NABC Chapter 351 I'm Here
Chapter 351 I'm Here
Cheng Hai was startled. Who would have thought that Emperor Qi Xiao would ask such a pointed question? This question was something no one could answer.
The matter involved the succession of the new emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty, and they actually let a minister choose him.
The key point is that this minister's status is different... Although Cheng Hai expected that His Majesty would definitely give Yuan Cuo a difficult problem, he did not expect it to be a trap.
Which option should I choose?
No matter which option was chosen, it would be wrong for Yuan Cuo.
Cheng Hai was terrified, but he dared not look up, only prick up his ears to listen.
Yuan Cuo showed no surprise, only saying quietly, "Your Majesty has nine princes. In fact, whichever one you choose, it will be a blessing for the Great Qi." He suddenly blurted out this sentence.
Emperor Qi Xiao scoffed, "You're quite cunning, actually dragging other people into this. You're just trying to fob me off with such a childish excuse."
“This is not cunning or perfunctory; I am speaking the truth,” Yuan Cuo said earnestly.
Emperor Qi Xiao did not believe it. "Then why do you say that? Give me your reasons."
Yuan Cuo: "Your Majesty, I dare not speak, for I fear Your Majesty will punish me."
Emperor Qi Xiao: "..." Then why did you have to say something like that to whet people's appetites? He absolutely hated that line!
"Speak, and I will pardon you!"
Yuan Cuo bowed and thanked him, then said with a smile, "Because of my assistance, no matter who sits on that position, the Great Qi will prosper and flourish, so it doesn't matter who it is."
Emperor Qi Xiao: "..."
"Lord Yuan, please don't be ridiculous. His Majesty is serious." Cheng Hai was so shocked that his mouth dropped open, and he almost bit his tongue. Yuan Cuo's words were simply too arrogant!
Throughout history, no minister has ever dared to say that because of his existence, it doesn't matter who the emperor is!
If that's the case, wouldn't that mean His Majesty would be dragged into this as well?!
“I am serious, I am not talking nonsense.” Yuan Cuo denied directly, “Including the fact that Your Majesty was able to rise from the last emperor of the Seven Kingdoms to a higher position, and is not even second to last, and may one day become the leader of the Seven Kingdoms, it is also because of me.”
"???" Cheng Hai was so frightened that his face turned green, and he immediately knelt on the ground!
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down!" He kept giving Yuan Cuo meaningful glances, signaling him to quickly admit his mistake and beg for forgiveness!
Any single sentence he just said would be a capital offense!
Even if he found a mineral vein for the Great Qi and helped His Majesty out of a predicament, this man is the emperor, and he is the subject.
If the king wants the minister to die, the minister has to die.
How can you forgive someone just because they did something good?!
Yuan Cuo didn't even look in Cheng Hai's direction, but instead smiled at Emperor Qi Xiao.
Emperor Qi Xiao stood there coldly stunned for a long while, then suddenly burst into laughter. This laughter was just like it had been a few days earlier when he had just learned of the victory in the great battle!
"You...you're just like her."
……
Cheng Hai was at a loss for words, not expecting Emperor Qi Xiao to say such a thing, and without even getting angry.
Yuan Cuo naturally knew who he was talking about, and simply shrugged, "No matter what you say, I will not be able to see her. Even if I am unwilling, I am powerless to refute it."
"You won't argue, because only the two of you are arrogant enough to infuriate others." Emperor Qi Xiao recalled her words from back then, "Because I am outstanding, none of Your Majesty's princes are as outstanding as the bloodline I left behind..."
He suddenly sat down on the dragon throne, very quietly, "However, your arrogant words have cleared up my doubts. I do have time to choose, and there is no need to rush to make a decision."
He doesn't know why, but just that one sentence made him feel relieved.
Yuan Cuo smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"You will still be in charge of the negotiations with Chu and Yan. If you are unwilling to leave the capital, I will have them come to Daqi." Emperor Qi Xiao was very determined and did not allow Yuan Cuo to refuse.
"Is Your Majesty going to promote me to a higher official rank?" Yuan Cuo asked with a smile.
Emperor Qi Xiao snorted coldly, his thoughts having been guessed. "Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, are you still not satisfied?"
On the imperial desk, the prepared edict had already been laid out. Emperor Qi Xiao picked it up and threw it to him.
Yuan Cuo opened the imperial edict and saw that it bestowed upon him the title of "Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies".
This is tantamount to stripping Wei Tianxuan of his official position and handing over the power of the Court of State Ceremonial to him.
"Lord Yuan, what are you waiting for? Why aren't you thanking me?" Cheng Hai's heart was in his throat all day; he was so scared he almost fainted.
This person is not only arrogant, but why is he still hesitant after accepting the decree? He's just jumping around on the edge of His Majesty's bottom line!
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace, but I would also like to make a request of you, otherwise this job will be difficult!" Yuan Cuo indeed blurted out another frightening statement.
Cheng Hai immediately rolled his eyes.
Emperor Qi Xiao said very seriously, "Go on."
"The negotiations with Yan and Chu are crucial, and I need help. I wonder if I can choose these helpers myself?" Yuan Cuo inquired. "This is not me being presumptuous, but rather for the benefit of Great Qi. I am skilled in offense, but I also need two people to pull me back, to balance the tension and the yielding..."
"Granted." Emperor Qi Xiao understood what he meant and immediately agreed.
Yuan Cuo immediately knelt down to express his gratitude and stopped trying to reason with him.
Emperor Qi Xiao had nothing else to do, so he let him go back.
Just as Yuan Cuo left, a person quietly emerged from behind.
Emperor Qi Xiao met his gaze. "What else do you have to say?"
The person listening from the back was Prince Chun. Prince Chun had been there before Yuan Cuo arrived.
“Your Majesty trusts him so much, I truly did not expect it.” Prince Chun’s voice was icy cold, chilling to the bone.
Emperor Qi Xiao said calmly, "So, you still intend to acknowledge him?" His words were full of provocation.
Prince Chun smiled bitterly, naturally understanding what Emperor Qi Xiao meant. "Hasn't Your Majesty considered that there are many things he's been hiding from you?"
"I also have things I'm hiding from him," Emperor Qi Xiao said.
“If Your Majesty is so certain, why not choose him as the successor of the Great Qi? In terms of ability, he is stronger than the Crown Prince and the Third Prince.” Prince Chun also delivered a sharp retort.
Emperor Qi Xiao: "..." He really knows how to rub salt in the wound.
"I can give him high office and generous salary, and fulfill all his hopes and dreams, but this throne, I... cannot give him." He said this from the bottom of his heart, not knowing whether he was speaking to Prince Chun or to himself.
Prince Chun suddenly burst into laughter, "So, my brother is still wary of him."
"If you have to be so wary of your own son, it seems there's really nothing to be proud of on this throne."
Emperor Qi Xiao's heart tightened. "It's not that I'm unwilling, but I have no choice. You simply cannot understand my pain."
"What does it matter whether my brother understands or not? It's up to Yuan Cuo to understand you." Prince Chun sneered, seemingly sighing softly, "But he is indeed a clever man. Perhaps he knew long ago that the Emperor would not choose him as his successor, and he made plans for himself early on, even having the ships to leave Daqi completed long ago!"