plumnovel Chapter 33 Strategic Planning for the Long Term
Chapter 33 Strategic Planning for the Long Term
"Drive to the Prince of Zhongshan's Mansion."
After seeing off the drunken Qian Qianyi and Qian Xilong, Zheng Chenggong turned to Zheng Sen and gave him instructions.
"Huh? Brother, are you going to betray me? Why bother...?"
"You're stupid, you wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you, drive."
"yes!"
Zheng Lian sobered up considerably on the spot.
"drive!"
The cold wind howled outside the window, and Zheng Lian's heart sank as well. But he also snapped out of his reverie about the grand vision that Qian Qianyi had promised. His back was already soaked with sweat.
The Duke of Wei has plenty of troops under his command.
What if, before he/she dies, he/she uses the technique of "living as long as heaven and earth"?
Qian Qianyi was eloquent, but he had no soldiers.
The truth is in their hands.
Zheng Zhilong jumped off the carriage before it had come to a complete stop.
"Wait behind the door. You lost your composure over such a small gain. All the lessons I've taught you have been for nothing."
An annoyed voice and a riding whip were thrown into Zheng Lian's hands.
Zheng Lian looked up at the sky and muttered, "What the hell is going on?"
After navigating through several mazes, Zheng Zhilong finally saw Xu Hongji, the Duke of Wei, dressed in a red robe with a python pattern, resting with his eyes closed.
Xu Wenjue looked furious.
Xu Yunjue greeted him with a smile.
"Your humble servant greets Your Excellency."
"Yes, I have lived up to your expectations." The Duke of Wei raised his hand. "Please take a seat, sir."
Xu Wenjue's face went from red to purple and then to green. He pointed at the crowd with one finger, unable to speak.
"Young man, don't rush, have some water to soothe your throat," Xu Yunjue said gently.
It was as if I were seeing a naughty younger brother finally grow up and become sensible.
"Are you kidding me?"
Zheng Zhilong offered a cup of wine at the opportune moment, "Hey, Third Master, the Duke and the Young Duke are busy arranging our escape route, how could they do this? They are just using you, Third Master, to test our traitor."
After all, Xu Wenjue was just relying on his family's influence, acting like a bully, and had neither followers nor any real business.
He has no connections, no money, and no reputation; to say he's being tested is to elevate him.
"Enough. You don't need to cover for me, I just want to test you." Duke Xu Hongji of Wei said with a smile, "Although I don't know what you experienced on your journey north that caused such a change in you, it is ultimately a good thing."
"Do not be swayed by petty gains."
"Then you can take on a bigger business."
Xu Wenjue drank his wine in silence, feeling depressed. He was so close to death; the Heavenly Official's sword was practically at his neck.
"When you go, take Zheng Lian with you, along with three hundred warriors from your household, and have them join the Great Teacher's ranks," the Duke of Wei said, making a startling statement.
"I've already consulted a fortune teller."
"Only in his hands will you have the chance to transform into dragons."
Everyone jumped up in surprise. "Does the Duke mean that he can succeed? And he's even willing to be made a king? That's far too generous."
The Duke of Wei narrowed his eyes. "It's only a possibility."
"But people are tempered through experience, and jade cannot become a vessel without being carved. Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were both bandits by nature, and they never had the style of the founding emperor of our dynasty who changed the world."
"Although the Jurchens have the help of the masses, benefit from maritime trade, and possess the wealth of silver mines, they are far too tyrannical."
"The barbarian tribes will only last a hundred years. They will have to bear the infamy for nothing."
"It's really not worth it."
"Only Si Chen possesses the most upright character. Even if he does not receive the Mandate of Heaven, he can still achieve great things and make progress."
Xu Wenjue stared blankly at his forehead, "Me? Can I shoulder such a great responsibility?"
Zheng Zhilong cupped his hands in congratulations. "Congratulations, Third Master, your future is bright."
Xu Wenjue struggled to stay awake, his eyes red, "Congratulations, congratulations!"
Everyone raised their glasses in celebration and poured drinks down Xu Wenjue's throat. Before long, Xu Wenjue collapsed.
Xu Wenjue was taken away.
Duke Xu Hongji of Wei said solemnly, "They are no longer of one mind with us. We should make plans as soon as possible."
"But Your Excellency is under the spotlight, and any move you make will have far-reaching consequences. This is truly a difficult situation."
"This matter is easy."
"Father, I'm ready." Xu Yunjue stepped forward happily.
Zheng Zhilong stared at the father and son, his eyes wide open.
"The Prince of Fu is a devout Christian, and his faith is no longer sufficient. He even constantly clamors for baptism; how can he rule the world?" said Xu Hongji, Duke of Wei. "The Prince of Tang, Zhu Yujian, is also trusted by missionaries, but he is still salvageable, and all I need is a rubber stamp."
Zheng Zhilong looked at Xu Yunjue, "Could it be?"
The Duke of Wei nodded.
"Let Yunjue go; let him serve the Tang King as his master for now."
"When the heavens collapse, I will pass this title down to you."
"In this way, the impact will be minimal."
Zheng Zhilong feigned sudden realization, "Your Excellency's plans for your descendants are far-sighted; I admire them greatly."
She went to great lengths to ensure her eldest son's stable and wealthy life.
First, send away the unstable youngest son, and then find him a way out.
Before leaving, he also wanted to use his youngest son to clean up a bunch of traitors in the family.
Xu Wenjue, how pitiful, yet how enviable.
They even thoughtfully considered the feelings of every member of the family.
It brings harmony to the family.
Duke Wei gave Zheng Zhilong a deep look.
"An official."
Your future does not lie with me.
"Therefore, I cannot make you any promises."
"But there's only one rule: don't get too close to Qian Qianyi."
"A person without a stance is extremely dangerous."
"I see no trace of the traditional scholar-official spirit in him."
"Oh, right, there's one more thing. In the lineage of the sect that Qian Qianyi works for, there are heretics—demons."
"They only serve themselves."
Each time they commit treachery, they gain more power, and even more lifespan.
Zheng Zhilong's feet suddenly exploded, and he took a deep breath. "Thank you for the reminder, Duke."
His son became a student of Qian Qianyi.
That old scoundrel actually!
"This humble official takes his leave."
Zheng Zhilong cupped his hands in greeting.
He was in a hurry to go back and check if his good son had been led astray.
Duke Xu Hongji of Wei touched his eldest son's forehead and said, "From now on, you will have to choose your own path. Wenjue has his own destiny to follow."
"I understand, Father. If necessary, I will spare no effort to save his life," Xu Yunjue said confidently. "Give my third brother a seat in the manor's treasury."
Duke Xu Hongji of Wei nodded, closed his eyes, and said, "You can decide these things yourself."
Xu Yunjue then noticed the unconcealable exhaustion on Xu Hongji's face, and he quietly left.
That's how this chaotic world is: either succeed or die.
Xu Hongji opened his eyes and gazed northeast.
There, countless demons dwell.
Two stars, one large and one small, hung in the sky, carrying a bloody, metallic scent.
"If you were to transform into a dragon, you would need to sacrifice the flesh and blood of fifty million lives, corrupting the largest empire in the world and turning over seventy percent of its population into bonded slaves with no way out. At that time, you would be the only Demon Lord in the world. But others will not allow you to succeed."
"And then there's Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, that succubus, by her side. Since ancient times, widows with children have been forbidden from having any contact with her, let alone a succubus."
Then he looked towards the three stars in the north that resembled dragons.
Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and Si Chen all had their destiny stars afflicted by Ziwei.
The Ziwei star, representing Emperor Chongzhen, was almost dead, its starlight dimmed.
"With five dragons ruling the court, this world is truly fascinating."
"What a pity, we won't be able to see it."