Either kill him or hold the wedding ceremony.
Hearing these words, Gui Xing Fu’s arm trembled violently. He truly had the impulse to slap out with his palm.
But if he could kill, he would have done it long ago. Why wait until today?
Not only could he not kill, but Solon also could not die within his Coastal City territory. He could not bear such consequences at all.
Taking a deep breath, Gui Xing Fu said, Worthy nephew, let us speak openly. Gui Qin Shao cannot marry you.
Why? Am I not worthy of Gui Qin Shao? Solon said.
Gui Xing Fu said, Why do you ask when you already know the answer? You are now like a disaster star. No one can get close to you. No one can have any connection with you. You have already become the enemy of the royal family. Once you form a marriage alliance with us, the destruction of my Gui clan will not be far away.
Solon said, Then what about the great kindness my Suo clan once showed you? What about that once sacred contract? Are we to ignore it?
Gui Xing Fu said, What is more important than the survival of a clan? You can seek death if you want, but do not drag others into it, and especially do not drag my Gui clan into it.
Then Gui Xing Fu’s face became gentle and he said, Worthy nephew, whether in talent or wisdom you are incomparably outstanding. Why insist on opposing the royal family? Taking a step back opens up a vast sea and sky. As long as you compromise a little, you can become the husband of Princess Zhi Ning and the future prime minister of the inner cabinet. Why be so stubborn?
Solon said, Then City Lord Gui, if right now you were asked to marry the king’s sister and directly become the prime minister of the inner cabinet, but the price was handing over several hundred miles of Coastal City territory, would you be willing?
Gui Xing Fu’s face twitched and he said, Of course not. Being prime minister of the inner cabinet may seem impressive, but at most you hold power for ten years. Yet several hundred miles of territory and hundreds of thousands of subjects can be passed down from generation to generation. No matter how impressive the kingdom’s nobles are, how can they compare to us feudal lords? Even Duke Tu Ling Tuo, the great god of the royal family, is at most just a retainer of the royal family. But we feudal lords are truly partners of the kingdom.
Gui Xing Fu spoke the truth in one sentence.
Coastal City and Heavenly Water City were both major feudal lords of the kingdom, with territories of around five hundred miles.
How large was this territory? It was equivalent to one fifth of a province and one seventieth of the entire kingdom’s territory.
This was already a huge foundation. Other nobles, no matter how glorious, only had a few decades at most. They only had empty titles and at best a few dozen miles of fief.
But feudal lords possessed hundreds of miles of territory, hundreds of thousands of subjects, and tens of thousands of troops. They truly shared the same lifespan as the kingdom.
Therefore, although the kingdom’s feudal lords did not have high titles and their status in the royal city seemed not high either, in reality the kingdom’s nobles envied and hated them so much.
Solon said, Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. City Lord Gui knows that even a prime minister plus a princess cannot be exchanged for a feudal lord’s position. Why then try to persuade me to compromise?
Gui Xing Fu said, Because you are facing a life and death crisis. Your Heavenly Water City has already fallen. You already have nothing and no choice left.
My Heavenly Water City has fallen, but it can be taken back again, Solon said.
Hahaha… Gui Xing Fu laughed with very direct mockery and said, Is that possible? Do you know how many troops are in Heavenly Water City now? Nur Dan’s army, Suo Han Yi’s army, plus the royal family’s army total more than thirty or forty thousand. And in your hands, do you have an army of more than a hundred people? Do you know what is happening inside Heavenly Water City right now?
Solon said, They are comprehensively smearing me, ruining my reputation, and thoroughly overturning the Suo clan’s legitimate status in Heavenly Water City.
It is more than just smearing, Gui Xing Fu said. They are already wildly spreading rumours of your improper relationship with Suo Ning Bing and have forged Suo Long’s will, preparing to let Suo Han Yi take over as city lord.
Solon appeared very calm. He had already anticipated this point long ago.
Gui Xing Fu said, As for the army of Heavenly Water City, do you think they support you or support Suo Han Yi?
Of course Suo Han Yi. The army of Heavenly Water City was all trained by him personally. Every soldier inside only knows Suo Han Yi and does not know Solon.
Therefore Solon had never held any hope for the officers and soldiers of Heavenly Water City from the beginning. Only what was conquered with his own hands truly belonged to him.
Gui Xing Fu said, Within three months you will become notorious in Heavenly Water City. Then Suo Han Yi will negotiate with the rebel army. Nur Dan will surrender again and pledge loyalty to Suo Han Yi. Then Suo Han Yi will legitimately become the acting city lord of Heavenly Water City. After that, the royal army will enter Heavenly Water City.
After speaking, Gui Xing Fu sighed and said, Worthy nephew, there has long been no justice left in this world. Power is the true justice. Just wait and see. In the next few months the royal family will desperately elevate Suo Han Yi’s status, even though he is just a shameless traitor. But in the hearts of the millions of people in Heavenly Water City he will definitely become the brightest, most just, and most loyal person in the world. Him becoming acting city lord will simply be what everyone wishes for.
Solon still had no expression on his face.
Gui Xing Fu said, Prince Zhi Li’s strategy cannot be obstructed by anyone, and you are the stumbling block of this strategy. The only result is to be crushed to pieces. Prince Zhi Li’s power is something you cannot imagine.
Solon suddenly said, Then what about His Majesty the King’s will?
Gui Xing Fu hesitated slightly, then a nearly诡异的 smile appeared on his face and he said, Do you know how many people King Zhi Bian offended when he ascended the throne back then? And how many people he killed? Do you know how helpless it was for the king to vigorously promote commoner elites? Do you know how much all the nobles in the world, and even all the feudal lords, miss the deceased Prince Zhi Lan?
Gui Xing Fu’s words were completely heart stabbing.
With one sentence he pointed out the most dangerous and terrifying current situation of the Furious Wave Kingdom.
King Zhi Bian’s reforms and promotion of commoner elites had brought enormous damage to the interests of the noble class. Although all nobles still showed utmost respect on the surface, in their hearts they already regarded the king as a mortal enemy.
Of course, if King Zhi Bian had a son, then he would still be the ultimate victor.
But unfortunately he had no son and could no longer produce one.
Now, all the nobles and feudal lords of the entire kingdom were waiting for King Zhi Bian’s death and waiting for Prince Zhi Li to succeed the throne.
And Zhi Li had actually become the buffer between King Zhi Bian and the noble class.
Solon suddenly remembered that in the royal palace, when he was being enfeoffed, Prince Zhi Li had been extremely respectful and had not said a word. But the entire inner cabinet and the entire command headquarters had spoken up for him.
Prince Zhi Li becoming the default crown prince was actually a sign that King Zhi Bian had compromised with the entire noble class.
Once this buffer was broken, the only result would be complete opposition between the entire noble class and the king, with the contradiction becoming completely public.
Do you know what Ling Ao represents? How heavy his weight is? Gui Xing Fu then asked.
As soon as Gui Xing Fu mentioned it, Solon instantly understood.
Although Zhi Li also claimed to value commoner elites, the only thing he had done was to go against all objections and choose Ling Ao as his attendant.
Ling Ao was a commoner elite. Zhi Li chose him as attendant and let him become one of the future military commanders of the kingdom.
This was him sending a signal to the commoner elites that he would continue to heavily use commoner elites. But in reality this was only a kind of strategic deception. Ling Ao was merely the bone bought with a thousand gold, and the only bone.
Prince Zhi Li’s true power base was the support of the entire noble class.
Moreover, this only bone, Ling Ao, would also become the son in law of the Coastal City lord and become a bridge between Zhi Li and the feudal lords.
Therefore this lucky man Ling Ao had already become the heaviest chess piece.
Gui Xing Fu said coldly, Therefore Gui Qin Shao will definitely marry Ling Ao. This is not decided by their feelings but by the overall situation of the kingdom.
Ling Ao truly is a heaven sent lucky man! Gui Qin Shao marrying Ling Ao, in a certain sense, is more like a tripartite marriage alliance between the royal family, commoner elites, and the feudal lord class.
Observing the leopard through a tube, only now did Solon feel how powerful the forces behind Zhi Li were.
His strategy was to rely on the noble class, win over the feudal lord class, and deceive the commoner elite class. All three forces were used by him.
Solon suddenly sighed and said, King Zhi Bian was a hero of his generation, unmatched by anyone, but unfortunately he has no heir.
A man without an heir means he has nothing, Gui Xing Fu said coldly. Solon, do you also want to make your clan have no heir?
Of course not, so I must marry Gui Qin Shao, Solon smiled.
As soon as these words came out, Gui Xing Fu’s expression changed drastically. He had said so much, even not hesitating to speak heart stabbing words about the kingdom’s highest secrets, just to make Solon recognise the reality and give up the fantasy of marrying Gui Qin Shao.
He had not expected Solon to be so stubbornly obsessed.
Solon continued, Prince Zhi Li forcibly seized my Heavenly Water City. Do you feudal lords not feel any crisis? Today he can seize my territory. Tomorrow he can seize yours as well?
Gui Xing Fu said, After the kingdom’s army enters the barbaric plains, they will build new cities. At that time Heavenly Water City will be returned to the Suo clan. It is just that it will not be your Suo clan but Suo Han Yi’s Suo clan. You look smart but are actually foolish and do not understand the times.
Solon gave a faint smile.
Gui Xing Fu said word by word, Solon, now no one in the whole world can save you, not even King Zhi Bian. So do not have any illusions.
This sentence was the biggest heart stabbing words, stabbing not only Solon’s heart but also King Zhi Bian’s heart.
Gui Xing Fu continued, If Gui Qin Shao marries you, it means choosing to oppose Prince Zhi Li and the entire noble class. I cannot bear such a price. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, I can pay any price and do anything.
The last sentence was a naked threat.
Thirty thousand gold coins and three thousand soldiers in exchange for you annulling the engagement and then leaving Coastal City as far away as possible, Gui Xing Fu said firmly. You go harm others. I do not welcome you here.
Thirty thousand gold coins and three thousand soldiers. Gui Xing Fu had truly paid a heavy price.
However, this was not what Solon wanted.
To take back Heavenly Water City he needed at least one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins and twenty thousand troops. And this amount of money and this number of troops, even if Gui Xing Fu emptied everything he had, he could not produce.
Gui Xing Fu said, Either take the thirty thousand gold coins and three thousand soldiers and leave, or force me to use the most extreme means. My reputation will indeed stink, but for the sake of the clan’s inheritance I will spare no effort.
Solon’s gaze narrowed and he said, City Lord Gui, originally I could have not gone through with this marriage to Gui Qin Shao. After getting what I wanted I could have taken the initiative to annul the engagement. But you acted too dirty by actually sending Ling Ao to destroy my arm meridians. Therefore I must go through with this marriage.
What exactly do you want to get from me? Gui Xing Fu said. This marriage, you cannot go through with it. Even if I die it will not happen.
After I marry Gui Qin Shao, you will naturally know what I want, Solon said. Then he took out a piece of white paper with black words and handed it to Gui Xing Fu, saying, This marriage must happen. I must let everyone see that those who have humiliated me must pay the price.
When Gui Xing Fu saw the thing Solon handed over, his expression changed dramatically. The muscles on his face twitched and he roared hoarsely, Solon, do you really think I dare not kill you?
Solon walked to the weapon rack in the corner of the study and kicked it fiercely. The precious sword on it was kicked in front of Gui Xing Fu. The blade was sharp as water.
Solon said word by word, Either let Gui Qin Shao marry me in the wedding ceremony or kill me.
Gui Xing Fu’s whole body trembled. He fiercely picked up the precious sword from the ground, raised it high, and was about to split Solon in two.
However, his sword did not chop down for a long time.
Solon opened his eyes and said, You really do not dare. If you dared, you would have killed me long ago. Why wait until now.
Correct, Gui Xing Fu really did not dare. And this not daring was not because he cherished his reputation but because of another terrifying reason.
Zhi Ning had said before that when they could kill him earlier they had not killed Solon. Now they could no longer kill him.
Even Zhi Li and Zhi Ning could not kill him, let alone him, Gui Xing Fu.
Solon said coldly, Since you do not dare to kill me, then prepare for the wedding. The sooner the better.
Gui Xing Fu’s expression changed several times. He asked hoarsely, What exactly do you want to get from me?
Solon said, After the wedding ceremony you will know what I want.
Gui Xing Fu’s gaze was icy cold as he said, Do you know that by doing this you will indeed vent the anger in your heart, but you will also thoroughly offend me to death.
Offending a person like City Lord Gui is not really a big deal, Solon said lightly. You are so rational and smart, so profit oriented.
Fine, marry, marry… Gui Xing Fu said furiously, I hope you have the life to enjoy your real wedding!
Then Gui Xing Fu roared towards the outside, Go prepare. Hold the wedding ceremony tonight!
…
Half an hour later the entire Coastal City lords mansion was brightly lit with lanterns and coloured banners.
All the guests received explosive news. Solon and Gui Qin Shao’s wedding would take place tonight.
This, they were really going to hold the wedding ceremony?
Everyone was stunned. The Gui clan was really going to fulfil the agreement.
This big drama in Coastal City was truly too exciting.
And when Gui Qin Shao heard her father’s decision she was completely stunned. She trembled and said, Father, you, you really want me to marry that scum?
Gui Xing Fu nodded and said, Correct. The wedding ceremony must be held tonight.
No, no, I would rather die than marry, Gui Qin Shao screamed.
Tu Ling Si said coldly, Husband, you should know what it means once our daughter marries Solon. It means we will oppose the entire noble class and oppose Prince Zhi Li.
Of course I know, Gui Xing Fu said. But who let that little thief Solon insist on venting this anger and fighting for this face even if it costs him his life.
What do you mean? Tu Ling Si asked.
After the wedding tonight you will know, Gui Xing Fu said.
Tu Ling Si said, This little thief is bullying people too much. Why not just kill him directly? At this time he is like a stray dog. Killing him, no one will pursue it.
What do you know? Gui Xing Fu said angrily. If we could kill him, Solon would have died a hundred times already. Why would it be my turn to kill him?
Gui Qin Shao suddenly drew her sword and placed it across her neck, saying, I would rather die than go through with this marriage. Unless I die.
Gui Xing Fu glanced at her and walked towards the inner room, saying, Daughter, come here. I have something to say to you.
…
Half an hour later, Solon and Gui Qin Shao’s wedding banquet officially began.
Under everyone’s attention the groom Solon, dressed in red, appeared before everyone.
A moment later the bride Gui Qin Shao walked gracefully into the hall. On her peerlessly beautiful face there was an incomparably intoxicating smile, as if she had no dissatisfaction at all with this wedding.