The Eternal Beauty of the City of Wealth

In Linzi, the capital of Qi, inside the Wu Palace in Wangcheng.

Duke Ling of Qi knelt in front of the desk and slowly closed the bamboo slips.

He looked at the ministers below and said solemnly, "My lords, I have just received the news of a death from Guicheng. Duke Gong of Lai died at midnight last night due to a sudden heart attack. He passed away before he could be treated."

The ministers were stunned at first, looking at each other, and then they started talking among themselves.

Duke Ling of Qi coughed lightly, and everyone immediately stopped talking. They all fell silent and looked at him in unison.

Duke Ling of Qi looked at his ministers with an earnest gaze: "My Lords, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Immediately, the hall fell silent. Some people lowered their heads in thought, while others looked around.

Just as the ministers were at a loss as to what to do, the doctor Cui Zhu stood up, bowed to Duke Ling of Qi and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that now is the opportune time to completely reclaim the royal power of Donglai."

"Why not issue an imperial decree to strip King Lai of his title of marquis, reclaim his fiefdom, and send another minister to replace him? From now on, Dong Lai will be free of major threats. Isn't that wonderful?"

Duke Ling of Qi stroked his beard and looked at him deeply. He did not express his opinion, but just thought slowly.

At this time, another minister stood up, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Shu Diao, second the motion. We, the others, also second the motion."

At this time, several ministers also stood up and echoed.

"Doctor Cui, my lords, I think this plan is not appropriate."

Taiwei Yan Ruo stood up, bowed to Duke Ling, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Laizi Kingdom has been established for over five hundred years, and the people's hearts have long been closely tied to the royal family, making it difficult to shake them."

"Moreover, the Lai people have been known as barbarians since ancient times, making them difficult to educate. Since our ancestors, the Lai have been in constant conflict with the Qi people, and the feud has long been long-standing."

"Besides, our Great Qi has just conquered their country a few months ago. The people's hearts have not returned, and the political situation is not stable."

"If we strip him of his title and take away his power now, I'm afraid the people of Lai will be greatly uneasy. If this incident leads to another war, it will plunge the people into disaster and harm the people of Qi."

Duke Ling of Qi nodded as he listened, and a hint of warmth appeared on his serious face.

He looked at his beloved minister with admiration and said, "General, your words are exactly what I want. So, according to your advice, how should this matter be handled?"

Yan Ruo paused and said, "In my opinion, we should continue to confer titles on him but release his power."

"Your Majesty should support them more and show them great favor. You should not act hastily in relation to Donglai. You should be patient and persuasive, and take your time to develop the area. This is the best strategy."

"Well," Duke Ling of Qi nodded in satisfaction. "Hahaha, hahaha..." Suddenly, the doctor Cui Zhu burst into laughter.

Duke Ling of Qi frowned, looked at him and said nothing.

Yan Ruo asked Cui Zhu calmly, "Doctor Cui, why are you laughing?"

Cui Zhu looked at Yan Ruo with sarcasm on his face and said, "Captain, do you know that Duke Gong of Lai has no offspring?"

"We have slaughtered all of his clan members, leaving no descendants. Who will inherit the title?"

Duke Ling of Qi also looked at Yan Ruo gently.

Yan Ruo bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Duke Gong of Lai left behind a daughter named Zixuan."

"This girl is eighteen years old, talented and beautiful, extremely intelligent, and of excellent character. She is worthy of inheriting the title."

Cui Zhu continued to sarcastically ask, "Humph! Is the Grand Marshal suffering from a brain disease?"

Yan Ruo asked angrily, "Doctor Cui, why do you say that?"

"Is the Grand Marshal too old? Little do you know that since ancient times, there has never been a saying that women can inherit the title of nobility?"

"Could it be that you are coveting Princess Xuan's beauty and secretly having an affair with her, hoping to help her achieve her goal?"

You! Yan Ruo's face flushed with anger, and he pointed at Cui Zhu, trembling all over and unable to speak.

Outrageous! Prime Minister Yan Ying roared angrily and hurried forward to support Yan Ruo: "Father, are you okay?"

Yan Ruo shook his head, his lips trembling, and said nothing.

Afterwards, Yan Ying shouted at Cui Zhu: "Cui Zhu! As a senior official, you have no respect for the king."

"How dare you speak nonsense in the court and be so rude to the Grand Marshal? What do you intend to do?"

Seeing the situation getting serious, Duke Ling of Qi quickly waved his hand and angrily rebuked, "Alright, you are important ministers of state, yet you are making a scene in the court, causing disgrace to the scholars. How can this be considered disgraceful? All of you, please leave!"

Here, here! The two sides exchanged glances, their fierce eyes like knives. They couldn't help but flick their sleeves at each other and knelt down in their seats in dismay.

Cui Zhu looked coldly at Yan Ruo and his son, gritting his teeth in hatred in his heart.

You old bastards, you always put yourself above me in everything. From now on, just wait and see how I’m going to deal with you, humph!

Duke Ling of Qi calmed himself down and looked at Yan Ying with a kind expression: "Pingzhong, I wonder what your opinion is on this matter?"

Yan Ying quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I agree with the Grand Commandant's suggestion. Princess Xuan is just a woman and won't cause much trouble."

"Compared to men, they are easier to control. If you teach them regularly and show them kindness, then the land of the Laiyi will surely be yours in the near future."

Well, Duke Ling of Qi nodded contentedly and looked at his ministers: "What do you think?"

Most of the ministers responded in unison: "We agree with the Grand Marshal's plan, we agree with the Grand Marshal's plan!"

Good! Duke Ling of Qi slammed the table and stood up, saying solemnly, "What the commander said is exactly what I was thinking. This matter has been decided. Come, summon them!"