Facing Qi Ziang's question, Zhao Lin did not hide anything: "Zhou Hai has been oppressed by Pang Dongxing and has long had complaints. If we can help him now, we will gain a powerful ally. Why not do it?"

Qi Ziang was shocked: "Master Zhao really has a keen political sensitivity."

If it were someone else, Qi Ziang would not be surprised.

But Zhao Lin is only eighteen years old!

It's already amazing for an eighteen-year-old boy to have achieved what he has now. Now he can also do this to win people over. Qi Ziang couldn't help but sigh that some people are born stronger than others.

Qi Ziang suddenly had an idea and said, "Master Zhao didn't even hide this from me. He doesn't treat me as an outsider."

Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Is Lord Qi an outsider?"

Qi Ziang remained silent.

He originally wanted to cooperate with Zhao Lin to make a fortune, and he would do whatever he wanted when he returned to the capital.

But now Zhao Lin did not hide the fact that he was trying to win over Zhou Hai from Qi Ziang, and he and Qi Ziang also wanted to recommend Zhou Hai for merit and recommend him as the commander-in-chief of Qingyuan Province. This was a big deal.

Anyone would say that Qi Ziang and Zhao Lin were in collusion.

Since Zhao Lin is now openly considered the prince's man, Qi Ziang belongs to the prince's party.

But in fact, Qi Ziang is Prince Yu's man, but outsiders don't know it.

After this happened, it would be strange if Prince Yu didn't skin him alive.

Qi Ziang sighed repeatedly, not knowing what to do. Should he go to Prince Yu to explain, or Prince Yu’s brother-in-law was right here, so he could talk to him.

But when he thought about whether he would offend Zhao Lin and end up like Yu Youning, Qi Ziang didn't dare to do it again.

What a headache.

Zhao Lin looked at Qi Ziang's hesitant expression and didn't care.

Whatever choice Qi Ziang makes has nothing to do with Zhao Lin.

Anyway, Zhao Lin is now clinging to Emperor Chengping.

As long as Emperor Chengping is alive, no faction has anything to do with Zhao Lin.

Zhao Lin doesn't care about any enemies.

Qi Ziang suddenly said, "What if Zhou Hai is Pang Dongxing's man? Not only will it be useless, but you will also offend the Duke of Wei's Mansion."

Zhao Lin glanced at Qi Ziang without saying anything.

Qi Ziang slapped his head in regret.

Whoever tries to win people over does not conduct thorough investigation first.

If Zhao Lin was willing to do this, he must have first investigated the relationship between Zhou Hai and Pang Dongxing.

If this could be concealed and Zhao Lin was not found out, then it can only be said that the people in the Weiguo Mansion are very shrewd and scheming, and it is not unfair for Zhao Lin to be caught.

Zhou Hai led the navy officers and soldiers to quickly wipe out the pirates.

"My Lords, the war is over."

Zhou Hai came up covered in blood, not knowing if it was intentional, but he bowed to Zhao Lin and Qi Ziang and said, "Please come aboard, my lords."

Zhao Lin nodded and said, "Master Qi, please come in."

Qi Ziang hurriedly said, "Master Zhao, please go first."

Zhao Lin insisted, "Master Qi is an imperial envoy representing the emperor, so how could he go to the back?"

Qi Ziang almost cried.

You also know that I am an imperial envoy. If I had not been cautious, I, the imperial envoy representing the emperor, would have colluded with pirates and sunk into the sea like Yu Youning.

Qi Ziang went ahead, with Zhao Lin and Zhou Hai following behind on his left and right.

Zhou Hai nodded secretly.

Although Zhao Lin is arrogant and domineering, he is still very shrewd when it comes to major issues and has not become dizzy with his arrogance.

If Zhao Lin dared to walk in front of Qi Ziang, it would be a contempt for the imperial power. Even if Zhao Lin was favored by the emperor, if he did such things too many times, it would weaken the emperor's favor.

And Zhou Hai didn't dare to cooperate with such a person.

The three of them landed on the island and came to the pirates' base camp.

This place is a mess. It was originally a temporary hiding place for pirates, not a pirate's lair, so it was not built seriously. There is not even a complete house, and there are dilapidated shacks everywhere.

In addition, there are many trees on the island, and these shacks are hidden among the trees, making them look even more chaotic.

Zhou Hai explained, "These pirates are quite clever. Although Xiawan Island isn't large, it's densely wooded. Furthermore, the surrounding waterways are rugged and full of reefs. Without a guide, large ships have difficulty entering, and small boats are prone to running aground. Therefore, patrols rarely come here. Over time, this place has become a place where pirates can hide from raids."

Zhao Lin said: "The pirates can't find this place on their own. There must be a traitor."

Zhou Hai's heart skipped a beat, realizing what Zhao Lin meant. He quickly said, "Don't worry, sir. I've already ordered the capture of them alive. If anyone is colluding with the pirates, I'll definitely find out."

Zhao Lin nodded. "Don't worry about the means. Pirates are all ruthless and crazy. They're going to die anyway, so let them make a difference before they die."

Zhou Hai nodded repeatedly: "I also have soldiers under my command who are proficient in interrogation. Even if they are stubborn, they can still pry open their mouths."

Qi Ziang turned around and glanced at Zhou Hai.

Is this guy really stupid or just pretending to be stupid?

Zhao Lin's words were very clear. If he could get the answer, that would be the best. If he couldn't, he would frame him. He had to link him to Zhao Lin's enemies so that he could expose him properly.

Otherwise, why do we say not to care about the means?

Qi Ziang thought for a moment and said, "Master Zhao, who do you think is most likely to be colluding with the pirates?"

Zhao Lin said, "From what I know, the former governors of the three provinces and some officials have colluded with pirates, as have some maritime merchants, and some people who should have been suppressing pirates but instead supported them and even exploited them."

Qi Ziang's heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, Zhao Lin’s target was Pang Dongxing.

Otherwise, why did he say at the end that the person who should have wiped out the pirates instead allowed them to be his own enemy?

This almost directly says Pang Dongxing's name.

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