Plan to cut off the nine states

"'Wait a little longer'?" Xu Chu really waited for a while and asked, "What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know. Maybe you haven't figured out how to answer it yet, so you have to wait. Maybe you think Mr. Xu is too impatient and want to wait for you to calm down before answering. This is in line with your habit of preaching and answering questions. He It is often said that the questioner often has ups and downs in his heart. It is called a question, but in fact it cannot tolerate any criticism. Only when the mind is calm and open-minded can one listen to what others say. Or maybe the words "wait a little longer" are the words. The answer is that Mr. Xu has the world in mind. He was too eager for success before and fell into selfish desires. When Mr. Xu heard that Mr. Xu had removed his title of king, he cried out "I can teach you" three times in his illness. He must have felt that Mr. Xu finally "can be taught". Slow down. It's possible..."

Xu Chu cupped his hands and said, "Brother Song, please explain. I'll figure out the remaining 'possibilities' myself."

"Haha, it's me who talks too much." Song Tizhu looked at the small grave mound and sighed: "That's the way sir, you came to ask with doubts. After listening to what he said, your doubts did not decrease, but became more. Sometimes, very rarely, I wonder, is sir trying to be mysterious?"

Xu Chu smiled and said, "I have met many people who pretend to be mysterious, and there are many masters among them. If Mr. Fan is one of them, then his skills are so superb that I can't see any flaws."

Song Qizhu laughed and said, "Look, this is what's so special about sir. Even if you suspect that he is being mysterious, you have to admit that he is very capable."

Song Tizhu stared at the grave mound, suddenly raised his hands and clapped them twice, and shouted in a loud voice: "Get up! Old guy! Don't pretend to be dead!"

Xu Chu was surprised. Song Qizhu had always been gentle and respectful to his master since they met, but he didn't expect that he would suddenly say evil words.

There was no response from the graveyard.

Song Tizhu said with a smile: "Mr. Xu, don't be surprised. I'm just trying. Maybe you are pretending to be dead. Others can't do this kind of thing, but he can. If you can get up, let's drink porridge and talk about Taoism. The two of us can Isn’t it wonderful that all the doubts in my heart can be solved?”

Xu Chu smiled, "It seems that Brother Song really misses Mr. Fan."

The smile on Song Tizhu's face disappeared, he stood silently for a moment, and then he cupped his hands and said: "It's time to say goodbye. See you later. If Mr. Xu goes to Jingzhou in the future, you can come to Xiangyang to find me and let me show my friendship as a landlord. Forget it here, there is only rice porridge. With pickles, you have to go hunting in the mountains to eat meat, which is too troublesome.”

"If you go to Xiangyang, you will be harassed. Brother Song, are you leaving now?"

"Sir, I'm not here, this is just a nameless valley. Let's go, it's time to go." Song Tizhu said goodbye with his hands crossed.

"I want to stay in the valley for a while, does Brother Song think it's okay?"

"The valley was given to me by the governor of Yecheng. It does not belong to me. As long as no one in Yecheng evicts me, Mr. Xu can stay here as long as he wants."

"Thank you."

Song Qizhu did not pack the package, and returned to several thatched houses, looked around, picked up the ax he had used to chop firewood, and stuck it on his waist, which was in sharp contrast to his scribe's attire.

"There is half a tank of rice in the house over there, and there is a well behind the house. The stream in the back mountain is sweeter, but it is farther back and forth. What else... Oh, the first house on the left is not occupied. It may collapse and needs to be repaired first. That's it. After the news of your husband's death, many people will come to express their condolences. Since Mr. Xu wants to stay, please say goodbye. "

"I'll give Brother Song a ride."

"No need." Song Tizhu waved his hand, "If I don't take the high road, the wanted order in Yecheng may not have been removed yet."

Xu Chu was stunned again, "It doesn't matter whether it is a high road or a byway, I will give you a ride."

"It's up to you." Song Qizhu walked towards the nearby ridge.

Xu Chu followed and asked, "What is Brother Song's doubt?"

"Um?"

"Brother Song just said that he also came here to clear up confusion."

"Did I say that?"

"As I said, Brother Song said that if Mr. Fan can come back from the dead, our doubts will be solved."

"Yes, I told you." Song Qizhu stopped talking. He came to the foot of the mountain and stopped walking: "It's enough to send him here. The mountain road is difficult, so it will be easier for me to walk alone."

"I'm sorry to send you away." Xu Chu handed over his hand.

Song Qizhu walked up the mountain. Halfway there, he turned around and saw that Xu Chu was still where he was. He said loudly: "Let me ask you, sir: Why is it that people are so dissatisfied that the more they get, the more they become resentful?"

"How do you answer Mr. Fan?"

"Go make porridge!"

"What?"

"My husband's answer was 'cook porridge.' Just because of these three words, I cooked rice porridge for a year and a half, and my mouth was so light that I could feed a fish. When he died, I was finally free and no longer had to think about his answer. , rinse your mouth with ten jars of wine, and warm your stomach with whole pigs, cattle, and sheep.”

Song Chuizhu laughed loudly, picked up the ax and swung it wildly, strode up the mountain, quickly crossed the ridge and disappeared, only the occasional laughter could be heard.

"What a... weirdo." Xu Chu murmured, turned around and left the valley, called his followers in, assigned them a place to live, and cleaned up the room with them.

The old servant walked into the master's room, looked at it for a while, and said blankly: "Is this the place where the master lives?"

“Clean, tidy, very good.”

"But... there's nothing, not even a bed."

This room was originally Fan Guan's residence. It was as simple as a warehouse that had not yet been used. It was empty. There was a worn-out reed mat spread on the floor, with a half-foot-high cushion underneath. There were no tables and chairs in the room, only in the corner. There is a small wooden cabinet inside.

The old servant walked over, found a thin quilt from the cabinet, shook it twice and said, "It's almost like a single coat."

"We have to live a hard life." Xu Chu said with a smile.

"I knew it would be hard, but I didn't expect...it would be so hard. The young master went to Yecheng, wouldn't the city have any...interest?"

"Well, I have to get some rice and noodles. When the weather warms up, I can plant some vegetables and raise some chickens and ducks."

The old servant opened his mouth.

A woman's voice came from outside. It turned out to be Feng Juniang asking someone to move things.

The old servant smiled and said: "There must be a woman in charge of the house."

"She is the only woman in the valley. It's not appropriate. You can send her to the city tomorrow."

"Two women, and she even has her maid."

"Send them all away."

"Sir, I've come all the way to follow you, and there's no merit but hard work, so why chase people away?"

"Feng Juniang is famous for her beauty. If she causes trouble here, it will not be good for everyone."

The old servant suddenly understood, nodded and said: "Young Master has thought carefully, and he really can't stay. Feng is born with a trouble-making appearance. I noticed it when we were still on the road. Several boys always come to show their courtesy. Well, I have to send him away. I Go and tell her to stop moving her things and leave them in the car. It will be convenient tomorrow."

When the old servant went out, Xu Chu took off his boots and went to the banquet. He knelt down and sat in Fan Guan's previous seat. He soon felt it was inappropriate and moved to the opposite seat. He felt calm and seemed to still be able to see the drowsy old gentleman.

"Hmm." A voice sounded from the door.

Feng Juniang came and looked around, "Is this also a place where people live?"

"Mr. Fan is a famous person of his generation, unparalleled in the world. He is indifferent by nature and lives in the simplest way."

"I don't believe that he can be 'simple' by living alone. The dirty and hard work is done by others, so he can have nothing here."

"Well, what you said makes sense. Mr. Fan often has disciples to serve him, and there is no shortage of people around him. Not long ago, he dismissed all the disciples, leaving only one person."

"He knew he was going to die, so he left only one person alive?"

Xu Chu nodded.

"Master, is he suffering from an incurable disease?"

"No, why did you ask..."

"Young master is not sick and he is not very old. He will not die soon."

"I hope so." Xu Chu smiled.

"Then you need many people to serve you to ensure that this room is not affected by external objects."

"Well, I need to, but..."

"Which of those men can be a prostitute? Who can manage the house? Who can take care of every corner?"

"This is not the place for you."

Feng Juniang smiled, "I am also the daughter of a good family. I encountered great chaos, fell into the army, and passed through the hands of many people. I never dared to say the word 'reject', but I was given the name of 'conqueror'. Everyone thought I was cheap." "My wife, you think I'm an ominous person. I didn't expect that Mr. Xu has so much heart for the world that he can't tolerate a weak woman like me."

With these words alone, Xu Chu didn't think she was a "weak woman". He thought for a moment and said, "Why do you have to stay with me?"

"I've met a lot of people, but Mr. Xu's place is safer. I don't have to please someone against my will, and I won't be given away to others at will."

"I once rewarded you to Lu Kuan."

"I can understand it being a last resort in wartime."

Xu Chu shook his head, "Besides, I'm not safe here. I removed my king title very suddenly, and everyone was confused and at a loss before I could get here. But soon everyone will understand, like King Jin, who was already here at that time Wake up, people like He Rongbu can also see my usefulness. There will be more and more trouble coming to your door in the future..."

"I've been wondering, Mr. Xu is no longer the King of Wu, so what's the use?"

"name."

"Um?"

"I have removed the title of King of Wu, but I still have the name of King of Wu. You are willing to follow because of this name. King Jin and He Rong also care about this name and want to use it to expand the territory. It will take at least one or two days. Years later, when everyone forgets the name of King Wu, I can become a 'useless person' again, but I have to wait until then."

Feng Juniang frowned slightly. She considered herself to be a smart person, but she didn't quite understand what she meant. "I'm not going to leave anyway. I followed you all the way. I'm not going to Yecheng. In that case, I might as well stay in Dongdu." Recommend yourself to the King of Liang. Mr. Xu, don't force me. I live on the other side and won't interact with you. If you are killed, I will go to my own place. As for those people outside, I can't stop them. Thoughts, but...if someone who is not afraid of death comes to provoke me, I will only marry him one at a time, so as not to make your face look ugly. "

Xu Chu smiled and shook his head, and finally said: "Okay, you stay here first, and when you want to leave..."

"Then you must be dead."

"Haha, please."

Feng Juniang turned around and left the room, continuing to loudly instruct everyone to move their belongings.

The old servant came in and said, "Young Master is not decisive enough."

"Because I am not decisive enough, I want to get rid of the king's title and avoid disaster in advance."

"Young master, just be happy. I wonder how long these broken houses can last? By the way, Tian Zhuangshi is back."

"Where are the people?"

"He showed up and left. Let me tell the young master that he is going to Yecheng to meet the princess and will come back tomorrow. I won't say which princess it is."