Even storm the gates of the capital!
You are all advising me to take a step back now. But have you ever considered this: what if I retreat, and the Earl of North Border’s household does not? What then? Have you ever considered whether it is I, the Emperor, and my Ji Family who are easier to reason with, or the iron cavalry and blades of the Earl of North Border’s household?"
For hundreds of years, the emperors of my Ji Family have led expeditions, always with the imperial guards as the main force, augmented by tribal battalions. We have overcome hardships and ensured the fate of the Yan State until today. As for other words of persuasion, I do not wish to hear them again. My decision is made. Any further insubordination from the Northern Army will be considered treason!"
The West Garden was constructed during the reign of the previous emperor.
However, most people in the Qian State did not know that the annual tribute silver Qian State paid to Yan State that year included an extra sum specifically for the garden’s construction.
"But of course! Messages like these must be delivered promptly, and gestures of goodwill must also be made quickly. You deliberately used soldiers from the city defense camp to guard the West Garden instead of the imperial guard—wasn’t that to make it easier for them to send messages to me?
"Later, send someone to tell him to pay more attention to the affairs of the imperial guard. He should stop running to me for instructions all the time; he’s not a child anymore."
As he spoke, the Earl of North Border personally tore off a duck leg and handed it to Ji Runhao.
"I will say this much: I already ordered the Eldest Prince, Ji Wujiang, yesterday to lead the army of Tiancheng County to station at Shishan Base. The garrisons of Huwei County and Yinlang County also received my Imperial Edict yesterday and have begun moving towards the capital. The imperial guards in the capital have also been ordered to prepare for battle.
"Hahaha, well, that’s because you were foolish! I grew up in the North, eating the same rations as the common soldiers. When I first came to your Royal Mansion, my eyes would practically glow green at the sight of such fine food. And you actually wanted to compete with me in eating capacity? Hahaha!"
Ji Runhao accepted it without ceremony, took a large bite as soon as he sat down.
"If you want to see them, go rummage for them yourself in my latrine. There’s a whole pile I haven’t even used yet."
"Hahaha, it’s true. When we were kids, we used to fight over a chicken leg—winner takes all. Ah, the taste of that chicken leg... it was so damn good. Even now, after all these years, I still can’t forget it."
The Earl of North Border rose, filled the wine bowl before Ji Runhao, and asked at the same time, "Been telling them off, have you?"
Ji Runhao swallowed the duck meat, then picked up his wine bowl and took a large gulp.
"Ah, well, there’s truly no need to look. In the end, they’re all destined for the latrine pit anyway."
However, when the guest from the North arrived in the capital, Ji Runhao ordered that he be lodged in the West Garden.
Seeing Ji Runhao arrive, the Earl of North Border smiled but did not rise. He remained seated and said directly, "Honestly, I’ve endured too many hard days eating bland food in my own household. I simply can’t get enough of this wine and meat. Besides, Northern cuisine is so coarse; how could it compare to the skills of the imperial chefs from the capital’s restaurants?"
In the courtyard, a man with greying temples, appearing over fifty, sat at a stone table. At his feet lay five large jars of wine, and on the table were more than ten hearty dishes, ranging from chicken, duck, and fish to pork, dog, beef, and mutton—a veritable feast.
Furthermore, the Qian State even used this for propaganda, claiming that the uncivilized Yan people admired Qian culture, and that the benevolent Emperor of Qian had sent men to build them a garden, much to the delight of the Yan people, who were portrayed as unsophisticated country bumpkins who had never seen the world.
"Your Majesty, the Second Prince is waiting in Yangxin Hall."
Having finished speaking, Ji Runhao waved his hand and turned.
"Your servant obeys."
"Where does Your Majesty intend to go out of the palace? Your servant will make the arrangements."
I am giving you half a month. Within half a month, I want to see your stance!
As Ji Runhao and Wei Zhonghe stepped into the front courtyard of the West Garden, they were met with the rich aroma of wine and meat. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire·net
The Earl of North Border, not to be outdone, grabbed a platter of Pork Knuckle, placed it before himself, and mumbled while gnawing on it, "If the people of Qian State saw your eating manners, they’d surely go back and say our Emperor of Yan is too poor to even afford a proper meal!"
"Damn it, food just tastes better when I eat with you!"
The previous emperor passed away in this West Garden, but Ji Runhao disliked its small bridges and flowing water; he rarely stayed there.
After finishing the duck leg, Ji Runhao picked up his chopsticks, pulled a plate of fish towards himself, and began to eat heartily.
Seeing this, Ji Runhao unfastened his cloak, tossed it to Wei Zhonghe beside him, and strode forward, rolling up his sleeves as he went, cursing, "You rascal, you have quite the appetite."
"I have a large box of letters in my latrine, sent from all the great houses, all on fine paper. Heh, I’m even thinking, if I wipe with them long enough, perhaps I’ll acquire a scholarly aroma down there myself.
When the previous emperor grew old, he lamented the inconveniences of living in the capital. So, he dispatched envoys to the Qian State, expressing his admiration for the Jiangnan gardens of the Qian State. The Emperor of Qian, for the sake of diplomatic relations, ordered his Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works to lead a group of skilled artisans to the Yan State to help build this West Garden.
"I must have been truly mad back then to actually compete with you over who could eat more."
The ministers below dared not speak, only bowing their heads lower and lower.
Ji Runhao, his mouth full of duck, paid no mind. Holding the duck leg in one hand, he pointed at the Earl of North Border with the other and cursed, "Those curs! I had barely dismissed court, and someone already sent you word?"
He said, "I have no desire to look. I find them foul-smelling, utterly repulsive!"
"Alright, let’s drink."