The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

When these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked.

The court officials were whispering to each other, discussing the matter. Marrying a royal woman to a distant kingdom had always been a major event, especially since ancient times. Furthermore, Xixiang and the Great Zhou had been at odds for years. Now that the Xixiang Crown Prince had suddenly proposed a marriage, the underlying intentions were cause for deep reflection.

The smile on Chai Zhen's face faded a little. He remained silent, tapping the table lightly with his fingers, making a crisp sound that struck everyone's heart one after another.

He certainly understood Xia Chenghao's implication. The powerful Western Xiang had been eyeing the Great Zhou border for years. Had Great Zhou not possessed the wealth and resources accumulated over decades by the previous emperor, as well as the hundreds of thousands of well-trained soldiers he had left behind, it would have long since been annexed by the Western Xiang. Xia Chenghao's proposal for a marriage alliance was ostensibly for the sake of diplomatic relations, but in reality, it was an attempt to infiltrate and paralyze Great Zhou.

Although Chai Zhen was young and playful, he was no fool. He knew that if he agreed to this marriage, he would be burying a time bomb for himself. If Xixiang used this as an excuse to attack in the future, the Great Zhou would be in a passive position.

But if he refused, what would he do? Prince Xixiang had come to the Great Zhou in person to ask for marriage. If he refused, wouldn't that give people a reason to say that the Great Zhou was insincere and was intentionally provoking a dispute between the two countries?

For a moment, Chai Zhen was in a dilemma.

He raised his head and glanced at the ministers below, but saw that they all had their heads down and were silent. No one came to his rescue at this time.

Chai Zhen sneered inwardly. These people usually acted righteously, advising on state affairs, talking about morality and morality, and speaking eloquently about state affairs. But when the critical moment came, they all became cowards.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and put a faint smile on his face again. He said in a gentle tone, "Your Highness, you are joking. Our two countries have been friends for generations. Now that you have come from afar, I am very happy. How could I refuse your request? However, this matter is of great importance and requires long-term consideration. I will give you a reply after discussing it with the ministers. How do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Chenghao's eyes flashed with a subtle evil intent, but he quickly concealed it. He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, your words are reasonable. It was I who was anxious. In that case, I will wait patiently for good news."

Chai Zhen nodded slightly, raised his glass, and toasted Xia Chenghao from afar. He said meaningfully, "Your Highness, you have come a long way and must be exhausted. Rest well tonight. I will host a banquet for you tomorrow."

Xia Chenghao naturally understood what he meant, and without saying anything more, he stood up with a smile and said goodbye to Chai Zhen.

The joyous evening banquet finally came to an end with Xia Chenghao's feigned drunken farewell. Chai Zhen rubbed his aching forehead and dismissed his attendants, leaving only his trusted eunuch Li Dehai.

"Prepare the Imperial Study and convey my order. Summon the ministers and vice ministers of the six ministries, as well as all the ministers of the Military Affairs Office, to discuss matters immediately!"

Li Dehai observed the emperor's expression and saw that his face was unhappy and his tone was filled with suppressed anger. He was startled and quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The night was deep, but the lights in the imperial study were bright. The ministers all looked solemn, looking at each other, no one dared to speak first to break the suffocating silence.

"What? Are you all speechless? Prince Xixiang proposed a marriage alliance. This is a matter concerning the national constitution of our Great Zhou. Tell me, how should we deal with it?" Chai Zhen slammed the table and slammed the teacup in his hand heavily on the table, splashing tea everywhere, scaring the old ministers below.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Seeing Chai Zhen's rage, the Minister of Revenue, Lord Qian, was frightened. He quickly stood up from his seat, walked out of the queue tremblingly, and bowed, saying, "I believe that the marriage will benefit our Great Zhou in every way and will not cause any harm!" As he spoke, he carefully raised his eyelids and observed the expression of Chai Zhen sitting on the dragon throne. Seeing that the other party had no intention of stopping him, he bravely stroked his gray beard and continued, "Xixiang is currently a powerful country. Over the years, they have harassed our Great Zhou border with more victories than defeats. If we can form a marriage with them, we can turn hostility into friendship and form a lasting ties. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Qian's words seemed to be for the benefit of the Great Zhou, but in reality they were motivated by selfish motives. He was a notorious coward, fearing that the Xiang army would attack and endanger his own interests. However, since he was promoted by the Queen Mother, Chai Zhen could only temporarily let him sit in this position.

"Master Qian, you're wrong!" As soon as Master Qian finished speaking, the Minister of War, Master Zhao, couldn't help but jump out and refute him. He had always advocated war, and now, hearing Master Qian actually suggesting a marriage alliance, he was furious. Pointing at Master Qian's nose, he scolded, "Xi Xiang is a barbarian with wolfish ambitions. A marriage alliance is like inviting a wolf into the house. The consequences will be endless!"

"Master Zhao, your words are rather alarmist." Master Qian was no pushover and immediately retorted, "War between two countries is costly and cumbersome. Now that Xixiang has taken the initiative to seek peace, we should follow the will of heaven and pursue peace."

"God's will? I think it's you, Lord Qian, who is afraid of death and frightened by the barbarians from Xixiang!" Lord Zhao fought back without showing any weakness, his words full of disdain and contempt for Lord Qian.

"You..." Lord Qian was sorely touched by Lord Zhao that he immediately became angry and embarrassed. He pointed at Lord Zhao's nose and kept saying "you" for a long time but couldn't say anything.

"Enough!" Chai Zhen abruptly stood up, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the table with a crisp clatter. Teacups tumbled to the floor, scattering broken porcelain pieces. The hall fell silent. He glared at the two ministers arguing below, his brow furrowed, and shouted, "When did my imperial study become a market, allowing you to make such a racket?"

Lord Qian and Lord Zhao were frightened by Chai Zhen's sudden anger. They were both stunned and then simultaneously knelt on the ground, trembling and begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, I have behaved inappropriately. Please forgive me!"

Chai Zhen took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the anger in his chest. He rubbed his swollen and aching forehead, and said with a hint of fatigue, "Everyone, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lord Qian and Lord Zhao then dared to get up from the ground. They lowered their heads, stood aside in silence, and never dared to argue again.

Chai Zhen slowly walked to the center of the imperial study, his eyes sweeping over the trembling ministers below. His voice was low but filled with unquestionable authority, "The matter of marriage is of great importance. How could I make such a hasty decision?"

He paused, his gaze fixed on Lord Qian, his tone cold, "Lord Qian, as the Minister of Revenue, you should know that the national treasury is empty, and the years of war have long been overwhelmed. If the marriage can bring peace between the two countries and allow them to recuperate, it may not be a bad thing."

Upon hearing this, Lord Qian nodded in agreement, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling fortunate that he had not said anything too harsh and angered the young emperor.

Chai Zhen turned his gaze towards Lord Zhao again, his tone softening slightly. "Lord Zhao, you have always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and I am deeply pleased. However, the Xixiang people are wickedly ambitious. Do you think a mere marriage will completely dissuade them?"

Upon hearing this, Lord Zhao's heart trembled, and he quickly knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, I am not opposed to the marriage, but I am worried that Xi Xiang will take this opportunity to paralyze our Great Zhou and wait for an opportunity to act!"

"I know your worries, don't I?" Chai Zhen sighed, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the azure sky outside the imperial study, his eyes deep and distant. "But I have other plans in mind..."

He turned around, glanced sharply at the ministers below, and said in a firm tone, "Pass on my decree. The matter of the marriage will be decided after the sacrifice ceremony in the East Sea of Linkang Prefecture is completed."

Chai Zhen knew that thoroughly investigating Xi Xiang's intentions would take time. The Donghai sacrifice in Linkang Prefecture was his best chance to buy time. Furthermore, Chai Zhen had another wily chess piece: Cen Jiexiao, who was far away in Linkang Prefecture. He wanted to see what the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was up to.