The Whole Scheme Unveiled! Zhu Wushi's Rough Road! (Monthly Ticket Request)

"Back when I made my comeback with Xiong Ba's support, I already knew that even if I truly ascended the throne in the end, I would become Xiong Ba's puppet, a sacrificial tool of power. I might not even be able to mobilize the nation's strength as I wished to find Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom and revive Suxin.

Even if Suxin were revived, Xiong Ba's sinister cunning might allow him to seize upon this weakness of mine.

So after returning to the Ming State, I had also been trying to strengthen my ability to resist, or seek another powerful ally who could help me without being able to completely control me. Do you remember what I said during our final battle?

At the time, I had actually hoped that you would become my ally. I said I would turn enemies into friends with you, become sworn brothers, grant you a kingship, and even send troops to help the Song State attack Jin and Liao. Unfortunately, you refused!"

"That's right!"

Jiang Dali stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flickering as he sank into recollection and transmitted his voice, "The reason I refused back then was that Gu Santong, whom you, Zhu Wushi, regarded as a brother, had been imprisoned by you for twenty whole years.

I'm very curious. You believed Xiong Ba would use Suxin as leverage against you, so why didn't you think I would do the same?"

Zhu Wushi smiled faintly. "Because proud people are absolutely reliable. They would never do anything disgraceful. And because your strength at the time had not yet reached Xiong Ba's level; I still had ways to deal with you.

More importantly, I truly had not misjudged you. Brother Jiang, you just said it yourself: whether I lived or died today, you