Chapter 46: Palace Was Attacked

After a few minutes, Wu Zhang Wei puts down the memorial on the table then leans back on the chair.

"O-kay. Zhen also doesn't want to waste any more time so let Zhen asks you few questions beforehand. First, you mentioned that you want to call for a truce? But we're not really fighting or in war with each other so what's the need for a truce? Secondly, even if we're proceeding with this treaty, Zhen wants to meet personally the State of Shu's emperor. How could Zhen made a deal with a mere subject?"

Qi Pei Zhi and his men could only lower their heads when Wu Zhang Wei using their words back on them.

"Next, it was stated that you want to build a pavilion in the capital of Wu Empire. If it is just for a normal but high volume and scale of business, you can just rent any shop available in the capital. There's no need to go so far until building up a new place. Besides, don't you think it will look suspicious as the pavilion is not only a place for gathering merchants, traders or businessmen from all over the place but also it is the most suitable place for gathering, buying and selling information? Everyone knows a pavilion is that kind of place so you still dare asked to build a pavilion in ZHEN'S COUNTRY? May Zhen knows, what kind of information Lord Qi would like to gather?"

"N- No. It- It's not like that, Your Majesty. This pavilion is merely for business purposes only. We from the State of Shu are truly interested in trading herbs and teas from Wu Empire and we're doing it on a large scale so a pavilion is re- reasonable," Qi Pei Zhi stutters.

"Oh really? Then, even if Zhen allows you to build a pavilion in the capital, are you really fine if all the workers are hired personally by Zhen and all of them must be people from Wu Empire? Is that okay with you?"

Qi Pei Zhi was torn between saying yes or no. If yes, his intention to bring his people must be forgotten and everything he did will be known to Wu Zhang Wei. If no, then he's indirectly agreed with Wu Zhang Wei's statement that he wanted to secretly investigate Wu Empire.

Seeing the cat caught Qi Pei Zhi's tongue, Wu Zhang Wei scoffs.

"Alright, the fourth one. You wanted to export herbs, teas and medicines from us but in return, you only provide us with cotton, wool and porcelain? Yes, Wu Empire did lack of those but why would we trade it with you instead of dealing with our usual traders? What makes yours better or different from them? Lower price? Higher quality? Unlimited supply?"

For the third time, Wu Zhang Wei makes three of them speechless and can't retort back.

"And... medicines? Why would you choose Wu Empire to trade medicines? Shouldn't you make this request to South Empire? Be it the cure...or the poison. They got it all."

Qi Pei Zhi slightly flinches when Wu Zhang Wei suddenly mentioned about South Empire and his actions didn't miss from Huang Fei Hong's hawk eyes.

Wu Zhang Wei pushes back the memorial scroll back to Qi Pei Zhi. "Zhen thinks this is unacceptable. It is clearly one-sided and it won't give us many benefits, so there is no reason for Zhen to accept this."

"But Your Majesty, how about our people that were taken by Wu Empire's subject? How could we let it be just like that! It is an unwritten rule that no country could take in people from other countries to be made into slaves or prostitutes. But Wu Empire has broken that rule and Your Majesty wants to feign ignorance in this matter?!" Qi Pei Zhi slightly lost his temper and raises his voice.

But he immediately regrets his act just now when Wu Zhang Wei shot a deathly stare at him. Qi Pei Zhi unconsciously leans back, as if he could put a further distance between them.

"Listen up here, Lord Qi. You keep saying it was people from Wu Empire that smuggled your people but do you have any evidence to prove your words? Have you caught that person? If yes, May Zhen meet them personally? Zhen has a few questions for them."

Beads of sweat start to form on Qi Pei Zhi's forehead. He keeps swallowing his saliva. "They've been caught but they were found dead in the cell. They commit suicide."

"Then how do you know they were from Wu Empire?"

Commander Zixin strides forward folds his hands to the front and bows, "They were caught by our people when they're on their way back to Wu Empire. And one more, we found a plaque on him. The plaque belonged to someone from Wu Empire but too bad it was broken into half so we couldn't detect the rank or position of the owner of the plaque."

Wu Zhang Wei raises his eyebrows, "Do you have the plaque with you?" Zixin nods.

Wu Zhang Wei holds out his hand, asking for the plaque. Zixin glances at Qi Pei Zhi and he nods, allowing him to give the plaque to Wu Zhang Wei. Zixin slides his hand under his armor and takes out a broken black-colored plaque, putting it on Wu Zhang Wei's palm.

Wu Zhang Wei scanned the plaque then he grips it tightly.

The plaque is authentic.

Seeing the mighty emperor in front of him knitting his eyebrows, Qi Pei Zhi inwardly breathes a sigh of relief. He holds his head high, "I'm sure this kind of plaque is not easily obtained anywhere. Only official officer or minister from Wu Empire has this. Am I right, Your Majesty? So, a fake plaque is out of the question."

Wu Zhang Wei huffs. "Yeah, it is legit." He gives the plaque to Huang Fei Hong. "But still, Zhen doesn't intend to agree to this treaty. Give us a few days and we'll inform you of our decision."

Qi Pei Zhi was about to retort but thinking of the main reason he purposely called out Wu Zhang Wei to the border, he nods. "Alright, Your Majesty. We'll be waiting for your answer patiently."

As soon as they returned to the border, Wu Zhang Wei called for a meeting with Huang Fei Hong, Commander Junjie and another two team leaders.

His first sentence shocked them all, "Prepare for a war."

All of their eyes wide opened. "Yo- Your Majesty..." Junjie was about to say something but it seems inappropriate to question the emperor's order.

"Zhen just asks all of you to be prepared but it doesn't mean Zhen wished for us to start a war with them. Zhen will do anything to avoid it but if they're still persistent to build a pavilion in the capital, we have no choice but to go against them."

Commander Junjie and the other two team leaders, nod understood. They have full trust in their capable emperor. Even if they have to go to the war, they are confident in bringing back glory.

After discussed their plan in case a war broke out, Commander Junjie and the other two leave the main tent. Huang Fei Hong takes out the plaque from his sleeve, "I don't think we could find anything from this thing."

"Why not? That is a real one."

Huang Fei Hong sighs. "Yes, real, authentic but I think the owner of this plaque already got a new one and even if we asked the one who made this, I don't think he'll admit that someone asked him to make a new one and even no record will be found. The owner of this plaque must have thought of this when he gave this important thing to the smugglers."

Wu Zhang Wei releases a heavy sigh. "Then do you have any idea how to face the State of Shu later?"

Huang Fei Hong pulls the chair and takes a seat on Zhang Wei's right side. He rubs his chin, "Don't you think that Qi Pei Zhi looks suspicious? Even his acts and reasons sound stupid and unconvincing."

"You mean... everything was planned by someone else and he was just blindly followed the stupid plan?" Huang Fei Hong nods.

"It could be they want to distract us from noticing what their real objective is or they purposely trying to be a shit-stirrer and make us and State of Shu having a dispute," Wu Zhang Wei speculates.

"Well, whatever their intention is, our focus right now is how we want to answer them later? You're not going to say no directly, right?" Huang Fei Hong feels a little bit anxious about what's going on in the emperor's mind.

"No way. I'll think of something. We still have time."

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[Imperial Palace]

A few days without having his husband by his side, Xiu Ying has become grumpier. The servants are having a hard time. Even a tiny mistake can make their empress throw a tantrum or sulking for two or three days.

One time, the servant forgot to bring Xiu Ying's favorite dessert during his lunch. Thus, the empress threw a tantrum and went on a hunger strike. Those servants didn't know Xiu Ying is pregnant so they didn't expect the empress would act like that.

If Xiu Ying didn't eat, it will harm himself and also his baby so, Empress Dowager Wu Jiaying immediately came to visit Xiu Ying and brought along various kinds of desserts to coax him. Wu Jiaying worried about her son-in-law and also her unborn grandchild.

After that, the servants are being extra careful in their steps and action. Jing Yi also can only smack his forehead looking at his master. Went into a rage but then suddenly cried. But most of the time, Xiu Ying will stay in the garden alone, talking to his baby or looking out the window, waiting for his husband to come back.

The days went on as usual even though the emperor and the Great General were away from the palace. All the problems that happened before slowly quieted down. The state affairs that were handled by Li Shizen are going on smoothly. Feels like a calm before the storm.

On this windy night, Xiu Ying sits by the window while stroking the bump on his tummy. If Wu Zhang Wei is around, he'll embrace Xiu Ying from behind and gently caress their baby while cuddling with his wife. But now, his husband is so far away, Xiu Ying feels so cold and lonely.

Xiu Ying flinches when he heard a commotion outside. Guards and servants were running here and there, looking anxious. Xiu Ying walks to the door and he was startled when Guo Wei and Chang Ming are standing right in front of his door.

Guo Wei and Chang Min immediately turn around when they heard the door is being pulled opened. "Your Majesty," both of them greet.

"What is happening? Why everyone looks..."

"Pardon, Your Majesty. On the east side of the palace, everything was engulfed in the flame. Luckily no one is injured but the flame was too big so everyone is gathering to put it out."

Xiu Ying's eyes widened. "East side? So how about all the records? Everything burnt?" East side is where all the trading, transaction and even noble family records were kept there.

Guo Wei and Chang Ming lower their head. "Sorry, Your Majesty. The Third-quarter of it was destroyed. It was too late and the guards can only save what's left."

Xiu Ying sighs. "What are you apologizing for? It's not like it was your fault and no one wanted it to happen. But I think both of you should go and lend a hand too."

Both of them shake their heads, "No, Your Majesty. Our priority is to keep Your Majesty safe. If His Majesty knows that we leave your side, we'll be punished severely."

After the incident where Xiu Ying was attacked before, Wu Zhang Wei became stricter with Guo Wei and Chang Ming. Not enough with running around the huge training ground for a hundred lap, they also had to receive hellish training from Wei Min, Wu Zhang Wei's elite guard.

Thus, they have learned their lesson and never leave Xiu Ying's side. Even when they're sleeping, they're always on guard.

Xiu Ying rolls his eyes. Wu Zhang Wei is too protective.

"Fine. Suit yourself. Anything happens, inform me immediately," Xiu Ying closes the door back.

He walks towards the window to shut it as the cold wind is entering the room. But before he could do that, his mouth was cupped tightly from behind. It muffled his voice.

Xiu Ying struggled to release himself from the stranger's grip. He stepped on the stranger's foot and give him a nice blow on the stranger's stomach using his elbow.

Being hit directly with a strong force, the stranger stumbled backward and bent his body to hold the pain.

Xiu Ying wants to shout to call Guo Wei and Chang Ming but then someone hit him on the neck and everything went black.

The second stranger throws Xiu Ying onto his shoulder, carrying like he's a sack.

Out of a sudden, three elite guards jump through the window, preventing the two strangers from taking their empress away.

One of the elite guards reached out his hand, "Give Her Majesty back if you want to stay alive."

The stranger who didn't carry Xiu Ying takes out a tiny cylinder from his robe and blows it hard. In a flash, another three strangers jump into the room. But their look is a little bit different than the two.

The one who blows the whistle nods at the one who carried Xiu Ying. Both of them sneak out while their comrade is making the elite guard busy.

One of the elite guards shouts, "Guo Wei! Chang Ming!"

Bang! The door is pushed open.

Guo Wei and Chang Ming look terrified when they saw six people are fighting in the imperial bedchamber and the empress is nowhere to be seen!

"They've taken Her Majesty. After them now!" The elite guard said.

Without wasting more time, Guo Wei and Chang Ming take more guards with them to search around the palace ground.

It has just happened so it is impossible for the strangers were able to go so far within a short time. But Guo Wei and Chang Ming feel anxious when no traces of them could be found.

Chang Ming had to go to the east side and called for all the guards who were busy putting out the fire. He asked the servants and eunuchs to handle it and drags all the guards with him.

Every gate and every corner of the palace a guard is stationed there. But still, no figures going in and out of the palace.

The three strangers who were fighting with elite guards were lost. The elite guards capture them alive to get information out of them. But suddenly, one by one drop to the floor, shaking vigorously, bubbles coming out from their mouths.

They killed themselves.

Now, Guo Wei, Chang Ming and the elite guards are worrying about their lives after the emperor knows his empress has been kidnapped.

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