Chapter 504

Observing words and expressions is a must.

Seeing Su Qiao's signal, he immediately calmed down, pretending to be as if nothing had happened.

Although he didn't know what the situation was, it didn't affect his cooperation with Su Qiao.

He was well aware of Su Qiao's status in Zhu Youjian's heart.

He dared not offend Su Qiao; on the contrary, he wanted to build a good relationship with Su Qiao even more.

Since Su Qiao didn't mind, Wu Xiuyue naturally wouldn't speak out of turn, so he immediately began to read the imperial edict.

Most of the content of Zhu Youjian's imperial edict praised the naval officers and soldiers of Zheng Zhilong, and there were many rewards and so on.

The military officers were beaming with joy, very happy.

Of course, some civil officials also showed joy on their faces.

Because some of the content later included them, indicating that they had also mixed in to gain seniority and merit, considered as having benefited from the occasion.

Only Su Qiao was specifically left out.

It seemed as if Su Qiao had no merit at all.

Even Zhou Xun and the others had it, but only Su Qiao did not, which made the officials present, who had already noticed, show strange expressions one by one.

It was really quite strange!

Everyone had merit, so why did Su Qiao, the main protagonist, seem to be left out?

Wu Xiuyue, having finished reading the imperial edict, noticed the expressions on some of these people's faces.

He immediately understood what was going on with them.

He immediately said with a stern face: "Your Majesty has not forgotten Mr. Su's merit; it is just that Mr. Su's rewards will be discussed upon returning to Jingcheng."

Wu Xiuyue's cold voice made everyone shiver, and they quickly congratulated Su Qiao.

However, what made Su Qiao quite strange was that Zhou Xun, bringing Li Heyu and the others out, seemed to have done nothing up to now.

Could it be because my presence here hindered him?

Or has he already finished his little tricks?

Su Qiao was really quite curious about the reason why Zhou Xun and Li Heyu and the others had come out early just now.

But it wasn't good to ask now, so he had to temporarily suppress his curiosity and find someone to ask later.

After thanking for the grace, Zhou Xun and Li Heyu and the others immediately began to build relationships with Wu Xiuyue.

They also gave a lot of gold and silver as congratulatory money.

It was almost given in broad daylight, and the officials present seemed to be used to it.

But Wu Xiuyue dared not accept it.

His expression changed, and he quickly refused, saying: "Lord Zhou, Lord Li, what are you doing? I am not one who accepts bribes!"

With such a big movement, his sleeves even swept the banknotes and gold ingots onto the ground.

Wu Xiuyue's posture of being upright and righteous truly stunned quite a few people.

Do eunuchs not take money anymore?

Could it be that the sun has risen from the west?

Everyone was staring dumbfounded at this scene.

Zhou Xun and Li Heyu's corners of their mouths twitched, and they suddenly didn't know how to respond.

Su Qiao noticed Wu Xiuyue's gaze frequently sweeping over himself.

He immediately understood what was going on.

He was concerned about me being here!

In fact, just as Su Qiao guessed, he was really worried that Su Qiao would tell Zhu Youjian later.

With so many banknotes and such, didn't he want them?

He really wanted them!

His heart was almost like a cat scratching, wishing to pick them up immediately.

But he just dared not!

Compared to life and money, life is still more important.

Since he knew Wu Xiuyue was worried about him reporting to the authorities, Su Qiao naturally didn't want to be the villain.

Or rather, regarding eunuchs taking money and such, Su Qiao had no intention of truly stopping or managing it.

As long as they don't exploit the common people, whatever you are willing to take is your own business.

So Su Qiao smiled and took out a banknote, the size of only one hundred taels.

He handed it directly to Wu Xiuyue, saying, "Lord Eunuch, today is a happy occasion; this is congratulatory money, let Eunuch Wu be happy too and share in the good fortune!"

Su Qiao also deliberately gave him a wink.

Seeing Su Qiao's action, Eunuch Wu thought for a moment and immediately understood the implied meaning of Su Qiao's hint.

That was that if he didn't care, he could accept it.

Now he didn't have to feel heartache; Wu Xiuyue immediately changed his face, restored his enthusiastic appearance, had people pick up the banknotes, and accepted them directly.

The officials of Quanzhou Prefecture also breathed a long sigh of relief.

This was the correct way.

Still the familiar recipe, the familiar greedy dead eunuch!

After reading the imperial edict, of course, Wu Xiuyue, this eunuch who read the edict, also had to stay in the guesthouse.

Now there was no problem for Su Qiao to communicate with him.

On the day Wu Xiuyue moved in, Su Qiao came to visit.

"Mr. Su, even here in Jingcheng, our family has heard of your name!"

"Eunuch Wu is too kind; I am but a commoner!"

"Oh, Mr. Su, you are far too modest. Your Majesty said sending you to the southeast was the right move. Who would have thought you'd actually resolve the Dutch issue? Impressive!"

This stood in stark contrast to his earlier arrogance when Prefect Zhou Xun of Quanzhou approached, an attitude where he barely glanced at him, his eyes seemingly rolling up to his forehead.

If they saw this, they would surely be dumbfounded.

In fact, from Wu Xiuyue's attitude toward Su Qiao, many sensible people had already sensed the situation.

However, no one spoke up; they all kept it hidden in their hearts!

"Hehe, Eunuch Wu flatters me. I have come with a matter to inquire. When you read the Imperial Edict at the prefectural yamen, you omitted any arrangement for me. I wonder..."

Su Qiao asked with a smile, looking at Wu Xiuyue.

Wu Xiuyue glanced outside, then leaned in mysteriously and whispered, "Mr. Su guessed correctly. Your Majesty indeed has other arrangements for you, mainly regarding the voyage. Your Majesty hopes Mr. Su can quickly wrap up matters here and then return to the capital."

"Oh, it seems Your Majesty's previous attempts were not smooth!"

Su Qiao guessed a few things from Wu Xiuyue's earlier words.

Wu Xiuyue gave Su Qiao a thumbs-up. "Mr. Su is indeed impressive; you guessed right on the first try! Actually, there is nothing unspeakable. With the Dutch defeated, Your Majesty wishes to leverage this great victory to lift the sea ban and sail out to seek wealth and land, but there are many who oppose it."

"There are still people opposing it now?"

Su Qiao couldn't help but feel strange.

Mainly because most of the court now consists of Su Qiao's people; under normal circumstances, no one would go against Zhu Youjian.

After all, they were all promoted by Zhu Youjian and are considered loyal to Zhu Youjian.

The only situation would be if Zhu Youjian made an idea that almost everyone found unreliable, which would cause the court to oppose Zhu Youjian.

Such a situation should be rare, or rather, non-existent!

358, seeking peace talks?

"Did Your Majesty make a decision that the court officials found inappropriate?"

Su Qiao narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Wu Xiuyue, asking.

Wu Xiuyue felt uncomfortable under Su Qiao's cold gaze and quickly explained; "Actually, even our family thinks Your Majesty's decision is correct. Your Majesty simply said he wants to help Japan quell the rebellion!"

"What the what?"

Even though Su Qiao was mentally prepared, he was still startled.

How did the scope jump so far?

"Does Mr. Su also think it is inappropriate?"

Seeing Su Qiao's expression, Wu Xiuyue thought he opposed it too.

Su Qiao was actually just surprised, very surprised, but had no intention of opposing it.