242: Cao Zhengchun comes to borrow a knife! Kill him on the official road!

Lu Jiuyuan did not dodge, but accepted his bow calmly: "Dispense with the formalities!"

"Let's talk about practical matters."

Cao Zhengchun sat down and said with a smile, "I am a eunuch, a servant of Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. All my thoughts and intentions are naturally for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

"Oh, really?" Lu Jiuyuan responded, not taking his words to heart.

"Imperial Uncle, there's no need to worry, nor to worry about this old servant colluding with the civil officials outside.

Since ancient times, when have civil officials ever succeeded in rebellion? Military generals rebelling is perilous, but civil officials rebelling won't succeed in ten years.

As for eunuchs, those without heirs, are they even fit to rebel? They are not fit at all, they don't even have the qualifications to rebel.

If this old servant were to collude with military generals, that would be a crime punishable by death.

If this old servant were to collude with civil officials, it would only be to repay the late emperor's kindness and help Your Majesty stabilize the government."

"The one truly to be guarded against, to be vigilant about, is Zhu Tie Dan." At this point, the smile on Cao Zhengchun's face vanished.

He became completely serious: "He is the late emperor's own brother, in charge of the Dragon Guard Manor. His spies are spread throughout the world, killing corrupt officials and eliminating evil ones, reaching up to the foolish emperor and down to powerful ministers, his might shakes the world!"

Cao Zhengchun's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet study, and though his voice was effeminate, every word carried a heavy weight.

Lu Jiuyuan's expression remained unchanged. He simply picked up the teacup beside him, took a light sip, and then slowly said,

"Director, if your words today were to spread, it would be treason."

Hearing this, Cao Zhengchun, far from being afraid, chuckled softly, his voice still effeminate and amiable: "Imperial Uncle is joking. There are only the two of us here. What comes from my mouth enters your ears, known to heaven and earth, known to you and me.

This old servant dares to speak today because I trust the Imperial Uncle. Moreover, the truly treasonous one is not this old servant's mouth, but Zhu Tie Dan's actions!"

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice: "The Dragon Guard Manor's power grows heavier by the day, already a great threat. What's more, he is secretly collecting incriminating evidence against the Ten Great Generals.

The Ten Great Generals guard the Nine Garrisons, control the Beijing Western Army Camp, and command heavy troops. If their weaknesses are held by an imperial prince... Imperial Uncle, you are well-read in history, you must know what this means.

Your Majesty is benevolent, mindful of kinship, but as a subject, this old servant cannot but share His Majesty's worries."

Lu Jiuyuan put down his teacup, his fingertips gently tapping the smooth tabletop, making a rhythmic light sound. He looked at Cao Zhengchun, his gaze profound:

"Director and Lord Protector have been openly and secretly fighting for many years. Now you've come to me, do you think I can be a help in dealing with the Lord Protector?"

"Imperial Uncle is discerning."

Cao Zhengchun admitted frankly, "Imperial Uncle's strength is unfathomable. I was deeply impressed by our sparring match that day.

You are also the Empress Dowager's sworn brother, so you naturally stand with His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. Our interests are inherently aligned.

Recently, news from the little brats in the south reports that Japanese experts have entered the Central Plains on the Lord Protector's orders.

What he intends to do is obvious."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Japan has long harbored rebellious intentions, ambushing and killing Izumo envoys, kidnapping the Empress Dowager, and Japanese pirates harassing our maritime borders. Now, they even dare to send experts into the Central Plains.

No matter why they came, they deserve to die!

This old servant does not have enough experts by his side, so I specially came to ask the Imperial Uncle to take action and kill all those Japanese devils."

Lu Jiuyuan's fingertips lightly tapped the table. The candlelight flickered in his deep eyes, reflecting a hint of coldness:

"Director, do you intend to use me to cut off the Lord Protector's Japanese wings?"

Cao Zhengchun smiled effeminately, his orchid-like finger gently brushing his sleeve: "Imperial Uncle, you overstate it. It's not borrowing a knife, it's joining hands to eliminate a menace.

These Japanese pirates, with their wolfish ambitions, have repeatedly defied heavenly might and deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces.

Now that they are colluding with the Lord Protector, they are simply seeking death.

Imperial Uncle's martial arts are unparalleled, and your actions are decisive, making you the perfect choice for this task.

If we can use this to sever one of the Lord Protector's arms, it will be a great merit and benefit to the country, the people, His Majesty, and the Empress Dowager."

He paused slightly, observing Lu Jiuyuan's expression, and added: "Of course, this matter is dangerous. According to intelligence, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami is the Sect Head of the Shinkage School, extremely powerful and not to be trifled with. His daughter, Piaoxu, has also inherited his true Legacy.

If Imperial Uncle needs help, all the experts from the Eastern Depot, and even the Imperial Guards, can be dispatched by this old servant..."

"Did I agree?" Lu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow:

"Imperial Uncle, this servant dares to say that you will definitely agree, won't you?" Cao Zhengchun said with a beaming smile.

"I have to say, you are very good at judging people." Lu Jiuyuan laughed heartily:

"If you asked me for other things, I might not necessarily agree, but killing little devils and Japanese pirates is an exception!

I am very interested."

A glint flashed in Cao Zhengchun's eyes, and the smile on his face grew wider: "Imperial Uncle's sincere heart, this old servant admires!

This is the city where Yagyu and his group are currently staying. If you go south, you only need to take this jade pendant, and all of the Eastern Depot will cooperate, ensuring their location is monitored at all times.

So the Imperial Uncle won't make a wasted trip."

He once again took out a jade belt hook from his sleeve and gently placed it on the table.

Lu Jiuyuan took the jade belt hook and nodded.

"I understand this matter.

Director, please return. After the matter is done, lend me the Secret Manual of Tiangang Boy Art to read."

"It's just a minor technique. Why would the Imperial Uncle need to borrow it? The original will be delivered after dawn."

Cao Zhengchun knew the matter was settled and did not linger. He stood up and bowed respectfully: "Then this old servant will await the Imperial Uncle's good news. May the Imperial Uncle achieve success and uphold the prestige of our Heavenly Dynasty!"

Before his words finished, his figure, like a black shadow, silently slipped out the door and merged into the night.

Silence returned to the study.

Lu Jiuyuan walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the cold crescent moon in the sky.

"Yagyu Shinkage School... Japanese swordsmanship... Yagyu Tajima-no-kami, Yagyu Piaoxu, snow fluttering in the human world, just a bunch of little devils, they deserve to die!"

The sun was directly overhead, and warm sunlight shone on the official road.

Yagyu Tajima-no-kami and his group did not make a big show, but traveled disguised as ordinary merchants.

Their journey was extremely secretive. They had already quietly connected with the Dragon Guard Manor's forces. The next step was to cause trouble, completely control the Giant Whale Gang, and control maritime transport.

Inside the carriage, Yagyu Tajima-no-kami closed his eyes in meditation, his hand always resting on the hilt of the samurai sword on his lap. The sword was named "God Slayer" and was the Legacy sword of the Shinkage School.

Even in the bumpy carriage, his posture was as stable as a rock, his Qi contained, as if he had merged with the surrounding environment.

Suddenly, the horses pulling the carriage let out a series of uneasy whinnies, their front hooves rearing up, nearly bringing the convoy to a halt.

Yagyu Tajima-no-kami's tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, radiating sharp light.

Almost at the same time, Yagyu Piaoxu, sitting opposite him, also suddenly gripped her saber, a hint of vigilance flashing in her clear eyes.