My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

The atmosphere inside the imperial court became noticeably oppressive.

Indeed, Meng Xiutang's words made many people realize what was going on.

Yesterday, Jiang Xiaobai gained the upper hand over the Ministry of Justice by taking control of the enemy forces in the northern border.

Today, following this advice, Meng Xiutang pushed the Northern Yu delegation in front of Jiang Xiaobai.

The meaning is very simple.

Jiang Xiaobai, didn't you claim that someone in the Ministry of Justice was colluding with the enemy?

Very well, now that the Northern Yu delegation has arrived, you may come and receive them!

After all, you have such a good opportunity to investigate thoroughly.

If you miss this opportunity, then suppressing the Ministry of Justice... might be for some other purpose.

Li Bingzhang also sensed Meng Xiutang's malice. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately prepared to speak.

But just then, Xiao Jinxuan's voice rang out: "That's enough!"

The word "simple" made Li Bingzhang swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai.

"Your subject is here!"

Jiang Xiaobai responded and stepped forward.

"This matter..."

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Jiang Xiaobai and slowly said, "I think that what Chief Minister Meng said makes some sense."

"The delegations from Beiyu and Qi are indeed in need of a suitable person to receive them upon their arrival in the capital."

"As the top scholar in this imperial examination and the one who proposed the national policy of opening up border cities, I am at ease entrusting this matter to you."

"Of course... I won't force you. If you have any thoughts, you can tell me."

As Xiao Jinxuan finished speaking, all the officials present turned their gazes to Jiang Xiaobai.

Tang Ningshuang stood in the row of military officials, her brows furrowed.

Although she didn't understand much about the intricacies of court politics, she could tell that the matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

The State of Qi is doing alright. Although it was suppressed by the State of Hua, it has been peaceful for many years.

But Beiyu is different.

They fought against Dahua for years, and the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion was responsible for... precisely Beiyu.

Now that the delegations from both countries have arrived, Jiang Xiaobai has been sent to receive them.

This is clearly... a deliberate attack!

"His Majesty……"

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, silent for a moment, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "This matter, I can accept!"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, many officials looked surprised.

They all thought Jiang Xiaobai would refuse, but to their surprise, he accepted.

Li Bingzhang frowned slightly.

Whenever Jiang Xiaobai offered even a brief explanation, he could smoothly follow up and help Jiang Xiaobai extricate himself from the matter.

But... once Jiang Xiaobai accepted the answer, things didn't go so well afterward.

Xiao Jinxuan was also somewhat surprised. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Xiaobai's voice rang out again.

"But...I have a small request!"

"What are your requirements?"

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Jiang Xiaobai and asked.

"Oh, that's easy!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked up at Xiao Jinxuan and said, "If I cannot restrain myself, Your Majesty, please allow me to take action!"

After these words were spoken, many people's expressions turned strange.

As envoys, they would receive the highest level of treatment no matter which country they went to.

That's right, even when relations between the two countries are strained.

After all, sometimes, envoys can bring about complete peace between two warring nations.

But Jiang Xiaobai's words took on a somewhat different meaning.

That's right. If they really beat someone up, then which envoy would dare to come to their Great China in the future?

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Xiao Jinxuan frowned immediately.

"Young Master Jiang, receiving this delegation is no trivial matter!"

At this moment, Meng Xiutang's voice rang out, and he looked at Jiang Xiaobai calmly, saying, "You represent not just yourself, but the entire Great Hua!"

"Therefore, how can we treat them with such barbaric manners?"

"Oh, since Prime Minister Meng is so skilled in this area, why don't we let him handle the reception?"

Jiang Xiaobai said calmly, "Your Majesty... I'm quitting!"

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

Meng Xiutang's gaze was cold: "I am the Grand Secretary of the Great Hua Dynasty, how could I possibly be received by an envoy?!"

"oh!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, his voice turning icy: "Then I am still the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei, with an army of 800,000!"

"How can we possibly receive an envoy?!"

"you……"

Meng Xiutang's expression immediately changed.

"What do you mean, 'you'?!"

Jiang Xiaobai turned and cupped his hands towards Xiao Jinxuan, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe that Chief Minister Meng is also suspected of treason!"

"Everyone knows that my Jiang family has a deep-seated grudge with Beiyu, yet this person strongly recommended me to be this envoy!"

"I simply don't believe there wasn't some ulterior motive involved!"

With that, Jiang Xiaobai snorted coldly, "Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to... thoroughly investigate this fiend!"

puff……

Li Bingzhang was originally quite calm, but upon hearing these words, he couldn't help but lose his composure.

Finally, he rubbed his nose forcefully to suppress his laughter.

The other officials also had different expressions, but they couldn't afford to offend either side, so they didn't dare to show too much emotion.

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

Meng Xiutang angrily retorted, "Don't try to be unreasonable! I think you're the one with ulterior motives!"

"Hmph, in my opinion, if you refuse to even receive this envoy, then yesterday... you were intentionally framing the Ministry of Justice!"

"Prime Minister Meng, if you refuse, you are treason!"

Jiang Xiaobai replied casually.

"you……"

Meng Xiutang's face flushed red and then turned pale, and for a moment, he was speechless.

"Alright!"

Xiao Jinxuan frowned: "This imperial court is not a place for you to quarrel!"

"yes!"

Meng Xiutang took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and respectfully looked at Xiao Jinxuan, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I misspoke!"

Jiang Xiaobai gave a cold snort and remained silent.

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

At this moment, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "Your request is granted!"

"If the delegations from both countries deliberately provoke and insult our Great China, you may handle the matter as you see fit!"

"But... if you take this opportunity to cause trouble and damage the diplomatic relations of my Great Hua, I will not let you off lightly!"

"yes!"

Jiang Xiaobai cupped his hands in greeting: "Your subject understands!"

"Well, besides that..."

Xiao Jinxuan stared at Jiang Xiaobai: "I also have a request!"

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly.

"If you mess this up..."

Xiao Jinxuan said calmly, "I will resign from your post as Imperial Investigator, and you... should marry Prime Minister Li's daughter as soon as possible and become a son-in-law of the Prime Minister's family!"

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, and he replied again, "Okay!"

"good!"

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai agree, Xiao Jinxuan's eyes flashed, and he said, "In that case, Jiang Xiaobai, obey my command!"

Half a month later, the Qi and Beiyu delegations entered the capital.

"I hereby appoint you as the envoy to receive the delegations from both countries, temporarily holding the title of Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, and in charge of all matters related to the reception of the delegations from both countries!"

"If you do well, I will reward you; if you do poorly..."

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze fell indifferently: "Remove him from all his posts and have him marry into the Prime Minister's household!"

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

Jiang Xiaobai bowed and nodded, then paused before saying, "But, I have one more request!"

"explain!"

Xiao Jinxuan's voice was clearly impatient at this moment.

"If I can ensure that the delegations from both countries leave satisfied."

Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, his gaze sweeping indifferently over Meng Xiutang: "This subject does not seek any reward!"

"Your Majesty, I only request that you grant me... a thorough investigation of Chief Minister Meng!"