263: The Emperor's Promise

Zhu Houzhao leaned in closer, lowering his voice, "Then, Uncle, can you guess who might be the mastermind behind this?"

"I don't know about others, but Iron Courageous Marquis Zhu Wushi is certainly one of the black hands!

Evidence might be hard to find, but it's clear who suffers and who benefits!" Lu Jiuyuan said calmly.

Zhu Houzhao nodded, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "Uncle has a Wisdom Eye.

My Imperial Uncle... his reach has extended too far.

The Dragon Guard Manor's intelligence network has already subtly surpassed that of the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards.

Over the years, he has taken advantage of opportunities to investigate corruption, extensively annexing and planting his people.

This time, slaughtering important officials, using a borrowed knife to kill The Two Zhangs, achieving five objectives with one stone: he wanted to sow discord between you and the Empress, to kill with a borrowed knife, to seize the An Family's immense wealth, to shift the hatred of the civil officials onto you, and finally, to test your strength.

He is truly utterly insane!"

Lu Jiuyuan picked up his teacup and took a light sip: "His ambition doesn't stop there."

"I know." Zhu Houzhao lightly tapped the stone table with his finger, "At Imperial Uncle's position, there's only one thing he can pursue!"

"But he is of the imperial clan, an Imperial Uncle known to all the world as loyal to the country.

In charge of the Dragon Guard Manor, safeguarding the nation, in the eyes of the world, he is the Tang Dynasty's Guo Ziyi, the Song Dynasty's Bao Qingtian.

If even such a loyal Imperial Uncle cannot be tolerated, then which of the various princes in the realm can I tolerate?"

Zhu Houzhao's voice carried a hint of heaviness and helplessness, his finger unconsciously tracing lines on the stone table.

Lu Jiuyuan put down his teacup, his gaze as calm as water: "Therefore, he cannot be removed by your hand.

Before he reveals his rebellious actions, he cannot be killed by me either."

Zhu Houzhao suddenly looked up, a gleam in his eyes: "Uncle means..."

"He needs to step forward himself and tear off that facade of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism," Lu Jiuyuan said indifferently.

"Who will tear it?"

"This will have to trouble Eunuch Cao a bit! The An Family's wealth is just right!

Let the Eastern Depot and the Dragon Guard Manor fight over it!

Moreover, let Eunuch Cao obtain the heavenly fragrance seed; then Iron Valiant Divine Marquis and he will be mortal enemies, with no room for reconciliation," Lu Jiuyuan said.

"Eliminate the Lord Protector, control the inner court, command the Ten Great Generals, and take all military power in the realm for your own use.

You possess the Son of Heaven's Qi-Observing Art, so you will not be harmed by others, and you can naturally control the civil officials and rule the world!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's eyes shone brightly. He suddenly stood up, even taking a step back, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to Lu Jiuyuan, performing a solemn grand 禮:

"Uncle's foresight is profound; you have eliminated internal threats for me and devised a strategy to break the deadlock for me! Houzhao... thanks Uncle!"

This bow was sincere and heartfelt, by no means entirely feigned.

Lu Jiuyuan did not avoid it, accepting his bow calmly. Only when Zhu Houzhao straightened up did he say indifferently:

"You don't need to thank me. I help you, not entirely for you, nor entirely for your Empress. After you gain power, I have two requests."

"Uncle, please speak."

"First, conquer the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain; second, annihilate Dongying!"

"Expand territory?"

"Exactly. A man born between heaven and earth should naturally expand territory and establish unparalleled achievements.

Conquering the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain and watering horses in the North Sea truly display the might of Hua Xia!"

He paused, his tone turning cold, "As for the Dongying pirates, they have repeatedly encroached upon our maritime borders and plundered our people. Their intentions are punishable, and their nation deserves to be destroyed!"

Zhu Houzhao felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head, as if he saw the Han family's banners fluttering in the wind over thousands of miles of yellow sand;

He saw the Ming fleet, treading the waves, sailing eastward amidst the East Sea's tumultuous waters.

He nodded vigorously, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"Uncle's ambition is also Houzhao's ambition! After I clear internal troubles and restore order, I will surely lead an elite army to pacify the northern desert and conquer the Japanese nation in the east! This oath, heaven and earth bear witness!"

"Remember your words today." Lu Jiuyuan looked at him deeply, drained the last of the tea in his cup, then put down the teacup and stood up.

"The tea is finished, the words are spoken, I must go."

Seeing this, Zhu Houzhao felt a strong sense of reluctance. He knew that after this incident, Lu Jiuyuan would definitely not remain in the tumultuous capital.

"Uncle, are you leaving the capital now? Why such a hurry? Although the capital is a chessboard, with Uncle here, I feel at ease!"

Lu Jiuyuan shook his head, his dark brocade robe gently swaying in the breeze outside the pavilion.

"With me here, the undercurrents will only intensify. If I leave, this game can continue as you wish.

You are already the ruler of a nation; some storms, you must experience and control yourself."

"Lord Zhuge is a pillar of the nation; you can rely on him but not entirely depend on him. He is loyal to the Great Ming, not to the Emperor;

Cao Zhengchun is a vicious dog; you can use him, but you must hold his leash tightly. If he wants to fight with the Lord Protector, the heavenly fragrance seed is the best bone and shackles; as for Iron Valiant Divine Marquis..."

Lu Jiuyuan's lips curled into a cold, sharp arc, "He is a fierce tiger lurking by your bed. Before he tears off his disguise himself, you need to be more patient than him.

Remember, let him contend with Cao Zhengchun, and you reap the benefits. Take this opportunity to firmly grasp the military power of the Ten Great Generals in your hands."

Zhu Houzhao's expression became stern, engraving these words into his heart, word by word, and solemnly said: "Uncle's teachings, Houzhao will engrave in his heart!"

Lu Jiuyuan said no more, turning and walking away.

"Uncle!" Zhu Houzhao called out behind him: "If... if things go awry, how should your nephew find you?"

Lu Jiuyuan's steps did not stop, and his calm voice drifted with the wind, clearly reaching Zhu Houzhao's ears:

"When it is time for me to appear, I will appear naturally."

As his voice faded, the dark figure had already floated out of the Chengrui Pavilion, disappearing into the layers of lush greenery in the Imperial Garden within a few leaps, as if he had never appeared.

Zhu Houzhao stood alone in the pavilion, gazing in the direction Lu Jiuyuan had disappeared. After a long while, he slowly sat back on the stone stool, picked up the now cold teapot, poured himself a cup of cold tea, and drank it in one gulp.

The tea was cold, but it cleared his agitated mind and chaotic thoughts.

His finger unconsciously dipped into the cold tea, slowly writing four characters on the stone table—Conquer the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain.

Then, he added four smaller characters next to it—Annihilate Dongying.

The characters rippled slightly in the water traces, but they were deeply imprinted in his heart.

"Eunuch Cao," he called softly, his voice having regained the calmness of an emperor.

Cao Zhengchun appeared silently outside the pavilion, bowing and responding: "Your old servant is here."

"Convey my imperial decree."

Zhu Houzhao's gaze remained on the almost dry water stains on the stone table, "Marquis of Shouning and Marquis of Jianchang succumbed to illness and died suddenly. My heart is deeply pained. The Ministry of Rites is ordered to arrange their funerals according to regulations, with appropriate posthumous honors, to show the imperial family's grace.

As for the evil deeds of their household servants, those with conclusive evidence shall be immediately executed without pardon; the rest shall be exiled three thousand li, and not pardoned even if a general amnesty is declared."

"Furthermore," he raised his eyes, looking sharply at Cao Zhengchun: "The Eastern Depot is ordered, starting today, to closely monitor every move of the Dragon Guard Manor! Should there be any unusual activity, I grant you the authority to execute first and report later!"

Cao Zhengchun's heart trembled violently, but he dared not show the slightest emotion on his face, only bending his waist even lower: "Your old servant... obeys the decree! I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, Cao Zhengchun understood, bowed and quietly withdrew, swiftly going to make all the arrangements.