inspire-indiana Chapter 198 Lu Shan Makes a Move
Chapter 198 Lu Shan Makes a Move
Inside the imperial city, Kongming looked up at the battle raging in the sky, a cold, stern smile curving his lips.
He had already made up his mind that once he got his hands on the gilded cauldron, he would leave this place of trouble, regardless of whether you fought to the death or not.
……
Meanwhile, An Lushan had already returned to the Yuan Dynasty, but the inexplicable sense of oppression that Kongming brought him always felt like a thorn in his side.
This person's strategies and personal abilities are both top-notch; one can easily fall into his trap if one is not careful.
An Lushan sat upright in his study, repeatedly recalling every detail of his encounter with Kongming. He felt that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"The gilded cauldron... Is he really only after finding the lost national treasure of the Great Qian Kingdom? Or... does he have another motive?"
An Lushan frowned. This Zhuge Liang was unpredictable and no ordinary person, which made him hesitate for a moment.
He knew that cooperating with the Blood Drop Pavilion was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin, but the temptation of the profits was simply too hard to resist.
If things go well, his position in the Ming Dynasty will be as solid as a mountain, and the elders of the three major sects will have to bow and scrape before him!
Just then, a knock on the door broke his thoughts.
"Come in!" An Lushan replied irritably.
Then, his trusted confidant An Yong hurriedly entered.
"Young master, we have just received intelligence that the three major factions of the Great Yuan Dynasty have issued a proclamation to all countries calling for a joint effort to eradicate the remnants of the Great Qian Dynasty. The Tang and Song Dynasties are now considering this matter."
An Yong looked anxious and quickly walked up to An Lushan, handing him the secret letter with both hands.
An Lushan took it, glanced at it quickly, and his face instantly turned so gloomy it could drip water.
"Hmph! The three major sects of the Great Yuan Dynasty are really quick to act. Now that it's been confirmed that the Blood Drop Pavilion is a remnant of the Great Qian Dynasty, they immediately want to unite with other countries to besiege it. They're afraid that their own strength will be weakened and that it will attract the covetousness of other countries. They want to take this opportunity to bind all the forces together!"
An Lushan snorted coldly and spoke.
“Young Master, should we inform the Blood Drop Pavilion in advance? If they are wiped out like this, wouldn’t your plan be a complete waste?” An Yong suggested cautiously.
An Lushan's face was terribly gloomy. On the one hand, he wished he could put Kongming to death, but on the other hand, he had no choice but to take action.
“Young Master, there is one more thing. Zhuge Liang of the Blood Drop Pavilion sent someone to ask how your preparations for the matter you promised him are going?” An Yong continued, forcing himself to speak.
Upon hearing the name "Zhuge Liang," An Lushan's eyes flashed with cold light. He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist heavily on the table, causing the teacup to tip over and the tea to spill freely.
He then took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
If they don't cooperate with this charlatan, all their previous investments and plans will be in vain; but if they do cooperate, they can't swallow their anger, and they don't know what other underhanded tricks Zhuge Liang might use.
Moreover, the gilded tripod was a founding artifact of the Ming Dynasty, and he was also worried about how to ask the Ming Emperor for permission.
Suddenly, An Lushan's eyes lit up, and he stood up abruptly. "Report back to him that the gilded cauldron is being prepared with all our might and will be delivered soon."
An Lushan's lips curled into a ruthless smile, then he waved his sleeve and said, "Prepare the horses, I'm going to see the Emperor!"
With the rapid sound of horses' hooves, An Lushan quickly arrived at the palace. Upon seeing Emperor Ming, he prostrated himself in respect.
"Hahaha... Prince An is indeed capable. The cultivation world of the Great Yuan Dynasty is now in complete chaos, and he is having a terrible headache!"
Emperor Ming laughed heartily, his eyes full of praise, but beneath that praise lay a deeper, unfathomable meaning.
An Lushan hurriedly expressed his gratitude, his face full of humble smiles, but in his heart he felt a little scared. He knew that the Emperor was no easy person to deal with, and that his every move was probably under the Emperor's control.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I have only done my duty to the Ming Dynasty and dare not claim credit for it."
"very good!"
Zhu Song nodded, then said, "You've come at the right time. The three major sects of the Great Yuan have sent a document asking our Great Yuan to assist in wiping out the remnants of the Great Qian. What do you think we should do?"
"Your Majesty, since they have taken the initiative to request it, we can rightfully enter the Great Yuan. As for who to attack, that is up to Your Majesty's decision!"
An Lushan cupped his hands in greeting to Zhu Song and said.
He prided himself on his exceptional strategic skills, and at this critical juncture, he knew he couldn't be impatient for quick success. He wanted to return the decision-making power to Emperor Ming to demonstrate that he had no selfish motives.
Zhu Song narrowed his eyes slightly, observing An Lushan with great interest.
After a moment, he slowly spoke: "Prince An, there's no need to test me. I know you're cautious. Don't you understand my resolve?"
An Lushan's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and respectfully said, "Then please forgive my bluntness, but the Great Yuan is currently in chaos, and our opportunity may have ripened!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Song nodded slightly and said, "But the Great Yuan has already issued a joint proclamation to suppress them. This is a matter agreed upon by various countries a thousand years ago, which is somewhat troublesome. Prince An, do you have any countermeasures?"
Upon hearing this, An Lushan slowly said, "Your Majesty can rest assured on this point. The agreement made a thousand years ago was originally proposed by the Great Yuan Dynasty because they were the biggest beneficiaries. Now, everyone is expected to foot the bill. There's no such thing as a free lunch! Besides, the cultivation world has always been a dog-eat-dog world. It's time to redistribute the benefits!"
Zhu Song nodded slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. "If the Song and Tang dynasties respond to the joint proclamation of the three major factions of the Great Yuan, how should our Great Ming respond?"
An Lushan raised an eyebrow and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, the Song Kingdom played an indispensable role in my ability to occupy three prefectures back then. I am willing to go to the Song Kingdom and make sure that the Song and Tang Kingdoms are too busy to even look after themselves!"
Zhu Song raised his eyelids, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes: "Oh? Prince An is so confident? Tell me, how do you plan to keep the Song and Tang states preoccupied with their own problems?"
An Lushan smiled confidently and said calmly, "Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty has always valued profit. When the Tang Dynasty was weak, they always wanted to annex it, which is why they supported my occupation of three prefectures. Now, as long as we drag the Yuan Dynasty into the vortex, they will be free from their constraints, and that will be the time for their greed to resurface!"
"Very good! This matter will be entrusted to Prince An's full responsibility. I will immediately order the three major factions to march on the Great Yuan!"
Emperor Zhu Song was a decisive man, and immediately made the decision.
An Lushan was overjoyed and quickly stood up to bow, saying, "Your Majesty is wise; this is an opportunity that must not be missed!"
Then, he looked at Zhu Song with a hint of something unsaid.
Zhu Song keenly noticed An Lushan's expression and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Does Prince An still have any doubts? There's no need to be so reserved."
An Lushan took a deep breath, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, although the Blood Drop Pavilion has been lying low for a thousand years, it has also been suppressed for a thousand years. I am still worried that they will run out of steam. If they retreat, wouldn't that be detrimental to our plans?"
Zhu Song nodded slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne, and said in a deep voice, "What Prince An said makes sense. If Blood Drop Pavilion retreats, our pressure will inevitably increase greatly. After all, we are fighting on foreign soil, and we cannot devote all our forces to the Great Yuan! In your opinion, what should we do?"
Upon hearing this, An Lushan glanced at Zhu Song without showing any emotion, but in his heart he had already cursed Zhuge Liang's ancestors for eighteen generations...