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

"condition?"

The emperor was stunned.

I handed over the military power to you, and you still put forward conditions to me?

Has the military power of the Great Chu declined to this extent?

"That's right. If your Majesty agrees to my terms, I will dare to take over the frontline troops. Otherwise, I would rather be scolded by you than leave this military token behind!"

Chu Ning's attitude was very firm. As he spoke, he placed the military token in his hand on the table.

The emperor's mouth twitched and he felt a little unhappy.

The prince standing by noticed that the emperor looked strange, and his eyes narrowed with a strange look in them.

If I don't let Chu Ning leave the military command behind tonight, my father will definitely choose someone from me and the other princes to take over the command. By then, I will be in trouble.

No, Chu Ning must take over the military command.

"Father, my eighteenth brother has returned triumphantly. Let's hear his terms first."

The prince tried to smooth things over and said with a smile, "If Eighteenth Brother's conditions are reasonable, the court will consider them."

Everyone knows that the emperor is very concerned about his reputation, and he will not easily agree if you don't give him a way out.

The other princes reacted and echoed, "Father, please listen to Eighteenth Brother's conditions!"

Upon seeing this, the ministers looked at each other and then agreed.

When the emperor saw that everyone agreed and the steps were in place, he waved his sleeves and said, "Okay, I'll listen to Chu Ning's conditions!"

He turned to look at Chu Ning and said calmly: "Tell me your conditions."

Chu Ning laughed secretly in his heart, thinking that this cheap emperor was quite arrogant.

Although it's funny, the conditions still need to be put forward, as this is related to whether he can gain a foothold in Kyoto City in the future.

"Father, I have three conditions!"

Chu Ning said seriously, "First, if the military power on the front line is given to me, no one will be allowed to interfere with the front-line battles and personnel transfers within ten years. I also guarantee that the border will not be breached by the Great Zhao within ten years."

"Secondly, I will be in charge of the food and military pay for this army, but I need the support of the people of Bingzhou. Therefore, the court cannot interfere with what I do in Bingzhou in the next ten years."

"Third, if the court has surplus grain, I hope the court can make up for the grain and military pay that were previously owed."

As soon as the three conditions were announced, everyone at the scene fell silent.

There was no fool among the people present, and everyone understood the meaning of Chu Ning's words.

This is to give Bingzhou absolute autonomy.

To be honest, Chu Ning's request was not too harsh. It was equivalent to exchanging Bingzhou's autonomy for food and pay for the frontline troops, and it could also ensure the safety of the border.

As for making up for the owed food and military pay, who can say for sure? They can say that the court has been suffering from losses and has no surplus food. I guess Chu Ning can't do anything to them, right?

All the ministers felt that there was no problem with Chu Ning’s conditions, and all their eyes turned to the emperor!

The emperor narrowed his eyes and stared at Chu Ning, his mind working rapidly.

its not right!

Based on my understanding of Chu Ning, he should have asked for a high price. Why would he put forward three conditions that would be of no use to him?

Is there any conspiracy in this?

Giving Chu Ning absolute autonomy, wouldn't he want to establish himself as emperor?

But Bingzhou was just a barren land with no food and no people. It was impossible to establish oneself as an emperor in such a place.

The prince could no longer sit still while he was lost in thought.

Seeing that the emperor was hesitant to express his opinion, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "Eighteenth brother's request is not too much. Since you want to lead the front-line troops and Bingzhou is your fiefdom, naturally you have the final say!"

After a pause, the prince looked at the emperor and said cautiously, "Father, your request is not excessive. I think I can agree to your request."

The emperor raised his eyebrows and glanced at the prince.

I haven't even opened my mouth yet, why are you in such a hurry?

The prince shrank his neck and dared not speak.

My father's temper is just like that. He might be smiling one moment and turn hostile the next. It's better to be careful.

Fortunately, the emperor did not stare at the prince all the time. He turned to look at Chu Ning and said calmly: "I can agree to the conditions."

Chu Ning's eyes lit up.

But then the emperor shook his head and said, "But ten years is too long!"

After a pause, the emperor stretched out his right hand and said slowly: "How about this, I will give you five years?"

Chu Ning's face fell. "Five years is too short. Father, you are bargaining too hard. How can you cut it in half?"

"But since the emperor has asked, I must give you some face. How about eight years?"

The two of them actually started to bid against each other.

The princes and ministers around were dumbfounded.

This is a national event, why are these two acting like fierce women in the vegetable market?

Amid the surprised looks of the crowd, the emperor raised his eyebrows and said, "Eight years? That's a bit too long. How about this, you and I should each take a step back and let's say seven years!"

"Deal!" Chu Ning agreed without even thinking.

The emperor was stunned.

Have I been fooled by this kid?

Did Chu Ning deliberately raise the term from the very beginning, waiting for me to bargain?

The emperor looked a little unhappy when he realized what was happening.

But Chu Ning did not give him time to react, and said with a smile: "Since the emperor has agreed, please issue the imperial decree in public to avoid disputes in the future."

The emperor's mouth twitched.

This kid is serious and even wants me to issue an imperial decree.

I thought it was just talk, but if the imperial edict was issued, the court would have no control over Bingzhou for the next seven years.

However, without an imperial decree, Chu Ning would most likely not take over the military command.

Once the Great Zhao Dynasty gets to know about this, it will surely send troops to invade. By then, who else would be willing to lead the army except Chu Ning?

Forget it, it’s just Bingzhou, just give it to Chu Ning to govern.

If it is not managed well, I will find a way to take it back then.

Anyway, the mouth is on my body, so I can say whatever I want!

"Come here, bring pen and ink!" The emperor made the decision.

Soon, the eunuchs brought writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, and the maids on the scene removed the delicious dishes from the table.

The emperor wrote an imperial edict directly on the spot in front of everyone.

After stamping the document, the emperor handed the imperial edict to Chu Ning: "Are you satisfied this time?"

Chu Ning took the imperial edict and read it. The general content was the same as what he had just said, but the emperor added a sentence in it.

If Bingzhou handles the situation improperly, the imperial court has the right to send people to govern it, and Chu Ning is not allowed to interfere at that time.

This cheap guy is so cunning!

Chu Ning smiled secretly in his heart, but still put away the imperial edict and said with a smile: "Thanks to your kindness, father, I will accept this imperial edict and military token!"

The emperor snorted coldly: "Remember what you said today. If anything happens in Bingzhou in the future, I will hold you responsible!"

The emperor glanced at the whole audience and waved his sleeves, saying, "It's getting late. Today's celebration banquet ends here."

After saying this, the emperor turned and left.

"Your Majesty, we (your sons) respectfully bid farewell to him!" Everyone stood up and bowed.

Chu Ning waited for the emperor to leave, then he grinned, took Shen Wanying's hand and said with a smile: "Let's go back."

Unexpectedly, at this time, the prince smiled and said, "Eighteenth brother, the celebration banquet has already been attended, but your matter with the Ministry of Justice has just begun!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers who had originally wanted to leave stopped in their tracks.

They knew that the prince was going to attack the King of Chu!