Xie Ming

Xiao Yu's threats startled Zeng Ji, who hurriedly stammered, wishing he could run away immediately to save his life.

Upon hearing this, Jingchuan added a couple more convenient words.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Hehehe, that's fine, that's fine too."

"Minister Zeng's concern for the safety of the soldiers on the front lines is a blessing for us generals serving outside the capital."

"From now on, we will work together as one to overcome these difficult times."

"We still have to rely on logistics and military supplies, huh? Hahaha," Xiao Lang said jokingly.

At this moment, Minister Zeng's smile was more like a grimace than a cry, and he bowed with his body stiffened.

"Oh, what the Duke says is very true, very true indeed."

He simply echoed her sentiments; Zeng Ji had no energy left to say anything more.

Seeing that the situation was about to end, Xiao Jingchuan also felt there was no point in continuing, so he simply sent the guests away.

He then looked up and gazed into the distance, fixing his gaze on the long courtyard where people were waiting, and waved his hand.

"Changting, come, escort Minister Zeng out of the city for me," Xiao ordered.

"Alright!" Upon hearing that it was General Gao's order, Changting didn't hesitate and jumped forward from under the corridor, catching up in just a few steps.

"Hehe, I'm injured, so please excuse me for not seeing you off any further," Xiao said to Zeng Ji.

"Oh, oh, wait, wait, Your Excellency, please wait."

"I have already troubled you greatly, farewell. Ah, I shall take my leave now."

After saying this, the man was so flustered that he lost his footing and stumbled, making a complete fool of himself. He then hurriedly fled.

After the man left in a hurry, Xiao and Ma watched him go from under the eaves of the corridor.

They watched as Zeng Ji, accompanied by his attendant, hurriedly left the mansion through the hall.

The sky was overcast, and rain continued to fall.

The water dripped softly from under the eaves onto the bluestone slabs, making a pattering sound.

For a moment, the scene quieted down again.

After a while...
"Ha, Duke, Duke, you're really just going to let them go like that?!"

Looking at the empty mansion, Ma Weimin sighed and intentionally mentioned it.

Upon hearing this, Xiao glanced sideways, his expression intriguing, a half-smile playing on his lips.

“Ah, yes, why not?!” Xiao Hui replied.

Seeing this, Old Ma suddenly raised an eyebrow and started talking.

"Ugh"

"Don't think I'm being long-winded, but there are some things that are better left unsaid so openly."

"Besides, his surname is Zeng. Humph, anyway, we old Ma can't trust him."

"You insisted on assigning him this important task, especially at this critical juncture. I'm afraid that old rascal will turn his back on you."

"If we turn around and expose all of this to the Southern Party in the cabinet, wouldn't we be in an even more passive position?"

Clearly, Ma Weimin harbored concerns about Xiao's behavior and manner, fearing that things would fall apart because of it.

Upon hearing this, Xiao did not answer, but instead sought another way to phrase the question, asking about Old Ma.

"What's wrong? Even now, you're still thinking about rekindling old flames and making peace with them?" Xiao asked without answering.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weimin gave a bitter smile and looked miserable.

"Oh my, my Lord Xiao Dagong!"

"You're overthinking things again, aren't you?"

"I'm Lao Ma, ha, I'm nothing but a fart."

"We're talking about you right now."

As he spoke, for once, the old man became serious, his eyes sharpened, and he spoke solemnly.

"Brother, I'm just taking a break today, so let me tell you something that might not be pleasant to hear."

"Don't let my rough and tough exterior fool you. I may not be very well-educated, but I've certainly listened to a lot of plays on this stage."

Throughout history, those who wield military power and whose achievements overshadow their rulers have rarely met a good end!

"After achieving success, the biggest fear is that treacherous officials in the court will hold a grudge and settle scores later."

"At that time, military power will fall into the wrong hands, and the emperor will become suspicious."

"Heh, people come and go, and there's no place in the world where you can buy a pill for regret."

"You, Duke Jing, must take precautions early."

Old Ma's words were heartfelt and sincere.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan adopted an indifferent expression.

Instead of having many concerns, he laughed heartily.

"Hahahaha"

"Settle my score?!" He looked up at the sky, his eyes flashing with fierce light.

"If we don't give Zeng Ji any face today, we're not expecting them to have a future!"

"Ma Weimin, do you really not understand, or are you just pretending not to understand?!"

He looked back and stared at Old Ma's face. Ma Weimin was completely stunned and didn't know what to say.

"Alright, alright, you've seen everything you were supposed to see."

"It's just a show."

"What I'm about to tell you is the real deal!"

In a surprising turn of events, Xiao Jingchuan suddenly started talking again.

Upon hearing this, Old Ma couldn't quite make a guess and hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"Uh, no, no"

"What exactly do you mean?" Ma replied vaguely.

Taking another step closer, Xiao dropped a bombshell.

"Hehe, since things have come to this, I'll just be frank with you."

"I, Xiao Jingchuan, have harbored lofty ambitions since childhood."

"The Ming Dynasty has been barely surviving until now, and it is already on the verge of collapse, hanging by a thread."

"Of the vast territory of the land, of the two capitals and thirteen provinces, only three out of ten remain."

“Each state, province, prefecture, and county governs privately, while outside, the rebels and Jurchens are powerful.”

"Internally, there is also bureaucratic corruption, an empty treasury, and intense factional strife."

"Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all things like straw dogs."

"Years of natural disasters and widespread warfare have plunged the people into misery."

"Ma Weimin, think about it carefully, is there any hope for the Ming Dynasty, for the court, in this state?!"

After a sigh, Xiao Lang offered his final suggestion.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weimin's pupils contracted slightly, and he did not reply hastily.

“Brother, continue,” Ma Wendang said.

"Since the beginning of my rise to power, I, Xiao Jingchuan, have always been committed to accumulating strength and cultivating subordinates."

"What we seek is to change the face of the sun and moon!"

"Brother Ma, did you understand?"

"Now, I just want one sentence from you."

"Do you dare to fight me properly?!"

"Through wind and rain, with mud on my feet, a lamp before me, and a fire in my heart!"

"A true man is born between heaven and earth; how can he be content to remain subservient to others for long!"

Xiao Lang finally poured out his heart and told everyone everything.

After he finished speaking, Ma Weimin was caught off guard, his astonishment mixed with a hint of excitement.

"you you!"

Old Ma hesitated, then instinctively took a step back.

Unexpectedly, Xiao aggressively fought back, stepping forward and grabbing his wrist tightly.

“Old Ma, I, Xiao, rescued you from prison and strongly recommended and vouched for you, all because I had long planned to bring you into our group.”

"Even if you change your mind, the imperial court won't let you off the hook."

"Instead of doing that, let's turn the world upside down."

"If it doesn't break, it won't stand."

"We must bring down all those scourges and corrupt officials, and start over, only then can we have our place!"

What are you still hesitating for?

"Tell me, what exactly do you mean?!"

Under Xiao's urgent questioning, Ma Weimin was stunned.

In a short while, the old man went from being shocked to being wildly excited, and he put his other hand on the flute and gripped it tightly.

"This, huh?"

"Ha, ha, hahahahaha."

"Oh, Brother Xiao, Brother Xiao."

"What do you want me to say? Huh? Hahaha, it's a pity we didn't meet sooner! It's a pity we didn't meet sooner!"

Looking at Old Ma's face, he looked exactly like someone who had been parched for a long time and had finally received rain.

"Brother Xiao!"

"I am so grateful that you didn't abandon me!"

"I've been wanting to fight them for a long time, even though I'm just a worthless old man."

"But since you're keeping quiet, it's not really appropriate for us to ask, right? Hahaha."

"Great, that's fantastic!"

"Since that's really what you think, then let's stop talking nonsense and just go all out."

"Old Ma has been waiting for you to say that for a long time!"

(End of this chapter)