The army brought by Wu Rui from Poyang totaled 3,000 people, but the number was too large, and Wu Rui was allowed to bring only more than 500 people to the city.

A group of soldiers were arranged in various courtyards and corridors, and some personal guards were quietly arranged in the dark to protect Wu Rui's safety at any time, but the most tightly defended was the gate of Wu Rui's mansion, with nearly 100 people patrolling and standing guard in front of the door.

After arranging everything, Di Bu walked quickly to the back house, at this time, Wu Rui should not have rested, and Di Bu must ask Wu Rui for peace before he can go back to the room.

After walking through two courtyards, Duo Bu came to Wu Rui's door, at this time, the lights were still on in the house, and Duo Bu raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door frame, at this time, Wu Rui's tired voice came from the house: "Who?" ”

"Master Yue, it's me." There was a brief silence in the room, but soon, Wu Rui said in a hoarse voice, "Come in." ”

Di Bu pushed open the door and walked into the room, Wu Rui was standing in front of the window at this time, looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, I don't know, he was thinking about something, or after coming to Jiangdong, people became sad, or he was a little tired at this time, just to beat his spirit, he would stand in front of the window.

But no matter which Wu Rui is, at this time, he is quietly looking out of the window, and it is inconvenient for the cloth to disturb, so he has to wait on the side, about the time of a cup of tea, Wu Rui sighed, then turned around and smiled: "You have also been busy for a day, sit down." ”

Di Bu nodded and sat down on the soft mat, at this time, Wu Rui also walked over slowly, sat opposite Di Bu, a guard knocked on the door at this time, walked in with tea, put a cup in front of each of them, and then left.

Soon, the door was closed, Wu Rui looked at Huang Bu, and said with a smile: "This time, who do you think is stronger than the Jiangdong Chu Army and our Poyang Army?" ”

Wu Rui suddenly asked about this topic, but he didn't have the slightest preparation in his heart, he hesitated slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said tentatively: "Lord Yuezhang, I think that the Jiangdong Chu Army and our Poyang Army have their own characteristics, and they can't just explain the strength and weakness from the appearance. ”

Seeing that Duo Bu was a little worried, Wu Rui couldn't help laughing loudly: "You don't have to perfunctory me, just say what you think in your heart, I want to listen to the truth!" ”

Wu Rui said this, and it was not good for Tu Bu to prevaricate Wu Rui again, so he had to smile and say: "Actually, what I just said is the truth, but if you look at the equipment and training quality, I think that the Jiangdong Chu Army is slightly superior." ”

Speaking of this, Di Bu hesitated slightly, he seemed to have something to say, but he suddenly paused again, Wu Rui was slightly displeased, and reprimanded: "Swallow and spit out, what does it look like a big husband?" ”

At this time, Wu Rui felt a trace of unhappiness in his heart, he had three daughters, the eldest daughter Wu Yao, the second daughter Wu Fang, and the third daughter Wu Ling, all of whom were Wu Rui's pearls in the palm of her hand, the treasure of the family, and a few years ago, Wu Rui valued the Duo Bu who came to Poyang for refuge, accepted him as a son-in-law, and married the eldest daughter Wu Yao to him, but in his own family, the second daughter Wu Fang and the third daughter Wu Ling are still in the boudoir.

Moreover, after Wu Rui came to Huiji, he also saw that the Xiang family's army was definitely not the kind of rabble, nor was it like the bandit army and the ordinary righteous army, which were put together at will.

Thinking of this, Wu Rui's determination to take refuge in Xiang Liang became even firmer, but at this time, Tu Bu on the side sighed: "Since Lord Yuezhang insists on letting me say it, then I will say it directly, with my years of experience in marching, if our Poyang Army and the Jiangdong Chu Army clash head-on, our chances of victory are slim." ”

Wu Rui was interrupted by Di Bu's words, he couldn't help but nodded, in fact, he himself felt that the Poyang Army and the Jiangdong Chu Army were not at the same level at all, at least for now, he was indeed not the opponent of the Jiangdong Chu Army.

At this time, Duo Bu had already clenched his fists and said: "Lord Yue, if you can trust me, I am willing to train the Poyang Army equally well within two years, and I will live up to Lord Yuezhang's expectations." ”

Wu Rui smiled and nodded: "You will have a chance." ”

After a pause, Wu Rui pulled the topic back again, looked at Duo Bu, and said with a smile: "I'm thinking about it, just merging with the Xiang family is not enough to express my sincerity, if we can get closer to the relationship between the two families, ...... relationship."

Wu Rui didn't continue, but Duo Bu had already understood Wu Rui's thoughts, and he couldn't help laughing and said, "If Lord Yuezhang has this idea, I have a suitable candidate." ”

"Oh? Who is it? Wu Rui was also interested, and at this time, Duo Bu laughed and said, "Xiang Zhuang." ”

When Di Bu said this, he paused, he stared at Wu Rui quietly, and he had to give him time to think, and after a while, Wu Rui woke up from his contemplation and looked at Di Bu, and Di Bu continued: "I was in Xianyang, and I got acquainted with Xiang Zhuang, and I only used eight words to evaluate him, steady, generous, courageous, and strategic. ”

Di Bu's thoughts coincided with his own, Wu Rui couldn't help but look up and laugh, he also felt that Xiang Zhuang was the most suitable person, and it was also the best bridge to bring the Wu family and the Xiang family closer.

Thinking of this, the figure of a woman came into Wu Rui's eyes, she is her second daughter Wu Fang, Wu Fang has loved martial arts since she was a child, and she has been committed to the military since she was a child.

But thinking of this, Wu Rui was worried again, how could he mention this family matter to the Xiang family? If it is too obvious, it will give the Xiang family an illusion and make them feel that they are interested in getting married to the Xiang family, but if they don't mention it, the Xiang family will not easily mention this family matter.

A kind of distress that has never been felt before hit his heart, Wu Rui couldn't help but shake his head, sighed lightly, on the side, Huang Bu was slightly surprised, just now Wu Rui was still smiling, boasting proudly, at this time, why did he suddenly become distressed? I wonder what was going on in his mind?

With doubts, he was just about to lean into his mouth, but outside the door, the report of the guards sounded: "My lord, there is a person who calls himself Ding Gong and asks to see him outside the mansion." ”

"Ding Gong?" Wu Rui was a little surprised, and soon, he suddenly remembered that Ding Gong was his friend Ding Gu, who was seeking a job in Huiji County at this time, and joined Xiang Liang's command, how could he forget him?

If you want to marry the Xiang family, the biggest breakthrough is in this person, thinking of this, Wu Rui picked up the cloak from the side, looked at the cloth, and laughed: "Go, follow me to meet Ding Gong!" ”

。。。。。。

In the backyard of Wu's mansion, there was a burst of hearty laughter, Wu Rui and Ding Gu walked slowly to the back hall at this time, and soon, the two came to the back office of Wu's mansion, just walked into the room, a guard sent three cups of tea, Wu Rui pointed to the soft seat and smiled: "Ding Gu, you and I haven't seen each other for many years." ”

Ding Gu also smiled and said: "At the beginning, I also wanted to go to Poyang to join you, but the road is far away, and I miss my mother and don't want to stay away, so I ask Brother Wu for forgiveness." ”

At this time, the three of them took their seats, Wu Rui waved his hand, pretended not to care, and said with a smile: "Alas, ......! Between you and me, why are you so polite? Now, don't I come to the meeting too? Mountains and rivers meet, and the feelings between you and me have exceeded the distance and proximity in reality. ”

Wu Rui's words attracted everyone to laugh, and the atmosphere was much more harmonious, at this time, Wu Rui moved the conversation to the topic, he picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "I heard that the Jiangdong Chu Army has two tiger generals, one is Xiang Yu and the other is Xiang Zhuang, I don't know if there is such a thing?" ”

For the time being, Ding Gu didn't know why Wu Rui suddenly mentioned this matter, so he had to put down the teacup and said with a smile: "But there is a matter, the two of them are known as Shuangsha, but the elder brother Xiang Yu is already known for his strength, and the younger brother Xiang Zhuang is already known for his strategy, they have their own characteristics and differences. ”

Wu Rui nodded slightly, he pretended to be contemplative, and said: "However, I heard that Xiang Zhuang is not young, but he has never married, this is not normal, I don't know what the reason is for this?" ”

Ding Gu finally heard Wu Rui's purpose until this time, he couldn't help squinting and laughing, his eyes looked directly at Wu Rui, and only after half a ring, did he say: "I'm afraid that Brother Wu's news is wrong, as far as I know, Xiang Zhuang has already married the Suiyang Kong family, Kong Xiuyun, the daughter of Kong Kun, just because Xiang Zhuang has been fighting outside for the past few months, so the marriage has been delayed again and again." ”

Speaking of this, Ding Gu saw that a trace of loss flashed on Wu Rui's face, but Ding Gu changed his words and continued: "However, there is also gossip that the marriage between Xiang Zhuang and Kong Xiuyun has been delayed again and again, and the real reason is that Xiang Liang wants to get rid of this marriage contract. ”

"Why is that?" When Wu Rui heard this, he was interested, but Ding Gu laughed and said: "Because, the marriage between Xiang Zhuang and Kong Xiuyun was admitted by Xiang Zhuang himself, and it was not approved by Xiang Liang, so it ......."

Ding Gu deliberately paused the conversation, the two of them knew each other well, and stopped talking, at this time, Wu Rui sighed, gritted his teeth and asked: "I intend to recruit Xiang Zhuang as a son-in-law, I don't know, can Xiang Liang agree to this marriage?" ”

Ding Gu sneered in his heart, Wu Rui, the old fox, finally showed his fox tail, but he didn't show half a point on his face, at this time, he pretended to be surprised, stared at Wu Rui, and asked half-loudly: "Does Brother Wu want to marry a daughter?" ”

Wu Rui nodded and sighed: "Although my eldest daughter is married, but the second daughter is in the boudoir, now that she is the same age, I have considered marrying the Xiang family." ”

Ding Gu pondered for a while, he couldn't help sneering: "Xiang Liang has always refused to hold the marriage of the Kong family, I think, there must be a change, if Brother Wu wants to marry the Xiang family, the odds are very high, and this is a political marriage, the powerful relationship, I think, Xiang Liang knows better than us in his heart, perhaps, he is also considering whether he can marry Brother Wu at this time?" ”

Speaking of this, Ding Gu glanced at Wu Rui and said: "Moreover, I heard that Xiang Liang has decided to send Xiang Zhuang to the west to guard Yi County, and moreover, he will also increase his troops in Yi County. ”

"What Ding Gong said is extremely true." At this time, Wu Rui pondered for a moment, and finally, he smiled and said, "Okay, this matter is settled." ”