Even though Jiang Suzhou said these harsh words in his heart, he knew that the more Lou Yue valued Huo Wujiu, the more he couldn't bring himself to destroy their relationship.
He listened to Lou Yue talk all the way until they reached the palace gates. Only then did Lou Yue stop talking.
"Your Highness and I hit it off quite well. I've let you listen to my idle chatter for so long." He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Jiang Suzhou smiled faintly.
"General, it's not a big deal. It's just that you love your daughter dearly." He paused, then continued meaningfully. "However, General, it's good to repay kindness and take revenge, but if there's a day when you provoke someone to hate you, then you might not be able to guarantee your daughter's safety, let alone a golden marriage."
Lou Yue froze. His smile froze on his face.
"What did Your Highness say?" He asked in surprise.
Jiang Suzhou calmly retracted his gaze and looked around. He lowered his voice and said, "This prince has some information about you, General. I'm sure you don't know that Pang Shao and his men are trying to force your family into a dead end. "
Lou Yue froze, then became furious. He lowered his voice and said angrily, "So it's true! That old bastard has been pretending to be weak all this time. It turns out that he's secretly plotting something! Thank you for telling me, Your Highness. I definitely won't let him succeed! "
Jiang Suzhou chuckled.
Even though Lou Yue was good at leading troops into battle, he was too straightforward and reckless. If he didn't stop him now, he would probably take his spear and smash the Pang Estate's gate.
"General, you still don't know what Pang Shao is up to," he said. "If he wants to kill you without leaving a trace, General, what are your chances of winning?"
Lou Yue stopped in his tracks.
He had indeed been hot-headed. After hearing Prince Jing's words, he realized that he had no chance of winning if he was in the open and Pang Shao was in the dark.
"Then …" Lou Yue hesitated for a moment, then his voice weakened. "Does Your Highness have any ideas?"
Jiang Suzhou looked at him with a smile.
It was like a fox pretending to be pure and innocent, finally revealing a few inches of its tail lazily for others to see.
"Not only do I have an idea, I also have a way to help you," he said.
Lou Yue wanted to thank him, but when he saw his expression, he felt uncertain. "Then Your Highness …"
"This prince is also a little busy and needs your help," Jiang Suizhou said. "But there is no need to be nervous, General. In a while, someone will send the time and place of the meeting to the general's residence. When the time comes, this prince will bring this prince's bargaining chip. Why don't the general come with this prince and find a quiet place to talk? "
— —
Lou Yue naturally agreed to Jiang Suzhou's suggestion. However, when the two parted ways, he looked at Jiang Suzhou with a complicated expression.
Jiang Suzhou naturally knew, but he pretended not to see it.
He didn't care what Lou Yue thought, but right now, this was the only thing he could do.
If he only helped Lou Yue, Lou Yue would be pressured by his loyalty to the country, and there would be room for negotiation. It would be very difficult for him to agree to his conditions. Only by forcing Lou Yue into a dead end and making him unable to advance or retreat, where he could only choose between two sides, would he make the decision to make some sacrifices.
As for how he would view him …
Jiang Suzhou told himself in his heart that it wasn't important, just let him be.
Even if he had a good friend misunderstand him, it wasn't a very comfortable thing.
He got into the carriage and hurriedly left. When he returned to his residence, he summoned Xu Du and Gu Changyun to his room and agreed on a suitable time and place for the meeting. Then, he had Xu Du's men of sacrifice secretly bring the news to Lou Yue's residence.
The time was set for nightfall, and the location was set at a famous restaurant in Lin 'an, Jinyu Pavilion. Although there were many people there, officials and merchants often came and went, so it wouldn't attract attention. Moreover, Xu Du had already asked around and found out that Pang Shao would be having a banquet at Ming Feng House tonight. At that time, he wouldn't meet any of Pang Shao's acquaintances at Jinyu Pavilion.
After making these arrangements, he asked Gu Changyun to book a private room at Jinyu Pavilion in his name. Jiang Suzhou quietly waited in his residence for night to fall.
Soon, it would be night.
He changed into his usual clothes, prepared the evidence he had gathered recently, and prepared to leave with Gu Changyun.
However, at this moment, Wei Kai arrived.
The door was pushed open. Jiang Suzhou looked up and saw Wei Kai standing at the door. He carefully looked in his direction and said, "Your Highness, Madam Huo is looking for you."
Jiang Suzhou was already dressed and ready to leave. Today, he used the excuse of taking Gu Changyun out to drink and have fun. At this moment, Gu Changyun was waiting by the side. The carriage was already waiting outside the prince's residence.
Jiang Suzhou paused, then said, "Go and tell Madam Huo that if there's anything, wait until this prince comes back."
However, at this moment, Wei Kai's figure swayed. He was forcefully pushed away from behind by someone.
Jiang Suzhou looked over and saw Huo Wujiu sitting there.
His face was expressionless, but his brows were furrowed.
While Jiang Suzhou was still in a daze, he had already pushed Wei Kai away, wheeled himself into his room, and closed the door from the outside.
"What are you doing?" Huo Wujiu asked.
Jiang Suzhou only wanted to cover it up. "It's nothing. It's just that Gu Changyun, he …"
Huo Wujiu's gaze was unfriendly. He paused for a moment on Gu Changyun's face, then looked at Jiang Suzhou. "Are you trying to fool me with words that you'd use to fool an outsider?"
"You've discussed with the two of them for a long time today, and now you're going out. What's there that I can't know?"
He looked aggressive and fierce, but only Huo Wujiu himself knew that he had been waiting for Jiang Suzhou for an entire day.
He had long sensed that something was going on in Jiang Suzhou. Otherwise, the main house wouldn't be so lively today. However, Jiang Suzhou, who should have come to talk to him a long time ago, didn't show up.
Huo Wujiu had been anxious for an entire day, and finally, he lost his patience.
He didn't know why Jiang Suzhou was hiding things from him. He only knew that he had to stop Jiang Suzhou and ask him clearly.
Jiang Suzhou knew that he couldn't hide it from him anymore.
He took a deep breath, and could only honestly and concisely say, "It's really nothing. I just have an appointment with General Lou, and I have something to say to him."
Huo Wujiu pushed his wheelchair in front of him and stretched out his hand, "Take it out."
Jiang Suzhou reluctantly put the prepared evidence in Huo Wujiu's hands.
Gu Changyun was dumbfounded by what he saw.
When did the Prince start to listen to Huo Wujiu's words? And this Huo Wujiu … … although he was a bit fierce, the way he looked at the Prince was angry and helpless.
This was the first time he saw such lively emotions on Huo Wujiu's face. When the two of them faced each other, the aura they gave off really made it seem like they were cut off.
Huo Wujiu, on the other hand, didn't have time to pay attention to Gu Changyun. He took the letters from Jiang Suzhou, skimmed through them, and then put them on his lap.
"What do you plan to do? Remind him, or threaten him? "
Although he asked this question, Jiang Suzhou could tell that Huo Wujiu had already guessed what he wanted to do.
Sure enough, without waiting for him to respond, Huo Wujiu continued, "Do you really think that Lou Yue is easy to scare? You've only known him for a few days. Do you know what kind of person he is and what he'll do? Jiang Suzhou, you're quite brave. "
This was the first time Huo Wujiu had directly called Jiang Suzhou by his full name.
Jiang Suzhou paused, and was a bit unconvinced, "I made a few preparations … …"
"So why didn't you tell me?" Huo Wujiu asked.
Jiang Suzhou said, "You have a close relationship with him, and in the future … … it's not appropriate for you to show your face."
Huo Wujiu also didn't know what he was going to do in the future with Jiang Suizhou's vague past, but hearing him say this, he still couldn't help but feel angry, but also helpless.
It was fine that he only wanted to protect this and that, but he also wanted to protect himself in front of Lou Yue? He was really stupid.
Huo Wujiu didn't waste any more words. He folded the letter a few times, stuffed it into his lapel, and looked at Jiang Suzhou.
"Then go," he said. "Wait for me."
— —
In an extremely inconspicuous private room in Jinyu Restaurant, four people sat around a table. Among them, Lou Yue and Gu Changyun were both shocked. For a moment, no one said anything.
Gu Changyun was originally used as a shield to find a reason for Jiang Suzhou to go to Jinyu Restaurant. It was originally just a small matter, but he didn't expect … … that he would see such a shocking scene.
Huo Wujiu's legs were actually healed. He only heard Huo Wujiu say to the prince to "wait for him," but he didn't expect that he would be waiting for him at Jinyu Restaurant.
When he and the prince arrived at the restaurant and entered the private room, he saw Huo Wujiu standing there with his legs intact.
He only exchanged a glance with Huo Wujiu, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
He didn't know when this person had turned from a cripple who could be bullied to a god of war who could break his neck with one hand. He didn't even know. Even Pang Shao, who was making such a big fuss at that time, didn't notice.
As for Lou Yue … …
He opened his eyes wide and stared at Huo Wujiu in surprise.
He had originally planned to confront the unfathomable Imperial Prince Jing, but he didn't expect that the person sitting across from him would be Huo Wujiu, who had one hand on his knee and a cold expression on his face.
Imperial Prince Jing sat on the side without saying a word, and he looked rather pitiful.
"General Lou, please sit." Huo Wujiu didn't bother to be courteous. He raised his hand to signal for the dishes to be served, then picked up his wine glass and gestured to Lou Yue to drink.
Lou Yue's expression was ugly, but there was nothing he could do. "Wujiu, if you have something to say, just say it."
"His Highness Imperial Prince Jing also told you today, right? Today is different from the past. General Lou, I'm afraid that you won't be able to refuse me today, "Huo Wujiu said.
His tone was cold and unyielding, and it didn't sound like he was here to negotiate. Instead, he almost put the word "threat" on a plate and brought it to the table.
Jiang Suzhou couldn't help but break out in cold sweat. In contrast, Lou Yue looked somewhat indignant.
"Are you that certain?" Lou Yue said unhappily. "You're forcing me to commit treason. Wujiu, even your father didn't do this in the past. "
Huo Wujiu said, "I'm not forcing you. It's Pang Shao."
Lou Yue sneered and didn't take it to heart. "What can he do? No matter how much power he has, he's still just a civil official. I have more than a hundred thousand soldiers under my command, and there are still tens of thousands of them outside the city. Do you think he can kill me? "
Huo Wujiu was expressionless. "In the end, these soldiers still belong to Jiang Sunheng. What if he wants to take them back? "
"Is there anyone else who can command an army of more than a hundred thousand soldiers?"
"Pang Shao has already gone to find someone to replace you."
"Then I'll just have to retire!"
"He won't let you die peacefully."
"I'm upright and have never done anything that would bring shame to Shangjing. What can he do?"
"As long as he reaches out, framing and framing me is a piece of cake."
"Heh, I'm in Lingnan. No matter how long his reach is, where can he reach?"
"The current governor of Lingnan is already Pang Shao's man. Do you think he can do it? "
The two of them went back and forth, neither showing any signs of weakness. Lou Yue was always fierce when he spoke, and Huo Wujiu's attitude was also cold and domineering. For a moment, the atmosphere was tense, and the smoke of gunpowder rose. Meng Qianshan and Wei Kai, who were standing at the side, were so scared that they broke out in cold sweat.
As soon as Huo Wujiu said this, Lou Yue stopped.
After a moment, he frowned and asked, "… What did you say?"
Huo Wujiu smiled coldly and took out the letter in his arms. It stopped in mid-air. Wei Kai hurried forward, took it for him, and handed it to Lou Yue.
"Take a look for yourself," Huo Wujiu said. "He has already made his move. It won't be long before your military power is reduced and a new person replaces you. After that, any evidence of corruption, dereliction of duty, or even treason will be sent back to Lin 'an. "
Lou Yue flipped through the letters. His hands gradually began to tremble, and his eyes gradually turned red.
Jiang Suzhou could see that Huo Wujiu's actions were the same as his. He wanted to force Lou Yue into a dead end first before making him submit. However, Huo Wujiu was too decisive and bold. He didn't give him any face at all. On the contrary, Jiang Suzhou couldn't bear it.
No matter what, he was still a loyal official and a good general. It was extremely painful for him to watch as he was framed by a traitor and unable to do anything about it.
"Pang Shao was determined to get rid of you as soon as he was born. He has always been such a hopeless person. The Emperor has always believed in him since childhood. General, you don't have to worry too much about it, "Jiang Suzhou softened his voice and said. "However, you should also know that even though the soldiers are in your hands, there are thousands of ways to take them away. With an incapable ruler and treacherous officials above your head, not only will the soldiers not be your backing, they will fall into their hands sooner or later. When that time comes, not only will your family suffer, but the mountains and rivers will wither and the people will be plunged into misery and suffering. It will only be a matter of time. "
After a long time, Lou Yue took a deep breath and put the letter back on the table.
"I understand what Your Highness said," Lou Yue suppressed the trembling in his voice. After a moment, he looked at Huo Wujiu.
"My death is not to be regretted, but I will not let Wanjun be implicated," he said.
Huo Wujiu smiled faintly, his face showing that he understood.
Lou Wanjun's mother was Lou Yue's childhood love. She died while giving birth to him. Lou Wanjun was Lou Yue's lifeblood.
"However, if I make this choice, I will become a traitor in the future. My reputation will be tarnished, but if I am not careful, I will die," Lou Yue said in a low voice as he stared at Huo Wujiu.
"My death is not to be regretted, but Wanjun cannot end up alone and without anyone to rely on," he said.
Huo Wujiu frowned again.
Then what does he want? Does he want me to introduce a girl to Lou Wanjun?
Lou Yue took a deep breath.
"If you want me to agree, I only have one condition," he said. "You have to promise me that you will take Wanjun as your wife, and that you will not let her down for the rest of your life."
Jiang Suzhou's heart sank, and his mind went blank.
He looked at Huo Wujiu and opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He wanted to say something to stop him, but he was in no position to do so. But he regretted it, regretted it so much that his heart ached. He regretted that he did not make up his mind to stop Huo Wujiu and fight Lou Yue to the death.
But now … … there was no turning back.
Jiang Suzhou's vision blurred, and he felt like he was gradually losing consciousness.
But at this moment, he saw Huo Wujiu stare blankly, then lean back in his chair. The corner of his lips curled up, revealing a sharp but cold smile.
"General Lou is too good at doing business," he said.
"But even if my father is still alive, he has no say in this matter. So I advise you not to even think about it. "
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