Chapter Eighty-four: Feigning Surrender

  "Everyone has been deceived by you, it seems that everyone underestimated you." Han Yu said with a faint smile.

  Jiang Xia shook his head and let out a faint sigh: "This is also unavoidable. When I found out about Er Ge's identity, I knew things wouldn't be simple. Now that I'm already in this situation, it's impossible to stay out of it or withdraw, so I can only pretend to know nothing for now, which will give me time to slowly accumulate power. Originally, I thought Liu Jin would spare me because of Er Ge, but unexpectedly he's quite ruthless and actually tried to put me to death."

  Jiang Xia looked at Han Yu and said: "Han brother, thank you."

  Han Yu turned his head to look at Jiang Xia, he didn't expect that at this time Jiang Xia still called him "Big Brother Han". Han Yu smiled somewhat guiltily and said: "How can I bear your thanks, after all I once had the intention of killing you."

  "But in the end you still couldn't bring yourself to kill me, could you?" Jiang Xia said.

  Han let out a faint sigh, "I won't kill you, but there will definitely be others coming to kill you later, you'd better take care of yourself."

  Just as Han Yu was about to leave, Jiang Xia suddenly spoke up and called out to him: "Big Brother Han!"

  Han stopped in his tracks, "What's your plan next? You didn't kill me, Liu Jin definitely won't let you off." Jiang Xia asked.

  Han fell silent for a moment before saying: "I'll go find Master Fang now and apologize, whether he wants to kill me or cut me up is up to him, anyway I've lived long enough in this world."

  "I'll go with you."

  Han turned back to look at Jiang Xia, who had a smile on the corner of his mouth. He suddenly realized that until now, he had never really understood Jiang Xia, and probably no one who knew Jiang Xia could truly understand him either.

  The East Factory is located at the north gate of Dongshang, not far from Guanglu Temple, and adjacent to Mingqi Factory.

  Han Yu drove the horse-drawn carriage to lead Jiang Xia to the entrance of the East Factory, and after stopping the carriage, Jiang Xia crawled out of the carriage and jumped down. He stood beside the carriage waiting for Han Yu, who said with a worried expression: "Brother Jiang, this is like sending a sheep into the tiger's mouth, don't you want to reconsider?"

  A faint smile appeared on Jiang Xia's face: "Whether I stick my head out or pull it back, it's all the same - one knife. Why not just present myself at their doorstep with a slightly better attitude? Maybe they'll take pity on me and let me off."

  Han looked at Jiang Xia deeply and saw that his attitude was firm, so he could only shake his head and jump off the carriage to walk with Jiang Xia towards the east gate of the factory.

  The large gate of the East Factory was wide open, with two guards standing in front. Han Yu took out a token from his bosom and handed it to the two guards at the door, who looked at it before pointing at Jiang Xia and saying, "He is someone that Master has specifically instructed me to bring over."

  Two guards nodded and indicated that Han Yu could go in.

  Han Yu led Jiang Xia into the East Factory.

  Beyond the east gate is a courtyard, which is relatively empty. In the center of the courtyard stands a stone monument with four large characters "Baishi Liufang".

  Passing by the side of the stone tablet, Han Yu and Jiang Xia walked into the main hall of Dongchang together.

  In the center of the hall was a purple sandalwood chair, and since it was summer, southern soft jade was laid on the wooden chair. It was obvious that the chair belonged to Liu Jin. On either side of the purple sandalwood chair were rows of pear wood chairs, totaling eighteen seats, which should be the positions of the eighteen senior officials of the Eastern Depot.

  On the wall behind Liu Jin's purple sandalwood chair, there was still a portrait hanging, and ironically, that portrait turned out to be "Yue Fei's Portrait".

  Han Yu and Jiang Xia had just walked into the main hall when it was empty, but within a minute of standing there, Jiang Xia heard several bright laughs: "Early this morning I heard the magpie calling, I thought something happy was happening, turns out it's a rare guest visiting."

  Liu Jin came out wearing an official uniform with a qilin embroidery pattern, and upon seeing Jiang Xia, he waved his hand and said: "All unrelated people get out!"

  Several Eastern Depot guards who followed Liu Jin immediately retreated, and Han Yu was still hesitating whether to leave or not. However, Liu Jin glared at him fiercely, and Han Yu had no choice but to retreat as well.

  Soon, the only two people left in the great hall were Liu Jin and Jiang Xia. Liu Jin pointed to the chair on the right side of the purple sandalwood chair and said: "Come, Brother Jiang, let's sit down and talk."

  Jiang Xia nodded and walked over to the chair, turning around to sit down. Liu Jin also sat down in the purple sandalwood chair, smiling as he said: "This place can't compare to your Xianyao Villa, there's no top-grade Longjing tea or exquisite pastries made by the imperial chefs, those simple snacks and inferior tea leaves I won't even let people bring out to show their faces, Jiang brother please forgive me."

  Jiang Xia smiled slightly and shook his head, saying: "Sir, since I've come here, it means I already know everything. Let's not beat around the bush, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

  "Alright, speak freely!" Liu Jin nodded, "Brother Jiang, what's on your mind? Go ahead and say it."

  Jiang Xia nodded slightly, and in her heart, she secretly admired Liu Jin's calmness.

  Han Yu's temperament was already calm enough, but when he heard that Jiang Xia had actually known Zhu Houzhao's identity a long time ago, he still jumped in fright. However, Liu Jin was different, from the moment he saw Jiang Xia until now, his face did not reveal any hint of surprise, and he also didn't ask Jiang Xia when he knew their identities.

  However, since Liu Jin was not a problem, Jiang Xia didn't bother to explain deliberately. He made a fist at Liu Jin and said: "Your Excellency, I came this time just to express three attitudes. The first is to tell Your Excellency that I already know your identity and the Emperor's. The second is to make it clear that my master Li Dongyang has retired, and he will no longer be involved in the court's troubles from now on. I hope Your Excellency won't hold grudges against him for past grievances. The third is my personal attitude, which is to say that I am different from my master. I am grateful for his teachings, but I also remember your promotion of me. If it weren't for your help, I would still be just a small bookkeeper in the Gongfang Pavilion. Your kind intentions conveyed through Kang Mama, I not only received them but also remembered them in my heart."

  After Jiang Xia finished speaking, Liu Jin did not speak up immediately. He looked at Jiang Xia with great interest, his piercing gaze making Jiang Xia feel a little numb in his heart. Since he dared to come to the East Factory, he had assumed that Liu Jin would not do anything to him. However, at this moment, Liu Jin's gaze made him secretly wonder if this eunuch had some kind of perverted hobby, and he thought to himself that he should be on guard against him.

  "Hahaha......" Liu Jin suddenly burst out laughing, he nodded and said: "Interesting, interesting, I think I understand why the emperor values you so much now. You're really a fun person, it's rare to meet someone as interesting as you."

  Liu Jin said with a pat on his hand.

  To be honest, it's not surprising at all that Jiang Xiaoliu Jin suddenly appeared in this Dong factory, he just suppressed his emotions and didn't show it.

  But what surprised Liu Jin even more was that Jiang Xia had come not to say anything else, but to make amends.

  He made it clear that he and Li Dongyang were different, and also pointed out that the gift of shares from Qunfang Pavilion was something he had known about for a long time. Moreover, he specifically mentioned that he had always remembered his good intentions towards him.

  This remark conveys several meanings. The first is to express Jiang Xia's goodwill. The second is also to tell Liu Jin that he knows why Liu Jin wants to eliminate him. The third is to tell Liu Jin what he knows, which is actually more than what Liu Jin imagined.

  Liu Jin looked at Jiang Xia and asked: "When did you find out?"

  "When the heavenly prison was raided."

  "Why did you come find me now?"

  "Please forgive me for this matter, Your Excellency. I didn't mean to hide anything from you, but rather wanted to enjoy a few more peaceful days. If I had said that I knew about it, I would have been forced to take sides between you, Lord Zhang, and my master. Originally, I thought that since I'm already studying at the Imperial Academy, in just two months I'll be able to pass the imperial examination and enter officialdom, and everything will become clear then. At that time, I can come to thank Your Excellency for your great kindness, which would have been perfect timing. However, I may have thought things through too simply, and some matters may have caused you to misunderstand, so I hastened to come and explain."

  "Do you think I only want an explanation?" Liu Jin smiled at Jiang Xia, his smile revealing a sense of harmony, as if an elder was looking at a younger one.

  Jiang Xia smiled and said: "Duke, I have only told you that I already know everything, can't the Duke feel my sincerity?"

  Jiang Xia suddenly stood up and bowed to Liu Jin: "Jiang Xia is willing to serve the public with the labor of a dog and horse."

  "Good!" Liu Jin excitedly clapped his hands once.

  He wanted to kill Jiang Xia because he thought Jiang Xia was Li Dongyang's man, and he would not have the opportunity to win Jiang Xia over. However, now that Jiang Xia has come forward to pledge his allegiance, Liu Jin naturally no longer needs to kill Jiang Xia, but instead gains an extra helper out of thin air.

  Liu Jin helped Jiang Xia up, smiling and saying: "Brother Jiang is willing to help our family's business, of course, we are more than happy. However, we also understand that Brother Jiang is a cunning person, just relying on a few words, we dare not easily believe you, I'm afraid it's necessary for Brother Jiang to give us a token of good faith."

  "What's going on?" Jiang Xia muttered to herself, thinking of the old fox.

  In fact, given Jiang Xia's character, how could he be willing to serve Liu Jin faithfully? The reason why he temporarily pretended to be friendly was nothing more than two reasons. The first is to save Han Yu's life, and the second is to ensure that before he grows up to be able to confront Liu Jin, he can stabilize Liu Jin and not let him kill himself.

  But it's clear that Liu Jin is a suspicious person and won't easily believe anyone.

  When Liu Jin proposed the idea of surrender, Jiang Xia had no choice but to force himself to say: "If Your Excellency has any requests, please instruct me, and I will do my best to help you."