Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Your Majesty, I have already disclosed everything to Fang Zheng Yi."

Inside the palace, Wu Tu stood before a vast map, gazing at it for a long time.

It meticulously detailed various military routes.

Pa Ba stood behind him, quietly awaiting a response.

After a while, Wu Tu turned around and asked, "Oh? I didn't expect Fang Zheng Yi to be so vigilant. What was his reaction?"

"I gave him three days to consider. If he doesn't agree after three days, I will start killing members of his delegation, one by one, until I reach him."

"However, based on my understanding of him, he will definitely agree within three days at most." Pa Ba said calmly, with a confident look.

Wu Tu asked curiously, "What makes you so sure?"

Pa Ba said, "In my opinion, although Fang Zheng Yi is cunning and greedy for wealth and women, he is also soft-hearted and protective of his own people."

"Although Zhang Biao is just Fang Zheng Yi's house slave, Fang Zheng Yi has tried to stop him, whether in Da Jing or during the martial arts competition with Chi Lie in the palace."

"If it were an ordinary person, what would it matter if a servant went up to fight?"

"From this, it seems that this person is fundamentally weak, and naturally cannot be considered a righteous official. Besides the delegation, he also brought two beautiful maids, who can be described as national treasures."

"He is already a驸马 (imperial son-in-law), yet he dares to bring two women with him on a mission to our Great Jin in such a grand manner, which shows that he loves them very much. Otherwise, he wouldn't do this. These two women should also be his weakness. Moreover, even if he doesn't consider others, he will consider himself. I believe he will yield."

Wu Tu nodded slightly: "The National Preceptor is always meticulous. I naturally trust you with such a small matter. I leave it entirely to you to handle."

"Be sure to get him to act as soon as possible. I will fully support you with any manpower or resources you need. It's best to create the divine weapon as soon as possible."

As he spoke, he turned to look at the map again: "There are still three months left. After winter, we will attack Jing. If the time is dragged on for too long, Li Che will inevitably become suspicious. You arrange for Fang Zheng Yi to send a letter back to Jing, saying that negotiations are difficult and he needs to stay for a few more days."

"He must be closely guarded when he is out and about, never leaving his side."

"This war allows for no carelessness. Once this battle is won, the future of our Great Jin will be something the National Preceptor understands better than anyone else."

Pa Ba bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Then he added, "I have a request to make of Your Majesty, please grant another oath gold medal. It is necessary to dispel Fang Zheng Yi's doubts."

"Oh?" Wu Tu smiled: "I will issue an edict stating that as long as he cooperates honestly, his life will not be harmed. Isn't that enough?"

"Do you want to keep Fang Zheng Yi around for later?"

Pa Ba nodded seriously: "Your Majesty, it would be a great waste if a talent like Fang Zheng Yi cannot be used by Your Majesty. Even if he creates a hot air balloon, he still has great value. This person's activities in Jing are always unexpected, but they have amazing results."

"I am ashamed to say that I have never seen such a young man... Keeping him around may bring some surprises in the future, but killing him would be of no benefit."

"It's rare for you to admire someone so much. I grant your request. I will have the gold medal made and send it to you."

"I thank Your Majesty."

While the two were chatting, a palace servant suddenly ran in慌慌张张 (in a flustered manner) and prostrated himself before Wu Tu.

"Your Majesty! A major incident has occurred! The First Prince and the Second Prince have fought. The Second Prince was beaten until he vomited blood, and it seems that his ribs were also broken. He is lying in bed, constantly wailing!"

"What?!" Wu Tu was shocked.

He knew Ali Bai's personality all too well. To put it simply, he was weak and easily bullied.

He would cower even if Wu Tu glared at him. How could he suddenly have the courage to challenge his elder brother?

Pa Ba was fine. He already knew that Ali Bai's personality had changed, so he wasn't that surprised.

But Wu Tu still couldn't believe his ears and asked again, "Say that again?"

The palace servant, drenched in sweat, repeated it again.

Wu Tu was furious: "The eldest son is crazy! He actually tried to kill his own brother in a fight. Tell me everything in detail!"

The palace servant said with a tearful face: "Your Majesty, the First Prince was practicing in the martial arts field when the Second Prince barged in and immediately said he wanted to spar."

"The First Prince didn't say anything, and the two started fighting. As a result, the Second Prince was knocked down with one move."

"Later...." The palace servant hesitated and stopped talking.

"What happened later? Speak!" Wu Tu pressed.

The palace servant hesitated for a long time and finally gritted his teeth and said: "Later... Later, the Second Prince pretended to faint. When the First Prince went to check on him, he actually launched a sneak attack and spat phlegm in the First Prince's eyes."

"The First Prince couldn't dodge in time. After his eyes were blinded, he was overturned, and then he was beaten to the ground by the Second Prince..."

Pa Ba and Wu Tu were dumbfounded. They looked at each other and saw disbelief in each other's eyes.

Wu Tu was deeply shocked. He knew the strength of the eldest son. He was skilled in archery and horsemanship since childhood. He might not even be able to defeat him in terms of pure strength.

How could the usually weak second son beat the eldest son to the ground? It was a miracle!

"And then what? The eldest son beat him up?"

The palace servant looked pained, and the corners of his eyes twitched a few times: "No... The Second Prince ran away halfway through the fight. The First Prince was furious and chased after him. When he ran to the flower bed, the Second Prince threw a handful of sand in his face. The First Prince was caught off guard again and overturned, and then he was pressed to the ground and beaten..."

Pa Ba: "......"

Wu Tu was furious: "This beast! Does he only know how to use dirty tricks? Where did he learn this from? Keep talking!"

"In the end, the Second Prince still ran away halfway through the fight, seemingly wanting to repeat the same trick. But the First Prince picked up a stone near the flower bed and knocked him down. Then he pressed him to the ground and beat him until he vomited blood. Fortunately, a group of people desperately protected him and pulled the First Prince away, preventing a major disaster. The Second Prince has just been sent to the doctor. His life is not in danger, but his injuries are quite serious."

Hearing that his life was not in danger, Wu Tu breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, he was still his own son, even if he was useless.

"What about the eldest son? Is the eldest son not injured?"

"He suffered some minor external injuries. The First Prince is now in seclusion, refusing to see anyone, and is... smashing things inside the room."

Wu Tu muttered to himself: "He actually provoked the eldest son to this extent. Is there something wrong with the second son?"

Pa Ba smiled wryly: "Your Majesty, there is something I have not told you all along. The Second Prince has been somewhat abnormal since he returned from the capital. I feel that he is full of vigor. It is said that he learned martial arts from a strange person in the capital. He also told me that he wanted to challenge the First Prince. I didn't expect it to be true."

"A strange person in the capital?" Wu Tu frowned: "I'm afraid it's that Zhang Biao, right? All low-down tricks!"

Pa Ba pondered: "That's unlikely. Fang Zheng Yi took the initiative to tell me that he also felt that the Second Prince was a bit abnormal. He had been practicing martial arts all the way and even took the initiative to provoke Zhang Biao. He should have been deceived by some quack in the capital."

"Deceived... Well, if he was deceived, then he was deceived. He should be awakened by this beating." Wu Tu was a little angry at first, but then he smiled: "The second son's personality is weak, and I have never liked him. Although his tricks were a little dirty this time, it is rare for him to muster the courage of his blood, which is a good thing. You come with me to see how his injuries are."

......