Chapter 213 (1/2)

Chapter 213: Suicide Troop

The owner's eyes flicked to Jun Huang. He took a deep breath to calm himself and said, ”Your Highness and I share a common goal. I'll be up front with you. I'd like to ask for Your Highness's help in making me the emperor of Eastern Wu. Afterwards, I will pay you back. Whatever Your Highness asks for, I'll give.”

”This is a mutually beneficial deal. If Your Highness says yes, I promise it's going to make it worthwhile.”

Jun Huang scoffed silently. How naive could this man be? Nan Xun too shared her thoughts, but there were things they could not talk about when they were in enemy's territory.

Nan Xun pretended to give it some thoughts. ”Neither of us is a fool. Don't try to b.u.t.ter me up with pretty words. We can talk, but determination alone doesn't guarantee success. I was wondering what your ultimate goal was. Your answer came as a surprise. That is an ambition difficult to achieve. It makes me uneasy.”

”Your Highness is too humble,” the owner insisted. ”If Your Highness is willing to help, there's nothing we cannot achieve.”

Nan Xun turned to Jun Huang, who shook her head. Nan Xun knew that there were both risks and benefits involved. He debated over what to do.

The owner's eyes darted down. ”Your Highness didn't come to Eastern Wu only to look into the a.s.sa.s.sins, did you?”

”What do you mean?” Nan Xun asked in feign ignorance.

The owner's smile deepened. ”The emperor of Eastern Wu is watching Northern Qi like a predator, looking for an opening. He must have sent someone to Northern Qi. That was why Your Highness came to Eastern Wu to investigate. Am I right?”

Jun Huang knew the necessity of diplomacy, but she couldn't stand it from this man. She scoffed. ”What if you're right?” she said mockingly. ”You should stop beating around the bush. Tell us what you want before our patience runs out. Once that happens, we won't be sitting here listening to you talk.”

The owner didn't get angry. ”If Your Highness helps me gain the throne, I will surrender to Northern Qi the cities that are located at the border. And I will pledge my loyalty to Northern Qi so that this constant war between the two countries can cease to happen.”

Jun Huang and Nan Xun didn't expect him to make such a generous offer. They paused. The owner continued to talk about his plans for the future. He seemed unwilling to stop unless Nan Xun accepted his offer.

Nan Xun met his eyes and admitted, ”This is a serious issue. We have to discuss it among ourselves. I hope you understand.”

”Of course. Please do. I'll go get some tea for you.”

The owner took Nan Xun's response as a sign of acceptance. He wasn't worried that Jun Huang and Nan Xun would make troubles for him. He didn't have any guards on this floor, but everyone on the first floor was his. Besides, he had made enough compromises. Only a fool would not turn him down.

Nan Xun looked out of the door to make sure they were alone before returning to Jun Huang. ”What should we do?”

Jun Huang lowered her head and thought for a moment. ”He's obviously not a n.o.body, but he didn't seem willing to tell us his ident.i.ty. Perhaps he will only open up once we agree to his offer. His conditions are very attractive. You might as well accept the deal. He's going to damage the foundation of Eastern Wu in his pursuit of the throne. Then we can be the fisherman benefitting from the infighting.”

Nan Xun agreed with Jun Huang, but he had to find a way to accept the offer without making the owner suspicious.

Soon, the owner came back with a pot of tea. He turned to Nan Xun and asked, ”Have you made a decision?”

”Yes, we can help you,” said Nan Xun. ”But how do we know that you'll make good of your words once you gain the throne?”

”As someone who set out to become the emperor of Eastern Wu, I must act like a leader. Your Highness can trust my words.” He paused for a good moment. In an earnest tone, he continued, ”I'm the third prince of Eastern Wu. I'm neither the oldest son, nor the son of the princ.i.p.al wife. No matter how competent I am, it means nothing. My two older brothers have cultivated their own forces already. I only turned to you as a last resort.”

Jun Huang considered him without a word. She could tell that this man wasn't lying, but her judgement of him did not change. Neither of the three princes of Eastern Wu was man of integrity. This would be a chance to provoke an unrest within Eastern Wu to her benefit.

Nan Xun came to the same conclusion after some contemplation. His silence, however, made the owner think that Nan Xun was still not convinced of his ident.i.ty. He quickly took out a token that could prove who he was. ”I wasn't trying to hide my ident.i.ty from Your Highness, but it is a risk to say it out loud. Since Your Highness has agreed to offer your support, I should be honest with you. Please forgive me for my undue caution.”