Chapter 43: Declaration of War_1
Qin Wudao kept Wu Ming and his five companions behind, not only to apologize but primarily to win them over as officials loyal to the East Palace and establish his own retinue. Emboldened by the wine, he hinted at this but didn’t state it explicitly.
Wu Ming and the others were no fools; they could read between the lines. They remained silent for a while and didn’t immediately give an answer, as they needed to carefully consider such a significant matter.
After the evening banquet ended, Wu Ming and the other five men, guided by palace maidens, left the main hall.
Qin Wudao took a sip of tea. His flushed complexion returned to normal, as if he hadn’t drunk at all. Since he had only just met Wu Ming and the others, he certainly wouldn’t have gotten drunk.
In the presence of untrustworthy people, one must always maintain a degree of vigilance.
"Your Highness, will they stay?" Jia Xu’s figure appeared in the hall as if from nowhere, like a ghost.
"It’s hard to say," Qin Wudao replied, stretching lazily. He began walking towards the exit of the hall, planning to appreciate the moonlight. "They are all a proud and haughty lot and won’t easily submit to others. We’ll know the answer by tomorrow morning!"
Jia Xu quickly followed, and the two chatted while strolling.
「The next day」
Zhang Han, Li Tiantai, Li Yangliang, and Gan Zhennan submitted their resignations and left the East Palace. Qin Wudao did not ask them to stay, instead having Jia Xu escort the four out.
"What about you?" Qin Wudao asked Wu Ming, Wang Lingling, and Peng Shizhuang. Among the six, he held Wu Ming in the highest regard, seeing limitless potential in him.