Page 467
Huo Yuhao did not explain the reason in detail, but simply said: "Haven't I had a lot of twisted ideas since I was a child? These twisted ideas just happened to convince the Sun Moon Empire."
Duke Baihu fell into silence. Facing the child left by Huo Yun'er, he always felt that he owed him too much.
Unexpectedly, after not seeing each other for many years, Huo Yuhao brought him such a surprise.
The marshal maintained a resolute expression and said in a deep and sincere voice: "Thank you, Yuhao, you have brought peace to the Xingluo Empire for at least one generation."
“Peace for a generation? No, that’s not enough.” Huo Yuhao said coldly, “It’s been four thousand years. A generation of twenty years is two hundred generations, and a generation of forty years is one hundred generations.”
“I want to use one generation to completely solve a problem that a hundred generations have failed to solve.”
The seemingly frivolous and exaggerated ambition is actually full of the determination to win.
After another brief silence, Duke White Tiger changed the subject.
"What's the name of the blue-haired girl in the delegation?" Duke Baihu glanced sideways at Huo Qiuer in the middle of the team.
"Huo Qiuer."
The format of the name surprised Duke Baihu. He had noticed Huo Qiuer a long time ago because she looked somewhat similar to Huo Yuhao, but he didn't expect that even their surnames were the same.
Seeing through the doubts in Duke Baihu's heart, Huo Yuhao said calmly: "It's just a coincidence. She was originally from the Sky Soul Empire."
Is it really a coincidence?
Duke Baihu frowned slightly and looked at Huo Qiuer unconsciously a few more times.
He already knew that this delegation would go on a mission to Tianhun after its mission to Xingluo.
Duke Baihu glanced at Huo Qiu'er and the sickly dragon-scale warhorse below her, and said hesitantly:
"Do you...want to buy a new warhorse for Miss Qiu'er?"
“…No need. It doesn’t matter how many horses you change.”
After several days of traveling, the Sun and Moon Mission stopped at a small city not far to the west of Xingluo City today. They will spend the night there and arrive at Xingluo City tomorrow to receive the hospitality of Xingluo Emperor Xu Jiawei in the palace.
Huo Yuhao did not sleep, but stood on the rooftop of the hotel where he was staying, looking at the sky in deep thought. Huo Qiuer stood not far away with her arms folded.
"Is that human Yuhao's father?" This was the first time Bajiao met Duke Baihu, and he couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Yes, Xiaoba." Tianmeng pouted and added, "It's just that Yuhao and his father don't have a good relationship."
Huo Yuhao said calmly: “Dai Hao… can be said to be the source of all the conflicts and entanglements I have experienced since I came to this world.”
In public he would address him respectfully as the Duke of White Tiger, but in private he would always call him by his first name.
"Why?" asked Bingdi.
"Because all of my mother's suffering could be said to have been caused by his neglect."
"So you hate him?"
“I should hate him.” Huo Yuhao said coldly, “But he is also a soldier.”
"What happened to the soldiers?"
"My education has always taught me that soldiers are great and noble. They sacrifice their own families for the sake of the country and are great people. Moreover, Dai Hao is indeed such a tough soldier and a very good marshal. He is not afraid of death, has strong self-discipline, is a master at using troops, loves his soldiers like his own sons, and has almost no other shortcomings in his personal morality."
Huo Qiuer took over the conversation and said, "So your education tells you that you shouldn't hate him, but should understand him. Soldiers' lack of concern for their families is also forced."
Huo Yuhao’s eyes were cold. He did not answer this question, but only added one sentence.
"Even Huo Yun'er has been saying this."
The conversations with Huo Qiuer always go smoothly.
Tianmeng and the Ice and Snow Emperors could often only be the one-sided confidants of Huo Yuhao. Only Huo Qiuer could grasp what he really wanted to express in every word.
He looked at the night sky, which was the direction of Xingluo City. It seemed that Huo Yun'er's spirit in heaven was there: "Perhaps from the beginning of my coming to this world, my contradictory life was determined. No matter where I go, I seem out of place."
There was another silence, and Huo Yuhao turned around.
"Go back to your room. You should meet Xu Jiawei tomorrow."
At daybreak, the Sun and Moon Mission continued on their journey, and soon they arrived at Xingluo City, the capital of the Xingluo Empire.
The two largest countries on the continent, which have been fighting each other for four thousand years, finally held a peace negotiation today.
(End of this chapter)
I was confused when writing last night and wrote the wrong generation number.
The Duchess was originally set to be a member of the royal family, the youngest daughter of the Xingluo Emperor. No matter how old the Xingluo Emperor was at the time, he should still be Xu Jiawei's father. It would be more appropriate to write the Duchess as Xu Jiawei's sister, and definitely not his aunt. This will be corrected tonight.
In the original novel, the Duchess became a member of the Zhu family again. I didn't get it, so I decided to set her as Xu Jiawei's sister.
Chapter 468 Xingluo Banquet
As soon as the sun rose, the west gate of Xingluo City was already wide open, and countless guards stood in front of the gate, forming a long passage. All the guards stood up straight with their heads held high, ready to welcome the guests from afar.
The news that the Sun and Moon Mission will arrive today has spread throughout Xingluo City, and countless people have gathered on both sides of the road, wanting to witness it with their own eyes.
It's not like they haven't seen the Sun and Moon people before. During the Soul Master Competition five years ago, many people from the Sun and Moon Empire flocked to Xing Luo during the competition. The people of Xing Luo also witnessed the wonderful performance of the Hong Chen brother and sister, two talented soul masters from the Sun and Moon Empire.
But the official delegation sent by the Sun and Moon Emperor has special political significance.
The officer guarding the west gate was directing the soldiers to maintain order, clear the official road, and wait for the Sun and Moon envoys who might arrive at any time.
As time slowly passed, from sunrise to sunset, the guards on duty changed two shifts, and a group of people gradually appeared on the outskirts of West City.
The city guard standing high on the tower, who was gradually losing his patience, suddenly perked up and shouted, "Welcome the Sun and Moon Envoys."
Following his order, the guards in front of the city gate played ceremonial music together, and the festive and cheerful music spread far into the sky of the western suburbs.
The city guard hurried down the tower, smiled and greeted him, "Dear Sun and Moon Messenger, Your Excellency the Duke, you have come from afar and have traveled a long way. Thank you for your hard work."
"Your Majesty has already set up a banquet in the palace and is waiting for your arrival at any time. Please allow me to lead the way for you."
Duke Baihu did not dismount, but rode forward slowly on his white tiger colt and said, "Thank you for your help."
The city guard made a gesture of invitation, then turned over and mounted a mighty dragon-scale warhorse, riding in front of the team to lead the way.
The Sun and Moon Envoys and the escorting White Tiger Guards followed behind him and entered the gate of Xingluo City.
The crowds of onlookers never get too many, and even though the soldiers on guard are tired, they never get tired. Despite the soldiers maintaining order, they still stand on tiptoe, wanting to see the Sun and Moon Messenger with their own eyes.
The team slowly moved forward along the road, and the road led to the direction of the Xingluo Palace in the city center.
The previous Soul Master Competition was held in Xingluo City, and for this reason a huge Xingluo Square was built in front of the Xingluo Palace. After the competition, this place naturally became a landmark in Xingluo City.
At this moment, Xingluo Square was covered with a long red carpet that stretched all the way to the entrance of the palace. Beside the carpet were guards standing every three steps.
When the city guard arrived, he dismounted from his horse, turned back and bowed.
"Please dismount."
At this time, the White Tiger's personal guards stopped escorting and waited in line. Only the White Tiger Duke and the Sun and Moon Messengers dismounted and stepped onto the red carpet, and walked towards the palace accompanied by the Xing Luo officials. Ministers in the palace also came out to greet them, and all those who could come to receive them were ministers of very high ranks.
The Sun and Moon Envoys showed enough sincerity. Not only did they not carry any weapons with them, they were also willing to allow the Xing Luo side to inspect their storage soul guides to confirm that they would not pose any threat.
"Dear Sun and Moon Envoy, Duke White Tiger, we are exhausted from the long journey and it is getting late. Your Majesty has prepared a luxurious dinner for you. I hope you will enjoy it today."
Led by several ministers, the Sun and Moon delegation finally arrived at the Xingluo court and met with the Xingluo Emperor Xu Jiawei.
"Please welcome the Sun and Moon Messenger."
Following a loud voice, Huo Yuhao walked into the magnificent main hall of the Xingluo Palace, walked out of the delegation, and stood alone at the front.
It was already late, but all the officials were present. Xu Jiawei was sitting on the dragon throne, his eyes full of anticipation.
Not far below Xu Jiawei, Xu Jiujiu was sitting there. When he saw Huo Yuhao appear, he couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh.
The Nebula Douluo behind her was slightly stunned and looked at Huo Yuhao in astonishment.
There were officials in the court who still had an impression of Huo Yuhao, and the moment they saw Huo Yuhao, they showed the same expression as Nebula Douluo.
Duke White Tiger had already stood below Xu Jiawei. Xu Jiawei did not show too much surprise and still maintained the dignity of an emperor, but a hint of suspicion flashed across his eyes.
He naturally knew in advance that the chief ambassador of the Sun and Moon Mission was Huo Yuhao. Although he was mentally prepared, he was still surprised.
Huo Yuhao took out an imperial decree with a golden sun and a silver moon printed on it and recited:
"His Majesty, the Emperor Xingluo, hello."
"The Sun-Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire are the two largest countries on the Douluo Continent. Ever since the continents collided four thousand years ago, the war between the two countries has never stopped. Countless people have been harassed by the war and displaced."
"In recent years, violent rulers like Xu Tianran have even colluded with cults with the intention of launching an all-out war."
"When the new emperor was young, he suffered a palace coup, and his parents and sister were all massacred. He was forced to leave Sun and Moon and live in another country. He felt deeply the cruelty of war. Therefore, after he endured it with all his heart and regained the throne, he was willing to swear in the name of Sun and Moon to make peace with the two countries of Xingluo and Tianhun and not to fight."
"I hope that His Majesty the Emperor Xingluo is willing to seek common development with the Sun-Moon Empire, open the border, and agree to jointly build a city in the Mingdou Mountains."
After Huo Yuhao finished reciting, he looked directly at Xu Jiawei with a smile, waiting for his response.
Xu Jiawei did not hide the joy on his face at all, and blurted out the answer he had prepared long ago: "The war between Xingluo and Sun and Moon has lasted for too long. I have had a wish since I was young, which is to end the war that has lasted for four thousand years in my generation. Now I finally see hope."
"Please ask the Sun and Moon Messenger to go back and convey my will to the new Sun and Moon Emperor. Xing Luo is willing to seek common development with the Sun and Moon Empire, and is willing to contribute funds and manpower to the joint construction of the city."
"It is late now, and the envoys are tired from the journey. I have prepared a banquet for you all. Please enjoy the delicious food, fine wine, and beautiful music and dance. We will discuss the details tomorrow."
The first meeting with Xu Jiawei went very smoothly. He easily verbally agreed to many of the proposals put forward by the Sun and Moon side and said that they would discuss anything tomorrow after dinner.
The banquet prepared by Xu Jiawei was grand. It was not a separate dining system, but a buffet. On the white tablecloth, each snow-white plate was inlaid with gorgeous gold edges. Plate after plate of dishes made from precious ingredients were piled up like a wholesale sale.
There is no limit on the amount of fine wine, and the densely packed bottles are dizzying to look at.
The officials in the delegation had participated in many banquets, big and small, and had eaten countless delicacies, but when they saw the dazzling array of delicacies with star-studded flavors in front of them, they couldn't help but whet their appetites and rushed to try them.
Of course, they all represent the image of the Sun-Moon Empire, and everyone pays attention to etiquette when dining, without any unseemly behavior of wolfing down the food.
The soothing music played by the musicians echoed all around, making those who heard it happy both physically and mentally. Not far away, there were palace maids dancing gracefully. Their exquisite figures and graceful dancing postures made people intoxicated.
In this scenario, the first-time visitors from the Sun and the Moon had a more favorable impression of Xing Luo.
They were received by nobles and officials of the Xingluo Empire, of high rank. Although it was their first meeting, they were able to start with food or wine, and quickly found common topics to chat about.
Let's not talk about state affairs tonight, let's talk about love and romance.
It is hard to imagine that the ministers of the two great powers, which were at loggerheads not long ago, could chat so harmoniously at a banquet.
There were two people in the Sun and Moon delegation who did not chat with the Xing Luo officials, Huo Yuhao and Huo Qiuer.
Huo Yuhao was holding a goblet filled with some sweet and sour drink as he strolled among the banquet guests alone, seemingly waiting for something.