In the temple struggle, when doing things, timing is far more important than profit.
Some things seem to be profitable, but if you do them at the wrong time, you will end up getting nothing, or even lose the rice.
Some things may seem insignificant, but if you choose the right time to act, you can still achieve twice the result with half the effort, or even make a huge difference.
In this regard, Zhou Shangjing is an expert. He only slightly controlled the timing of his appearance tonight, but he put Zhu Hejian into a dilemma with no way out. He still feels like he is facing a formidable enemy and is very nervous.
At this time, for Zhu Hejian, Hu Xiao's defection was a contradiction between opportunity and profit.
If he takes Hu Xiao for his own use, Zhu Hejian will undoubtedly reap astonishing benefits, but it's a pity that the timing is not right.
Zhu Hejian's current priority is to protect Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers from escaping the government's pursuit, and then lead them into an ambush to eliminate the hidden dangers with their own hands - although Jiang Xiao tried his best to win back Zhu Hejian's understanding and trust, but
Zhu Hejian has always had a firm stance. Once he made up his mind to abandon Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" organization, he would never change his mind easily because of Jiang Xiao's few words of defense.
In fact, the reason why Zhu Hejian just asked Jiang Xiao to explain the reasons for his unauthorized actions was just to paralyze Jiang Xiao and make Jiang Xiao mistakenly believe that the relationship between the two parties could return to the original state and that Zhu Hejian still would not abandon him voluntarily.
Under such circumstances, if Zhu Hejian decides to take Hu Xiao for his own use and wants Hu Xiao to play a key role in the future, he must try his best to ensure Hu Xiao's personal safety. Considering Hu Xiao's slippery character and his loyalty has not yet been proven, in order to
To prevent Hu Xiao from developing dissent and betraying him in battle, he could only temporarily hand Hu Xiao over to Jiang Xiao's custody.
In this way, when Zhu Hejian then protected Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers to escape from the government roundup, Jiang Xiao and Hu Xiao must have acted together, and then when Zhu Hejian led them into the Jinyiwei ambush for elimination
, under the indiscriminate siege of Jin Yiwei, Hu Xiao will most likely be buried with Jiang Xiao...
In short, if Zhu Hejian wanted to take in Hu Xiao and gain astonishing benefits in the future, he could not go as planned and eliminate Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers.
On the other hand, if Zhu Hejian still wants to completely eliminate hidden dangers and abandon Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" organization, it means that he must have the consciousness to abandon Hu Xiao and the various benefits brought by Hu Xiao at the same time!
Just as Jiang Xiao expected, this situation put Zhu Hejian in a dilemma, and his thoughts were slightly shaken.
However, after Zhu Hejian thought for a while, he still believed that he should give priority to the implementation of the planned plan. After protecting Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" dead soldiers from being rounded up by the government, they were introduced into an ambush to completely eliminate the hidden danger.
After all, for Zhu Hejian, the top priority is to completely cover up his crime of raising dead soldiers in private. Zhou Shangjing and others must not be caught. As long as this disaster is successfully overcome, Zhu Hejian will no longer have any flaws to find, and he can also gain unprecedented benefits from the people.
Hope, as for the various benefits brought by Hu Xiao, although they are extremely amazing, they are just the icing on the cake.
What's more, Zhu Hejian is no longer able to contact the outside world at will, and the established plan has already begun to be laid out. It can be said that he is ready to go. Even if he wants to change the plan temporarily, he is powerless.
After making up his mind, Zhu Hejian pretended to be interested and asked: "You just said that you can continue to lurk around Huo Zhengyuan and collect more information for me about Huo Zhengyuan's secret collusion with foreign forces.
There is no evidence, but Huo Zhengyuan is an extremely smart man. When he saw you and Jiang Xiao hiding in the Nanjing Shantang at the same time, joining forces to resist the government roundup, he would inevitably suspect that you had betrayed him and reported to Jiang Xiao.
You betrayed his secret...Under such circumstances, how can you eliminate Huo Zhengyuan's doubts and gain his trust?"
Hu Xiao smiled and said: "Your Highness Mingjian, Huo Zhengyuan has never trusted the villain. The relationship between him and the villain is just mutual use! But since they are using each other, it means that the villain has indispensable use value.
, which means that even if Huo Zhengyuan does not trust the villain, he can only choose to cooperate with the villain on some matters... Therefore, the villain does not need to dispel his doubts or gain his trust, as long as he still needs to continue working with the villain.
If you cooperate, the villain will have plenty of opportunities to find out secrets for His Highness!"
Zhu Hejian took a deep look at Hu Xiao, nodded and praised: "You are a smart person, a truly smart person, even smarter than Jiang Xiao. It is no wonder that Jiang Xiao always wants to eat you.
There is nothing I can do for you! But...sometimes, the smarter a person like you is, the harder it is to believe him!"
Hearing Zhu Hejian's comments, Hu Xiao couldn't help but feel anxious, thinking that Zhu Hejian was going to refuse his surrender.
But the next moment, Zhu Hejian changed the topic again and said: "However, I have always preferred to take risks, so I am willing to believe you once! Let's do this, I will let you leave Nanjing Shantang now and let you return to Huo Zhengyuan!
Although your previous efforts to hide in Nanjing Shantang with Jiang Xiao and jointly resist the government's pursuit will inevitably arouse suspicion and investigation from all parties, you have already disfigured yourself and no one can find out your true identity.
In addition, Huo Zhengyuan does not dare to let anyone discover the secret of his secret collusion with foreign forces, and will definitely protect you with all his strength. Therefore, I believe that after you leave here, you will naturally be able to deal with the government's investigation and interrogation, and I also believe that you will not
Revealing the contents of the conversation just now to anyone..."
After hearing this, Hu Xiao couldn't help but be overjoyed.
Everything he did tonight, whether he deliberately teased Jiang Xiao, took the initiative to leak Huo Zhengyuan's secrets, or actively expressed his support for Zhu Hejian, was actually for one thing, which was to give himself a chance to escape from Jiang Xiao's control, at least
This is the greatest obstacle to Jiang Xiao's subsequent revenge.
Although Hu Xiao always looked playful and smiling on the surface, when he faced Jiang Xiao's hateful wolf gaze, his true emotion deep inside was absolutely terrified, as if he was facing an abyss.
Chilly hair stood on end, worried that Jiang Xiao would kill him regardless of the next moment.
But now, Zhu Hejian was so easily willing to let himself leave Nanjing Shantang and completely escape the threat of Jiang Xiao. Naturally, Hu Xiao was surprised and delighted!
As for how to deal with the official interrogation after leaving Nanjing Shantang, how to explain the situation to Huo Zhengyuan, and whether to be truly loyal to Zhu Hejian, these are not things that Hu Xiao should consider now.
Although Hu Xiao is a smart man, he is also a desperado who only thinks about today and not about tomorrow. He is accustomed to taking one step at a time and does not have much long-term consideration at all.
But just as Hu Xiao was overjoyed, Jiang Xiao was frightened and anxious.
He bore such a huge price and risk, finally caught Hu Xiao's tail, and barely controlled Hu Xiao. Now introducing Hu Xiao to Zhu Hejian was just a temporary measure, how could he allow Hu Xiao to leave again?
control?
With Hu Xiao's temperament and methods, as long as he escapes successfully this time, Jiang Xiao may never have the chance to retaliate against him in the future.
As a result, Jiang Xiao lost control of his emotions and stopped burying his head on the ground. He straightened his waist involuntarily, widened his eyes, and shouted loudly: "Absolutely not!"
After drinking, Jiang Xiao also realized that his attitude was disrespectful. He lowered his voice and said again: "Your Highness Mingjian! You must not let Hu Xiao leave! I know this person too well. He is capricious. See
A selfish villain who has no bottom line or principles and will never be truly loyal to anyone!
Despite his current pledge of allegiance, if he encounters a threat to his life or enough benefits, he will still betray His Highness without hesitation! Therefore, before Your Highness finds a way to completely control him, he should be handed over to his subordinates strictly.
Please keep an eye on him, and you must not let him leave on his own! Otherwise... maybe as soon as he leaves here, he will tell Huo Zhengyuan everything about the conversation!"
When expressing his stance, Jiang Xiao's tone seemed to be admonishing, but in fact, his stance was tough and brooked no argument.
After hearing this, Zhu Hejian couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
In fact, Zhu Hejian also knew that Hu Xiao and Jiang Xiao were completely different in character and had no concept of loyalty in their hearts. He didn't really want Hu Xiao to leave here just now, but just to test Jiang Xiao.
Before that, Zhu Hejian was still holding on to a bit of luck, thinking that he might have a chance to not only eliminate Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" organization, but also try to protect Hu Xiao's personal safety.
For example, after Zhu Hejian led Jiang Xiao and the "Chaofeng" organization into an ambush by the Jinyiwei, he took Hu Xiao alone out of danger, and then let the Jinyiwei attack them.
In this way, Zhu Hejian can get the best of both worlds, completely eliminating hidden dangers without giving up the benefits brought by Hu Xiao.
But after this test, Zhu Hejian already understood that Jiang Xiao would never let Hu Xiao leave his control, and even Zhu Hejian could not make Jiang Xiao compromise on this matter.
After understanding this, Zhu Hejian no longer persisted, but nodded in agreement: "Your doubts... are reasonable! Okay, Hu Xiao will continue to be under your care, and we will act together to give priority to escaping from the government's pursuit."
Say it again!”
After Jiang Xiao was silent for a moment, he said solemnly: "I obey my orders!"
Although Jiang Xiao is not as slippery and changeable as Hu Xiao, nor as deep-minded as Zhu Hejian, he is undoubtedly a smart man.
If it hadn't been for Lu De's previous warning, Jiang Xiao might not have realized what was fishy.
But after Lu De's advance reminder, Jiang Xiao already knew Zhu Hejian's follow-up plan, and all his actions just now were just to make Zhu Hejian change his mind and not want to completely break up with Zhu Hejian.
At this moment, when Jiang Xiao saw that Zhu Hejian was uncharacteristically no longer suspicious, and actually wanted to let Hu Xiao out of control, he did not blame himself for his disrespectful behavior, and quickly changed his mind and easily accepted his advice.
After that, my heart suddenly sank.
Obviously, Zhu Hejian's abnormal behavior just now was actually to test himself and try to get Hu Xiao to stay away from him.
This also means that Zhu Hejian has not changed his decision and is still determined to abandon himself and the "Chaofeng" organization.
If he cannot get the best of both worlds, Zhu Hejian would rather give up the astonishing benefits brought by Hu Xiao, and must completely eradicate the hidden danger of the "Chaofeng" organization.
Thinking of this, Jiang Xiao's expression changed, and he thought to himself: "Is this really so... Fortunately, I was cautious and did not inform His Highness of Lu De's plan... Now it seems that the relationship between me and 'Chaofeng'
If you still want to survive this disaster and don't want to completely fall out with His Highness, you can only act according to Lu De's plan... Although in this case, the future fate of me and 'Chaofeng' will be completely tied to Lu De.
We are determined, but we have no choice but to take one step at a time!"
While he was deep in thought, Jiang Xiao still lowered his head to the ground and did not let Zhu Hejian notice his mood swings or strange thoughts in his heart.
*
While Zhu Hejian, Jiang Xiao, and Hu Xiao had their own plans, the government forces outside Nanjing Shantang were not idle either.
For many people who did not know the inside story, Zhu Hejian had become a hostage of the gangsters. Naturally, they did not dare to neglect, and they did their best to meet all the conditions proposed by Jiang Xiao.
About half an hour later, Lu De entered the Nanjing Shantang again and informed Zhu Hejian and Jiang Xiao of the latest progress.
According to Jiang Xiao's conditions, Jin Yiwei and the Nanjing garrison have prepared hundreds of fast horses, opened all the gates of Nanjing City, and cleared the roads from Nanjing Shantang to various city gates.
Next, Jiang Xiao and the dead warrior "Chaofeng" can ride their fast horses at any time and choose a city gate at will to leave Nanjing without encountering any interference from the government.
At this time, after all kinds of changes, the time was already eleven o'clock, and the sky was about to get brighter.
Therefore, Zhu Hejian, Jiang Xiao and others certainly did not dare to delay, and wanted to seize the time to escape from the government roundup before the night faded.
Therefore, after once again asking the Jin Yiwei and the Nanjing garrison outside Nanjing Shantang to evacuate to a farther area, Jiang Xiao took Hu Xiao, Zhu Hejian, and a group of "Chaofeng" dead soldiers to leave Nanjing Shantang, and then left
They all rode fast horses and ran quickly towards the South City Gate.
Because Zhu Hejian was a hostage, the government did not dare to stop him and could only watch as these ruthless bandits fled.
*
At the same time, in a house not far from the gate of Nanjing Shantang, Zhou Shangjing was still sitting quietly drinking tea. After seeing with his own eyes the scene of the gangsters "hijacking" Zhu Hejian and quickly escaping, a look of sadness appeared on his old face.
With a smile of unknown meaning, he turned to Wang Baoren beside him and said with a smile: "Next, there will be a good show to watch!"
Wang Baoren also had an unclear smile and nodded: "There will indeed be a good show, but I don't know...whether Zhou Shouxing will like it."