Chapter 184

"If it really doesn't work out, just lend me Su Qiao; I'm short one person, and Xia Yuanji needs someone to look after him."

Zhu Yuanzhang said impatiently.

"He's dragging you into rebellion."

Zhu Di:...

Old Zhu had no time to waste words with Zhu Di.

He immediately rose and looked at the small eunuchs around him, asking,

"Where is Jiang Huan?"

The small eunuch nearby froze upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty, Commander Jiang seems to have matters these past few days; he hasn't come to the palace for three days."

Old Zhu waved his hand impatiently and said,

"What business could the Embroidered Uniform Guard have that keeps him so busy?!"

"We're just asking if Su Qiao is still alive."

The small eunuch nearby pondered for a moment, then timidly asked,

"Does Your Majesty mean the Minister Su who was ordered to commit suicide a few days ago?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and said,

"Mm."

"Then that's right; this servant heard Commander Jiang is busy with Minister Su's matter."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but freeze.

"What? Su Qiao doesn't want to die?"

That small eunuch smiled bitterly and said,

"Not exactly; it's just that Minister Su is still struggling with how to die."

"Your Majesty's decree was to order suicide."

Zhu Yuanzhang froze upon hearing this.

"And then?"

"Minister Su said he doesn't want a whole corpse... He asked Commander Jiang to make it quick; if that's not possible, Commander Jiang may do it himself."

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled helplessly and said,

"Jiang Huan won't even help with such a small favor?"

"Yes... after all, Your Majesty's decree was to order suicide."

Hearing this,

Zhu Yuanzhang finally understood.

The difference between an order to commit suicide and being killed is enormous.

Moreover, Su Qiao's matter has caused such a huge uproar.

Everyone in the world will know that Su Qiao died to make Old Zhu pass the throne to Zhu Di.

Should Zhu Di ascend the throne in the future,

the person who helped Su Qiao on his way today would become the executioner who murdered a meritorious follower of the dragon.

Jiang Huan is not stupid.

He clearly knows there is a huge pit ahead.

He cannot simply jump straight into it.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but snort coldly and said,

"Change clothes; we'll go out of the palace for a stroll."

"Yes."

Under the service of several palace maids, Zhu Yuanzhang changed into a set of cloth clothes.

With hands clasped behind his back, he walked toward the outside of the Forbidden City.

Before long, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived outside Su Qiao's courtyard.

He saw that the outside of Su Qiao's courtyard was already surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, completely sealed off.

Faintly, the sound of Jiang Huan begging for mercy could be heard coming from inside the courtyard.

"Minister Su, please don't make things difficult for me; this matter cannot be handled the way you want."

"Commander Jiang, it's not that I'm making things difficult for you; I truly cannot bring myself to do it!"

"..."

Let alone others.

Even if Su Qiao had been ordered to commit suicide by Zhu Yuanzhang for some other matter,

by now Jiang Huan would have long forced the poisoned wine down Su Qiao's throat.

But this concerns the foundation of the state; it is nearly a death memorial.

Should a future ruler make any mistake,

then I would truly be doomed for ten thousand generations!

Old Zhu walked to the door.

The group of Embroidered Uniform Guard immediately knelt to pay respects.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand helplessly, signaling that the few need not pay respects.

Then he walked into the courtyard.

At the very moment Old Zhu walked in.

Jiang Huan immediately shut his mouth.

Yet Su Qiao kept chattering on.

"Commandant Jiang, if you ask me, if there's truly no other way, just consult with the Ministry of Punishment. No need for an intact body; that's all a sham. Let's go straight for Immediate execution, quick and clean."

"The Emperor is truly something else. Knowing I'm a scholar who can't bring himself to act, he still stages this whole charade."

"..."

Hearing Su Qiao's complaints.

Zhu Yuanzhang's weathered face instantly darkened.

"Boy, are you afraid of death or not?!"

"I've only ever seen people beg me to spare their bodies intact. You're the first to beg for your head to be chopped off!"

Su Qiao turned around, looking utterly bewildered.

He immediately saw Zhu Yuanzhang, his expression gloomy.

"Your Majesty?"

Old Zhu's face was gloomy; he took a deep breath and said in a low voice.

"Speak. What exactly do you want, boy?"

Su Qiao bowed slightly and said.

"This subject only asks for beheading!"

Looking at Su Qiao's expression.

A hint of contempt inevitably arose in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

In Old Zhu's eyes.

Su Qiao was merely making an excuse for his fear of death.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath.

"Very well. I'll ask you a question. If you answer well, I'll consider it."

Hearing that Old Zhu had another question.

A hint of impatience instantly appeared on Su Qiao's face.

Asking questions again.

Are you a hundred thousand whys?

But since his weakness had been seized.

Su Qiao could only sigh and say.

"Your Majesty, please ask."

Zhu Yuanzhang sized up Su Qiao and asked.