Su Sheng said, "Then is there any point in us continuing this discussion?"

"Mr. Su, please don't worry."

Zhou Jinghuan took a sip of tea and said, "To kill Zhao Cheng and launch the Northern Expedition, we must first do two things."

"First, we must reach a conclusion about the reasons for the failure of this Northern Expedition. Only after the Yang family's military power falls into my hands will I have the ability to make decisions."

"Secondly, Southern Zhou needs to recuperate. To be honest, if I were in power, I would be on good terms with Eastern Jing and recuperate first. This process may take three years or five years."

Su Sheng asked, "Does Your Highness think I can wait?"

Zhou Jinghuan said confidently, "You have no choice. The downfall of the Yang family was foreseeable, and as the strategist of the Northern Expedition, you will inevitably be implicated. Only I can protect you now."

Zhou Jinghuan glanced at Cui Wuming and continued, "Of course, with Cui Wuming protecting you, you might be able to escape the court's punishment, but you will have no chance for revenge in Southern Zhou. Xijing can help you deal with Zhao Cheng, but you were also involved in harming Su Jiawentai, so you won't go to Xijing."

"Hou Cang? They have been at peace for many years and will not start a war against Dong Jing because of you."

Zhou Jinghuan stood up, walked to Su Sheng, bent down and said, "Mr. Su, I am the only one who can save you now, and I am the only one who can help you in the future."

"I can promise you that I will definitely launch a northern expedition."

Su Sheng remained silent for a moment, then picked up her teacup.

After a while, Su Sheng said, "The Yang family's power is deeply rooted. If they turn the tables, any promises you make will be meaningless."

Zhou Jinghuan straightened up, shook his head, and smiled, "Sir, you are indeed a master strategist, but you are not so skilled in imperial politics."

"His Majesty has not yet appointed a crown prince. The second prince has surpassed the first prince and overpowered all the other princes. He is gradually maturing. At the same time, His Majesty's health is deteriorating. In recent years, the second prince has become too close to the Yang family in order to deal with me."

"So you think I'm the only one targeting the Yang family?"

Su Sheng understood Zhou Jinghuan's meaning and said, "I can wait for you, but I cannot help you deal with the Yang family. Yang Qingzhi has been kind to me."

Zhou Jinghuan said, "Don't worry about that, sir. I will not force you to do anything against your will."

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

A swordsman carrying a long sword walked in, then threw the person to the ground.

The man lay face down, curled up on the ground.

"We've got him. This man followed you all the way to the Myriad Sounds Pavilion," the swordsman said.

Zhou Jinghuan ignored the man and said to Su Sheng, "Let me introduce him, his name is Hao Qing."

Cui Wuming looked Hao Qing up and down seriously and said, "I am one of the three great masters under Prince He: Chen Chong with the Hunyuan Sword, Hao Qing with the Wind and Snow Sword, and Tang Rong with the Snake Venom. It is an honor to meet you."

Zhou Jinghuan said, "Hao Qing is a disciple of the Jinghai Sword Master, and in a way, he is the senior brother of Zhao Cheng's brother-in-law."

Su Sheng said, "Now that you mention it, I remember that Chen Chong's death was also related to Zhao Cheng. The prince and Zhao Cheng were enemies."

Zhou Jinghuan tacitly agreed, thinking that Su Sheng was constantly stirring up his hatred for Zhao Cheng, so he immediately changed the subject and kicked the person on the ground.

The man turned over, and everyone was stunned.

It's actually bamboo!

"Your Highness, Your Highness... I didn't come here to harm you..." Zuo Zhu said painfully.

"Help him up." Zhou Jinghuan sat down in the chair.

Hao Qing helped Zuo Zhu up and brought her to Zhou Jinghuan. Zuo Zhu covered her wound and said, "If I wanted to harm the prince, I would have done it on the way. I wouldn't have followed him to Miaoyin Pavilion."

Hao Qing sneered, "With me here, do you have a chance to make a move?"

Zhou Jinghuan laughed and said, "Yang Qingzhi was imprisoned after returning to China, and Li Yunqing and He Biao were also locked up. Only you escaped. I was just wondering where to find you, and you delivered yourself to my door."

Zuo Zhu suddenly knelt down and said, "Your Highness, I am still young and do not want to be buried with Yang Qingzhi! I am willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, and from now on serve Your Highness like a dog or a horse!"

Zhou Jinghuan glanced at Su Sheng.

Su Sheng said, "Spineless."

Zuo Zhu glared at Su Sheng and said, "You're sitting here perfectly fine now, aren't you also siding with the Prince?"

With that, Zuo Zhu bowed to Zhou Jinghuan and continued, "Your Highness, I not only want to live, but also to achieve great things and seek a better future. Although my martial arts skills are only those of a first-rate master, I believe that I have followed Yang Qingzhi for many years and learned his military strategies. I am now a capable general who can stand alone. This may be self-praise, but Your Highness can easily verify my past achievements!"

"Your Highness! If you become the Grand Commander, you will need someone like me under your command!"

Zhou Jinghuan said calmly, "You have followed Yang Qingzhi for many years and know that he trusts you the most. Why should I trust you?"

"I have evidence of Yang Qingzhi's failed Northern Expedition! If that's not enough, I can fabricate more!" Zuo Zhu suddenly shouted.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jinghuan's eyes lit up, and he asked, "What evidence?"

Zuo Zhu said, "The correspondence with Yang Zhanbei, along with some military orders, are enough to prove that the failure of the Northern Expedition was due to Yang Qingzhi's arbitrary decision. The Yang family insisted on launching the Northern Expedition not because they really wanted to unify the world, but to gain capital in the court!"

Su Sheng said in a deep voice, "Zuo Zhu, Yang Qingzhi treated you like family and gave you a second chance at life. How can you betray your master for personal gain and be so shameless?"

Zuo Zhu said, "Strategist, please stop talking. Everyone has their own ambitions, and gratitude cannot be used to feed people."

Su Sheng said, "If we weren't at the Miaoyin Pavilion, I would have really wanted Cui Wuming to kill you with a single sword strike!"

"Mr. Su, please don't be angry."

Zhou Jinghuan chuckled and squatted down in front of Zuo Zhu, continuing, "Are you really willing to help me deal with Yang Qingzhi?"

Zuo Zhu nodded and said, "My mind is made up! Your Highness, I have chosen to follow you, and naturally I hope you can wield great power. Helping you deal with the Yang family is a matter of course!"

"good!!"

Zhou Jinghuan patted Zuo Zhu heavily on the shoulder and said, "As long as you can really produce the evidence of your crimes, I will definitely entrust you with important responsibilities after I take power!"

"This humble general thanks Your Highness!"

Zhou Jinghuan smiled at Su Sheng and said, "Sir, isn't this the inevitable trend?"

...

Kang Ye.

The Southern Zhou Dynasty Imperial Palace.

Intermittent coughing could be heard from inside the palace. Emperor Zhou Jingyan of Southern Zhou was half-reclining by the bedside, with his father supporting his back. He said to Zhou Jinghuan, who was standing in front of him, "Your Highness, please speak slowly. His Majesty has been coughing badly these past few days and cannot respond to you for the time being."

Zhou Jinghuan bowed and said, "Oh dear, it was my rashness."

"It's alright."

Zhou Jingyan coughed twice more and waved his hand, saying, "Jinghuan, you continue."

"yes."

Zhou Jinghuan continued, "The reasons for the failure of the Northern Expedition have been conclusively proven. According to this law, Yang Zhanbei and his son Yang Qingzhi should bear full responsibility."

Zhou Jingyan's lips were pale as he looked at Zhou Jinghuan.

"In your opinion, how should this full responsibility be borne?"

Zhou Jinghuan moved closer to Zhou Jingyan and uttered a single word in a soft yet sharp voice.

"kill."