Chapter 152: The Divine Weapon of Great Ming

A large crowd of people followed behind Zhu Gaoxu.

Yet their eyes were darting everywhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Great Ming army.

But they didn't see many people; instead, they saw quite a few strange and peculiar contraptions.

Things like deep pits and wooden walls, and even more things they couldn't name.

With looks of curiosity and confusion, the group followed Zhu Gaoxu into the main tent.

As soon as they entered, let alone the group of foreign envoys, even Zhu Gaoxu's face turned black.

Seven or eight Mahjong tables were set up inside the main tent, with unfinished games of Mahjong still laid out on them.

What gave Zhu Gaoxu slight relief was that there were no Embroidered Uniform Guards playing cards in the tent at this moment; clearly, they had received orders suddenly and left in a hurry.

Zhu Gaoxu cursed inwardly; he hadn't returned to the main tent after arriving at the Military Camp, having been outside giving orders the whole time.

He hadn't expected this oversight to almost cause him to lose face.

Fortunately, with Zhu Gaoxu's silver tongue, this didn't count as a real issue.

Zhu Gaoxu kept his expression neutral and slowly walked to the head seat to sit down.

Afterward, Zhu Gaoxu stopped speaking and instead gave Li Hao a wink.

Although Zhu Gaoxu didn't say it aloud, he still felt quite pleased with his long string of titles.

But it clearly wouldn't have the same flavor if he announced them himself, so Zhu Gaoxu gave Li Hao a hint.

Receiving Zhu Gaoxu's hint, Li Hao rolled his eyes at Zhu Gaoxu in his heart.

Do you really take me for a servant of your household?

I am, at the very least, a third-rank official, while your rank in the imperial court is only fourth-rank.

Logically speaking, I am no worse than you.

But although he was a hundred times unwilling in his heart, Li Hao finally gave a dry cough and said: "This is the grandson of our Great Ming Emperor, son of the Prince of Yan, Nanyang Commandery Prince, General Manager of the two thousand five hundred troops outside the city for the Divine Weapon Battalion, and personally appointed by His Majesty as the General Who Suppresses Rebels, His Highness Zhu Gaoxu."

After Li Hao finished his long string of titles, Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand and said: "These are all empty titles, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning; Official Li, please do not do this in the future."

Li Hao's face turned black upon hearing this.

Wasn't it you who hinted for me to say it?

Zhu Gaoxu acted very modestly, which only served to make it look like Li Hao was trying to curry favor with the powerful.

How could Li Hao not understand this point?

He secretly swore in his heart that he would never be so cheap again.

But putting that aside.

After Li Hao announced the long string of titles, the effect was indeed quite good.

The group of envoys bowed to Zhu Gaoxu one after another.

And Zhu Gaoxu smiled and returned the bows one by one; where could one see any trace of a playboy? He was clearly a polite, well-behaved... child?

Watching such a harmonious scene, the ones who understood it best were probably only Wang Ren and his few remaining companions.

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu's seemingly harmless, youthful face, Wang Ren sneered in his heart.

In a moment, you will all know that the person before you is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

As if knowing what Wang Ren was thinking, Zhu Gaoxu cast a faint glance at Wang Ren.

Feeling Zhu Gaoxu's gaze, Wang Ren immediately reined in his inner thoughts and then, like the others, bowed to Zhu Gaoxu.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction, and finally, he stopped.

Sitting in the chair, Zhu Gaoxu pointed at the Mahjong tables and said: "Everyone must be very curious about these objects. Actually, I don't mind telling you all: these are one of the Divine Weapons of Great Ming, and one could also say they are the national treasures that guard our Great Ming."

Hearing these words from Zhu Gaoxu, the expressions of the crowd varied.

There were looks of curiosity, disbelief, and even greed.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu smiled slightly and continued: "The reason I am telling you is because even if I told you plainly, you wouldn't be able to understand it for another hundred years or more."

"And our dynasty, if not for accidentally obtaining a strange book, might not have known that such a powerful tool existed in the world."

Hearing this from Zhu Gaoxu, the crowd immediately believed more than half of it.

They had been somewhat puzzled before as to why such a powerful thing was being shown to them so casually; so it turned out the instruction manual was in the hands of Great Ming.

Seeing that he had successfully bluffed his way through, Zhu Gaoxu was just about to start a new topic when an oblivious envoy asked: "Then I wonder what this Divine Weapon is actually used for?"

Hearing the envoy's question, it was as if it had asked what was in the hearts of the other envoys, and one by one they stared at Zhu Gaoxu with wide eyes.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu rarely felt a slight blush.

Even with his thick skin, he couldn't just spout nonsense.

Could he really tell them that the Divine Weapon of Great Ming was used for gambling?

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu feigned an inscrutable appearance and then shook his head faintly.

Seeing this look from Zhu Gaoxu, the group of people felt even more intrigued.

Even Wang Ren couldn't help but secretly size up the Mahjong on the table.

And Zhu Gaoxu seemed not to fear these people peeking at the Mahjong, instead starting the next topic.

"Everyone has come from afar to attend my Imperial Grandfather's birthday celebration, and I thank you once again. According to the rules, we must first look at your birthday gifts."

"Of course, Great Ming understands that it is the thought that counts, and your presence is the best gift for my Imperial Grandfather. However, we must follow the rules, and I hope you will understand."

After speaking, Zhu Gaoxu gave Li Xingshan a wink.