Chapter 371

After Su Qiao changed his clothes and came out, he met him in the side hall of the front courtyard, saying, "Vice Envoy Cui comes to my humble home again; Su Mou is truly overjoyed."

Overjoyed that you're bringing me money?

Cui Linyu muttered inwardly, yet his outward demeanor was utterly sincere.

"Young Master Su is too polite; it is I who have disturbed you. Mainly, since I first met Young Master Su, I have been deeply moved by your learning and cannot forget it. Coincidentally, the embassy has had no matters during this period, so here I am, coming uninvited."

Cui Linyu had not visited Great Ming many times, yet his tone and bearing were even more authentic than those of ordinary Great Ming people.

Su Qiao wore a smiling face on his visage, yet a measure of vigilance arose in his heart.

"Well said, well said. Vice Envoy Cui has only recently arrived in Jingcheng; just now, I shall host Mr. Cui to welcome him."

Su Qiao spoke utter nonsense, yet Cui Linyu, having a request to make of him, nodded in agreement.

He has already been in Jingcheng for quite some time; nearly a month has passed.

Still claiming he just arrived in Jingcheng, still talking about a welcome banquet to wash away the dust.

It is all like burning newspapers at a grave—nonsense meant to fool ghosts!

"Someone! Prepare a banquet! Today, Vice Envoy Cui and I feel as though we have known each other for a long time; we must have a drink!"

Su Qiao called out to those outside.

"Yes!"

Preparing it himself was absolutely out of the question.

Then simply order a banquet from a restaurant.

Do not be fooled by Su Qiao's appearance of generosity; in truth, he had already guessed.

Cui Linyu had little time; he had merely gotten to know Su Qiao briefly the day before yesterday.

Afterwards, he certainly sought others to investigate Su Qiao's situation.

The result showed that Su Qiao indeed held an extremely high status and carried immense weight in the heart of the Great Ming Emperor.

Moreover, most of the ministers on the list he previously wished to contact could no longer be reached.

Time was pressing; to complete his mission, he had to place a bet on Su Qiao.

Therefore, he had come today simply to deliver money.

Judging by the rules of last time, where such a simple matter warranted a gift of ten thousand taels plus two mountain ginsengs.

This time, the request he makes of me must be far greater; how could the gift be smaller than the first one?

How many taels of silver can a single banquet table cost?

I am making money here!

Hmm, to support my family, I find it truly too difficult!

Once the banquet was arranged, Su Qiao pulled Cui Linyu and began drinking.

Cui Linyu's main purpose today was to discuss matters and ask Su Qiao for help.

How could he afford to get drunk?

So after taking a few sips and feeling his head grow slightly dizzy, he immediately set down his wine cup.

He waved his hand at Su Qiao and said, "Young Master Su, my capacity for alcohol is quite poor; I truly cannot continue drinking. We must discuss the main matter."

Su Qiao smiled, set down the wine pot, and asked Cui Linyu, "Vice Envoy Cui, what matter are you still hiding?"

"Alas, this matter is somewhat significant; mainly, considering Young Master Su holds considerable status in the eyes of the Great Ming Emperor, I wish for Young Master Su to speak a few kind words on my behalf."

After all, this was only their third meeting; Cui Linyu was so cautious that he certainly would not blurt out his true purpose immediately.

He would certainly have to probe repeatedly, testing Su Qiao bit by bit.

"I do not know what Vice Envoy Cui wishes to say. If it is merely to speak kind words for the Kingdom of Joseon on a simple basis, that is certainly no problem; Your Majesty also places considerable trust in my words!"

Su Qiao deliberately took on a grandiose air, patting his shoulder and pretending to be arrogant and proud.

Cui Linyu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Su Qiao, saying, "I believe in Young Master Su's ability; it would be best if Young Master Su could persuade the Great Ming Emperor to issue a state letter to the Joseon Dynasty."

"What state letter?"

Su Qiao asked.

"The state letter should preferably reprimand the King of Joseon a couple of times and send back additional gifts; that would suffice."

Su Qiao asked with a yearning of confusion, "That does not sound right, Vice Envoy Cui. Are you not contradicting yourself? One moment you ask Su Mou to speak kind words before Your Majesty, and the next you ask me to advise Your Majesty to reprimand the King of Joseon. That does not seem correct."

"Hahaha, Young Master Su speaks correctly, yet this is not contradictory!"

"How so?"

"Alas, Young Master Su does not know; our King is truly too obtuse..."

Cui Linyu, aided by the effects of the wine, began to perform for Su Qiao.

On one hand, he wept bitterly while recounting the King of Joseon's various "evil deeds," causing complaints to fill the land within Joseon.

On the other hand, he claimed that his journey here was forced; if he returned without any merit, he would easily incur punishment and lose his head.

Asking Su Qiao to speak kind words was to speak on behalf of the common people of Joseon; everyone was thinking of the suzerain state.

It was simply dissatisfaction with the King.

The reprimand in the state letter was for the King, hoping it would lead him to realize his errors and return to the right path, becoming more alert.

This was completely nonsense meant to fool children.

Su Qiao knew exactly how things stood and also knew which faction Cui Linyu belonged to.

His purpose was nothing more than to suppress the reputation of the King of Joseon, thereby facilitating Li Kangcheng's further advancement.

Since he was acting, Su Qiao would act as well.

"So it is like that. Vice Envoy Cui is truly too wronged. This matter is easy to handle... but it requires more money!"

Cui Linyu's body trembled; he immediately smiled, rose, and began to take out something.

"That goes without saying; we certainly can't let Young Master Su pay out of his own pocket, can we? Young Master Su, are you satisfied with this amount?"

As he spoke, Su Qiao saw Cui Linyu place several silver notes on the table.

Hmm, if it were less than thirty thousand taels, Su Qiao would definitely not agree!

Su Qiao glanced at the silver notes, and his eyes instantly lit up! Three.

Two twenty-five, a bringer of wealth!

The silver notes Cui Linyu brought out numbered at least five.

Moreover, Su Qiao checked the denominations; they were all ten-thousand-tael notes.

Oh my!

Truly a bringer of wealth, a rich man!

I truly hope Cui Linyu will come more often.

He is simply too wealthy!

Swish!

Su Qiao very quickly swept the silver notes over to himself.

"How could I possibly accept this? Vice Commissioner Cui is far too polite... Come, let us continue drinking!"

Su Qiao tucked the silver notes into his chest and continued pulling Cui Linyu to drink.

Although Cui Linyu had not yet stated his ultimate goal, he had already spent a great sum.

We cannot let Young Master Su truly get drunk.

He anxiously reminded Su Qiao, "Young Master Su, please do not forget my matter!"

"Vice Commissioner Cui, rest assured! I have quite a reputation when it comes to bribery; if I take the money, I get the job done, and I will absolutely handle it clearly for you."

While speaking, Su Qiao deliberately patted his chest, as if he were truly drunk.

Hearing Su Qiao's words, Cui Linyu's eye twitched, and the corners of his mouth also twitched.

Good heavens, so you are an expert in bribery?

Can one even say such a thing?

It seems Young Master Su is truly drunk; Cui Linyu unconsciously felt the world spinning, and why was lifting his head so difficult?

Hmm... my head feels so heavy; why does Su Qiao look like a double image...

With a thud, Cui Linyu was unknowingly drunk by Su Qiao.

"Someone!"

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Xifang and Sun Youxu outside walked in.