diskusbooks Chapter 387 I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table.
Chapter 387 I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table.
Kangxi took the matter of Zheye's meeting with Yinzuo and Yintang at Guanyuanlou very seriously. Upon learning the news, he immediately sent people to thoroughly search Guanyuanlou, inside and out. Even after confirming that everything was safe, he was still not at ease. He specially ordered Yinti to take the military tally to the Fengtai camp to transfer a team of soldiers to cooperate with the secret guards to surround Guanyuanlou within several kilometers. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
"Yinti, when you meet with that Japanese man later, make sure he doesn't leave your sight. These Japanese are the most fickle, treacherous and cunning. If things don't go well and they get angry, I'm afraid Yinzhuo won't be able to handle it alone."
Although Kangxi's concerns were not without merit, Yinzhuo felt that this was unlikely to happen. He also knew that Zheye's side was now in a precarious situation and had no choice but to act. Since he needed their help, he could only suppress his displeasure.
"Father, please rest assured. Guanyuan Tower is now surrounded by our people like an iron barrel. As long as Tetsuya isn't stupid, he won't choose to get angry at this time. Besides, although my skills aren't great, dealing with Tetsuya shouldn't be a problem. Father, please rest assured. I'll make sure that little devil is so miserable that he cries for his parents in the middle of the night."
To be honest, Kangxi was really worried about Yinzhuo's unreliable behavior. But fortunately, Yinzhuo wasn't inflexible. While Yinzhuo was thinking about how to trick Zheye, Kangxi secretly gave Yinti a wink. Hehe, if I can't do anything with you, then I'll just find someone who can control you.
Adhering to the principle that the most important people are always the last to appear, Yinzhu arrived at Guanyuan Tower almost right on time. This time, they set the meeting place as well, in Yinzhu's private room "Lotus Pond Moonlight" at Guanyuan Tower.
"Your Highnesses, you've finally arrived. Please come in. I've asked the innkeeper to prepare some special dishes and wines, but I don't know if they'll suit your tastes."
Unlike his calm and composed demeanor during their last meeting, this time, as soon as they met, Yinzhuo could clearly feel the enthusiasm emanating from Zheye, which made Yinzhuo even more certain of his suspicions.
Since it was a deep collaboration and they were treating him so warmly, neither Yinti nor Yinzuo could refuse to give them face. Zheye had been traveling between Japan and the Qing Dynasty for many years and was quite knowledgeable about drinking culture. Instead of revealing his purpose right away, he frequently raised his glass to toast Yinti and Yinzuo.
"Mr. Tetsuya, before we came, my little Jiu probably told you that I get drunk easily and really can't handle this stuff. But my older brother has a good alcohol tolerance, so if you want to find someone to have a couple of drinks with, you can have him keep you company."
Yinzhuo was well aware of his own behavior when drunk, so he naturally refused Zheye's toast without hesitation.
Yinti's alcohol tolerance was indeed quite good. Not to mention Zhe alone, even if three or five of them were bundled together, they might not be able to outdrink Yinti. After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Zhe finally put down his wine cup, called over the waiter waiting outside to clean up the leftovers on the table, and then sent the waiter out to wait at a distance.
"Your Highnesses, I suppose you both guessed the purpose of my meeting with you before you came. I do indeed need the help of the Qing Dynasty. I wonder if Your Highness Prince Zhao still remembers our agreement?"
Why had Yinzhuo patiently played along with him for so long? He was waiting for Zheye to say those words. Since they needed something from them, things would be much easier.
“I do remember, but Mr. Tetsuya, times have changed. The conditions we agreed on back then are not quite enough now.”
Zheye wasn't stupid; how could he not hear that Yinzhuo was clearly planning to make an exorbitant demand? But he obviously still intended to make a last-ditch effort.
"Your Highness, are you planning to make exorbitant demands? It is said that the people of the Qing Dynasty value their promises most highly. You wouldn't be thinking only of going back on your word for personal gain, would you?"
Hey, this little Japanese guy looks ordinary but he's got a sharp tongue. But he's obviously met his match today. You little Japanese guy, you're ungrateful and cowardly, and you're talking to me about keeping your promises? Don't you have any shame?
"Breaking a promise for personal gain? If I remember correctly, it's Mr. Tetsuya who needs our help right now, so what right do you have to bring up the phrase 'breaking a promise for personal gain' with me? Mr. Tetsuya has been in the business world for many years and should know that doing business requires offering sufficient bargaining chips. What you want is the empire of your Japan. If we help you, it will require our people to shed blood and sacrifice. So, shouldn't I ask you for some extra compensation for your hard work?"
Just as Yinzhuo said, Zheye was now on the verge of disaster and had no choice but to act. Even if he knew that Yinzhuo was going to make an exorbitant demand and rip him off, what could he do? He couldn't possibly call a halt to his years of planning at this last hurdle.
"Hmph, Your Highness, that sounds nice. You were the one who promised me that if I wanted to do something, the Qing Dynasty could provide me with ships, soldiers, and even money. Now you're just trying to go back on your word."
Hehe, since you've already figured out I'm going to go back on my word, I won't pretend anymore. I'll just lay it all out on you: you're right, I'm going to go back on my word and trick you. So what?
"Hey, you little devil, how can you be so unreasonable? You said it yourself that it was the Prince who promised you, so why are you looking for me, a prince? How about this, I'll call my little Jiu over for you to ask, he's a prince now."
Yinzhuo's words nearly made Zheye faint with anger. Was he even speaking human language? This was the first time he had ever heard of a promise being inherited according to one's title. What, now that you're a prince, the matter you promised is no longer your responsibility?
But as the saying goes, when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. What can Zheye do even if he's seething inside? Whether he can reach that coveted position now depends entirely on Yinzhuo's word.
"If I remember correctly, there is a saying in your country: 'He who eats another’s food is bound to be treated well.' Now that I have a favor to ask of you, even if Your Highness does not want to acknowledge it, there is nothing I can do. So, Your Highness, please make any requests you may have. If I can do it, I will certainly do my best to fulfill them."
"See how much better it would have been if we had said this earlier. After all that haste and fuss, we still have to back down now," Yinzhuo and Yinti exchanged a glance, then nodded in satisfaction at Zheye.
"Mr. Tetsuya is indeed a straightforward person. Since you've put it that way, I won't beat around the bush with you. My request is very simple. I'll add one more thing to what I've already said: we need to establish an independent trade zone in the port where we previously requested the garrison. Your government will have no right to interfere in anything that happens within the zone. Mr. Tetsuya, you know that you only feel at ease when you have something in your own hands, don't you?"