Chu State, Yingdu.

In the spring of the eighth year of Yonghe, the weather was exceptionally cold. It is already the spring planting season, and when the people of Chu get up early, they still cover it tightly.

On the vast plains outside the city of Yingdu, there are fields as far as the eye can see.

Cai Tong is not a mediocre master, although Fan Qing's old ministry hated him to the core, but it is undeniable that under his leadership, there was not much turmoil in the Chu State. Especially in the crusade against the Hai tribe in recent years, the Chu State has gained a lot of wealth. These riches are also improving the whole state of Chu.

Cai Tong attaches great importance to agriculture and mulberry, and is also very supportive of people's farming. For example, the cattle of the official family, which are leased to the people for farming, are generally taxed at 60%, while Cai Tong only collects 40%.

Although it is only 20%, it can feed many people.

Yan Le walked all the way, and the scenery on both sides of the field came into view. Cai Tong was reckless, and the taxes of various miscellaneous servants in Chu were much heavier than those in Shu, but there was not much sadness on the faces of the people of Chu.

"Emissary, please!"

The officials of the State of Chu led the way in front and escorted Yan Le all the way into the Mansion of the Marquis of Chu. From the mouth of the servant in the house, Yan Le learned that Cai Tong had not returned from going out, and asked him to wait for a while.

Cai Tong was very strict in controlling the servants, and it was not necessarily that these subordinates dared to accept money or anything like that.

Yan Le waited in the side hall for a long time, but saw an old man in a cloth shirt with mud on his feet walking straight in.

In Yan Le's surprised gaze, the old man sat down in the first place and took a sip of tea.

"You are Yan Zhongliang?"

Yan Le was stunned for a moment, and then remembered that no one in Chu State dared to sit in that position except for Cai Tong.

"Shu envoy Yan Le to see Hou Ye! In the past, I heard that the Hou Ye was a generation of masters, and what I see today is indeed not comparable to ordinary princes. ”

"Less nonsense, what did Yang Xian ask you to do? It was spring planting season, and I was very busy. ”

Yan Le's trip was very secretive, but the public level was also in the name of the King of Shu. Cai Tong ignored these red tapes and asked directly.

At this time, Cai Tong is indeed very busy, this is the most important time of the year, which is directly related to the grain harvest of Chu this year, and there is no room for sloppiness.

Cai Tong is used to being thrifty, but for the matter of farming, he has invested a lot of money, and he must do everything himself.

"On the orders of the prime minister, I asked the Marquis of Chu to send troops to attack the Central Plains."

Cai Tong doesn't talk about hypocrisy, so Yan Le is also straightforward.

Cai Tongwen heard this, but smiled.

"Yang Xian just defeated Huan Wu's 70,000 army outside Baocheng Pass, the army is mighty, why did he think of me?"

"The Marquis of Chu is the most powerful man in the world, so why bother asking? The loss of 20,000 troops is a great thing for my lord and the marquis. But for Huan Wu, it is just a drop in the bucket and insignificant. ”

Cai Tong sat in his seat, but he didn't have the impatience just now. Just now he was thinking that no matter what Yang Xian wanted to do, he would not agree. But now, he has changed his mind, and he will listen and see.

"Interesting! I heard that your brother Yan Yi secretly threw himself into Yang Xian back then, so that the Li and Zhang clans declined. Everyone in the world said that Yan Yi was the first rat at both ends, but he didn't expect him to have a sincere brother like you? ”

In Cai Tong's words, there was a little contempt for Yan Yi. Then Yan Le's face did not change.

"Good birds choose trees to perch, and virtuous ministers choose their masters. The principle of the world is as good as that. ”

"Then why do you want to help Yang Xian?"

Yan Le smiled and stretched out three fingers.

"The Chu army was repeatedly defeated by the Liang army, and the two sides had a deep grudge. At this time, the elite of the Liang army was all on the border of Yongyi. Hou Ye sent troops, which could not only obtain great profits, but also save his reputation. This is one. ”

"If the Shu Kingdom is destroyed, then it will be difficult for Wu Chu to protect himself next. Hou Ye should know the stakes. This is two. ”

"The two armies advance and retreat together, which can show the people of the world and show the stability of Chu and Shu. This is three. ”

Yan Le put down his hand and looked at Cai Tong, but saw that the other party's face was a little disappointed, put down the teacup in his hand, and seemed to want to leave.

"Master Hou! These three articles can be said to be in the people and shown in the army. There are still three words of goodness, and they should not be shown to others. ”

Cai Tong's buttocks, which he just wanted to leave his seat, sat back and looked at Yan Le.

"Go on!"

"With the talent of the Hou Ye, he naturally knows that because of the rebellion in Modu in the East China Sea, the elite of the Shendu has not moved for a long time. And once Huan Wu arrives, the situation in Nanzhong will change greatly. For the marquis and the rest of the princes in the world. Liang's victory was not the most ideal result. A great victory for our army was not the most needed result. Only by letting Liang Shu lose both, can Hou Ye profit from it. Therefore, dragging the main force of Huan Wu is beneficial to my lord, and it is even more beneficial to Hou Ye. ”

Cai Tong didn't speak, but his face showed a little interest.

"Above the South China Sea, the Sea Tribes are in chaos. My lord knows that Hou Ye is eyeing Sea King Shu, but Sea King Shu is Mo Du's brother-in-law. Although the Sea King Shu is rich, the Hou Ye wants to eat it, but there are still shortcomings. My Lord is willing to help. What you get afterwards is only 20%. "What about three?"

Cai Tong was a little moved, but these two items were still not enough to make him change his mind and help Yang Xian.

"My lord is willing to hand over Pingling to the Hou Ye."

"That's true!"

Thousands of miles of water from Jiangzhou to Pingling is Cai Tong's trouble. Yang Xian mastered this water, and the Chu State was a piece of fish and meat in his hands.

Although Pingling is small, it is not a big deal for Yang Xian, but it is very important for Cai Tong. Thousands of miles of water, Yang Xian has many passes. Come as you say, leave as you go, Cai Tong can't help it at all.

Pingling is just a pass on this thousand miles of water, but with this place, the Chu State is not without danger to the Shu army. Pingling is a pass, and it is also Cai Tong's confidence to speak to Yang Xian.

When Cai Tong heard this, his heart actually beat rapidly, and his hands trembled slightly.

In the past, Liao Cheng was stationed in Pingling, and Cai Tong had no choice. This peaceful place has become a piece of his heart. It can even be said that it is a nightmare that he cannot shake away.

Just imagine, the dignified Chu Hou actually even his own national capital is under the control of others, what a humiliation is this? Yang Zhong hung a sword on Cai Tong's head, making Cai Tong restless for more than ten years.

Cai Tong looked at Yan Le and shrank his hand slightly, wanting to hide his gaffe.

"My lord's words are naturally true."

"Good!"

Cai Tong leaned over and felt the touch of his body touching the chair, only to know that he was not dreaming.

"I can promise Yang Xian to help him. But Lord Wu and his little dolls, it depends on your ability. ”

"Master Hou rest assured, Lord Wu has already agreed to raise troops."

Cai Tong was a little surprised, but then smiled and said, "I don't know what Yang Xian promised Lord Wu?" ”

"Wu Shu married, and my king Xia Gong Ni will accept the fourth son of Lord Wu as his husband."

Cai Tong's heart clenched in vain, his eyes widened, and he almost roared.

"Yang Xian is really generous!"