Kangxi attached great importance to Zheye's appointment with Yinzuo and Yin'er to meet at Guanyuan Tower. On the same day he learned the news, he sent people to search the Guanyuan Tower inside and out carefully. Even after confirming that everything was safe, he was still worried, so he specially asked Yinzhen to take the military order to Fengtai Camp to dispatch a team of soldiers to cooperate with the secret guards to surround the Guanyuan Tower within several kilometers. Only then did he feel a little relieved.
"Yinzuo, when you meet with the Japanese later, don't let this kid out of your sight. The Japanese are extremely fickle and treacherous. If we can't reach an agreement, they'll get angry and embarrassed. I'm afraid Yinzuo won't be able to handle it alone."
Although Kangxi's worries were not unreasonable, Yinzuo felt that this was unlikely to happen. He also knew that Zheye's arrow was on the string and had to be shot. Since he needed their help, he had to endure it even if he was unhappy.
"Don't worry, Father. We have already surrounded the Guanyuan Tower like an iron barrel. If Zheye is not stupid, he will not choose to get angry at this time. Besides, although my son's skills are not very good, it should not be a problem for me to deal with Zheye. Father, please go ahead. I will definitely make that little Japanese soldier cry in the middle of the night when he thinks about it."
To be honest, Kangxi was really worried about Yinzuo's erratic behavior, but fortunately, he was not the kind of person who didn't know how to adapt. While Yinzuo was thinking about how to trick Zheye, Kangxi secretly winked at Yinzhi on the side and said, "Haha, I can't do anything about you, so why don't I find someone who can deal with you?"
Following the principle that the most important people should appear last, Yinzuo arrived at Guanyuan Tower almost on time. This time, their meeting place was set in Yinzuo's box in Guanyuan Tower, Moonlight over the Lotus Pond.
"My two princes, you are finally here. Please come in. I asked the shopkeeper to prepare some special wine and food. I'm not sure if they will suit your tastes."
Unlike the calmness and self-possession they had last met, this time as soon as the two met, Yinzuo could clearly feel the enthusiasm emanating from Zheye, which made Yinzuo more certain of his guess.
Since they were going to have in-depth cooperation and the other party was welcoming them warmly, both Yinzhi and Yinzuo naturally had to give them this face. Zhe had been traveling between Japan and the Qing Dynasty for many years and was quite knowledgeable about the drinking table culture. He did not state his purpose right away, but repeatedly raised his glass to toast Yinzhi and Yinzuo.
"Mr. Zheye, before we came here, my little Jiu probably told you that I'm a drunkard and can't handle this kind of stuff. But my eldest brother can hold his liquor quite well, so if you want to have a couple of drinks with someone, you can ask him to join you."
Yinzuo was very clear about what he would do when he was drunk, so he naturally refused Zheye's toast without thinking.
Yinzhen's alcohol tolerance was indeed quite good. Not to mention that Zhe was alone, even if three or five people like him were tied together, they might not be able to drink more than Yinzhen. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Zhe finally put down his wine glass, called out to the waiter waiting outside to clean up the leftovers on the table, and then sent someone out to wait further away.
"My two princes, I think you should have guessed the purpose of my meeting with you before you came. I do need the help of the Qing Dynasty now. I wonder if His Royal Highness Prince Zhao still remembers our original agreement."
What was Yinzuo's purpose in being patient and pretending to be nice to him for so long? He was waiting for Zheye to say this. Since he wanted something from them, it would be easy.
"I do remember, but Mr. Tetsuya, times have changed. The terms we agreed upon back then are no longer relevant now."
Zheye is not a fool. How could he not hear that Yinzuo's tone clearly showed that he was going to ask for too much? But he obviously still wanted to make a last-ditch effort.
"Your Highness, are you planning to ask for too much? They say the Qing people value their promises the most. Are you just thinking of breaking your promise and enriching yourself?"
Hey, this little Japanese soldier looks ordinary but he is very good at talking. However, it is obvious that he met a tough guy today. You little Japanese soldier are ungrateful, cowardly and immoral, and you are talking to me about keeping your promise. Do you still have any shame?
"Breaking promises and making a profit? If I remember correctly, Mr. Zheya is asking for help now, right? So what qualifications do you have to mention the phrase 'breaking promises and making a profit' to me? Mr. Zheya has been in the business world for many years, and you should know that you need to put up enough bargaining chips when negotiating a deal. You want to take over your country, and if we want to help you, it will cost our people blood and sacrifice. So shouldn't I ask you for some extra hard work money?"
Just as Yinzuo said, Zheye's arrow is on the string and has to be shot. Even if he knows that Yinzuo is asking for a huge sum of money to trick him, what can he do? It is impossible for him to stop his years of planning at this last moment.
"Hmph, Your Majesty, that's just nice of you to say. You clearly promised me that if I wanted to find a job, the Qing Dynasty would provide me with ships, soldiers, and even money. You're just trying to go back on your word now."
Haha, since you have already seen that I want to go back on my word, then I won’t pretend anymore. I will just come clean. You are right, I want to go back on my word and cheat you now, so what?
"Hey, why are you so unreasonable, little devil? You also said that it was the prince who promised you, so why are you looking for me, a prince? How about I call our Xiaojiu to ask you, he is now a prince."
Yinzuo's words almost made Zhe, who was standing opposite him, so angry that he fell backwards. Listen to what he said, is this even human? This is the first time I've heard that a promise made to someone can be inherited according to the title. So, now that you are a prince, the matter you promised is no longer your responsibility.
But as the saying goes, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Even if Zhe felt sick to his stomach, what could he do? Whether he could ascend to that coveted position now depended on a single word from Yinzuo.
"If I remember correctly, there's a saying in your country: 'If you serve someone, you're under their control; if you eat someone's food, you're under their thumb.' Now I need a favor, and even if Your Highness doesn't want to acknowledge it, there's nothing I can do. So, Your Highness, please feel free to ask for anything. If I can do it, I'll do my best to satisfy it."
Look how good it would have been if you had said it earlier. After all the hassles and frustrations, you still have to give in. Yinzuo and Yinzhi looked at each other, then nodded in satisfaction to Zheye.
"Mr. Tetsuya is a straightforward man. Since you've said so, I won't beat around the bush. My request is simple. I'll add one more to my previous request: we want to establish an independent trade zone in the port where we previously requested the garrison. Your government has no right to interfere in any affairs within the zone. Mr. Tetsuya, you know that this matter must be in your own hands to be at ease, right?"
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