Chapter 165: This Boy Cannot Be Left Alive

Lao Zhu had long been dissatisfied with Goryeo.

Because of the marriage alliance policies of the previous dynasty, Goryeo had more or less familial ties with the Yuan Dynasty.

The two sides were secretly flirting with each other.

Lao Zhu knew all of this.

But because the time was not right, he did not send troops to conquer Goryeo.

Instead, he chose to increase the quantity of their annual tribute.

Whether it was gold, silver, warhorses, or bows and arrows, the amounts were not small.

And Goryeo was indeed able to endure it.

Even so, on the surface, there were no signs of rebellion.

Furthermore, the annual tribute was handed over in full every year.

Therefore, Lao Zhu could only turn a blind eye to Goryeo's act of straddling both sides.

After all, sending troops requires a justifiable reason.

Zhu Gaoxu scoffed at this.

What need is there for a justifiable reason? Being stronger than you is reason enough to beat you!

Weak nations have no diplomacy; this is an eternal principle.

However, Zhu Gaoxu also believed that now was not the time to deal with Goryeo.

Currently, Great Ming had internal troubles and external threats; the top priority was to pacify the North, and then point the sword at the heartland of the Former Yuan!

On this point, Lao Zhu thought much the same as Zhu Gaoxu.

"Little monkey, after the Longevity Festival is over, you will lead troops to the North. Once the North is pacified, We have other important matters to arrange for you."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded after hearing this.

Logically speaking, matters like suppressing bandits were basically the responsibility of the local county government.

Lao Zhu sending Zhu Gaoxu from the imperial court to the local area from thousands of miles away was, in fact, not without the intention of letting Zhu Gaoxu pick up some merit.

Moreover, for stabilizing disaster victims in the North, including post-disaster reconstruction, the imperial court always had to send someone.

It just so happened that Zhu Gaoxu had his own ideas about this, so he simply handled it all at once.

Herding one sheep is a task, and herding a flock is also a task.

Zhu Gaoxu was actually quite happy about this.

He had long wanted to take the opportunity to go have some fun; away from Lao Zhu and his old man, with money in his hands and people by his side.

Isn't that like the sky being high enough for birds to fly, and the sea being wide enough for fish to leap!

The key was that the check-in location, Yihua Palace, was also said to be in the North.

It was perfect to get everything done at once.

Finally, after chatting with Lao Zhu for a few more words, Lao Zhu began to look at the memorials.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu tactfully rose to take his leave.

As he was leaving, Lao Zhu suddenly spoke up: "Come to the morning court session with your father tomorrow."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded, then walked out of the Study.

After walking out of the Study, he chatted with Eunuch Li for a few moments, then left the palace and headed toward the Wangfu.

On the other side, Li Hao and Li Xingshan returned to the Ministry of Rites office.

When Li Hao left the Military Camp, he naturally had to call for Li Xingshan.

Arriving at his office, Li Hao signaled for Li Xingshan to close the door.

Although Li Xingshan was puzzled as to why his uncle was so cautious, he still followed Li Hao's instructions and closed the door.

And as the door closed, Li Hao let out a long sigh and said: "This boy Zhu Gaoxu is too terrifying; I fear he cannot be left alive."

Li Xingshan was greatly shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly asked: "Uncle, why do you say that?"

Li Hao looked at his shocked nephew, shook his head, and said: "This boy's mind is so meticulous that he has calculated both you and me into his plans."

Calculated?

Li Xingshan recalled everything from the moment he met Zhu Gaoxu until now, and from beginning to end, he did not feel that Zhu Gaoxu had calculated anything against them.

As if knowing the confusion in his nephew's heart, Li Hao continued: "Zhu Gaoxu sold off the Daming Gun and other weapons of the state at a low price. I originally thought that by reporting it to His Majesty, I could at least clear my name."

"Who would have thought that after I entered the palace and finished telling His Majesty, His Majesty's attitude was first surprise, and then indifference."

"At that moment, I knew I had been calculated by Zhu Gaoxu!"

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Xingshan still looked puzzled; this didn't make sense.

Seeing this, Li Hao could only explain in detail: "From the very beginning of receiving the Goryeo envoys, that Zhu Gaoxu never intended to be honest; from the start, he was looking to stir up trouble!"

"The key is that, judging from His Majesty's expression, His Majesty was unaware of it."

Li Xingshan nodded while listening to his uncle's words.

Up to this point, he still understood.

Li Hao continued: "The key lies in the tacit understanding between His Majesty and this Zhu Gaoxu!"

"Logically speaking, His Majesty knows Zhu Gaoxu better than we do; why would His Majesty still send Zhu Gaoxu to receive the envoys from various countries?"

"Is it really just because the work is easy?"

"I see it as far more than that!"

Speaking of this, a glimmer of light appeared in Li Hao's eyes, as if he became more certain the more he spoke.

"His Majesty doing this is clearly because he is unhappy with some countries like Goryeo and wants to use Zhu Gaoxu's hand to beat them into submission, especially now that the imperial court is unstable; the always-troublemaking Zhu Gaoxu became the only choice."

"It is just that this Zhu Gaoxu is too good at making trouble and too bold; he actually made the situation so big that it even exceeded His Majesty's expectations."

Upon hearing his uncle's words, Li Xingshan exclaimed, "Uncle, do you mean that everything that happened today was planned by Zhu Gaoxu long ago, and that he even received the Emperor's authorization?"

Seeing that his nephew had finally caught on, Li Hao nodded.

"However, Zhu Gaoxu's ability is truly formidable; even I was fooled and used by him as a pawn."

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