Chapter 303: The King of Wisdom
"I thought you had some special military intelligence so early in the morning... so that's it..."
Ulrich obviously didn't care about Sir Ors. He waved his hand and prepared to go downstairs, as if he was in a hurry to eat.
" Your Majesty ! There is one more thing..."
Li Ang shook his head, with an embarrassed expression on his face: "Malbert betrayed his country and surrendered to the enemy... So I want to ask, is the king's order he brought before real? I'm worried that he was falsely conveying the order..."
As he spoke, Leon took out the scroll and looked at the maid behind Princess Anna.
"Everyone get out... and close the door."
Princess Anna was very sensible and asked all the maids to leave.
"I did issue this order. But... Leon, tell me the truth, did Malbert really commit treason because of that Bacchus woman? I heard that he was planning to assassinate you?"
Ulrich obviously had no feelings for Malbert. Judging from his expression, he didn't seem to care whether Malbert was a traitor or not...
"Your Majesty, when he was still your designated future son-in-law, he proposed to Governor Justus of the Bacchus Empire. The betrothal gift was the spoils from Desha that he had snatched from my men - the ones that were originally intended for you."
Li Ang stated the facts calmly: "I can swear to the goddess Eunomia that this is all true."
Ulrich nodded, looked at Leon and smiled: "Do you want to ask Brennus?"
Leon nodded: "Yes... Where is Duke Brunus now? Guihu Town? I'm not sure if he will become an enemy..."
"He went to the Sava River Castle. He planned to capture Malbert himself to prove his loyalty to the kingdom."
Ulrich shook his head, and there was even a hint of a meaningful smile on his face: "For this, he also resigned from the position of Grand Master of the Lion Knights."
To be honest, Malbert's 'defection' is actually a good thing for Ulrich...
In order to gain the king's trust, Brunus would have to give up many interests, such as voluntarily resigning from the position of Grand Master of the Lion Knights - then the Lion Knights, a national knightly order, would completely become King Ulrich's private army.
It was precisely because of this that Leon felt confident in framing Malbert, knowing that the king would not investigate the matter in detail anyway.
Moreover, this was also to make him return the king's order - Leon then handed the exquisite scroll back to Ulrich.
"Your Majesty, if that's the case, then it would be inappropriate for me to attack Baron Godric now... You shouldn't have issued this order. I suggest you take back the royal decree."
Li Ang held the scroll in both hands and bowed slightly, with a rather regretful expression on his face.
"Inappropriate? You don't want to do this?"
Ulrich did not reach out to take it, but just looked at Leon expressionlessly.
"Your Majesty, you know that I have a feud with Lord Godric. He slapped me in the face in public and insulted me. Many people know this."
Li Ang put the scroll on the table, took a step back, and pointed at his nose: "You were watching at the side..."
Slapping a nobleman in the face in public is not considered a grudge, but rather a grudge - for a nobleman, a slap in the face is not a small dispute.
You can't do this even when dealing with your enemies. There's no difference between insulting them in public and killing them in public. It will only create a lifelong feud anyway.
"Isn't that more appropriate? He insulted you, so you should be the one to kill him... It's fair!"
Ulrich probably remembered Leon's bruised face and nose, and the corners of his mouth curled up.
"Your Majesty, it is precisely because I have a grudge against Baron Godric that I cannot attack him... I think you have also obtained the information about Weird Fox Town. He led his troops to attack the Lion Knights in order to protect his daughter..."
Li Ang once again showed a worried look: "You should know that he slapped me in the face to protect his daughter. Your Majesty, if you ask me to attack him at this time, it will be very bad for your reputation."
While speaking, Li Ang also looked at Princess Anna's belly.
Ulrich followed Leon's gaze and looked at Princess Anna's belly, which was not yet noticeable.
In fact, this is a psychological suggestion. Leon is guiding Godric's affairs from "king and subject" to "father and daughter".
As a father, it is natural for him to protect his daughter. Even if he commits treason for this, most people will only sympathize with him instead of being hostile.
It is certainly true that Godric attacked the Order of the Lion, but if you really think about it, it may not be treason - it all depends on what the king thinks.
If we consider it from the perspective of the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, it is treason.
But if you consider it from the perspective of a father, it is probably understandable...
The concern expressed by Leon was to remind the king that a father who made a mistake to protect his daughter would naturally gain people's sympathy. If someone who had a grudge against him were allowed to attack him, that would really be inappropriate - how would those who sympathized with Godric view the king?
The king, who always has to weigh the pros and cons, would definitely take these into consideration.
And now Ulrich is a father himself...
The king did understand what Li Ang meant. He hesitated for a moment, but still shook his head: "But his daughter was accused of heresy..."
"Your Majesty... do you really believe in heresy?"
Li Ang sighed, "Besides, I asked Sarah to pass on the news to you... The Kingdom of Stern Crow is sending troops to Eagle Claw Castle, and you must have seen the army of the Bacchus Empire. If I really lead the army to Weird Fox Town, then White Deer Castle and Eagle Claw Castle will definitely surrender to the enemy - the Bacchus Empire and the Kingdom of Stern Crow will not give up such an opportunity! The heartland of the kingdom will be directly exposed to the enemy!"
Li Ang became more and more excited as he spoke: "The eastern and northern parts of the kingdom might be completely destroyed because of this... and when the country is destroyed, we are still waging a civil war to punish a father who made a mistake in order to protect his daughter?!"
Ulrich stared at Leon, frowned, closed his eyes and thought for a while, then sighed: "Maybe I am too impatient... But I know that the Bacchus Empire is not capable of launching a big offensive now. Even if there is any loss, it will be taken back sooner or later..."
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten that General Agathon dared to occupy the Qicha Fortress alone with only a thousand men? It is difficult to predict what the enemy will do. The Kingdom of Fierce Lions has finally gained the current advantageous situation. Why take the risk?"
Li Ang lowered his head, and said sincerely, "In fact, you should order Baron Godric to resist the Kingdom of Ravenstern, and Amy to resist the Bacchus Empire... I have an old grudge against them, so I can be their messenger. If they disobey orders, that would be considered treason, and I would naturally eliminate the traitors on the spot, and no one would be able to say anything."
Ulrich sat down and thought about it carefully, but did not reject it outright: "What if they pretend to obey orders, but start a rebellion after returning to the territory?"
"We can ask the Royal City Guards to supervise this matter..."
At this time, Princess Anna suddenly advised: "Your Majesty, Lord Leon is right. The kingdom cannot start a civil war at this time. Lord Leon can take Lord Andrew, the son of Baron Godric, back to Sarleon City for detention, and let the two commanders of the Royal City Guard supervise Baron Godric and Miss Amy respectively - this way, you can show your fairness and avoid any trouble."
Then, Anna looked at Li Ang: "Master Li Ang, do you think this is reasonable?"
Obviously, this is actually what the prophet Anna is asking Leon - is this the result you want?
Li Ang nodded and bowed: "Madam Anna's suggestion is very reasonable... Your Majesty, please issue a new royal decree. As for this one... Apart from Malbert and I, no one else has seen it so far."
As he spoke, he pushed the scroll in the direction of Ulrich: "That is to say, the Bacchus Empire may still think that I went to Guihu Town. Therefore, you can send your troops to ambush near the Sava River Fort. You will definitely be able to ambush the enemy successfully, and maybe you can eliminate Malbert, the real traitor..."
Leon made up another reason - since Malbert had surrendered to the enemy, the Bacchus people would definitely know from Malbert that Leon had gone to "fight the rebellion" and the Bacchus Empire would most likely take the opportunity to attack. If an ambush was set at this time, it would be very likely to ambush the enemy.
This means that the king can choose whether he wants an easy victory or a landslide after a civil war...
“…Let me think about it…”
With Princess Anna's support, Ulrich seemed a little moved, but still seemed quite hesitant.
"Your Majesty, no matter what the reason is, before our child is born, at least don't let the heart of the kingdom fall into civil war. This can also be considered as accumulating blessings for the child... Whether it is rebellion or heresy, there is no need to rush. You are in good health now, and there is still a lot of time."
Princess Anna tried to persuade him again, looking gentle and kind.
Anna's last reason finally convinced Ulrich - for the sake of the children, he should not let the war affect the heartland of the kingdom.
Moreover, he does feel that his health is gradually improving, and perhaps there is still a long time left.
Ulrich reached out and took the scroll, waving his hand: "That's it."
"In that case, then the order that Malbert passed on was a false one, and your majesty saw through the traitor's evil plot with his sharp eyes. The whole continent will praise your wisdom and magnanimity... I will wait for you in the throne room. Your majesty, my lady."
Li Ang directly helped Ulrich find a suitable excuse, then bowed to the two of them and prepared to leave.
"To the throne room?"
Ulrich stopped Leon and said, "That's not necessary. I'll just..."
"Your Majesty, you should indeed go to the throne room and make a public order..."
Princess Anna smiled and interrupted, "Since the order that Malbert passed to Lord Leon was a false one, you must publicly revise it. Otherwise, how will people know your wisdom and kindness?"
Anna, the prophetess, was indeed a good talker. Although she didn't say much, every word she said, through Leon's words, could touch Ulrich's heart, and every word was for the king's consideration.
Fairness, wisdom, heart...and...children.
These are what Ulrich longed for but never got.
A few hours later, King Ulric publicly issued a new royal decree in the throne room, asking Leon to go to Weird Fox Town to pass on the order to Godric - ordering Godric to expel the invaders from the Kingdom of Ravenstern, and ordering Amy resist the Bacchus who attacked White Hart Castle, to be supervised by the chief and deputy commanders of the Royal Guard respectively.
At the same time, he ordered Leiman to lead his troops to set up an ambush south of Qicha Fortress, waiting for an opportunity to ambush the Bacchus - if any enemy would attack.
Including Leon, all the nobles sang praises to the wisdom and generosity of His Majesty King Ulric of the Sarleon in the throne room. Sarah even composed a song for him on the spot, and the title of the song was "The Wise King"...
At noon, after leaving the throne room, Leon went to another familiar place - the Adventurer's Inn.
It was the hotel where I met Sarah and had a lot of trouble.
Leon stayed here because Circe brought him a message - the prophet disguised as a maid.
I guess she wanted to resolve the historical issue of Anna's father.
There were a lot of people in the pub at noon. In fact, several Scorpio assassins were also here, but they were not conspicuous in the crowd - many people in the pub were dressed similarly to them, and the first element of being an assassin is to be inconspicuous in the crowd.
Cersei was sitting in the corner of the tavern, right where Sarah once sat.
"Mr. Leon, I don't quite understand..."
Seeing Leon walk over and sit down next to her, Sersi got to the point right the first time: "You know our identities, why don't you tell Ulrik?"
"Oh...will he believe it?"
Leon sneered. "How can I, who has only been a member of the Sarleon Kingdom for two years, be more trustworthy than a lady who sleeps in the same bed with the king? I don't intend to die young..."
"Then, can I take this as you trying to be nice to us?"
Sersi nodded and asked again, "Besides rescuing your friend, is it possible for us to cooperate in other ways?"
"...Ms. Searcy, I don't mean to offend you... To be honest, I don't know what kind of creatures you are - I'm not even sure if you are human, understand me? For friends, I am willing to cooperate with ghosts, but if it is for anything else, I dare not deal with you."
Li Ang refused directly.
He had already seen that this Cersei had very indifferent emotions. She would neither get angry nor be controlled by emotions. She was more like some older Noldor elves.
It's more appropriate to speak directly to a guy like this.
"Well, that's a pity... Then, hand Anna's father over to us, and we won't get in your way... You should know that the chief and deputy commanders of the Royal City Guard are both Anna's followers..."
Cersei didn't force it, but simply put forward a condition.
The Royal City Guard will be responsible for monitoring Godric and Amy's behavior, and Andrew will also be held hostage - if Leon does not hand him over, the three prophets can still kill Amy's entire family.
"Then I have to ask a question first... Is Anna's mother, Sister Clancy, still alive?"
Li Ang didn't say whether he agreed or not, but asked about Ors's lover.
