Chapter 116 Queen Mother's Birthday Banquet, Lang Tao Provocation

Go to the capital.

The city has been very busy these days, after all, a delegation from the Kingdom of Qing has arrived.

The most important thing is that the Qing Kingdom delegation also threatened that there were no strong people in Northern Qi, and set up a special arena to attract people to come and challenge.

During such a long period of time, thousands of warriors came forward to challenge, causing this issue to be a constant topic in the city.

Of course, those are all in the past, because the recent hot topics have changed.

First, there were rumors everywhere in Shangjing City that many high-ranking officials of Northern Qi were secretly communicating with the Qing Kingdom and participating in smuggling in the inner treasury.

The items from the Kingdom of Qing that were sold in the shops in Shangjing City were smuggled in by these people.

No one knows who the specific smugglers are, but people are discussing it very enthusiastically.

By the way, the smuggling mentioned here does not refer to normal trade with the inner treasury.

After all, the inner treasury has to make money, and many things still need to be sold, mainly those that are banned or restricted by the Qing Kingdom.

For example, strong liquor, sugar, glass and so on.

Mixed in with the smuggling news was information that high-ranking officials in the Northern Qi Dynasty were making a lot of money and using the money to increase the salaries of their subordinates.

Of course, Fan Xian released this information on purpose.

He wanted to investigate the smuggling case in the inner treasury, but he had no clue. The dignitaries of Northern Qi would not tell him the situation.

So Fan Xian had to muddy the waters so that he could fish in it.

Moreover, he had people spread these words in order to put pressure on the top leaders of Northern Qi and make them reveal their flaws.

In addition to this hot topic, there is another major event in Shangjing City, which is the birthday of the Queen Mother of Northern Qi!

Originally, the Queen Mother's birthday was not celebrated now, but because of the rumors spreading throughout the city recently, the impact has become a bit too big.

So this birthday was celebrated in advance to suppress the rumors in the city.

After all, this is not a big birthday, just an ordinary birthday. It is quite good to use it to resolve this crisis.

The Queen Mother naturally knew that the reason for these rumors was nothing more than Fan Xian spreading the news while investigating smuggling in the Qing domestic treasury.

At this birthday party, she was going to make things clear and have a good talk about this matter.

Otherwise, the rumors will continue to spread, which is never a good thing.

"Sir, are you worried about the banquet tomorrow afternoon?"

In a room, Wang Qinian asked Fan Xian.

"Yes."

Fan Xian nodded and said, "This time it's a Hongmen Banquet!"

"Hongmen Banquet? What does that mean?" Wang Qinian tilted his head and said in surprise.

"There is no good banquet, and there is no good person!"

Fan Xian pondered the recent situation in the capital and felt that something storm was about to happen.

He said helplessly: "I dare to conclude that the interest group behind the people who colluded with the inner treasury must be very large, and they will probably attack me tomorrow."

"Isn't Shen Zhong the one behind this?"

Wang Qinian asked, "Didn't you say that this matter is too closely related to the smuggling of Qing State? The Jinyiwei is in charge of financial power. If it is implemented, everyone will benefit, so there will be no problem, right?"

“It’s just appearance.”

Fan Xian looked out the window and asked, "Old Wang, have you noticed that there are so many people in the Qi court, but no one is worried about this?"

"Those officials made memorials, but they were not targeting the smuggling issue, but the rumors spread by some people and the discussions of the people."

"If this happened in Kyoto, what do you think the Inspection Bureau would do about it?"

"of course?!"

Wang Qinian's eyes widened, and he said without thinking: "Of course we should thoroughly investigate this matter and arrest the people behind it."

As he spoke, Wang Qinian also frowned, "Yes, the news was released by the adults, why is no one in Beiqi looking for him?"

It's normal that the Jinyiwei don't look for him, because as the vested interests in this matter, the Jinyiwei are eager for this matter to succeed, so they will naturally make all kinds of excuses when doing things.

But what about the others? The ministers in the court, or the queen mother?
Logically, they should be controlling these things, after all, the impact is too huge.

"Isn't this for me?"

Fan Xian smiled and said, "This birthday banquet is a trap set against me! If I don't handle it properly, I might have to leave Beijing early."

Rumors are spreading throughout the capital city, and who doesn't know that the source is Fan Xian?
But as the chief envoy of the Qing Kingdom delegation, Fan Xian must have a suitable reason if he wants to drive him out of Shangjing City.

Otherwise, if they were driven away without reason, it would give them a handle and lead Qing Kingdom to go to war again.

So this birthday banquet was actually a Hongmen Banquet targeting Fan Xian.

"Sir, what should we do now?"

Wang Qinian is actually not stupid, but when it comes to analyzing the current situation, he is a little overwhelmed.

"What else can we do? If enemies come, we'll just fight them with our soldiers and if floods come, we'll just block them with earth!" Fan Xian sighed.

They are in Shangjing City, not the capital of Qing Kingdom. Without external aid, they have few cards to play and can only respond as the situation changes.

"Sir, didn't you say that Lord Ye will be here soon? Maybe things will turn around by then."

Wang Qinian likes to play a game when the wind is in his favor, which makes him happy and others happy too.

It’s not that we can’t win in a situation where we’re at a disadvantage, but we tend to be talkative and keep predicting the future.

But when it comes to taking action, he will not let you down, so he is a reliable person.

It was precisely because of this that Fan Xian kept him with him. Otherwise, if he failed to behave himself, he would have kicked him away long ago.

"Master Ye?"

Fan Xian shook his head and said, "Don't put your hopes on something that is illusory!"

Fan Xian naturally knew that if Qin Feng came over it would be of great help to him, but it is better to rely on oneself than on others!
Something that you are not sure of cannot be used as a trump card.

"Let's go and see Yan Bingyun first!"

What they have to do now is to prevent Northern Qi from getting hold of any evidence, so the secret agents have to go undercover first, and the diplomatic corps also has to be restrained and not make mistakes.

The temple messenger died.

He died in an unknown desolate mountain, killed by Wuzhu.

But perhaps because he was influenced by the temple messenger, or because the battle with Ku He consumed a lot of energy, Wu Zhu disappeared after this battle.

At this time, Ku He had already arrived at the imperial palace in Shangjing City.

He had fought with Wuzhu before and was seriously injured.

Now that he was in the palace, he was not in a hurry to kill Sean, but began to meditate to recover from his injuries.

And if he kills Sean, he won't do it himself.

As the imperial teacher of Northern Qi, if he personally killed Sean, the impact would be too great, so it would be better to use someone else, such as the Queen Mother.

Tomorrow, there will be the Queen Mother’s birthday banquet, and all the important officials of Qi will be present, but it happens not to be a court meeting.

It is appropriate to order the killing of Sean at this time.

As for whether killing someone on a birthday is taboo, Ku He doesn't care.

Besides, this birthday party was held earlier than planned. It’s not really a real birthday, so killing someone is fine.

By the way, during the birthday banquet, the Qing Kingdom delegation will also enter the banquet. There is a person among them who has practiced the Tianyi Dao Mental Method, and he has to deal with him.

Ku He's arrival was very secretive, and currently only the Queen Mother knew about it.

The day passed quickly.

the next morning.

The important officials of Qi State all headed towards the palace, and Fan Xian was naturally among those invited.

As the envoy of Qing State, he was allowed to bring two people to the banquet, and naturally he chose Wang Qinian and Gaoda.

The three of them arrived relatively early. When they reached the hall, no one else had arrived yet. There were only waiters standing on both sides of the hall.

"Sir, it's just as you guessed, it's the Hongmen Banquet!" Wang Qinian looked at the empty hall and said with certainty. "What is the Hongmen Banquet?" Gao Da asked hurriedly.

Wang Qinian glanced at Gaoda, his eyes revealing a sense of superiority full of knowledge.

"You don't know this, right? The Hongmen Banquet is a banquet where there is no good banquet and no good people. It is specially designed to target our master!"

"I see."

Gaoda had an expression of sudden realization, "Brother Wang is really knowledgeable, I admire you."

"You just know how to show off!" Fan Xian said unhappily.

"It's all thanks to the adults who taught us well!"

Wang Qinian quickly gave a flattering smile.

"But today's situation doesn't look like it's going to get better."

With a sigh, the three of them were led into the hall by the waiter and sat down.

At the beginning, Wang Qinian and Gaoda were planning to sit next to Fan Xian, but their status was too low and they were led to the last seat.

Before long, people began to come into the hall.

Taoist He was the first one. He secretly reminded Fan Xian that Lang Tao would challenge him in the hall today and asked him to be mentally prepared.

Then Langtao and Haitang Duoduo came in.

Although Lang Tao is very powerful, even more powerful than Haitang Duoduo, there is still a big gap between their status in Qi.

Haitang Duoduo is the saint girl of Qi State. She stood directly next to the Queen Mother during the banquet.

Lang Tao was just a commoner and could only sit at the last seat with He Dao Ren, opposite Wang Qinian and Gao Da.

Just as Fan Xian was staring at Langtao, Haitang Duoduo came over.

She tilted her head to the side, motioning Fan Xian to go to the side.

Although he was confused, Fan Xian still followed.

"I wonder what you want to talk to me about, Your Excellency the Saint?" he asked.

"Where is Lord Ye? Hasn't he arrived in the capital yet?" Haitang Duoduo asked.

In fact, she had asked this question once when Fan Xian first entered the capital.

At that time, Fan Xian told him that he was traveling around Qi State and would not be back for more than a month.

It's been a month, it's time to come back.

"No."

Fan Xian shook his head and asked, "What do you want to see Master Ye for?"

Haitang Duoduo hesitated for a moment before shaking her head and saying, "Nothing."

Something must be wrong!

Fan Xian knew with his toes that Haitang Duoduo couldn't possibly ask him this at this time for no reason.

But the other party didn't say anything, and Fan Xian had no choice but to say, "Is there anything else? If not, I'll go back."

"Go ahead." Haitang Duoduo waved her hand.

The reason why she came to ask about Fan Xian and Qin Feng was very simple.

This morning, she and Lang Tao went to see Ku He.

Ku He, the national teacher of Qi State, usually does not come to the capital.

On the one hand, it is due to the practice method that one can practice faster in nature.

On the other hand, he himself doesn't like crowds, so he always stays outside.

The reason for coming to the capital this time was naturally to kill Sean, and another reason was because of Qin Feng. After all, the other party had learned the Tianyi Dao mental method.

In Ku He's mind, this is also part of the temple, so naturally he has to take care of it.

Haitang Duoduo knew this, so she thought of coming over to remind them in advance.

But now that Qin Feng is not here, there is no need to remind him.

Soon, as the time approached, important officials of Qi State came in and took their seats.

Soon, the seats in the hall were filled.

"The Queen Mother has arrived! His Majesty has arrived!"

Following a loud roll call, everyone in the hall fell silent.

Then, wait until everyone is seated.

Everyone raised their glasses to the Queen Mother and said, "I wish the Queen Mother a long life and a long and lasting life!"

Fan Xian didn't say this, he just toasted with a glass of wine.

After all, she is the Queen Mother of Northern Qi, not the Queen Mother of Qing.

"I appreciate your kindness, please!"

As the Queen Mother finished her words, everyone drank their glasses full of wine.

"Please take a seat, my dear ministers!"

"Thank you Queen Mother!"

After this process is completed, the banquet officially begins.

However, as soon as everyone sat down, Lang Tao walked up from the last seat.

He knelt down in the hall and saluted, saying loudly: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I, Lang Tao, would like to have a duel with Master Fan from the Southern Qing State to celebrate his birthday and add some excitement to the birthday banquet!"

This incident happened suddenly and immediately attracted everyone's attention.

"Mr. Fan, are you willing to come with us?" Zhan Doudou asked, giving the choice to Fan Xian, which was equivalent to helping Fan Xian out of the predicament.

"Your Majesty, Lang Tao is a ninth-rank master. I, an external minister, am willing to admit defeat. There is no need for a duel!" Fan Xian said loudly.

He knew that this banquet was not ordinary and would most likely target him.

But this was too direct. The banquet had just begun and he was already about to duel with him. This really surprised him.

Are the people of Northern Qi so fierce? !

"In that case, there is no need to compete." Zhan Doudou said, and turned to seek the Queen Mother's opinion.

After all, this is the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, and she should be the one in charge.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lang Tao stood up and said to Fan Xian, "I heard that Qing Kingdom was founded on military power, but I didn't expect that someone would surrender without a fight."

"Master Fan, are you admitting that Qing is weak? Are the warriors declining?"

"I personally admit defeat. It has nothing to do with Qing Kingdom." Fan Xian said.

Lang Tao said with a smile: "Didn't they win every time before the envoys arrived? Didn't they plant flags when they entered the palace? Why don't they dare to take action today when I come?"

When they entered the city, the Northern Qi people were not very friendly to their delegation because of Shen Zhong's little trick.

Fan Xian naturally did the same as in the TV series, putting the flag on the carriage and heading all the way to Beijing.

Now being asked, Fan Xian was thinking about how to fight back.

Lang Tao said with a disdainful tone: "Are all of you Nanqing warriors bullying the weak and fearing the strong?"

"I won't force you. As long as you admit that the martial artists in Nanqing are cowardly and have no courage, then it's fine if you don't fight."

Fan Xian was so angry that he laughed.

It turns out that you have said all the good and bad things about me, and now you are flattering me. Fan Xian was also angry.

He stood up and said, "Okay! Let's fight!"

He doesn't want to fight, mainly because he doesn't want to cause trouble.

But Lang Tao was already attacking him, so naturally he had to fight back.

Now he has been in the ninth rank for a month, and his strength has long been consolidated.

And because of Qin Feng's teaching, his strength has improved greatly. He also happened to fight with Jiupin to see how big the gap is!
(End of this chapter)