Chapter 2757: The Nation Has Its Orphans

Xi Meng Fu had a secret that was almost never discussed publicly. But at this moment in Bao Hua Palace, everyone present was at the highest level of Xia, and naturally, they all knew about it. When Xi Meng Fu was born, he had six toes, which his birth parents considered a monstrous deformity, and they threw him directly into the river. He was saved by a boatman. That boatman was a widower, who had lived alone on a boat his whole life and didn't care about gossip, so he adopted him. Unfortunately, good times didn't last long. When he grew to be seven years old, guests on the boat one day saw his six toes and thought he was of monstrous bloodline, wanting to tie him up and feed him to fierce beasts. The boatman came to block them and was beaten to death. He took advantage of the chaos and jumped into the river to escape, then ran to report to officials. The people who killed the boatman said they were eliminating monsters and that those who protected monsters deserved to die. At that time, the child, still called Xi San Er, stripped himself naked in the hall and asked the adults present, "Where am I a monster?" The official was reasonable and sentenced the killer to public execution. But how to deal with Xi San Er was difficult. The boatman was gone. They finally found his birth father, but the man firmly denied having given birth to such a thing. The official had no choice but to raise the child himself, considering him a household servant. But these days didn't last long either. When Xi San Er was nine years old, the county yamen caught fire, and the official's family all burned to death. Only Xi San Er, who was out buying things at the time, escaped the disaster. Some people said he was a star of disaster, that anyone close to him would not come to a good end. Some people said he was the one who burned the official's family to death, that he harbored hatred and didn't want to be a household servant, wanting to be the official's son. Some people caught him and questioned him about the crime, but no evidence of the crime could be found, so they had to release him. Just like this, he was once again homeless. And this time, no one dared to adopt him again. Somehow, the Xia Xiang Emperor at that time learned of this matter and personally issued instructions to send this child to the national academy, saying, "The country has its orphans, the country raises them." Xi San Er studied and gave himself the name Xi Meng Fu. He thought he had a home and was the eldest son of that home, so he took the name "Meng," but he was also without a home, as the widower had lived on a boat his whole life, so he also took the character "Fu." He hoped to have his own home. Later, one time, the Xia Xiang Emperor visited the national academy and on a whim wanted to test the students' knowledge. The teaching head selected a total of six students and sent them to the emperor's front, none of whom were the top-performing Xi Meng Fu. Xi Meng Fu himself was aware of the reasons for this. The national academy was a gathering place for scholars, but not all scholars could understand reason. Being "strange" was a kind of sin in itself. He was already used to it. But the Xia Xiang Emperor said that the teaching head's selection didn't count; he didn't want to see woven brocade but rather self-grown thorny wild grass. He called for the roster, covered it with the accompanying imperial prince's eyes, and told the little imperial prince to randomly circle. The little imperial prince held a pen and circled, thus selecting seven students. After the Xia Xiang Emperor personally tested them, he was very happy because one student's performance was too good. He patted this student's shoulder and said, "You are a good talent of my Xia country." This student knelt down and asked the emperor, "Do you know I have six toes?" The Xia Xiang Emperor was slightly stunned and said, "Yes, I do. So, do you have any special abilities you want to show me?" This student was naturally Xi Meng Fu. Old matters should not be brought up. But Liu Xi Yi today actually uttered the words "six-toed thief," which was undoubtedly a great humiliation to Xi Meng Fu. It was a great disparagement of his personal character and even his personality! Therefore, the civil and military ministers who originally wanted to echo Liu Xi Yi were all silenced for a moment. They didn't dare to speak again. On the throne to the right of the second-level Dan Bi, Min King Yu Li Yang's expression was somewhat unnatural. After all, he had brought five true persons to besiege Jiang Meng Xiong and returned without merit, even losing the famous array master of the Dao of Tai Hua, that true monarch. Xi Meng Fu's words were all like exposing his shortcomings. As for what "six-toed thief" meant or what pain Xi Meng Fu couldn't speak of, that was irrelevant. On the throne to the left, Wu King Si Jiao, always with closed eyes, didn't speak, already wandering somewhere in spirit. On the highest level dragon chair, Xia Tian Zi sat straight, quietly observing the entire court of civil and military officials, just as he had for so many years. He only watched, and didn't speak. And behind the imperial seat, within the hanging pearl curtain, a dignified female voice suddenly rang out: "State Minister Liu, you have lost your composure!" Although Liu Xi Yi had an explosive temper, he was extremely respectful to the empress dowager, especially at this moment when he also knew he had said the wrong thing. He cupped his hands towards the Dan Bi above and then retreated back to his standing position. At this time, only Xi Meng Fu was left standing alone in the middle of the great hall. The bright pearls on the dome reflected his shadow, hanging on the ground, as if it were a soul that had given up struggling. He didn't 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 Xia Third Imperial Prince, who was later chopped to pieces by the life-cutting knife when blocking Chong Xuan Chu Liang in his territory. For example, he had actually replied with a sentence at that time, saying, "I particularly make an effort." And the Xia Xiang Emperor said, "This is the most special ability." For example, that night back, he covered himself with a quilt and silently cried for a long time. But he said nothing now. Xia Tai Hou's voice said again: "The decision at Sword Peak Mountain last year was made by the mourning family and all the ministers together. The so-called 'this time, that time,' the most appropriate decision at that time, after time extended, has become inappropriate today. But if we can endure this calamity, and time extends another 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 need not bring up old accounts." She did not lack the courage to admit mistakes, but she could not admit mistakes. Because the lead of this "mistake" was Yu Li Yang. It was Yu Li Yang who failed in his counterattack at Sword Peak Mountain; it was Yu Li Yang who was repelled by Jiang Meng Xiong. In a situation where the crowd attacked the few, Yu Li Yang couldn't even protect Tai Hua! Not being able to defeat Jiang Meng Xiong was not a mistake, but being unclear about the situation and misjudging the strength, Yu Li Yang was difficult to blame! But... Min King Yu Li Yang achieved the true monarch state in the 17th year of Shen Wu, and for a long time, he was always regarded as the hope for the rise of Xia country in the Shen Wu era. How could a country still have newborn true monarchs growing up not be a sign of prosperity? He once gave the people of Xia country too much confidence and courage, and he himself was also one of the only two true monarchs in the Dao of Derivation in Xia, a fundamental force against the strong Qi. At this time, how could this pillar stone that supported the sky be blamed because of things that had already happened? Xia Tai Hou's voice was pleasant and kind, deeply containing born nobility and dignity. For many years, she could always give people a stable inner strength. With such a speech, she put the nail in the coffin for the matters of Sword Peak Mountain. Then she said again: "And peace talks are naturally impossible. It's not that the mourning family is unwilling to give up the state and society. The foundation left by the former emperor, the mourning family has guarded for him for thirty-two years; if we can meet him in the nine springs below, we will not be ashamed of him. But all the ministers might as well think about what kind of person that Jiang Shu is?" "That year, he just wanted to swallow Xia and disregarded many obstructions. State letters from various countries went one after another, and he hypocritically replied on one hand while advancing his army on the other. He only retreated when Yi Tian Guan was truly completed. He was not talked back by us; he was fought back by us!" "This time, he first secretly transferred Cao Ji to help Mu country take Li Yuan City and promote the struggle in Mu Jing. Then he fought with Jing country at Xing Yue Plain, 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 wave an army of one hundred thousand east when the war in Mu Jing was in full swing. Isn't his determination clear enough?" "His wild ambition to swallow the heavens has long been manifested." "What he wants is not one or two cities, not one or two prefectures; what he wants is the fertile land of my Great Xia's twenty-one prefectures, what he wants is the accumulation of my Great Xia's thousand-year history." "If my Great Xia does not perish, it's difficult for him to sleep peacefully!" Xia Tai Hou's voice echoed inside Bao Hua Palace, giving everyone a sober awareness and breaking the fantasy of ceding land for peace that still existed. "Tai Hou is wise!" Zhen Guo Army Commander Long Jiao stepped out. This was a tall and sturdy man with a dignified appearance, and he was fully armored inside this Bao Hua Palace. He had a firm quality that gave people an unbreakable impression. At this time, he only said: "Jiang Shu is a wolf with bottomless desires. To make him retreat, we must let him know that Xia country is a hard bone that will break his teeth!" He raised his head and faced the highest ruler of the entire Xia country: "This minister is wearing 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 trample on it, mixing blood and flesh into the soil of Xia!" "Well said, Long Jiao!" Xia Tai Hou's voice behind the pearl curtain said: "Not a shame to my Great Xia's famous general, not failing the name of courage!" The two contrasted, further highlighting Xi Meng Fu's cowardice. Under the strange gazes of many ministers, Xi Meng Fu's face still showed no expression, as if he fundamentally didn't know what shame was, and he only said: "Great Xia can easily lose a famous general; thirty-two years ago, many died. But how difficult it is for Great Xia to build a strong army! General Long, if you die in war and your body is trampled by horse hooves, it's done. But if the Zhen Guo Army is annihilated, how do you teach me?" After Liu Xi Yi lost his words, the edge of Xi Meng Fu's words obviously sharpened. Long Jiao turned his face to look at him, still maintaining relative respect: "National Master adult, whether to fight or not depends on Tai Hou's word. I can only say, if it's for war, I will not spare my life. My ten thousand soldiers, with the name of Zhen Guo, dare not die in the country's crisis time?!" Xi Meng Fu slightly nodded, indicating respect, and then said: "I respect your courage, but your death, I don't see it solving the problem. The annihilation of ten thousand Zhen Guo Army is a huge problem in itself!" "Dare I ask National Master adult!" Feng Guo Gong Zhou Ying walked out at this time: "What do you think can solve the problem?" As the head of the famous Zhou clan in Xia country, Zhou Ying was a contemporary true person on par with Tai Hua; he naturally had the confidence and qualifications to question Xi Meng Fu. He was indeed not polite. "Cede one city?" "Cede one prefecture?" "Send a surrender table?" "Abolish the imperial title?" He took a step forward and asked a question. The more he looked, the fiercer he was, the more intense. The edge of his words was like a knife and a spear. "Like that Zhao country lord, wagging his tail and begging for pity, 'willing to be a Qi marquis'?" "Or rather—" He walked to Xi Meng Fu's front, almost face to face with him: "Wait until you become the national master for Qi country, then the problem is solved?" His gaze was already terrifyingly cold, and he let out a cold laugh: "It seems what we are considering is not a problem!" The atmosphere inside the great hall was already very solemn. But at this time, another voice connected and said: "It's a pity that Qi country is too big; with True Person Xi's strength, I don't see him being able to become the national master!" The person speaking was Guang Ping Hou Li Fu. Although Li Fu was not a contemporary true person, the Li family had a long history and deep foundation, and as a hereditary marquis lord, he did not lack the confidence to face Xi Meng Fu. Yang Ling Hou Xue Chang again said coldly: "What do you think, Guang Ping Hou! Qi country fundamentally has no position of national master!" "Then this marquis thought wrong." Li Fu repeatedly apologized, then pretended to doubt: "Then what is a certain person plotting? With the deep grace and heavy reward of the national dynasty, has it truly raised an unfamiliar and ungrateful person?" Long Jiao had fought for the country for many years, and his accumulated merits were all forged with fresh blood. As a person, he was low-key and upright, and his reputation in court and the field was extremely good. His expression of willingness to fight was forcefully suppressed by Xi Meng Fu. It truly made people unbearable. Even those who had earlier thought State Minister Liu's words were excessive could not sympathize with Xi Meng Fu at this time. For a while, public sentiment was stirred. From Feng Guo Gong Zhou Ying to Guang Ping Hou Li Fu, and then to Yang Ling Hou Xue Chang, each one's wording was more intense than the last. Long Jiao himself, at this time, did not say a word. As he himself said, he only had the determination to die in battle, not the will to target anyone. And Xi Meng Fu only quietly looked at these people, waiting until they finished saying everything, scolding him, then said: "It seems all lords feel that seeking peace is not a way." As he spoke, his gaze swept across the dukes and ministers in the court, as if soliciting everyone's opinion. Seeing that he seemed to have the intention to repent, Zhou Ying let out a cold snort: "Flipping through history books, I have never heard of peace being sought in this world!" "Oh, so it is." Xi Meng Fu nodded, as if he was truly convinced. Then he said again: "Since seeking peace doesn't work, this old man still has a plan!" "National Master adult, please speak without hesitation." Xia Tai Hou's voice behind the pearl curtain said: "So-called court discussion is to speak freely and debate right from wrong. No matter how others view it, the mourning family is willing to listen to your opinion." Thus, Zhou Ying, Li Fu, and Xue Chang all quieted down for a while. And Xi Meng Fu stood in the middle of the hall, first saying: "I think all lords already know about An Guo Hou's trip to Chu and his return without merit." An Guo Hou Jin Ling went to Chu as the emperor's envoy, emphasizing the relationship between lips and teeth, and respectfully invited Chu country to send aid troops, which had already begun after Xing Yue Plain. But Chu country seemed not to care who their eastern neighbor was, or perhaps they had other plans; in any case, they remained unmoved. This was also one of the reasons for the gloomy atmosphere among the upper and lower ranks of Xia country now. Looking around the world, there was really no one who would give them face as Qi country's reliance. Xi Meng Fu said loudly: "This old man thinks that Chu cannot not send aid; it's just that An Guo Hou's method was not right! We should exhaustively cede Huai Qing prefecture and the southern land and present it to the Chu emperor. Thus, when the Qi army comes south, will they fight or not? When the Chu army comes west, will they defend or not? Let the two tigers fight each other, and my Great Xia can rest easy!" Inside Bao Hua Palace, the ministers looked at each other for a while. ------ Outside Topic Words ------ Thank book friend "Frost Lan," for becoming the alliance master of this book! This is for the 280th alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven! Thank book friend "An An Jing Jing Jie Men" for becoming the alliance master of this book! This is for the 281st alliance of Red Heart Patrol Heaven!