Chapter 357 Sir Zhao, do you want to make a bet with me?
Zhao Zhongquan was an old man in his fifties with gray hair and beard. He couldn't be said to be weak, but the little strength he had was really not enough in front of Xu Yu.
Zhao Zhongquan pulled at Xu Yu for a long time, but found that he still didn't move. In anger, he gritted his teeth and said, "You're talking nonsense!"
"I have come here on the orders of the Emperor to investigate the Salt Rebellion. I carry the imperial edict with me, and I am the mouthpiece of the Son of Heaven. Who dares to touch me?"
"It was your impulsiveness that caused you to commit a serious taboo. This is not the place for you to be!"
"I won't tell anyone about this for the sake of your grandfather and your father, but you can't..."
"Sir Zhao, it's true that you came with an imperial edict, but didn't you just meet with Governor Bai and the others?"
Xu Yu interrupted Zhao Zhongquan and jokingly said, "In the Shu territory, is it the imperial edict or the Crown Prince's wishes in the Eastern Palace that are effective? Your Excellency really doesn't understand?"
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Zhao Zhongquan had witnessed Xu Yu's absurd behavior countless times before, so he said without hesitation: "No matter how powerful the Eastern Palace is, this is still the emperor's world!"
"Even if Shu practices the law of laws, it can never surpass the emperor and the saint!"
"Is it really impossible to cross it?"
Xu Yu sarcastically asked, "Then why can't I come here?"
"Lord Zhao, if there is still a ray of light beneath the dark clouds, why are my grandfather's family trapped in this small place in the northwest for their crimes?"
"I……"
"Everyone says my father committed a heinous crime and that the Xu family deserved it, but what's the truth?"
Xu Yu scoffed with a forced smile and said coldly, "If that were the case, Your Excellency should have shouted that a wanted criminal was here and arrested me to bring me to justice, instead of telling me to flee quickly and avoid being seen."
The world was shocked by Marquis Jiaxing's treason.
Those who didn't know the inside story just thought that Marquis Jiaxing was really possessed by evil spirits and made a big mistake, but those who had caught a glimpse of the abyss did not dare to say so.
The battle of Hongbei was full of strange things, and all the forces that were forced to suppress it were causing great trouble.
So many lives were turned into dry bones with infamy, and the Xu family's loyalty that had lasted for a hundred years was crushed.
But the emperor showed extra grace and allowed the Xu family a chance to survive, which meant a lot.
It’s not that we don’t know, but someone must bear the responsibility for the big mistake that has been made.
The Xu family is a well-deserved scapegoat.
Xu Yu's eyes were filled with mockery. "Sir, the Xu family's sins are all due to someone who cannot bear the slightest stain on his spotless clothes. Therefore, this trace of integrity that should not exist must be filled with the flesh and blood of others."
"With the example of Hongbei before us and the salt chaos in Shu behind us, can't you see clearly, sir?"
"Even so, I am still a close minister to the emperor!"
Zhao Zhongquan said with a gloomy face: "My Lord, the right and wrong of the Xu family is in the past, and I am unable to comment on it."
"But the salt chaos in Shu has nothing to do with you. Now..."
"I'll go."
Xu Yu once again interrupted Zhao Zhongquan and said word by word, "Not now."
Zhao Zhongquan subconsciously frowned. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Xu Yu say, "Master Zhao, do you want to start a bet with me?"
"gambling?"
Zhao Zhongquan looked at Xu Yu with a complicated expression: "What does the prince want to bet on?"
Xu Yu waved his hand and laughed at himself, saying delicately, "I am a criminal, and I am unworthy of your address as the Crown Prince. Please don't embarrass me."
Xu Yu nodded to the teacup on the table as Zhao Zhongquan's gaze suddenly tightened. He smiled faintly, "Since you left in anger tonight, the talks must have broken down."
"In order to save their own heads and completely shut up the master's mouth, these people will definitely take action tonight."
"Master Zhao, are you willing to start this game?"
Zhao Zhongquan is honest, but he is not a fool at all.
At first, he might have been really sure that he would be fine, but when Xu Yu brought up the Xu family as an example, Zhao Zhongquan suddenly lost his determination of the previous second.
He is indeed the emperor's confidant, but so is Marquis Jiaxing.
All the loyal members of the Xu family for a hundred years were killed by the power, and no one was spared.
How could he, alone, compare with the deep-rooted Xu family?
The lives of tens of thousands of people in the Hongbei wilderness could be buried so easily, so how could his life or death be a problem?
The hesitation on Zhao Zhongquan's face became more and more serious.
He didn't dare to gamble with Xu Yu.
Xu Yu raised his eyebrows playfully: "Master Zhao?"
"Your purpose."
Zhao Zhongquan spoke slowly, "Your Highness is not a kind-hearted person. You and I have never had any connection."
"Even if someone wants to kill me tonight, it shouldn't be you who appears here to remind me."
Xu Yu was amused by his vigilance.
Zhao Zhongquan emphasized cautiously, "The Xu family's case was decided by the emperor himself. No matter how much you tell me, it's useless. I..."
"Master Zhao is overthinking."
Xu Yu supported his forehead with one hand and said calmly, "I did come here today to ask for your help, but it's not for the Xu family."
"Then what are you doing..."
"Don't worry, sir. It won't be something that makes things difficult for you."
Xu Yu didn't finish his words. He just stood up and said, "It's getting late. This is not a good place to watch a play."
"My lord, please follow me."
Zhao Zhongquan gritted his teeth and followed Xu Yu. He walked around the screen and found a person lying on the bed in the inner room.
Zhao Zhongquan frowned suspiciously, walked over to get a closer look at the face lying flat on the ground, and the color drained from his face instantly. "What...what is this?!"
"He's an unlucky fellow who will soon die in his place."
Xu Yu said nonchalantly, "When I arrived, he looked suspicious and didn't seem like a good person, so I simply gave him some medicine and let him lie down first."
After disguising himself, this man's face looked exactly like Zhao Zhongquan's. He was just lying on the bed, and no one could tell the difference between Li Kui and Li Gui.
It's perfect to use him as a scapegoat.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed across Zhao Zhongquan's face, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Are you sure they will take action tonight?"
Xu Yu said lazily, "I'm not sure it's unimportant."
"The important thing is that if you continue to stay here, even if you die, you're just dead."
I am not afraid of life and death, but I am most afraid of dying with my eyes open.
Zhao Zhongquan would not have any intention of doing anything unless he saw the bad consequences, so Xu Yu had no intention of winning his trust with words from the beginning.
Zhao Zhongquan lowered his eyes and said nothing. He followed Xu Yu silently and was carried out of the post station by Song Liu on his shoulders like a sack.
Zhao Zhongquan originally thought that Xu Yu would take him somewhere, but unexpectedly, as soon as he left the post station, he found himself hiding in the shade of a big tree.
Zhao Zhongquan subconsciously held his breath and looked over. The farthest he could see was where the person was lying.
"Xu..."
"Shhh."
Dressed in black, Xu Yu blended perfectly into the night. He made a silent gesture, squinting at the nearby window and whispered softly, "Good things never come to those late."
"Look, isn't it coming?"
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