Chapter 2722: The Nation Has Its Orphans

Regarding Xi Mengfu, there is one secret matter, almost never publicly discussed. But at this moment inside Bao Hua Palace, all are the highest level in Xia Country, naturally, everyone knows... The year Xi Mengfu was born, he had six toes on his feet, and his biological parents considered him a deformed monster and threw him directly into the river. He was just rescued by a boatman. That boatman was a widower, living alone on the boat his whole life, and didn't care about gossip, so he adopted him. It's a pity the good times didn't last. When he grew to seven years old, one day guests on the boat saw his six toes, thought he was of a monster bloodline, and wanted to tie him up to feed fierce beasts. The boatman tried to stop them, but was actually beaten to death. He took advantage of the chaos to jump into the river and escape, then ran to report to the officials. The people who beat the boatman to death said they were doing so to exterminate demons and protect against demon clan people, and that the boatman's death was not worth pity. At that time, the child was still called Xi San'er. He stripped himself naked in the hall and asked the adults present, where was he a demon? That official was a reasonable person and sentenced the murderers to public execution. But how to handle Xi San'er was a problem. The boatman was gone. He was found with great difficulty by his birth father, but the latter firmly denied giving birth to such a thing. The official had no choice but to raise the child himself, counting him as a household servant. But these days didn't last long either. By the time Xi San'er was nine years old... the county yamen caught fire, and that official's entire family was burned to death. Only Xi San'er was outside buying things at that time, escaping the calamity. Some people said he was a heavenly disaster star, that everyone close to him would not have a good end. Some people said he set fire to that official's family, that he held hatred in his heart, didn't want to be a household servant, and wanted to be that official's son... Some people caught him and questioned him about the crime, but no evidence of guilt was found, so they had to release him. Just like this, he was once again homeless. And this time, no one dared to adopt him. This matter, for some unknown reason, was learned by Emperor Xia Xiang at that time, who personally issued an order to send this child to the national academy. He said, "A country has its orphans, and the country raises them." Xi San'er read books and gave himself the name Xi Mengfu. He thought he had a home, that he was the eldest son of that home, so he was called "Meng" (first). But he was also homeless; that widower lived on the boat his whole life, so he also took the character "Fu" (boat). He hoped to have his own home. Later, one time, Emperor Xia Xiang visited the national academy and was temporarily moved to test the students' knowledge. The teaching staff selected six students in total and sent them before the emperor, among whom was not the best-performing Xi Mengfu. The reasons for this were clear to Xi Mengfu himself. The national academy was a gathering place for scholars, but not all scholars could understand reason. "Strangeness" itself was a kind of crime. He was already used to it. But Emperor Xia Xiang said that the selection by the teaching staff didn't count; he didn't want to see woven brocade clusters, but wanted to see wild grasses with thorns that grew by themselves. He ordered people to bring the roster, cover the eyes of the accompanying imperial prince, and let the little imperial prince randomly circle and select. The little imperial prince held the pen and ink, thus selecting seven students. After Emperor Xia Xiang personally tested them, he was very happy because one student performed exceptionally well. He patted that student's shoulder and said, "You are a good talent of my Xia Country." That student knelt down and asked the emperor, "Do you know I have six toes on my feet?" Emperor Xia Xiang was slightly stunned and said, "I know. So, do you have any special abilities you want to show me?" That student was naturally Xi Mengfu. Old matters are not to be mentioned. But Liu Xiyi actually uttered the words "six-toed thief" today, which is undoubtedly the greatest humiliation to Xi Mengfu. It is a huge denigration of his person's morality and even personality! Therefore, some civil and military ministers who originally wanted to echo Liu Xiyi fell silent for a time. They dared not speak again. On the second-level Dan Bi, on the right-hand side throne, Min Wang Yu Li Yang's expression was somewhat unnatural. After all, he was the one who led the five real persons to besiege Jiang Mengxiong, and returned without merit, even losing the famous Array Dao master, Real Monarch Tai Hua... Everything Xi Mengfu said seemed to expose his shortcomings. As for the "six-toed thief" and Xi Mengfu's unspeakable pain... on the contrary, they were unimportant. On the left-hand throne, Wu Wang Si Jiao always kept his eyes closed and did not speak, already not knowing where his spirit was wandering. On the highest level Dragon Chair, Xia Tianzi sat steadily, quietly observing the full court of civil and military officials, just as he had done for so many years and months. He only watched, without speaking. And from within the pearl curtain hanging behind the Imperial Seat, a majestic female voice suddenly rang out: "Liu Guoxiang, you have lost your composure!" Although Liu Xiyi's temper was explosive, he was extremely respectful to the Empress Dowager, especially at this moment when he actually knew he had said something wrong. He bowed towards the Dan Bi above, then retreated to his standing position. At this time, only Xi Mengfu remained standing alone in the middle of the great hall, the bright pearls on the dome reflecting his figure, hanging down on the ground, looking like a soul that had given up struggling. He did not speak for a while. Of course, he remembered more details about getting along with the former emperor that year. For example, the imperial prince who accompanied the former emperor at that time was the Third Imperial Prince Xia, who was later chopped to pieces by a life-cutting knife during the territory blockade by Chong Xuan Chu Liang. For example, he actually replied at that time, saying: "I especially put in effort." And Emperor Xia Xiang said: "This is the most special ability." For example... that night, he went back and cried silently for a long time under the quilt. But he said nothing now. Empress Dowager Xia's voice spoke again: "Last year's decision at Jian Feng Shan was made by the mourning family and the crowd of officials together. The saying 'this time, that time' means that the most appropriate decision at that time, when viewed after a long time, becomes inappropriate today. But if we can endure this calamity, and time is extended by ten or a hundred years, perhaps it will be right again. Who has eyes that can pierce the future? Even the former wise Bu Lian made ancient mistakes; we don't need to dwell on old accounts." She did not lack the courage to admit mistakes, but she could not admit mistakes. Because this "mistake" led to Yu Li Yang. It was Yu Li Yang's failed counterattack on Jian Feng Shan; it was Yu Li Yang being struck back by Jiang Mengxiong. In a situation of facing a few with many, Yu Li Yang couldn't even protect Tai Hua! Failing to defeat Jiang Mengxiong is not a mistake, but being unclear about the situation and misjudging the strength are hard for Yu Li Yang to avoid responsibility for! But... Min Wang Yu Li Yang achieved Real Monarch in the 17th year of Shen Wu, a long time ago, and has always been regarded as the hope for the rise of Xia Country in the Shen Wu era — a country that can still have a newly born Real Monarch grow up, how is this not proof of prosperity? He once gave the people of Xia Country too much confidence and courage, and he himself is the only two Derived Dao Real Monarchs in Xia Country, the foundation for resisting the strong Qi. How can he be blamed now, for something that has already happened, this pillar stone supporting the heavens? Empress Dowager Xia's voice was pleasant and kind, with inherent nobility and majesty deeply contained within. For many years, it has always been able to give people a sense of inner stability. She used such a speech to finalize the Jian Feng Shan matter. Then she said again: "And talking ourselves out of it is not possible. It is not that the mourning family is unwilling to give up the state and people. The former emperor left this foundation, and the mourning family has guarded it for him for thirty-two years. If we can meet in the nine springs below, we will not be ashamed of him. But all of you officials, don't mind thinking for a moment, what kind of person is that Jiang Shu?" "That year, he was solely focused on swallowing Xia, regardless of the resistance from multiple sides. State letters from various countries came one after another, and he responded with false courtesy while advancing his army. Only when Yi Tian Guan was truly completed was he willing to retreat his troops. He was not talked back by us, but defeated by us!" "This time, he first secretly adjusted Cao Ji, helped Mu Country take Li Yuan City, and promoted the struggle in Mu. Then, he fought against Jing Country in Xing Yue Yuan, won the Tian Jiao struggle, and forced Jing Country to withdraw from Yi Tian Guan. Step by step he walked to this moment, choosing to advance his army of a million eastward when a full-scale war erupted in Mu Jing. Is his determination not clear enough?" "His ambition to swallow the world is already manifest." "He wants not one or two cities, not one or two prefectures, he wants the fertile land of my Great Xia's twenty-one prefectures, he wants the thousand-year history accumulated by my Great Xia." "Unless my Great Xia perishes, I think it will be difficult for him to sleep peacefully!" Empress Dowager Xia's voice echoed inside Bao Hua Palace, giving everyone a sober realization and breaking the fantasy of ceding land for peace that still existed. "Empress Dowager is sagacious and wise!" Town Country Army Commander Long Jiao stepped forward. This was a tall and sturdy man, born with a dignified appearance, and inside this Bao Hua Palace, he was also fully armored. He had a firm character, giving people an unbreakable impression. At this moment, he only said: "Jiang Shu is a wolf child with a wild heart, his desires are an abyss without limit. To make him retreat, he must only be made to know that the hard bone of Xia Country will break his teeth!" He raised his head, facing the highest ruler of the entire Xia Country: "This minister wears armor today and can go to war at any time! If this minister dies in war, there is no need for a coffin; let the horse hooves step on it, flesh and blood mixed with the soil of Xia!" "Good one Long Jiao!" The voice of Empress Dowager Xia behind the pearl curtain said: "Not a shame to my Great Xia's famous general, not a disappointment to the name of bravery!" The two compared, further showing Xi Mengfu's cowardice. In the strange gazes of many ministers, Xi Mengfu's face still showed no expression, as if he fundamentally didn't know what shame was, only saying: "It is easy for Great Xia to lose one famous general; thirty-two years ago, many just died. But how difficult it is for Great Xia to build a strong army! General Long, if you die in war, let the horse hooves step on it, and it's done. If the Town Country Army is wiped out, how will you teach me?" After Liu Xiyi lost his words, Xi Mengfu's words became obviously sharper. Long Jiao turned to look at him, still maintaining relative respect for him: "National Master, whether to fight or not, all depends on the Empress Dowager's single word. I can only say that if we fight, I will not spare my death. My tens of thousands of soldiers, with the name of Town Country, dare not die when the country is in peril?!" Xi Mengfu nodded slightly, expressing respect, then said: "I respect your courage, but your death, I don't see how it can solve the problem. The wiping out of tens of thousands of Town Country Army soldiers is itself a huge problem!" "Dare to ask National Master!" Feng Guo Gong Zhou Ying walked out at this time: "You think, what can solve the problem?" As the head of the famous Xia Country family Zhou clan, Zhou Ying is considered a contemporary Real Person along with Tai Hua. He naturally had the confidence and qualification to question Xi Mengfu. And he was indeed not polite. "Cede one city?" "Cede one prefecture?" "Send a surrender document?" "Lower the imperial title?" He took a step forward and asked one question after another. His expression became fiercer, more intense. His words were like knives and spears. "Like that Zhao Country lord, wagging his tail and begging for pity, 'willing to be a Qi Marquis'?" "Or rather—" He walked to Xi Mengfu's front, almost face to face with him: "Wait until you become the National Master of Qi Country, and then the problem will be considered solved?" His gaze was already terrifyingly cold, and he let out a cold laugh: "It seems what we consider are not the same problems!" The atmosphere inside the great hall was already very solemn. But at this time, another voice connected, saying: "It's a pity that Qi Country is too big, and with Real Person Xi's strength, I don't see him being able to become the National Master!" The speaker was Guang Ping Hou Li Fu. Although he, Li Fu, was not a contemporary Real Person, the Li family had a long history and deep foundation, and as a hereditary Hou Ye, he did not lack the confidence to face Xi Mengfu. Yang Ling Hou Xue Chang said coldly again: "What are you thinking, Guang Ping Hou! Qi Country fundamentally has no position of National Master!" "Then this Hou is mistaken," Li Fu repeatedly apologized, then pretended to doubt: "Then what are some people plotting? The thick grace and heavy rewards of the national dynasty, has it truly raised an ungrateful person?" Long Jiao has fought for the country for many years, and his accumulated merits are all forged with fresh blood. As a person, he is also low-key and upright, with an excellent reputation both in court and in the wilderness. His act of expressing his willingness to fight was forcefully questioned by Xi Mengfu. It was truly unbearable for people. Earlier, they thought Liu Guoxiang's words were too much, but this time, they also couldn't sympathize with Xi Mengfu. For a time, emotions were stirred up. From Feng Guo Gong Zhou Ying to Guang Ping Hou Li Fu, and then to Yang Ling Hou Xue Chang, each one's words were more intense than the last. Long Jiao himself, at this time, did not utter a single word. As he himself said, he only had the determination to die in battle, not the will to target anyone. And Xi Mengfu just quietly looked at these people, waiting until they finished their one word, one word, and finished scolding, then said: "It seems all of you lords think that seeking peace is not an option." As he spoke, his gaze swept over the dukes and ministers in the court, as if soliciting the opinion of each person. Seeing that he seemed to have a change of heart, Zhou Ying snorted coldly: "Looking through history books, I have never heard of peace being sought!" "Oh, is that so." Xi Mengfu nodded, as if truly convinced by him. Then he said again: "Since seeking peace is not possible, then this old man still has one strategy!" "National Master, please speak without hesitation," said Empress Dowager Xia's voice from behind the pearl curtain. "What is called court discussion is to speak freely and debate right and wrong clearly. No matter what others think, the mourning family is willing to listen to your opinion." Thus, Zhou Ying, Li Fu, and Xue Chang all quieted down for a time. And Xi Mengfu stood in the middle of the hall, and first said: "I presume all lords already know about the matter of An Guo Hou's journey to Chu and his return without merit." An Guo Hou Jin Ling went to Chu as the emperor's envoy, stating the relationship of lips and teeth perishing together, and respectfully invited Chu Country to send aid troops, which had already begun after Xing Yue Yuan... But Chu Country seemed not to care who their eastern neighbor was, or perhaps had other plans, in any case, they remained unmoved. This is also one of the reasons why Xia Country is gloomy from top to bottom now. Looking around the world, there really is no one who gives them face as much as Qi Country relies on them. Xi Mengfu said loudly: "This old man thinks that Chu is not unable to come to aid, but that An Guo Hou's method is not right! We should exhaust ourselves to cede the land south of Huai Qing Prefecture and present it to the Chu Emperor. In this way, when the Qi army advances south, will they fight or not? When the Chu army comes west, will they defend or not? We can teach the two tigers to fight each other, and my Great Xia will be able to sit back and relax!" Inside Bao Hua Palace, the ministers looked at each other for a time.

Outside the main text:

Thanks to book friend "Frost Lan" for becoming the alliance leader of this book! This is the 280th alliance for Red Heart Patrol Heaven! Thanks to book friend "An An Quietly Relieve Boredom" for becoming the alliance leader of this book! This is the 281st alliance for Red Heart Patrol Heaven!