The Eternal Beauty of the City of Wealth

Three days later, Shuyi and Cui Zhu knelt in the hall, trembling with fear: "Your Majesty, we have returned to report."

Duke Ling of Qi looked at the two of them coldly: "Why, you're back so soon? Tell me, how did things go?"

"Well, your servants, we arrived too late. By the time we arrived at Donglai County, the city wall had already been completed and named Fugui City."

"The city wall is over thirty feet high. The gates, towers, and the three large characters for Wealthy City are all crafted from gold."

"It all looked bright yellow and golden. At that time, the returning city lord, Princess Xuan, was also on the city wall."

"I went forward to argue with her, but she ignored me and opened two roads for me to take."

Duke Ling of Qi asked curiously, "Which two roads?"

"Your Majesty, the first option is for us to withdraw our troops immediately. The second option is for you to personally go to Fugui City and have a face-to-face meeting with Princess Xuan."

"After hearing such unreasonable words, we were very angry and prepared to work with the governor of Donglai County to attack Fugui City's west gate from both inside and outside."

"Who would have thought that suddenly, more than 100,000 soldiers appeared from nowhere on the city wall."

"They were all tall and strong, each holding a divine bow. In a moment, countless arrows were shot at us."

"We are outnumbered. Of the 50,000-man army, only 30,000 have returned. Xu Tu and Li Fang's 10,000-man army were also completely wiped out."

Duke Ling of Qi was so angry that he shouted: "What! Say it again!"

The two were startled and said, "Your Majesty, I am saying that our army has been defeated."

"After the defeat, why don't you die outside? Why come back?"

Duke Ling of Qi was so angry that he grabbed a pile of bamboo slips on the table and threw them hard at the two men.

Then he kicked over the table, and the things on it scattered all over the floor. The ministers were also in a mess after hearing this.

At this time, the doctor Shu Diao came out and said, "Your Majesty, I think this Princess Xuan is planning to restore her country and rebel. How about Your Majesty send troops to punish her again?"

Taiwei Yan Ruo hurried out and said, "Your Majesty, this cannot be done! Your Majesty, I do not think it is appropriate to send troops to punish them in this matter."

"Just now, I heard from the two uncles and doctors that there are over 100,000 soldiers defending Fugui City. If we send an army to attack, we will need at least 200,000 soldiers."

"Right now, hundreds of thousands of troops from Great Qi are deployed at the borders of various countries to guard the cities."

"If we force them to come here, I'm afraid the countries bordering Qi will take advantage of the opportunity to invade. If that happens, our great Qi will be in danger!"

Most of the ministers came out and echoed: "We agree with the Prime Minister's plan, and we second the motion!"

Duke Ling of Qi calmed himself and suppressed his anger. "My lords, if we don't send troops according to what you have said, what will happen?"

Yan Ruo took another step forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should first send someone to Fugui City to contact the city lord, Princess Xuan."

"Let's hear what her attitude is towards Qi, or what her demands and intentions are towards Qi, and then we can make a conclusion."

Duke Ling of Qi looked at the other ministers and asked, "Do you think what the Prime Minister said is feasible?"

The ministers responded one after another: "We agree with the Prime Minister's words, we agree with the Prime Minister's words!"

"Very well, today I will follow the Grand Commandant's advice. Come! Draft an imperial edict! Appoint Crown Prince Jiang Guang and Prime Minister Yan Ying as special envoys."

"On my behalf, I will go to Fugui City to discuss relevant matters with the city lord, Princess Xuan. There must be no mistakes!"

Three days later, Zixuan was discussing urban and rural planning with Ji Lao Da and Qi Jiu in the space when the phone suddenly rang.

Seeing it was Ji Liu, the commander of the west gate of Fugui City, she immediately answered, "Your Majesty, Crown Prince Jiang Guang of Qi and Prime Minister Yan Ying wish to see Your Majesty."

Zixuan thought for a moment and said, "Ji Liu, tell Prince Guang and the others that if they want to discuss the matter of Fugui City, they should have the King of Qi come in person and not see anyone else!"

Ji Liu hung up the phone and shouted to Prince Guang and Yan Ying below the city: "Your Highness, Prime Minister Yan, my king said that if we want to discuss the matter of Fugui City, the King of Qi must come in person, and no one else will be seen!"

After hearing this, the two looked at each other in bewilderment: "Your Highness, what should we do?"

Yan Ying looked at him pitifully. Jiang Guang raised his head, unwilling to give up, and pleaded loudly to Ji Liu, "Commander Ji, please, please help us announce that my younger brother Jiang Guang has come to see my sister!"

Ji Liu ignored him, so Jiang Guang continued to beg. After half an hour of unremitting efforts, Jiang Guang persuaded Ji Liu to give up.

Ji Liu said helplessly, "Alright, alright, stop talking. It's really annoying. My ears are about to get calluses."

"Well, let me ask you again. If the king doesn't see you again, you must leave, or I will shoot you!"

The two nodded quickly: "Okay, okay, thank you very much, Commander Ji, thank you very much!"

Ji Liu looked at the two of them, took out his cell phone, and called Zixuan again.

Zixuan answered the call and asked, "Ji Liu, what's the matter?"

"Your Majesty, that Crown Prince Guang refused to leave, saying that his younger brother wanted to see his sister."

Zixuan frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Ji Liu, tell the Crown Prince that this is a matter of state between the two countries and ask him not to get too involved."

"If the prince has any personal problems in the future, I, as his elder sister, will definitely help him. Let him go back."

After Ji Liu hung up the phone, he conveyed Zixuan's intention to Prince Guang.

Jiang Guang shook his head helplessly, and the two of them left Fugui City dejectedly and returned to Linzi to report.

After several days of hard work, the two returned to the main hall of Wu Palace covered in dust and dirt.

After the two knelt and saluted, Duke Ling of Qi asked curiously, "Guang'er, you're back so soon. How was the talk?"

"Father, it's nothing. They just said that if we want to negotiate, you must go there in person."

"How dare you, Xuan! I thought I treated her well, but she actually gave me such a hard time! I'm so angry that she wants to kill me!"

Seeing this, Yan Ruo quickly advised: "Don't be anxious, Your Majesty. Don't get so angry that it damages your health."

"I think it would be a good idea for Your Majesty to meet with Princess Xuan. This matter must be resolved eventually. If Your Majesty does not go to Fugui City, I'm afraid it will be difficult to resolve."

Duke Ling of Qi held his forehead and said, "General, let me think about it."

Doctor Shu Diao came out again and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Princess Xuan has no good intentions in insisting that Your Majesty go to Fugui City."

"For your safety, I suggest that Your Majesty should not go."

Duke Ling of Qi pondered for a long time before finally making up his mind and saying, "Tomorrow I will go to Fugui City with the Grand Commandant Yan Ruo to have a face-to-face meeting with Zixuan."

Three days later, outside the west gate of Fugui City, Duke Ling of Qi looked at the city wall that was more than thirty feet high and couldn't help but gasp.

The city wall is so high that not only Shu Yi cannot attack it, even I have no chance of winning.

At this moment, the high suspension bridge slowly dropped down and the golden city gate slowly opened.

Commander Ji Liu stepped forward, clasped his fists, and saluted, saying, "Commander Ji Liu of the West Gate of Fugui City, greets the King of Qi!"

"King Qi, my king is on the city wall, waiting for you for a long time!"

Duke Ling of Qi nodded and said, "Lead the way."

“Yes,” Ji Liu agreed and led the group into the elevator.

Duke Ling of Qi was puzzled. Wasn't he going up the city wall? Why was he entering this small iron house?

Just as he felt a sense of emptiness, the elevator door opened. Ji Liu took him to the golden tower.

When Zixuan saw Duke Ling of Qi step down from the elevator, he hurried forward and bowed gracefully, "Your Majesty, I, Zixuan, greet you."

Duke Ling of Qi was stunned. He didn't expect Zixuan to be so polite to him. "Okay, City Lord Zixuan, please stand up!"

So, the two of them exchanged a few pleasantries and then sat down as host and guest.