"What?" Chu Mo was taken aback, looking at Xu Fufu with an incredulous expression.
"Grandpa said... it wouldn't be a mistake to follow you," Xu Fufu earnestly said, gazing at Chu Mo.
"But…" Chu Mo frowned slightly. He knew Xu Fufu too well to believe he would lie. Yet, this joke seemed a bit too outrageous.
How could the grandchild of the leading minister of the imperial cabinet ally with him, a mere vassal king? What was going on?
Could it be that Lord Xu Zhongliang was truly unafraid of reproach?
Xu Fufu quietly said, "In fact, you should also understand that real top-tier noble families won't put all their eggs in one basket."
"I understand that principle, but in this sensitive situation... is Lord Xu not afraid?" Chu Mo asked, looking at Xu Fufu.
"There's nothing to fear," declared Xu Fufu. "The Emperor's actions have already started to lose public trust. Of course, the common public doesn't know about this. The Emperor may think he can easily take you down from your status of a national hero and turn you into public enemy. However, the truth will be known within the people's hearts. Just because ordinary citizens aren't aware doesn't mean that the important ministers in the royal court are also in the dark."
"But what's to be done, who dares to rebel?" Chu Mo smiled.
"Isn't this my rebellion," Xu Fufu said with a relaxed smile, "Actually, my grandfather is rebelling too! Just wait and see, Marshal Fang will approach you soon."
"Marshal Fang is seeking me? What for?" Chu Mo, puzzled, looked at Xu Fufu. In all of Great Xia, Chu Mo would believe anyone capable of betraying the Emperor, except for Fang Mingtong.
Because Fang Mingtong was the Emperor's childhood friend!
That kind of relationship was similar to Chu Mo's with Xu Fufu. It was impossible for them to backstab each other!
Regardless of the right and wrong in the matter between Chu Mo and the royal family, even if Fang Mingtong leaned a bit towards Chu Mo, it would mean he was backstabbing the Emperor!
"Marshal Fang will try his best to pacify you because he has always seen potential in your role and development in the military. My grandpa told me, because of your issue, he even had a big fight with the Emperor. But in the end, he compromised," Xu Fufu said, "However, I believe he'll try to have a discussion with you."
"There's nothing much to discuss," Chu Mo said indifferently, "I won't have any talk with him."
To Chu Mo, Fang Mingtong was a respectable man. Even though there hadn't been an outright fracture with the Great Xia royal family, cracks had begun to appear. The better he progressed, the deeper the fissures would become. The timing of a complete fracture would thus depend on the Great Xia's actions.
So, discussing anything with Fang Mingtong would be futile and pointless.
Subsequently, the grand conferment ceremony began.
The first to be honored on stage was the old man Fan Wudi!
This veteran who had spent his life in the military was placed directly into the March General's position.
The whole venue erupted into cheers!
Everyone gave a cheer for the old general.
With this conferment, Fan Wudi now held considerable status within the Great Xia's military.
According to his military merits, this was well-deserved.
Without Chu Mo's help, however, the old general probably could have received the February General rank at best, only after the war was completely over.
When Chu Mo heard his grandpa was made the March General, he felt relieved. He had feared that the Emperor would directly confer the Argyrosaurus General title upon his grandpa.
If that were true, matters would take a turn for the worse!
The Argyrosaurus General title was held by only a select few in Great Xia. If it were truly granted to the old man, he would be unlikely to accompany Chu Mo to his fief.
Unless, he chose to defect!
But such a decision would obliterate the old man's lifelong reputation.
Presumably, the Emperor racked his brains and made painstaking efforts to appease Chu Mo and Fan Wudi.
Though the old man became March General in rank, no actual power was given, not even a hint of arrangement was made!
In fact, this was the equivalent of telling the old man, you are now the true stalwart of Great Xia's military! But stay at home and enjoy your retirement!
Enjoying the old age!
That's how the Emperor of Great Xia treated Fan Wudi.
This time, the knighting ceremony was personally conducted by the senior general... the Gold Dragon General, Fang Mingtong, giving the old man full honor by presenting him with the imperial decree personally written by the Emperor.
So, the old man stepped down with a bright smile, appearing incredibly joyful.
But only Chu Mo knew that his grandpa was happy because of love!
Then, the knighting ceremony for Chu Mo started.
The knighting...it must be done personally by the Emperor.
Envy and jealousy filled the eyes of countless people while Chu Mo took items symbolizing his identity and status, like the seal and the Sword of the Vassal from the Emperor's hands.
The Emperor stood on the stage, grandly giving a long speech. He pointed out Chu Mo's contributions to Great Xia by striking down Great Qi on the Prairie and helping the royal court!
Therefore, he should also be honored with a hero medallion!
The entire crowd, without knowing the full story, admired Chu Mo and were utterly astounded.
Just a teenager, and he had received such great honors.
And these honors, countless people would never achieve them in their entire life!
For instance, the hero medallion, even the Gold Dragon General, Marshal Fang did not qualify for it.
But after hearing about Chu Mo's accomplishments, everyone was filled with admiration.
No more jealousy!
Because these... all were deserved by the young man!
Only a few individuals, observing Chu Mo surrounded by flowers and applause and the beaming Emperor, were shaking their heads secretly.
A hero becomes the emperor's nightmare!
Even an enlightened emperor like the incumbent would fear the rise of such heroes... This is truly a helpless thing.
The grand knighting ceremony came to a perfect end.
From beginning to end, both the royal family and Chu Mo maintained a friendly demeanor without any anomalies.
But the discerning people could see that after today, it's hard to say about General Fan Wudi, who dedicated most of his life to the troops of Great Xia, but the relation between the newly ascended King Chu... and the royal family of Great Xia will definitely grow distant.
Some things should be planned early!
Such as drawing a clear boundary.
Of course, some people are in a hurry, wanting to further their relationship with Chu Mo, or... trying to explain something.
Like Wang Dafa.
Ever since Chu Mo came back from Great Qi with information, fought in the Skybreaker Mountain, and returned in glory, he had no intention of seeing Wang Dafa.
The reason is simple, in the Imperial Capital of Great Qi, the over 300 pounds fat man Zhao Er, stabbed Chu Mo in the back!
The stab hit hard!
If it weren't for the turn of events, not just the information, he might even have lost his life there!
And this Zhao Er, was Wang Dafa's close confidant whom he had assured Chu Mo: he would not cause any problems!
Due to his trust in Wang Dafa, Chu Mo never doubted Zhao Er. But, when he saw the strong men around his inn the same day, he broke into a cold sweat.
All his trust in Wang Dafa instantly vanished.(To be continued. If you like this work, please vote and support us on qidian.com. Your support is our biggest motivation. Mobile users can read on m.qidian.com.)
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