Traveling through time and space and becoming a deposed prince, he just wants to survive!

Chapter 313: Banquet at the Royal Palace

The next morning, the sun began to shine.

Li Meng led the vanguard army and marched out first, with the sound of horses' hooves and flags fluttering.

The two armies at the back spent another whole day making final preparations. On the third day, the remaining troops slowly advanced towards Yanzhou like a winding snake.

Ever since Zhao Hui ordered the summons of Pharmacist Guo's team, he has not relaxed for a moment and has been sending people to observe carefully in secret.

When he saw the team moving forward as scheduled according to the agreement, Zhao Hui's frown finally relaxed a little and he felt a little relieved.

Just wait patiently for a few more days.

After Guo Yaoshi and others arrived in Yanzhou after many hardships, Zhao Hui solemnly summoned all the generals of the National Prestige Army to the palace.

"General Guo, we've endured such a tiring journey, sleeping in the open air and traveling by boat. We should have given the generals a few days to rest and recuperate. However, there's something weighing on my mind like a huge rock. If it's not resolved, I'll be unable to sleep or eat, and I won't be able to be happy."

Everyone raised their eyes, their gazes focused on Prince Yan who was sitting upright in the middle of the hall.

"I don't know what has caused His Majesty to be so worried. We are willing to go through fire and water for His Majesty and solve his problems."

Pharmacist Guo stood up first, looking respectful and speaking in a serious tone.

I saw that his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were full of determination and loyalty.

"I'm sure you all know that the Murong family has been eyeing Yanzhou since the beginning of the year and has yet to withdraw its troops. I'm worried that after winter, they will unite with other families and invade the south like wolves."

Upon hearing this, Guo Zi'an silently lowered his head, and from time to time he glanced stealthily at the other generals, looking like a fox plotting a bad idea.

This guy must be harboring some evil and sinister ideas in his mind.

Seeing this, Sun Bing speculated in his heart.

At this moment, Zhao Hui's entire attention was focused on the conversation with Pharmacist Guo, and he did not notice Guo Zian's subtle and cunning move.

Pharmacist Guo obviously saw his son's restless eyes, his heart suddenly tightened, and he instantly remembered something.

"Does the King of Yan intend to go out and wipe out these bandits?"

Pharmacist Guo asked the question without showing any emotion. His eager attitude made people think that he would respond positively, just to gain the favor of King Yan in terms of military power.

"That's right. I plan to drive the enemy chiefs a thousand miles away so that they won't dare covet Yanzhou again. Only then can the people live in peace this year."

Zhao Hui's tone was as firm as iron, and his eyes were burning with a determined fighting spirit.

"Since that's the case, I'm willing to serve as your Highness's vanguard, charging into battle at all costs!"

Pharmacist Guo continued to stand there, his face full of excitement, but his mind was constantly calculating the gains and losses.

"General, you are so thoughtful. This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration. I invited you here today mainly because we haven't seen each other for a long time. We want to get together and strengthen our relationship. Although this is in my fiefdom, it is still a rare opportunity to get together."

Zhao Hui cleverly changed the subject and did not want to reveal his carefully prepared strategy at this time.

At this time, all the generals looked around, clasped their fists in greeting, and had friendly smiles on their faces.

Guo Zian kept his head slightly lowered, but his eyes kept looking around cunningly, like a sneaky mouse.

If you didn't know him, you would think he was a timid servant who had never seen the world.

At noon, the sun was high in the sky, so hot that it was difficult to open one's eyes.

The palace held a banquet to entertain Guo Yaoshi and the generals who came from below.

The banquet was held in the spacious courtyard, with tables and chairs neatly arranged and the aroma of wine and food filling the air.

On Zhao Hui's left sat the majestic general Qin Lian, and on his right sat the calm and composed chief secretary Sun Bing.

Pharmacist Guo sat next to Qin Lian, looking a little reserved, while Guo Zian sat to the right of Sun Bing, with his head lowered and his eyes submissive, not daring to be presumptuous.

Li Meng, Wang Kun and other generals of King Yan sat down in turn. The atmosphere was solemn and a little expectant.

Si Shitong arrived late. Zhao Hui did not call him during the morning meeting. He only sent someone to inform him during lunch.

He was not in the government office at the time, and when he heard the news, he almost had already started eating somewhere else.

"Don't blame me, King Yan, and don't blame me, generals. I heard the King Yan's order and was carefully investigating in the county below. That's why I'm late!"

When Si Shitong arrived hurriedly, the seats had already been arranged. He had to stand awkwardly to the side, clasping his fists and apologizing deeply, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

Usually Zhao Hui and Si Shitong sat at the same table, but today Si Shitong came late and Sun Bin was already sitting in the original seat.

"Master Si, you will be working on a case with me again today. You won't feel embarrassed, will you?"

Zhao Hui said jokingly with a smile on his face and a kind look in his eyes.

Over the years, he got along well with several officials in Yanzhou, never caring too much about their status and appearing approachable.

However, Si Shitong did not dare to overstep the boundaries. He was so flattered by the merger of cases that he didn't even dare to touch the food and drinks.

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your favor and will follow your orders."

Si Shitong did not dare to be pretentious at all. He bowed respectfully, observing all the necessary etiquette.

After taking their seats, Zhao Hui generously raised his glass and invited everyone to drink together, saying crisply: "Everyone, without further ado, let's have three drinks!"

After drinking three cups in a row, seeing that Si Shitong was still too nervous to pick up his chopsticks, Zhao Hui picked up a fragrant chicken leg and handed it to him, saying with a smile in his eyes:

"Sir Governor, if you don't eat now, I'm afraid you'll say more drunken words later when you're drunk."

After saying that, he blinked several times at Si Shitong, with a hint in his eyes.

Si Shitong understood what he meant and immediately realized that he was asked to continue the conversation later.

"Thank you, Your Highness. How can I not eat the chicken leg as a reward?"

He immediately smiled and spoke flatteringly.

"Master Si can sit at the same table with the prince and even share food with him. He is truly the envy of others!"

Qin Lian usually doesn't flatter people on purpose, but he happened to see the moment when Zhao Hui winked at Si Shitong.

Just that blink of an eye just now really gave people some misunderstanding. If you didn't know, you would think that the prince was flirting with her.

But the prince clearly sent chicken legs, not...

Qin Lian understood it instantly and quickly followed suit with a flattering smile on his face.

Then there was another round of drinking, with people toasting each other, making it very lively. After three rounds of drinking, Zhao Hui's face turned slightly red, and he spoke of the various crimes committed by the Murong family in their invasion of the south in an excited tone.

"You said that I want to drive the Murong family back a thousand miles, is that wrong?"

Three parts drunkenness, seven parts performance.

Zhao Hui danced with joy, as if he were on the battlefield, commanding thousands of troops.

"Yes, that's right. The Murong family is so arrogant, they should be severely punished to let them know how powerful the prince is!"

At this moment, Si Shitong seemed to be an excellent supporting actor, busy singing along with a flattering expression on his face.

Pharmacist Guo's face twitched as he watched, and he muttered to himself, "What on earth is going on here? Why are they talking about this at the table instead of discussing it in the lobby?"

"General Guo," Zhao Hui, under the influence of alcohol, acted with gusto. He fixed his gaze on Pharmacist Guo and said, "I order you to be the vanguard and head straight for the Murong family camp. Is that okay?"

Pharmacist Guo was startled by the sudden words, and a trace of panic flashed across his face, but he could only bite the bullet and agree: "I will obey your order!"

"Well, I salute General Guo for leading the charge and achieving victory!"

After saying that, Zhao Hui picked up the wine glass and toasted Pharmacist Guo generously, with a look of majesty in his eyes that could not be refused.

When Pharmacist Guo came to his senses, he had no choice but to drink the glass of wine, but he felt uneasy in his heart.

In ancient times, there was a saying that goes “give up military power over a cup of wine”.

Today, we are raising our glasses to give up military power.