Chapter 354

Su Qiao's previous actions were all traceable.

They were all seen by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di, and the others.

Before that layer of window paper was pierced, no one had noticed.

Now that Su Qiao has pierced that layer of window paper, Zhu Di has also reacted.

"Impressive. It seems you calculated this step even when dealing with the Jurchen Tatars. Even if I had not come today, you would have certainly told Zhu Youjian about it by then."

Zhu Di praised Su Qiao.

Su Qiao hurriedly waved his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this subject just thought of it recently."

It is still necessary to hide one's talents; if a subject is too clever, it will always arouse the suspicion of the Emperor's mind.

Although Zhu Di is not an Emperor who is highly suspicious, it is better to avoid it if possible.

"You need not be modest. I understand, and my father understands too; otherwise, he would not have placed you here with Zhu Youjian. My father hopes your intelligence can be brought into play; there is no need to hide it!"

Zhu Di did not know if it was some kind of hobby or what.

He chattered on and did not leave today; even at noon when eating, he discussed many issues with Su Qiao.

Su Qiao did not hide anything this time.

He said everything he knew and everything that could be solved.

Zhu Di felt this trip was not in vain; he truly gained a great deal.

"By the way, Your Majesty, Emperor Taizong, this subject has another matter to ask."

"Speak!"

Su Qiao paused slightly, then told the story of meeting Xu Chunming yesterday.

208, can they really drown me?

In an instant, Zhu Di's eyes narrowed.

His expression also turned gloomy.

"That Xu Chunming said he just wanted to get to know and befriend you?"

Zhu Di's voice became much deeper.

Su Qiao nodded and said, "Yes, this subject feels this Xu Chunming is not ordinary, but I do not know exactly who he is."

"Great-Grandfather, such people are truly hateful; why not let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate thoroughly!" Zhu Youjian said with anger on his face.

He was indeed very angry.

Su Qiao is a minister he values very highly.

He was specially arranged by Great-Grandfather; who would have thought that within the capital, right under his nose, someone would still have bad intentions.

This is simply like slapping his face!

But Zhu Youjian's proposal was rejected by Zhu Di without hesitation!

Zhu Di's face was cold and his tone calm as he said:

"No. Since the other party knows Su Qiao and can approach Su Qiao so calmly, and even said they will find Su Qiao again, it shows they know Su Qiao's situation very well and must have anticipated this situation where you tell Su Qiao beforehand!"

Zhu Youjian paused. "Does Great-Grandfather mean they are very confident, and even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigates, they cannot find them?"

"More or less. To say they cannot be found at all is impossible, but they can only find a few leads, which will then startle the snake and cause them to hide."

Su Qiao asked helplessly, "Your Majesty, Emperor Taizong, why are they looking for me? This subject has no strength to tie a chicken. The Great Ming is not like the past, drifting in wind and rain; now it has been pulled back from the cliff by Your Majesty. Although it is not at its peak, it can be said to have revived and is far stronger than the previous dynasty. Do they still have a foundation for rebellion?"

Hearing this, Zhu Di rolled his eyes at Su Qiao. "You think even more than I do. Who said dragging you in is only for rebellion?"

"Then what else can they do?" Su Qiao's eyebrows twitched.

"I don't know!"

"You don't know?"

Su Qiao's breath hitched; is this really fooling people?

Seeing that Zhu Di seemed on the verge of angry embarrassment, Su Qiao quickly shut his mouth.

Zhu Di's bad temper is famous; he has the same nature as his father, Zhu Yuanzhang.

Moreover, both are Emperors from horseback, having fought wars for almost a lifetime. Do not look at his advanced age now; his martial prowess is still very strong.

Su Qiao still did not doubt that if he provoked Zhu Di, he would be beaten for no reason.

He is used to tempting death in front of Zhu Yuanzhang so that Zhu Yuanzhang would kill him and send him back, but Zhu Di is not Zhu Yuanzhang; if he dies here, it is a waste.

Su Qiao decided to be honest instead.

"Enough. Let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate Xu Chunming secretly; on the surface, maintain the status quo. Additionally, more people must be arranged around Su Qiao."

Zhu Di made the final decision; neither Su Qiao nor Zhu Youjian objected.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang finished his busy work, opened the group chat, and happened to see Zhu Di here with Su Qiao.

He thought of something and said it directly.

Especially after seeing the model of the new-style sea ship designed by Su Qiao and the craftsmen.

"Fourth Brother, tell Su Qiao that no matter how romantic he is, or how many wives or beautiful confidantes he marries, we don't care! But regarding the maritime wealth he speaks of, we must see results. If we do not see them, I might just throw him directly into the sea!"

Both Zhu Di and Zhu Youjian quickly agreed.

Turning around, they immediately told Su Qiao.

"Su Qiao, my father said you can be as romantic as you want. However, setting sail to plunder wealth for the Great Ming and finding a way out for the Great Ming must yield results for him to see. Otherwise, don't talk about sending you back; he might just throw you directly into the sea to drown!"

Hearing Zhu Di's words, Su Qiao's eyes immediately lit up.

"Really? Did Your Majesty really say he will drown me?"

If Zhu Yuanzhang threw him into the sea to drown, would that count as him personally taking action?

Then he could almost return to enjoy life, right?

The more Su Qiao thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

"Emperor Taizong, how about you discuss it with your father and just throw this subject into the sea right now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang clutched his chest.

Zhu Di: "..."

Zhu Youjian: "..."

After a long pause, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Tell that little bastard that dying isn't that simple. If he can't come up with something, I'll make him wish he were dead. Find him an uninhabited island and let him play by himself!"

Zhu Di relayed Zhu Yuanzhang's words once more.

Su Qiao's face immediately filled with grievance.

How did it change?

Wasn't it supposed to be personally drowning himself?

If he were thrown onto an uninhabited island and died there, wouldn't that count as a natural accidental death?

Worlds apart!

"Enough, figure it out yourself. I'm heading back first!"

With that, Zhu Di was teleported back by his father Zhu Yuanzhang.

A flash of white light, and the ground was empty.

This teleportation talisman had truly been played to the limit by Zhu Yuanzhang.

In the empty courtyard, only Su Qiao, Zhu Youjian, and Wang Chengen remained, staring at each other wide-eyed.

"Your Majesty, this subject has already designed the new-style warship with several craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, and arranged for people to go to Tianjin Guard to build it. Should we begin training the sailors now?"

Su Qiao came back to his senses and immediately said to Zhu Youjian.

"Granted! When the time comes, just let Da Ban know. I'm tired today, I'll head back first."

He was truly worn out by this whole ordeal with his great-grandfather.

Combined with the fact that it was already noon, Zhu Youjian left directly.

Su Qiao didn't stay to eat at the Ministry of Works either. After arranging the tasks for the afternoon, he went home as well.

However, where Su Qiao went out now was different from before.

Earlier, while at the Ministry of Works, Wang Chengen had followed Zhu Di and Zhu Youjian's instructions.

He specifically had the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrange several highly skilled martial arts experts to come to Su Qiao's side and protect him.

Of course, on the surface there were only three people.

But in the shadows, there were quite a few—fully a dozen or more.