Ning Chen was very much looking forward to the arrival of the vassal king and the prince.

The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty had nothing to look forward to.

These vassal kings and the King of Qin who were sealed outside by imperial edict were the real powerful and noble people.

It is very different from Xu Muzhi, who was killed before.

Although the county kings killed by Xu Mu also had fiefs.

The actual fiefdom is generally the land of a county, which means that it can provide food for one hundred to several hundred households.

There is only one in Qianhu.

However, these vassal princes and princes all enjoy at least ten thousand households and have a high degree of self-control over one or even several houses.

Moreover, they have men with heavy troops under their command.

Because they all come from the four states bordering the Ten Thousand Monster Kingdom in the north.

This is the rule set by Taizu of the Wu Dynasty that the royal family guards the country.

Every generation of the Wu Dynasty royal family would select the best adult princes to guard the four northern states.

That's why Wu Zhao said that this was her biggest test since she came to supervise the country.

These were Emperor Shun's most outstanding princes, and they also had heavy troops.

…

Early this morning, Ning Chen went to court as usual.

Seeing many people looking gloomy and gloomy, Ning Chen felt particularly good.

The fact that everyone is so worried is enough to show that things this time are definitely very difficult.

This time it's definitely not a petty fight like the Fifth Prince's.

Ning Chen has now completely ruled out the possibility that Marquis Dingguo and Prince Jing will intervene.

King Jing didn't care at all. Even if Marquis Dingguo wanted to intervene, King Jing would not agree.

So whether he can make a lot of money this time depends on Ning Chen's own performance.

The drumming stopped, and Ning Chen was already standing in the Jinluan Hall.

Ning Chen's position is now very forward.

Ning Chen still remembers when he first came to this world.

The position where I fought was very close to the door.

Now I am very close to Dawu Zhao.

There were probably four rows of ministers and an imperial eunuch separated.

"General Xu Muzhi, we have something to report." Just as Ning Chen was calculating the distance, Xu Muzhi, who was going to the palace for the first time today, suddenly came out and said.

"General Xu, no courtesy." Wu Zhao's demeanor was still as calm as every day in the past.

"She is indeed a woman who can be an empress and let me hold her thigh." Ning Chen silently gave Wu Zhao a thumbs up.

Xu Muzhi stood up and said: "The general, following the orders of the Marquis of Ding, will send His Highness a gift to congratulate His Highness on his title of prince."

Everyone has been waiting for this gift from Marquis Dingguo for a long time.

Because Marquis Dingguo's attitude will, to a large extent, affect many people's attitude towards Wu Zhao.

Therefore, whether Marquis Dingguo's gift is valuable or not has a great impact.

After listening to Xu Muzhi's words, Wu Zhao still maintained a harmonious expression on his face and said, "Thank you, Marquis Dingguo, for me."

Xu Muzhi thanked him and took out a wooden box.

The box is not big, about the size of a palm.

So you can see it with the naked eye and know that the space inside is not too big.

Of course, the size of the space does not indicate whether the thing is precious or not.

Just the relatively small space limits the preciousness of the gift.

Even Ning Chen looked at the palm-sized box and wondered what was inside.

"Marquis Dingguo can't just put an empty box and ask Wu Zhao to write down his wish, and then Marquis Dingguo can help realize it. If that's the case, it seems pretty cool."

Ning Chen complained a few words in his heart.

In fact, it was not only Ning Chen who was curious, but also all the civil and military officials in the dynasty who were not curious.

They really want to know what precious things can be stored in that palm-sized box.

Of course Wu Zhao was also very curious.

Because Wu Zhao couldn't figure it out at all about the gift.

The eunuch in front of the palace respectfully handed the box to Wu Zhao with both hands.

Wu Zhao took the box, looked at it, and then slowly opened the box.

Ning Chen felt that at this time, if a clown suddenly jumped out of the box, the plot would be too good.

Marquis Dingguo will definitely not be so boring.

But everyone saw that after Wu Zhao saw what was inside the box, there was a momentary expression of surprise and surprise on his face.

This made everyone in the civil and military dynasties become very curious about the contents of the box.

Wu Zhao didn't let the civil and military officials of the court wait too long before he took out the contents of the box.

The thing in Wu Zhao's hand was a fiery red jade carving, but it was only half of it.

Ning Chen didn't recognize this thing, but most of the civil and military people present recognized it.

Their speaking tone seemed to have been trained.

A unified exclamation: "Qilin Soldier Talisman!"

After hearing the exclamations of these people, Ning Chen knew what this was.

At the same time, I also understood why the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were amazed.

Marquis Dingguo holds 300,000 Dingguo troops, although he is not as completely self-controlled as Prince Jing.

However, the late emperor was grateful for Dingguohou's contribution, and at the same time, he wanted to show his absolute trust in Dingguohou.

He handed half of the Qilin Soldier Talisman in his hand to Marquis Dingguo.

In this way, if Marquis Dingguo wanted to mobilize the Dingguo army, he would not need to go through him as the emperor.

This is definitely the greatest trust and honor.

After the death of the late emperor, everyone knew that Marquis Dingguo had half of the Qilin Talisman in his hand.

It can mobilize 300,000 troops, the most powerful legion of the Wu Dynasty.

However, no one proposed to take back this half of the Qilin Soldier Talisman.

Firstly, it was because the Zhengqi Great Wall guarded by Marquis Dingguo was too far from Fengjing.

If something happens, it will be too late to come to Fengjing again to ask for orders.

Secondly, because of Dingguohou's personal force, they really couldn't afford to offend him.

Haven't you seen that after Emperor Shun came to power, he didn't even mention this matter?

The emperor is not in a hurry, why should they be in a hurry?

But no one expected that Marquis Dingguo would take the initiative to hand over the Qilin Soldier Talisman at this time.

What does it mean?

Does this mean that Marquis Dingguo fully supports Wu Zhao's ascension to the throne?

If this is the case, then Wu Zhao really has an incredible backer behind him.

Although this backer is due to the checks and balances of Prince Jing.

You cannot intervene directly.

But the existence of such a backer is enough to deter anyone who plans to play dirty tricks from doing anything rashly.

"General Xu, this gift from Marquis Dingguo is very valuable.

This palace cannot accept it.

The Qilin Soldier Talisman was given to the Marquis of Dingguo by the late Emperor.

I am so virtuous and capable that I can accept this Qilin Soldier Talisman.

Please General Xu, please help me return this item to Marquis Ding."

Wu Zhao said very modestly.

There was no way to be immodest about this matter, and Wu Zhao never expected that Marquis Dingguo would give him such a heavy gift.
To be continued...