Yang Ge rolled his eyes in displeasure, "Do you even listen to what you’re saying? If Lianhuan Fort gets branded with your Ming Sect’s mark, do you think the court will still allow them to control the canal waterways? They might as well disband Lianhuan Fort, take the money, and live as a wealthy gentleman in peace."
Yang Tiansheng said indignantly, "Are you looking down on our Ming Sect?"
Yang Ge, "It’s your Ming Sect that is underestimating the imperial court. The only reason they haven’t eradicated you is because the cost of doing so far exceeds the cost of tolerating you. But the day the cost of tolerating you far exceeds that of eradicating you, if the court doesn’t clamp down on you heavily, I’ll write the Yang character upside down!"
Yang Tiansheng was at a loss for words... He had heard this kind of reasoning from his father as well.
"Alright!"
Seeing both men sullenly drinking their sorrows away, Yang Ge raised his cup and clinked it with each of them, "Don’t trouble yourself with things that haven’t happened yet. Who knows in which direction this world will unfold? Perhaps one day the court will suddenly have a change of heart and offer a generous amnesty to your Ming Sect. Maybe Jin Cheng suddenly becomes enlightened, his martial skills improving by leaps and bounds, making it onto the list of martial heroes within two or three years? Do your best and leave the rest to fate; let nature take its course!"
After they all gulped down a big swig of liquor, Li Jincheng changed the subject, "Let’s not just talk about us. We still have a peaceful life for now, no matter how bad it gets. What about you? After killing Prince Ning, what’s your plan? You can’t just keep hiding for the rest of your life, right?"
"That brings us back to the issue of cost."
Yang Ge caressed his cup, speaking unhurriedly, "After killing Prince Ning, the emperor, to ensure his throne and kingdom aren’t jeopardized and to make an example out of me, will surely send a large number of experts to hunt me down. But once I truly possess the power to endanger his throne and his kingdom, he should be sending envoys to negotiate with me... Just like your Ming Sect and the White Lotus Sect!"
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"A grandmaster?"
Yang Tiansheng eyed him skeptically, "Can you last until then?"
Yang Ge had told him he had understood the way of the grandmaster.
He also believed that Yang Ge wouldn’t lie to him.
But even if it’s a path to heaven, it still takes time and effort to travel it, doesn’t it?
"To be honest..."
Yang Ge replied, "I’m not really sure about it myself, but that’s not a big deal. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just get a boat and have a jaunt around Dongying. It’s only fair to reciprocate, isn’t it?"
"What the hell?"
Yang Tiansheng suddenly widened his eyes, "You’ve thought this through already? You scoundrel, such a big plan and you’ve not breathed a word of it!"
Yang Ge smiled faintly, "I’m not leaving any time soon. I should at least give the emperor a chance to vent his anger, right? If I were to kill Prince Ning and flee, who knows, he might vent his wrath on people related to me... By the way, it’s also a lesson for him!"
Yang Tiansheng listened, scratching his head vigorously, "You... you’re more rebellious than us rebels! Which blind fool recruited such a hothead like you into the imperial guards?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Ge seemed to foresightedly see the pitiful wretch in the Northern Town Governor’s Official Residence, regretfully pounding his chest and stomping his feet in impotent rage, bringing a faint smile to his lips.
That’ll teach you for messing with me back then!
What you get is deserved!
He took a sip of his drink with a hint of mirth, replying, "If I really do decide to live it up in Dongying, I’ll definitely bring you along. I’ve heard that they’re so rich in gold and silver mines there, it’s like oil fields. We brothers could make a fortune, never having to worry about food and drink for generations!"
The guy from the Northern Town Prefecture is bound to suffer because of him.
But Emperor Xiping knew the ins and outs and would surely not go to the extreme of chopping off his head... The second son of the Shen Family wasn’t so easy to decapitate.
As long as he didn’t die, taking some knocks, wearing some ’small shoes,’ or getting demoted was all par for the course. After all, aren’t superiors there to take the blame?
"For real?"
Yang Tiansheng’s eyes sparkled, "Then I’m waiting for your word. Don’t you dare hog it all for yourself!"
Li Jincheng also hastened to add, "And include this young master! Include this young master, I can steer a ship, and I have lots of skilled men under my command who are excellent in the water. With me, we can take even more!"
Yang Ge, with a smile, lifted his cup, "Of course, it’s better to be jolly together than alone!"