Jiang Suizhou held the two secret letters in his hands and pondered for a moment.
A moment later, his expression gradually became dignified.
If he wasn’t mistaken, Pang Shao’s action meant that he was already secretly looking for a candidate who could replace Lou Yue. This candidate didn’t have to be an outstanding general, so long as he was obedient and ticked Pang Shao’s requirements.
As for Fang Zhaohe…
If Jiang Suizhou remembered correctly, this man embezzled and accepted bribes in history books, and his entire family was beheaded after the autumn of this year. But now, this person had gone to Lingnan to work in such a glorious way, even though he was demoted on the surface… However, Lingnan was Lou Yue’s original stronghold.
Pang Shao must have bribed this man. He saved his life, and he became a part of Pang Shao’s overall arrangement in killing Lou Yue.
As for what kind of action this person would carry out in Lingnan…
Jiang Suizhou mulled over it and let Xu Du immediately send people, horseback messengers, to Lingnan for a trip to investigate.
Xu Du received his order and retreated. Jiang Suizhou sat in his study alone, thought for a moment and put away the two secret letters. Afterwhich, he penned a reply to Qi Min.
Although Pang Shao’s letter to Qi Min listed a lot of crimes, they were all superficial and innocuous, and at the end of the day, it was only to let Lou Yue suffer a scolding. Pang Shao’s most fundamental intention must be to use this to sound Qi Min out.
That being the case, it was better to express to Pang Shao that Qi Min was at his disposal and make him believe that Qi Min, like him, was willing to lay down any grudges for the time being and go against Lou Yue together. In this way, Pang Shao could be at ease with Qi Min for now. In order to promote his plan, he would certainly disclose several vital pieces of information to Qi Min.
This information would mostly be useful.
Jiang Suizhou finished writing the letter and browsed through it while slowly blowing it dry.
The ink gradually dried on the paper. Jiang Suizhou looked at his name on top and gently sighed.
He knew that Lou Yue had refused Huo Wujiu, and Huo Wujiu had let him refuse, without coercing him.
But now, Jiang Suizhou wanted to threaten Lou Yue with this evidence on his hand. After all, these things could clearly tell him that Pang Shao had laid an escape-proof net. If Lou Yue kept hesitating for longer, wavering until Pang Shao sowed evidence against him, and making the Hou Zhu retrieve his military power and convict him, then everything would be too late.
Jiang Suizhou knew that threatening Lou Yue was their last resort.
Moreover, threatening him was something he alone could do. Only by carrying it out privately without Huo Wujiu’s knowledge could he prevent any disagreement between Lou Yue and Huo Wujiu.
As for how Lou Yue would treat him afterward…
Jiang Suizhou folded the letter expressionlessly.
Just leave it to him.
Sure enough, at the next Grand Court Assembly, the courtroom was riotous.
Qi Min expressed abhorrence toward Lou Yue, just as Pang Shao had envisioned. According to the criminal evidence on the letter that Pang Shao sent him, he ruthlessly participated in impeaching Lou Yue, which successfully angered the Hou Zhu.
Of course, the Hou Zhu was not interested in what Lou Yue usually did. What concerned him was, why did Lou Yue act on his own initiative and drove the beauties that should have been sent to the palace back to Yangzhou?
For this reason, the Hou Zhu was furious. The officials on both Pang Shao and Qi Min’s side followed suit and expressed their anger. For a time, Lou Yue’s two fists couldn’t resist pairs of hands. He was blasted so much that a red flush spread from his face to his neck. His complexion did not ease up until the end of the court session.
Jiang Suizhou stood by and observed indifferently from the beginning to the end.
He knew that today’s incident made it the most suitable time for him to negotiate with Lou Yue. The courtiers had just isolated Lou Yue, so he must also know his present predicament. He could convince him easier, thus letting him defect to Huo Wujiu.
Jiang Suizhou was 90% sure of it.
Considering this, he secretly weighed his arguments. Only when the court was dismissed and all the ministers were contently exiting the throne room did Jiang Suizhou start walking. He kept pace with Lou Yue who was lagging behind at the rear.
“General Lou, hold on!” He raised his voice and said.
Lou Yue heard someone shouting at him, and when he turned around, he saw that a few steps behind him was none other than His Highness Jingwang who had welcomed him outside the city that day.
He was a pretty polite and sickly kid.
Lou Yue stood still and waited patiently for Jiang Suizhou to approach him, and asked, “Your Highness, what can I do for you?”
Jiang Suizhou walked toward him. Lou Yue bowed to him, and then naturally walked alongside him.
“I have no orders for you.” He whispered his opening remarks, “However, what happened today… is not at all optimistic for you, General Lou.”
He stopped talking and deliberately left Lou Yue time to respond. Only when he answered could he continue.
But to his surprise…
At the mention of today’s episode, Lou Yue didn’t say much, although Lou Yue showed a hint of annoyance, he had nothing much to say about it. Instead, he sighed and said, “Indeed, it is. I didn’t expect it. After not seeing Qi Min for a few years, how come he has colluded with Pang Shao? —— But, thanks to you, Your Highness, for remembering to stay behind specifically to ease me of my troubles.”
This in turn made Jiang Suizhou momentarily unable to say his next line.
H-He didn’t approach Lou Yue to relieve him of his troubles. He came to threaten him.
However, Lou Yue went on talking to himself.
“This General could see that you’re indeed a good person! From what Huo Wujiu said alone, it’s clear that you have a good heart!” The more he spoke, the more he was impassioned and treated Jiang Suizhou as a confidant instead. He continued, “We’re lucky to have you! You’re not only Huo Wujiu’s benefactor, but also our Wanjun’s benefactor! I’ve found these two children to be the perfect match since they were kids. You should know, Wanjun is a proud one, but she can follow Wujiu day in and day out! Tell me, isn’t this fate bestowed by the Heavens…”
Jiang Suizhou’s mind was brimming with strategies and tactics, but Lou Yue blocked them all in his mouth.
His throat felt bitter, and his heart was sour, but none of these appeared the slightest bit on his face. He smiled gently and responded positively.
But deep within, he was already gnashing his teeth.
Forget it! He was worried about ruining Huo Wujiu and Lou Yue’s relationship and had to take the role of the villain himself! This being the case, why not leave the matter to Huo Wujiu and let him talk to Lou Yue himself?
Jiang Suizhou thought spitefully.
