After a tragic death and rebirth, I became the regent's favorite

"Humph, Da Zhao is asking for too much. Do you really think I don't dare to go to war?"

In the imperial study, Emperor Mingzhen threw the memorial in his hand to the ground with anger on his face and murderous intent in his voice.

"Why are you so angry, my brother? But Eunuch An didn't serve you well enough?"

Whenever Emperor Mingzhen got angry, the palace servants serving in his imperial study would bring in Xiao Linchuan as reinforcement, and this time was no exception.

Xiao Linchuan walked in from outside, picked up the memorial that Emperor Ming Zhen had thrown away and started to read it. In private, he did not call Emperor Ming Zhen "Your Majesty" but "Royal Brother".

"Your Highness the Regent said this, and I am really terrified!"

Eunuch An, who was standing beside Emperor Mingzhen, had a head full of white hair but was in high spirits. He had been the chief eunuch in the palace when the previous emperor was alive. After the previous emperor passed away, the current Emperor Mingzhen did not release him from the palace but kept him by his side to serve him.

In this palace, one's life is always on the line, and one never knows when one's life may be in danger. The fact that two emperors valued him so much shows how smart and responsible Eunuch An is.

When Emperor Mingzhen saw Xiao Linchuan, the anger on his face gradually faded, but as he spoke, he seemed to become even angrier.

"Royal brother, take a look at this memorial. The Dazhao army has repeatedly invaded our borders, and the Mo family army's repeated threats have been ineffective. Now they even propose that Ming Zhen divide the country in exchange. This is a foolish dream!"

Xiao Linchuan only took a quick look and knew what was going on. "Brother, you shouldn't ask me about this. I have a special status and I am not in a position to answer this question."

"Why do you say that, brother?"

Emperor Mingzhen pretended to be surprised, but the scrutiny that flashed across his eyes betrayed him.

"Although your mother, Concubine Rou, was the Princess of Dazhao, she has passed away for many years. You have been growing up by my side all these years. How can I not trust you?"

"It is one thing that your Majesty trusts me, but I'd better stay away from matters concerning Dazhao."

Xiao Linchuan took a step back to advance, allowing the suspicious Emperor Mingzhen to gradually let down his guard. He waved to him, motioning him to sit on the chair at the lower left corner of the dragon table.

"You are my brother. I hope you can speak directly and not hesitate because of your status."

Xiao Linchuan knew that his goal had been achieved. He looked at Emperor Mingzhen with deep eyes and said slowly, "I think that although Dazhao is overbearing, we also need to make necessary compromises."

"Royal brother, what do you mean by this?"

Emperor Mingzhen narrowed his eyes slightly, with a hint of coldness on his face, as if he was not satisfied with what Xiao Linchuan said.

"The people of Dazhao are brave and good at fighting. Although Mingzhen has the Mo family army fighting to the death to protect the border, my brother should be aware that once the Dazhao army is out in full force, the Mo family army may not be a match. It is tantamount to hitting a rock with an egg. What's more, the land they proposed to cede is just an insignificant and wild place on the border. Why should my brother start a war just for a useless piece of land?"

Xiao Linchuan patiently persuaded him, knowing that Emperor Mingzhen had never truly trusted him. But it didn't matter, because he never wanted Emperor Mingzhen's trust.

This time Dazhao's invasion was just a test. Emperor Mingzhen himself knew clearly that the only army available to Mingzhen that could compete with Dazhao was the Mo family army.

A thousand-mile dam can be breached by a single ant hole. Dazhao is only asking for a small piece of land now, but who knows if they will become more demanding. At that time, giving up one piece or two pieces will be the same.

If there is a first incident, there will be a second one. If this continues, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction among the generals in the court, and sooner or later Emperor Ming Zhen will send the Mo family army to the battlefield again to confront Dazhao.

What he wanted was the situation at that time. The geomancy map of the Eighteen States in the World that he got from the Shen family came in handy at this time.

This geomancy map was made by the order of the previous emperor, so even the current Emperor Mingzhen does not know about it.

He didn't even know that the place Xiao Linchuan persuaded him to give up, although seemingly a barren land, was actually a good place with fertile and rich land.

Emperor Mingzhen was skeptical about Xiao Linchuan's words, but he also knew that Mingzhen today could not withstand the chaos of war, and if he agreed to the exchange, it would be the best outcome.

"Royal brother, in your opinion, who should I send to negotiate this time?"

"I think the Seventh Prince Xiao Ting is the most suitable. He is the legitimate son of the Emperor's sister-in-law, but he is the youngest son. He has no responsibility for the country and can show the people of Dazhao our sincerity."

The suspicion that Emperor Mingzhen had just had towards Xiao Linchuan disappeared in an instant. Although Xiao Ting was the legitimate son, he had never been valued by the Queen. It was indeed a good idea to send an unpopular legitimate prince to negotiate.

"In that case, then let's do as my brother says."

Emperor Mingzhen's tone was more thoughtful as he spoke, and after a long while he looked at Eunuch An, "Eunuch An, let Ting'er come to see me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch An took the order and withdrew, but when he turned around, his eyes lingered on Xiao Linchuan for a moment.

"Brother Emperor, I will take my leave now."

Xiao Linchuan stood up and was about to leave, but Emperor Mingzhen changed the subject, "Chuan'er, you are not young anymore, do you have a favorite candidate for the princess? I will make the decision for you!"

"I appreciate your kindness, brother. I do have someone I like, but the timing is not right. I am afraid that if I ask you to grant me marriage, it will scare the person away, so please give me some more time."

Xiao Linchuan's answer successfully aroused the interest of Emperor Mingzhen. His younger brother had always been a stubborn person, so why did he suddenly become smart?

"I wonder which girl is so lucky that even the emperor's brother is fascinated by her?"

Xiao Linchuan pretended to be distressed, "Brother, please don't laugh at me. She is just an ordinary person. I need to keep it a secret for the time being. When the time comes, I will definitely ask you for permission to marry me."

Emperor Mingzhen nodded with a smile, "I am waiting for that day."

Xiao Linchuan deliberately avoided Xiao Ting. It was not because he was afraid that Xiao Ting would know that this peace talk was his idea. He just felt that seeing Xiao Ting would make him sick and unable to sleep all night.

"Master, going to the border is still dangerous to a certain extent. Will His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince agree?"

Whenever Xiao Linchuan entered the palace, the one following him would definitely be Chonglou, because Chonglou's other advantages did not stand out, the main one being his blood, which could cure all kinds of poisons.

He grew up in a den of poisonous snakes and a pool of poisonous scorpions. When he grew up, he would try this poison and take that medicinal bath from time to time. His body had been soaked in countless poisons. It was no exaggeration to say that he was immune to all poisons.

"He has no choice but to agree. This trip to the border will take at least half a year. My coming-of-age day is coming soon, and I don't want him to show up!"

In fact, this could be considered as Xiao Linchuan's bad taste. He went to great lengths to arrange for the Dazhao Army to provoke and invade the border, and then proposed peace talks. His purpose was to get rid of Xiao Ting. Chonglou knew this very well, but he only dared to think about it in his heart.

"His Majesty was testing you just now. Why didn't you just speak directly as you did before? Emperor Mingzhen is always suspicious. If you say that you have someone in your heart, I'm afraid he will send someone to investigate."