Chapter 1535: Prime Minister Song’s Speculation

If he dares to appear, I shall execute him!

Regal authority, gazing arrogantly over all things, fully displaying dominance.

Xia Houzhe’s pupils constricted slightly, his heart also tightened a bit.

Though the dog Emperor is indeed a dog, this prestige of his is not formed overnight, but is developed over years of reigning.

Song Zhiyuan said at this moment: "I once read an informal history about writing Ning, the Cabinet Minister. It said that in his youth, he traveled across many nations to walk ten thousand miles. He once visited a small island in the East Sea, admired its bird songs and fragrant flowers, abundant resources, resembling a paradise removed from the world, and expressed the wish to be buried there if he were to die."

Xia Houzhe’s breath caught.

Song Zhiyuan said faintly: "In the past, you always holed up in Xuzhou under the guise of Prince Min, yet in the East Sea, you laid false trails, making the Emperor focus all attention there, allowing you peace for several years. Now it seems, perhaps it wasn’t a false trail but actually existed."

Emperor Chu was stirred in his heart, watching Xia Houzhe without a change in expression.

"Abundant resources, a paradise isolated from Great Qing by thousands of miles, even if traces were discovered, without an elite naval fleet and seafaring vessels, Great Qing could not easily capture, allowing them to settle peacefully on that small island, recuperating for future plans." Song Zhiyuan suddenly smiled: "If Cabinet Minister Ning played such a move, he likely laid a substantial foundation on that island long ago, such a smooth avenue, truly an excellent maneuver."

Xia Houzhe fixed his gaze on Song Zhiyuan, then suddenly laughed, saying: "If Prime Minister Song can’t continue as a Prime Minister in the future, becoming a storyteller isn’t a bad plan, crafting such good tales."

"Whether it’s crafted, you know in your heart. Presumably, this escape route was prepared for both the Ning family and for you, but unfortunately, you became a discarded piece, unable to enjoy it. Otherwise, you’d be living freely on that small island by now." Song Zhiyuan retorted.

Xia Houzhe’s smile faded away.

Emperor Chu also laughed at this moment: "Prime Minister Song’s conjecture seems to have struck a chord in you. The merchant house where Chu Ze once stayed was also involved in overseas smuggling. Otherwise, how could the things from Xiazhi Foreign Trading Company be procured?"

Xia Houzhe closed his eyes briefly, then chuckled: "Suppose your conjecture is true, can you bring the people back? As Prime Minister Song said, without an elite naval fleet, do you dare to attack the East Sea?"

Emperor Chu said proudly: "There isn’t one today, but will there be none in the future? Someday, Great Qing will have an elite naval fleet. As for Ning’s descendants, since he’s not of the Royal Family, whether or not he appears, will I remain concerned? If he truly dares to rise in rebellion, neither I nor my Chu family descendants fear. In the end, whose hand the deer shall fall to remains unknown."

Xia Houzhe sneered: "Then I truly wish eternal stability for your Chu Dynasty."

Song Zhiyuan said: "You better wish that, otherwise, all your Xia family’s former attachments would have merely paved the way for Ning family, wouldn’t they? Ah, like they say, ’ginger gets spicier with age’, Minister Ning openly used the remnants of your Xia family to arrange a retreat for his own, and in the future, could use the Ning name to raise a banner. If successful, replacing Xia with Ning on the throne is indeed a clever move."

Xia Houzhe was so angry his liver hurt, looking at Emperor Chu: "His Majesty truly has a great measure."

Such a treacherous minister curses the Chu dynasty, yet he remains unmoved. Isn’t that great composure?

Emperor Chu, too lazy to talk further, turned around, seeing Chu Ze standing under the porch, said: "I won’t waste words with you, lest someone can’t wait any longer."

Xia Houzhe glanced over and seeing Chu Ze, his fingertips curled.