Su Xin's unconventional approach to seeking cooperation caught Wen Yu and Ji Yanshou somewhat off guard.
However,neither of them doubted Su Xin's abilities,considering his impressive track record.
Ji Yanshou coldly remarked,"So,how do you propose to help me?And do you even know what I want?"
Su Xin shook his head,saying,"Your Highness,there's no need to hide it.Being ousted from the center of power by others,only to be targeted by your own brother after he ascends,are you content with that fate?If you truly wish to be a idle prince,why bother trying to rally martial arts sects on the Bashu Road to consolidate power?Moreover,when His Majesty passes away and a certain prince ascends the throne,even if you desire to be that idle prince,it's unlikely you'll succeed."
Ji Yanshou remained silent,as Su Xin's words were indeed factual,something Wen Yu had mentioned to him before.
Ji Yanshou grew impatient,"Now you can tell us,what exactly do you propose?After all,you,Su Xin,are just one person arriving on the Bashu Road.If you can't even contend with Qiu Baichuan,what makes you think you can help us?"
Su Xin waved his hand,"Your Highness,you needn't worry.Since I've come to propose cooperation voluntarily,I will naturally offer my sincerity.If the Prince's Mansion wishes to make a mark on the Bashu Road,I can assist you.Once the Prince's Mansion establishes a foothold,you can then assist me.How about that?"
Wen Yu exchanged a glance with Ji Yanshou.Following Su Xin's proposal,it seemed they wouldn't be at a loss.
Ji Yanshou said,"Very well,we agree to cooperate.But how do you intend to assist me?"
Su Xin tapped the table with his fingers,"Your Highness,forgive me for being blunt.You've been on the Bashu Road for quite some time,yet you've failed to make much progress,which is rather incredulous."
At Su Xin's words,both Wen Yu and Ji Yanshou's expressions soured.Su Xin's remarks were akin to directly calling them worthless.
However,Su Xin disregarded their reactions and continued,"In my view,the conditions on the Bashu Road are exceptionally favorable for Your Highness's development.Firstly,it's far from the capital,allowing you to focus on expanding your influence while the other princes vie for power in the imperial city.Secondly,it's isolated from the outside world,with only the Bashu Sword Pavilion as a top-tier sect.The rest are local martial arts sects,not too powerful yet not weak either,all within our grasp."
Wen Yu frowned,"We are aware of this,but it's not so easy to leverage."
"Since you,Lord Wen,have served as the Chief Constable of Jiangnan,you know how these martial arts sects view us.Most either detest us or keep their distance.Especially the martial arts sects here,they've lived peacefully.Nearly all martial arts sects in Bashu have trained numerous swordsmiths,supplying high-quality swords to the martial world.With this lucrative trade,they aren't lacking in resources.Consequently,they're reluctant to engage in risky ventures.Thus,despite our attempts to recruit them,most refuse,while only a few hint at cooperation."
Su Xin shook his head.Ji Yanshou was adept at palace intrigues,but in terms of strength and cunning,he was average.Though the eunuch was loyal and capable,they fell short when it came to dealing with these martial arts sects.
"Lord Wen,I assure you,even those sects showing willingness to cooperate are merely playing along,offering nothing substantial.Isn't that so?"
Wen Yu hesitated and nodded.Su Xin continued,"Indeed,those martial arts sects hinting at cooperation are merely leading you on,hoping to benefit from your resources.I believe you've offered them various training resources from the court at discounted prices or even free of charge.But when you request their assistance,they'll find excuses to evade or claim they'll support you once you initiate action.It's all a facade."
Wen Yu and Ji Yanshou's expressions turned grim.Su Xin's words were indeed true,almost as if he had witnessed it firsthand.
In reality,Su Xin didn't deduce these details;they were obtained by spies from the Six-Fold Doors.
Upon receiving this information,Su Xin immediately realized that Ji Yanshou and Wen Yu were being played by these martial arts sects.Most of them kept their distance,and now,with a few showing interest,Ji Yanshou and Wen Yu rushed to bring them under their wing,even offering various training resources from the court to win them over.
But for those martial arts sects,Ji Yanshou's and their actions were simply being taken advantage of.Normally,if Ji Yanshou needed their help,they would begin to stall,and they hadn't even confirmed if they were willing to formally join the Prince's Mansion.As for their shouting about how they would definitely align with Ji Yanshou when he rose up on the Bashu Road,that was nothing but a joke.Emperor Ji Haodian of Da Zhou hadn't even died yet.Furthermore,even if Ji Haodian passed away,Ji Yanshou still had several brothers capable of vying for the throne.There was no way Ji Yanshou would come out on top.By then,if Ji Yanshou were foolish enough to rebel,who would dare to support him?
Ji Yanshou snorted,"So what's your plan then?The only ones potentially siding with us are these few.If we don't win them over,the Prince's Mansion will truly be isolated on the Bashu Road."
Su Xin shook his head,"Your Highness,you still haven't grasped it.Continuously showing favor only makes others perceive your weakness and see you as a pushover.Moreover,this approach may work elsewhere,but not on the Bashu Road.These martial arts sects on the Bashu Road have been too comfortable for too long.They haven't even thought about leaving the Bashu Road.Even if you offer them many benefits,they won't truly join you."
A glint of coldness flashed in Su Xin's eyes."So,the only solution now is to kill!Instill fear in them,force them to submit,and let them know that on the Bashu Road,if they don't align with Your Highness,death is the only option!"
Ji Yanshou and Wen Yu were taken aback.Su Xin's words were daring indeed.With their limited power,was it possible to drive the martial arts sects on the Bashu Road to such an extent?Weren't they afraid of the entire Bashu Road uniting against them?
As the saying goes,when officials force the people to rebel,whether you're from the court or from top-tier sects,even if the Bashu Sword Pavilion intervenes,they would dare to take the risk,let alone Ji Yanshou of the Prince's Mansion.
Understanding what the two were thinking,Su Xin said,"Your Highness and Lord Wen,if you're willing to trust me,let me take charge and execute the plan as I suggested.Success or failure depends on your decision."
If someone else had said this,they would surely be suspicious,as they weren't fools to engage in self-destructive behavior.However,the one proposing this plan was Su Xin.Given Su Xin's actions in Jiangnan,he didn't seem like a fool.
Wen Yu glanced at Ji Yanshou.He was just the steward of the Prince's Mansion.Although he could offer advice,the final decision rested with Ji Yanshou.While Ji Yanshou appeared mediocre on ordinary days,at this critical moment,he showed some decisiveness.
Looking at Su Xin,Ji Yanshou said solemnly,"This time,I trust you.If you can help us establish a foothold on the Bashu Road,the Prince's Mansion's power can also be handed over to you to deal with the Six-Fold Doors.But I hope you won't disappoint me.Otherwise,even if you're the newly appointed Chief Constable of the Six-Fold Doors,the Prince's Mansion will make you regret it!"
Su Xin smiled,"Your Highness,please rest assured.I,Su Xin,always keep my word.Besides,deceiving you would bring me no benefit.Moreover,the Six-Fold Doors on the Bashu Road are actually your enemies.If this plan succeeds,you'll gain more advantage than I do."
Ji Yanshou nodded.That was why he agreed to Su Xin's proposal.
Su Xin hadn't had contact with Da Zhou's princes before,and his backer,the Iron Family,remained neutral in Da Zhou.Therefore,Su Xin's deliberate move to deceive him,a prince in leisure,was pointless.As Su Xin said,the Chief Constable of the Six-Fold Doors on the Bashu Road was also his enemy.While the Iron Family remained neutral in court,Liu Fengwu had taken a side,and his backer was none other than Da Zhou's martial genius,Prince Tai,Ji Yancheng.So,as Liu Fengwu's sworn brother,Qu Baichuan,he was essentially Prince Tai's man.Given Ji Yanshou's many years on the Bashu Road,Qu Baichuan's attitude toward him was far from respectful.When Ji Yanshou sought Qu Baichuan's help,he either directly refused or deceived him.Ji Yanshou had no choice.
Su Xin bowed slightly,"Your Highness,let Lord Wen temporarily assist me.It's better to let Lord Wen handle the Prince's Mansion's power.After all,Your Highness,you might not feel at ease handing it over to an outsider like me."
