When the news of the victory in the southeastern battlefield reached the Divine Capital, this number one city in the world immediately broke out in a great commotion. The commoners spontaneously celebrated on the streets, venting their pent-up emotions.
The commoners were very happy. Although this war had more or less led to inflation in the country, affecting their income and consumption, the Great Qi Kingdom was too big after all. The few regions in the southeastern region were on the verge of economic collapse due to the prolonged war and the draining of blood. However, the faraway Divine Capital was still bustling with festivities, songs, and dances. The commoners had more topics to talk about after meals and the country's pride.
"Look at the two remaining big countries. Both of them have been defeated by the Great Qi Kingdom. The sense of glory and pride brought by the citizens of these big countries has completely exploded."
The merchants were also very happy. They announced that they would be open for business through the night and lowered the prices of their goods. They took the opportunity to unload their overstocked goods, causing the commoners to line up and fight over them. Long queues could be seen everywhere on the streets, as well as dancers invited by the merchants to liven things up. Even though it was late at night, the streets were still brightly lit. None of the people lining up left, and all of them were in high spirits.
The literary and art workers of the Great Qi Kingdom were also very happy. The famous courtesans immediately worked through the night to create opera tunes about the southeastern battle, freeloading off the popularity. The literati raised their cups and sang loudly, praising and describing the war.
What?
No one knew what the situation on the battlefield was like?
This was not important. What was important was that this was true. What were literati best at?
Naturally, it was bragging … Cough, cough, naturally, it was imagination and recreating!
The officials were the happiest. All of them celebrated and exclaimed that this prolonged war was finally coming to an end. The Great Qi Kingdom had finally fought all the battles that could be fought. From today onward, everyone could finally live peacefully!
The several million people in the Divine Capital were in a frenzy. The revelry in the day was not over yet. No one knew who had taken the lead, but they spontaneously held up torches and paraded on the streets of the Divine Capital. They did not sleep for the entire night, and the entire city was in a state of extreme revelry. In just two days, the consumption of food, wine, fruits, candles, and other items in the city had increased by ten times.
If one were to look down from the night sky, the flames that could be seen everywhere in the city seemed to be on fire. The people on parade were like fire dragons, twisting and turning, magnificent and majestic.
Everyone was immersed in this magnificent scene. Everyone was immersed in the glory of victory. Everyone knew that Da Qi's golden age had reached its peak at this moment.
Everyone seemed to be very happy, except for one person who was very angry, strangely angry.
This man was none other than the emperor of Daqi, Zhao Bairen!
The reason was very simple. The commoners only knew the briefest battle report, but he received three detailed battle reports at the same time.
One of them was from General Long Tenghai. He explained in detail what had happened during the war and explained in detail how the war ended with a pyrrhic victory.
The other one came from a secret informant Zhao Bairen had planted in the army. It was one of Long Tenghai's deputy generals. He had survived the battle and was still in a state of shock. He described the military movements and battle arrangements of the Southern Sun Plains. The parts he described were almost identical to Long Tenghai's.
The reason was very simple. When he had been by Long Tenghai's side, his identity had already been seen through by Gao Shenghan. Over the years, he had been bought over by Gao Shenghan and had become one of Long Tenghai's men.
The last one came from Princess Zhao Feiyue. She gave a very brief account of the war and described the final battle of Gray Helm Deep from the most objective point of view.
The contents of the three battle reports were roughly the same, but this was what Zhao Bairen could not tolerate the most.
This was because Long Tenghai had revealed in his memorial that he wanted to continue guarding the southeast. This was because the Puppet Country and Dijon Country had been defeated but were not dead. They were injured but not crippled. They could make a comeback at any time.
This immediately touched the emperor's bottom line, triggering Zhao Bairen's towering fury!
"Speak!
Speak for yourself! "
Zhao Bairen angrily threw the thick list of merit requests to the court. The memorial rolled a few times and landed in front of Zhao Hanqing. The calm crown prince only glanced at the long and dense list of names on the memorial, and his heart was already beating fast.
This was money, this was an endless amount of money!
In order to win this war, the Great Qi Dynasty had almost emptied their pockets. Now, in order to obtain merit, they would have to scrape three feet off the ground!
It could even be said that if this war had not happened, Zhao Hanqing would not have to be so anxious to deal with the Cosmos God Cult. He could have taken his time.
However, because this war had truly overdrawn the Great Qi Dynasty's national strength, coupled with the cultivation sects' blood-sucking, the Great Qi Dynasty appeared to be beautiful on the surface, but in reality, it was weak on the inside.
Zhao Hanqing silently picked up the memorial, carefully folded it, and quietly listened to Zhao Bairen's angry roar of powerlessness.
"Whatever he wants, I will give him!
If he wants money, I will empty the national treasury for him to fight!
If he wants grain, I will transfer the entire country's grain to him!
If he wants people, I will disregard my face and transfer cultivators from various sects to the battlefield!
If he wants power, I will simply give it to him and let him control the six prefectures in the southeast! "
"But, how did he repay me?!
How can this be called a great victory?
Bastard!
Nearly seventy percent of the army is lost!
The Great Qi Dynasty's wealth is going to be destroyed by him!
How dare he ask for credit!
How dare he support the enemy! "
"Damn it!
Damn it!
What a wolf's ambition, I will cut him into a thousand pieces!
Cough, cough, cough … "
Zhao Bairen's face turned purple. Suddenly, he started coughing violently. After a few coughs, he was out of breath and spat out a mouthful of blood. The eunuchs and palace maids around him were startled and cried out in alarm.
Zhao Hanqing got up in a panic and rushed to Zhao Bairen's side to support him. He then shouted, "Imperial physician, hurry! Summon the imperial physician!"
At this time, Zhao Hanqing grabbed his hand and gasped for breath. He said in a hoarse voice, "Hurry, hurry and summon the altar … Altar, where is the altar?"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a feminine voice rang out from not far away. Big Teapot appeared out of nowhere and came to Zhao Hanqing's side. He took out a sandalwood box from his bosom and took out a red pill from it. Then, he brought it to Zhao Bairen's mouth.
Zhao Han Qing grabbed the teapot's hand and snapped, "What kind of medicine is this!!"
Big Teapot tilted his head slightly and looked at the Crown Prince without fear. He smiled. Zhao Bairen, on the other hand, was furious. He grabbed Big Teapot's hand and tried his best to bring the pill to his mouth. "Quick! Quick! Save me! Save me! Save me!" he screamed.
Seeing this, Zhao Hanqing could not help but let go of Zhao Bairen's hand. He stared blankly as Zhao Bairen swallowed the pill. Then, his face quickly turned rosy, and his breathing became much smoother.
Big Teapot stood up with Big Teapot's help. He looked at Big Teapot gratefully and said, "Thank you, my dear subject …"
Big Teapot bowed his head and said respectfully, "It is my honor to be able to serve Your Majesty."
Zhao Hanqing stared at Big Teapot, his eyes filled with anger and hostility. But it was gone in a flash. He said to Zhao Bairen respectfully, "Father, you must take care of your body!
Every medicine has its poison. It is better to eat less of this pill! "
Although Zhao Bairen had recovered, the spirit in his eyes was clearly not as strong as before. His eyes were cloudy. He weakly waved his hand, signaling the Crown Prince to leave. He then walked towards the inner courtyard with the help of the large teapot. As he walked, he muttered to himself, "You are all a bunch of ingrates. I … I will cut you all into pieces!"
Zhao Hanqing watched the Emperor leave before he left the palace. When he came to the Gate of Divine Might, he sat on his tall horse and saw the procession of Fire Dragons holding torches in the distant market.