Chapter 200 The Confusing Debt

It was unexpected to Qi Ning who was also pleasant. Seeing the seal made by the gold seal, he vaguely recognized the words “Take orders from the heaven. Wish for longevity and eternal prosperity”, that was the emperor’s Imperial Seal.

With the Imperial Seal, the paper was a genuine amulet of exoneration, which was more than priceless. He rose to thank the emperor, “Your Majesty’s has shown vast imperial grace, as a subject, I…”

Longtai already interrupted him, “No need.”

Only then did Yang Ning put away the amulet of exoneration with a smile, and Longtai said, “You said this is a good opportunity for me. What do you mean?”

“Your Majesty, if the Marquis of Loyalty takes the title of dukedom, the Duke of Huainan will definitely get cynical, and the Marquis of Loyalty will have more strength to play against the Duke of Huainan.” Qi Ning put away the amulet of exoneration and laughed, “When they’re stuck in the fight, Your Majesty can take the opportunity to promote your own cronies.”

“Oh?”

“Your Majesty, just like this time, I heard from the Empress Dowager that not only the Marquis of Loyalty will be rewarded, but many ministers will also be included this time?” Qi Ning asked, “Your Majesty, do you know which other ministers will be rewarded?”

Longtai sneered and said, “I naturally know it in my heart. It must be those who follow Sima Lan, many of whom are under Sima Lan’s tutelage.”

“It’s doable to reward some of his men in order to provoke the fight between Sima Lan and the old guy Duke of Huainan,” Qi Ning said softly.

“His men?” Longtai said curiously, “What does that mean?”

Qi Ning was stunned, and rushed to explain, “It means followers.”

“His man? A follower?” Longtai laughed, “That’s interesting.”

“Your Majesty, if Sima Lan really wants the rewards and also to promote his men. Your Majesty don’t have to decline, yet you may not agree to all of their demands.” Qi Ning blinked and asked, “Your Majesty, do you understand what I mean?”

Longtai was extremely smart. He immediately got his idea, smiled and said, “You mean, I… I can make a deal with Sima Lan?”

“Sima Lan is now assisting Your Majesty in your administration. If I’m correct, Sima Lan will definitely find all kinds of causes to oppose if Your Majesty promotes the officials,” Qi Ning said in a low voice.

Longtai frowned and said, “I have several young companions in the palace who have served me since I was a child. After I ascended the throne, I was going to promote them to be chief eunuchs, but…!” With a cold snort, he continued, “But the Empress Dowager opposed it with various grounds, and even transferred those people away from me, saying that I must not put eunuchs in key positions, otherwise trouble will be caused.”

Qi Ning nodded and said, “So this time if Sima Lan wants Your Majesty to reward the officials he emphasizes, Your Majesty can also propose a few candidates. Sima Lan will never say no to that.”

Qi Ning saw one thing very clearly, that is, sometimes the political struggle, in fact, was the art of compromise, where both sides gained their required benefits through the compromise in order to be satisfactory to all.

Longtai thought about it for a moment, frowned and said, “I believe he won’t be opposed to me promoting some of my own men too if he wants to reward someone else. It’s just… I don’t know many people. Even if I want to promote someone, who can I use now?”

Qi Ning laughed, “Your Majesty, there is no need to rush. You can say that someone has recommended a few reliable people who are under your review. There is no need to rush to decide who they are.”

Longtai nodded and said, “You are right. But the ministers and officials in the court either belong to the Duke of Huainan or are very close to the Marquis of Loyalty. Certainly I can’t easily trust their people.”

“Your Majesty, there must be officials who stay out of this,” Qi Ning said, “Your Majesty, wise as you are, some clues must be revealed with observation. The first thing Your Majesty may follow to develop your own men is to win over those who stay out of it. The second rule is you’d better promote some of the previously sidelined and suppressed people. These people, once promoted, must be grateful to Your Majesty.”

Longtai laughed, “Qi Ning, I’m really enlightened by this talk.” He looked over Qi Ning before asking, “I now wonder, where did you get these ideas?”

“Your Majesty, I’m dedicated to you,” Qi Ning said, “If Your Majesty think it’s improper, I’ll zip my mouth in the future.”

“Nonsense,” Longtai said, “Did I say it’s improper?” Emotionally, he said, “I actually didn’t expect to talk to you about this when I summoned you to the palace today. Now it seems I was really right to summon you here today.” He pointed to the dishes on the table and said, “Let’s eat first.”

After they finished the dinner, Fan Dehai brought someone in to clean it up. Seeing it was completely dark, Longtai said, “You are an outsider in the palace and not allowed to stay overnight in the palace. I will have someone send you back, and let’s have a talk another day.” After thinking about it, he then said, “You should also help me look for some people who can be used for me.”

“As you ordered.” Qi Ning smiled, “If Your Majesty feels bored, you can always summon me to the palace for a chat.” After a pause, he kindly reminded, “Does Your Majesty have anything else to say to me?”

“No, I will talk to you next time.”

Qi Ning said awkwardly, “Then… Then does Your Majesty still remember… Alas, I’m afraid you don’t remember.”

Longtai was stunned, a smile appearing in his eyes, and said softly, “What do you say I don’t remember?”

“Nothing.” Qi Ning shook his head and said helplessly, “Your Majesty is in charge of many things day by day, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t remember these petty things.”

Longtai lifted his foot and kicked Qi Ning in the ass, saying, “Do you think I don’t know what you mean? Are you still thinking about the 500 taels of gold I owe you?”

Qi Ning smiled awkwardly and said, “That… That was promised by Xiao Guang, not Your Majesty, so…!”

“My name is Xiao Shaoyun. Xiao Guang is my pseudonym, that is also me,” Longtai said, “I will not go back on what I promised. I won’t repudiate the 500 taels of gold I owe you.”

Qi Ning had thought that the 500 hundred taels of gold owed to him would go down the drain since Xiao Guang had become the emperor. Hearing that Longtai actually kept his promise, he was overjoyed.

At this time he learned that the young emperor’s real name was Xiao Shaoyun. Thinking of the heir of the Duke of Huainan was Xiao Shaozong, he presumed they were cousins of the same generation of “Shao”.

Qi Ning thought that Longtai would have someone take the bank note of 500 taels of gold and then send himself out of the palace, but Longtai didn’t immediately cash it in, but only asked, “Are you taking the thing I gave you before?”

Qi Ning was stunned, but soon realized, when Fan Dehai went to the Marquis’s Mansion to declare the decree of making himself inherit the title of Marquis of Honor, His Majesty gave him two additional things with one being a jade sword and the other being a blank piece of paper. He could figure out the emperor’s meaning by the jade sword, but Qi Ning failed in every way to figure out the implication of the paper.

Today, knowing that the emperor turned out to be Xiao Guang, he vaguely understood the meaning.

“I have given you a sword made of white jade. You should already understand what I mean,” Longtai said, “Jade is pure white and flawless, the treasured sword is for suppressing demons and eliminating devils. The Marquis of Honor has been loyal to the court and has exhausted their efforts to pacify the invasion and chaos for Chu since the first Emperor. I hope that you follow the practice of the previous two generations of the Marquis of Honor to not only pay single-minded allegiance to the court but also become a sword of the court.”

Qi Ning thought to himself that he had already got the implication.

“Of course you saw the blank paper I gave you.” Longtai smirked and said, “I was to tell you that I keep my word. Since I promised you 500 taels of gold, I would do what I say. The blank paper was Xiao Guang’s note of indebtedness, but I am the Son of Heaven who possesses everything. Since the world is mine, I certainly don’t owe anyone anything, and don’t need to give anyone a note of indebtedness.” He winked and laughed, “Do you understand what I mean?”

Qi Ning had understood that Xiao Guang was the emperor, and Xiao Guang owed him 500 taels of gold was the same as the emperor owing himself a debt. Just now the emperor also admitted this. But with the emperor’s explanation, he was totally befuddled. Failing to come around, he cautiously asked for advice, “Your Majesty, forgive my stupidness. Please tell me who in the end should I ask the 500 taels of gold for? Should I ask it… from Your Majesty, or from Xiao Guang?”

“Of course, it’s Xiao Guang,” Longtai said, “I am Xiao Guang, man of my words. So there is no way Xiao Guang would go against his words. It is only natural and logical that you come to Xiao Guang for the debt. But you have to remember, I am Your Majesty. I don’t owe anyone a debt.”

Qi Ning cursed in his heart, “With all the nonsense you’d said, who should I demand the debt from? Xiao Guang owed me 500 taels of gold, and you are Xiao Guang, but you said the emperor didn’t owe anyone anything. How can I argue with you for this?”

His only feeling was that the debt had gone down in drain.

Longtai sent Fan Dehai to personally see off Qi Ning. Fan Dehai sounded cordial on the way, “Marquis, it seems that Your Majesty got along with you from the start. Your Majesty is also very appreciative of you. I guess I will need your care in the future, Marquis.”

Qi Ning laughed, “That’s very humble of you. I am a junior. I have to count on you to instruct me on many things. If you’re free, come to my mansion. We can have tea together.”

Fan Dehai put on more smiles, thinking this Marquis of Honor, though young, was a good man indeed and was quite easygoing.

Qi Ning was still thinking about the two gifts the young emperor gave that day. He must have known he was the fake Marquis of Honor at that time. Otherwise he wouldn’t have sent a blank piece of paper without any words written as a debt note.

On the day of Qi Jing’s funeral, Xiang Tianbei followed Fan Dehai there, probably on the order of Longtai to check out the situation. Xiang Tianbei happened to see him that day. Xiang Tianbei was perceptive of the slightest and must have identified him as a suspicious Heir of Marquis of Honor and might even tell it to Longtai.

Longtai and Xiang Tianbei couldn’t fully make sure, so that Xiang Tianbei was likely to secretly follow him to further confirm his authenticity that day in the flower market. Only when Longtai was completely assured did he summon him to the palace.