Chapter 87: The Traitors' Consultation

Ning Wanwo said, "Reporting to the Great Khan: your slave made contact with those barbarians whom Mr. Fan dealt with before, intending to have them transport grain beyond the passes. But there is some trouble."

Hong Taiji asked with curiosity, "Oh? What trouble have you run into?"

Ning Wanwo said, "In reply to the Great Khan, although the grain and cloth are ready, getting them out beyond the passes is difficult.

Nowadays, not only are the Ming barbarians inspecting strictly, but even the sea routes, the steppe, and the overland roads are all hard to travel.

Now that the barbarian Mao Wenlong has gained power and enjoys the favor of the Ming barbarian Emperor, and Ligdan Khan is also clinging tightly to the Ming barbarian Emperor's thigh, this grain…"

Hong Taiji sneered, "Since that barbarian dog of an Emperor granted Ligdan Khan mutual border markets, letting him buy all the grain, cloth, salt, and ironware he wants, of course that dog thing will cling to the barbarian Emperor's thigh and not let go.

But it doesn't matter. That Ligdan Khan is nothing but a dog. He's no fool either — if our Great Jin were finished, I fear that barbarian Emperor would turn right around and deal with him.

Later, send someone to contact him and tell him to open the road. If necessary, we may promise him some benefits."

Ning Wanwo said, "The Great Khan is brilliant. Your slave has one more matter to report to the Great Khan.

Some time ago, that barbarian Yuan secretly sent someone to make contact, saying that if he could ascend to the post of Supreme Commander of Ji-Liao, he would be willing to open a trade route for our Great Jin, so that both sides could take what they need."

Hong Taiji still sneered, "Agree to it, then. This dog barbarian has quite a bellyful of schemes. In any case, it benefits our Great Jin. If he's willing to sell out the barbarian Emperor, what is there for us to be afraid of buying?"

When Ning Wanwo emerged from the Jianzhou barbarians' false palace and returned home, he went straight to his study to meet a guest.

That guest was dressed as a Confucian scholar, but had the eyes of a rat and the face of a roebuck — one look told you he was no decent sort.

Ning Wanwo at this moment had completely shed the groveling slave's manner he had worn inside the Jianzhou barbarians' false palace. He now looked every inch the man with the master plan, a veritable Zhuge Liang.

He picked up the tea on his desk and took a sip. Only then did Ning Wanwo say with satisfaction, "Mr. Tu, your master's intention has been made known to the Great Khan. As for this matter — well, it is not beyond discussion."

That Mr. Tu, however, was rather nervous. He asked, "This affair owes much to Mr. Ning's mediation. My master will certainly not forget your kindness, Lord Ning. I only wonder what the Great Khan of the Great Jin intends?"

Ning Wanwo said with a faint, ambiguous smile, "As for this matter, my Great Khan is in general agreement. It is just that the specific terms — I fear a mere private secretary like yourself cannot make decisions for Supreme Commander Yuan, can you?"

That Mr. Tu cursed inwardly: you, Ning Wanwo, are nothing but a running dog of the Jianzhou barbarians — in what way are you any better than me? It's nothing but the pot calling the kettle black!

But circumstances were different now. When under another's eaves, how can one not bow one's head?

Mr. Tu promptly put on an ingratiating smile and said, "We must trouble Lord Ning to take great pains. After all, this is a matter that benefits both when we cooperate.

When I set out, my master gave me early instructions to follow Lord Ning's wishes in all things. You are the favorite before the Great Khan of the Great Jin — a single word from you is worth more than a thousand schemes we underlings might devise."

This string of flattery struck precisely the tip of Ning Wanwo's heart. Feeling thoroughly pleased from head to toe, Ning Wanwo laughed and said, "Mr. Tu certainly has a way with words.

You are right. This is a matter that benefits both when we cooperate — good for your Excellency the Supreme Commander, and good for our Great Jin.

Very well, since my Great Khan has already agreed, I, Ning, will simply lay out my Great Khan's requirements."

That Mr. Tu was overjoyed and said to Ning Wanwo, "I am all ears."

Ning Wanwo said coolly, "The first point: regarding your Supreme Commander's request that we cooperate in spreading rumors, our Great Khan, in his brilliance, has directly granted it. However, such rumors after all damage the Great Khan's illustrious name, so some compensation is required."

Mr. Tu said, "Only right, only right. That goes without saying. Once my master achieves his wish, he is willing to cede a portion of Liaodong territory to the Great Jin. I wonder what Lord Ning thinks?"

Ning Wanwo laughed, "Not bad. That way, I, Ning, will have something to show before my Great Khan, and my efforts on your Supreme Commander's behalf will not have been in vain."

Mr. Tu smiled obsequiously, "Then I must thank Lord Ning most profusely."

Ning Wanwo continued, "Don't be in a hurry to thank me. I, Ning, have not finished stating the requirements.

The second point: after your Supreme Commander achieves his wish, he must kill that barbarian Mao Wenlong!

As long as this villain is not eliminated, not only is he a bone stuck in the throat of our Great Jin, but even your Supreme Commander will likely be treading on thin ice, living in constant fear every day."

That secretary Mr. Tu replied, "Lord Ning, rest assured. When I set out, my master gave instructions that he would certainly eliminate that Mao Wenlong for the Great Jin. Otherwise, both our houses would be constrained by this man — most vexing."

Ning Wanwo grunted an acknowledgment and said, "That is well, then. But there is one more point: the share your master demands is far too large. My Great Khan cannot agree to it."

That secretary Mr. Tu felt displeasure in his heart but could only suppress his rising anger in secret. He asked, "May I ask what Lord Ning means?"

Ning Wanwo said, "Your master is far too greedy. Doing nothing, sitting comfortably in a high post, and still wanting to take forty percent out of it — his appetite is a bit too large. My Great Khan says: a two-eight split. Your Supreme Commander taking twenty percent will be fine."

Mr. Tu, however, sprang up with a jolt and said, "Impossible! My Supreme Commander asking for forty percent was modest to begin with. Setting aside the need to grease the palms of all the various lords at court, the risk involved alone is worth that forty percent!"

Ning Wanwo, hearing this, sneered and said, "The risk is indeed great. But without the assistance of our Great Jin, never mind forty percent or twenty percent — even your Supreme Commander's wish to be reinstated might not come so easily! Much less reaping any benefits at all.

However, my Great Khan is not unreasonable. After all, we still need your Supreme Commander's full cooperation in Liaodong. Let's settle it this way: twenty-five percent, and not a fraction more."

That secretary Mr. Tu, seeing there was room to negotiate, sat back down on the chair and said, "Thirty-five percent.

For anything less than thirty-five percent, not only would I have trouble explaining myself when I return, but all the various lords at court still need to be properly taken care of. We can't expect my master to pay out of his own pocket, can we?"

Ning Wanwo said, "Even twenty-five percent is already no small sum. The money is all put up by our Great Jin.

Your master reaps the rewards without lifting a finger, and once he has properly greased the Ming court from top to bottom, it's not impossible that your Supreme Commander might even gain a dukedom or marquisate."

Mr. Tu, hearing this, felt his heart stir. Recalling the bottom line his master had instructed him on before he left, he said, "In that case, let us open the skylight and speak plainly.

Thirty percent — that is my master's bottom line. If Lord Ning can make the decision on this, I shall report back to my master accordingly.

What say you?"

Ning Wanwo laughed, "Good! Mr. Tu and your Supreme Commander are indeed straightforward men! Thirty percent it is. Once Mr. Tu returns, our Great Jin will dispatch agents to spread the rumors, striving to help your master achieve his wish at the earliest!"

Um… still just one update today. Will make it up on Saturday and Sunday… Also… refresh in a bit, there should be new content coming…

(End of Chapter)