The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 682

"Ignorant child, why rashly raise an army without a just cause and wage war against Champa?"

Wen Zhengming's words were extremely impolite, intended to provoke Mang Ruiti into arresting him. However, upon meeting Mang Ruiti, Wen Zhengming's thoughts changed. He had originally intended to mediate, but now he felt it was better to take the opportunity to find a reason for the Ming Dynasty to send troops.

Fortunately, Mang Ruiti didn't dare to kill him. Even if he were captured, as long as he could find a way to escape, the Ming Dynasty would have no more scruples and could send troops to conquer him.

“Your Excellency is right. I am young and ignorant. I hope Your Excellency can speak with me privately so that I may apologize to you.”

Mang Ruiti gestured for Wen Zhengming to enter the Dongyu Dynasty's military camp.

Wen Zhengming didn't stand on ceremony and rode his horse directly into the military camp with Hu Zongxian and the other man.

When Mang Rui saw that Wen Zhengming was so bold, he thought to himself, "Do you think I'll let you get away?"

As soon as Wen Zhengming and his two companions entered the military camp, they were surrounded by soldiers of the Toungoo Dynasty.

"Mang Rui Ti, what do you mean by this?"

Wen Zhengming sat on his horse, looking down at Mang Rui. He was not panicked by being surrounded; on the contrary, he was even happier. Even though he was surrounded, his tone of voice was still full of authority.

This made Mang Rui very unhappy.

"Wen Zhengming, things have come to this point, can't you see the situation clearly?"

Mang Rui squinted at Wen Zhengming and said.

"Have you thought it through?"

Wen Zhengming didn't say anything threatening. At this moment, Wen Zhengming was afraid that Mang Ruiti would go back on his word, so he naturally didn't dare to frighten him.

"Since I dare to do this, I have naturally thought it through. I will capture the three of them!"

Mang Rui gave the order.

"No need, we will not resist."

Wen Zhengming waved his hand and said.

Ming Dynasty envoys can be arrested, but they cannot be made to look too disheveled.

After saying this, Wen Zhengming dismounted and gave a wink to Hu Zongxian and his companion. Hu Zongxian and his companion also dismounted and threw down their swords.

"As expected of Lord Wen, you are indeed pragmatic. This way, I will have less trouble, and you can all have more dignity."

Mang Rui laughed.

If Wen Zhengming had been arrested at this time, given his upright and resolute nature, he would probably have drawn his sword and committed suicide. After all, given his character, he would certainly have felt that a Ming envoy should rather die than be humiliated.

To prevent this from happening, Wen Zhengming specifically instructed Zhou Chu before he set off.

"If that Mang Rui is out of touch with reality and tries to arrest the teacher, the teacher need not resist. As long as they arrest the teacher, the Ming Dynasty will have a pretext to wage war against the Toungoo Dynasty. With Hu Ruzhen and Zhao Mengjing here, the teacher can be guaranteed to be safe."

In fact, Zhou Chu had already planned out all the possibilities for Wen Zhengming. Although Zhou Chu felt that the chances of Mang Rui taking action were extremely small, he still had to be on guard.

When two countries interact, they naturally have to consider all possibilities.

Soon, Wen Zhengming and his two companions were taken to the capital of the Toungoo Dynasty. As for the soldiers of the Toungoo Dynasty, they were still outside the capital of Champa, facing off against Champa. Whether or not to attack Champa, Mang Rui Ti decided to discuss it with his father first before making a decision.

"What? You captured the Ming Dynasty's envoy?"

Upon hearing this news, King Mang Ji Sui of the Dongyu Dynasty sat up abruptly from his sickbed.

Mang Jisui, the founder of the Dongyu Dynasty, is only in his thirties but is seriously ill. It is not because he is cowardly or afraid of trouble, but because he has gained a better understanding of the strength of the Ming Dynasty after years of fighting.

He knew very well that the Ming Dynasty could crush their Toungoo Dynasty with almost no effort.

“Father, Wen Zhengming is the commander of the Ming Dynasty’s Embroidered Uniform Guard and the teacher of Duke Zhou Chu. The two have a very good relationship. Zhou Chu is a very sentimental person and has great power in the court. With Wen Zhengming in our hands, the Ming Dynasty will be hesitant to attack our Toungoo Dynasty, and our Toungoo Dynasty can take the opportunity to expand.”

Mang Ruiti relayed Wang Mingyue's words to his father.

"Nonsense! What do you know? The Great Ming Dynasty, as a celestial empire, would never be threatened like this. It's laughable! Quickly release the Ming envoys and then find a way to apologize!"

Mang Jisui shouted sternly.

“Mingyue is right. Father is old and timid.”

Mang Ruiti looked at Mang Jisui with a face full of disappointment. After saying this, Mang Ruiti said nothing more and left directly.

Just as Mang Jisui was about to lose his temper, he heard the eunuch serving him running over in a panic.

"Your Majesty, His Highness has ordered the area to be surrounded."

Upon hearing this, Mang Jisui's expression changed drastically, and he immediately understood what his son was planning.

Mang Jisui was bedridden for many years, and he knew very well that his son probably now held great power.

After several attempts, Mang Jisui returned to bed dejectedly, looking at the eunuch who had been serving him all along. At this moment, he realized that this was probably the only one who was truly loyal to him.

The thought that his son was going to imprison him and trap him to death filled Mang Jisui with hatred for Mang Ruiti.

"Since you don't respect your father, then I'll leave you a great gift before I die."

Mang Jisui sneered.

Soon, news came from the palace that King Mang Ji Sui had died in bed. Upon hearing this news, Mang Rui Ti was overwhelmed with grief and came to the palace to weep bitterly.

The eunuch who served Mang Jisui was thus freed, and no one cared about his whereabouts anymore.

The eunuch left the palace directly, carrying the token given to him by Mang Jisui, and headed straight for the imperial prison. With Mang Jisui's token in hand, he could move about without any hindrance.

"Take us to see the envoy from the Ming Dynasty."

The eunuch looked at the jailer and said.

Upon hearing this, the jailer dared not delay and hurriedly led the way.