Chapter 458: Wang Dengku Plans to Make a Run for It

Wang Dengku looked at Agutai, the expression on his face somewhat hesitant.

This matter was simply too enormous—abandon everything he had accumulated and flee to the Jianzhou barbarians?

They said they would give him an important position, but who knew how things would actually turn out?

He was a man of the Great Ming himself; going to the Jianzhou barbarians would very likely mean being ostracized. Though he had merits to speak of, what kind of merits were they really? Nothing more than doing business.

If he ran off to the Jianzhou barbarians, they might well demand he hand over his money. And for the sake of money, he might even lose his life.

But if Wang Dengku continued to stay here in Zhangjiakou, his fate wouldn't necessarily be any better.

The Emperor had arrested him—it would very likely mean the confiscation of his property and the extermination of his clan. By that point, not only would his money be gone, his life might be too. That was not the outcome Wang Dengku wanted.

Under such circumstances, what choice was Wang Dengku to make?

Whether to go to the Jianzhou barbarians or remain in the Great Ming, Wang Dengku needed to think it over carefully.

Agutai watched Wang Dengku's troubled expression but did not urge him.

This matter was of grave importance. If he appeared too eager, it would only make Wang Dengku more afraid. What he needed to do was lay out the situation clearly for Wang Dengku—present the facts, reason with him—and leave the rest for Wang Dengku to decide on his own.

As for how things would ultimately turn out, that was no longer within his control. This matter was extremely critical—it concerned whether he could leave this place alive.

He had thought through every step, even preparing corresponding strategies for whatever reaction Wang Dengku might have. Even if Wang Dengku refused to go with him, he would still let Wang Dengku live.

People were like that—sometimes they just needed a little hope. After all, no one knew how things would ultimately end, and for the sake of that little hope, Wang Dengku wouldn't take Agutai's life.

"Alright, that's how it is. Think it over carefully." Wang Dengku looked at Agutai and said directly.

"There's nothing more to discuss about this matter. Continuing to talk would be meaningless." After leaving these words, Agutai rose to his feet, turned, and walked out.

After Agutai left, Wang Dengku remained seated there without moving.

After a moment, a man walked out from behind—thirty-some years of age, with straight eyes and a square mouth, his features refined and handsome.

He glanced at Wang Dengku and said respectfully, "Father, the man has left. He didn't bring anyone else with him, and there's no ambush in the vicinity."

Wang Dengku looked up at the man before him—it was his own son.

This son was someone Wang Dengku valued greatly; he had kept him by his side since childhood, personally nurturing him, all for the purpose of having him take over the family business in the future.

This matter was so important that he had brought his son along as well.

Glancing at his son, Wang Dengku asked gently, "What do you think of this matter? Is what that man called Agutai said true or not?"

"Still can't be certain," Wang Dengku's son said. "It could be that he's spouting nonsense to save his own skin, or it could be true."

Wang Dengku nodded in agreement and asked, "If what he said is true, then what should we do?"

"Split up," Wang Dengku's son said with a grave expression. "If what he said is true, then things are going to be troublesome. We can't all stay together—otherwise, no matter which side we go to, our fate might not be too good."

Glancing at his son, Wang Dengku thought for a moment, then said, "Explain in detail."

"Some of the people follow Agutai to the Jianzhou barbarians, and some stay in the Great Ming. If both sides come through fine, we can naturally keep in contact and support each other, and those who stay with the Jianzhou barbarians will also be given important positions. After all, they'll have the Great Ming side as their backing."

"If the Great Ming side collapses, those who stayed with the Jianzhou barbarians can preserve the family legacy there, and it will also count as having enmity with the Great Ming. At that point, life on the Jianzhou side will be much easier, and they'll gain more trust. Also, when leaving, we don't need to take too much of the family property and silver, so as not to invite covetous eyes. Once there, we'll survive by wit. The people of our family all have ability—once there, we're sure to do even better."

"And if both sides are destroyed?" Wang Dengku looked at his son and said with some worry.

"That won't happen." Wang Dengku's son shook his head and said with a very firm tone: "If the Great Ming side falls, the Jianzhou barbarians definitely won't kill us. A thousand gold for a horse's bone—we are the horse bones. Besides, they'll still want to use our familiarity with the Great Ming's situation to do business."

"You should know, if this matter is true, Zhangjiakou might no longer be able to do business. At that point, new trade routes will need to be opened, and the people of our Wang family will naturally be given important positions. As long as we don't all go to the Jianzhou barbarians, they won't be able to get a grip on us."

"Will you go?" Wang Dengku looked at his son and asked directly.

"Father goes; the son stays." Wang Dengku's son thought for a moment, then said: "You can also take Third Brother with you. As for the household, it can be left to me—I won't disappoint you, Father."

Looking at his son, Wang Dengku stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "You needn't be so guarded. At a time like this, what is there between father and son that cannot be said?"

In truth, if it were a petty-minded person, they might think the son was trying to drive his father away in order to seize the family estate.

But Wang Dengku knew his son would never do such a thing. The reason his son wanted him to take Third Brother and leave was simply to ensure his father survived. His son did not have confidence in the situation on the Great Ming side—clearly, he believed Agutai's words were true.

"It should be you who goes." Wang Dengku looked at his son and said with great gratification: "Your wisdom is more than enough to handle matters over there. If this matter is true, your father probably won't be able to get away."

"Now, go home and plan things out carefully. Also, send people to investigate and gather information to confirm whether what Agutai said is true." Wang Dengku said helplessly: "At the same time, have people arrange escape routes. Once the information is confirmed, you must immediately take the people and leave."

Wang Dengku's son thought for a moment and said: "Father, I think it would be better to spread the news. Once word that the Emperor has come to Zhangjiakou gets out, it will inevitably cause an uproar—by then, there'll be no way to hide it."

"Even the alliance matter Agutai spoke of—we can have people spread that too. This matter is simply too big; it will even trigger an uproar in public opinion. Once the news spreads, we'll be able to confirm whether it's true or false. At the same time, it will also stir up the situation here, and we can see how things develop."

After pondering for a moment, a gleam of brilliance flashed across Wang Dengku's face, and he nodded: "We'll do as you say. When we get back, we'll find people. But we need reliable people—there can't be any mistakes. If anyone traces it back to us, the trouble will be enormous."

"Don't worry, Father. Naturally, we can't use our own people for this. Let the Mongols do it—I'm sure they'll be even more interested." Wang Dengku's son said with a smile, a smug expression appearing on his face.

Glancing at his son, Wang Dengku also smiled and said: "That's a good plan. Let's give it a try."

After the father and son finished their discussion, they left the place directly and headed back toward home.

The two had decided to give it a try, and a new storm was brewing once again over Zhangjiakou.

The next morning, daylight was bright and full.

Zhu Youxiao opened his eyes.

Glancing at Bumbutai, who was still curled up in his arms, a smile appeared on Zhu Youxiao's face.

The little girl was sleeping quite soundly, a smile on her face—as if she were having some wonderful dream; it looked quite pleasant. Every now and then she would lick her lips—who knew if she was dreaming of eating something delicious.

But there was one thing Zhu Youxiao didn't feel too good about—something of his was being gripped by someone. Who knew when this little girl had reached out her hand—was she practicing driving a manual transmission car?

He really couldn't hold on any longer, so Zhu Youxiao could only gently pat the little girl's back.

Bumbutai opened her eyes with some confusion, looked around dazedly, and then her mind seemed to snap back to reality—her face instantly flushed bright red.

She looked at Zhu Youxiao and said softly: "Your Majesty, you're awake?"

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "The young are fond of sleep. I originally didn't want to disturb you, but there are some things that require your attention."

Upon hearing this, Bumbutai was first stunned, then suddenly realized that her hand seemed to be holding something. The next second she knew what it was—after all, the two of them had been quite open with each other last night.

Instantly, Bumbutai's face turned crimson. She hastily withdrew her hand and buried her head directly into the blankets, rolling around this way and that, looking utterly overcome with shyness.

She even let out meaningless humming sounds that made Zhu Youxiao's teeth ache just listening to them.

Zhu Youxiao gently scooped her up from within the blankets and placed her directly onto his body.

Zhu Youxiao embraced her back and said: "No need to be embarrassed. You are already my consort now. If you still want to sleep, then sleep—but I need to get up."

To be honest, if he didn't get up soon, it would kill him—his inner fire was burning too hot.

Bumbutai lay nestled in Zhu Youxiao's arms, her cheeks slightly flushed, biting her lip as she murmured, "Then I'll get up too, and I'll attend to Your Majesty."

Zhu Youxiao said nothing more, but held Bumbutai as he sat up and began to dress. Though his skill was still somewhat clumsy, he was nonetheless quite attentive when it came to serving others.

Once they had finished tidying up, the two walked out of the doorway together.

Chen Hong was already waiting outside at this time. It was clear that he hadn't slept all night, having stood guard here the entire time.

Wei Chao had also arrived—this was for the shift change.

Chen Hong only needed Zhu Youxiao to give him a single glance before he could take his leave.

Eunuchs attending the Emperor were always organized in shifts; no one could be on duty twenty-four hours a day. It was only because Chen Hong had been the one person Zhu Youxiao truly trusted in the past that he appeared so frequently.