After the gathering dispersed, Zhu Mo refused the mansion arranged by Mu Chaobi, returning instead to the training grounds to stay with his personal guards. Before long, An Xiaoliang arrived.
Zhu Mo found the situation in Yunnan extremely troublesome. The opposition was a solid bloc, and the sole official in the middle, the Governor, was struggling to protect himself. If they decided to act, Mu Chaobi's arrogant power meant he wouldn't hesitate to kill Zhu Mo, if not worse.
Li Zhi and An Xiaoliang sat in silence, watching Zhu Mo pace back and forth, clearly distressed, and both felt immense pressure.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Mo suddenly spoke:
"Lord An, please help me investigate something. That Wang Daren seems to have been in Yunnan and Guizhou for quite some time. He might have found some treasure. See if you can find out anything... And Zhuo Wu, go summon Na Lixuan. I need him to deliver a letter."
He picked up his brush and wrote a few sentences—
"Zhu Mo bows again:
I departed Hangzhou in early August. On the day I traveled upstream, Yu Dayou had already led the navy to the southern provinces of Joseon. Considering the journey by land and water, it should not take more than ten days for the fleet to reach Malacca. The bearer of this letter is Zhu Huaien, the son of Prince Bilor."
This letter,
He deliberately kept it brief, believing that You Jujing would consider it during the council meeting tomorrow.
As soon as he finished writing,
Na Lixuan entered. He had been voluntarily enduring hardships with the soldiers in the army, showing commendable spirit, and Zhu Mo did not wish to force him to stay by his side. Seeing him travel-worn but more robust, Zhu Mo couldn't help but smile:
"Huaien, you have now reached Kunming Prefecture. Southward is not far from your country... Never mind, it's been over two months, and the navy might also be en route. Once this matter is settled, I will go to Yongchang Garrison, and perhaps you can return to your country then..."
Na Lixuan replied gratefully:
"Prime Minister, I understand. Mang Yinglong's strength relies entirely on the Franks. Once General Yu's navy arrives, the border troubles of our great nation will naturally be resolved..."
Mm-hmm,
Good!
Zhu Mo was deeply moved. This person was indeed exceptional. If he helped him today, would he cause new border troubles in the future?
The year passed in a flash, and he said again:
"Huaien, take my calling card to Governor You Jujing's residence immediately. Hand this letter to him personally, and then... ask him one question..."
Zhu Mo then whispered a few words into his ear.
Na Lixuan nodded repeatedly. He immediately changed into civilian clothes with his servant Lin Afa and, under the cover of night, headed towards the bustling areas of the city.
...
At this time,
You Jujing was also restless in his study—
Tomorrow morning, a decision would be made about the expedition to quell the rebellion. Wang Daren, who had been searching for immortal objects, had suddenly appeared... Wasn't this obviously an attempt to cause trouble? What were they trying to achieve? Force me to comply? But I have no weaknesses. What can they use against me?
After much deliberation,
He increasingly felt that today's banquet was a Hongmen Banquet. Was Mu Chaobi hinting that he should comply? If not, why such venomous resentment?
While he was struggling with his thoughts, a gatekeeper suddenly reported:
"My Lord, a merchant from Nanyang named Zhu requests an audience!"
What is all this?
You Jujing couldn't help but feel annoyed, cursing: "Don't you know this official never associates with merchants? Go and turn them away!"
The gatekeeper hesitated and said:
"He said his name is Zhu Huaien, and someone entrusted him to deliver a letter to you..."
Zhu Huaien,
What kind of name is that?
Why would a good person choose such a name? Didn't he consider the taboos?
You Jujing, already vexed, suddenly found the matter very strange and immediately asked: "You said, who is it? What does he look like?"
"He is a boy of eighteen or nineteen, with an old servant. The boy has a Nanyang appearance, and the old servant looks like someone from Chaoshan..."
Oh?
A Nanyang person?
You Jujing felt his eyelids twitch violently. After thinking for a while, he still refused: "I won't see them! Tell them to leave! Hmm, wait, give them ten taels of silver for their travel expenses!"
"Yes!"
But not long after, the gatekeeper who had just left re-entered and said:
"My Lord, the boy said he was entrusted by someone to save your life."
Save my life?
Who?
Such a bold claim?
To You Jujing's surprise, he suddenly remembered something and said: "Tell them to go to the side hall. I will be there shortly."
...
At this moment,
You Jujing carefully observed the young man before him. Indeed, he did not look Chinese, but there was a certain heroic spirit in his brows. He was accompanied by a follower, and that follower also seemed accustomed to the scenes of wealth and status, showing no signs of timidity in the Governor's private residence...
"You, you are called Zhu Huaien?"
Na Lixuan replied respectfully: "It is I, my Lord."
You Jujing looked again, thinking: Although this person's demeanor is extraordinary, he is likely the son of some noble from Nanyang. But that doesn't explain why he would come to save my life.
"You, what is your purpose here? Why do you say you are here to save me?"
Na Lixuan said:
"Please accept this letter from Lord You. The person instructed me to hand it to you personally."
You Jujing took it and his hands trembled, as did his entire body—
This?
The navy?
But at this moment, seeing the mention of troop movements in Zhu Mo's letter, he suddenly recalled that last year, during a conflict among the Tusi in Cheli Commandery, when Mu Chaobi was not in Yunnan, he had urgently mobilized five thousand garrison troops.
Tomorrow, if Wang Daren brought up this matter, he would have no recourse. As an Imperial Censor, he could simply state that he was temporarily suspended according to regulations, and then Yunnan would be completely in the hands of the corrupt faction.
Thinking this,
He understood Zhu Mo's intention—
This young man was also afraid.
He worried that Mu Chaobi would act rashly and forcefully, so he came to find me...
After a moment of contemplation,
He figured out all the connections and made up his mind. He then asked again:
"You, you really are called Zhu Huaien?"
Na Lixuan replied:
"Reporting to my Lord, it is a courtesy name bestowed upon me by Scholar Zhu."
Oh...
You Jujing now understood—
Zhu Mo intended to help him restore his country.