The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 96 Your Majesty, I've Switched to the Rebel Track

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhang Liangbi rose to take his leave: "I'll be going now. You may continue your drinks."

"I'd like to have the opportunity to visit you, senior," Li Jinglong said with a smile.

Zhang Liangbi smiled, quickly walked out of the Yanyu Tower gate, and instead of heading onto the main street, turned into the alley on the right.

Inside the alley, an elderly man who bore a striking resemblance to him had been waiting for some time; he was his younger brother, Zhang Liangzuo.

"Brother," Zhang Liangzuo greeted him, "did you leak the Fifth Prince's information to Li Jinglong?"

Zhang Liangbi nodded: "If this kid is investigating the head manager, he will definitely take action if we give him this information."

We can simply wait and see.

Zhang Liangzuo nodded: "Brother, you are still one step ahead."

"That manager talks business through a curtain, refusing to even show his face. I've been in the business world for so many years, and I've never seen business done like this before," Zhang Liangbi snorted.

"Does your elder brother not trust him?"

"He's acting all mysterious and secretive. Either he's hiding something or he's up to no good. If I, Zhang Liangbi, am going to work with him, he should at least let me know what kind of person he is. Otherwise, he might sell me out one day and I'll be counting the money for him."

Zhang Liangzuo nodded in deep agreement and glanced at the teahouse.

Inside the teahouse, Li Jinglong lowered his head in deep thought.

Zhao Qing poured him another cup of tea and said softly, "This Zhang Liangbi was very low-key back then. I remember at the Emperor's banquet, he was neither servile nor arrogant. When I poured him tea, he was very polite. Unlike that Li Siqi, who has the air of a ruthless tyrant."

"I almost forgot, you met Li Siqi back then, didn't you?" Li Jinglong suddenly looked up.

Zhao Qing hesitated and said, "That was more than ten years ago. It's been too long, so I don't remember it very clearly."

Li Jinglong suddenly grabbed her hand: "Qing'er, have you met Li Shou's father?"

"No," Zhao Qing shook her head blankly. "I've only ever seen Li Shou, never his father."

Li Jinglong's lips curled up: "Come on, I'll take you to see his father."

Zhao Qing was even more confused: "Why should I go see Li Shou's father?"

"A big surprise. You'll see when you get there." Li Jinglong led Zhao Qing outside.

An hour later, in Yongchang Ward.

More than a hundred people stood in a line in front of Li Jinglong.

"Sixth Brother, why are you in such a hurry to see us? Who are we going to fight this time?" Wang Dong asked excitedly.

Li Jinglong glared at him and ordered, "Take your men and guard all the exits of Yongchang Ward. If you spot Li Shou, arrest him immediately."

"Yes, I've disliked that pretty boy for a long time." Wang Dong nodded.

Li Jinglong turned to the other side and said, "Ding Xiu, take twenty brothers and come with me to visit Old Man Li."

After saying that, he took Zhao Qing's hand and walked deeper into Yongchangfang.

Zhao Qing's palms were sweaty, and her pretty face was tense.

"Qing'er," Li Jinglong said softly as they walked, "Don't be nervous. We're just going to see an old man, have some tea, and chat."

Zhao Qing looked up at him: "Young master, you brought over a hundred men to block someone's door, and you call it 'having tea'?"

As they spoke, the group arrived at a small courtyard.

"Ding Xiu, come inside with me," Li Jinglong ordered. "The other brothers stay outside and keep watch. If anyone comes out, arrest them on the spot."

"Yes," Ding Xiu replied.

He turned and gestured to his twenty brothers, who quickly surrounded the courtyard.

Li Jinglong nodded in satisfaction and led Zhao Qing toward the gate.

Suddenly, a dark figure flew down.

Ding Xiu reacted extremely quickly; almost the instant the man in black landed, he had already rushed forward.

clap clap clap!

The two exchanged seven or eight blows in an instant. The man in black robes was skilled, his punches and kicks were powerful, but he was still no match for Ding Xiu.

Ding Xiu delivered a whip kick to his waist, sending the man in black flying and crashing heavily to the ground.

"What superb kung fu." The man in black robes got up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Lead the way," Li Jinglong said coldly. "I want to see your master."

The man in black robes remained silent for a moment, then walked ahead.

Once you enter the gate, you'll find yourself in a small courtyard.

There is an old locust tree in the courtyard, and under the tree is a stone table with a pot of tea and two cups on it.

An old man was sitting at a stone table drinking tea, and Li Shou was standing behind him.

"Sixth Brother," Li Shou said coldly, "isn't this a rather impolite way of visiting?"

Li Jinglong, holding Zhao Qing's hand, strode forward and sneered, "I usually just give a fiery punishment to those who lie to me. I've already been lenient with you today."

The old man slowly raised his head, revealing a weathered face with sharp eyes: "Chief Beggar, please sit down."

Li Jinglong sat down opposite the old man, with Zhao Qing and Ding Xiu standing behind him.

"Does the beggar know who I am?" the old man asked calmly.

Li Jinglong snorted, "Li Siqi, leader of the Guanzhong Alliance."

Li Siqi raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Zhao Qing, and sighed softly, "Princess Baihua, no, your current title should be Princess Baihua. I didn't expect you to still remember me."

Zhao Qing bowed slightly: "Your demeanor back then was truly impressive."

Li Siqi chuckled lightly, withdrew his gaze, narrowed his eyes and stared at Li Jinglong, cutting straight to the point: "You've come to see me, are you acting on the orders of the imperial court, or as the head of the beggars?"

Li Jinglong shrugged: "Is there a difference?"

"Yes," Li Siqi said in a deep voice, "there's a big difference."

Li Jinglong smiled: "Then what if I come as the leader of the beggars?"

Li Siqi waved his one arm and said, "Then we have something to talk about. Back then, I was the leader of the Guanzhong Alliance. Although I eventually surrendered to Zhu Yuanzhang, Guanzhong was my territory. I managed it for many years and left behind a considerable amount of wealth."

"I am short of money. But your wealth is far away in Guanzhong, it's too far out of reach." Li Jinglong said with a half-smile.

"It's not just about money," Li Siqi continued. "From Yingtian to Guanzhong, and then to the northwestern border, I've painstakingly built a trade route over the years. Beggar Chief, what is a trade route? A trade route is a continuous flow of money."

Li Jinglong chuckled lightly: "Once the imperial court issues a decree, will these things still exist?"

"Where there's a will, there's a way." Li Siqi smiled faintly. "You underestimate the local level. The laws and regulations of the imperial court are one thing, how they are implemented at the local level is another."

Li Jinglong asked with a smile, "Senior, you're not going to say you're giving all of these things to me, are you?"

"Why not?" Li Siqi looked directly at him.

"What's the senior up to? Planning a rebellion?" Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow. "He wants me to be his inside man?"

He thought to himself, "There are fewer and fewer people on the anti-rebel path these days. Should I join this path? Am I an idiot?"

"No, no, no." Li Siqi's face fell. "I don't want to rebel. I've lived to this age, and I've already lost an arm in the northern frontier. What else can I do? I just want to return to my roots. I only ask that the Duke of Shao lend me a hand."

Li Jinglong smiled slightly.

Keep performing.

"I'm just a good-for-nothing playboy, I can't help you, senior." He shrugged.