371: Wang Shengzhi surrendered

Even so, Guo Feng still smiled and said, "I was originally a Huaguo person. No matter how much you give me, I will still be a Huaguo person."

"What's more, you and I are a transaction, a mutual aid, not you bestowing upon me."

He paused, then added, "Of course, for now, our relationship seems to be quite good. I can serve as a bridge between our two countries, maintain stability, and even establish diplomatic friendship and cooperation, trying my best to avoid war."

"What if war is inevitable?"

The Empress completely disregarded Guo Feng's rhetoric and continued to ask.

Guo Feng then looked at the Empress, his gaze deep: "There is no reason for war to be inevitable."

He paused, "Of course, if we must fight, then let's fight. I will fight to my last breath for Huaguo."

"Aren't you afraid I'll execute you right now?"

The Empress's eyes narrowed.

Guo Feng chuckled, "A true man knows what to do and what not to do! If I feared death, why would I have come to your Yan Yang Empire?"

"Woman!"

"Let's be open and honest, mutually beneficial. If fate allows, we can even become husband and wife."

He then smiled, "If you constantly use your imperial tactics on me, you will lose out."

He cupped his hands, "Farewell!"

With that, he turned and walked out.

"You—"

For the first time, anger appeared on the Empress's face, but deep down, there was an indescribable complexity.

She watched Guo Feng's retreating figure, her thoughts a little chaotic for a moment.

She couldn't help but ask, "Don't you want the imperial decree, the military tally, and the commander's seal anymore?"

"If you genuinely want to give them, have someone send them to my residence."

Guo Feng waved his hand without looking back and walked straight out of the Hall of Political Affairs.

He had no fear of the Empress's true strength.

Just as he said, if we must fight, then let's fight!

At worst, fight to the last breath!

A true man, what is there to fear in life and death?

If one constantly bows and scrapes, then they will bow and scrape for generations.

What meaning would life have then?

As he departed with a carefree air, a female voice came from behind the Empress: "Shangyue, you just let him leave like that?"

"What else?"

The Empress retorted.

"This man's talent is monstrous, but his willpower is firm. I'm afraid he's not someone you can control."

The female voice spoke again.

The Empress smiled, "Controlling subordinates is about control; controlling a husband involves give and take."

"Controlling a husband? Have you made up your mind?"

The female voice raised slightly, seemingly surprised.

The Empress said calmly, "It's just an attempt. Anyway, we still have a lot to do. With him leading the charge, we'll be much more relaxed."

Guo Feng?

Work hard!

As she spoke, she took a step and left the Hall of Political Affairs.

...

At this moment, Guo Feng had already walked out of the front hall of the Hall of Political Affairs. The Imperial Relative, Marquis Shenwei, Ming Hao, Wang Shengzhi, Qin Tian, and Ninth Chief Eunuch had not left.

As he came out, the Imperial Relative was the first to walk over, looking at Guo Feng: "Wind King, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Guo Feng cupped his hands.

The Imperial Relative then said, "However, Wind King, being in charge of the Tianyan Lion Army commander's seal at such a young age will likely attract criticism."

"Whoever dares to criticize me, I will execute them."

Guo Feng said calmly.

The Imperial Relative chuckled, "Can you execute everyone in the Tianyan Lion Army from top to bottom?"

"If they dare to criticize, I dare to execute."

Guo Feng said calmly again.

"Alright, then I wish you a bright future."

The Imperial Relative cupped his hands, "Farewell!"

He had originally intended to speak a few more words with Guo Feng and try to win him over.

But he never expected Guo Feng to give him no opportunity at all.

Every word was a dead end.

He could only leave with a hint of displeasure.

Ming Hao couldn't help but say, "Wind King, the Imperial Relative holds immense power in the court, and many generals in the Tianyan Lion Army are under his command. Speaking to him like that might be inappropriate..."

Guo Feng chuckled, "When words don't align, even half a sentence is too much. How else should I speak to him? Should I pretend to be friendly?"

He shook his head, looking at Ming Hao, "Ming Hao, what is the Empress's true purpose in bestowing titles and seals upon you and me?"

"To cultivate her own faction."

Ming Hao was not a fool and immediately replied.

"Then it's good that you know."

Guo Feng waved his hand, "The Empress is cultivating a new faction to counter the old forces led by the Imperial Relative. If you pretend to be friendly with him, you will be letting down the Empress's expectations, understand?"

"Of course, I understand."

Ming Hao nodded calmly, but it was unclear what he truly thought.

Guo Feng was too lazy to continue discussing this with him and waved his hand: "You should return to Ming Public Residence first. After I receive the imperial decree, military tally, and commander's seal, you, I, and Marquis Shenwei will go together to confiscate the residences of the Grand Manager and Eighth Chief Eunuch."

"What?"

Ming Hao was stunned. Confiscating a minister's home was a lucrative task.

Did Guo Feng mean to share a piece of the pie with him?

Immediately, he cupped his hands hastily: "Thank you for your favor, Wind King. I will await your good news at Ming Public Residence."

Marquis Shenwei also smiled at this moment: "Wind King, me too."

Guo Feng quickly said, "Marquis Shenwei, you are different. You currently command the Imperial Capital Guard Army. Please immediately send troops to detain and seal off the Grand Manager's remnants. If you need me, call me anytime."

"Naturally."

Marquis Shenwei Qiong Wu nodded hastily.

Guo Feng cupped his hands: "Since that's the case, let's leave the Imperial Palace together. See you later."

"Alright."

Qiong Wu and Ming Hao nodded repeatedly.

As they spoke, they were about to walk out together.

At this moment, Wang Shengzhi hurriedly caught up: "Lord Wind King, please lend me a moment to speak."

"Oh?"

Guo Feng glanced at Wang Shengzhi, then nodded, and went aside with Wang Shengzhi.

He waved his hand, setting up a soundproof barrier.

Then he said, "Lord Emperor-Consort, what is it? Speak."

"I truly dare not accept the title of Emperor-Consort."

Wang Shengzhi hastily cupped his hands, "Everyone can see who Empress has set her sights on. I am merely a stand-in."

"Emperor-Consort, what do you mean by that? Are you saying the Empress doesn't keep her word?"

Guo Feng raised an eyebrow.

Wang Shengzhi's face instantly turned pale with fright, and he quickly waved his hands: "Lord Wind King, I don't mean that."

"The fact that I'm speaking to you like this means I'm pledging my allegiance to you."

"I never expected to be chosen by the Empress as the prospective Emperor-Consort."

"Lord Wind King, please rest assured, within three years, I will inevitably make a mistake and thus fail to pass Empress's test."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Guo Feng, "Lord Wind King, I am currently in a precarious position. Please, Lord Wind King, save me."

"What do you mean by this?"

Guo Feng pretended not to understand.

In reality, he also saw that Wang Shengzhi was a smart person.

After a brief moment of joy, he understood how difficult his situation was.

With his family background and strength, he was in the vortex of power struggles in the Imperial Capital.

It wouldn't be long before he would likely be utterly crushed.

Wang Shengzhi quickly said, "Lord Wind King, I want to ask for your protection, to become one of your subordinates. This time, in the campaign against Guo Wang City, I want to go with the Wind King. I don't seek to gain merit, only to do small things for the Wind King."

"You, a prospective Emperor-Consort, following behind me, isn't that inappropriate?"

Guo Feng asked calmly.

Wang Shengzhi quickly waved his hand: "Now, throughout the Imperial Capital, who doesn't know your true identity, Lord Wind King? It's perfectly reasonable for me, a stand-in, to follow behind you."

As he spoke, he quickly added, "I am the son of the Great Wang City Lord. We may not have much else, but we have a large population. I am willing to lead an army of 200,000 soldiers and obey your command, Wind King."

He was eager to cling to a powerful figure, otherwise, both he and his family would be in danger!