Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 160 Seeking the Skin of a Tiger, Two Requests

"Where were we talking about?"

"Imperial decree."

"Oh, right." Gongsun He slapped his forehead, looking like he had a bad memory. He cleared his throat and continued, "The Divine Marquis is well aware of the situation in Prince Su's Mansion. With a million strong troops, all they need is an opportunity. Once this imperial edict falls into Zhu Jinzhen's hands, no one will be able to change the outcome of the Ming Dynasty's change of leadership."

"Moreover, Prince Su's methods are cruel and perverse, and he has no tolerance for others."

"Once he takes that position, he will inevitably drag the Ming Dynasty into an endless quagmire and abyss."

Gongsun He said this with a look of indignation on his face.

Zhu Wusi just thought it was a joke.

Although he was wary of Zhu Jinzhen, he also knew that under Zhu Jinzhen's governance, Shaanxi was more than ten times richer than it was five years ago. His so-called ruthless and perverse methods were mostly targeted at those who were corrupt and lawless, and those who violated the law with force.

As for the indignant words that followed, they were even more of a joke.

However, Gongsun He's words made Zhu Wusi smell something different.

Zhu Wusi's eyes flickered for a moment, and he deliberately asked, "Does the Qinglong Society want to avenge the Su Palace's invasion of the Jianghu?"

"Uh, yes!" Gongsun He was stunned. He didn't expect Zhu Wusi to have guessed part of it. He nodded and said, "Back then, Prince Su's palace rode into the martial arts world, killing countless people in the northwest, northern desert, and southern desert. The whole place was in a state of panic."

"The two dragon leaders of the Azure Dragon Society and two of its twelve halls were destroyed by Cang Yun."

"Many of the Qinglong Society's subordinate forces were also uprooted."

"This blood feud is irreconcilable."

"I'm not interested in knowing this." Zhu Wusi interrupted Gongsun He and said coldly, "It is said that the Azure Dragon Society has seven dragon heads and twelve halls. Where are you from? Who do you represent?"

"Also, you want to help me ascend the throne. What do you want?"

Zhu Wusi's eyes were cold as he looked at the fool in front of him who thought he was smart. He could already vaguely guess something.

I'm afraid that in addition to the martial arts forces and the collusion with the royal relatives and princes in the court, the power of the Qinglong Society has also infiltrated the civil service group, otherwise Gongsun He would not be so resentful and angry when talking about the Prince Su's Mansion and Zhu Jinzhen.

But this is good news for Zhu Wusi.

"I don't represent a single dragon head, but the collective consent of all seven. As for what I ask for..." Gongsun He paused, his true colors revealed: "Qinglong will help you ascend the throne. In return, I will give you the Yongle Encyclopedia, a treasured possession of our palace."

Zhu Wusi looked at Gongsun He in confusion.

This request was beyond Zhu Wusi's expectations.

He had thought about what the other party might be planning, such as dividing the world, Ming Shenwu Code, or some huge benefits. But he never thought that what Gongsun He wanted was the Yongle Code.

"Could it be that the Ming Shenwu Code is hidden in the Yongle Codex?" Such a guess flashed through Zhu Wusi's mind. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to imagine what use the Qinglong Society would have for the Yongle Codex?

Zhu Wusi asked uncertainly, "Just the Yongle Encyclopedia?"

"Yes!"

Gongsun He nodded decisively, saying, "The wealth of the Azure Dragon Society is beyond the imagination of even you, the Divine Marquis. To be frank, with the exception of the Ming Dynasty, any power desired by the surrounding nations can be easily obtained by the Azure Dragon Society."

"As for the martial arts secrets?"

"God Lord, guess, does the Azure Dragon Society have any unique skills similar to the Qi-absorbing technique that God Lord practices?"

Gongsun He's words were harsh, but precisely because of this, they made Zhu Wusi believe them a little more. The Azure Dragon Society had existed longer than the Ming Dynasty and was active in many countries. Power and wealth might not mean much to this behemoth.

However, Zhu Wusi still guessed the true purpose of the Qinglong Society.

"The Yongle Encyclopedia might be an excuse, or perhaps there really is a secret I don't know about."

"But you were so wary of Zhu Jinzhen receiving the imperial edict to quell the rebellion, yet you didn't mention it at all. Are you worried that if you ask for a joint attack on Prince Su's Mansion, it will scare me?"

"I still feel that if I take that position, there will be no room for peaceful coexistence with the Su Palace, both publicly and privately. Do you want to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight? Wait until Zhu Jinzhen and I fight to the death, and then come out to take advantage?"

"Or perhaps, he simply wants to cause internal strife between me and Zhu Jinzhen, and drag the Ming Dynasty into the vortex of war?"

Many guesses flashed through Zhu Wusi's mind. He felt that one of his guesses must be close to the truth, but he was not sure whether it was correct.

Zhu Wusi thought for a long time and nodded slowly: "Okay, but I want to see the sincerity of the Qinglong Society first."

Although it is clear that this is courting disaster.

But faced with the temptation of the throne, Zhu Wusi decided to take the risk and give it a try.

Gongsun He seemed to have known that Zhu Wushi would agree, and replied with a smile: "God Lord, please speak."

"First, I need a legitimate reason."

"Now that I am the Emperor's uncle, even though I no longer have the Imperial Sword and the Red Book of Iron Certificate, I still enjoy endless wealth and splendor. There is no need for me to be branded a traitor for no reason."

"can."

Gongsun He nodded without thinking much.

This scene made Zhu Wusi's pupils shrink and his breathing pause for a moment.

He guessed that Gongsun He came prepared.

However, he did not expect the other party to be so straightforward, as if a legitimate reason for rebellion was just a piece of cake for them, which made Zhu Wusi's pupils flash with deep fear.

"Second, I want..."

"Wait a minute."

Gongsun He interrupted Zhu Wusi's request and shook his head with a sneer, "The Azure Dragon Society may be sincere, but the Divine Marquis should not treat us as suckers. If you ask for too much, wanting this and that, we might as well just rebel ourselves."

"If you can't do it, you can find someone else. I'm sorry I can't accompany you." Zhu Wusi waved his hand and made a look to see him off. It was obvious that he was sure that the Qinglong Society represented by Gongsun He would agree to his request.

Gongsun He was filled with hatred, but he was helpless. He could only utter a few words with difficulty: "At most, I will make one more request."

Zhu Wusi also knew that he couldn't push too hard, so he nodded calmly: "My second request is to help me get the other Tianxiang cardamom that fell into the hands of Prince Su."

As soon as the news came out, Zhu Wusi clearly felt Gongsun He's breathing stop.

Gongsun He felt a little strange and frowned as he asked, "With Zheng He in charge of the Imperial Palace, and with hidden land immortals within the capital, and many great masters of astronomy in the court, are you sure the Divine Marquis won't change his request?"

Not to mention those far away, Cao Zhengchun of the East Factory, Wang Zhi, the former governor of the West Factory, and Guo Juxia, the chief consultant of the Six Gates, which one of these people is not a stumbling block for Zhu Wusi?
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wusi smiled and said, "I have my own way to deal with them."

"I only have these two requests. If you can do this, cooperation with the Azure Dragon Society will be achieved. If you can't, please leave."

(End of this chapter)