Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 140

Chapter 21, the game of chess, is finished.

Unable to announce updates in advance, please read the author's note, thank you!

I wrote a sequel to "Xiao Ran Meng" tonight, but my colleague didn't upload it for me, so it looks like I'll have to post it tomorrow. However, since this is a new story, a lighthearted wish-fulfillment novel with no pressure, I'll probably continue writing it. Hope everyone continues to support me!

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Chapter 22 The Ishtar Association

Chapter 22 The Ishtar Association

I couldn't help but shout, "I, Hu Hansan, am back!!"

Ahem... I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting; it almost took a whole month. To express my gratitude, I'm updating with 6,000 words. Thank you all for your continued support. Starting today, I'll resume updating with previews. ^_^

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This was a magnificent palace, with a plaque bearing the four characters "Feng Wu Yuan Tian" hanging in the hall. Even in the bright daylight, hundreds of candles were lit in the hall, making the parchment map in the center of the hall clearly visible.

I sat in the first seat on the left, my eyes slightly closed, listening to the noisy chatter of the crowd, feeling drowsy. Sigh! It's just about whether to fight or make peace with Izumo Island, and they've been discussing it for almost three hours.

I was secretly yawning, covering my face with my sleeve, when I was caught red-handed. A clear and gentle voice rang out at just the right moment: "Does Prime Minister Qin have any suggestions?"

In an instant, all eyes were on me. I quickly lowered my sleeves and calmly dodged the question: "Everyone here is a capable minister and a brave general, and the Empress Dowager is naturally wise. She must have already devised a foolproof plan. I am willing to listen to her teachings."

Mu Shuangshuang stared at me intently for a long time with her deep and complex eyes before looking away and saying indifferently, "I would like to hear your opinion."

Please stop looking at me with such a mournful gaze, okay? I cleared my throat and said in a relaxed yet respectful manner, "What I mean is that Izumo can only form alliances, and must never be enemies."

A murmur of discussion arose in the main hall; some agreed, some doubted, and some looked at me with reproach.

Tong Zhi, also a regent, spoke first: "Lord Qin is not a subject of Feng Yin, which is why he can speak so casually. Feng Yin has disrespected the goddess, insulted my crown prince, and sent assassins to kill my emperor. If we were to form an alliance with them now, what would become of Feng Yin's face? What would become of our national prestige?!"

A chorus of agreement immediately rose in the hall, with some even boldly proclaiming, "General Tong is loyal and courageous, the true pillar of our Fengyin! What do you know about national policies, you mere woman and child?"

These words even insulted Mu Shuangshuang and the young emperor sitting on the throne. I looked at Mu Shuangshuang; she was expressionless, her eyes unfathomable yet gleaming with a sinister light, revealing no emotion whatsoever. Mu Chengying, though silent, didn't look much better. As for the young emperor, whom we had completely ignored from beginning to end...

Turning my head, I was slightly taken aback. The young emperor, Zhuo Ling, was staring at me with his large, dark green eyes, making no attempt to hide his curiosity. I smiled nonchalantly, turned back, and calmly said, "General Tong, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, only with a country can there be faith, only with a country can there be dignity, only with a country can there be a monarch. If you, General, are truly a loyal and patriotic general, you should understand that at this moment, nothing should be placed above the national interest. May I ask you all, between Jin Yao and Chu Yun, which one do you hate more? Which one do you want to take revenge on?"

The hall fell silent. I saw Zhuo Ling staring at me with his bright green eyes, somewhat surprised, probably wondering how I could silence the commotion. I smiled slightly at him, then solemnly continued, "King Yang Yi of Jinyao killed my wife and severed my loyalty. Do you not hate him? General Yang Qian of Jinyao occupied your cities, burning, killing, and looting without restraint. Do you not hate him? Yet, we still have to sign an alliance with them, even sending the Second Prince as a hostage. What is this humiliating compromise for? Isn't it for the prosperity of Fengyin, for the people of Fengyin to recuperate, and for His Majesty to better govern the country?"

Though my words were forceful, my tone remained calm and even, my clear voice almost perfectly still, possessing a captivating quality. I picked up my teacup, took a small sip, and set it down with a soft clink: "My Fengyin is not skilled in land warfare, but excels in naval warfare, and Chuyun, gathering all the most skilled craftsmen, is a crucial support for our naval victories. Chuyun and Fengyin have been interdependent for thousands of years, protecting and supporting each other. How can we allow ourselves to fall apart for some personal gain, giving those with ulterior motives an opportunity to exploit us?"

I looked at Tong Zhi with a smile, whose expression gradually turned serious and thoughtful: "General Tong, don't you think so?"

Tong Zhihua's thick, white eyebrows furrowed deeply. After a long while, he said, "What the Prime Minister said may not be entirely unreasonable. Let me and the ministers discuss it carefully before making a decision."

I barely suppressed the urge to yawn and nodded politely. Discuss it? That would take another three hours?

Look at the young emperor Zhuo Ling, his face is also pale. Making a child sit upright for so long, listening to court politics that he can't understand at all, is really child abuse! I coughed twice, gestured to Mu Shuangshuang with my eyes, and then raised my chin towards the young emperor.

A hint of surprise flashed in Mu Shuang's eyes, but she immediately understood and waved her hand, saying, "Chenxiang, take Ling'er to rest first."

After the young emperor left, I quickly coughed twice as if to appear weak, and stood up respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I have always been in poor health. Today, after so much political discussion, I am truly exhausted. Please allow me to return home and rest."

Mu Shuangshuang stared at me in disbelief, her eyes practically screaming, "How could there be such a shameless prime minister like you?" But in the end, she gritted her teeth and approved my request to rest.

I walked out of the hall with an air of pity and sympathy from the crowd, as if they were looking at a fine young man on his deathbed. The sunlight outside was wonderful! I stretched and breathed in the fresh air.

"Are you really the son of God?" A young male voice came from behind.

I turned around, my eyes showing surprise: "Your Majesty, didn't your wet nurse take you to rest? Why are you still here?"

Zhuo Ling curled his lip: "I dumped her."

I smiled gently, squatted down to his eye level, and asked, "Don't you like this wet nurse?"

Zhuo Ling snorted: "Mother said that she is a spy sent by the Empress Dowager to be by my side."

As he spoke, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes, tinged with murderous intent, quite unlike the kind and gentle Zhuo Qing. To possess such imposing presence at such a young age—this little emperor is no ordinary child! It's a pity that no matter how extraordinary he is, he's still just a child under ten, yet he dares to speak such words to me, the prime minister, who still has an entanglement with Mu Shuangshuang.

I stroked his soft hair, thinking of Feifei who was far away from me, and my tone became gentle: "If Your Majesty runs away like this, everyone will be in a mess trying to find you. As Your Majesty, you shouldn't cause such trouble for your subjects."

Zhuo Ling blinked at me with a puzzled look, her voice filled with confusion: "But no one has ever come looking for me. Once I hid in the artificial hill for a whole day, and no one came looking for me."

My heart skipped a beat. Looking at the child's innocent face and his bewildered yet innocent eyes, I felt a pang of heartache for his loneliness and lack of compassion: "So, what brings Your Majesty to me?"

"I...I..." Zhuo Ling's face flushed slightly. He stole a glance at me, then quickly lowered his head. "I heard from my mother that you are the son of a god. I have always wanted to know what the son of a god is like."

I couldn't help but chuckle softly, gently brushing the hair from his forehead. For a moment, I didn't want to treat him as an emperor, but rather as a naive and innocent child like Fei Fei: "So, are you disappointed with the result?"

Zhuo Ling seemed a little shy, yet also seemed to really want me to touch his head. He nuzzled closer slightly before blushing and saying, "It's...it's okay."

He blinked, and said with a hint of nervousness and shyness, "Prime Minister Qin, may I summon you to the palace in the future?"

I smoothed his hair, which I had ruffled, and smiled, "Sure! If Your Majesty wishes to see me, you can simply send a message to me."

He nodded awkwardly yet excitedly, then let me greet him, and left with a blushing smile.

I let out a long sigh of relief and walked out of the palace alone. When I was outside the palace gate, Yi Han suddenly appeared out of nowhere, lifted the carriage curtain, and let me in.

The carriage moved forward quietly, and I leaned against Yihan's chest, closing my eyes to rest.

"Are you unhappy?" Yi Han's cold voice rang in my ears.

I shook my head: "I'm just feeling a bit emotional. Such a young child... and yet he was used to get close to me."

"Should I investigate his mother and family?"