Chaos of the Three Kingdoms Summons

Chapter 2692 Reconnecting with Zhu and Wu, Prime Minister Du's Mission to the Barbarians

As for the forces of Zhu and Wu in Yizhou, they were also within Guan Zhong's scope of utilization.

Although they were previously in a state of hostility!
But what can be done about it?

When national interests are at stake, minor conflicts can naturally be set aside!

Between the two forces, national interests naturally take precedence!

Did Zhao Kuangyin, Zhu Yuanzhang, Chiyou, Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and Qin Zheng ever love each other?

But did the timing of cooperation affect them?
The same applies to the Great Jin and Zhu Wu of today!
After all, the Great Jin Dynasty needs Zhu Wu now!

Not to mention, it was their Great Jin that destroyed Zhu Yuanzhang. They should be the ones who can't let go of him. What is there for their Great Jin to be unable to let go of?
For this matter, Du Ruhui, the Minister of Rites of the Nanjing court, even personally went to Yizhou to meet Zhu Zhanji, the new ruler of the Zhu-Wu remnants after Zhu Yuanzhang's death.

Meanwhile, in Yizhou, inside the palace of the King of Wu.

It's called a palace, but it's really just a larger mansion.

Zhu Zhanji and the remaining former officials of Zhu and Wu had already fallen to this point, so it was impossible for them to undertake large-scale construction projects under these circumstances, which would be a meaningless waste of manpower and resources.

Moreover, Zhu Zhanji only had some minor hobbies, but he had not yet reached the point of indulging in pleasure.

Du Ruhui, the Minister of Rites of the Great Jin Dynasty, walked steadily into the oppressive hall in a deep purple official robe.

Ah!
Let's just consider it a main hall for now! Although, from any perspective, it can't really be called a hall!
His appearance was like a boulder thrown into a still pool, stirring up silent yet violent ripples.

The former officials of Zhu Wu, who stood in the hall, looked at him with complex emotions, including deep-seated hatred and hidden fear.

Du Ruhui bowed slightly, displaying impeccable manners, yet exuding a calm and composed demeanor.

Although most of the people present had deep-seated hatred for their Great Jin, Du Ruhui was not afraid of any danger to himself.

Firstly, in times of war, envoys should not be killed!
Secondly, if he dies here, regardless of the previous battle plan of the Great Jin, the Great Jin's army will arrive in an instant.

As one of the six ministers, one of the highest-ranking civil officials, it would be a joke if he died without leaving any instructions.
The people present were simply enemies of the Great Jin Dynasty, but that did not mean they were without talent.

At this time, Yizhou lacked the strength to initiate a major war, the courage to do so, and the preparation to do so.

Therefore, he seemed oblivious to the hostility emanating from the hall, calmly meeting Zhu Zhanji's gaze, getting straight to the point, his words as clear as metal striking the ground.

“King Wu, I have come here not for mere formalities. I am here on the orders of my Emperor and Minister Guan to deliver peace to Your Highness and to the hundreds of thousands of people in this land of Yi.”

"An?" The young Zhu Zhanji's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile; the word sounded incredibly grating at that moment.

"Your country's navy is as fierce as wolves and tigers, while the people and soldiers of our Yizhou live in constant fear. What security do we have? Minister Du, are you perhaps here as an envoy to persuade us?"

The Embroidered Uniform Guard still had a large number of remnants in the south. In recent years, shipyards throughout the Great Jin Dynasty have been working day and night to build warships. In just a few years, more than a dozen treasure ships have been launched.

Under such circumstances, how could Yizhou feel at ease?
"Your Highness has misunderstood."

Du Ruhui remained calm and composed, his voice steady and powerful, "The old affairs of Jin and Wu can be set aside for now."

"Our Great Jin is now mobilizing the entire nation to launch a southern campaign against the Kushans. This is a war of national destiny, and we cannot afford to lose. However, for a long-distance expedition across the sea, provisions are the lifeblood. To ensure the smooth flow of supplies, we need to borrow your ships to assist in transporting some of the military supplies."

Actually, when Du Ruhui first heard Guan Zhong's idea, although he initially thought it was a pipe dream, after calming down and thinking about it carefully, he realized that it was indeed possible to achieve.

Moreover, it's a win-win situation!
Firstly, it would alleviate the pressure on them to transport supplies and ensure the needs of the expeditionary force.

Secondly, having Zhu Wu's navy transport grain for them meant they didn't have to worry about the enemy potentially attacking their grain transport fleet, saving them a lot of trouble.

With this back-and-forth arrangement, it's hard to imagine how much manpower and resources can be saved.

If Guan Zhong's idea fails, it will be considered a pipe dream; but if it succeeds, it will be seen as a mature and wise approach to governing the country.

Upon hearing Du Ruhui's words, a collective gasp of suppressed breaths immediately filled the room.

Zhu Zhanji almost thought he had misheard. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes blazing with anger, and his voice rose a few decibels.

"Du Ruhui! How dare you order my Zhu Wu family to transport grain for the Jin state to attack other countries? This is an utter disgrace! The Zhu family and the Jin state are sworn enemies!"

At this moment, Zhu Zhanji was truly furious!
Ten years ago, during the war in the south, how many people died in Yangzhou? How many members of the Zhu family died?
His father and grandfather were both defeated in battle!

Knowing full well the deep-seated hatred between them, the Great Jin still dared to make such a request; this was a blatant humiliation!
If he agrees, how will he face his ancestors a hundred years from now?

Faced with Zhu Zhanji's anger, Du Ruhui's eyes became even more profound and sharp, like a sword piercing through the fog.

He took a step forward, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire room. His voice was not loud, but it was resolute.

"Your Highness, I dare not forget the national and personal grievances. However, the most important matters of the nation are profit and security. To repay Your Highness for your assistance, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Jin has decreed that, from the date the grain route is opened, for three years, the Great Jin Navy will never set foot in the waters of Yizhou!"

"Your Highness and the people of Yizhou will have three years to recuperate; this is the sincerity of our dynasty."

"An expedition to Kushan?"

"What, you Jin traitors, aren't you afraid that my Great Wu will inform the Kushan Empire of this matter in advance!"

"Would they even join forces with the Kushans to deal with your Great Jin?"

“In that case, we might as well give up these three years of peace!” Wu Zixu said coldly and sarcastically.

"It seems that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is not as powerful as it used to be!"

"It seems you are unaware that the Kushan ruler, Bodhi, has been committing many incompetent acts in recent years, leading to widespread suffering and chaos within his country!"

"Persia to the west and Mongolia to the north have both sent troops to attack this peacock that has already fallen ill!"

"My Great Jin is merely one of them!"

Even if you inform him, what difference will it make? Can it change the final outcome?

"As for your alliance with the Kushan..."

Du Ruhui did not continue speaking, but the smile at the corner of his mouth conveyed a meaning that was self-evident.

Even if the Kushan warship was once huge, it is now leaking everywhere. Do they still want to board it? Are they afraid of not dying fast enough?