When he heard Fan Liboyao's analysis that the criss-crossing contradictions between the northern states of Yi, Lu and Qi might lead to a war, and that the state of Wu in the south of the Yangtze River might be involved in a war, King Wu said with pride: "The widow is trying to try Shandong!" ”

Wu Zixu poured a basin of cold water: "The king can't!" At present, due to the two major projects of Gusutai and Hangou, the treasury of Wu State is empty, and the people of Li are tired and need to recuperate. War must not be taken lightly. ”

Fan Li said: "Xiangguo is older and less courageous. With such fear, the king's hegemony will be accomplished one day. ”

As soon as King Wu heard Wu Zixu criticize Gusutai, he was angry in his heart, his face was full of frost, and he looked at Bo Yao. Bo Yao knew that King Wu wanted him to refute Wu Zixu, so he said: "Xiangguo Hugh mentions the matter of Gu Sutai. At that time, the king convened his ministers to discuss the construction of Gusutai, including Xiangguo, and everyone agreed. It cost a lot of money to build Gusutai, which is also a helpless thing, how can there be anything in the world that does not cost money? ”

Fan Li said: "King, now that the situation is tense and the time is urgent, the minister thinks that he should not dwell on those things that cannot be changed, or think about it, what should Wu Guo do?" ”

King Wu: "It is very meaningful to build Gusutai, raise the prestige of our country, dig ditches, and open up north-south transportation. In the future, it should not be used as a negative example. Young uncle, tell me, what should Wu Guo do under the current situation? ”

Fan Li said: "The minister agrees with Xiangguo's opinion, and it is of course best not to get involved in the war." But the minister felt that there was no need to be overly afraid of war, in the final analysis, the princes were hegemonic, and the final solution to the problem still depended on war. Only by defeating the northern powers of Qi and Jin can they dominate the world. At present, if Wu wants to avoid getting involved in the war, the only thing he can do is to send envoys to persuade Lu to settle the dispute with Yi by peaceful means. ”

"I agree with the young man that if a king wants to dominate the world, it is impossible not to fight. The minister also felt that there was some truth in Xiangguo's words, and it was right for Wu Guo to recuperate for a year or two and then fight. So it was right to send an emissary to resolve this dispute. It just can't be resolved, and when the war breaks out, there's nothing to be afraid of. ”

King Wu said, "Good! The matter is settled, now let's talk about it, who will be sent to Lu State? ”

Fan Li said: "You must send a heavyweight to go, and only words have weight." The minister felt that it was most appropriate for Xiangguo to go. ”

Bo Yao said: "No, no one can guarantee the success of the adjustment, if the war starts, it will be difficult for Wu to stay out of the matter, so we must prepare in advance." And the preparation for war, only Xiangguo can accomplish. To envoy Lu Guo, Shaobo is the most suitable. ”

King Wu said: "What do you think of Xiangguo? ”

Wu Zixu originally wanted Wu to watch the fire from across the strait and let Wu stay out of the matter, because Wu's economy was in serious recession, and it was very dangerous to fight. However, Bo Yao and Fan Li's analysis of current affairs is very reasonable and difficult to refute, and it is also a good practice to send envoys to persuade peace, so they said: "The old minister obeys the king's will. ”

King Wu said: "Young uncle, I'm afraid this matter will require you to work hard. ”

Fan Li bowed down and said, "This proposal was made by the minister. Ministers should do their best to do so. But what has changed in reality now, we don't know yet. Because the news reached Gusu, it took more than ten days, and the minister hurried to Qufu, and it would take nearly ten days at the earliest, and when the minister arrived in Qufu, maybe the two sides had already fought. Even if there is no fight, the minister may not succeed in persuasion. After all, the country is too outrageous, and it is difficult for any country to tolerate it. ”

King Wu said: "Don't worry, young uncle, the situation you said is very practical, we do this, that is, we are doing our best, whether you can stop this war or not, you have worked hard and meritorious, and the widow will not be held accountable." ”

Fan Li said loudly: "Since the king said so, the minister will accept the order!" ”

King Wu said, "When does the young man plan to leave?" ”

Fan Li said: "Because of the urgency of time, make preparations today, and the minister will leave tomorrow." ”

King Wu said, "Okay, the required expenses, gifts, Dazai will notify the treasury to distribute." ”

Bo Yao said, "The minister will do it." ”

Fan Li said: "King, the minister went to Shenmu Mountain to collect Shenmu before the minister, and once took Zimei there, although Zimei is the maid of the lady of Changguo, but has superhuman ability, without Zimei, you can't collect Shenmu, and you can't build Gusutai." Therefore, this time to envoy Yueguo, the minister also planned to take Zimei with him, and asked the king for permission. ”

King Wu was stunned, what Fan Li said was true, Zimei is indeed different from ordinary women. It is indeed helpful for things, but this matter is contrary to etiquette, and when a lonely man and a widow go out, it is inevitable that things will happen to men and women. But Fan Li is not a womanizer. When she returned with Xi Shi, Zheng Danluo, Jiang Zimei, and the four girls, they were all virgins. It can be seen that Fan Li is autumn has not committed any crimes, in terms of Fan Li's own conditions, Fan Li should have as many women as he wants, but Fan Li is in his thirties, but he has never moved to marry a wife and start a family, and there are no scandals. This shows that Fan Li took Zimei on a business trip, not for that.

King Wu said: "Young Uncle thinks that Zimei can help you complete your mission, so let's go together." ”

In the Spring and Autumn Period, the relationship between men and women was not as heavily guarded as after the Tang and Song dynasties, although Bo Yao and Wu Zixu felt that something was wrong, but their attention was on major matters, and the king had already given permission, so they didn't say anything.

After the meeting, Wu Zixu beat his horse and left. Fan Li sent Bo Yao down the mountain. Fan Li said: "Lord Dazai, since Fan Li entered the Wu Palace, everything he has done has been successful, but he felt powerless to send Wu Guo to persuade peace. ”

Bo Yao looked at Fan Li. Everything Fan Li did before, he could understand Fan Li's intentions, but he didn't understand why Fan Li did it. In other words, he didn't know whether Fan Li was sincere in trying to persuade peace or going to light the fire. He could only answer in the words of the scene.

He said, "Don't worry, the king has a word, and no one can guarantee the success of persuasion, and no matter what the outcome of the matter is, the king will not blame you." It's a lot easier that way. ”

Fan Li said: "Dazai is involved in the war with Wu State, what do you think about this? ”

Bo Yao glanced at Fan Li deeply and said: "At this time, when Wu fights, no matter whether it wins or loses, it will be attrition for the Wu army. ”

Fan Li said: "Dazai is a smart person, Fan Li regards Dazai as a good friend, and hopes that Dazai will not treat Fan Li as an outsider." ”

Bo Yao sighed and said, "Bo Yao obeys his orders, and I hope that the young uncle will do something, and clearly command Bo Yao." ”

Fan Li said coldly: "This Dazai wants to go by himself, but I hope Dazai will not be afraid of war." I don't send it! ”

That night, Fan Li saw Xi Shi and explained the future tasks, and comforted him softly, so he couldn't help but be affectionate.

The next day, Fan Li and Zimei rode out of Gusu City, fast horses, day and night, this day has come to the outskirts of Qufu, suddenly, Zimei pointed to a group of people and said: "Fan Jun, look, what are these people doing?" ”

The two reined in the horses, and Fan Li said, "It seems that someone is crying." Let's go check it out. ”