I have been emperor for so many years, yet I never expected to fail to understand such a simple matter! Shameful, truly shameful!”
“Your Majesty is too close to the situation!”
Shen Jing smiled, “Therefore, your humble servant wants to tell Your Majesty, regardless of whether Your Majesty thinks of war or peace, first prepare for war with all your might! If Your Majesty does not possess the courage to fight a great war, these ministers in court will have even less courage to fight.”
“I understand!”
Emperor Zhou nodded heavily, then raised his hand and patted Shen Jing’s shoulder, “Go ahead and act boldly! If anything goes wrong, I will back you up!”
What spirit!
Only someone with such spirit could write a poem like 'man jiang hong'!
It seems this boy's ambition is indeed not in the imperial court, but on the battlefield!
He also needed to show some spirit!
Just as Shen Jing said, at worst, they would break it down and rebuild it!
As long as the people's hearts are not lost, Great Zhou will not perish!
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Shen Jing smiled, “Your humble servant requests that Your Majesty temporarily not summon the Yong Country Delegation, and patiently await the results from your humble servant's side!”
“Good!”
Emperor Zhou readily agreed, his eyes flashing with brilliance, “Even if you didn't mention it, I would still make them wait!”
Shen Jing stood up, “Then your humble servant will take his leave.”
“Hmm.”
Emperor Zhou nodded, “Go back and rest well! If anything happens, just send someone into the palace to inform me!”
“Yes!”
Shen Jing accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew.
After Shen Jing left, Emperor Zhou’s face suddenly turned cold.
Colluding with the enemy!
If there truly is someone in court colluding with the enemy, then he will not be merciful!
After a moment of thought, Emperor Zhou called Yu Rang in and whispered a few instructions…
