He Zhen Wei’s complexion slightly grew stern. If it’s the second situation, then without a doubt, returning to the northeastern borders this time was just Jin Qinwang’s trap. However, his heart still leaned towards the first scenario. This stupid son of his, on normal days, although doesn’t listen, but he’s very loyal and faithful, and his feelings towards his family also very deep. If Jin Qinwang really were to scheme against them, once this brat finds out the truth, he a hundred percent will bite back, so if Jin Qinwang really has this kind of thought, he wouldn’t possibly just expose some clues now, letting them have their guard up. That’s why, as expected, it should be the first scenario?

Thinking to here, He Zhen Wei’s complexion relaxed a little.

“Father, your interest towards Jin Qinwang seemingly is a bit different from usual, is something the matter?”

“What matter can there be? What else other than worrying about you, this bastard, causing trouble, yet be completely unaware. For me to worry all day long, who is it all for?” He Zhen Wei still decided to not warn this stupid son. He was someone that can’t keep secrets to begin with, and if he get found out by Jin Qinwang, don’t know what will happen. However, he still needed to talk to his mother and wife, letting them help come up with some ideas. A guess was just a guess after all, so it wasn’t good to think too much. Perhaps, once he returns to the northeastern border town this time, he’ll be able to let the matter become clear.

“How could I be causing trouble? During this period of time, I’ve clearly been very obedient to the point where I can’t be more obedient.” Never mind when causing trouble, it’s not like he won’t acknowledge, but when not causing trouble, he firmly refused to accept this blame.

“Hmph, just don’t know how long you can stay well-behaved.”

He Shi Hai didn’t have the patience to listen to his old man’s lecturing, thus swiftly ran away. Jin Qinwang said that he didn’t know how to adapt to the situation, so he’ll just nicely show him how flexible he was. Next time, he will definitely hit back. Even if he can’t let the situation reverse completely, he’ll just count every punch that hits.

He Zhen Wei, who got left behind, could only just deeply sigh. His eldest son was already very outstanding. His martial art skills, and ability to lead the army, all weren’t anything difficult for him. But if he can also combine a little with this stupid son, then he can all wake up laughing from his sleep. In fact, he can just clap his hands and put down his load, and enjoy his retirement.

The situation was urgent, yet one can’t express it, so at this time, one can only make up for it through the route. As such, each person needed to prepare an extra good horse. However, the people that were brought back to the capital, actually half of them all carried different degree of injuries, despite it not being obvious on the surface. In reality, they were already not suited for the battlefield. Bringing them back to let them work as the He family’s family guard, prior to coming back, they’d already explained clearly, and these people were also willing. As such, the amount of people that will be returning to the borders reduced by half, so they didn’t need to worry about the horse problem.

Another two days passed. Several large countries in the surrounding, as well as more than ten small countries, unexpectedly submitted national documents on the same day, expressing that they will come partake in Le Cheng Emperor’s birthday[1].

Even if not a day for court, Le Cheng Emperor still issued a decree to call in the civil and military officials. When learning of this matter, the court officials’ complexion were all very heavy, including the Head Cabinet Minister and them who were usually all very composed. At this time, they all weren’t the slightest bit relaxed.

Le Cheng Emperor’s complexion further darkened into the bottom of a pot. For the national documents to all arrive at the same time, yet there wasn’t the slightest news at all previously, to say there wasn’t anything fishy going on here, who would believe? One just feared that these big and small countries would just suddenly all join hands, attempting to divide up Qi Yuan. Of course, this possibility was very small. However, one can tell from this matter regarding the national documents, these people at least wanted to join hand to give Qi Yuan a show of might.

Moreover, this while, the people from the various countries were already on their way, even if wanting to refuse, it was already too late.

Le Cheng Emperor had the things on the imperial desk smashed resoundingly, “Hateful, too hateful.” But because it didn’t soothe his anger, he directly smashed all the national documents, “What were you all doing with your jobs? Such a big matter, yet didn’t detect in the slightest?”

None of the court officials opened their mouth. This matter, regardless of the reason, they indeed all had an unavoidable blame.

“Investigate, immediately investigate, giving you all a limit of three days. This emperor wants to know, exactly which segment had problems. If by chance, unable to find out, prepared to be severely punished.”

What can the court officials do, naturally it was just deferentially agreeing.

However, they all know, this probably wasn’t Qi Yuan’s internal problem. If even leaks can all appear in matters regarding other countries, then Qi Yuan was already full of holes, and wouldn’t be like this now, still considered peaceful. War would’ve long broken out.

After ruthlessly venting his anger, Le Cheng Emperor can be considered to have regained some of his rationality, “This year’s celebration, since need to entertain guests from other countries, then the Ministry of Rites will have to work a little harder, there absolutely mustn’t be any mishaps. Beloved Minister Luo, you were originally the Head Minister or Rites, and towards the matter of the Minister of Rites, know in extensive detail, previously also having the Ministry of Rites managed very well. This time, will have to trouble you some more to temporarily take up the position of Head Minister of Rites again for a period of time. The Honglu Office[2]also need to be thoroughly prepared, and must properly assist the Ministry of Rites. Aside from this, the city defense and safety also mustn’t be neglected in the slightest. Also, eldest one, old three, old four, old seven, old nine, and old ten, you all also need to make preparations. When time comes, you might need to entertain guests along with the Ministry of Rites and Honglu Office, understand?”

“Yes, imperial father, this son understands.”

“Yes, your Majesty, this subject understands.”

“Enough, withdraw from court, and quickly go arrange.” With that said, Le Cheng Emperor got up, walking down the imperial steps, very quickly disappearing without a trace.

The national documents littered on the ground all got picked up, handing over to the Honglu Office. After all, these national documents, although had Qi Yuan’s as well as the other country’s written language both present, but in the other country’s writing, traps might exist, so naturally need to properly study.

However, speaking of which, the Head of the Honglu Office was Luo Jing Ming’s father-in-law and was in-laws with the Head Minister of Appointments, Luo Pei Shan, even being a generation lower than him, so acting according to Luo Pei Shan’s words certainly won’t be a problem. As such, this time, working together should be even more smooth and unhindered.

Of course, majority of the people all didn’t have any complaints towards Le Cheng Emperor’s arrangements, yet there still exist people that were unsatisfied. Especially the current Left Assistant Minister of Rites, he can be said to extremely resent. One has to know, ever since Luo Pei Shan got promoted to the Head Minister of Appointments, the Ministry of Rites hasn’t received a new head minister, just having the Left Assistant Minister act as the Head Minister of Rites. He worked his hardest to the extreme, having the originally usually all very idle Ministry of Rites made just as busy as the Ministry of Appointments, just hoping that he can have the word ‘acting’ removed from the title.

Speaking of which, the assistant minister position was a low second rank, yet the head minister position was a high first rank. If one wants to be promoted onto the position of head minister from the assistant minister position, consecutively jumping three ranks, in the six ministries, this was probably only achievable in the Ministry of Rites. It’s no wonder the Left Assistant Minister would be this eager, but for some things, it’s not that if you act busy, it just means that you’re doing well.

Like the Ministry of Rites, under normal circumstances, there weren’t many matters to begin with, so the more busy you appear, it can only mean that you’re incompetent. Only when matters haven’t been taken care of would one appear busy, but the Left Assistant Minister of Rites was shortsighted, seeking instant benefit, wholeheartedly wanting to show off, so even if there weren’t anything, he would still insist on looking for a bit of something to do, overlooking the rest.

The Emperor’s birthday wasn’t really grandly held every year. Le Cheng Emperor also wasn’t the kind of person that was very extravagant and ostentatious. Aside from the later whole ages[3], at other times, to hold or not all depended on his own desire. It just so happens that last year, because of the flood in the south, Le Cheng Emperor didn’t have any intention of holding his birthday celebration. In the end, it was also just arranging a family banquet. Because it has already been three consecutive years since it was last held, this year, under the court officials’ advice, in addition to Le Cheng Emperor also long knowing that his son and daughter-in-law had brought back for him a lot of money, the state treasury not having any problems, he thus just agreed.

(T/N: Regarding the flooding in the south, refer to chapter 207.)

Last year, there wasn’t the opportunity, so the Left Minister of Rites greatly regretted, but this year, seizing the opportunity, he naturally needed to greatly display his talent. After receiving the decree a month ago, he just began busying himself. Even if a few days ago, it was densely covered in dark clouds, it still didn’t affect his good mood and enthusiasm.

He handled everything personally, needing to question everything, hating that he can’t just monopolize all the work himself. The Right Assistant Minister knew of his ambitions, and just threw his hands up, watching from the side, letting him be busy on his own, so as to avoid letting him think that you want to steal his contributions if you get involved, glaring at you from the side, why the need?

Having the celebration handled well indeed was an achievement, but it was also just that. In any case, based on the Left Assistant Minister’s abilities, to want to sit onto the position of Head Minister, still need to wait at least three to five years, the premise being that during this time, no one else sits onto that position. However, the Right Assistant Minister just sneered. Just based on the Left Assistant Minister’s performance, to not get demoted was already not bad.

Sure enough, when it comes to more important matters, Le Cheng Emperor simply didn’t trust him. See, something that was originally almost done just directly got handed to Luo Pei Shan, so how can one not hate?

Originally, with the national documents’ appearance, he was already thinking differently from others inside. In his view, for such an important matter, the acting head minister certainly won’t work, so nine times out of ten will directly have him promoted onto the position of head minister. He was just waiting for Le Cheng Emperor’s decree.

Yet, in the end? Le Cheng Emperor’s one line just had him thoroughly struck into the abyss.

His expression went from excitement and delight, to malevolent, like as if getting struck by lightning. It was also fortunate that he wasn’t one that was stupid, promptly controlling his expression. Le Cheng Emperor didn’t see, and the other court officials were all focused on Le Cheng Emperor’s words, so didn’t notice either. Otherwise, he would’ve probably gotten reprimanded by Le Cheng Emperor on the spot.

[1] The emperor’s birthday is considered a national holiday, and it roughly translates into ‘longevity festival’.

[2] The Honglu Office is in charge of foreign affairs, for example dealing with foreign diplomats and sending diplomats to other countries.

[3] 整寿 – Meaning whole number ages, in chinese, specifically refers to the every ten years after fifty, so for example, starting from 50 to 60, 70, 80, and so on. This is because for the elderly, these whole number ages are very auspicious in terms of longevity.

T/N: Regarding the other countries, it’s been somewhat hinted or foreshadowed throughout the novel that the borders have been suspicious in recent years, from as early as LHY having his great-aunt, Yun Niang, the former Princess Heyang, monitor the western borders (chapter 161), to the soon to break out war at the northeastern borders, that ended up exterminating the entire He family in the previous timeline, as well as the various spies living in Qi Yuan. The tension has always been there on top of the battle for the throne.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com