For Wu to send terms for peace was tremendous news!

His Majesty was greatly pleased.

He had never been a bloodthirsty emperor who loved war.

If the talks succeeded and the two kingdoms lived in peace, if the common people got a chance to recover and pass their days in quiet, that was what the Xuan Emperor wanted to see.

“Beloved ministers, who is willing to go to the Wu Kingdom and negotiate on this emperor’s behalf?”

The Xuan Emperor asked it plainly.

“Your Majesty, your subject is willing to ease Your Majesty’s burdens and go to the Wu Kingdom.”

“Your Majesty, your subject is willing to go to the Wu Kingdom and win the greater advantage for our Great Xuan.”

“Your Majesty, this matter is of the gravest importance and calls for a man of both virtue and ability. Your subject recommends the President of the Secretariat.”

Quite a few officials, civil and military, stepped out of the ranks, asking to go to the Wu Kingdom or recommending someone else.

Because everyone knew that once the talks succeeded it would count as a great service, and His Majesty was certain to reward it richly.

And once the talks succeeded and the common people were given some security, the man who did it would be famous overnight and beloved of the people.

Since it was Wu that had proposed the talks, the odds of success were high.

So every man there wanted the chance.

Ji Mingchen of the Ministry of War stepped out. “Your Majesty, your subject recommends Marquis Ning… It was precisely because Marquis Ning won back the frontier that Wu saw how sharp the blades of our Great Xuan’s officers and men are, and that is why they sent these terms.”

“So your subject believes that the head of this mission can be no one but Marquis Ning… And your subject is willing to go with Marquis Ning and lend him a hand!”

Li Zhixing, the Minister of Justice, stepped out too. “Your Majesty, your subject also believes the head of this mission can be no one but Marquis Ning. With him there, we are sure to win more advantage for our Great Xuan.”

Li Hanru came out of the ranks and bowed. “Your subject seconds it!”

Shen Min followed close behind. “Your subject seconds it too!”

This time Ning Chen stepped out and said respectfully, “Your subject is willing to go to the Wu Kingdom and ease Your Majesty’s burdens.”

The Xuan Emperor frowned slightly. “Have you forgotten that you’re marrying the Ninth Princess before long?”

Ning Chen said quickly, “Your subject has not forgotten! Your Majesty, the wedding is still being prepared… The journey to Wu and back is barely two months. By the time your subject returns, it will be exactly time for the wedding!”

Li Hanru spoke up right after. “Your Majesty, a negotiation is really a contest between two kingdoms over their interests… With Marquis Ning present, Wu will not dare go too far.”

“If we send anyone else, I fear he will not hold down the bloodthirsty, war-loving men of Wu… and then the talks are likely to go badly for Great Xuan.”

The Xuan Emperor said nothing, as though he were turning it over.

Because once Ning Chen was married, he would have to march south and attack Nanyue.

If Ning Chen were sent to Wu, running north and then south, it would be punishing work.

But Li Hanru was right. Wu had sent the terms because Ning Chen had been at the frontier and had shown Wu how sharp the blades of Great Xuan’s officers and men were.

With Ning Chen present, Wu would not go too far during the talks.

The officials of the court, civil and military, were not happy about it.

They thought Li Hanru’s argument far too one-sided. Great Xuan was full of talent — anyone would think there was no able man in it but Ning Chen.

Several censors were preparing to leap out and take the other side when they heard the Xuan Emperor speak. “Very well. Then Ning Chen may take the trouble of making the journey for these talks with Wu.”

He had turned it over and over, and it still had to be Ning Chen.

Ning Chen bowed and said in a clear voice, “Your subject obeys the edict!”

The Xuan Emperor looked at him. “Ning Chen, you certainly can’t go alone. You must have someone to assist you… Who do you think would suit, to go with you?”

Every official in the hall turned to look at Ning Chen at once.

They all hoped Ning Chen would pick them… after all, this mission had far more to gain than to lose, and success meant a great service to his name.

Ning Chen ran his eye over the assembled ministers and bowed. “Your Majesty, your subject would like Lord Shen, the Vice Minister of Rites, to make the journey with your subject.”

Shen Min’s eyes lit up.

He understood perfectly well: Ning Chen was paving the road for him.

The last time, over the business of Liang Jingwu’s daughter-in-law and her hard labor, Ning Chen had disposed of his greatest rival, Ren Qifeng, along the way.

His greatest rival had fallen, but His Majesty had still never promoted him to the Minister’s seat.

If these talks succeeded, it would be a great service — and that Minister’s seat would be his and no one else’s.

Shen Min said quickly, “Your Majesty, your subject is willing to accompany Marquis Ning.”

The Xuan Emperor nodded slightly. “The Ministry of Rites does need to send a man. Then beloved Minister Shen may take the trouble of going with Ning Chen.”

“Your subject obeys the edict! To ease Your Majesty’s burdens is your subject’s honor.”

The Xuan Emperor looked at Ning Chen. “This emperor thinks you also need a man of high standing and reputation, to show Wu proper respect. We must not fall short in courtesy!”

Ning Chen’s gaze came to rest on Li Hongzhuo.

Li Hongzhuo was watching Ning Chen with expectation in his eyes.

He very much wanted to go to the Wu Kingdom.

The first reason, of course, was to win distinction.

The second was that going to Wu would let him look into the business between Ning Chen and the Wu woman emperor while he was there, and get Ning Chen thoroughly under his thumb.

Ning Chen gave him a slight smile… but what he was thinking was: Li Hongzhuo, the countdown on your life has started.

Then he turned to the Xuan Emperor and bowed. “Your Majesty, might we trouble the President of the Secretariat to make the journey with your subject?”

“The President of the Secretariat is high in rank and heavy in power, and has both virtue and ability. He is more than enough to show how sincere Great Xuan is about these talks.”

Li Hongzhuo could not wait to come out of the ranks, and bowed. “Your Majesty, your subject is willing to accompany Marquis Ning to the Wu Kingdom and ease Your Majesty’s burdens!”

The Xuan Emperor thought a moment and nodded slightly. “Very well. Then beloved Minister Li may take the trouble of the journey!”

“The talks will not wait. They touch the empire itself, and they touch the livelihood of the people of Great Xuan… The three of you are to make ready at once and set out in three days.”

The three of them bowed and said together, “Your subject obeys the edict!”

After the court broke up, Shen Min came trotting after Ning Chen.

“My lord marquis, my thanks!”

Ning Chen looked at him and smiled. “With Lord Shen’s ability, that seat was going to be yours sooner or later. All I did was push the boat along with the current.”

Shen Min’s face was full of gratitude. “There are too many men with their eyes on that seat. Without the marquis’s help, it would be very hard for me to sit in it!”

Ning Chen smiled. “We’re on the same side. There’s no need to stand on ceremony… If you really feel you owe me, buy me a meal.”

“Done! If the marquis doesn’t think it beneath him, I’ll set out a family dinner tomorrow at noon and ask the marquis to come to the house for a talk.”

Ning Chen nodded and said with a smile, “Then it’s settled!”

Shen Min was about to say something more when they heard someone behind them calling for Marquis Ning.

The two of them turned to look.

A young eunuch came running up.

“Marquis Ning, His Majesty summons you!”

Ning Chen looked at Shen Min. “Tomorrow at noon, then!”

Shen Min nodded.

Ning Chen went to the imperial study.

“Your subject greets Your Majesty!”

The Xuan Emperor looked at him. “Ning Chen, these talks touch the stability of the frontier and the livelihood of the people… So once you reach the Wu Kingdom, you must rein your temper in a little.”

“Not that you are to have no temper at all… When the moment calls for overawing them, overawe them.”

Ning Chen bowed. “Your subject understands!”

“When you handle a thing, this emperor rests easy!” The Xuan Emperor paused, then said, “There was nothing else in sending for you. I only wanted a few words with you.”

“That reminds me — remember to go and see Huai’an. The wedding is almost upon you and you’ll be gone a month or two. Don’t leave her sulking… and blaming this emperor for having no consideration for you.”

Ning Chen bowed. “Your subject obeys the edict!”

“You have no experience of peace talks. When the time comes, ask Li Hongzhuo’s opinion often and talk it over together.”

“And once you’re in the Wu Kingdom, think three times before you act. You represent Great Xuan…”

The Xuan Emperor went on at length, fussing over one thing after another.

(End of Chapter 347)