Chapter 191 You dare to act tough with me when you don't have my skills?
The officials exchanged glances, all shaking their heads.
The last negotiation with Gongsun Changlin, that blockhead, was pure luck in gaining so much advantage.
This time, a notoriously ruthless character was coming; it would probably not be so easy to get both.
Just then, Right Deputy Commander Grand General of Cavalry stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, during the last negotiation, thanks to Lord Shen's brilliant strategies, we achieved a great victory.
In Your humble servant's opinion, this matter still needs Lord Shen to handle it!"
General Zhang's calculations were clattering loudly.
His son, Zhang Tianbao, was now Shen Yulou's number one fan, thriving at the Imperial Academy.
If he spoke a good word for Shen Yulou now, Shen Yulou would definitely pay more attention to his son later.
Emperor Ren thought about it and felt it made sense.
"But Shen Yulou's duty is to instruct the princes; this diplomatic negotiation... isn't it outside his area of expertise?
Is it appropriate to let him handle such a major court affair?"
As soon as Emperor Ren asked this, half of the ministers standing in the Imperial Study immediately nodded.
"Appropriate! Very appropriate!"
"Your Majesty, Lord Shen is a prodigy, and an all-rounder; he is absolutely appropriate!"
All of these people's children were currently under Shen Yulou's care at the Imperial Academy.
Emperor Ren watched this bizarre scene, his mouth twitching.
Alright then.
"In that case, summon Shen Yulou for an audience!"
Shen Yulou arrived at the Imperial Study, and after listening to Emperor Ren's account, he merely smiled faintly.
"Your Majesty, esteemed adults. In Your humble servant's opinion, this matter is probably not that simple."
He surveyed everyone and slowly said,
"According to the nature of those Wulin Kingdom people, having suffered such a great loss last time, they will definitely try to get even this time.
Offering Yanyun City in exchange for Song Hu seems sincere, but it's actually just bait."
"They must have more greedy and harsh conditions waiting for us, and they might even set a trap."
Everyone nodded upon hearing this, feeling it made sense.
Since they had come, they must have come prepared.
A Ministry of War Vice Minister with a pointed nose and monkey-like cheeks, who looked shrewd and calculating, stepped forward.
This person was Zhou Kui's younger brother, Zhou Chuan.
Zhou Chuan buzzed forward like a fly drawn to a scent.
He bowed to Emperor Ren, but his eyes provocatively glanced at Shen Yulou.
"Your Majesty!
Since Lord Shen is so confident, he must already have a brilliant plan.
Your humble servant believes that this matter should be fully entrusted to Lord Shen!
Let him sign a military order, demanding that he both keep Song Hu and secure Yanyun City!
If he fails, he should be punished for deceiving the emperor!"
Good heavens!
Shen Yulou's eyelid twitched.
Are they treating This Official like a turtle in a wishing well, where anyone can kick him around?
A military order, and the crime of deceiving the emperor—they're practically wishing This Official dead.
These Zhou brothers are both equally ruthless.
Shen Yulou didn't even bother to raise his eyelids, slowly saying,
"So, according to Lord Zhou, if you were to handle this, would you also dare to sign a military order?
If you couldn't accomplish it, would you just bash your head against that pillar and apologize with your death?"
Zhou Chuan was choked for a moment, then he snorted coldly, his face full of disdain.
"This Official naturally doesn't have Lord Shen's extraordinary abilities, nor your glib tongue that can talk the dead back to life.
Without the diamond drill, I wouldn't dare take on this porcelain job."
"Oh?"
Shen Yulou finally looked up at him, a playful smirk curving his lips.
"You don't have This Official's abilities, yet you dare to act so arrogant in front of us?"
"You, a Ministry of War Vice Minister, what rank official are you again?
Speaking to This Official, have you forgotten even the most basic etiquette?
You dare to challenge me today; tomorrow, you'll probably dare to talk back to His Majesty, won't you?"
"You!" Zhou Chuan's face instantly turned a liver-red color.
"Enough!"
Emperor Ren on the dragon throne tapped the table, a bit impatient.
"All of you, quiet down! What are you arguing about? Is this a marketplace?"
Emperor Ren rubbed his temples and said, "This matter is not Minister Shen's responsibility to begin with. His willingness to help is already a way of sharing the country's burdens.
If he can't find a solution, he can't be blamed.
All of you should think more about what you can contribute!"
Just then, Right Deputy Commander Zhou Kui stepped forward and said,
"Lord Shen, don't forget our previous bet; I'm still waiting for Jinbang Tower."
Shen Yulou sneered, this fellow truly wouldn't shed a tear until he saw the coffin.
"Lord Zhou, rest assured, have you prepared the money?
Song Hu has already made up his mind; he won't go back even if he dies.
If you don't believe me, I'll have him come over now to completely disabuse you of any doubt."
Zhou Kui snorted with a trace of disdain upon hearing this.
"Anyone can say that! It's not impossible for the two of you to collude and trick me out of these five thousand taels!
This matter must wait until the Wulin Kingdom Envoy asks in front of His Majesty, and Song Hu personally says he won't leave. Only then will you have won!"
"Alright, alright!"
Emperor Ren waved his hand impatiently, "Stop arguing! Go back and think of countermeasures; don't put all the burden on Shen Yulou alone! When the Envoy arrives, adapt to the situation. You may all withdraw!"
... A large group of people walked out of the Imperial Study.
At the palace gate, that Zhou Chuan sidled up again and said to Shen Yulou in a sarcastic tone,
"Lord Shen, don't just talk without acting.
You've boasted so loudly; if you can't accomplish it then, where will you put that pretty face of yours?
Don't think that just by relying on a few princes and princesses, you can swagger around in court!
How many years have you been an official?
Don't be too arrogant!"
As soon as he finished speaking,
"Slap!"
Shen Yulou swung his arm and delivered a crisp slap.
The slap was delivered with such decisiveness.
Zhou Chuan was completely stunned by the blow, and a vivid red five-finger print appeared on his face, visible to the naked eye.
Everyone around was dumbfounded.
Holy crap!
This was the Imperial Study!
And the other party was a Vice Minister, yet he directly slapped him in the face?
Zhou Chuan covered his face, his eyes filled with disbelief, his entire being in a state of shock.
Shen Yulou said coldly,
"Just now in the Imperial Study, I warned you.
Insubordination, disrespect for authority.
Do you really think This Official's words are just farts?"
"You... you dare to hit me?!" Zhou Chuan trembled with rage.
"Shen Yulou, you're looking for death!"
With an angry roar, Zhou Kui charged over like an enraged bull, his eyes bloodshot, raising his fist to smash it into Shen Yulou's face.
That was his younger brother, and he was slapped in the face by Shen Yulou right in front of the palace! It was simply outrageous!
"Stop!"
"Zhou Kui! Do you intend to rebel in the palace?!"
Grand General of Cavalry, the Vice Minister of Revenue, and a group of "Imperial Academy Parent-Teacher Association" members instantly surrounded Shen Yulou, shielding him tightly behind them.
Zhou Kui's fist stopped mid-air. He looked at the colleagues in front of him, each one protecting Shen Yulou like a parent protecting their child, his head buzzing.
He never expected that in such a short time, this Shen fellow would have so many backers in court?!
These people, usually all old foxes, why were they standing up for this kid today?
Zhou Kui gritted his teeth, his fists clenching with audible cracks.
In the end, he could only glare fiercely at Shen Yulou, helping his younger brother, swallowing his anger and accepting this silent loss.
"Many thanks, General Zhang, and many thanks to all the adults for speaking out on my behalf." Shen Yulou cupped his hands to everyone.
Grand General of Cavalry waved his hand, laughing heartily.
"Lord Shen, you're too kind!
It's only right! Only right! In the future, please take good care of my Tianbao, Lord Shen. If that boy doesn't listen, you can beat him to death!"
"Yes, yes, Lord Shen, my daughter..."
Everyone exchanged another round of pleasantries, their words all conveying the same meaning.
Our children are entrusted to you!
Shen Yulou suddenly felt like a head teacher at an elite primary school