Chapter 837
Han Pojun Enters the Game
Qi Gang decided to take a gamble and cleverly tricked Han Pojun into joining the game.
He then made a startling remark, revealing the whole truth and countering each move with a counter-strategy.
"The fire in the inner palace is merely a smokescreen."
"The real danger lies with Lord Jing alone!"
His words were forceful and irrefutable.
Upon hearing this shocking statement, Han Pojun broke out in a cold sweat.
"Lord Jing."
For a moment, Han, the guard, was caught off guard and his mind wandered, unable to believe it.
To gain this person's help, Qi Gang was determined to take a desperate gamble and advance further.
"Han Pojun, listen to me. I know that you and your son have always acted with integrity, prudence, and unwavering loyalty."
"Since Duke Jing went south to serve the king, he has devoted himself to the country and always took the lead in battles large and small."
"Right now, along the Yangtze River, if it weren't for Lord Jing's restraint and control, the northern barbarian army would have already wreaked havoc on the south of the Yangtze River."
"But the more this is the case, the more it arouses resentment and envy."
"Recently, the Duke's mansion has been poorly guarded, which is why such a ruthless villain has come along to cleverly set up a murder plot."
“Those petty people disregard the situation and attempt to overthrow the state.”
"If we allow these treacherous officials to succeed, the tide will be turned, half of Jiangnan will be lost, and the nation will perish."
"Who knows how many will become emperors and how many will become kings!"
Holding General Han's wrist firmly, Qi Gang's words grew increasingly sharp.
They are closing in step by step, and the situation is urgent.
Upon hearing this, Han Pojun was truly taken aback and found it difficult to process such a significant matter of right and wrong.
My mouth trembled and my face went numb; I didn't know what to do.
"No, wait, you... wait a minute."
"You mean someone is planning to assassinate the Duke of Jingguo tonight?"
"But this, this..." Han was still hesitant to fully believe what he said.
Seeing this situation, Qi Gang pressed on even more urgently, not giving him any time to think things through.
"Oh dear, why don't you understand?"
"General Ma is leaving the palace tonight to find Commander Qin immediately, turn the tide, and save the Duke's mansion!"
Upon hearing Minister Qi's words, General Han gasped.
His fingers trembled, and he forced himself to calm down.
After all, even if he was of low rank and lacked experience.
However, the current situation in the world is such that the chaos has been quelled.
The Jurchens in the north are powerful. If it weren't for the Duke of Jingguo in charge of military affairs to resist them along the Yangtze River, the heartland of Jiangnan would have long since fallen into the hands of foreign barbarians.
At that time, national subjugation, racial extinction, widespread suffering, and family separation will all be imminent.
The responsibility that Duke Jing bore was of paramount importance.
Even though he doesn't participate in court affairs, he still understands this principle.
Regardless of who is in charge of the world or the court, it is better for the Han people to be in charge than for the barbarians.
However, on second thought, such a formidable obstacle has now come right before my eyes.
For a moment, Han Pojun was startled and unconsciously took a half step back.
He could no longer hold his breath and exhaled deeply.
"call--"
"Minister Qi, regardless of whether what you just said is true or false."
"Yes, but I am merely a palace guard on duty."
"We really can't bear such a huge responsibility."
"You, you still..."
When faced with a military crisis, Han was accustomed to thinking of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm, and to seeking ways to protect himself wisely.
Such behavior is only human nature and not at all excessive.
However, Qi Gang had been forced into this critical situation, so how could he just let him go?
So, he used a last-minute provocation.
"Han Pojun!"
"How long are you and your son going to keep being such cowards?"
"Look at you, so tall and strong, yet you're so timid and hesitant when the opportunity is right in front of you."
"How can someone like this shoulder great responsibilities and achieve great feats?!"
"Does he just spend all his time complaining?"
"Since you have such lofty ambitions, why don't you dare to gamble with me once!"
Qi Gang's words hit Han Pojun right where it hurts.
As the saying goes, "Wearing a tattered robe, one feels lowly in the government office; while the rich feast on wine and meat, one feels both envious and sorrowful."
Seven parts resentment and eight parts anger, yet my lofty ambitions are thwarted by unforeseen circumstances.
A home on a cold branch is like a temporary lodging; chasing profit in a frenzy turns hatred to ashes.
If I gain the power to soar to the clouds in the future, I will shatter the golden steps and stain the door with blood.
Such provocative words directed at someone like Han Pojun truly struck a nerve.
"you"
Upon hearing this, Han Pojun's face flushed red, and his blood rushed to his head.
It seemed that the momentum was about to rise, but Qi Gang quickly followed up with words.
"There's no time left. If we can't get out tonight and can't find Qin Jing, then Lord Jing is doomed."
Qi Gang could talk about almost everything.
After speaking, he stared intently at the Han general before him.
Even at this critical juncture, Han Pojun remained resolute, determined not to act until he saw the benefits.
"Your words are just empty promises, nothing but baseless speculation." "How can I believe you?" she thought to herself, feeling clever.
"Hoo—" Han Jiang took another breath.
"How confident are we about this?"
See, he's already taken the bait, but he's being stubborn and wants more time to plead his case.
"Thirty percent!"
Qi Gang was very decisive, and it was only natural.
But hearing this made Han Pojun even more uncertain.
"what?!"
Before Ye could even voice his frustration, Qi Gang took another step forward.
Extraordinary matters require extraordinary benefits; this is the final hurdle in the plan.
"Achieving even 30% is already quite an achievement."
"General Han, there is no such thing as a business that makes a fortune with a small investment."
"If everything is as I have determined, you will know the extent of the consequences." Qi Gang urged them to act immediately.
Thus, the conversation shifted, and it became Han Pojun's turn to settle accounts.
He quickly made up his mind.
It seems that if Ma Minglu is allowed to leave the palace, even if the truth comes out later, it will cause trouble within the palace walls.
At worst, he'll lose his job; it shouldn't come down to life or death.
After all, the compatibility has been verified, so there should be no obstacle.
However, if it actually happens, then he will also have gained credit for saving the emperor.
In the future, as long as Duke Jing rewards him, he will surely receive considerable benefits and rise rapidly in rank, which may be just around the corner.
Right now, aren't Qi Gang and Ma Minglu the ones who rose through the ranks from among the army's personal guards?
At such a young age, he has already entered the cabinet and become a prime minister; his future is limitless.
With such a promising future, why not take the plunge and seize this opportunity?
So Han Pojun, after careful consideration, gritted his teeth, rolled up his sleeves, and made up his mind.
"understood."
"This humble general, Han Pojun, is at the command of Minister Qi."
In the end, the Han general knelt on one knee and obeyed the order.
Seeing that his plan had finally succeeded, Qi Gang looked up at the sky and gasped for breath.
Before the guards could even kneel, he took it from their hands.
"Okay, okay." Overjoyed.
"Time is of the essence, let's skip the small talk."
“Ma Minglu must leave the palace immediately.”
"However, I am worried because when I came here tonight, the guards outside the palace had already been reassigned."
"Han Pojun, you are an inner palace guard, so your rank is naturally a level higher than that of those outside."
"These thirty or forty brothers under my command will be at my command in a moment."
Qi Gang only dared to reveal the rest of the story once he had a firm grasp of the situation.
Upon hearing this purpose, Han Pojun's eyes sharpened.
However, even if one takes on more responsibility, once one's words have been spoken and plans have been finalized, it's best not to say too much or go back on one's word.
"You mean the guards outside the gate have also been switched and are going to rebel?"
Judging from the look, Han Jiang's expression was quite unpleasant.
"It's better to be safe than sorry." At this moment, Qi Gang had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.
Han Pojun frowned.
"Alright, now I completely understand."
"Scholar Ma will leave in a moment."
“With me leading these brothers behind me, no one can stop him.”
Han joined the group, and Qi Gang pursued and settled the matter.
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear!"
"Minglu, Minglu!"
Having received this solid reply, Qi Gang, with his clear understanding, quickly turned around and instructed Minglu to take action.
Han Pojun decided to take a gamble and go all in.
"Brothers!" Han Sheng shouted, urging his men to surround the guards behind him.
"Here!" the soldiers responded.
"Tonight, we're getting a big job!"
"Open your eyes wide, everyone!"
"I'm going to lead you guys to do something big tonight!"
"If you trust me, Han, don't try to fool me later."
"Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and you will certainly be rewarded."
"Even if... humph, even if the sky falls, tonight, I'll take it all on myself."
"It's none of your business."
Han Pojun lives up to his name; once he has made up his mind to do something, he immediately displays a do-or-die attitude.
"What's wrong?"
"Come with me, brother?!" Han Jiang's sharp eyes swept around.
Then, one of the guards who was usually close to him took the lead and joined in.
"Brother Han, no problem, I'll do whatever you say!"
"Yes, whatever you say, we'll do it."
With everyone united and acting swiftly, Qi and Ma left the palace to fight this battle. (End of Chapter)