The Song State mentioned by Liu Kongzhao is the current Ming Dynasty.
The eldest prince who served as regent in Jiangnan was Zhu Cilang, and the second prince who served in the northern army was Zhu Cihong.
When Liu Kongzhao said that the King of Song intended to depose the crown prince, he actually meant that Chongzhen intended to depose the crown prince.
This view is well-founded and seems to have no problems.
There were four people present.
They are Liu Kongzhao, the Earl of Chengyi, Zhu Guobi, the Marquis of Funing, Qian Qianyi, the leader of Donglin, and Ma Shiying.
Liu Kongzhao was the originator of this view.
Apart from him, only Zhu Guobi firmly believed in this point of view.
Qian Qianyi is an old hand, so he naturally wouldn't believe it easily.
Ma Shiying mingled in the Nanjing court and was a veteran in the officialdom. Ordinary lies could not deceive him.
Seeing Liu Kongzhao's serious look, Qian Qianyi laughed: "Hahaha, Lord Liu made up a really good story."
Liu Kongzhao turned around and asked, "Mr. Qian doesn't believe it?"
"It's just a story. What does it matter if you believe it or not?"
Seeing Qian Qianyi playing dumb, Liu Kongzhao simply said, "Mr. Qian, don't you believe that the crown prince will be deposed?"
"Haha," Qian Qianyi smiled very experiencedly, "So what if I believe it?"
Liu Kongzhao lowered his voice: "If you believe it, you should do something."
Qian Qianyi put down his teacup, stood up and asked, "What for? Holding the crown prince hostage for rebellion?"
"This...you...how could you..." Liu Kongzhao was stunned.
He didn't expect Qian Qianyi to speak so directly and bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Qian Qianyi's face suddenly became serious. "Don't think I don't know what you want to do. Don't you want to drag the Donglin Party into the water, and then let us instigate the prince to rebel, so as to save your lives?"
Liu Kongzhao was shocked when his thoughts were guessed, but fortunately he pretended to be calm and did not reveal any flaws.
Zhu Guobi's performance was a little worse.
He subconsciously took a half step back and looked at Qian Qianyi with disbelief.
He is thinking...
What kind of person is Qian Qianyi?
He actually saw through Liu Kongzhao's true thoughts in such a short time.
Actually, this is not difficult.
It’s just that Zhu Guobi himself was in the situation and was in a state of being confused by the situation.
Liu Kongzhao would definitely not admit it, and he denied it, "Mr. Qian really wronged me."
"How is it wronged?" Qian Qianyi sneered: "Did I say something wrong?"
Liu Kongzhao continued to shake his head and denied: "Mr. Qian's words have no basis and no evidence."
"This isn't a lawsuit, what's the point of asking for evidence?" Qian Qianyi turned and walked toward the door, saying as he walked, "I just want to remind you not to think about dragging the Donglin Party into this. You're not qualified to do that."
Liu Kongzhao also stood up: "Wait a minute, Mr. Qian."
"I have already made this matter clear, what else do you want to say?"
"I want to say Zheng Zhilong."
Qian Qianyi immediately stopped and asked cautiously, "What happened to him?"
"Mr. Qian, there is no need to pretend to be confused. Zheng Zhilong was impeached by Shi Kefa for smuggling and aiding the enemy, and the evidence is irrefutable. If the court investigates, he will surely die. You are his son's teacher, how can you stay out of this?"
Qian Qianyi was unwilling to talk about this matter and said in a deep voice: "There is no connection between Zheng Zhilong and me except this relationship. Whether he is dead or alive has nothing to do with me. What else do you want to say?"
"I..." Liu Kongzhao had nothing to say.
"In that case, I'll take my leave!"
After saying this, Qian Qianyi winked at Ma Shiying and planned to leave together.
Liu Kongzhao was a little anxious. He stood up and asked the last question: "Mr. Qian, are you really not going to consider it?"
“Haha,” Qian Qianyi laughed, “Don’t even think about dragging me down with you. Instead, think more about your own safety!”
Under Liu Kongzhao's helpless gaze, Qian Qianyi turned and left.
Before they could leave, Zhu Guobi sat down on a chair and said with a sad face, "It's all over. The Donglin Party won't be fooled! Without their cooperation, we can't accomplish anything on our own."
Liu Kongzhao sat in the chair without saying a word.
Zhu Guobi, who was already a little overwhelmed, collapsed even more. "Say something!"
Liu Kongzhao calmly shook his head: "No hurry."
"Don't worry, they're all dead!"
"It's not that serious," Liu Kongzhao closed the door and sat back in the chair, closing his eyes and began to think.
Zhu Guobi didn't dare to disturb him and could only drink cup of tea beside him.
After an unknown amount of time, Liu Kongzhao opened his eyes.
Zhu Guobi asked hurriedly: "Is there a solution?"
"Yeah," Liu Kongzhao nodded.
"Tell me about it."
"Let's bypass Qian Qianyi and write a letter directly to Zheng Zhilong. Let him find a way to force Qian Qianyi and the Donglin Party to end their relationship. In this way, we can achieve our goal of dragging the Donglin Party into trouble and gain an ally."
Zhu Guobi was somewhat skeptical: "Will Zheng Zhilong cooperate with us?"
"Of course! His crime is more serious than ours, and he has more evidence than us. If he doesn't resist, he will die more miserably than us. He has a big family and a big business, so he won't just surrender, right?"
Zhu Guobi thought about it and nodded, "That's right, we'll do whatever you say."
"Then," Liu Kongzhao began to arrange the tasks: "When you return, immediately write a letter to Zheng Zhilong, telling him that if the court rebels, it will be in great trouble. At the same time, send someone to deliver a message saying... we plan to unite to assist the crown prince to ascend the throne."
Zhu Guobi suddenly became cautious. He blinked and said, "It would be better if you wrote the letter."
He was afraid that the letter would become evidence when he was purged by the court one day.
Whoever wrote that letter is the mastermind.
Although both are sentenced to death, the sentencing standards for masterminds and accomplices are different.
The former could be punished by slow slicing at the very least, or by extermination of the entire clan at the worst.
The latter would at most be killed and their families would be exiled.
The tribesmen will not be implicated.
"Ah!" Liu Kongzhao sighed, "Why are you still on guard against me at this time? Besides, we are all in the same boat, no one can escape."
"Having said that, it would be more appropriate for you to write the letter."
Liu Kongzhao was speechless.
Zhu Guobi used all of his limited intelligence to deal with him.
In order not to waste time on arguments, Liu Kongzhao promised: "Can't you make a draft first and I'll copy it?"
Zhu Guobi thought about it and said, "That's fine."
The two returned home to prepare for the follow-up matters.
Half a day later, Zhu Guobi sent over the draft.
Liu Kongzhao copied a letter according to the contents of the draft and ordered someone to send the letter to Fujian.
At the same time, he also saved the draft sent by Zhu Guobi.
Although the letter was written by him.
But as long as he has this draft, he can put the main responsibility on Zhu Guobi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
