Protect Our Clan Leader

...

Wang Shouzhe, knowing full well that he was the Emperor's spy, still spoke such words in front of him, clearly convinced that this conversation would not be relayed back.

Jiang Yusong's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched involuntarily.

He had never believed that being the Emperor's man would deter Wang Shouzhe from harming him. After all, this man had always been extremely cautious and full of strategic wits. Killing him without raising suspicion was something others might not achieve, but that didn't mean Wang Shouzhe couldn't.

Perhaps, for this day, Wang Shouzhe had already prepared numerous plans.

Drops of cold sweat slid down Jiang Yusong's forehead.

His only way to save himself...

"Mr. Yusong is a smart man," Wang Shouzhe said, sipping his Spiritual Tea calmly, "since Shouzhe has lifted the lid today, there must surely be a result."

Jiang Yusong turned pale, took a deep breath, and said, "Master Shouzhe, you are far too bold. Aren't you afraid I might agree pretentiously and then turn against you? You also mentioned that the Emperor is in a very sensitive mood right now."

"I have said, Mr. Yusong is a smart man. Whether the Emperor likes it or not, his era is bound to come to an end," Wang Shouzhe said with an indifferent tone, "The shift of power is unavoidable. Surely, Mr. Yusong wouldn't forgo a promising future for himself and his family for an Emperor whose reign is ending, would he?"

"Or perhaps, Mr. Yusong favors the Kang Commandery Prince more? Thinking of using my head as a pledge of allegiance? I don't think so. If you truly favored the Kang Commandery Prince, you wouldn't have relayed those detrimental comments to the Emperor that day."

Jiang Yusong shuddered, incredulous, "Master Shouzhe, you even know the content of the messages I sent?"

"Sir, you are on Wang family's ground," Wang Shouzhe chuckled and saluted, "Shouzhe here, thanks Mr. Yusong for your truthful report that day."

Only then did Jiang Yusong let out a bitter smile, letting go of all resistance, "Before meeting Shouzhe, Yusong thought of himself as also possessing intricate thoughts and considerable political acumen. Now compared to Master Shouzhe, I feel as naive as a child. However, there's still one small question in my mind."

He paused here, took a deep breath, and then asked that crucial question, "Master Shouzhe, you are neither old, nor have you served officially under the Emperor, nor even met the Great Emperor. How can you so thoroughly decipher human nature, even the nature of an emperor?"

Wang Shouzhe couldn't help but smile wryly.

Could he say that he had seen too many dramas and read too many novels about palace intrigue in his previous life?

With such an "expanded" vision as a basis, in this life, as he aged and gained experience, he also continuously thought over and pondered these matters. Over time, naturally, he became smooth in their application.

Although he had never met the Great Emperor, Li Yao had, and she had even discussed it with him in letters.

He had never underestimated the Great Emperor, but he also knew that no matter how majestic and decisively the Emperor ruled, at the brink of his reign's end, he could not escape human nature.

Sensitive, suspicious, these are curses that every emperor faces in his later years.

This time, it was a deliberate play of unsuspecting minds, "bullying" the Great Emperor once.

Moreover, even if his schemes were deciphered, it wouldn't be a big deal because what he said was mostly the truth, with just a few exaggerated parts. If revealed, they were nothing more than tactics in the strife among the Emperor's sons.

As a supporter of the An Commandery Prince, it was natural for him to plan and act for the prince.

The Great Emperor must have been psychologically prepared; if he really saw through it, he would mostly just think Wang Shouzhe naive, laughable for thinking he could deceive the emperor.

Moreover.

If it were the Great Emperor in his prime, grand and inviolable, even with all the courage Wang Shouzhe could muster, he wouldn't dare offend him. Coveting the throne or showing ambitious tendencies, daring to conspire with the Emperor's spies, that would be nothing short of a death wish.

This illustrates that different times and circumstances require different strategies.

Of course, he definitely couldn't reveal the truth, and saying it was from ancient texts wouldn't work either, as Jiang Yusong was well-read, which could instead give him away easily.

Wang Shouzhe paused for a moment, then smiled slightly, "Mr. Yusong asks a very good question, but this is Shouzhe's personal secret, just consider that Shouzhe has a natural talent in this area. Maybe one day, the truth will come to light."

"Since it's Master Shouzhe's secret, Yusong will naturally not pursue it further."

Jiang Yusong was somewhat disappointed, but not surprised.

He stood up, looking at Wang Shouzhe with admiration and added respect, bowing deeply, "Yusong pays respect to the lord, and asks for your guidance in the future."

"This... Shouldn't Mr. Yusong be paying homage to the An Commandery Prince as his lord?" Wang Shouzhe was slightly surprised, "That is a figure with the potential to ascend to the Great Emperor's position."

"Previously, my lord praised Yusong for having meticulous thoughts," Jiang Yusong said with a free and easy smile, "In fact, after setting a fifty-year agreement, I began to secretly observe the Wang family, admiring Master Shouzhe immensely by that time. During this period residing at the Wang family, Yusong observed every aspect meticulously and was filled with emotion."

"Master Shouzhe, being able to transform Ping'an Town radically in just seventy years, demonstrates abilities and foresight far beyond ordinary. Combined with Master's prudence and thorough thinking, great deeds are surely in the future. If Yusong were to choose a lord, I would prefer to pledge allegiance to Master Shouzhe."