Chapter 184 Birthday Banquet Confrontation
in a few days

Queen Mother's Birthday Banquet
Su Wenyi, Fan Xian and Ye Buhui were present, and some officials in the delegation were also invited to attend the birthday banquet of the Queen Mother of Northern Qi.

At the banquet, as soon as the feast was opened, all the officials began to eat.

Lang Tao suddenly stood up, walked to the little emperor and the empress dowager, and knelt down to pay his respects.

Lang Tao bowed his head slightly, and said in a respectful but firm tone: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I, Lang Tao, would like to compete with Master Fan Xian of Nanqing Shangbang to celebrate his birthday, and add some excitement to the birthday banquet."

His words were powerful and echoed in the hall.

When the officials heard this, they all showed different expressions, and their eyes glanced back and forth between Fan Xian and Lang Tao.

Fan Xian's heart tightened, he knew very well that Lang Tao was a martial arts master, and there were very few people in the world who could defeat him.

But it is really strange that this person challenges himself at this time.

I have no grudge against him, so why would I bother to make him unhappy at this time?
But under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he could not easily retreat. For a moment, the atmosphere at the banquet became tense and subtle.

When Su Wenyi heard Lang Tao's words, his face darkened and he took a step forward.

He held his head high, his eyes revealing a sense of dominance, and looked directly at the Queen Mother and the Emperor without fear.

"Fan Xian encountered many dangers on his way to Northern Qi and was seriously injured. He has not yet fully recovered, so it is inconvenient for him to take action.

It is really inappropriate for Lord Langtao to propose a competition at this time!
Lord Fan Xian is an envoy of the Kingdom of Qing and represents the dignity of the Kingdom of Qing. If he is defeated due to his injuries at this birthday banquet, wouldn't Northern Qi be accused of bullying the weak?
Well, Lang Tao, if you really want to fight someone, come find me!"

Su Wenyi's voice was loud and firm, echoing in the hall, showing his intention to protect Fan Xian.

Zhan Doudou frowned slightly when she heard this, and immediately spoke up to stop it. Her voice was clear and majestic, and instantly spread throughout the hall. "Lang Tao, today is the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, it is not appropriate to use force. Let's just leave it at that."

Although Lang Tao was unwilling, he did not dare to disobey the emperor since he had spoken. He could only glare at Fan Xian fiercely and return to his seat.

Seeing that the storm had subsided, everyone began to eat.

At the banquet, there was a wide variety of delicious food, and everyone was toasting each other, and the atmosphere gradually became lively again.

After eating and drinking, Fan Xian thought for a moment and stood up on his own initiative.

Fan Xian looked at the Queen Mother and the Emperor with a determined gaze, and said in a steady tone, "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, Fan Xian has come to Northern Qi to discuss something.

After returning to China this time, I will officially take over the Qing domestic treasury, and the smuggling with the Northern Qi Jinyiwei will be able to continue in the future.

This move will benefit both countries, and I hope the Queen Mother and Your Majesty will grant your approval."

Fan Xian's words were so powerful that they caused an uproar in the hall.

Everyone was whispering to each other, discussing Fan Xian's proposal.

The Queen Mother and the Emperor fell into deep thought, weighing the pros and cons.

When Su Wenyi heard Fan Xian say this, a smile appeared on his face.

Not many people really know about this smuggling business, and it has always been operated in secret by Shen Zhong.

Now that this matter has to be exposed, Shen Zhong's expression suddenly changed!

This is good, only in this way will Shen Zhong be forced into a desperate situation.

The smuggling was exposed, and there was an uproar in the court.

The ministers looked at each other, shock and confusion intertwined on everyone's face.

There were voices of discussion one after another, and the entire court fell into chaos.

Seeing this, Shen Zhong walked forward helplessly.

He looked solemn, bowed slightly to the Queen Mother and the Emperor, and said slowly: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty, I admit that I had previously engaged in smuggling with the Kingdom of Qing.

But my action is actually to disrupt the internal situation of Qing State, weaken Qing State's strength, and ensure the stability of Northern Qi.

Now that the matter has been exposed, I cannot continue smuggling with Fan Xian." Shen Zhong's words were firm and resolute, showing his position.

The Queen Mother frowned slightly and turned her gaze to the little emperor.

The little emperor looked hesitant. He knew very well that this matter was of great importance and required a careful decision.

He remained silent, weighing the pros and cons over and over in his mind.

After a long time, the little emperor finally raised his head, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"I have decided that the smuggling matter will remain the same."

Although the little emperor's voice was not loud, it was clearly heard by everyone.

His decision once again caused a commotion in the court. The ministers were either surprised, worried, or opposed, but the little emperor had made up his mind and there was no room for doubt.

After hearing the little emperor's decision, Shen Zhong was filled with dissatisfaction.

Shen Zhong frowned, took another step forward, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely inappropriate.

Smuggling with Qing State may bring temporary benefits, but in the long run, it will inevitably lead to disasters. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Shen Zhong spoke earnestly, worrying about the future of Northern Qi.

However, after hearing Shen Zhong's words, the little emperor showed displeasure on his face.

At this moment, Uesugi Tora, who had been silent all this time, could no longer bear it and strode out.

Shangshanhu was a burly man with an imposing manner. He glared at Shen Zhong and loudly accused him, "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I see Shen Zhong is so arrogant. I have something to say after the birthday banquet.

But now, I can no longer bear it and can only speak out now.

Jinyiwei Zhenfu Envoy Shen Zhong colluded with Qingguo Inspection Institute and betrayed our Northern Qi military intelligence! "

As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials in the court began to discuss the matter again.

The Queen Mother couldn't help but say, "Shen Zhong has been in charge of the Jinyiwei for many years, how could he do such a thing?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong responded with disdain: "Uesugi Tiger, stop slandering me. I, Shen Zhong, am loyal to Northern Qi. How could I do such a thing?"

Uesugi Tora snorted coldly and said, "I have evidence! The reason why our army was defeated this time was because of the leak of military intelligence.

And all this is due to your collusion with Qing Kingdom.

As you all know, the military intelligence was leaked because of Yan Bingyun, the secret agent of the Inspection Institute in Shangjing City.

However, Shen Zhong's sister Shen Wan'er and Yan Bingyun have been having an affair for a long time. This military information has been leaked. I don't need to say more, right?"

Uesugi Tora's words exploded in the court like thunder, and everyone was shocked.

Shen Zhong's face suddenly changed. He never expected that Uesugi Tiger would reveal this matter at this time.

After hearing what Uesugi Tora said, Shen Zhong still wanted to refute.

However, Shangshan Hu did not give him a chance and continued to say firmly: "Shen Zhong, don't deny it anymore.

After Yan Bingyun was arrested, your sister Shen Wan'er still visited him many times.

Everyone knows about this, how do you explain it? You colluded with Qing State and sold out military intelligence. Now that the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say? "

Uesugi Tora's words were so powerful that Shen Zhong was speechless for a moment.

In the court, everyone's eyes were focused on Shen Zhong, waiting for his response.

At this moment, Shen Zhong's face turned pale, and he was quickly thinking of a countermeasure in his mind.

(End of this chapter)