Chapter 51: Huh? Me?

The archives of the Northern Commanderate of the Brocade Guard had now become part of Wang Lu’s duties.

After parting ways with Pei Lun, Wang Lu went straight there to survey the terrain.

Regardless of how subsequent events unfolded, the "Summary of Treasure Ship Construction" was something Prince Xin and his faction had to destroy.

Only now, without Shen Lian, Wang Lu had no idea whom they would arrange to carry out this task.

Surely Lu Wenzhao wouldn't have to do it himself?

Although Lu Wenzhao's actual combat prowess was vaguely defined in the original television series, judging by Wang Lu's current level of strength, Lu Wenzhao would be no match for Shen Lian, nor would he be a match for Supervisor Zheng.

Upon entering the courtyard, the doors of the building used for storing documents were tightly shut.

At that moment, a squad of Eastern Depot agents wearing red garments and round hats stood before the door, instantly shattering Wang Lu's plan to sneak in and take advantage of the situation.

"My Lord!" The centurion on duty at the archives stood up immediately and saluted with folded fists upon seeing Wang Lu approach.

Wang Lu nodded, turned to the Eastern Depot agents, and asked, "Why are the men from the Eastern Depot here?"

Before the centurion could reply, a sneering laugh came from behind. "Does the Eastern Depot need the permission of you Brocade Guards to do our work? The Brocade Guards are nothing more than dogs raised by the Grand Supervisor, and these archives are simply a dog kennel."

Wang Lu chuckled, looked at Lu Wenzhao standing behind the speaker, and asked, "Commander Lu, this person just said we Brocade Guards are dogs. Aren't you going to say something?"

Lu Wenzhao gave a dry cough and said, "The Brocade Guards also serve the Grand Supervisor. Isn't it a bit too harsh for Supervisor Zheng to put it that way?"

"Am I wrong?" Supervisor Zheng asked, sneering as he glared at Lu Wenzhao. "Could it be that you have objections to the Grand Supervisor?"

"This subordinate has none!" Lu Wenzhao quickly lowered his head and said.

"Good if you don't. Otherwise, I will definitely help the Grand Supervisor clean house," Supervisor Zheng said unceremoniously.

However, when Supervisor Zheng glanced back and noticed Wang Lu staring at him, he asked with immediate displeasure, "What are you looking at? Your commander has already conceded. As a vice commander, what other fart do you have to spew?"

"I was just wondering: if we Brocade Guards serving the Grand Supervisor makes us the Grand Supervisor's dogs, then what does that make the men of the Eastern Depot serving the Eastern Depot? House-guard hounds?"

"Impudent!" Seeing Supervisor Zheng fly into a rage, Lu Wenzhao immediately stepped forward to reprimand Wang Lu. "Whatever Supervisor Zheng says goes. Is it your place to speak?"

Having reprimanded Wang Lu, Lu Wenzhao immediately turned back to Supervisor Zheng. "This kid doesn't know any better. My Lord, please don't lower yourself to his level."

Supervisor Zheng narrowed his eyes and asked, "What relation is he to you, Commander Lu? Is he worth you speaking up for him like this?"

"He is my subordinate. If anything goes wrong, naturally I must bear the responsibility for him. Supervisor Zheng is entirely right; we Brocade Guards are indeed the Eastern Depot's dogs..."

Lu Wenzhao subjected himself to a torrent of self-humiliation before Supervisor Zheng. Just as Wang Lu was about to speak, he was checked by a glare from Lu Wenzhao.

Wang Lu was utterly speechless. Did a mere Supervisor Zheng really think he could stir up any great storms?

He was nothing more than an idiot!

Finding Shen Lian in the archives and failing to call for backup, insisting instead on fighting alone—regardless of whatever profound motives he might have had, the man was clearly missing a screw.

Wang Lu was no longer who he used to be. Now, he had subordinates like Guo Zhen and Ding Baiying, and superiors like Yang Chen; he no longer held any regard for a mere Supervisor Zheng.

As for Lu Wenzhao standing up for him, Wang Lu felt not a shred of gratitude.

Although Wang Lu considered himself a man lacking strict principles, being cursed as a dog had landed Supervisor Zheng firmly on Wang Lu's must-kill list.

It was just as well that the archives had been taken over by the Eastern Depot. When something inevitably went wrong there later, it would simply expose the Eastern Depot's incompetence.

Upon returning to the commander's office, Wang Lu reported to Lu Wenzhao as if nothing had happened:

"My Lord, everything has been arranged. Right now, the various century-class garrisons under our command have completely sealed off the vicinity of the city gates. If those rebels attempt to flee at this time, they will be trapped like turtles in a jar."

Lu Wenzhao grunted in acknowledgment, then suddenly said, "Shut the door first."

Wang Lu nodded. After closing the door, he walked back and asked, "Does My Lord have other instructions?"

"Sit down, let's talk sitting down," Lu Wenzhao said. "You've finally made it through the hard times. There are some things we can discuss now."

"What things?" Wang Lu truly had no idea what Lu Wenzhao was driving at.

Lu Wenzhao said, "Didn't you always ask me why I couldn't be found for a certain period before? Today I want to talk to you about that. Actually, I should have told you long ago, but back then, telling you would have done no good."

Wang Lu felt perplexed inwardly. What was this guy playing at?

Did he really think I only asked back then because I didn't know?

I was trying to get in on the operation back then!

Lu Wenzhao did not continue immediately, but instead asked, "What is your view on Grand Eunuch Wei?"

"Grand Eunuch Wei assists His Majesty and loves the people and the country; that is a matter of common knowledge. Why is Commander Lu asking this so abruptly?" Wang Lu asked curiously.

Lu Wenzhao shook his head and smiled. "Why did it take you eight years just to become a Brocade Guard vice commander, and why am I still only a commander after eight years? If Grand Eunuch Wei were truly the person you describe, would he let those useless fools ride on our heads?"

Wang Lu began to understand. This was an invitation to join their faction.

Didn't he realize, however, that this was far too late?

Wang Lu shook his head and said, "I don't understand these things, nor do I care about other people's situations. To be honest, I am already quite content with where I am now."

Seeing that Wang Lu was not catching on, Lu Wenzhao furrowed his brows. Since brainwashing had failed, he had to try a different approach. "I've actually always regarded you as my own sworn brother."

Wang Lu smiled and asked, "And then?"

If that were true, why didn't you say anything when Guo Zhen had a blade pressed against my throat back then?

How could you just stand by and watch me apologize to Guo Zhen?

Lu Wenzhao pressed his lips together, as if resolving himself to something in his heart, and asked, "I know that what I am saying today is enough for you to report me to those above. But I believe you won't, because I know you can't stomach those people from the Eastern Depot either."

Wang Lu remained noncommittal, saying nothing as he waited for Lu Wenzhao to reveal his true purpose.

"Now the Emperor is gravely ill, and I'm sure you know that His Majesty has no sons. Who do you think will ascend the throne when the time comes?" Lu Wenzhao looked at Wang Lu with a mysterious expression.

"Prince Xin?" Wang Lu asked directly.

"Uh—" Lu Wenzhao was somewhat surprised that Wang Lu guessed the correct answer right away, though it wasn't a huge shock given that the Emperor had only one blood brother, Prince Xin.

"So Commander Lu is one of Prince Xin's men?" Wang Lu asked. "By telling me all this today, is Commander Lu inviting me to join you?"

Lu Wenzhao nodded in satisfaction. Talking to Wang Lu was much easier; if it had been Shen Lian, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.

"That's right. You should understand that if Prince Xin ascends the throne, the likes of us will have the merit of supporting the new sovereign. Prince Xin has already promised that once the deed is done, he will make me the Commander of the Brocade Guard, and at that time, you will take charge of the Northern Commanderate. How does that sound?"

Wang Lu nodded and said, "Splendid. But I wonder what Prince Xin wants me to do?"

"Go to the archives and retrieve an item called the *Summary of Treasure Ship Construction*," Lu Wenzhao said.