Chapter 988: Chapter 544: The Fourth Prince’s Stronghold! (Part 2)
After several Divine Envoys left, Chen Yuan looked at the princes and said:
“Your Highnesses really make it difficult for as a marquis.”
“How about this? Since my elder brothers all intend to invite Brother Chen, why don’t we join forces? This way, it won’t be unfair.” Sima You suggested.
“I think this proposal is good. What does Brother Chen think?” Sima Qian’s gaze shifted slightly, with so inquiry.
Inviting him alone might not be feasible, so they could only settle for the next best option: jointly inviting Chen Yuan. They genuinely wanted to know what Sima Ke used to sway Chen Yuan.
How could there be such a significant change?
Chen Yuan hesitated for a mont, then nodded:
“Your Highnesses are too kind, and if I still refuse, it would be sowhat ungrateful.”
“Brother Chen, you’ve spoken too seriously.”
“Marquis Wu’an, you speak too seriously.”
“We an absolutely no such thing, only that our hearts are full of admiration for the deeds Brother Chen accomplished in Liangzhou and rely wish to hear about them.”
“Indeed, indeed.”
Sima Ke frowned slightly, feeling a bit unhappy. Chen Yuan was supporting him, yet these two outright invited him, completely disregarding him.
However, heh heh… They were dood to have no hope.
Unless they also offer their mother consorts.
Let Chen Yuan explore their den.
Otherwise, it’s all in vain.
With this thought, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Sima Ke’s mouth, and he said:
“Brother Chen, since my two elder brothers have warmly invited you, why don’t we all convene at my mansion, huh?”
“Fourth Brother, I’ve specially prepared a sumptuous feast for Brother Chen, ready for him to taste. Next ti, we can visit your mansion, alright?”
Sima Qian coughed lightly twice.
“Elder Brother has made thorough preparations.”
“Inviting Brother Chen, renowned throughout the land, should naturally be well-prepared.”
“Yes, Brother Chen indeed constantly shakes the world, shocking the Capital. When the news of becoming the youngest Marquis breaks out, it will surely stir the world once more,
Such prestige, unparalleled across the land!”
“You flatter , Your Highnesses.”
“Brother Chen, please.”
“Brother Chen, please.”
“Your Highnesses, please…”
…
…
Sima You’s words were not wrong; after the grand court eting, the news of Chen Yuan’s marquis title spread like a hurricane among the upper echelons of the Capital’s nobles.
Furthermore, the commotion was growing bigger.
Marquis!
Marquis of a myriad households!
Fief in Ping’an County, Qingzhou!
Marquis Wu’an!
The youngest marquis of Great Jin!
With so many titles, people marveled endlessly, spreading from the upper echelons gradually downwards, as many had been paying attention to this eting.
Now, with such major news, causing such a stir was indeed normal.
Besides, there was even bigger news.
Great Governor Gu Tianqiong of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau had retired!
Although conferred as Duke of the State, comparable to a foreign king, his status was exceptionally high, and he could et the Emperor without bowing, entering court with sword and boots, a supre honor indeed.
But, it is visible that his power had been diminished.
Many were interested in the happenings behind this event.
For instance, how did Jingtai persuade Gu Tianqiong to relinquish his power?
The previous Emperor had made similar attempts, but was turned back each ti.
Power was not so easily relinquished.
Yet Jingtai managed to do it!
And many could guess the purpose behind his actions.
The Emperor aid to centralize power!
Since ancient tis, whenever such instances arose, it marked the arrival of great turmoil.
What will the Emperor do with elevated power?
No need to guess—you already know the aim is to expand territory.
However, given the current situation with internal and external troubles, territorial expansion seems unrealistic, hence the goal must be to eliminate internal threats.
In detail, there are quite a few internal threats, but only three are obvious.
King of Beiliang Wei Jinfeng, Prince Zhen Nan Nangong Lie, and the Demon Dao rampant in Blood State!
Though Great Jin has thirteen states, it actually controls only ten.
And these three are all resource-rich states, standing in the way of the court surpassing the strength of the forr Chu. Hence why!
Including the Northern Barbarians’ southward advance causing significant loss to the Beiliang Army, many feel Jingtai has placed his target on Wei Jinfeng.
But it’s all just speculation at this point.
The real situation, remains unknown.
Nevertheless, many acknowledge Jingtai’s thods, breaking constraints, doing what others cannot, bravely overcoming the Dynasty’s national destiny to reach Heavenly Core.
Indeed, few can reach that level.
Among all the emperors since Great Jin’s founding, he is the first to achieve it.
However, whether intentionally driven by soone, the attention originally focused on Jingtai and Gu Tianqiong gradually began to shift towards Chen Yuan.
The center of discussion started returning.
As if soone had predicted this step long ago.
Leaving the Imperial City, Chen Yuan was warmly and jointly invited by the princes to the Eldest Prince’s mansion, where preparations had been made, and upon arrival, maidens ca forth to attend him.
But upon witnessing this scene, Sima Ke rely sneered inwardly.
Chen Yuan doesn’t fancy these undeveloped girls; he prefers plump beauties and that forbidden thrill.
Sima Ke believed he had a fair understanding of Chen Yuan.
However, he spoke nothing about it, instead chuckling casually.
Indeed, Sima Qian’s culinary preparations were quite deliberate, presenting a feast with delicacies from all over the land, although not as exquisite as Xin the Food God’s Spirit Essence, yet still savory in its own right.
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