Chapter 226: Go and Persuade Him!

After bidding farewell to Shi Anqi, Ren Yidao sat in the carriage returning to his residence, thinking quietly.

"Although Shi Anqi repeatedly declined and said he didn't know anything, his reaction was actually enough to explain the problem."

He only said he didn't know, and couldn't say anything.

But he never denied that what I said was wrong.

"As expected of an old slippery fox in the palace, he knows how to distance himself from the matter."

Recalling the blood-soaked Shi Anqi who returned from killing people in Jiangnan last time, and then associating it with the details he saw at the time, Ren Yidao shook his head slightly.

"Old Shi, I'm afraid he already has the intention to retreat."

He should have been a ruthless blade in the hands of the Emperor, but at some point, he developed his own emotions.

Although the blade has not become sharp, the possibility of a backlash has emerged.

Ren Yidao believes that Li Long, considering their many years of friendship, will not have an excessive reaction toward Shi Anqi in the short term.

He will still treat him as the person he trusts most and will still assign the most difficult tasks to him.

This is trust in a powerful minister, and also tolerance for an old brother of many years.

But this tolerance also has a limit, and it is unknown when it will be exhausted.

Ren Yidao knows this, and the two of them, the monarch and subject Li Long and Shi Anqi, are likely as clear as a mirror in their hearts.

On this point, Ren Yidao does not need to worry for the two of them.

From the first time Shi Anqi defied an imperial decree and Li Long did not cut him down, the answer was already there.

As for how it will end in the end, Ren Yidao is still a bit curious.

"I hope Shi Anqi can pull off a big act by then to let everyone have some fun."

Before, Shi Anqi would probably only have handed over his military power and then honestly waited for his fate.

But now, it's hard to say.

The current Shi Anqi has long since let go of everything, and instead, he has set aside many of his previous concerns.

"Speaking of which, his expression just now was very wrong."

Halfway through drinking, Shi Anqi's expression changed drastically for some reason, and he suddenly sat on the other side and crossed his legs.

Shortly after that, he hastily ended the banquet and let me go back by myself...

"Hmm... maybe he had an urgent need?"

It couldn't be that he went to change his pants, right?

Shaking his head with pity, Ren Yidao sighed endlessly at the pathetic plight of a middle-aged man.

"Middle-aged men have no choice, soaking goji berries in a thermos."

"Once able to pee three zhang against the wind, now wetting his shoes with the wind."

"Poor thing!"

"Someone, get General Shi a pair of pants!"

After sending Ren Yidao away, Shi Anqi's face twitched for a long time. Looking down at the pants that were soaked through at some point, his eyes were actually a little moist for a moment.

"To think how majestic I was back then, how did I end up in such a situation now?"

When I was young, wasn't I just as arrogant?

It's a pity that I later met a woman who eats people without spitting out the bones, and was tortured by her day and night.

Now, having only drunk this much wine, I can't even control myself...

Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Shi Anqi coughed hard and spoke lightly in his usual tone:

"Someone."

A guard who had been waiting for a long time heard the sound and walked into the room, kneeling respectfully on one knee in front of Shi Anqi.

"What are your orders, General?"

"You... go and arrange for someone to bring me my daily clothes; I am not comfortable wearing this set."

After thinking for a moment, Shi Anqi added seriously:

"Remember! You must not let this be known!"

"And one more thing, absolutely do not let my wife find out!!!"

When Ren Yidao returned to his residence, he saw an unexpected guest.

The carriage of Prime Minister Wang Xuesong, who had been rehired to hold down the fort, was parked not far outside the door.

Ren Yidao looked at the sun, then at the morning dew on it, fearing he had been waiting for who knows how long, and his brows twitched covertly.

It was just dawn, and Wang Xuesong had probably arrived very early.

This old man probably rushed over the moment he received the news that the people of the Eastern Wasteland had entered the city.

Before Wang Xuesong could get off the carriage, Ren Yidao flashed inside, and he asked the old man who was resting with his eyes closed in a low voice:

"Prime Minister, what is the meaning of this? Why not go in..."

Slowly opening his eyes, a kind smile appeared on Wang Xuesong's face, and he said:

"I originally intended to wait a while longer before having someone inform you, but I didn't expect to be discovered."

"I'm old, and I don't sleep much; I've been energetic all night, and I couldn't sit still, so I just rushed over."

Smelling a hint of alcohol on Ren Yidao, he advised:

"You are still young, you must not be careless, you must rest more."

Although this old man was a bit long-winded, his intentions were good. Ren Yidao nodded in thanks and turned to ask:

"Many thanks for your warning, my lord. May I ask what business brings you here today?"

"Is it regarding the Two Domains Conflict? Didn't we already reach an agreement last time?"

According to their previous conversation, Ren Yidao was to act as a mercenary and serve as their team leader for one time.

Afterward, regardless of victory or defeat, he could take a reward from the secret treasury of Beigan.

"Your Highness need not worry; what this old man promised before will naturally not change."

Meeting Ren Yidao's probing gaze, Wang Xuesong shook his head:

"I have come today to inform you of two matters, one large and one small. I wonder which you would like to hear first?"

"Uh, let's hear the small matter first."

Wang Xuesong nodded and said:

"For the wager in this Two Domains Conflict, the Chu Family has specifically named Chongzhou City."

Hm?

"... You say, Chongzhou City?"

Narrowing his eyes, Ren Yidao repeated it.

"That is correct, the very Chongzhou City that Your Highness is familiar with."

Ren Yidao: "..."

Having received information from Li Fengyao and Shi Anqi, Ren Yidao, who had some mental preparation, was not too surprised by this result.

The repeated probes by the Eastern Wasteland over these years were certainly not out of boredom; they must have had a scheme.

Ren Yidao suppressed the thoughts in his Heart Star and smiled lightly:

"If the small matter is like this, then what about the big one? My lord, please stop keeping me in suspense and just say it all at once."

"This big matter is... sigh!"

Wang Xuesong's expression was full of helplessness; on the face of this Prime Minister who had dominated the Beigan bureaucracy for a lifetime, Ren Yidao actually saw despair.

To be able to make him feel helpless, just how big of a matter could this be?

Ren Yidao suddenly felt that something was not quite right.

With eyes revealing deep exhaustion, Wang Xuesong said:

"For this Two Domains Conflict, His Majesty has decided to send only one person to fight."

One person?

With an ominous premonition in his Heart Star, Ren Yidao asked in a deep voice:

"Who does he intend to send?"

Could it be...

Wang Xuesong also lowered his voice and said slowly:

"Himself."

Ren Yidao:?

Painfully covering his eyes, Wang Xuesong sighed:

"He said that he is still young and is the most suitable candidate."

This old man, who had worked hard for Beigan his entire life, powerlessly gripped the young man's palm.

"Your Highness, I came to find you today just for this matter."

"Please, go and persuade His Majesty..."

Updating two chapters first. My body still feels terrible, and on top of writer's block, it's very difficult.

I will try my best until 10:30 to see how much I can write.