Of course, we don't wish to start a war with the Western Continent at this mont.
Therefore, as Ye Ze'an suggested, we can at least start a dialogue to understand their situation.
Qin Ziheng's gaze lingered on Li Fei for a mont, then he consulted with a few Pavilion Masters from the Central Cabinet.
The Master of the Righteous Law Pavilion was the late Yun Shu. After his death, the position of Pavilion Master remained vacant for the ti being.
Logically, soone should be chosen to fill this role. The most suitable candidate is Yun Shu's disciple, the Deputy Pavilion Master Ji Yiheng, reputed as 'first in sword control under the True Monarch.'
This ti when Buddha Jingheng led an invasion into the Capital, Ji Yiheng led the other True Masters of the Righteous Law Pavilion in defending the 'Twelve Layers of Heaven and Earth Defect Sword Tower,' also establishing so rit.
In addition to being Yun Shu's disciple, Ji Yiheng's promotion to the position of Pavilion Master should have been a matter of course.
But in the previous reward announcent, Ji Yiheng was not promoted.
At this mont, Qin Ziheng sought the opinions of several Pavilion Masters and, when inquiring about the Righteous Law Pavilion, did not first ask Ji Yiheng but instead consulted the newly appointed Deputy Pavilion Master, Master Xuan Chen.
Thus, many people understood the situation.
The position of Master of the Righteous Law Pavilion is likely held by the new Emperor as a bait to lure the Upper Pure Sect.
"I believe we could invite the Western envoy to visit."
Master Xuan Chen said.
He represents not just himself; behind him stands the Upper Pure Sect and that Profound Heart True Monarch!
So his opinion holds significant weight as well.
After he expressed his stance, Qin Ziheng had already made up his mind:
"Grand Secretary."
"I am here."
"Draft a national letter agreeing to the Seven Western Countries sending a delegation here."
"At your command!"
Thus, the matter was settled.
Afterward, they continued discussing how to deal with the Buddhist faction.
On this matter, the new Emperor had already made a decision, and Ye Ze'an, Li Fei, and Wenren Zheng—the three Guardian Ministers—reached a consensus as well.
Besides, Profound Heart True Monarch equally hesitated to rashly attack the Western Extre Province without substantial assurance, so eventually, the court's resolution was to temporarily encircle but not attack the Western Extre Province.
Cut off its connections with the outside world.
Apart from this, all temples across the nation's twenty-three provinces were sealed!
All Buddhist Martial Artists and Magicians were captured!
In this matter, not only is the court taking action, but local Blue Patrol Pavilions will also participate.
A reward issued by the court encouraged local Jianghu influences to join in the crusade against the Buddhist faction!
"Your Majesty, Pudu Temple intruded into the Imperial City, killed the late Emperor, insulted our Da Lan Dynasty to the extre! How can we ease the hearts of the world's people if we do not avenge this enmity?"
With all affairs decided, an elderly statesman suddenly stepped forth, knelt on the ground, with a deeply poignant face, tears streaming:
"I know the nation's affairs are challenging now, but I earnestly ask Your Majesty to recover the Western Extre Province and eliminate Pudu Temple to console the spirit of the late Emperor!"
Having spoken, this three-dynasty cabinet minister heavily bowed his head to the ground.
Qin Ziheng's expression turned sowhat bleak.
He was aware that this matter would certainly shape so Ministers' and even the nation's perception of him, already ntally prepared for this.
Yet, facing it directly still feels uncomfortable.
One can wholly imagine how, after this three-dynasty cabinet minister's conduct spreads, people will talk about him, the new Emperor.
The only thing lacking is outright saying: Your throne was left to you by your father; now that you've ascended, hurry to avenge him; otherwise, how can you continue sitting on the Dragon Chair?!
And this is when Qin Ziheng hasn't publicly disclosed Li Fei's 'Three-year Agreent.'
Once he announces that he would wait three years before formally confronting the Buddhist faction, the court might beco entirely turbulent today, with at least half of the Ministers disagreeing!
It's not that these Ministers are fools unable to see the formality.
Firstly, they don't need to risk their lives in any case.
Secondly, avenging the late Emperor and reclaiming lost territory is a politically almost irrefutable stance!
In any case, since it's not necessarily a certain defeat, why not attempt it?
Instead, it is Li Fei who advises Qin Ziheng to temporarily endure it, yet he must bear trendous pressure and even bear enormous infamy!
"Regarding the late Emperor's matter, I have not had one day of heartache."
Qin Ziheng's voice emanated from the Red Steps:
"Today, before the entire court of civil and military officials, I swear here, should I fail to destroy Pudu Temple in this lifeti, let be deprived of life's joys and die without a complete corpse!"
With these words, an expression of fear erged on the face of the cabinet minister kneeling on the ground, who hurriedly said:
"Your Majesty, you speak too heavily!"
Then quickly stood up, not daring to ntion the matter again.
Thus, relying on the new Emperor's 'pledge,' the public sentint was temporarily stabilized.
"Court is adjourned—"
In the loud proclamation of the Imperial Eunuch, the first grand court session of the new Dynasty ca to a close.
After the court session ended, Li Fei did not imdiately return to his Marquis Mansion but was instead invited to Yangxin Hall.
After walking into the hall and sitting down for a short while, Ye Ze'an also walked in.
"Lord Chief Minister."
"Marquis Jing'an, no need for formalities."
The two exchanged greetings and sat down one after another.
After a while, the new Emperor, Qin Ziheng, stepped in.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities, both of you, sit."
After inviting them to sit, Qin Ziheng got straight to the point:
"I called you here to discuss the matter of the Western delegation. Regarding the relevant etiquette and negotiation matters, I plan to have the Grand Secretary take charge. As for interfacing with the delegation, I wish for Marquis Jing'an to lead. The two of you, with one in civil affairs and the other in military, must handle this Western delegation visit well."
"I obey the order."
Both Li Fei and Ye Ze'an stood up to accept the decree.
Qin Ziheng waved his hand, signaling them to sit down, then looked at Li Fei:
"You are the greatest hero of our Da Lan Dynasty, also the greatest hero in history. For you to personally engage with the Western delegation should not diminish the prestige of our Heavenly Dynasty. If the opportunity arises, I hope you can give those Westerners a good shock!"
The reason for not sending Wenren Zheng to intimidate the Western delegation was that he was the Military Affairs Grand Marshal, a dignified Martial Saint. Personally handling such matters would not only seem beneath him but also imply that there was no one available in the Da Lan Dynasty.
Having Li Fei undertake the task was just right; a more suitable candidate couldn't be found!
He has been fighting up to now with various extraordinary achievents; any one of them could easily impress others.
Wenren Zheng is the 'Military God' of the Da Lan Dynasty, while Li Fei is the future War God of it!
"I understand, I will not disappoint!"
Li Fei solemnly said.
The three of them then discussed so details and chatted for nearly an hour in Yangxin Hall before dispersing.
...
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Li Fei first went to the Monitoring Pavilion headquarters.
"Master Lou, I want to review confidential intelligence related to the West Continent."
Li Fei directly approached Lou Hongtao.
Since he was about to interact with the Seven Western Countries delegation, it was natural for him to first understand the enemy's situation.
Lou Hongtao understood Li Fei's intention and said:
"Our Monitoring Pavilion mainly focuses on internal intelligence investigations, and most of the intelligence we have related to the West Continent is about espionage. If Marquis Jing'an wants to understand the conditions in the West Continent, you'll still need to go to the Military Affairs Office, where they have spies stationed in the West Continent to gather intelligence all year round."
Li Fei: "Okay, but I also want the intelligence held by the Monitoring Pavilion. I'll have to trouble Master Lou to have soone compile it for ."
Lou Hongtao: "No problem."
"Thank you, Master Lou."
After expressing his gratitude, Li Fei headed directly to the Military Affairs Office headquarters.
After explaining his purpose, a military officer quickly presented him with a token:
"Marquis, this is the token given to you by the Great Marshal. With this token, you can freely browse all confidential intelligence related to the West Continent."
Although Wenren Zheng had different opinions from Li Fei and others, he did not make things difficult for Li Fei on this matter and instead gave his full support.
"Thank the Great Marshal for ."
Li Fei softly said as he accepted the token.
With that, he took the token and passed through multiple checkpoints, entering a secret chamber protected by a big array.
This secret chamber was about thirty ters long and wide, equipped with more than ten bookshelves over three ters high.
On the bookshelves were densely packed dossiers, notes, and wooden boxes.
From a glance, there were thousands of them!
It has been twenty-two years since Hong Guang twenty-seven.
During these years, the Seven Western Countries continuously sent spies to the Da Lan Dynasty, while under Wenren Zheng's command, the Military Affairs Office was also not idle.
For twenty-two years, innurable hidden guards have expended who knows how much effort and even their lives to gather intelligence on the West Continent—
All collected here!
....
PS: Need to rethink the outline, so there's less update.
With that, he took the token and passed through multiple checkpoints, entering a secret chamber protected by a big array.
This secret chamber was about thirty ters long and wide, equipped with more than ten bookshelves over three ters high.
On the bookshelves were densely packed dossiers, notes, and wooden boxes.
From a glance, there were thousands of them!
It has been twenty-two years since Hong Guang twenty-seven.
During these years, the Seven Western Countries continuously sent spies to the Da Lan Dynasty, while under Wenren Zheng's command, the Military Affairs Office was also not idle.
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