The Prodigal Son

That evening, Zhao Luan hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome Gao Yi.

The banquet was of a very high standard, and even the Empress Dowager attended.

The Empress Dowager also supported sending troops to help the Min Kingdom quell the rebellion.

However, upon learning that Qin Yu would also be joining the army, the Empress Dowager immediately frowned.

The Empress Dowager pulled Zhao Luan aside, frowning, and said, "Why did you let Qin Yu go on the expedition? Wouldn't it have been better if he stayed in court to advise you?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Zhao Luan had no words to express her suffering.

Did she tell the Empress Dowager that she also didn't want Qin Yu to go on the expedition?

The Empress Dowager had already intended to match her with Qin Yu, and if she said this, the Empress Dowager would definitely think that she had feelings for Qin Yu.

At that time, she will probably be even more proactive in trying to bring her and Qin Yu together.

But she really didn't want Qin Yu to go to war with the army!

However, Qin Fu wanted to train Qin Yu, and Qin Yu himself also wanted to train.

She can't keep Qin Yu by her side forever, can she?

Moreover, the fact that Qin Yu was going on the expedition with the army had already been announced.

Some ministers in the court already suspected that she had some kind of ambiguous relationship with Qin Yu. Now that she has changed her mind and forcibly kept Qin Yu in the capital, rumors in the court will probably spread like wildfire.

Zhao Luan shook off the jumbled thoughts in her mind and smiled, "Qin Yu is resourceful and brilliant in the battle of Chenzhou. I think he is a natural-born commander. It would be a good thing to nurture him further."

A brilliant strategist?

The Empress Dowager frowned.

Qin Yu is resourceful and wise, she acknowledges.

But to say that Qin Yu is a military genius is a bit of an overstatement.

The reason Qin Yu was able to shine in the Battle of Chenzhou was mainly because he came up with the strategy of attacking with water.

To put it bluntly, if someone else had come up with the idea of ​​a water attack, the result would have been pretty much the same.

From her perspective, she hoped Qin Yu would be a good prime minister, not a good general!

Of course, if Qin Yu truly has no desire for power, then she would hope that Qin Yu is a man of both literary and martial talents!

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, "He doesn't even want to attend court, and his performance as the Palace Attendant is half-hearted. You asked him to go on a military campaign, and he didn't get angry with you?"

"Why is he in such a hurry with his daughter?"

Zhao Luan smiled and said, "This matter was first proposed by the Duke of Wei! I thought the Duke of Wei's suggestion was good, so I agreed! If he's in a hurry, he should be in a hurry with the Duke of Wei."

"Is that so?"

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment, "How about I talk to the Duke of Wei and ask him not to send Qin Yu to the army for training, but to keep him in the capital to serve?"

"Isn't this inappropriate?"

Zhao Luan frowned and said, "This matter has already been announced, and changing it now is probably not appropriate!"

The Empress Dowager lowered her head and remained silent, pondering in her heart.

If she had a proper talk with Qin Fumeng, he definitely wouldn't let Qin Yu train anymore.

However, it seems a bit early to talk about these things now.

never mind!

So be it!

Let's use this to test Qin Yu!

If Qin Yu still has no desire for power after this battle, then some things can perhaps be put on the table for discussion!

Ah!

Correct!

that's it!

This matter is of great importance; it would be good to test Qin Yu further!

Having made up her mind, the Empress Dowager stopped dwelling on the matter and instead talked to Zhao Luan about Gao Yi.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while, and seeing that the banquet was about to begin, they walked hand in hand into the hall.

At the banquet, led by Zhao Luan, the officials frequently toasted Gao Yi, the new prime minister.

Gao Yi was deeply moved, and tears streamed down his face several times.

Gao Yi stated that no position is too small or too big, but the responsibility is paramount.

As a member of the Daning Group, only by being down-to-earth, striving for excellence, and doing every job meticulously, practically, and well, without shirking responsibility or being perfunctory, can we live up to Zhao Luan's trust.

After listening to Gao Yi's speech, Zhao Luan, Chairman and CEO of Daning Group, gave it high praise.

Chairman Zhao pointed out that Gao Yi's words embody his love and responsibility for his work, and demonstrate his dedication and commitment. He is an outstanding example of all the managers of Daning Group in fulfilling their duties and taking responsibility.

Chairman Zhao hopes that all managers will take Gao Yi as a role model, deeply learn from his dedication to his job and sense of responsibility, abandon any impetuous mentality, and focus on their own duties...

The managers of Daning Group expressed that they will earnestly study Gao Yi's speech, identify gaps and shortcomings in their own work, and transform the learning outcomes into practical actions to fulfill their responsibilities.

Ahem, I've gone off on a tangent!

Anyway, that's the gist of it.

After a performance of singing, dancing, and rapping, the welcome banquet came to a close.

Just as Qin Yu was about to follow Qin Fumeng back home, Shangguan Youyi came over and said, "Doctor Qin, His Majesty requests your presence."

Ok?

Why are you looking for me again?

Could it be that what he said in retaliation against Xue Chengdao has angered her again and made her want to punish him?

Qin Yu's heart pounded with apprehension, and he tentatively asked, "What business does Your Majesty have with me?"

"His Majesty didn't say."

Shangguan Youyi gently shook her head.

"You beast! Just go when His Majesty commands! Why ask so many questions?"

Qin Fu glared at Qin Yu, his beard bristling, and said, "Go now!"

Left with no other choice, Qin Yu had to follow Shangguan Youyi.

Led by Shangguan Youyi, Qin Yu arrived at the Imperial Study.

At the banquet, Zhao Luan also drank quite a bit of wine, and her face was still flushed. She was sitting here trying to catch her breath.

Qin Yu gave Zhao Luan a simple bow and asked, "What does Your Majesty wish to do with me?"

Zhao Luan gestured to Shangguan Youyi to serve tea to Qin Yu, and then pushed an exquisite wooden box in front of Qin Yu.

"What is it?"

Qin Yu was puzzled.

See for yourself!

Zhao Luan responded calmly.

Go ahead and watch!

Qin Yu picked up the wooden box and opened it, only to find half a round jade pendant lying inside.

The jade pendant was quite large, about half the size of his palm.

Nine Dragons Pendant!

Qin Yu's pupils suddenly contracted, and his eyes stared intently at the half of the Nine Dragons Pendant.

The shape of this half of the Nine Dragons Pendant is similar to that in the murals of the Nanqueer tribe, but the real object is more vivid than the murals.

However, this so-called dragon is indeed a bit abstract.

This isn't a vividly depicted dragon; it's more like a gudgeon with its body hunched over.

Yes, it's the minnow that all anglers hate to death!

Each fish's tail points towards the central circle, while its mouth bites the arched part of the fish in front of it.

Qin Yu picked up the Nine Dragon Pendant and examined it for a while, secretly harboring doubts.

There's nothing special about this thing!

Even the jade material seems to be only slightly better quality yellow jade.

The workmanship doesn't seem to have anything to do with the word "exquisite".

This thing, if placed in a jade shop, would probably only be worth a few dozen taels of silver.

Moreover, it's only worth the price if you encounter a sucker.

Is this worth all the trouble Bei Qi is going through?

Qin Yu was filled with doubt, then quickly put it back into the wooden box. "Shouldn't this be called the Nine Fish Pendant?"

Zhao Luan narrowed his eyes slightly: "Are you saying I gave you a fake Nine Dragon Pendant as a way to appease you?"

"Your Majesty, you are being too sensitive."

Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, "I just thought this dragon looked more like a fish, it was just a casual remark! Your Majesty, don't you think it looks like a fish?"

"Indeed...it does look somewhat similar."

Zhao Luan withdrew her gaze, a smile flashing across her face.

Qin Yu slightly raised his eyes. "Your Majesty summoned me here not just to show me the Nine Dragon Pendant, but..."

"Of course not!"

Zhao Luan's smile faded. "From what you said earlier, it seems you wanted to take this opportunity to occupy the Min Kingdom?"