Chapter 72 Boring Banquet
A war of mutual exclusion and internal oppression, a war that could have been easily won. . . . . . Or perhaps for them, superficial articles can make them live happily without having to consider those complicated internal factors and live a life of intrigue. And how should I face it after arriving at the center of this vortex...
Before I knew it, I was taken to the military camp with the army. But when I tried to find someone to ask about the situation, I was shocked to find that I was the only one with the highest position in the entire military camp, the division commander, and the remaining people were either ordinary soldiers or deputy personnel from various departments. And they were all busy arranging various affairs for the soldiers, including asking for leave.
"Sir, our soldiers have been arranged. Since this is the first time for the first and second battalions to come to the imperial capital, I have not arranged for them to leave the barracks for the time being. After the atmosphere during this period has passed, I will arrange to disband the entire army, and then let those out-of-town soldiers integrate into the ranks of the imperial capital soldiers, and then make further considerations." Just when I was at a loss, Matthew had already arranged everything and came to report to me.
"Matthew, where are all the other division commanders? Why am I the only one left?" I couldn't care less about the embarrassment, so I asked him. Although Matthew was only recently promoted, he was just an ordinary leader before.
"My lord, don't you know? Everyone has gone home. The other division commanders have residences in the imperial capital, and they have all gone back. Even the soldiers whose homes are in the imperial capital have asked for leave to go back. Most of those who stayed behind are from near the imperial capital. If they go back now, they will not be able to come back in time to attend the celebration banquet. In fact, people like you can go around the city now and buy some things you need, so as to avoid using the goods provided by the army in the future."
Damn it, that's what happened! I feel like I've been abandoned. But I don't know the specific situation of the imperial capital now. If I run into the street rashly, it will be difficult to deal with if something happens. After all, this is the imperial capital. Don't say that I haven't officially been promoted to a noble. Even if I become a noble, I'm still a rubbish. I guess any rickshaw driver here could be a duke or a noble, just like Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty. I won't go there to get myself into trouble.
"Um... Sir, besides reporting to you, I also have a little request... That is... I want to take half a day off to go back and see my family..." Maybe it was because of my expression, Matthew was a little embarrassed to ask for leave. His direct superior was annoyed that he had no acquaintances, but he still asked for leave at this time, which was indeed a bit embarrassing.
"Why hesitate? Go ahead! But you have to be back before the celebration party, in case you can't find anyone when something happens." They were all raised by their parents, and they are his direct subordinates, so he has to give them this favor. Since he has to give it, then... "Matthew, who are the elders and brothers in your family?"
"Sir, besides my parents, I also have a younger brother who studies at the Magic and Martial Arts Academy. He is a junior swordsman, but I am very happy that he can achieve such results at the age of 16." Matthew's face was full of pride when talking about his younger brother.
"Wait a minute..." As I said that, I immediately ran back to the barracks and got a sword that I had seized in the battle against the Berserkers outside Huangshi City.
This sword is much longer and wider than an ordinary longsword, but it is sharper than the swords made by the dwarf I saw in Custer City. In addition, the steel quality and forging are also better, so in my spare time, I asked my soldiers to run to the dwarf and ask him to add two blood grooves to the front end of the sword's blade.
"Sir, this is..." Matthew was surprised as he held the sword I stuffed into his hand. You know, many division commanders were fighting for this sword, but it ended up being won by a division commander who didn't know any martial arts. Everyone was feeling sorry that this good sword was about to be covered in dust, but unexpectedly it suddenly came into his hands. It felt like a dream.
"It's not for you, it's for your younger brother. I hope he can come here to help me after he graduates. This can be considered as my pre-selected investment in him!" Whether it's a joke or I'm trying to win him over, that's what it is.
"Sir, it is his luck that you think highly of him, but this is really too precious, and he is still young. I don't want him to waste his martial arts progress just because he has a good weapon..."
"Are you looking down on me? A good sword can only be useful in the hands of the right person, but in my hands, it can only rust and be covered with dust. If you are worried about your brother's martial arts progress, then you can wait until the right time to give it to him. Anyway, I don't want to take back what I have given away. Go, go..." Seeing your grateful look, I just need you to shift your heart to me a little, hehe!
For the celebratory dinner, low-ranking officers and soldiers were arranged to stay in the military camp, while all officers at the rank of division commander and above would receive a royal banquet in the palace, and also receive congratulations from ministers and rewards from the emperor.
"Lord Mo Rui, I don't think this is a congratulation or reward. Those ministers don't take us seriously at all. Even the senior officials of our faction don't take us seriously. Look again, a few badges and two hundred gold coins, is this the reward given to us by the noble Emperor?" Restraining the dissatisfaction in my heart, I showed the badges to Mo Rui who was huddled in a corner of the royal banquet hall.
"Fool, don't you know that almost all the national property has gone into the pockets of the finance minister's family? Not to mention this unexpected expense, even the money to maintain the army and the royal family has been carefully calculated by that damned fat pig down to the point of every copper coin. What we have now is all subsidized by His Majesty the Emperor with the royal family's money... Stop talking, someone is coming."
"Are you Shen Hanlong? If so, follow me. His Majesty the Emperor wants to summon you!" The man came over in the attire of a eunuch, and he raised his head and asked loudly. He didn't care whether the people in front of him were two nobles or generals leading troops. He was like facing his own grandson. Damn, I wonder if he has no sex down there like the eunuchs...
I didn't answer him, and I didn't want to talk to such a guy. I followed him directly to the inner lounge of the banquet hall. On the way, I took out 10 gold coins and stuffed them into the eunuch's hand, and the guy showed a look of disdain on his face. Damn, it's really a vampire. I had no choice but to take out another 40 gold coins and stuff them into his hand again.
"Boy, you have a bright future! Since you are so honest, I'm giving you a heads up. I heard that you are very smart and have made many contributions. But don't act too smart in there, because there are people watching you on both sides..."
When we were walking through a place with fewer guests, the eunuch said something confusing. But I looked back and understood what was going on. The eunuch was probably reminding me to stay low and low. The things I did in the east before were probably heard by several major forces in the capital, and now they are all paying attention to me. Damn, I just came back and I got caught in this vortex. It seems that there will be a lot of trouble in the future.
Before entering the room, I stuffed a handful of gold coins into the eunuch's hand, which made him smile. He even smiled when knocking on the door, and repeatedly said that if I had any problems in the future, I could come to the side door in the backyard of the palace to find him. Although I knew that the money was worth spending, it was still hard for me to think about it. Half of the reward went into that guy's pocket, which was equivalent to my three-month salary!
After walking in, he saluted the emperor as instructed by the eunuch, and then was introduced to several high-ranking officials, who all looked like people from Thacker's family. In addition to the emperor, there were also the Minister of State Affairs and the commander of the Royal Ares Corps who was in charge of the inner city's defense. In addition, there were Thacker and Pavel standing on the side.
Since I didn't know the rules of the game, I didn't dare to look away or speak carelessly, so I could only stand there in a daze. Fortunately, the emperor spoke soon after.
"I heard from Sack that you played a great role in the battle with the Senke Federation and created an army that is good at attacking cities and defending military camps and cities. So I want to ask you what your plans are for the future, or if you have any requests?"
"In reply to your Majesty, it is my greatest honor to be promoted by Lord Thacker and to contribute to the stability of the empire. In the future, I only hope to do my best to do what I should do in this position. I haven't thought about the rest. As for the requirements your Majesty mentioned, they are not something I can afford." Damn it, I won't tell you even if I have any plans. Requirements? I can't give you what you don't want to give, and I guess you won't give me a penny less for what you want to give. I have no right to bargain with you. . . . . .
"This is not what an ambitious Imperial officer should say. It's too negative. But considering that you have just joined the Imperial Army, I don't blame you. Don't do this in the future. Also, I heard that you hope to study magic at the Imperial Magic and Martial Arts Academy? I wonder if this emperor can do anything for you?"
"I am ignorant, but I will work hard in the future and will never bring shame to the imperial army again. Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty. In addition, I hope to be admitted to the Magic and Martial Arts Academy with my own ability, so I can only appreciate your kindness." Damn it, if you send me to the Magic and Martial Arts Academy, then I will be the one who gets caught out, right? I will definitely be played to death by others.
"It seems that you have a very strong personality, so I won't force you. How about this, I will give you a magic wand, and I hope you can use it as soon as possible." As he said that, a eunuch came over with a long wooden box, took out the magic wand and handed it to the emperor.
"This magic staff was made by the Imperial Royal Alchemist. Its magic power comes from the fire magic crystal produced in the Senke Federation. It can store 5 large fireballs or a giant flame explosion magic..."
After introducing the magic wand which was merely inlaid with a medium-sized magic crystal, the emperor said a lot of meaningless words of encouragement to me, and then asked me to take the box out.
When the boring banquet was over, I hoped to return to the barracks as soon as possible. Even if it meant facing the beautiful elf who I dared not attack, I did not want to stay at this banquet where I was looked down upon. But hope is just hope. Before I could get on the horse, Sack's guards dragged me out of the palace again. . . . .