Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The cold wind of December carried fine snow particles, beating against the vermilion walls of the Chu imperial palace.

A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the double-eaved hip roof of the East Palace, and the icicles hanging from the eaves shone coldly in the twilight.

Chu Ning returned walking on the snow-covered bluestone road. The snow particles on his black cloak fell down as he stepped into the palace, turning into a few water marks.

"Your Highness."

Zhao Dequan, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, came forward, holding a gilded heater. "General Gongsun has been waiting in the side hall for over a day."

Chu Ning took off his cloak and tossed it aside, revealing a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden python. "Bring him here."

The voice was neither loud nor soft, but it made the palace maids standing in the hall straighten their backs unconsciously.

In the side hall, the Scorpion Clan's general Gongsun Yi was pacing anxiously.

This eight-foot-tall grassland man had been detained in this small space for nearly twenty hours, and his muscles were knotted under the leather armor inlaid with wolf teeth.

He suddenly stopped at the window, looking at the falling snow outside, and remembered the Khan's instructions when he saw him off three days ago:

"The Chu people are as cunning as foxes, but our cattle and sheep are falling in droves in the snow. We are running low on food and fodder. You must bring back food this time!"

"General Gongsun, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince summons you." The shrill voice of the eunuch outside the door interrupted his thoughts.

Gongsun Yi's eyes lit up and he pushed open the carved wooden door.

The cold wind blew snowflakes in his face, but he felt the depression in his chest suddenly relieved: "Lead the way!"

While passing through the Nine-Curved Corridor, Gongsun Yi noticed that the number of guards in the East Palace had increased by 30% compared to yesterday.

The armored Yulin Guards stood upright in the snow, the frost on their armor reflecting their cold faces.

The eunuch leading the way stopped in front of the main hall door. Two young eunuchs knelt down and lifted the brocade door curtain. The steaming hot air wrapped in ambergris blew in the face.

The ground tap in the hall was burning very brightly, and Chu Ning was leaning on the rosewood couch, making tea.

The gilded beast furnace spewed out wisps of green smoke, shrouding his handsome face in a hazy haze.

Seeing Gongsun Yi coming in, Chu Ning used a silver teacup to poke the foam in the teacup and asked, "General, how are you?"

Gongsun Yi saluted according to grassland etiquette, touching his chest. The clang of his armor made a clanging sound. "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Chu."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a guard in silver armor standing in the shadow of the corner of the hall, his right hand always on the hilt of his sword.

"The last masked man has been found."

Chu Ning suddenly spoke, his voice so soft as if he was afraid to disturb the foam on the tea.

"It's my sixteenth brother."

He picked up the blue-glazed teacup and took a sip. "I have already beheaded him in my residence."

With a "crack", a gold brick under Gongsun Yi's feet cracked into fine lines.

He suppressed the shock in his heart - he had heard that Chu Ning came from the common people and was ruthless, but he didn't expect that he could be so decisive towards his own brother.

A cold wind blew snowflakes into the hall from outside. A few snowflakes landed on Gongsun Yi's brow, giving him a chill.

"Die well!"

Gongsun Yi suddenly burst into laughter, his voice shaking the roof tiles: "This kind of scourge of colluding with foreign enemies will be eaten by wolves on our grassland!"

He changed the subject, his muscles tensing beneath his armor: "However, according to our previous agreement, the food..."

Chu Ning raised his hand to interrupt, revealing a dark red scar on his wrist - that was left from the fight with the Sixteenth Prince's assassins yesterday.

Gongsun Yi noticed that there were unwashed blood stains on the prince's fingertips, leaving a light red mark on the white jade teacup.

"There will be someone to pick us up at Zuixian Tower in the south of the city."

Before Chu Ning finished speaking, Gongsun Yi's eyes flashed with joy.

But then, Chu Ning suddenly chuckled, and this laughter reminded Gongsun Yi of a snow leopard about to pounce on its prey on the grassland.

"But the price..." Chu Ning scraped the edge of the teacup with the tea lid, making a teeth-grinding sound.

Gongsun Yi quickly held up three thick fingers: "Khan promised to increase the price by 30%!"

"I only want 10%."

Chu Ning's words made Gongsun Yi almost bite his tongue.

Is there any advantage?

This is not Chu Ning's style!

Is there another conspiracy?

Suddenly, I became cautious!

Outside the hall, the wind and snow were getting stronger, and the snowflakes hitting the window frames made a rustling sound, which made the hall even more dead silent.

Gongsun Yi's eyes widened like copper bells, and his left hand unconsciously reached for the scimitar at his waist - which was now empty.

He suddenly knelt on one knee, his armor hitting the golden bricks with a dull thud: "Your Highness the Crown Prince of Chu, please don't play tricks on me!"

"The Khan of our dynasty adds 30%, but you only add 10%. This... this is obviously unreasonable!"

"I want you to go south during the Lantern Festival."

Chu Ning suddenly leaned over, and the candlelight on the table illuminated his handsome face in half light and half darkness.

As soon as these words were spoken, Gongsun Yi's face suddenly became a little ugly.

When the Scorpion Clan headed south, they faced the Tang Dynasty!

The Tang Dynasty today has so many brave generals and wise counselors, how could they possibly be their opponents?

Chu Ning wanted to use food and supplies to lure them into a war with the Tang Dynasty?

how can that be!

Although the Scorpion Tribe wants food, they don't want to fight to the death with the Tang Dynasty for it!

No, it's not a life-and-death battle, but the Scorpion Clan will definitely lose.

Gongsun Yi gave a bitter laugh, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince of Chu, please don't joke around. How could my Scorpion Clan possibly be a match for the Tang Dynasty?"

It’s not worth going to war with the Tang Dynasty for food!

He will still settle this account.

Not to mention that he disagrees, even the Khan will not agree!

"There's no need for a real fight. We just need to... make sure the Tang border troops don't dare to act rashly."

Chu Ning laughed and said, "You Scorpion Tribe is short of food. How could I be so foolish as to let you attack the Tang Dynasty at this time?"

"Just hold them off!"

As he spoke, he used a silver knife to draw a line on the table, passing through the Yinshan Mountains in the sand table.

Cold sweat broke out on Gongsun Yi's forehead.

He remembered what the wizard had predicted before he left: "The snow wolf and the fox dance together," and now he finally understood the deep meaning of it.

No wonder Chu Ning didn't want to increase the price, but he was well prepared and wanted them to contain the Tang Dynasty!

However, if it is just to contain the Tang Dynasty without having to actually fight with it, then it doesn't seem to be any bad thing for the Scorpion Clan.

Of course, he has no say in such matters!

"This matter..." Gongsun Yi's voice was hoarse, "The Khan needs to make a decision."

Chu Ning leaned back, the shadow covering his face again: "The limit is ten days."

As he said this, he poured half a cup of remaining tea onto the ground. This is the etiquette for seeing off guests on the grassland.

When Gongsun Yi left the hall, the snow fell even harder.

He looked back and saw the mocking wind beasts on the eaves of the East Palace looming in the snow. He suddenly remembered the old Khan's warning:

The Crown Prince of Chu was a man who could make thousands of people bleed while chatting and laughing.

This matter cannot be delayed. The Scorpion Tribe's current food supply can only last for half a month. If it is delayed any further, the more than a dozen tribes of the Scorpion Tribe will fall into chaos before other dynasties can attack!

Thinking of this, Gongsun Yi immediately turned around and left. He had to leave the city and return to the camp immediately, and ordered someone to send a letter by carrier pigeon to inform the Khan of this matter.

Chu Ning looked at Gongsun Yi's departing back, a smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

Next, the envoys from the three major dynasties should arrive.

He was looking forward to seeing who the three major dynasties would send here this time!