Chapter 51 - 49, Top Three
Jin Zhu smiled at Chen Ji and said, "Lord Prime Minister is a master of strategy. Knowing Yun Yang and Jiao Tu are good at succeeding but prone to failure, he had me wait on the sidelines early on to take over the moment they capsized in the gutter. Right now, the Military Intelligence Department and the Liu Family probably haven’t realized that I’m already in Luocheng City. It’s the perfect time to launch a surprise attack... to capture them."
Chen Ji’s sense of crisis grew. The Prime Minister really had deep and meticulous thoughts.
So Yun Yang and Jiao Tu were just pawns used to distract the enemy. Once they capsized, the enemy would relax after their brief victory. That’s when Jin Zhu would silently enter the fray. The enemy is in the light, and we are in the shadows, bound to harvest some gains.
It seemed that promoting Yun Yang and Jiao Tu to the Twelve Signs half a year in advance was for this moment!
To think he’s such a ruthless strategist even towards his own people, no wonder they call him the "Poison Minister"!
Chen Ji clasped his hands together: "Lord Jin Zhu, I am not a member of the Spy Department. I hope you won’t divulge secrets to me."
Jin Zhu came over, affectionately grasping Chen Ji’s hand with a beaming smile, "Of course, I have to tell you. I’m hoping you’ll join the Spy Department and help me achieve great things! Oh, and I haven’t given you the good news yet. The Prime Minister has decreed that you be specially approved to join the Spy Department. From now on, we are colleagues. With your talents, you are sure to rise rapidly."
Chen Ji’s hand was held by Jin Zhu’s plump palm, and he felt goosebumps all over; he quickly modestly said, "Lord Jin Zhu flatters me. I’m not capable of that."
"Of course, you are!" Jin Zhu exclaimed. "I originally thought Yun Yang would capsize at Zhou Chengyi’s hand and leave Luocheng City in disgrace within a day. To my surprise, not only did they find the evidence, but they also nailed Liu Shenyu and even uncovered the matter of Old Master Liu’s feigned death. At that time, I was puzzled. These two are good at killing, but when did they acquire other skills? Later I realized it was because of you!"
"It wasn’t me," Chen Ji shook his head. "Lord Jin Zhu, I’m just an apothecary apprentice."
"Don’t be modest now. Lin Chaoqing has already reported the details to Lord Prime Minister, and Meng Ji has reported your dream interrogation to Lord Prime Minister. Putting the two together, the truth naturally comes to light."