Chapter 176 Conspiracy (Thanks to book friends Pipixiapapaxionghai and Baiyuncanggouyouyou for the reward!)
Xu Zhaojie's words immediately made Taoist Mingcang realize the key to the matter. Seeing that what he had planned was hopeless, he lowered his eyes, and the disappointment on his face was beyond words.

"Since those people from the Supervisory Office were able to bribe my men in advance, I'm afraid Yan Ziliang of the Iron Cavalry has already received the news and started to secretly guard against me. He may even be waiting for me to take action so that he can take me down. Therefore, the idea of ​​cooperating with Governor Zhao to take down the Iron Cavalry and eliminate the emperor's entourage and attack Shangguan Hongyuan is naturally just empty talk!"

"Among the 50,000 imperial guards in the military camp now, I'm afraid that less than 20,000 can obey my, Xu Zhaojie's orders..." Xu Zhaojie lowered his head, his words full of self-mockery.

Seeing Xu Zhaojie's behavior, although Xu Zhaojie was no longer of much use because of the failure of the plan, but from the perspective of forming alliances, Taoist Mingcang still reminded him:

"Then Lord Xu must not give up on himself. If he returns to Luoan, he will just let Shangguan Hongyuan, the traitor, take control of him!"

"This time, I have returned with a great victory. Even if Shangguan Hongyuan wants to take action against me, he won't be too anxious. He should at least transfer me to the Governor's Office and give me a nominal and idle position. I will be demoted for a while. At least I will be safe for the next few months!" Xu Zhaojie waved his hand and said:

Hearing what Xu Zhaojie said, a strange look flashed across the old Taoist's eyes, and he immediately said tentatively: "It seems that the Marquis has already made up his mind!"

Xu Zhaojie did not hide his feelings when he heard this, and nodded solemnly and said:

"He has his own plan, and I naturally have my own way. If an enemy comes, we will stop him. If a flood comes, we will block it with earth. Although Shangguan Hongyuan is powerful, he cannot cover the sky with one hand in the court!"

Xu Zhaojie's words were decisive and full of information, completely different from his previous melancholy and decadence. Just when Taoist Mingcang was wondering what gave Xu Zhaojie such great confidence, Xu Zhaojie smiled slightly and said in a low voice...
Xu Zhaojie's voice was very low, and only he and the old Taoist priest could hear clearly what he said. As Xu Zhaojie spoke, Taoist Mingcang's face became confused and surprised, as if he had heard something very extraordinary.

After a cup of tea, Xu Zhaojie finished speaking and picked up the teacup to moisten his throat. The Taoist Mingcang, who was representing Youyan Governor Zhao Fuqu, sitting opposite him, was lost in deep thought.

Looking at Taoist Mingcang, Xu Zhaojie did not urge him, but his expression was very confident. After another half cup of tea, Taoist Mingcang finally finished thinking, raised his head and looked at Xu Zhaojie with emotion and said:

"Lord Xu, this is really a risky move..."

"You can't get a tiger cub without taking the risk." Xu Zhaojie disagreed and asked calmly:
The old Taoist nodded slightly when he heard this. Although Xu Zhaojie's plan was a bit risky, the benefits of success would indeed be huge, and it might even directly change the current situation in the court.

"This is a serious matter. I have no right to decide. I need to report to the Governor-General and then discuss it!" Taoist Mingcang felt Xu Zhaojie's gaze and hesitated before speaking.
"Although the Marquis' plan is risky, I am still optimistic about it..."

"Then I'll trouble you, Taoist priest, to say a few good words to Governor Zhao!"

Xu Zhaojie knew very well how much influence this old Taoist priest had on Zhao Fuqu, so after receiving a positive response from Taoist Mingcang, a smile suddenly appeared on his handsome face. After deciding on the general policy, the two spent the next incense stick of time discussing some details of the plan. As it was getting late and the plan was almost complete, Xu Zhaojie was about to send Taoist Mingcang away.

Suddenly, Taoist Mingcang, who was praising Xu Zhaojie just a second ago, changed the subject and looked at Xu Zhaojie and said as if unintentionally:

"I heard that Lord Xu has a general under his command named Ye Mingsheng?"

After the old Taoist priest said this, Xu Zhaojie was a little surprised, but he quickly reacted and said calmly: "This person has been transferred to the Zhenwu Army and is no longer working under me."

"Is that so... The old Taoist heard that Ye Mingsheng had offended the Marquis when he was in the palace?" Although Xu Zhaojie reacted quickly, the change in his expression was still seen by Taoist Mingcang. The old Taoist continued to pretend to be indifferent and said:

Seeing the old Taoist priest's repeated probing, Xu Zhaojie simply stopped hiding and laid bare his cards. His face darkened and he stared at the other party, saying in a deep voice:
"Master, if you have something to say, please speak directly. There is no need to beat around the bush!"

"Lord Xu is indeed a straightforward person, so I won't hide anything. Lord Xu and I have a very pleasant meeting, and I am willing to help you get rid of this thief and relieve your hatred. What do you think?" The old Taoist priest clapped his hands and laughed:
"He is now a fifth-rank general. Do you dare to touch him?" Xu Zhaojie was a little surprised when he heard this, but soon he asked back with a sneer on his face:

“Normally, I wouldn’t dare to assassinate a military officer of the imperial court. But this time is different. Someone is willing to be a scapegoat, so naturally, I have nothing to worry about…” Taoist Master Mingcang said mysteriously:

Xu Zhaojie was somewhat tempted when he heard this, but after a moment's hesitation, he shook his head and said, "How you want to treat him is your business, don't involve me!"

After Xu Zhaojie finished speaking, Taoist Mingcang was a little disappointed, but seeing that Xu Zhaojie had made up his mind, he didn't say anything else and immediately said goodbye and left.

After Taoist Mingcang left, Xu Zhaojie, who was originally a little tired, was no longer sleepy. He squinted his eyes, leaned back in the chair, and looked up, thinking quietly.

Xu Zhaojie was not surprised that Taoist Mingcang knew about the feud between him and Ye Mingsheng. After all, this matter was an open secret among the top leaders. Everyone knew that his subordinates, Xu Zhaojie, were instigated by the Supervisory Department to betray him...
What Xu Zhaojie was really confused about was why Taoist Mingcang offered to help him get rid of Ye Mingsheng?

Don't be fooled by Taoist Mingcang's kind eyes and immortal-like appearance, but Xu Zhaojie knows very well that this old guy is actually the leader of the underworld killer organization Black Stone. For him, killing people, confiscating homes, and exterminating entire families are as common as eating and drinking. As long as the benefits are big enough, he will kill without hesitation, from an eighty-year-old woman to a three-month-old baby!
However, although this guy is cruel and ruthless, he is a very purposeful person. Whatever he does, he must have his purpose. He is not the kind of crazy person who enjoys killing.

(End of this chapter)