King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

Yingtianfu City.

In a secret room of a secluded house somewhere.

An elderly man dressed in simple civilian clothes was leaning on a bamboo lounge chair in the pavilion, holding an unknown black jade in his right hand and playing with it. His eyes were slightly narrowed and it was unknown what he was thinking about.

Da da da.
Just then.

A figure covered in a black robe slowly walked out of the darkness.

He bowed slightly, saluted the elderly man on the recliner with an extremely respectful expression, and said:

"Mr. Ling."

"It's done."

"The letter has been delivered to that person as you instructed."

The man called Old Ling was none other than the White Lotus Sect, whom the Ming Taizu had wanted to completely eradicate since the time of Emperor Taizu.

After hearing this.

On the soft couch, Old Ling, who was half-closed his eyes as if he was asleep, lay on his side with his back to the man in black robe, and slowly moved his body a few times. Then, he supported himself with his hands on the armrests of the recliner and suddenly sat up straight.

"Liu Xu."

“This is a good job.”

"Okay, I get it."

"If there is nothing else to do, just do what you need to do!"

"Such a big thing has happened in Yingtianfu City during this period. It is definitely impossible to expect peace. You should be more careful and don't let the Jinyiwei who are searching find any clues."

"Otherwise. If you get caught."

"No one can save you."

"Understand?"

The man called Liu Xu by Old Ling was none other than the person who had just stood at the gate of the Jinyiwei prison, threatening to commit suicide by paying someone to find a child to help deliver the letter inside.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xu nodded slightly, but he seemed to have thought of something, and a trace of extreme entanglement and confusion flashed across his face. He wanted to open his mouth several times to ask something, but when he looked at Old Ling's face, for some reason the words on his lips could not be uttered.

I saw that he wanted to say something but was hesitant, although he hid it very well.

But how could it be possible to hide it from the eyes of an experienced man like Mr. Ling?

Elder Ling drooped his eyelids, glanced at Liu Xu with interest, waved at him, and said calmly:

"Is there anything else?"

"If you have anything to say, just say it."

"You don't have to hide it from me."

“I’m not a dogmatic person.”

"Say it!"

Get approval.

A hint of joy flashed across Liu Xu's face, and then he simply sorted out his thoughts and hurriedly asked in a low voice:
"Mr. Ling."

"Forgive my ignorance."

"Aren't those Japanese bandits our allies after much effort and effort to coax them into becoming our allies?"

"Didn't we agree to join forces with them to hunt down members of the Ming royal family to avenge the murder of the Saint?"

"We haven't started yet, and we haven't succeeded yet."

"Why did we directly report the Japanese bandits who were our allies and sent the clues of their hiding directly to Han Wang Zhu Gaoxu?"

"Isn't this putting the cart before the horse, cutting off one's own arm before even starting to act?"

"Once those Japanese bandits are captured, how can we complete the mission and avenge the Saint Lady when we have so few people in Yingtian City?"

"This, this, this"

At this point, he paused, then changed the subject and quickly explained himself:

"I have no intention of questioning you."

"I am indeed a stupid disciple, and I sincerely want to ask for your advice."

"Please don't blame me, Mr. Ling, and calm down."

"Hmm." Elder Ling still looked indifferent and aloof. He was not angry at what he said. Instead, he smiled and waved his hand at Liu Xu, who looked terrified and worried. He said quietly:

"Liu Xu."

"You are my favorite disciple. You have been very smart since childhood, beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"I hope you remember one thing: those who are not of my race must have different hearts."

"In this land of Central Plains, our life and death is our own business."

"But this land will never be allowed to be touched by foreign races."

"As for the alien races, we can use them and let them be our knives, but we absolutely cannot trust them. We must deal with them cleanly after using them."

"As for allies?"

"Are the Japanese people from such a small country worthy of this?"

"It's just a pawn in our hands."

As he spoke, Elder Ling seemed to have thought of something, and a hint of an intriguing smile appeared on his slightly raised mouth, and he continued:
"Our layout and our mission have been completed."

"The chess piece has lost its usefulness."

"The so-called chess pieces should be cleaned up."

"As for the task of cleaning up, Yingtianfu City is in front of the emperor's gate and is heavily guarded. Naturally, it can only be handed over to the Jinyiwei."

What the hell?
Have the tasks and layouts been completed?
No, what is going on?
Didn't they agree to avenge the Saint and assassinate the bastard Zhu Zhanji, attempting to stir up confrontation and suspicion between the Crown Prince and the King of Han, so as to use the Crown Prince's lineage to make Zhu Gaoxu's life miserable, or even kill him?

The problem is that no one has taken action yet, and in the entire imperial city, no one is injured or harmed.

How come the mission is accomplished?
What is this all about?
Why did he become more confused the more he asked and listened?
He felt that everything was confusing and he didn't understand a single thing.

I really feel that my brain is not enough at this moment and can't keep up with the pace.

It made him even doubt his own brain.

When did I become so dumb and stupid?
After hearing this, Liu Xu frowned and thought for a long time, but the doubt in his expression did not diminish at all, but became more intense. He subconsciously reached out and patted his head, and continued:

"no."

"Mr. Ling, what on earth does this mean?"

"The more I listen, the more confused I become. The more I listen, the less I understand."

"What on earth is going on? How come it has already succeeded?"

"I don't know."

The words have not yet fallen.

"Hahaha"

Then he heard Elder Ling's hearty laughter, waved at him, telling him not to worry, and then asked:

"Liu Xu."

"There is a saying in Sun Tzu's Art of War. You must have heard of it, right?"

"The first is to attack the enemy, then the second is to attack the enemy, the second is to attack the army, and the third is to attack the city."

"It doesn't matter if it's a war between nations, a dispute over business interests, or some other confrontation or hatred."

"The word 'action' is always the worst option, no matter when. It is the choice of a foolish person. A smart person will only do it when he is forced to do so."

"Why do we have to use force when we can achieve victory through strategy?"

"A dull knife cuts more and more painfully, and a word that cuts the heart is worse than killing someone."

"In your eyes."

"It seems like nothing has been done, but in fact, nothing has been done."

"And the letter you risked your life to send to the Jinyiwei prison today was the key to the success of both actions."

"The letter was delivered safely, and you escaped unscathed."

"It means that the mission, revenge, and alienation plan have been successful."

Point to end.

Elder Ling glanced at him meaningfully, and without saying anything more, he waved his hand and said:

"okay."

"I have said what I should say."

"The rest you need to figure out carefully."

"If you can figure it out, it will improve your vision and ability. If you can't figure it out..."

The rest of the words were not finished. However, everyone was smart, so Liu Xu naturally understood the implication of his words.

I also heard the implication of expelling the guest from the room.

Although Liu Xu still had many doubts in his mind, or perhaps he understood what he heard vaguely.

But he did not dare to stay for even a moment, nor did he dare to delve into it any further.

Then, Liu Xu bowed to Old Ling with an expression of utmost respect, then turned around and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Seeing the boy leaving.

Looking around the silent house, Elder Ling shook his head slightly, a trace of reminiscence flashed through his cloudy eyes, and he murmured in a low voice:
"Good girl! Good girl!"

"You always like to have your own way and you never listen to anything I say."

"This is just great."

"If you act rashly, you will get yourself into trouble."

"it's okay no problem……"

"Just watch carefully in heaven and see how Grandpa will avenge you and make those who hurt you perish in fear and anxiety."

"You won't be disappointed."

Say it.

He reached into his bosom and pulled out a crooked embroidered handkerchief, put it to his nose and took a few deep breaths.

After a long while, Old Ling waved towards a place in the darkness, and a figure came out pushing a wheelchair. The figure helped him sit on the wheelchair and pushed him into the room.

As the old man left, the depressing atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly dissipated and the previous tranquility was restored.

……

at the same time.

In the palace of the King of Han.

In the secluded pavilion in the inner house, Zhu Gaoxu leaned on the soft couch, fiddling with the lid of the teacup in front of him from time to time. His eyes were spinning from time to time, and no one knew what he was thinking in his mind.

Da da da……

The sound of hurried footsteps came from a distance.

The chirping sounds of insects all around suddenly stopped, and the surroundings became eerily quiet in an instant.

Not long after.

Old He walked in quickly and bowed solemnly to Zhu Gaoxu who was leaning on the couch.

"Old slave, I pay my respects to the prince."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, stared straight at Lao He who was close at hand, and said in a deep voice:

"how?"

"Have you asked clearly?"

"How do you respond to the people below?"

"But our people did it?"

Listen to the question.

Feel the urgency in these words.

Lao He looked solemn, lowered his head slightly, not daring to look him in the eye, and spoke with a hint of fear:
"Go back to your lord."

“Everyone has been asked.”

"It's confirmed. The letter was not written by one of our people."

"None of our people would do anything illegal like this."

While speaking, Lao He took out a letter from his arms and continued:
"Our people have learned the news."

"But it hasn't been delivered yet."

then.

He placed the letter respectfully on the table.

Looking at the familiar letter in front of him, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but pause, with a trace of daze flashing across his face.

He didn't say much.

He picked up the letter on the table and looked at the contents on it.

As the content came into view, Zhu Gaoxu's expression darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye.

There is no other reason.

The content of the letter, except for some slight differences in the handwriting and number of words, was exactly the same as the letter he had received when he was in the Jinyiwei prison.

After a brief moment of daze, Zhu Gaoxu half-closed his eyes and stared at Lao He for a long time. Without saying anything more, he waved his hand and said:

"Row."

"I understand."

"There's nothing to do here, just go down."

"Let's keep our people in line for the time being. Yingtianfu City has been in turmoil recently. The Jinyiwei are like mad dogs. Don't fall into other people's traps."

After hearing this.

I felt the atmosphere in the courtyard becoming cold and eerie without me noticing.

Old He didn't dare to ask more questions at this moment. He bowed respectfully, then turned around and strode out the door.

The whole courtyard suddenly became quiet.

Zhu Gaoxu half frowned, his face gloomy as he fell into deep thought.

That's it.

Time passed by minute by minute.

In the courtyard.

In a dark corner, a masked figure in black tights slowly emerged.

Sensing the movement, Zhu Gaoxu, who had half-closed his eyes, suddenly opened them, and with lightning speed, he grabbed the sword placed beside the couch with his right hand. With a "swoosh" sound, the sword came out of the sheath, and a dazzling cold light suddenly appeared. His tiger eyes stared straight at the black-robed man who suddenly appeared, and shouted:

"who?"

In an instant.

The entire courtyard was filled with murderous intent.

The man in black robes sensed the sudden murderous attack and did not dare to hesitate for a moment. He quickly knelt down and saluted, saying:

"My lord."

"I see you, Your Majesty."

I saw a kneeling figure and heard a familiar voice.

Zhu Gaoxu's originally serious expression suddenly relaxed. He glared at the man kneeling on the ground, pointed at him, smiled helplessly, shook his head, and scolded:
"You bastard."

"It's always like this. You don't go through the main entrance. You like to climb over the wall, right?"

"I'm really worried that I'll be scared to death by you one day."

After hearing this.

The black-robed man turned his head awkwardly, smiled sheepishly, a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes, and said:
"My lord."

"You can't blame me for this!"

"Every time you sent an order, you asked me to come secretly and not to alert anyone."

"This, this, this"

"Don't alarm anyone. I was told not to climb over the wall and go in through the main entrance."

"Aren't you really making things difficult for me?"

"Even if I have great abilities, I can't become invisible!"

"There seems to be no other way to get in except to climb over the wall."

It seems so.

It seems like I really asked for it.

This is indeed a bit excessive. The requirements are extremely high and it is really embarrassing.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but look embarrassed when he heard this, but he laughed to ease the embarrassment and didn't dwell on this issue too much. He asked:

"I just sent you a message."

"You came to see me so soon. Have you found the reason and the answer?"

"Who is behind this?" (End of this chapter)