"Duke Wei Mansion has a Tributor Lin?" Ren Tianyou instinctively felt sothing was wrong and asked Yun Yuzhen in detail about the person’s physical characteristics.
"This is bad." As an old-tir in the worldly society, Ren Tianyou imdiately perceived the ominous signs after finding out the truth.
He was about to send soone to look for Gao Gongyuan’s family when at this ti, Duke Wei Mansion’s head steward, Yan Fu, ca with the five elders of Zhong Mountain.
Ren Tianyou could only go to welco them and felt dissatisfied in silence.
He was a hero who road the seas, but once on land, he still had to rely on the favor of Duke Wei Mansion.
This made his previous imposing manner at the banquet greatly compromised.
As for Gu Wuji, Wenxiang Sect’s Yun Yuzhen, and Elder Li, they all ca to pay their respects to Yan Fu.
After eting everyone, Yan Fu pondered slightly and then cupped his hands with a smile, "Sorry to interrupt your enjoynt, but I would like to borrow sothing from Gang Leader Ren, if I may?"
Everyone naturally praised the idea.
So, Yan Fu took the five elders of Zhong Mountain and Ren Tianyou to the mansion’s secret room.
Before leaving, he gave Gu Wuji a aningful glance.
Gu Wuji secretly understood and found an excuse to leave the table, quietly following them.
...
...
Inside the secret room.
Yan Fu directly stated his purpose.
Ren Tianyou was very unhappy, saying, "This Gao Gongyuan must have already betrayed us, now Xu Gongming wants us to hand over his family, it’s clearly to completely subdue Gao Gongyuan. Mr. Yan, we shouldn’t hand them over."
Yan Fu’s expression darkened, "Are you teaching and Lord how to handle things?"
Ren Tianyou sighed helplessly, and detailed his suspicions and the pros and cons of the matter to Yan Fu.
After listening, Yan Fu replied indifferently, "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing more." Ren Tianyou held back his anger.
Yan Fu softly said, "Gang Leader Ren, what was Lord’s intention in supporting the Giant Whale Gang?"
Ren Tianyou replied, "Naturally, it is to lead everyone in making fortune."
Yan Fu asked, "Gang Leader Ren, isn’t the wealth you currently hold enough? Aren’t you enjoying enough?"
"Naturally... it is enough."
In the past, Ren Tianyou was penniless, and his resources for cultivation were far from sufficient. Now that he had these, he naturally wanted more power and more say.
Yan Fu nodded and said, "Gang Leader Ren, I advise you to enjoy yourself at ease, our people below don’t need to have so many thoughts that cause themselves trouble. Look, you secretly colluded with other gentlen and made such a big move, didn’t Lord still cover for you?"
Ren Tianyou’s expression changed slightly.
Yan Fu looked deeply at him and said, "Hand over Gao Gongyuan’s family, and let’s end this matter."
Ren Tianyou’s expression changed several tis, undecided.
Yan Fu said softly, "Just say that Gao Gongyuan had an accident, and first thing tomorrow morning, you need to send his family away by boat. As for being abducted, it’s due to the enemies being too cunning, and it can’t be blad on you."
Ren Tianyou silently nodded.
Yan Fu smiled and said, "Gang Leader Ren, this is also a necessary move, don’t take it to heart."
Ren Tianyou replied, "I just feel like Lord is being too tolerant towards that Xu Gongming, could it be that Lord is actually going to have his daughter marry him to subdue this man?"
Yan Fu snorted coldly, "Gang Leader Ren, heed my advice, do not ddle in things that you shouldn’t."
"Understood, Mr. Yan."
Ren Tianyou’s expression darkened.
Yan Fu continued, "The court is always the court, the current situation in the world has not yet degenerated. If it weren’t for Lord covering for you this ti, think about it, if the court really made up its mind to sweep through the Southeast, could the Giant Whale Gang still continue its business?
I know you are used to being fearless on the sea. But without the highly sought-after goods like silk, tea, and porcelain, what will you trade with the overseas nations?
Without money, why would your gang mbers listen to you?"
He said, with a suddenly stern expression, "Don’t forget, many lands and properties of the Giant Whale Gang are registered under the na of Duke Mansion."
Ren Tianyou’s expression changed repeatedly, and after a long ti, he cupped his hands and said, "Teacher Yan, I was a bit harsh just now. I apologize. I hope you can be magnanimous and not take offense at my rudeness."
Yan Fu said, "Leader Ren, you are a wise man. You should know who is really protecting the Giant Whale Gang from the shadows."
"I understand."
"Good, I will stay here for the night, and leave at dawn. I hope it won’t spoil your fun."
"No, it won’t."
What else could Ren Tianyou say?
Yan Fu’s formidable reputation was well-known, and the five elders of Zhong Mountain, those old thieves of the Cold Ice Dao, had profound Dao Skills. Not to ntion Gu Wuji, that old fellow keeping watch outside, and the two elders from the Wenxiang Sect, who would definitely not stand with him if a real fight broke out.
He had no choice but to agree.
Moreover, Yan Fu was right. Without the support of Duke Wei Mansion, the forces of the Giant Whale Gang would surely crumble.
Unless he staged a rebellion, only then could he preserve the fertile fields, beautiful residences, and many properties of the Giant Whale Gang.
But he simply did not have the strength to do so.
By now, Ren Tianyou understood even more that the matter with Gao Gongyuan had rely been a pretext. At root, it was because he and other nobles from South Zhili had secretly conspired, making Duke Wei discontent and wanting to take this opportunity to make an example out of him.
Realizing this, whatever Ren Tianyou said would be useless.
Even if he swore and cursed, he would still have to endure this reprimand coming his way.
He couldn’t help but think of a poem taught to him by his cunning strategist not long ago, "The Inner Treasury burns into embroidered ashes, the bones of ministers and nobles trampled on the imperial street."
Only in tis of great chaos would these ministers and nobles realize the severity of people like him.
As for now, he could only endure, waiting for the right mont.
Yan Fu knew that this admonishnt would only make Ren Tianyou outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful.
But without reprimanding, the opposition would only beco more unrestrained.
"Xu Gongming’s move is truly lethal," Yan Fu thought to himself.
He knew, if it weren’t for Xu Gongming stirring up this issue, the Duke might not have chosen this ti to deal with Ren Tianyou.
But there was no other way.
Xu Gongming was not afraid to escalate matters.
And since Duke Wei did not want to stick his neck out at this ti, he could only bear it for the sake of the state.
Throughout history, many great figures made foolish moves, but were they truly foolish? Perhaps it seed so retrospectively, but at the ti, there must have been pressing circumstances forcing their hand.
Xu Gongming was not only good at seizing opportunities but also liked to press his opponents with the bigger picture in mind.
"This man, who loves to take risks by using the bigger picture to pressure others, might one day find himself constrained by that sa big picture," Yan Fu couldn’t help but think.
Yet, there was one thought he dared not contemplate--what if Xu Gongming beca a major force in himself?
He truly could not imagine Xu Gongming having such a day.
But in his heart, Yan Fu had to admit that if Xu Gongming survives normally, he definitely has that opportunity.
Sima Yi could still rebel at over seventy years old.
If Xu Gongming endures for another forty years, he would be under sixty by then, still a powerful Martial Arts master in his pri.
Given that the Great Yu Dynasty has already lasted over two hundred years, and looking at other unified dynasties throughout history, it is not considered short-lived. Even if the Grand Secretary successfully reforms and supports the court for another forty years, could the world still remain unified and undivided after forty years?
That’s unlikely.
The rise and fall of a nation, how could it possibly be reversed by re human efforts?
...
...
Capital, Yanyue Hall.
"Grandpa Taia, Xu Gongming possesses the talents of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi; he should be utilized greatly for the common people of the world." Xie Quan rushed all the way to the Capital and directly entered Yanyue Hall to et the Grand Secretary.
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