On the first day of the second lunar month, King Wu convened high-level government officials of the imperial court to discuss politics, which was the first high-level political meeting at the beginning of the new year, and it was also the most important one of the year, which was related to the development and planning of the country throughout the year.

Last year, Zhang Xun and Gong Wanran were not qualified to participate in this kind of meeting, because of their outstanding performance since they joined the office, Zhang Xun's military merits are outstanding, and Gong Wanran's political achievements are outstanding, so this year the two have been among the important ministers and important members, and have obtained the qualification to participate in this high-level council.

At this time, King Wu had not yet arrived, and the ministers had not yet arrived, as juniors, Zhang Xun and Gong Wanran naturally came to the main hall early.

The main hall is magnificent, with ornate stone pillars and majestic domes, and the high throne and all kinds of exquisite bronze objects complement each other, which is dizzying.

Zhang Xun sat in the last row of the palace hall, and couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion, the life of childhood displacement seems to be still vivid, but now he is young and has sat in this hall, discussing politics with those adults who were originally out of reach. Thinking of this, a sense of accomplishment arises spontaneously, but Zhang Xun knows in his heart that what really makes him happy and looking forward to it is not only his good future, but also Ji Zheng's appointment.

"Wu Xiangguo has arrived!"

Zhang Xun heard the prestige, and saw Wu Zixu walking slowly towards the main hall.

Wu Zixu was originally a native of Chu State, came to Wu State in his early years, and devoted himself to assisting the first king of Lu, after decades of hard work and governance, Wu Zixu developed Wu State from a marginal weak country to a powerful country looking down on the Central Plains. Although Wu Zixu was old at this time, with gray hair and wrinkled skin, he still walked with a majestic and lofty attitude, which made people look up.

Wu Zixu walked to the front of the hall and sat down, Juan Suming hurriedly got up and saluted, and Wu Zixu and Juan Suming sat opposite Dazai Boyao and Lang Zhongling Huang Yun, although the four of them were speechless, but Zhang Xun knew that there was tension behind this.

"The king has arrived!"

The ministers stood up and saluted.

"Please." King Wu's voice was low, and he seemed to be in a bad mood.

"King Xie!" The ministers said in unison.

Suddenly, King Wu said sharply: "The widow is very unhappy today! ”

The ministers looked at each other, wondering why King Wu was suddenly so angry.

Bo Yao hurriedly got up and saluted, "Why is the king displeased?" Is it the fault of the courtiers? ”

"It's not your fault, it's Chen Guo's fault!"

Hearing this, Zhang Xun was taken aback, he looked at the angry king in confusion, didn't Chen Guo just be defeated? What's going on? Just when Zhang Xun was puzzled, he seemed to see a disdainful smile on Wu Zixu's face.

Bo Yao asked unhurriedly: "Is the king talking about the submission of the letter of alliance between the State of Chen to the State of Chu and the State of Lu?" ”

"Exactly! The State of Chen is already attached to our country, but he is secretly courting the State of Chu and the State of Lu, what is the intention? Aren't you going to encircle our country?! ”

"What the king said is extremely true, Chen Guo will not be destroyed, and our country will continue to suffer disasters, according to the minister's view, since Chen Guo does not repent, then we should not give him any more chances. Please send troops in the spring to exterminate Chen Guo to prevent future troubles! ”

"What Dazai-sama said makes a lot of sense." King Wu was delighted, and it seemed that Bo Yao's words were in the right place.

Just as the scene performed by King Wu and Bo Yao was about to end, a burst of laughter suddenly came from under the throne.

"Haha, haha." Wu Zixu stroked his beard and said with a smile: "I don't know why the king wants to use troops against Chen Guo for the second time?" ”

"Humph!" King Wu glared at Wu Zixu angrily, "Wu Xiangguo, Chen State and Chu State and Lu State are already encircled, you can talk about it, why shouldn't the widow use troops against it?!" ”

Wu Zixu shook his head and sighed: "Hey, the countries of the Central Plains all regard us as barbarians, and they have never looked at us as marginal countries. Now that the Central Plains is constantly fighting, and the countries have no time to take care of anything else, isn't this a good time for us to keep our eyes on the dark and strengthen the army to rejuvenate the country? ”

"Wu Xiangguo, there is a way that people have no long-term worries, even if the Central Plains countries have no time to take care of us now, but what about the future? In the future, how can we guarantee that we will not be threatened by the alliance of Chu, Lu, and Chen? ”

"The Triple Alliance?" Wu Zixu smiled and said: "Haha, these three countries attack each other all day long, how can they form a real alliance?" Chen Guo was just sick and rushed to the doctor. ”

"What about Qi Kingdom?! Wu Xiangguo should not forget, the country of Qi is like the sky, and the countries of the Central Plains are already in its bag, even if we are far away in the sky, it is just as eyeing it! If you don't use troops against Chen Guo now, and if you don't remove the flank threat, how can you fight with Qi in the future?! ”

"In the final analysis, the king still has to compete with the Qi country......"

"It's not that the widow wants to fight it, but this battle will come sooner or later!"

"If you don't go north to the Central Plains, why do you have to fight with the Qi State?!"

"Only by going north to the Central Plains to fight with the Qi State can you dominate the princes! Win the world! It can dominate the country, why can't the widowed!? ”

Wu Zixu sighed deeply, "Soldiers, ominous, unprovoked soldiers, are even more a sign of the destruction of the country." Great King, the disaster of Wu is not in Chen, not in Qi, but in the south of Fenhu! Chen Guo, Lu Guo, no feet to worry about, Qi Guo, is just a slight disease of scabies, only Yue Guo is a big problem! Since you want to use troops, please ask the king to send troops to attack the Yue Kingdom! ”

"Enough!" King Wu slapped the case hard, and scolded sharply: "The widow's mind has been decided, there is no need to discuss this matter anymore, after the beginning of spring, immediately send troops to Chen!" ”

Wu Zixu shook his head helplessly, and then sat back in his position without saying a word.

Zhang Xun was secretly anxious, and in terms of strategic choice, he very much agreed with Wu Zixu's views. Although he also believed that with the strength of Wu, there would be a battle between Wu and Qi sooner or later, but now was definitely not the time to go north to the Central Plains. For Wu Guo, the biggest threat at the moment is indeed not Qi State, but Yue State, combined with Ji Zheng's experience in Xingyue Hall, Zhang Xun can be sure that Yue Guo will definitely not give up.

Just when Zhang Xun was in a trance, King Wu suddenly drew his sword and said loudly: "This time to raise troops, we must exterminate Chen Guo without mercy!" Dazai-sama, tell me, how is this battle going to be fought? ”

Bo Yao straightened up his huge body and said: "In the first battle last year, Chen Guo's vitality was greatly injured, and it is a good time to raise troops to fight at this time. The minister believed that since the purpose of this army was to destroy the country, we should strive to force the weak and win the outnumbered, and we should gather elite troops, prepare enough food and grass, and fight as quickly as possible. ”

"Well, it makes sense, then tell me, who can lead the troops?"

"Great King, in the first battle last year, Sima Zhang Xun went deep alone and almost captured King Chen, which can be described as brave and strategic. Although he is still young, his art of war is not inferior to others, and when it comes to his understanding of Chen Guo, how many people can compare with him? ”

Hearing this, Zhang Xun was shocked, he never thought that Bo Yao, who had almost no intersection with him, would recommend him as the main general at this time. Zhang Xun was extremely nervous, his palms suddenly oozed sweat, although he did not agree with the strategy of attacking Chen Guo, but if he was really allowed to lead his troops to the battle, how could he refuse such a heavy task?

King Wu asked, "Where is the Great Sima?" ”

Zhang Xun hurriedly got up and saluted King Wu and said, "Great King! Minister! ”

"The widow ordered you to lead 30,000 troops and set foot on the Chen country! Can you do it? ”

Zhang Xun was flattered, and said in a slightly trembling voice: "Minister, you can do it!" ”

"Good! Choose one more person to help you! ”

King Wu turned to look at Juan Suming and asked, "It just so happens that the right Sima position is vacant, Lord County Lieutenant, don't you have someone to recommend?" ”

Hearing King Wu's question, Zhang Xun knew that Juan Suming had already mentioned Ji Zheng to King Wu, Zhang Xun was eager in his heart, and stared at Juan Suming intently.

Su Ming was silent, and after a while, he shook his head and replied, "There is no one to choose a minister. ”

King Wu was slightly puzzled, so he turned to Bo Yao and asked, "Dazai-sama, do you have a candidate?" ”

Bo Yao replied: "The minister thinks that the veteran Yu Lan is up to the task. ”

King Wu nodded and said, "Okay, Yu Lan is also an old general, he has been fighting horses all his life and has rich experience." and Zhang Xunyi, old and young, just complement each other. The widow plans to promote Yu Lan to the right Sima and assist the big Sima to destroy Chen Guo! ”

As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, breaking through all Zhang Xun's expectations, and he couldn't understand why Su Ming suddenly changed his hexagram.

King Wu continued: "Since you want to use soldiers, you have to use money. Dazai-sama, you did a very good job of increasing your income last year, and you will continue to do so this year. ”

"Please rest assured, the king!"

"The widow heard that last year, Gonghui Simin alone increased his income by 4,000 taels of gold, is it true? The public and the people? ”

Gong Wan stood up and saluted: "The minister has not completed four thousand taels, and there are still dozens of taels missing." ”

"Haha, that's also very powerful, what about this year, can you increase your income by another thousand taels this year? Complete the 5,000 taels mission? ”

"Minister, no."

As soon as the words fell, the smile on King Wu's face instantly stiffened, and everyone looked at Gong Wanran in shock, I don't know why he dared to openly refuse the king's request on top of the main hall, even if he couldn't complete the task of increasing the income of five thousand taels, the king would not punish him, but speaking like this at this time, I am afraid that it will really be fatal.

King Wu was embarrassed and even more angry, he pointed at Gong Hui Ran and asked, "Gong Hui Si Min!" Tell me, why not?! ”

"The king, the so-called can't of the minister is not that he can't complete the task of increasing the income of five thousand taels, but that he can't agree with the strategy of sending troops to exterminate the Chen State."

"Bold!" King Wu rebuked sharply.

Bo Yao hurriedly rounded the field: "The king is angry! It is the minister who has no way to discipline his subordinates. ”

King Wu ignored Bo Yao, but raised his sword, pointed at Gong Hui and asked, "You are so bold, what qualifications do you have to dare to speak wildly?!" Denying the strategy that the widow has decided?! ”

"Since the king wants to exterminate the Chen State, the minister will naturally do his best to support the king, but the minister thinks that sending troops to the Chen State is not a good strategy."

When King Wu heard Gong Wanran say this, he seemed to be a little interested, he put down his sword and asked, "Isn't it a good strategy to send troops to Chen State?" Could it be that you have a better way? ”

"Buy Chen Guo."

As soon as these words came out, the ministers were in an uproar and talked about it.

"I've heard of buying groceries and buying houses, and it's the first time I've heard of buying a country."

"Even if this young man wants to be grandstanding, he can't joke with his life in front of the king."

"What is the real way to do it? When he said four thousand taels last year, I thought he was crazy. ”

"It's still a bit possible to earn 4,000 taels, but buy Chen Guo? It's a dream! ”

The minister was discussing, and King Wu took a few cases and asked, "Buy Chen Guo?" What do you mean! ”

"Please give me half a year and three thousand taels of gold, I don't need a single soldier to destroy the Chen Kingdom."

"Hmph, joke, if half a year later, not only is the Chen Kingdom not destroyed, but the three thousand taels of gold are still lost, how can you let the widow be good? Even chopping off your head won't help. ”

"Since the king has doubts, I don't know if the king can give the minister a thousand taels of gold first, and allow the minister three months, and if there is no effect after three months, the minister is willing to accept the guilt."

King Wu thought for a while and said, "Last year, you also spoke wildly, although it sounded like a fool's dream at first glance, but in the end it was a blockbuster. Good! Then the widow will believe you once, and give you a thousand taels of gold, and then for three months, and if there is no sign of it, I will punish you." ”

"King Xie!"

"Hmph, you'd better be able to make a name for yourself, if it's really as you said, you can destroy Chen Guo without a single soldier, I will definitely reward you heavily. But if you miss the time without any effect, your sin will not be light! ”

"The minister knows."

"Alright, Sanchao!"

King Wu said that, turned and left.

Subsequently, the ministers left one after another, and Wu Zixu passed in front of the public and said seriously, "Young man, do it yourself." ”

Then, Bo Yao also walked in front of Gong Huiran and said to Gong Huiran: "You and Zhang Xun come with me, I have something to explain to the two of you." ”

"Whoa."

The two followed Bo Yao to the Zuiliu Building, and the three of them sat down in Lanshui Pavilion, and Bo Yao smiled and said, "Two adults, what do you drink?" ”

Zhang Xun hurriedly saluted: "Dazai-sama, don't bother, don't bother. ”

Bo Yao nodded with a smile, then clapped his hands, and after a while, the next person served a good pot of tea.

"Lord Gonghui, today's events are beyond my expectations."

"I'm sorry, but as a subordinate, I should have consulted with you beforehand."

Bo Yao waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay, although I don't know what you plan to do, but I hope you can do it, and I believe you can do it." You don't have to worry about money, the king gives you a thousand, and I can give you another thousand. ”

Gong Wanran was a little surprised, and hurriedly saluted, "Thank you very much!" ”

"Hehe, it's okay, it's okay, it's just that as soon as you say about buying a country, your brother's future will be delayed by you. Originally, I said all the good things in front of the king, and it was not easy for the king to decide to let Zhang Sima lead the troops. ”

Zhang Xun hurriedly said: "Thank you Dazai-sama for your support, although I am a Sima, but I also know that if you go to the army to fight, then you will fight the enemy, then you will attack the army, and then you will attack the city." ”

Bo Yao smiled: "Hehe, what General Sun Wu wrote." ”

Zhang Xun suddenly asked suspiciously, "Huh?" Dazai-sama, why didn't you see General Sun Wu today? ”

"General Sun Wu, I'm sick at home, hehe. Hey, this Sun Wu, like Wu Zixu, is old and stubborn, and he has to work against the king, both of you are young talents, so you can't learn from them. ”

"Lady Xie Dazai reminds."

"Hehe, both of you are good, both of you are very promising, you have to work hard to serve the king."

"The two of us will live up to the expectations of adults."

"Hmm."