Feng Yu Jiu Tian - Volume 15 - Chapter 8.7
How could Feng Ming, who ran around all day from place to place, have found the time to concern himself over some royal document?
However, Su Jin Chao kindly took his time to explain the details. “Rong Tian, as Xi Lei’s king, had the respect and support of the entire kingdom, but was unexpectedly injured and went missing during battle. My king, because of his blood relations with the royal family, was of course the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne. At that time, his ascension of the throne was a sensible decision. He should not be criticized for it.”
The words he said were not bad, except he neglected to mention the fact that Rong Tian’s injury and disappearance in Yong Yin was a result of Rong Tong’s betrayal.
However, Xi Lei’s influence was large and the one sitting on the throne at the moment was Rong Tong. Even though the hearts of the dignitaries felt conflicted, they all continued acting as bystanders during the debate between Duke Ming and Xi Lei’s assistant ambassador.
In his previous life, Feng Ming had watched a lot of debate scenes that occurred during banquets on television consisting of outstanding tongue-twister like dialogue. However this was his first time being directly involved in such an amusing event. He could not hold back from grinning as he nodded his head in reply. “I am really sorry that you thought Rong Tian had died, when in fact he was very much alive. Since your king acknowledged the fact that he inherited the throne from Rong Tian, then… cough… cough… if Rong Tian were to appear, your king should return the throne back to its former owner, right?”
His words sounded relaxed and amused, but at the same time extremely direct.
A sound of light laughter came from behind. Although not loud, it was pleasant to hear and attracted the attention of others.
Who would be daring enough to show disrespect towards the representative from Xi Lei? Were they not afraid of suffering some consequences following the banquet?
Feng Ming looked at the person with surprise. It was actually the man he had previously noticed in the beginning of the banquet, the young and handsome man named Wu Qian.
“We originally wanted to return the throne. Our king is an honourable man who has never engaged in immorality. Each and every one of his actions are in consideration of Xi Lei. How could he ever consider coveting the throne for himself?” Su Jin Chao spoke his words confidently.
All those present could not help but stare at him dumbfounded.
Feng Ming looked at him with wide eyes. He almost suspected that this assistant was actually a hidden follower of Rong Tian. If not, why would he speak in the interest of Rong Tian?
Su Jin Chao was very satisfied with the reactions to his words. He stood up in his seat and looked at Feng Ming conceitedly as he continued. “But, at the time when our king wanted to celebrate the news of Rong Tian’s survival and was ready to return the throne, we discovered that his predecessor, Rong Tian, was completely unqualified to rule Xi Lei once again.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Rong Tian is not qualified to rule Xi Lei.” Su Jin Chao’s voice rang throughout the spacious hall, clearly resounding in the audience’s ears. “He, as Xi Lei’s king, betrayed the royal family, as well as generations of Xi Lei’s noble families. For him to create a plan for equality such as the Grace Order would eliminate the great foundation built by nobility that has survived all these years. This kind of king who has betrayed his homeland, how could he be qualified to once again sit on the throne?”
His condescending gaze stopped at Feng Ming as he coldly said, “Xiao Family’s young Lord is not wrong. Rong Tian was once Xi Lei’s king, but he is a king who has betrayed Xi Lei. Therefore, all his former edicts have already been nullified by my king, including the ridiculous edict that conferred you the title of Duke Ming which allowed you to have an almost equal amount of power as Xi Lei’s king.”
The hundreds of people within the hall fell silent as if their breaths had been stolen away.
Feng Ming finally understood what that so called royal document entailed.
So it appears that Tong er was not a complete idiot. At least he knew how to maintain his false position as king. He had an explanation for the citizens as to why, despite Rong Tian having not kicked the bucket yet, he was not afraid the former king would return for the throne, and why he did not obediently yield but rather sent people to deal with him.
Any struggle for a position of higher power will of course never be backed by benevolent and genuine reasons.
However, the thoughts of the people have to be controlled. And the way the other kingdoms view them is an important thing to consider.
Tong er had grabbed hold of the most perfect reason for why Rong Tian was unworthy to rule.
As for the evidence, he had nailed the iron plate directly on the Grace Order.
Creating the Grace Order was similar to betraying Xi Lei. Betraying Xi Lei was the same as denying Rong Tian’s qualification to rule, and the denial was the same as officially recognizing Rong Tong as Xi Lei’s next king.
Feng Ming slowly drank his cup of wine. His mind was silently calculating how to retaliate twice as hard.
“Young Lord, this little assistant has said quite enough. Now. I invite you to respond. You, as a trivial businessman’s son, cannot even be considered an aristocrat and yet you unexpectedly dare to boast without shame, acting as Xi Lei’s representative to sign a treaty with another kingdom. Are you harbouring ill intentions by ignoring Xi Lei’s dignified position?” Su Jin Chao malevolently laughed and continued, “This is an insult to our Xi Lei’s sovereign and can be seen as an adequate reason to attack. I, as one of the representatives from Xi Lei, request the Tong Kingdom, as our ally, to arrest and execute this person.”
Qing Li’s eyes suddenly brightened.
This is great!
With this, his assassination plan can be called off and he could straightforwardly incite the kingdom to imprison this bastard Duke Ming, killing him off afterwards. With the strong pressure of the alliance with Xi Lei, if this brat fails to make these matters clear, even the Royal Uncle cannot use his authority to stop Xi Lei at the risk of bringing their alliance into peril.
Su Jin Chao, this young greenhorn, was much better than the silent ambassador.
“Haha,” seeing the situation deteriorate into a dangerous state, He Di laughed lightly before he interrupted, “Assistant ambassador of Xi Lei… this prince has absolutely no interest in meddling with the affairs of your kingdom, but there is one thing I want to make clear. Duke Ming… no, I mean Xiao Family’s young Lord, signed the treaty with me using his own name, Feng Ming, and used his own thumbprint as the seal. There is definitely no Duke Ming involved in this matter. Kong Liu, on the treaty there is a clause, what does it say in regards to restrictions?”
Kong Liu, who was seated behind him, answered in a volume that could be heard throughout the hall, “The treaty details the parties and in what areas the treaty is valid. This consists of the Prince’s area of influence, and as for the other party, Feng Ming and Rong Tian, consists of the areas they hold domination and power over. So, simply put, if Rong Tian does not have Xi Lei under his influence, then naturally, Xi Lei cannot be considered as a part of the treaty.”
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