Chapter 370

Time is tight, so the handling might be a bit rough.

But as long as it's resolved, that's fine.

"Sending you to the southeast is mainly to deal with the Great Ming's parasites. Zhu Youjian probably hasn't had time to tell you yet; apart from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, the rest of the south has rotted to the root!"

"But hasn't Sun Chuanting and Lu Xiangsheng already gone to Fujian?" Su Qiao paused, asking with some curiosity.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "They can't solve it. We don't have time to waste. What's needed is to cut through the tangle with a sharp blade, to resolve it decisively. They lack that boldness!"

Hearing this, Su Qiao opened his mouth, not quite knowing what to say.

If they lack boldness, do I have it then?

Thank you for praising me!

Su Qiao returned home from the palace, still unable to figure out why Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly made this trip.

Hmm, it seems he came to ask for my advice, and also to bypass Zhu Youjian to give me orders directly.

What is Zhu Youjian's situation?

As an Emperor, how can he be suppressed by the Laozu Sect without a shred of spirit?

"Ma Kui!"

"Mr. Su!"

Hearing Su Qiao call his name, Ma Kui hurriedly ran over, "Mr. Su, you called me?"

"Yes, how is the Korean delegation? Has Cui Linyu made any moves?"

Su Qiao sat in a chair, took a sip of tea from his cup, and asked.

Hearing this, Ma Kui shook his head, "Mr. Su, they haven't made any moves. This morning, Park Ki-eun and the others returned. It feels like after entering the guesthouse, they all fell asleep; there hasn't been a single sound."

"Didn't you go in to investigate?" Su Qiao asked curiously, pressing further.

Ma Kui shook his head hurriedly, "No. Mainly because we were worried about tipping off the snake and affecting Mr. Su's arrangements."

Su Qiao nodded, "Alright then, no moves means no moves. I suppose they can't hold back; after all, their time is running out."

Ma Kui said nothing.

The Korean delegation's tribute offering definitely requires an auspicious day, similar to a grand court assembly, where they meet the Great Ming Emperor in the main hall and present gifts.

The Great Ming then presents return gifts, both sides exchange friendly words for a few days, and then they can take their return gifts and get the hell out!

The Korean delegation has been in the Great Ming capital for nearly half a month.

It's just that Zhu Youjian temporarily doesn't want to see them, so he's dragging it out.

But dragging it out can't go on for too long.

After all, a time must be set.

If Su Qiao's guess is correct, around the first day of next month, it will be time for them to enter the court and present tribute to Zhu Youjian.

And when Cui Linyu and the others present their demands, it must be before that.

There isn't much time left in total, no matter how vigilant or careful Cui Linyu is.

He will inevitably be forced by time to act!

Su Qiao is just waiting for him to act, so he can catch their fox tail.

Inside the guesthouse arranged by the Ministry of Rites.

Park Ki-eun and the others were released this morning.

Upon seeing Cui Linyu, they very perceptively asked for forgiveness.

Cui Linyu didn't scold them, but his expression was not very pleasant.

After all, he couldn't really scold them, since most of the plan's content came from him.

The so-called provocation and causing trouble was also set by Cui Linyu, who arranged for them to execute it.

No one expected that they would be directly arrested by officials of the Great Ming.

Originally, they hoped that using the identity of the delegation would make the Great Ming officials show some Gu Ji.

Now it seems that won't work either.

The second meeting with Su Qiao yesterday finally yielded a sliver of gain.

"Our time is running out. We must act quickly and be as cautious as possible. If we can avoid exposing ourselves, it's best not to."

Cui Linyu sighed and spoke to everyone in the room.

"But Vice Envoy my lord, yesterday we already inquired and investigated according to the list you gave. Most of the people on the list are no longer there."

Just then, one of the subordinates below, who was responsible for investigating information, suddenly spoke up.

Cui Linyu froze, "Why didn't you say anything yesterday?"

The subordinate looked aggrieved, "Vice Envoy, we wanted to say it yesterday, but as soon as we returned, you were asking about Park Ki-eun and the others, then you went to the Ministry of Rites yourself, then went out to find people. When you returned, you wouldn't let anyone disturb you. We simply didn't have time to speak!"

Hearing this, Cui Linyu's mouth twitched, his face turning bright red; he was simply furious.

"How many people on the list can still be found, and what are their official ranks?"

"The highest is Fourth Rank, Senior Grade; the others seem to have been purged and their families' properties confiscated by the Great Ming Emperor."

Cui Linyu: "..."

"Get out, all of you, get out!"

Cui Linyu shouted angrily, and the subordinates ran out as if fleeing.

The door closed, and he sat alone in the chair, trying to figure things out.

Unknowingly, Su Qiao's face appeared in his mind again.

"Hiss... Does it have to be him?"

Cui Linyu pondered for a long time but could not think of any good idea.

Although Su Qiao seems to have no official post, he is useful!

The only thing making him hesitate was money!

Su Qiao's asking price was too high; he was dead set on money!

He had not realized that yesterday Su Qiao had asked for money but not specified the amount; the ten thousand taels were offered by him voluntarily.

However, Su Qiao had not guessed wrong; his time was indeed very pressing now, leaving him no room to consider further.

"Someone come!"

Cui Linyu, not knowing what he had thought of, suddenly shouted outside.

"My lord Deputy Envoy!"

224, Cui Linyu returns to the capital!

"Prepare gifts; tomorrow I will see that Young Master Su once again!"

"Ah? See him again?"

The people below all showed a hint of confusion on their faces.

Seeing them silent for so long, Cui Linyu immediately questioned with surging anger: "What, can I not command you?"

"No, my lord Deputy Envoy, forgive us; mainly that Young Master Su has no official post, and his asking price is too high; our funds are not that large."

The subordinate quickly began to explain.

Cui Linyu shook his head. "I know he wants much money, but I am not afraid of him wanting much money; I am afraid he will not want money! As long as he can persuade the Great Ming Emperor, then what does it matter if all the funds are given to him? Liaodong is such a vast piece of land; by then it will all be the territory of our Gao Li dynasty!"

"Uh, my lord Deputy Envoy speaks somewhat reasonably."

Although the subordinate still worried about the money, he was now convinced by Cui Linyu.

Mainly because Cui Linyu was their leader; they all had to listen to him when coming to Great Ming.

Just now, it was merely to remind Cui Linyu, not to truly disobey orders or anything.

"Very well, since the matter is settled, go prepare immediately; tomorrow I will visit that Young Master Su again."

"Yes!"

Cui Linyu, accompanied by a subordinate, came to Su Fu once again.

When the gatekeeper reported to Su Qiao, he also shouted: "Master, that Gao Li man from the day before yesterday has come again."

"He is a Korean; take him to the side hall; I will be there immediately!"

"Yes!"

Entering Su Fu again, Cui Linyu's face showed a bit more composure.