knife

Chapter 141 Seeking cooperation
Wearing a soft turban, a brightly colored embroidered silk robe, a jade belt around the waist, and a jade pendant hanging from it, Zhu Chi stepped into Li Dachui's study, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "Zhu Chi of the Great Chu greets the Protector!"

Li Dachui smiled at the other person, pointed directly to a chair opposite his large desk, and said, "Commander Zhu, please sit down!"

Zhu Chi was somewhat unaccustomed to this kind of meeting.

The two were separated only by a table, their eyes met, and even the slightest expression would be noticed by the other.

He put in quite a bit of effort to arrange today's meeting.

Even their clothing was deliberately chosen to highlight the style of Southern Chu.

Not knowing Li Dachui's personality and style, he could only try his best to present himself as an honest and open person, hoping to leave a good impression on the other party at the first meeting, so as to lay a good foundation for future interactions.

Zhu Chi was not surprised that Li Dachui immediately revealed his current position in the Southern Chu Tianluo.

Having been in Tai'an City for several years, it would be easy for some of his men who came from the south to be turned against him.

If you know nothing, you'll only make yourself look down on yourself.

"I have been in Tai'an City for several years, and it is only today that I have come to pay my respects. I am truly sorry!" Zhu Chi apologized to Li Dachui with a smile.

Although the other party is now a rising star outside the pass, I now represent the Great Chu of the South, so I cannot lower myself too much and lose face for the Great Chu.

"Commander Zhu is in Tai'an mainly to gather intelligence on Linghu Ye and the Northern Yuan, so as to analyze the impact of the situation outside the pass on the Qin Dynasty. I, Li, was just a bandit leader before, not worthy of such a high position. Please understand!"

"I am ashamed!" Zhu Chi did not deny this: "When the news of the Protector's remarkable achievement came, I was stunned. I was short-sighted and blinded by my own limited perspective. I failed to recognize that a hero was right beside me. It was truly my fault."

Li Dachui laughed loudly: "You can't see the true face of Tai'an because you're in the city. Commander Zhu, it's not too late for you to come today. Speaking of the Zhu family of Suzhou, I've long admired their name."

Zhu Chi sighed, "Things are different now than they used to be. The Zhu family is facing some difficulties and is struggling to make ends meet."

"Commander Zhu is quite frank, but every cloud has a silver lining. If it weren't for this, with Commander Zhu's family background and abilities, why would he have traveled all the way to Tai'an City? And how would we have come to know each other?"

"So, the Protector-General is willing to cooperate with us?" Zhu Chi was overjoyed.

"Whether we cooperate or not can be discussed later, but let's get to know each other first, exchange some things that are useful to both parties, and it can be said to be mutually beneficial!" Li Dachui said with a smile.

"Governor, you've gotten straight to the point, so I won't hold back either. Whatever you want to know, as long as it's something I know and can talk about, I will tell you everything without reservation," Zhu Chi said, cupping his hands in greeting.

For Zhu Chi, the Anxi Protectorate, located outside the pass, posed no threat whatsoever to the Great Chu, but their stance toward the Qin state had a significant impact on the Qin court.

The fact that Chang'an immediately sent people to divide the former Beiting Protectorate in two as soon as Xiao Changche and Li Dachui seized Baoping Prefecture shows the importance of the area outside the pass to the Great Qin.

Now that the two protectorates in the east and west are standing side by side and are at odds with each other, thus stabilizing the situation outside the pass for the Qin Dynasty, they can free up their hands to deal with the situation inside the pass, which has a great impact on the Chu Dynasty.

It's important to remember that the impact of the Battle of Xiangcheng two years ago is still fresh in our minds.

If I can establish an effective communication channel with the Anxi Protectorate, and if I can influence the Anxi Protectorate's decisions through various means in the past, then I can directly affect the Qin Dynasty's political situation, and indirectly affect the Chu Dynasty's political situation.

That's how influence comes about.

As long as it has value, Danyang will have to value itself, and the Zhu family will have the possibility of revival.

This is the only hope Zhu Chi sees now for reviving the Zhu family.
Otherwise, given the current situation, the Zhu family will be finished in ten or twenty years.

Although the Zhu family has declined, there are still some ties and connections between the previous generation and this generation. Many people are reluctant to kick them when they are down. But once these people are gone, will others still show mercy?

The Zhu family is now like a drowning person grasping at a straw; no matter how much it can help, they have to hold on tight.

“Alright, to be honest, I’m very interested in the current political situation, the people, and even the customs and traditions of the Great Chu, but there are almost no people here who know about these things. With Commander Zhu, I have someone I can consult at any time.” Li Dachui was very satisfied with Zhu Chi’s attitude.

Such families on the verge of decline are the easiest to manipulate.

Although Southern Chu seems to be a million miles away from us right now, and we have nothing to do with each other, who can say for sure what will happen in the future?

After entering the pass, Southern Chu became an unavoidable topic. "The steward told me that Brother Zhu has some business he wants to do with us. I wonder what kind of business it is?" Li Dachui asked. "Suzhou is too far away from here. Otherwise, we would need your tea, silks and satins!"

"Actually, it's not that far off!" Zhu Chi said. "Doesn't Tai'an City also have large-scale trade in goods like tea and silk?"

“These things come all the way from within the Great Wall, and are more valuable than gold. More importantly, is it something that an ordinary person can do by traveling overland? I, Li, admit that I do not have that ability,” Li Dachui said, shaking his head.

"Could it be that all these things came from the land?" Zhu Chi said, "And where did some of them of unknown origin come from? I don't believe we can't even tell."

Li Dachui laughed heartily: "Indeed, some of them have dubious origins, but they've paid their taxes, so what can I say?"

Zhu Chi nodded and said, "Doing business in Tai'an City is straightforward and honest, which is indeed reassuring. However, Protector-General, although Governor Cai Ming of Xuanwu's pirate business has no capital, the income is not stable. If you can persuade him to change his robbery into a paid escort service, my Zhu family is willing to try to establish a maritime Silk Road. Once this route is open, I guarantee that all land businesses will have to open up to you. Otherwise, we can make sure they lose everything!"

Li Dachui's eyes lit up, and he stroked his chin, saying, "Xuanwu Cai Ming is now under the jurisdiction of the Andong Protectorate. My influence in Anxi is probably limited."

"The Qingshui River and the Juma River converge at Baoping Prefecture, flowing eastward through Xuanwu into the sea. Commander Linghu has no navy, so he can only try to win over Cai Ming of Xuanwu. But Protector-General, you have a navy!" Zhu Chi said with a smile. "If the two sides can communicate well and travel by water, what can Commander Linghu do? Besides, everyone can see that Commander Linghu's mind isn't on the border. Governor Cai might not be willing to follow Commander Linghu. He didn't have a choice in the past, but now that he does, Governor Cai might have some new ideas. In addition, it's just about doing business and making money together!"

Li Dachui looked at the other person and slowly said, "You are a very thoughtful person. But I've convinced Cai Ming, so how do we get the goods from Chu? You?"

“I can go back to the court under your banner and persuade them,” Zhu Chi said decisively. “I believe the Great Chu court can see the benefits involved, so both sides can gain something.”

Li Dachui laughed and said, "Let's strengthen our power and make the Qin Dynasty wary of us."

Zhu Chi smiled and nodded repeatedly: "That makes sense. I've been watching the changes outside the pass lately, and I suddenly feel that Commander Linghu might not be a match for Deputy Protector Li in the future. So I thought I'd make a connection with you first, which would also be a way for my Zhu family to rise again. If the Protector agrees, I'll immediately return to Chu to prepare for this matter. However, the two places are too far apart, so it will take some time."

“There’s no time limit!” Li Dachui laughed. “There’s plenty of time ahead, you can take your time. Commander Zhu, if you need anything in the future, you can contact Steward Li directly. Steward Li will help you coordinate and resolve any issues you may have.”

"Thank you, Protector-General!" Zhu Chi stood up. "In that case, I will take my leave. I will first compile some information about Southern Chu into a booklet and then send it to the Protector-General, so that the Protector-General can have a general understanding of Danyang!"

"Thank you!"

Zhu Chi walked to the door, and Li Dachui suddenly asked, "Commander Zhu, how much do you know about the Demonic Sect?"

Zhu Chi turned around with some surprise and looked at Li Dachui, saying, "The Protector-General actually knows about the Southern Demonic Sect?"

“I’ve heard of ‘a scabbard’!” Li Dachui said. “Commander Zhu used to serve in the Great Chu Tianluo, so he must know something about this sect.”

"The Demonic Sect has always been a target of the Great Chu court, and they have become increasingly secretive. However, they only become more active when the world is in chaos. Now that the Great Chu is becoming more and more stable under the Empress Dowager's leadership, they naturally hide even deeper. If the Protector-General wants to understand their situation, I will try to find a way to copy some relevant files from Danyang!"

"Excellent!" Li Dachui laughed. "I'm quite interested in them."

Zhu Chi left excitedly. For him, this not only opened up a new chapter in his career but also provided his family with a new patron. If things really didn't work out in Southern Chu in the future, it wouldn't be a bad idea to establish a branch of the family elsewhere.

"Young master, how much support should we give him?" Li Kaixin asked.

Li Dachui said, "Cai Bin's Xuanwu Prefecture is located by the sea and has a good harbor. Its navy is stronger than Yan Sheng's inland river navy outside the pass. That guy is used to being a pirate, but the profits are unstable. If we can really connect Southern Chu with Xuanwu by sea and transport the things we need in by sea, we can minimize the impact of the Qin's land blockade of the area outside the pass. For example, strategic materials such as salt, iron, tea, and oil, once they come in, we can make a lot of money not only for our own use but also!"

"The Zhu family isn't doing very well in Southern Chu right now. If this deal goes through, the Zhu family might be able to rise again, which would be helpful for our future. At least we'd have a foothold in Southern Chu!"

"You just need to handle these things. Right now, it's just a preliminary move. Whether it will be effective depends on our future progress! If we're stuck outside the pass, it won't be of much use!" Li Dachui laughed.

"Of course we will march into Guanzhong and conquer the world!" Li Kaixin said confidently.

"Fatty, try to make as few moves as possible in the future. Even if you do, don't reveal any trace of the Phoenix Flame!" Li Dachui instructed. "Things are different now. More people are paying attention to us. Someone like you will inevitably be watched. The Phoenix Flame is the Demonic Sect's most powerful technique. If it's exposed, it might cause trouble. I don't care. The Qi of Heaven and Earth is a harmonious blend of Yin and Yang, capable of imitating any true Qi in the world. They're dreaming if they want to find out my secrets."

"Don't worry, young master. When it really comes down to it, Kaixin will definitely make sure to destroy all evidence!"

"We'd better be careful, especially since we'll be cooperating with southerners like Zhu Chi in the future!" Li Dachui said. "The Demonic Cult has infiltrated the south very deeply, and conversely, the Chu Kingdom must also know a lot about the Demonic Cult. If someone discovers that the martial arts we practice are connected with the Demonic Cult, we might run into some trouble!"

"I will be careful!"

(End of this chapter)