Chapter Twenty-Fifth: Capture the Enemy Leader

don't know why, but I'm very nervous…" Jiang Wang murmured, tightening his grip on his sword hilt, and said in a low voice: "According to Song Hengjiang, this state of Song Wanxi seems to have been ca...Jiao Wu's face darkened: "Martial Marquis, what do you mean by this"

He didn't explode in anger on the spot, which shows he has good manners.

On his 300th birthday, in front of a room full of guests, he had his subordinates bring a man in to be executed. This was not just rude, it was a blatant act of public humiliation and provocation.

"Master Jiao, please do not be angry." Xue Mingyi still stood there, unhurried: "Perhaps you should first see, this gift of mine, is it suitable or not"

No one dared to stop them along the way. The four knights marched towards the main table, their footsteps ringing out as they carried that so-called "gift."

Jiang Wang didn't expect that the birthday banquet he attended to get closer to Qingyun Pavilion would turn into such a grand spectacle. The turmoil and uncertainty of the entire Yongguo undergoing a major transformation seemed to be reflected in this banquet.

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Like all the onlookers, he cast a curious glance. He saw only the man bound hand and foot, a middle-aged scholar with a touch of frost in his hair, bloodstains on his body, clearly having been tortured. As for more specific information, he couldn't analyze it.

Jiao Wu glanced at the man, his gaze unwavering as he looked back at Xue Mingyi: "This person is unknown to me. If he has committed a crime, he should be handed over to the authorities. If he has been disrespectful to you, you are free to kill him on the spot. However, I am curious about his intentions for bringing him to my birthday banquet."

Whoever is powerful, gains stability through power. Once a powerful person loses their temper, the accumulated might from years of dominance crashes down like an avalanche or tsunami, leaving onlookers feeling heavy-hearted and struggling to breathe.

But Xue Mingyi remained calm and composed.

“Lao Jiao, please listen to my explanation.”

He smiled and spoke eloquently: "Master Jiao is a pillar of the state, highly respected and enjoying great honor. Even the late Taishang Huang and the current Emperor trust you immensely. Your magnificence outshines even the most precious jewels; your wealth surpasses any gold or silver. Xue [his name] has pondered long and hard, but cannot decide on a suitable gift."

"Coincidentally, one of my general's captured this man in Shun'an Prefecture."

He walked leisurely away from his seat and came before the decadent middle-aged scholar. He casually grabbed the man's hair, forcing him to look up, so that Jiao Wu could clearly see his face.

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“This person is a spy from Jiao country who infiltrated my Yong country with ulterior motives! What kind of gift could truly make Lao Jiao happy There's only one thing: lasting peace and prosperity in our Yong country, foreign tribes submitting to us, and the subjugation of all other nations. Only then will the schemes and plots of those hostile countries vanish without a trace!”

Xue Mingyi looked at Jiao Wu: "Jiao Lao, is that not so"

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Everyone was silent.

A spy is nothing out of the ordinary. But this spy's identity is too sensitive!

It is common knowledge that Jiao Wu's father was a general who surrendered from the state of Jiao.

Jiao Wu's father, during the reign of Emperor Yongming, was captured by Han Zhou when the two armies were clashing. Afterward, he surrendered to Yong Kingdom. At that time, people suspected him, but Han Zhou believed in him and entrusted him with important responsibilities. And indeed, he was loyal throughout his life and never had any other intentions. By Jiao Wu's generation, he was even enfeoffed as a marquis, reaching the highest level of Yong Kingdom. For generations, the Jiao family fought for Yong Kingdom and should no longer be questioned about their loyalty.

However, the name "Jia Guo" appeared to be too sensitive at this time and place.

The battle between Zhuang Yong was breathtaking. Yongguo once faced the danger of annihilation. Besides the main battlefield between Zhuangyong, Luoguo also brazenly sent troops to join forces with the Qingjiang Shui tribe to attack Lanhe River. Jingguo's Chimawei marched south and besieged the Jing'an Mansion.

It can be said that wolves are all around, eager to divide and devour it.

Although only the kingdoms of Jing and Luo actually sent troops, there were more than just these two who were eager to act.

The territory of Yongguo today was also won bit by bit through battles. It was during the reign of Emperor Han Zhou of Yongming that the current map was established.

Neighboring countries were not originally what they are today. Maps of the nations have changed many times over. How many have been destroyed and conquered!

Jiao Guo is a nation that was directly crippled in war. Now it has little fertile land and even fewer people, with its government barely holding on. It hasn't recovered since the war, including Jiao Wu’s father, who surrendered back then.

Jiang Wang was unaware of the truth behind these matters. His understanding of Yong Guo wasn't that deep yet. He didn't know why everyone fell silent at the mention of treacherous spies from Jiao Guo.

But this didn't prevent him from thinking that Jiao Wu might have some connection to the country of Jiao.

He silently stood behind Feng Ming, trying his best not to attract anyone's attention.

For the people of Yong Nation present, the recent national war was a wound that would be impossible to forget in the short term.

While Xue Mingyi sent the Jiaguo spies to Wei Ninghou's mansion, he emphasized that they were captured in Shun'an Prefecture. This was almost a blatant statement, implying that during that war, Jiaguo was also restless and had even begun contacting Jiao Wu!

Throughout the nation, how many cases similar to Wei Ning's Hou Jiao Wu are there Known, unknown, or veiled... a huge shadow has actually already passed.

If Han Xu hadn't intervened to turn the tide, introduced the ink school, and quickly stopped the war, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Many guests' eyes looked at Jiao Wu, now with a touch of disapproval.

Jiao Wu raised his palm, the applause crisp and clear, resounding.

"Lord Xue's words are profound and wise, they truly resonate with me!"

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He spoke, clapping his hands and rising to his feet.

He wasn't tall, rather on the slight side. But at this moment, he stood up, like a mountain rising.

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Majestic, vast, and unshakable.

He left his seat and walked towards Xue Mingyi. Though he was clearly shorter than Xue Mingyi, he moved like a roused beast, approaching its prey.

Of course, Marquis Wu-gong Xue Mingyi was not food. So he raised an eyebrow, his whole demeanor rising with him, valiant and sharp, matching Jiao Wu's strength blow for blow.

All the guests in the courtyard became uneasy, wondering what to do if the situation escalated.

On the other hand, Mo Jingyu remained seated calmly, silently observing everything unfolding before him without any movement.

>

In the subtle standoff between Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu, he could simply maintain a neutral stance. However, with the two Dukes facing each other, the atmosphere tense and on edge, if he did anything further, it would cross Han Xu's bottom line.

At that time, Yongting wouldn't be able to accommodate him, and even the high-ranking officials of Mo Men who supported Han Xu wouldn't want him around.

Will they fight

Feng Ming's breaths grew heavier, clearly hoping that Jiao Wu, who had humiliated him, would receive some sort of punishment. Though Jiao Wu might not even know who he was, he hadn't cared for him as a junior at all.

On the other hand, Feng Yue remained composed, even taking a sip of wine.

Jiang Wang understood, Feng Yue and his own judgment were consistent. Regardless of what considerations were involved, Xue Mingyi and Jiao Wu would not fight each other on the spot.

But he clutched his glass tightly, still appearing very nervous. A good subordinate should be smart, but not too smart.

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Jiao Wu finally walked to Xue Mingyi's presence and stood opposite him.

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All eyes and emotions were drawn to them.

At this moment of much anticipation, Jiao Wu said to Xue Mingyi, "Let me interrogate him a few times, how about it"

Without waiting for Xue Mingyi's reply, he continued, "Please tell Your Majesty. If Shi Heng dares to harbor ambitions of treason, even though this old marquis is advanced in years, I am willing to lead the troops and march forth, bringing his head before you!"

Shi Heng is precisely the contemporary equivalent of a sage!

> me, it's already useless...The venerable Chongguang was thinking to himself, quite inexplicably.And then, bowing his head, he cupped his hands before his forehead: "Greetings to the master of this ho...