bullyxtreme Chapter 71 Urinary Escape
Chapter 71 Urinary Escape
Batu continued cursing, getting more and more into it, and more and more sincere: "The most important thing is that the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, the future emperor."
Following the Crown Prince means following the fate of the Qing Dynasty.
My brother-in-law doesn't understand this principle; that's because he lacks foresight.
Although I, Batu, am not a particularly clever person, I understand this principle!
Xiao Guoxing's smile deepened as he listened to his words.
His gaze lingered on Batu's face for a long time, as if judging whether what he said was true or false.
Then he turned his head and glanced at Gao Mengyuan.
Gao Mengyuan understood what he meant, nodded, and continued, "Lord Xiao, what the young master said is true."
His relationship with Tenth Master was indeed not very harmonious; I can testify to that.
Batu pressed his advantage, adding, "Besides, I still owe Master Gao a lot of money."
Repaying debts is justified.
I, Batu, am not the kind of person who forgets kindness. Uncle Gao helped me when I was in my most difficult time, and I remember that kindness.
Xiao Guoxing raised an eyebrow slightly, turned to look at Gao Mengyuan, and asked with a hint of displeasure, "Is that so?"
Gao Mengyuan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his smiling look.
He quickly waved his hand: "No, no, Lord Xiao has misunderstood."
The young master and I are just friends, there's no question of owing anything. It's all small amounts, not worth mentioning.
"I'll have someone find all those IOUs in a moment, burn them in front of the young master, and not take a single penny."
Batu quickly put on a flattered expression.
He repeatedly said, "I can't accept this," and "Mr. Gao, you're too kind."
But he felt nothing, because these IOUs would be burned away soon enough, even without them saying a word.
The group chatted for a while longer, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed.
The tea was changed twice, and the snacks were also changed to a different plate.
Xiao Guoxing asked Batu some questions about the grasslands, and Batu only answered the ones that sounded nice.
Phrases like "prosperous tribe," "herds of cattle and sheep," and "lush pastures" were used to describe the Urjingarap tribe as if it were paradise.
Xiao Guoxing listened, nodding frequently, his smile growing wider and wider.
Seeing that the time was right, Gao Mengyuan brought the topic back.
"Young Master," he leaned forward, "you mentioned earlier that you heard some news from the Tenth Prince. What exactly was it?"
Batu put down his teacup, leaned forward, and lowered his voice.
"Master Gao, Eighth Master is already investigating Huang Tiren and Lord Xiao's background."
He glanced at Xiao Guoxing, his tone tinged with worry.
"Eighth Master suspects that the 500,000 taels were not borrowed by you yourselves, but by someone else."
He added that the money might have been used for lending, forcing many people to sell their children, leading to broken families and even death.
Xiao Guoxing's smile faded slightly, but he didn't interrupt.
"I also heard," Batu's voice lowered a few decibels, "that the Crown Prince has also made a lot of loans in Jiangnan, with outrageously high interest rates."
Many merchants borrowed money from the prince but couldn't repay it, and were driven to jump into the river.
Several other officials, having been given leverage over the Crown Prince's men, were forced to work for him, ultimately resulting in their dismissal, investigation, confiscation of their property, and the separation of their families.
He paused, observed Xiao Guoxing's expression, and continued, "Some people also say that the Crown Prince keeps many retainers outside."
These people, under the guise of the prince, ran rampant in various places, engaging in forced buying and selling, seizing land, and oppressing the people.
Local officials dared not speak out against their anger; their memorials to the court were intercepted and never reached the emperor.
Xiao Guoxing fiddled with his teacup, seemingly unconcerned.
"Your Highness, I have heard about the things you have mentioned."
Some of it is true, some is false, and some has been embellished and distorted. But regardless of whether it's true or false, do you really think these things could be linked to the Crown Prince?
He shook his head: "Your Highness, you are still too young. Even if these matters are brought before the Emperor, Your Highness can simply say 'I made a poor choice of people and was deceived by villains' to clear yourself of all wrongdoing."
Those who carried out the orders were all servants of the Crown Prince.
If a servant makes a mistake and the master doesn't discipline him properly, he might at most be reprimanded a few times. What else can happen?
Would the Emperor really depose the Crown Prince just because a few servants committed a crime?
Batu opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.
Xiao Guoxing's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head.
He knew that Xiao Guoxing was telling the truth.
The crown prince is the heir apparent and the foundation of the nation.
As long as he doesn't rebel, plot treason, or commit any heinous crime that defies all reason, the emperor won't touch him.
Even if those matters are verified, the investigation will only trace back to Huang Tiren, Xiao Guoxing, and Gao Mengyuan, but not to the Crown Prince.
Gao Mengyuan noticed Batu's unease and quickly smoothed things over: "Young Master, let's not talk about this. The news you brought is very important, and we understand it. Come, let's drink."
Batu raised his glass, clinked it with his, and downed it in one gulp.
The group chatted for a while longer, their conversation ranging from matters of the court to the scenery of the grasslands, and from the scenery of the grasslands to interesting anecdotes about the capital.
Xiao Guoxing seemed very interested in Batu and asked him many questions about the Urjingalap tribe. Batu answered them one by one, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
Batu secretly glanced at the copper water clock in the room.
The clock has moved quite a distance; the night patrol should be arriving soon.
He can't sit here any longer.
He put down his teacup and stood up.
"Master Gao, Lord Xiao," he cupped his hands in greeting, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face, "This humble subject must excuse me for a moment, I need to go to the outhouse."
I drank too much tea just now, and I really couldn't hold it in any longer.
Gao Mengyuan waved his hand and said with a smile, "Please go ahead, Your Highness. The outhouse is at the end of the corridor; just turn the corner."
Batu nodded and turned to walk towards the door.
He had just taken a step when Gao Mengyuan's voice came from behind him again.
"Manager Sun."
The door opened, and Sun Yongfu appeared out of nowhere, standing at the doorway with his hands hanging down.
"The young master needs to go to the outhouse; you will accompany him. Make sure no one disturbs him there."
Batu's heart skipped a beat.
"Uncle Gao, no need, no need," he quickly waved his hand. "I'm not a three-year-old child. Do I need someone to accompany me to the outhouse? People will laugh at me."
Gao Mengyuan waved his hand, his tone still casual, but Batu could tell that beneath that casualness lay a firmness.
"Young Master, why are you being so polite? Manager Sun is free. Let him accompany you and give you directions. The outhouse area is a bit of a maze, so please don't get lost."
Xiao Guoxing held his teacup, saying nothing, but glanced at Batu.
Batu knew he couldn't push it any further.
If he pushed any further, Gao Mengyuan would become suspicious. He gritted his teeth, still smiling, and nodded.
"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Sun."