PDLP Chapter 1308 Is my knife not fast enough?
Chapter 1308 Is my knife not fast enough?
After a while, Miao Changfeng slapped the cushion hard.
"It's all because of that bastard Lan Yu that he misled the Emperor. In order to eliminate others and put himself on the throne, he became the culprit who brought disaster to the country and the people."
Miao Changfeng didn't believe it; with Lan Yu's intelligence, he couldn't have imagined such a situation.
This person simply wanted to harm him, the prime minister, and completely cut off Miao Changfeng's path to becoming a high-ranking official in the court.
It's too late for regrets now.
Miao Changfeng regretted it even more; he hadn't explained the situation to Mu Chuan earlier, and he had even taken precautions against him.
Only now do we realize Mu Chuan's loyalty; he has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Taisho Dynasty and to Miao Changfeng.
The key is Mu Chuan's ability, which even Miao Changfeng is unsure of. Compared to his nephew, Mu Chuan is like heaven and earth.
If I had brought Mu Chuan with me earlier, I wouldn't be in such an awkward situation.
This is a good friend.
Although Feng Li verbally expressed his dissatisfaction, he secretly admired Mu Chuan immensely, believing him to be a man of great talent, skilled in both literature and martial arts, far surpassing himself.
Of course, while that's what I think, I can't show it on the surface at all.
He was a scholar of the Taisho era, a graduate of the Taisho Jinshi degree, so naturally he had to have integrity.
"Kikawa, what should we do next?"
Miao Changfeng was truly magnanimous, disregarding his status as prime minister and unafraid to ask questions of those less knowledgeable.
"We can only wait for them to propose their terms and see if the Prime Minister can accept them."
Lin Feng pondered for a moment.
Feng Li shook his head: "Judging from the current situation, the pirates will definitely make exorbitant demands. Why would they give up the fat meat that's already in their mouths?"
Lin Feng smiled and said, "They're asking for the moon, but we'll negotiate on the spot. We'll stick to our bottom line and not budge."
Miao Changfeng took a deep breath and frowned in thought.
Feng Li's face turned pale: "Mu Chuan, do you think the pirates might attack us?"
Lin Feng said calmly, "As for the Prime Minister, given his status, there's naturally no security issue. As for you and me..."
Feng Li asked anxiously, "How is it?"
Lin Feng shook his head: "It's hard to say."
Seeing that he wouldn't say anything, Feng Li had no choice but to push the matter down himself.
"You mean, the pirates will use our lives to threaten the Prime Minister?"
Lin Feng picked up his teacup and drank some water, his face grave, but he said nothing more.
That expression already told Feng Li that it was exactly what you thought.
Feng Li's hand, which was holding the teacup, began to tremble, and his lips turned white. He mumbled something unintelligible.
He had long heard of the ferocity of the pirates, and Mu Chuan's words were certainly true; the pirates were capable of anything to achieve their goals.
Miao Changfeng glanced at Feng Li and shook his head inwardly. Scholars have always struggled to achieve anything, yet he was frightened into this state by just a few words.
Look at Mu Chuan, calm and composed as a mountain, with a natural demeanor.
This is the true character that officials of the Taisho era should have.
Lin Feng knew that these words wouldn't scare Miao Changfeng. This man had been a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) man who had once risked his life, and he was indifferent to small-scale situations.
"Your Excellency, we only have two paths to take at the moment."
Upon hearing Lin Feng's words, the two men's eyes lit up, and they looked at him expectantly.
Lin Feng sighed: "The only rule is to stick to our guns and not give in, no matter what they do."
Feng Li asked urgently, "What about the other way?"
Lin Feng smiled at him: "No matter what conditions the pirates propose, we will agree to them without hesitation."
Miao Changfeng frowned: "What kind of road is this?"
Feng Li's face showed disdain: "This is treason for personal gain."
Lin Feng remained silent. Since things had come to this, he said, "You can decide for yourselves. I'll act according to the situation and make sure your plans fall apart sooner or later."
As the three remained silent, they heard someone outside report.
"Prime Minister, General Tokugawa invites you to a banquet."
Miao Changfeng sighed: "Alright, whether it's good or bad, we'll have to meet and talk it over. There's no way to avoid it."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and said, "Muchuan, Fengli, we'll play it by ear."
The three people stood up, and someone opened the wooden door, bowing and waiting outside.
Through the open door, Lin Feng saw four or five samurai standing in the courtyard, among them a man dressed as a pirate official, who was none other than Hojo Nobunari.
Miao Changfeng led Feng Li and Lin Feng out of the house and into the courtyard.
Hojo Nobunari cupped his hands and said, "Prime Minister, please follow me this way."
Feng Li followed closely behind Miao Changfeng, and Lin Feng also walked forward.
He had only taken two steps when a pirate warrior reached out and stopped him.
Lin Feng turned to look at the warrior, puzzled.
Hojo Nobunari also turned around and smiled at Lin Feng.
"General Mu, you have other plans."
Miao Changfeng turned around in astonishment upon hearing his words.
"What, even my captain of guards can't come along?"
Hojo Nobunari smiled obsequiously: "Prime Minister, General Tokugawa said that General Ki has other plans."
His tone was gentle, yet resolute.
Miao Changfeng and Feng Li stood blankly in the courtyard, unable to speak for a moment.
The cultivators Miao Changfeng had invited had not yet arrived, and Mu Chuan, the only person who gave him a sense of security, was now being blocked on the outside, making him immediately feel surrounded by danger.
From the moment Lin Feng killed Heng Wuche, he became the backbone of Miao Changfeng and Feng Li's hearts. Just now, the two of them were still asking Lin Feng how to proceed with this negotiation.
Tokugawa Iehira's invitation to Miao Changfeng was definitely a test to gauge his opinion and then determine the peace terms for the pirates based on the actual situation.
Without Lin Feng present, Miao Changfeng didn't know how to handle the situation.
Although Feng Li possessed the integrity of a scholar, he could not bear the sight of swords and bloodshed; even the slightest bloodshed would completely soften him.
After a brief silence, Miao Changfeng spoke firmly.
"Without guards, I will not go anywhere."
Hojo Nobunari smiled and said, "Prime Minister, guards are naturally necessary. Your eight attendants can wait at the entrance of the banquet."
Miao Changfeng didn't even look at him: "I'm referring to Mu Chuan."
Hojo Nobunari shook his head: "General Ki really cannot go to the banquet with you. General Tokugawa has clearly given instructions."
Miao Changfeng turned and walked towards his room, too lazy to say anything to him.
Hojo Nobunari's face instantly darkened, and his eyes darted around to look at the several pirate samurai.
Four pirate warriors immediately stepped forward, blocking Miao Changfeng's path.
Upon seeing this, Lin Feng reached out and grasped the hilt of the knife at his waist.
Hojo Nobunari was most afraid of Lin Feng drawing his sword. The scene of Lin Feng slashing off Hengwu's head still haunted him to this day.
"Wait, General Mu. General Tokugawa is sincerely seeking peace. The Prime Minister is in Fuan City and his safety is absolutely guaranteed. Please do not make things difficult for me."
Lin Feng gripped the hilt of his sword and sneered, "Are you making things difficult for me? How dare you disrespect the Prime Minister? Do you think my sword isn't fast enough?"
Suddenly, a pirate warrior shouted.
The soldiers standing outside the post station rushed in, the clanging of their armor sending shivers down everyone's spines.
Miao Changfeng's eight guards originally wanted to rush over, but they were blocked by the soldiers who rushed in with straight swords.
Miao Changfeng remained silent with a cold expression.
Feng Li's face was deathly pale, and his eyes were filled with despair.
Lin Feng thought it best to take the opportunity to make a move and provoke a conflict between the two sides.
He turned his head and glanced at the tall Qiao Jushan, who was standing under a house, holding a long spear in his hand, quietly looking at him.
This is waiting for his signal to take action.
Lin Feng turned to look at the soldiers around him. These people were not his target. Even if he killed a few more, it would have no bearing on the peace talks.
However, one cannot lack one's own attitude.
He forcefully drew the steel sword from its sheath, the piercing metallic scraping sound making Hojo Nobunari's heart tremble.