These fairies want me to deal with them every day.

The imperial city was bustling with activity early in the morning.

In the open space where the court officials knelt in worship, guards had already begun setting up the arena early on.

At this very moment, inside Ye Bingluan's imperial study, several of the elders' key advisors also wore solemn expressions.

"Your Majesty, this old minister still feels... that such a thing should not actually happen. After all, the enemy's military strength, exact location, domestic resources, and attitude towards the Central Plains are still unknown. This old minister believes that we should first ascertain their strength and weaknesses before proceeding."

"Your Majesty... this old minister also feels... that such a hasty competition is really inappropriate, and it will inevitably damage harmony..."

"Yes, Your Majesty, let's have a proper talk. Neither side should get too worked up. Otherwise, people might say that our great nation is petty. If we win, they'll say we're bullying others; if we lose... then we'll look even worse."

Several ministers tried to persuade the young empress to abandon this inappropriate decision.

Ye Bingluan, leaning back in her chair, remained calm, her expression unreadable, neither pleased to hear nor annoyed by the news.

She simply looked at an elderly man who was standing silently on the far side.

"Prime Minister Cui, what do you think?"

This elderly man, who had served the late emperor since his time, was known for his love of chess, integrity, and love for the people.

He was also the most respected and admired veteran official in the court and among the people.

He was not only a trusted minister and a veteran, but also a minister entrusted with the care of the late emperor.

It was only through his strong opposition that Ye Bingluan gained the real qualifications to ascend the throne.

In that turbulent period, without his approval, even if the two imperial advisors stirred up trouble, they would be powerless.

All eyes are now on Cui Hao.

The old minister had been keeping his head slightly bowed, but when he heard Ye Bingluan's question, he slowly raised his head, looked at the young empress with his aged but not senile eyes, and slowly spoke.

"In my opinion...he deserves to be punished."

"This...Prime Minister!"

"Old Cui! What's wrong with you...?"

Some of them were getting anxious. Their conservative nature led them to subconsciously make a judgment: the unknown guests, who might seem like guests at first glance, could easily turn into enemies if they were not careful. They were unwilling to lose this rare period of good weather, peace and prosperity.

"Prime Minister Cui, they all hope that I will abandon this arena, so why do you agree?"

Cui Hao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and replied.

"We, the Great Shang, will certainly treat sincere guests with courtesy. But for those who are arrogant and think that money and military force can subdue us, we must teach them a lesson."

Ye Bingluan smiled and said, "But is giving them a warning without considering the consequences? What if they turn around and side with our enemy country?"

Cui Hao continued to answer.

"These countries that stand abroad can be friends or enemies. When they are friends, we should treat them warmly. When they are enemies, we should fight them with full force. How can we allow the Great Shang to compromise and humiliate itself because of their opinions? Some people have lost their edge, coveting the stability before their eyes, forgetting that the foundation of the Great Shang was built with swords, blood, and lives. A dog without its wildness won't even bite. The Great Shang can lose battles, but it cannot be afraid to fight!"

When Cui Hao raised his head this time.

The others didn't even have the courage to speak, their faces turning bright red.

Ye Bingluan slowly stood up.

Looking around, it seemed that there wasn't a single person left to talk to at this time.

She pulled out a chair, slowly walked around the ministers, and then reached the door of the Imperial Study.

Suddenly, she opened the door.

The azure sky and brilliant sunlight streamed in, illuminating her body and elongating her shadow.

Her dragon robes shone brightly.

The young empress wore a blissful smile.

"Then let's get it done." PS: My sleep schedule has been terrible lately; I can't sleep at night. Would melatonin help?

46. ​​Originally, I wanted to live as an ordinary person...

Flags fluttered in the open air.

On the large open space that should have been empty, a huge arena suddenly appeared.

The ring was sturdy and solid.

Banners fluttered in the wind, and higher up, at the entrance of the imperial palace, a chair had already been placed.

Although it lacked the bustling atmosphere of the marketplace back then, as if it were a scene of thousands of people crowding around.

But the scale of the operation won't be small either.

The surrounding soldiers, and even all the court officials, were present, and it seemed that this scene completely replaced the grand spectacle of court sessions.

Before it even begins.

The assembled civil and military officials began to whisper among themselves.

"What kind of show is this now?"

"Ugh, don't even mention it. It's those southern barbarians causing trouble again. They've been keeping me exhausted lately."

"Is this going to be a duel?"

"Yes, yesterday a few barbarians went to the market and started a fight, saying they would take His Majesty away if no one could defeat them. If it weren't for the officials stopping them... I would have rushed up and slapped them across the face!"

"If you're so good, why haven't we seen you go up and fight?"

"I had something to do that day."

"I heard that the one who defeated that southern barbarian named Meng Hu yesterday... was our elusive national advisor?"

"So this is the Imperial Advisor? Didn't they say he was to be dismissed last time?"

"You know nothing! You've already been reinstated. With your limited information and connections, you wouldn't even know what crime you committed when you're on your way to the execution ground!"

"Huh? Those southern barbarians are here!"

Unlike the ministers who were waiting quietly, a group of burly men, dressed in rough and unrefined manners, entered through the main entrance and walked into the front yard. They seemed to be deliberately trying to make a fuss.

Leading the way was none other than Meng Hu, who had set up the arena at the market the day before.

He looked at the central arena and sneered.

"Hehe, these people aren't very good at anything else, but they're quite skilled at building houses. They built one in just one morning. I knew it would be good to bring a few craftsmen back to the King."

Walking behind Meng Hu was a middle-aged man who appeared relatively thin, but was still considered strong by ordinary standards.

He was dressed in simple, close-fitting clothes and sported a goatee.

"These things are not important; fulfilling the King's instructions is the key. Otherwise, you will be punished no matter what you do to cover it up."

Meng Hu sighed.

"Second brother, no offense, but this little wench just doesn't know what's good for her. Our king has everything he could ever want, isn't that better than staying in this wretched place?"

The composed man behind the second brother finally spoke.

“They are just ordinary people and naturally have their own ideas. Leaving their homeland is something they don’t want to see. Moreover, in their minds, the marriage of a king is a disgrace.”

Meng Hu looked at the two of them with a sense of foreboding.

"Then... Boss, how do we complete this mission? We don't want gold or silver treasures, we don't want troops, what do we want?"

The second brother smiled slightly.

"You don't need to worry about that. There's a way to make her willingly go to Chechi."

They brought a large group of people, and although their numbers were incomparable, their arrogant demeanor made it seem as if this was their home turf.

Meng Hu acted arrogantly, as if he wasn't the one whose face had been distorted by the beating yesterday.

He shouted at the woman who sat down on the steps.

"Your Majesty! My elder brothers are here! Where is that brat surnamed Wei? Tell him to come out and face his death at once!"

Meng Hu's arrogance was not without reason. Although they had seen through the fact that the boy was definitely not an ordinary person, it did not mean that they dared to come without any preparation.

At that moment, Wei Tu was leaning against the wall, yawning.

I have to say, I was unusually sleepy after not sleeping all night.

He was wearing the official robes that Ye Bingluan had prepared for him; they weren't too ugly, and at least they fit him well.

However, there is a problem with where we are standing.

A sneaky-looking soldier next to him whispered.

"Sir, why are you yawning here?"

Wei Tu turned around and looked around, only to find himself standing with the soldiers in the corner without realizing it.

"Where should we stand?"

"That's where you officials in your robes should be... Haven't you ever attended court?"

The soldier looked at the extremely young boy with suspicion; in his memory, he had never seen such a young official in the court.

Judging from the official robes... the rank is quite high.

Wei Tu thought for a moment.

"the first time."

The soldier, amused but not daring to laugh, said, "Then you should hurry over, sir... If His Majesty finds out, or if you are impeached later, then you're finished."

Wei Tu smiled and shook his head.

"It doesn't matter, I'm not important, they won't notice me..."

The soldier couldn't help but laugh at his easygoing manner.

"I've never seen an official like you before, sir. Look at all those high-ranking officials, they all want to be close to His Majesty, afraid of missing an opportunity to show their abilities. You're so young and have such a bright future, why do you want to stay so far away?"

Wei Tu thought for a moment.

"You said I have a bright future, so what's a day or two? Maybe His Majesty will appreciate me tomorrow?"

"Hahahaha... Come on, I've been guarding the palace for five years, and His Majesty has never even glanced at me... Sigh, if only His Majesty would give me a second look."