Chapter 125: An In-depth Discussion

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Murong Fu was stunned by Zhu Yu’s sudden anger and could not help asking, “Brother Zhu, what do you mean?”

“You say that you are a descendant of Great Yan seeking to restore your kingdom. I can understand that. But please explain this to me: three-quarters of Great Yan’s former territory are occupied by the Mongols and the Khitans, while the quarter occupied by the Jing Dynasty is not only small but also covered in vast stretches of mountain forest, much of it unfit for habitation.

“Yet you have placed your entire restoration plan within the borders of the Jing Dynasty. Do you think the Jing Dynasty is easy to bully?”

“This… Brother Zhu, your anger seems rather unreasonable. Yes, most of Great Yan’s former lands are occupied by the Mongols and the Khitans.

“But the Jing Dynasty has better land and resources, while my foundation and the Murong family’s years of careful planning are all centered in the Central Plains. Is it not perfectly reasonable for me to target the Jing Dynasty?”

Though puzzled by Zhu Yu’s inexplicable anger, Murong Fu still offered an explanation. He was afraid that some minor matter might frighten away this great benefactor, who was almost within his grasp.

“Very well. I suppose your argument has some merit. But I must apologize. I cannot take part in your great undertaking. And I thank Young Master Murong for your trust. Rest assured that I, Zhu Yu, will keep today’s matter absolutely secret.”

The moment he heard Murong Fu speak of treating the Jing Dynasty as an easy target, Zhu Yu lost all interest in playing along with him. If not for Wang Yuyan’s sake, he would have erupted on the spot and cut Murong Fu down.

With that, Zhu Yu rose to leave without even looking at him. But in the blink of an eye, Murong Fu had stepped directly in front of him, blocking his way.

Zhu Yu laughed in exasperation. How interesting, he thought. Before he could say anything, another person appeared at his side.

It was Jiang Yuyan, whose thoughts had always been fixed upon Zhu Yu.

Seeing that Murong Fu looked ready to make a move, Jiang Yuyan was delighted.

She had already decided that the moment Murong Fu attacked, she would kill him at once, then quickly send his beautiful cousin down to accompany him.

Unfortunately, events did not unfold according to her script.

Murong Fu was deeply wary of Jiang Yuyan, who had appeared the instant his actions had gone even slightly too far.

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind, but only a moment passed on the surface. Clasping his fists, Murong Fu said with a smile, “Miss, what do you mean by this? Is there some misunderstanding? The wine has not yet been finished. I merely wished to keep Brother Zhu here for a few more cups.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yuyan turned toward Zhu Yu, her regret invisible to everyone else, and asked what he intended to do.

Zhu Yu smiled. “Yuyan, step back a few paces. Whatever happens next, you are not to intervene.”

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Although she did not understand Zhu Yu’s meaning, his words were heaven’s command to Jiang Yuyan, and heaven’s will could not be defied. She obediently withdrew to one side, though her eyes remained fixed on Murong Fu, eagerly waiting for him to do something else outrageous.

Murong Fu also sensed that something was amiss from Zhu Yu’s words. “Brother Zhu, what do you mean?”

“What do I mean? That depends on Young Master Murong, does it not? You have blocked my path. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Zhu Yu did not answer his question, but responded with one of his own.

Unfortunately, Murong Fu took his meaning the wrong way. In his eyes, Zhu Yu’s words were already an explanation.

With a smile, Murong Fu said, “Brother Zhu, you misunderstand. How could I possibly block your way? It is merely better to make matters clear.”

“Matters? Was what I said earlier not clear enough? Then let me say it again: I am afraid I cannot help you.”

“No, Brother Zhu, please wait. I poured out my heart and spoke so frankly with you just now. Are you really going to dismiss me with nothing more than ‘I cannot help you’?

“Or do you truly think that I, Murong Fu, have no temper?”

After delivering that threat, Murong Fu softened his tone and continued, “Of course, I cannot force Brother Zhu to make a decision. But may I ask you to give me a reason?

“And besides, do you no longer care about my cousin? To be honest, after meeting you yesterday, my cousin also took an interest in you. Otherwise, I would never have brought this up.”

“You say Miss Wang is interested in me?”

Zhu Yu showed a hint of interest on the surface, while inwardly he continued to despise Murong Fu.

For the sake of something so vague, something that was certain to fail, this man was willing to give away the cousin who had loved him for years and devoted herself to him completely—and without even seeking her consent. Could such a person still be called human?

Seeing Zhu Yu’s reaction, Murong Fu’s face brightened. “Naturally. Why would I deceive Brother Zhu about such a thing? So, what do you say? Regarding my restoration of Great Yan, surely Brother Zhu—or rather, my future brother-in-law—will help his cousin’s cause a little?”

Seeing Murong Fu shamelessly seize upon the opening and climb higher, Zhu Yu could not help laughing. Looking at Murong Fu’s despicable expression, he decided it was time to lay everything bare.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Yu returned to his seat. Jiang Yuyan took the opportunity to pour him more wine, while Murong Fu, his confidence restored, sat down beside him.

“I was about to call you cousin, but forget it—Young Master Murong, I understand that you have dreams. Everyone has dreams. But dreams are not the same as ambitions. To make a dream reality, you would have to be a chosen son of destiny, one in a million. Otherwise, are you not simply fooling around?

“You want to know why I refused? Very well. I shall tell you now. There are only two reasons.”

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Hearing Zhu Yu’s words, Murong Fu, who had believed the matter settled, turned grim. Still, he wanted to know why Zhu Yu had refused, so he suppressed his impatience and said, “Please, go on.”

“The first point concerns the strength you have accumulated and the preparations you have made. You certainly have hidden trump cards you have not mentioned, but I doubt they amount to much.

“I shall put it plainly. Based on everything you have just told me, if you caught the Jing Dynasty completely unprepared, you might indeed seize a single province. But what then?

“The provisions, military pay, weapons, and everything else you have prepared may seem capable of sustaining you for three to five years. In my eyes, they would not last even a month.

“Did you imagine, while drawing up your plans, that every soldier under your command would be a grandmaster of martial arts? That you could wage war for a year and lose only two hundred men?

“And that is assuming no one else intervenes. If, when you launch your rebellion, some of your men have dirty hands and commit such acts as abducting women, then would it not be perfectly natural for several righteous sects to rise up and punish evil?

“If that happened, forget holding an entire province. If you managed to keep them from storming Swallow Dock within a month, I would already be impressed.”

Seeing Murong Fu’s expression grow darker and darker, Zhu Yu let out a mocking laugh and continued.

“As for the second point, it is very simple: I do not agree to dividing the world between us.”

Zhu Yu’s opening remarks had indeed shaken Murong Fu deeply. In truth, Deng Baichuan and Gongye Qian had both warned him of the same problems, but he had refused to listen.

It was not really that he could not understand them. To be honest, he simply looked down on the Jing Dynasty. In his eyes, both its martial world and its imperial court were hopelessly chaotic. He believed he had the skill to pluck chestnuts from the fire. Let someone try the same thing in another great power and see how far they got.

Now that an outsider had voiced these words, however, Murong Fu could not help reflecting upon them.

But before he had time to explain himself, Zhu Yu mentioned his second point. At that, Murong Fu stopped himself from speaking. He suddenly felt that everything had become clear, as though nothing in the world could escape his own brilliant insight.

Yes, Zhu Yu’s first point was valid—but only if Murong Fu acted alone. Was Zhu Yu not implying that if he joined the undertaking, those weaknesses would no longer be weaknesses?

The second point was the true heart of the matter. Zhu Yu did not approve of the proposal to divide the realm. He wanted more!

Little Book House

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