Munitions Empire-Chapter 919 - Crafty Tactics 842

Chapter 919: Crafty Tactics 842 Chapter 919: Crafty Tactics 842 In another residence, Chu Muzhou set down his teacup and glanced at Zhou Qiang sitting beside him, then asked in a drawling voice, “So, are you planning to enter the fray yourself?”

Zhou Qiang sighed and replied with a hint of strategy, “I have no choice, the younger generation is incompetent. If I don’t stake this old bag of bones, those unworthy children will have no future.”

“Not having a future is just that, not having a future; in thirty to fifty years, at least there will still be wealth and honor to rely on. If a worthy and capable person appears among the descendants later, it isn’t impossible to rise high in the court again,” Chu Muzhou continued to advise at his usual unhurried pace.

“Alas… my sons are unfilial, unfilial indeed…” Zhou Qiang became agitated again, irritated by the trouble his two sons had caused: “That’s why… I’ve come to you, Sir, for help.”

He bowed his head towards Chu Muzhou and said, “The purpose of my visit this time is on behalf of those two scoundrels… Prime Minister, this favor… is something Mr. Zhou must repay.”

“Start from the beginning… I also wish to hear about the methods of the Great Tang Empire,” Chu Muzhou fell silent for two seconds before finally deciding to give Zhou Qiang some face.

In the Dahua Empire, the Minister of Personnel was essentially always the so-called “Prime Minister’s substitute.” Those who could take on the role of Minister of Personnel were those esteemed in the Emperor’s heart, ready to take on the burden at any moment and become the Imperial Chancellor.

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Thus, Zhou Qiang had always been Chu Muzhou’s successor, and the relationship between the two had been very delicate for a long time. Although Zhou Qiang wasn’t overtly harmonious with Chu Muzhou, in reality, their relationship was quite good.

As the Minister of Personnel, Zhou Qiang had no ambition to climb any further, especially given the Dahua Empire’s current precarious state.

He preferred to stay in his position as Minister of Personnel, waiting for a better opportunity rather than going to war with Chu Muzhou over a Prime Ministerial seat that seemed rather useless.

He saw very clearly that when the Empire was strong and the soldiers fearless, with the Emperor’s trust, the Prime Minister held real power and weight. But when the Emperor was arrogant and the country was fraught with internal and external troubles, what use was being Prime Minister?

Having someone to take the thunder at such times was truly comfortable, so Zhou Qiang carefully maintained his relationship with Chu Muzhou. It was because of his wisdom that he had the opportunity to seek Chu Muzhou’s help today.

“My eldest son isn’t greedy for wealth or pleasure, and normally he has good conduct,” Zhou Qiang began to speak unhurriedly about his eldest son.

“I have heard of Young Master Zhou, indeed a man of elegance,” Chu Muzhou smiled, having a good impression of the Zhou family’s eldest son.

“Merely feigning sophistication, without a shred of resolve…” Zhou Qiang sighed and said with a half-amused, half-despairing tone, “Who would have thought, they could even find ‘The Weeping Shepherdess’…”

“What extravagance!” Chu Muzhou was startled by the generosity of Tang Country—he had long heard of this famous painting, the price of which had been rising for ten years and was now considered astronomically high.

The key point was that the painting had been acquired by the Great Tang Group and had never been put on the market for sale, belonging to the private collection of the Great Tang Imperial Royal Family; one couldn’t buy it anywhere, even with money.

Yet the other party had actually brought it out and presented it to Zhou’s eldest son… For someone who admired famous paintings and poetry, this was truly… an immense temptation.

What Chu Muzhou didn’t know was that before giving the painting, Tang Country’s intelligence agents had been fulfilling the eldest Zhou son’s every request, already overwhelming him with a mess of art.

Out of desperation and having no way out, the Zhou family’s eldest son had requested ‘The Weeping Shepherdess,’ thinking it would be a setback for the other party. Yet, they actually brought it to him.

Seeing no option to refuse such a painting and knowing he was already on the “thieves’ ship,” the eldest Zhou son eventually took sides and joined the “pro-Tang faction.”

“To each his own, the bait priceless in gold… no injustice,” Chu Muzhou commented softly, eyes slightly downcast.

“My second son is even easier to deal with…” Zhou Qiang sighed and continued, “Beautiful women, luxury cars, branded watches and clothes… He dared to ask for Zhao Shihan by name.”

On hearing this name, Chu Muzhou felt it was familiar, then he remembered that there was an actress in the Dahua Empire who went by this name. So he asked, “That big star?”

“Yes.” Zhou Qiang answered immediately, as expected.

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“He wants her, and those people from Tang Country can make Zhao Shihan say yes?” Chu Muzhou was surprised now; such a famous woman would necessarily have a deep background, and surely she wouldn’t lack suitors, how could she just be sent off to Zhou Qiang’s younger son?

With a bitter expression, Zhou Qiang bowed his head in shame and replied, “That Zhao Shihan… is someone those people have made famous.”

Tang Country had long been investing in the production of various films in the Dahua Empire, having monopolized what was called film directors and movie stars within the Empire.

If they wished to make someone famous, they found them to shoot films, with Tang Country covering the expenses and providing the equipment—making it difficult not to become a star. With fame comes trouble, and when the stars attracted the harassment of noble and well-to-do men who didn’t know any better, it would be the Tang entertainment industry dealing with the issues, allowing these stars to comfortably and worry-free make their money.

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And these performers knew they owed a debt of gratitude, ready to “step up” when needed. Moreover, the “patrons” that Great Tang Entertainment found for them were all respectable figures, the kind they wouldn’t normally be able to rub shoulders with even if they tried.

“No wonder. Old age… in the end, it’s about being old. This is the first time I’ve seen them handle things like this,” Chu Muzhou remarked, then shook his head in self-mockery.

When they used to handle such matters, it was always with cautious probing and meticulous scheming. Where was there such brute force in doing things?

Furthermore, didn’t they consider their own costs? Chu Muzhou had heard of, even seen, bribery involving a few thousand or tens of thousands of Gold Coins. But to directly throw around hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins was truly an eye-opener for him.

In the past, Tang Country would at least disguise such actions with projects or investments, disguising bribes as something akin to political achievements. But now, they were blatantly buying favors…

“This subordinate feels ashamed,” Zhou Qiang lowered his head.

“So, what is it that they want after spending so much money?” Chu Muzhou looked at Zhou Qiang, suddenly feeling a mix of alarm and trepidation.

Everyone has a price, after all. If the other party is so generous and thoughtful, then their ambitions must be great, and this worried Chu Muzhou.

“Tang Country hopes… the next Emperor of Dahua Empire… will be a pro-Tang supporter,” Zhou Qiang lowered his voice, revealing the purpose of his visit.

Merchants are indeed shrewd calculators! Chu Muzhou inwardly sighed, the grave expression on his face relaxing slightly.

This statement contained much information, some of it even a guarantee, a commitment from the Great Tang Empire to the ruling faction of the Dahua Empire.

For example, this “next Emperor of Dahua Empire” implies quite a lot: first, that the Great Tang Empire has no plans to attack the Dahua Empire, and that the succession to the throne of the Dahua Empire is to continue, which is comforting news for the next successor.

At the same time, the statement also indicates that the Great Tang Empire desires to maintain a friendly and cooperative diplomatic relationship with Dahua Empire—their purpose is to promote a pro-Tang Emperor to the throne.

This series of subtle implications allowed Chu Muzhou to see countless possibilities, the most enticing of which was the potential friendship between Dahua Empire and Great Tang Empire.

If the Dahua Empire truly presents itself as willing to continue a pro-Tang policy, as the Great Tang Empire desires, could the Dahua Empire potentially secure a valuable opportunity to enjoy ten years of peaceful development?

“What you thought of, I have also considered for many days… and have come to some conclusions…” Seeing that Chu Muzhou was silent, Zhou Qiang boasted for himself, “If this matter were to the detriment of Dahua Empire, jeopardizing the Empire’s interests, then I would have no qualms about personally executing my own two sons. But… sir… after much deliberation, I believe…”

“Among the princes… is there one who understands reason?” Chu Muzhou sighed. His opponent had laid their cards on the table, and it was difficult for him not to respond. Thus, he conceded a step, prepared to listen to Tang Country’s plans.

“I have heard that Prince Zhao Yu is gentle and amiable, approachable, and has even participated in military parades in Tang Country… possessing the bearing of an Emperor,” Zhou Qiang said, lowering his head to suggest the required candidate.

“Zhao Yu… Zhao Yu…” Upon hearing this name, Chu Muzhou muttered it twice. This Prince was nothing special, a rather ordinary choice.

Crown Prince Zhao Ji was, in fact, also well-tempered, with many in the court satisfied with him as an option. If Chu Muzhou were to voice support for Zhao Yu now, there would inevitably be dissenting voices within the court.

This could provide Zhao Kai with an opportunity to oppress one faction while courting another, thereby weakening the power of the ministers and strengthening the imperial power of the Dahua Empire.

Conflict is, of course, detrimental to the Dahua Empire; be it a struggle between imperial authority and ministerial power, or a battle between Crown Prince and princes – such strife is never good.

“Why hasn’t the Great Tang Empire considered winning over the Crown Prince directly?” Chu Muzhou asked a question that perplexed him.

In fact, what he was asking was: Could it be that the Great Tang Empire intended to instigate an internal struggle for succession inside our country?

“I cannot tell… the Crown Prince has entered the palace, hasn’t he… I suspect his stance will surface soon,” Zhou Qiang pretended not to know though he understood perfectly.

Having already made up his mind, Zhou Qiang didn’t care whether he would remain the Minister of Personnel under Zhao Kai or become the Minister of Personnel under Zhao Yu.

In fact, he had already mentally prepared himself to take on the role of the Minister of Personnel for Tang Country.

———

My wife and child decided last minute to go on a trip to Beijing last night. They took the morning train, and Dragon Spirit went to see them off, so today’s extra update is canceled. I’ll continue to make it up tomorrow… my apologies.

I had wanted to go along, alas… with too many chapters owed, I dare not take leave, such is my lament.