Chapter 372

Ma Kui is not here now, but these two are quite capable.

"He is drunk; take him back to the guesthouse!"

Su Qiao pointed at Cui Linyu, who had fallen to the ground, and said.

The two agreed, immediately helped Cui Linyu up, and left.

Su Qiao watched Cui Linyu's ankle move unnaturally, a faint cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

That's right!

Cui Linyu claimed to be drunk, but one could also say he was not drunk.

He still maintained a certain level of clarity.

It was as if some people, upon reaching their limit while drinking, see blurred vision, feel dizzy-headed, and walk unsteadily.

Yet, after closing their eyes, they remain somewhat clear-minded.

It is almost like observing the situation from a third-person perspective.

Cui Linyu is in exactly this state right now!

He is a rather cautious person; although he has come to know Su Qiao, they have only met three times.

He does not know Su Qiao's personality, special traits, weaknesses, and so on.

He could even be considered a stranger.

How could he possibly get drunk in front of such a person?

So, in the end, it was still a test!

Just as giving Su Qiao fifty thousand taels of silver notes without revealing his true intentions was also a test!

However, Su Qiao saw through it and did not mind.

At worst, it is just a banquet table, plus acting alongside you.

I can directly obtain fifty thousand taels of silver.

Hmm, I am earning money to support my family.

Ah, I am really having a hard time!

Hearing that the guest was drunk and had been sent away, Liu Rushi worried that Su Qiao might also be drunk, so she immediately boiled some hangover soup and brought it over.

As soon as she entered the hall, she saw Su Qiao sitting by the table, rubbing his head.

"How is it? Does drinking give you a headache?"

Liu Rushi was simply too gentle; Su Qiao looked up and said, "It's fine, just a little dizzy."

"I heard you drank, so I boiled some hangover soup for you; drink it while it is hot, it will make you feel better."

While speaking, she thoughtfully ladled some out for Su Qiao.

Su Qiao looked at it and felt something was strange no matter how he looked.

Why does it feel like a scene from Water Margin?

"Eldest Brother, drink the medicine!"

"Su Qiao, drink the soup!"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Su Qiao coughed twice, gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and gulped the hangover soup down directly.

Liu Rushi was startled by Su Qiao's sudden "boldness."

Could the hangover soup I made taste terrible?

Seeing the confusion in Liu Rushi's eyes, Su Qiao naturally could not explain the issue of "Eldest Brother" to her.

So he changed the subject and said, "Your husband earned money for you again; take it."

Su Qiao took the silver notes from his chest and handed them to Liu Rushi.

Seeing so many silver notes, Liu Rushi was startled again.

Just the day before yesterday, someone sent ten thousand taels of silver notes.

Enmmmm...

It seems it was the person from that Korean delegation today.

How much time has passed? Why send so much again?

If tens of thousands of taels are sent home every day, tens of thousands of taels, how can we go on living?

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Liu Rushi holding the silver notes without moving, Su Qiao asked.

Liu Rushi shook her head, "Nothing, just a bit dazed. Was this money sent by Vice Envoy Cui today?"

"That's right; he wants me to speak some slanderous words for him before Your Majesty; these fifty thousand taels of silver notes are the price for asking me..."

"Is this price a bit too high? What if it angers Your Majesty?"

In Liu Rushi's view, the Great Ming Emperor is Heaven, a serious and strict person.

Even though she has seen Zhu Youjian several times at Su Fu, she is still very fearful.

Hearing this, Su Qiao shook his head, "It's fine; I will explain everything clearly to Your Majesty in advance. Besides, he was just testing me."

"So much money just to test?"

"Of course; great matters definitely require caution; these are all bait, but I just like eating bait, then throwing the hook back."

Su Qiao chuckled and did not explain too much to Liu Rushi.

After Cui Linyu was sent back to the guesthouse and waited until Zhao Xifang and Sun Youxu left,

he immediately called his own people to brew him a cup of strong tea.

He took a deep swig, only then feeling his mind clear up a bit.

"My lord Vice Envoy, what is the result today?"

Cui Linyu nodded and said, "About right. For now, we still need to gather more intelligence. If the wind truly changes direction, then next, we must go all out!"

"Excellent. I hope this Su Qiao can truly help us obtain what we want."

A few days later, news suddenly came out from within the palace.

The Great Ming Emperor seemed to have heard some unfavorable rumors within the Kingdom of Joseon and was somewhat dissatisfied with the Joseon King Li.

He intended to issue an edict to reprimand him.

However, he was ultimately dissuaded by the ministers in the court.

This news was quickly obtained by Cui Linyu and his group.

Cui Linyu and his group gathered in the guesthouse, each showing an expression of excitement in their eyes.

"It seems this Su Qiao truly was not boasting. How little time has passed, yet there is already a change. He is more important than we imagined!"

"Yes, as long as he can advise the Great Ming Emperor on our behalf, even if he cannot fully sway the Great Ming Emperor's thoughts, he will still help us! Our chances will be greater!"

A hint of fervor also appeared in Cui Linyu's eyes.

He felt his success was right before his eyes!

"Vice Envoy Cui, should we not make more preparations, then have you visit him again and reveal a little bit of something?"

226, we'll add money!

With only two or three days remaining until the court audience for tribute.

Cui Linyu finally made his decision.

He and his subordinates agreed:

"Very well. Perhaps we must rely on Su Qiao after all!"

Everyone had no objections.

During this period, they also tried to befriend other important court ministers, but as soon as they met people and thought of offering gifts, they were rejected.

It was truly hard for them to imagine what was going on with these ministers who used to love money so much.

How could the change be so sudden!

If you can't even get rid of gifts, how the hell can you befriend anyone?

The imperial relatives and nobles were basically exhausted, and the nobles within the palace were even harder to see face-to-face.

After several attempts, Cui Linyu and his group could only return empty-handed, finally turning their attention to Su Qiao.