Chapter 17: The Big Shots
Upon seeing the information on these five individuals, Bubu Wang fell into obvious hesitation. In its view, the probability of any of these five becoming the new king was not low.
Of course, these five merely had the greatest likelihood of becoming king; the remaining candidates were not entirely without hope.
These competitors could generally be categorized into four types: the first were those who voluntarily withdrew, totaling 18 people; the second were those just along for the ride, 16 in number; the third were those with ambition but no strength, 10 people; and the fourth were those with both ambition and strength—the five princes and princesses.
Over the following period, Su Xiao would naturally keep an appropriate watch on these individuals, as his main quest was tied to them. He needed to choose one from among the 49 princes or princesses and ensure their successful succession to the throne.
Su Xiao had 14 days of observation time remaining, so he was in no hurry to make a choice.
Walking along the bustling street, Su Xiao soon arrived near the royal palace.
As Su Xiao approached the palace, several officials conversing at the palace gate changed their expressions. It was clearly unacceptable for them to simply walk away—that would be too embarrassing. As for blocking the path, forget it.
By now, Iron Hand was seen by these officials as a combination of a god of death, a plague god, and a grim reaper. They would avoid offending him at all costs.
The three officials walked into the palace, doing their best to maintain natural expressions.
The old king’s summons today was not for a council meeting but for a banquet—a luncheon.
This meal was certainly not easy to enjoy, as ten princes or princesses were also attending the banquet. All officials with real power in the capital had to be present. This banquet was bound to be very "lively."
When Su Xiao entered the banquet hall within the palace, he found over a hundred people already gathered.
Do not underestimate these hundred-plus individuals. Any one of them, if singled out, was a big shot. Without real power or immense wealth, one simply had no qualification to attend this luncheon.
The banquet hall was lined with many long rectangular tables, upon which were placed high-grade alcoholic beverages, various rare fruits, exquisite pastries, and so on.
The old king had not yet appeared, so the atmosphere in the hall was lively. Among the many officials were also several major merchants. Though they wielded great wealth, their status within the hall was not high.
The old king had summoned these major merchants primarily to let them meet the princes and princesses, the implication being that they should choose one to support.
The major merchants who caught the old king’s eye were certainly no small figures, yet in today’s banquet hall, they had become minor characters.
As soon as Su Xiao stepped into the banquet hall, numerous gazes converged on him.
"Hey, over here."
A rough shout came. The one bold enough to call out to Iron Hand like that was no small character. This man was the Kingdom’s Legion Commander, Hesterlet, who held the military power of the kingdom. He wore black clothes, and his face bore several crisscrossing scars.
Beside Hesterlet sat two others. One Su Xiao recognized—the Kingdom’s Financial Officer, old man Rowen Harvey. The other Su Xiao had not met before, but based on his guess, this person was likely the Chief Administrator, Joe Valentine.
Counting Su Xiao, the old king’s four most trusted confidants had all arrived.
Su Xiao stepped toward Rowen Harvey and the others. In the past, Rowen Harvey would have shown hostility, but today was different. He no longer needed to put on that facade.
"Iron Hand, you slipped away early yesterday. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep yet."
Old man Rowen Harvey spoke, his face unable to hide his exhaustion. It seemed confiscating properties was no easy task.
Su Xiao sat down at the wooden table, flanked by Rowen Harvey and the other two in a row. This table was closest to the old king’s seat. Apart from Su Xiao and the other three, no one else was qualified to sit here—not even the princes or princesses.
"Killing isn’t easy either. Last night, I ran into Joseph Ke."
Su Xiao also changed his previous taciturn demeanor, as he understood that the current situation was very special.
Before the power struggle began, Su Xiao and the other three most trusted ministers of the old king had to maintain some minor conflicts among themselves. Even if those conflicts were just for show, it was actually an attitude—one that put the old king at ease.
Now, however, things were different. The previous situation of minor friction was clearly unsuitable for the current circumstances.
Once the power struggle started, no matter how many officials the old king killed, the capital’s situation would experience some turbulence. At this critical juncture, the four of them could no longer continue their "minor conflicts." On the contrary, they had to appear very united to help the old king stabilize the scene.
"Joseph Ke?"
The Kingdom’s Legion Commander, Hesterlet, spoke up. He clearly knew Joseph Ke.
"Is he now..."
Hesterlet asked, seemingly casually, but in his heart, he hoped Joseph Ke was still alive.
"I killed him. If I’m not mistaken, he came to repay a debt of gratitude."
"Is that so."
Hesterlet sighed, a look of genuine regret in his eyes—not an act, but heartfelt. He had once fought alongside Joseph Ke.
"Have a drink."
Hesterlet raised his glass. The wine in the cup was poured to the brim. Rowen Harvey and Chief Administrator Joe Valentine both lifted their metal cups, and Su Xiao did the same.
Clink~
The cups touched, and the four drank in one gulp. This was a statement. Many in the banquet hall saw the four of them clink glasses.
"Bai Ye, let’s talk about something private. When you killed the High Priest last night, did he say anything interesting? That guy was a real divine stick."
Chief Administrator Joe Valentine spoke. He was a thin, middle-aged man responsible for managing most of the officials.
Hearing Joe Valentine mention the High Priest, Su Xiao turned his gaze toward him.
"Interesting? He said he wanted to marry his daughter to me to spare his life."
"The High Priest has a daughter?"
"Probably an illegitimate child. That guy’s conduct has never been proper. But given his looks, his daughter..."
"Hahaha."
Hesterlet burst out laughing. This guy had a rather straightforward personality.
"Speaking of which, who are you all favoring this time?"
Little old man Rowen Harvey set down his wine glass, clasping his hands together. In the power struggle, he was definitely a hot commodity, given his control over the financial reins.
"I favor the Third Prince. I just find him agreeable no matter how I look at him."
Legion Commander Hesterlet spoke. Everyone had expected him to support the Third Prince. As for backing the wrong side? Don’t be ridiculous. Even if Hesterlet backed the wrong side, what could be done? He held military power. If Hesterlet died, the joke would be on them—the front lines might collapse.
As long as the new king had a sound mind, no matter whom Hesterlet supported, the new king could not touch Hesterlet. Instead, he would try to win over this Kingdom’s Legion Commander.
"Support whom? Do you think I want to die?"
Joe Valentine gave a dry laugh. He couldn’t casually reveal whom he supported. Backing the wrong side would be disastrous.
"Valentine, did your wife beat you again? How did your face get that bruise?"
Little old man Rowen Harvey began teasing Joe Valentine. This big shot had a notable trait: he was henpecked. His wife was an absolute terror. As for their nighttime activities, who was really dominating whom was anyone’s guess.
"Shut your mouth, you old pig."
"He definitely got another beating from his wife."
Hesterlet fanned the flames.
"A brute and an old immortal. You two ***."
Joe Valentine cursed again.
These three were the most powerful figures outside the old king. Did big shots always have to be serious and refined? Not at all. In private, these big shots also cursed, just not where outsiders could hear. In the eyes of others, they were lofty and imposing, exuding authority just by sitting there.
Not to mention these three, even the old king, when enraged, would curse at Su Xiao and the other three. Once, the old king was so furious with Hesterlet that he pointed at his nose and roared, "Get out of here!" That was a trusted confidant. If another official had angered the old king—no, they wouldn’t even have the chance to anger him, because they would have become corpses long before that.
At a distant table, two seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girls were chatting and laughing softly. They were princesses, but due to their young age, they had directly given up on the power struggle, so they didn’t need to scheme against each other.
"Lydia, what do you think those four are discussing?"
One of the princesses asked.
"I don’t know. Probably something important. Lord Joe Valentine’s face is all red. It must be serious."
Lydia was also curious. Su Xiao and the other three were supposedly discussing matters of state.
In reality, Rowen Harvey was describing a time when he and Joe Valentine were out carousing and got caught by Joe Valentine’s wife. Joe Valentine was so scared he jumped out the window without even putting on his pants. But this guy, true to his role as Chief Administrator, had top-tier intelligence. Even though he was stark naked, he used both hands to cover a particularly crucial part—his face.
Just then, the banquet hall doors opened. The king had arrived.
(PS: Two chapters today, consider it a day off. The temperature in the north has suddenly dropped, and this little mosquito’s frail body has naturally caught a cold.)