Mother, I have returned to the throne.

Chapter 297 Conquer Sunan!

Guo Ding had just walked into the room when he saw Jinlian stand up and gently close the door.

Song Yuan was already sitting in the room, and waved casually at Guo Ding in front of him.

"General Guo, please take a seat!"

Seeing Song Yuan pointing his finger at the position opposite him, Guo Ding stood there hesitating for a moment, but finally he gritted his teeth and didn't move forward.

He hung his head and said, "Your Highness, this treatment is truly unbearable for me. I failed to discipline my subordinates and committed such a serious mistake. How can I still be qualified to sit here?"

"In my eyes, you are you and he is him. The two cannot be confused. Just do what I tell you to do!"

Song Yuan scolded him with a certain seriousness, and then his tone suddenly brightened: "You and I are both commanders, so I can naturally understand your dilemma. As long as there is an army, how can there not be a few bad apples?"

"Besides, even if you really don't manage your subordinates well, it's not my turn to punish you. After all, the one who manages your subordinates is General Wei!"

"Just think of us as just friends. Today we're just chatting here because of a misunderstanding!"

Noticing Song Yuan's gentle attitude, Guo Ding's expression relaxed: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

As he spoke, he felt a little more favorable towards Song Yuan, and slowly sat down opposite him.

Seeing this, Jinlian, who was standing by, came forward immediately, wiped the wine utensils on the table with warm water, and poured a glass of wine for each of them.

Song Yuan picked up the wine glass and drank it all, then raised his eyebrows: "General Guo, speaking of this matter of stealing the wine, the reason I came to you now is just to confirm one thing or another!"

"Let me ask you, do you have anything to do with this matter? Was Guo Wanli's action spontaneous, or did you secretly instigate it?"

"Your Highness, I am innocent. I have only just learned about this matter!" Faced with Song Yuan's accountability, Guo Ding's face suddenly changed, and he started to explain immediately.

"That guy once gave me some fine wine, but according to him, it was clearly bought by him. If I had known that there was such a complicated story behind this wine, why would I have asked the prince to find it for me?"

"I'm afraid he would have been tied up and brought before the prince, and personally went to Mohai City to apologize!"

"Don't be nervous, General Guo. I was just asking casually, but since you said so, I'll believe you for now!"

Song Yuan poured another glass of wine and took a sip. "As for who is involved in this matter, I will naturally ask someone to investigate. If General Guo deceives me, I will come to you personally!"

"Your Highness Mo Jiang is absolutely not lying. Otherwise, I am willing to do whatever you want with me!" Guo Ding responded with his back straightened.

Seeing this, Song Yuan nodded repeatedly: "Okay, okay, your attitude proves that you are much better than that brother!"

"Since this matter has nothing to do with you, why don't we discuss how to deal with your brother!"

"Your Highness, as a collateral branch member, I should have been a bystander. After all, we are family, and what Guo Wanli did was unforgivable!"

Sensing Song Yuan's attitude, Guo Ding spoke directly and tested him: "Now I just hope that I can be thick-skinned and ask the King of Football to give that brat a chance. As long as he can survive, it will be enough for me!"

Guo Ding was humble and stood up subconsciously while speaking.

It's a pity that Song Yuan remained silent again in the face of such a request. For a while, he just picked up the wine glass and sipped the wine repeatedly.

Seeing this look, Jinlian, who was standing by, couldn't help but curse in her heart.

This bastard is so shameless. He clearly made up his mind to bribe the other party, but in the end he said nothing!

Do you have to wait for the other party to take the initiative before you are willing to give up?

This guy took advantage of me and acted like a good boy. It’s not like he usually treats me like this. How many times has he treated me like this?

In this silence, Guo Ding's expression kept changing, until he finally gritted his teeth, and with a thud, he knelt directly in front of Song Yuan.

Before Song Yuan could stand up to stop him, Guo Ding spoke with a look of grief and indignation: "Your Highness, we two brothers have come this far together through hard work. Our parents passed away young, and when they left, the only thing they cared about was my brother!"

"Before my deceased father and mother passed away, I promised that I would protect my brother even if it meant risking my own life!"

"Now I only pray that the prince will show some mercy and give my brother a chance to survive. I will definitely punish him severely later!"

"To repay His Majesty, I am willing to work like a slave for the rest of my life, just to thank Master Wang Wen for his great kindness!"

Finally said it!

Seeing Guo Ding finally revealing his true feelings, Song Yuan showed a faint smile on his face.

But the next second he quickly restrained his expression, frowned and scolded the other party.

"What are you doing? If others see this, will they think I'm bullying you?"

"If you have something to say, stand up and say it. You are a senior general in the court after all. Are you spineless if you kneel down at every turn?"

In response to Song Yuan's words, Guo Dian nodded and stood up, lowering his head without saying a word.

Seeing this, Song Yuan finally spoke: "You also know that I have won several battles since I came here, and I have captured many war horses from the barbarians. As for what you said about being treated like a slave, I don't think it is necessary at all. I have no shortage of these things!"

"But your lord..."

"Shut up and listen to me first!" Seeing that Guo Ding wanted to interrupt, Song Yuan interrupted him directly.

Then he looked at the other person with a bit of solemnity: "No matter what, you are also a fifth-rank official in the court. The fact that you have made it this far is enough to prove your ability. You are a pillar of the country, so how can you say that you are a slave to others?"

"If you truly wish to serve me, I will never treat you like a beast of burden. I will lead you to great achievements and fame!"

Take me with you?

Hearing Song Yuan's words, Guo Ding was slightly stunned, and the next second, he suddenly reacted.

Song Yuan's words were very clear, his only purpose was to recruit Guo Ding.

Thinking of all the rumors about the prince, Guo Ding swallowed hard: "Prince...you said this, don't you mean..."

"I know what you want to say. You're guessing that I want to rebel, right?"

Song Yuan raised his head, his eyes burning: "But think about it, if I really wanted to rebel, why would I bother to persuade you so kindly?"

"Just based on this matter, what would it matter if I took away the tens of thousands of soldiers and horses you had commanded today?"

"Don't forget my title. I am the King of Jingbei. My greatest wish in coming to Binjiang is to quell the rebellion and trample the barbarians! Completely wash away the shame of my empire!"

"As for the rebellion you mentioned, do you think it's necessary given my current status?"

"As long as no one forces me to rebel, I'd be a fool to give up the good life in front of me and go against my own father."

"This……"

After hearing Song Yuan's analysis, Guo Ding frowned and fell into deep thought.

To be honest, after hearing about Song Yuan’s heroic deeds, Guo Ding had always admired this prince before meeting him today.

As for individual obedience, Guo Ding had no resistance in his heart.

His only worry was that the other party would rebel. What if he got on this pirate ship and it was irreversible?

"You guys are all incompetent!"

Seeing Guo Ding remain silent, Song Yuan shook his head. "You keep talking about loyalty to the emperor and patriotism, but ask yourselves, as a general, if you can't even deal with a mere barbarian, how can you be loyal to the emperor and patriotic?"

"I'm giving you the chance to achieve great things, the chance to trample over barbarians, and yet you're still hesitant. Are you a coward, or are you patriotic?"

Guo Ding was speechless for a moment after hearing Song Yuan's description. When he thought of the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the barbarians before, he suddenly became determined.

"General Guo Ding, from today on, is willing to serve the prince with all his might!"

Seeing the other party's response, Song Yuan waved his hand and said, "Alright, get up. Since you are so willing, follow me from now on!"

"As for the rebellion you just mentioned, I don't think there's anything to worry about right now. Instead of dwelling on that, it's better to think about how to suppress the barbarians!"

"If you truly have concerns, once I've resolved them to your satisfaction, you can decide whether to stay or go. I won't stop you in the slightest!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Faced with Song Yuan's promise, Guo Ding hurriedly bowed to express his gratitude.

But Song Yuan smiled faintly: "Okay, after talking about you and me, let's get back to the topic!"

"From now on, you and I are considered family. I'll be frank with you. Your brother has committed such a heinous crime; he deserves the death penalty, but he can't escape punishment for his crimes. Tell me first, what are your thoughts?"

After recaptured Guoding, Song Yuan took advantage of this opportunity to directly capture Sunan. However, considering the importance of combining kindness with force, he did not let Guo Wanli go directly.

Instead, ask questions immediately!

"Ah? This..."

Seeing Guo Ding's surprised expression, Song Yuan did not forget to explain: "You also know that your brother has a bad temper. If you don't take this opportunity to punish him, think about what will happen if he offends the emperor in the future."

"Besides, I didn't lie to you before. The wine is indeed worth 150,000 taels of silver. I can advance the loss, but as his elder brother, are you planning to let him go?"

"The general understands!"

Hearing Song Yuan's words, Guo Ding suddenly came to his senses and nodded heavily.

"My Lord, is this all right?"

"Guo Wanli, as the principal offender, shall be punished with thirty strokes of the cane. The other accomplices shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane. Anyone involved in this incident shall be stripped of their military status!"

"Not bad!"

Seeing that Guo Ding was quite sensible, Song Yuan nodded in satisfaction and added.

"In addition to these punishments, I want you to make another announcement. From today on, no one is allowed to drink alcohol in the army, not even in the name of warming themselves!"

"As for the cold winter, I will naturally take out money to buy charcoal for you. You don't have to worry about this. Since you have become my people, I will naturally not treat you unfairly!"

"Thank you very much, Your Highness!" Upon hearing such treatment, Guo Ding nodded in agreement immediately.

At this moment, he has already put himself in the right position. As Song Yuan's subordinate, there is naturally no need for him to refuse the other party's reward.

"As for those people you expelled from the barracks, I will naturally send troops to replace them for you!"

Song Yuan then added that this statement was just to place his own spies in the military camp.

Guo Ding hesitated for a moment and quickly nodded in agreement.

He naturally knew Song Yuan's purpose, but from the moment he agreed to Song Yuan, it was equivalent to getting on a pirate ship.

At this point, even if Song Yuan really wanted to rebel, he had no choice but to follow him!

As for Song Yuan planting spies, it is normal.

If I can't even accept this, how can I convince the prince in front of me?

"Okay, don't feel wronged. I will soon tell you with facts that choosing me is the greatest opportunity in your life!"

Seeing Guo Ding looking depressed, Song Yuan immediately tried to comfort him.

"It won't be long before I give you a great opportunity. As for the specific details, don't ask for now. I will let you know when the time comes!"

"I can't say more, but as long as this plan succeeds, you'll be promoted at least two levels!"

what?

When Guo Ding heard the reward of being promoted two levels, his pupils dilated instantly.

When did it become so easy to get promoted?

As a fifth-rank official, Guo Ding spent more than ten years in the military before he finally got his current position.

And according to his calculations, if he wanted to be promoted two levels to the fourth rank, he would probably need at least ten years of hard work!

Now Song Yuan dared to make such a promise with just one sentence, he is indeed worthy of being a prince!

Apart from someone as brave as Song Yuan, who else would dare to say such words?

In just a moment, Guo Ding agreed with Song Yuan in his heart. Noticing the surprise in Guo Ding's eyes, Song Yuan did not forget to remind him.

"It's not appropriate to let outsiders know about our alliance in the short term. Do I need to remind you how to control your subordinates?"

"I understand, Your Majesty, don't worry, I'll take care of this matter!"

Guo Ding nodded in agreement immediately, and his emotions became much more excited.