Fan Zehao looked down at the person bowing, not correcting his words. Let him call him that, it was for others to see!
"Rise, you don't need to be so formal with me. Be more at ease, don't be constrained!"
Fan Zehao was quite amiable towards him, but had a perfunctory smile for others!
In the dining hall, a nine-compartment pot was presented before everyone!
They sat around the stove, watching the red oil soup bubbling, its spicy aroma filling the air!
Behind them were several racks of vegetables and meat, which was very different from what they had imagined a welcome feast to be!
It seemed that eating like this made them feel closer to the people around them!
Fan Zehao noticed everyone's hesitancy and smiled, "I come from the countryside and don't understand rules and etiquette, so please bear with me!"
"But I must say, I value promises above all else, and I detest perfidious people. As long as you abide by the rules, I'm quite easy to get along with!"
His words were simply brilliant!
Everyone knew who he was talking about, but he was the first to deliver such a domineering opening speech in person!
Lan Jinfeng, the new Emperor of Xue Country, who ascended the throne last year, awkwardly picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze shifting to Yu Xiaoshuang, the Emperor of Wei Country, opposite him!
They were not foolish and naturally understood the implications of Fan Zehao's words, but what could they say now?
They had signed a hundred-year friendship treaty, vowing not to invade each other's territory, but the situation had changed!
At that time, they were afraid of Fan Zehao, but now that he had left Yun Country and established himself as king in the inner city, they dared to act as they did!
Who would have known that Fan Zehao and Huangfu Xi, despite rumors of discord, were actually inseparable!
They were so close they could wear the same pants!
Ji Yinghao, the Emperor of Tianhan Country, secretly rejoiced, finding the spectacle of rival nations clashing to be utterly amusing!
Prince Ale, with his straightforward nature, never involved himself in other matters. His presence today was purely to celebrate his great benefactor's birthday!
As for villains and brotherly affection, they had nothing to do with him!
Ale raised his wine cup and stood up, respectfully toasting Fan Zehao, "Whether you are a Prince or a former Emperor, in my eyes, Ale, you will always be my benefactor. No matter what, just a word from you, and my entire tribe is at your disposal. Even if I'm the last one left alive, I will never flinch!"
He tilted his head and drained the cup in one go, not a drop left, his bold and heroic demeanor radiating the spirit of a grassland warrior.
Fan Zehao gave him a thumbs-up, recognizing him as a true brother!
"You, Ale, will always be my friend too!" He also tilted his head and finished his wine, laughing heartily!
Everyone raised their eyebrows and sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, though their faces betrayed nothing!
Before taking a bite of food, they first took a gulp of wine. Zhao Jiaqi signaled to the person behind her, and the servant immediately brought over thinly sliced lamb, placed on ice sand to keep it fresh!
"As the saying goes, heaven and earth are vast, but eating is paramount. Don't just talk and drink, try this hot pot first!" Zhao Jiaqi spoke up at the opportune moment!
She might not interfere in state affairs, but she didn't want her husband to lecture the heads of various countries like children!
Emperor Yu Xiaoshuang of Wei Country responded to her words with a smile, "I've long heard that the Princess Consort is brilliant in business, especially in the culinary arts. To be able to taste such exquisite food in the Prince's villa today is a lifelong regret I will no longer have!"
His words were met with general agreement. Aside from their political statuses, they all greatly enjoyed the delicacies developed by the Princess Consort!
Zhao Jiaqi said, "If we can all coexist peacefully, these delicacies can be fully distributed to all countries through the trade city!"
"The cuisines of various countries can also be imported into our country. The earned silver can replenish the national treasury or be used for beneficial public welfare, creating a win-win situation!"
Yu Xiaoshuang couldn't respond and awkwardly sat to the side, glancing at Emperor Lan Jinfeng of Xue Country beside him!
Receiving Yu Xiaoshuang's threatening gaze, he reluctantly said, "Princess Consort, you may not know, but we small countries have limited resources, small populations, and little land. If we wish to develop, our only option is to wage war and plunder. We have no other good methods!"
Hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi retorted, "Your country is small, and if your military strength is insufficient, and you are not a formidable force, what happens if you lose?"
"Just like the great Jin Country was annihilated back then, do you think your country and your military strength can compare to the Jin Country of that era?"
Her words caused the expressions of everyone present to change!
An atmosphere of dread filled the air!
The heads of several countries present pondered the Princess Consort's words!
"Hahaha, sister-in-law, you're too subtle! I say, as long as sister-in-law wishes it, my elder brother will surely conquer the country you desire and deliver it to your hands personally!"
A harsh voice echoed from behind them. Zhao Jiaqi secretly rolled her eyes upon hearing Huangfu Xian's words!
Before she could respond, another resolute voice rang out!
"Whatever mother-in-law desires, as her son-in-law, I must contribute, be it manpower or money. It would be even better if mother-in-law could share a portion with Zongsheng Country!"
Accompanying Huangfu Xian was Emperor Zong Han of Zongsheng Country!
Zhao Jiaqi was delighted by the arrival of her former friend and now son-in-law!
"Didn't you say you and Junjun would arrive tomorrow evening?"
Zong Han chuckled, completely shedding his imperial demeanor, appearing like an ordinary person!
He said, "My wife and I missed father and mother. We rushed through the night without stopping. As soon as we arrived, I came with Prince Xian and Prince Xiaoyao to join this welcome feast!"
The servants, with remarkable foresight, quickly placed three chairs, wine cups, and tableware beside the table.
Now, all the Emperors of the various countries were present!
Fan Zehao was overjoyed. Firstly, all these people had given him face, and secondly, his daughter and son-in-law had returned. This gathering was even more complete than during the New Year!
He raised his cup and said, "Today, I am happy. Let us all raise our cups together, wishing for future peace and prosperity, and timely rain and favorable winds!"
Everyone seated stood up and drank, ignoring the presumptuous words of Prince Xian and Emperor Zong from earlier!
It wasn't that they chose to ignore them, but that they had no choice. The two great powers were related by marriage, and conquering anyone depended entirely on their mood!
However, they received an important piece of information today: whether they would be conquered or not depended not on the Prince's mood, but on the Princess Consort!
It seemed the Princess Consort's influence could not be underestimated!
Historically, when people sat and drank together at a table, no one dared to offend the Prince. They had all automatically set aside the current matters of war.