Plan to cut off the nine states

Xu Chu's "method" was now clear, and no one was worried anymore. The old servants cleaned and cooked as usual. Chang Yan and his companions had a good meal and went to apologize to Princess Fangde early the next morning.

Zhang Shiqing was in a happy mood and had no intention of blaming anyone, but he asked Chang Yan for a favor: "The courtyard is too cramped and I need a larger open space. These weeds are too annoying. We can't just defend, we should also attack and cut them all down." Lose."

"The princess has spoken, and we are definitely willing to help, but... with just a dozen people and a dozen scythes, it is not easy to maintain the situation. If we want to 'attack' again, I am afraid it will be a bit difficult."

Zhang Shiqing turned around and entered the house. Chang Yan thought she was angry again and said hurriedly: "How can you be a good man if you don't go in even though you know it's difficult? I'll call everyone here and we will get rid of all the weeds even if we don't eat!"

However, Zhang Shiqing did not lose his temper. He came out of the room with a stick in hand and said with a smile: "Does General Chang recognize this?"

Polo is popular in the north and south, and is especially loved by the children of noble families and military officers. Chang Yan, as a child of the seven tribes, of course recognized the object in the princess's hand, and said with a smile: "I haven't touched it in a few years, so I am very dexterous. It turns out that the princess wants to open up a place to play ball. This is simple. Please wait a moment. "

Chang Yan was cautious after all. He went to the study first and said to the young master who was reading: "The little princess wants to create a place to play polo. Do you want to join me?"

"Well, you guys play first, I'll talk about it later." Xu Chu was still reading the military newspaper. In the past, he only listened to Zhang Shiqing skimming it, but now he wanted to read it carefully.

After hearing this, Chang Yan no longer hesitated, so he went to find his companions. After asking, he found that seven of them had also played polo, and the others were extremely interested.

Life in the valley is too comfortable, and everyone has already felt bored. They hate weeding even more. They just deal with it every day. When they hear that it is going to be used for fun, everyone becomes more interested and immediately finds tools such as sickles, hoes and shovels.

Zhang Shiqing selected a place, and everyone cut grass, dug ditches, and set fires. After working for several hours, they finally had some effect and were able to get the horses to gallop. They were all too tired to move. Only Zhang Shiqing remained idle and hurriedly mounted his horse. He held the stick and beat it for a while, which elicited a round of applause.

On a whim, Chang Yanzhi borrowed a stick from the little princess, regardless of his fatigue, and got on his horse to practice his skills. They had a one-on-one game, without blocking each other. They only wanted to see whether their skills were superb and whether their hitting was accurate.

Zhang Shiqing considered herself a polo master, but after a few rounds, she was evenly matched with Chang Yan, who had been working hard for a long time. This surprised her.

"I still remember some of my old craftsmanship." Chang Yan tried his best to remain humble, but his pride was palpable. "It would be nice if the stick were longer and heavier."

Zhang Shiqing's sticks are all women's style and not as heavy as men's.

"It turns out that General Chang is a master."

"I'm not really a master. I was just more playful when I was young and I just practiced hard for a few days."

Zhang Shiqing was not convinced, "That's it for today. General Chang has been tired for a day. I will beat you. I'm sorry you are not convinced. Let's compete again tomorrow."

"Although polo requires skills, strength is also essential. The princess's skills are top-notch, but her strength is lower. If I wait until tomorrow to regain my strength, haha..."

"On the field, there is only victory and defeat. It's not like I haven't competed with stronger people. General Chang, take a good rest and see the results tomorrow."

"The princess has the final say." Chang Yan said with a smile.

During dinner in the evening, the old servant specifically reminded Chang Yan: "The general is a sensible man, why are you so confused now and quarreling with the little princess? Wouldn't it be great if you let her give way tomorrow and everyone will be happy?"

Chang Yan is usually a person with no temper. Even when he was a general, he was on par with his soldiers. When drinking, he could be brothers with everyone. He rarely competed with others, but refused to give in on one thing.

"My old man is wrong. Polo is not a 'fun' game. There are many ways to play it. The military often uses it to train riding skills, and the civilians use it to keep fit. If it is just for games, there is no need to open a venue. , just let the little princess play ball in the courtyard for a while. "

"How old is the little princess? You, a man in your thirties, have the nerve to argue with her?"

"The little princess is right, the game only determines the winner." Chang Yan paused, "Isn't there someone else? Tomorrow I will let the little princess choose someone first, and the rest will join my team. This can always be done Already?"

The old servant had nothing to say, but he still shook his head.

Zhang Shiqing came over to have dinner with Xu Chu, "Have you figured out a way?"

"We'll have to wait a little longer."

"Do you know how much I hate the words 'wait a little longer'?"

"Haha, this time we are not waiting for an idea, but waiting for the city to take action first, and then we can strike first."

"Can a late striker also be used to defeat someone else?"

"The enemy is strong and we are weak, so we can only strike later. The so-called late strike does not mean waiting, but waiting until the enemy's weaknesses are fully exposed and then defeating the enemy with one move."

"Who is the 'enemy' you are talking about? My parents and brothers? Huanyan father and daughter? The Empress Dowager? King He Rongman?"

"They are all in it, but there are flaws only if there are many people. If there are many people, they will have different demands, and if they have different demands, they will have different intentions. And all the different intentions are reflected in the military report. You see..."

"I don't want to watch, I've seen enough for a long time." Zhang Shiqing immediately shook his head. What she likes is having fun, and she can only maintain a temporary enthusiasm for "games" such as reading bureau reports and identifying general trends. "Since you have come up with a countermeasure, It's all your responsibility - can you still find time to play polo?"

"Of course, but my skills are average."

"Are you being modest, or are you telling the truth?"

"I used to be the concubine of the general. I studied in the Yuxue Hall. I learned in name only. Wherever I go, I bring my books wherever I go. How good do you think my golf skills can be?"

"Haha, just in time, you and Chang Yan will team up tomorrow."

Early the next morning, Zhang Shiqing went to Chang Yan's residence and knocked on the door to call for help.

The venue was too small and could only accommodate three people against three people. Everyone came on the field to show off their skills. Xu Chu didn't lie at all. He couldn't even hit the ball on the ground several times, which shocked Zhang Shiqing and Chang Yan who were watching. He kept shaking his head.

Zhang Shiqing selected two teammates and pushed Xu Chu to Chang Yan. The two sides mounted their horses and started the first competition.

Zhang Shiqing asked for a lot of golf equipment, but it was all women's style. Fortunately, everyone was not picky. They brought their own clothing and horses. The slightly shorter and lighter sticks did not affect the overall situation.

An hour later, Zhang Shiqing had a slight advantage. Although she was weak, her skills were indeed top-notch. With the help of two men, she was even more powerful. On the other hand, Chang Yan was the only one who was considered a master. Both of his companions were a drag, especially It's Mr. Xu, more like he's here to cause trouble.

The old servant reminded everyone that it was time to have lunch, and the competition came to an end. Zhang Shiqing was proud of himself, while Chang Yan had a dark face and didn't speak to anyone.

Shortly in the afternoon, a guest came outside. Xu Chu could no longer participate in the competition. The happiest person was Chang Yan, who immediately chose another teammate.

When outsiders arrived, Xu Chu didn't say anything about keeping it secret, and Zhang Shiqing didn't hide away either. He ran around on horseback, laughing constantly.

Sun Yalu saw the figure of Princess Fangde from a distance, and was stunned for a while. She hurriedly lowered her head, pretending not to see anything, and hurriedly walked towards Xu Chu.

As soon as he entered the study, Sun Yalu immediately said: "I tried my best to protect Mr. Xu in the city, but I didn't expect that Mr. Xu would actually... How did Princess Fangde come in here?"

"I haven't asked carefully yet." Xu Chu told the truth. He met Zhang Shiqing in the back mountain and brought her back to the valley. He didn't ask her a word about how she came - he guessed something, so he didn't I would like to ask very clearly.

"Alas, I originally wanted to remind Mr. Xu to stay away from right and wrong, but now it seems that this move is unnecessary." Sun Yalu was about to leave, but he still had unanswered questions in his heart. He hesitated for a moment and said directly: "What are Mr. Xu's plans? "

"Well... my skills are too poor, so I'd better not go on the court and drag General Chang down."

Sun Yalu was displeased and said, "I admire Mr. Xu as a person, and I came to visit him out of kindness. Why did Mr. Xu respond in a joking manner?"

Xu Chu cupped his hands and smiled and said: "Mr. Sun, forgive me, I relaxed a little too much. I understand what Mr. Sun means. In fact, I have something to ask Mr. Sun: When will the Jizhou army withdraw from Qinzhou?"

Sun Yalu was stunned, "After pacifying the rebels, it will take at least one month and at least three months to meet with the class."

"Too late."

Sun Yalu was stunned again, then smiled and said: "Mr. Xu still has another wife in mind? I would like to advise Mr. Xu, now that we have parted ways..."

Suddenly there was a loud cheer outside the window, it was obviously someone who had hit a good shot.

When the noise subsided, Sun Yalu no longer wanted to mention the matter of the Golden Saint. "Even if the Jizhou army immediately disbands, Yecheng will still marry the He Rong tribe. There is no cause and effect between the two."

"There is a reason. If the Jizhou army comes back earlier, it will avoid a defeat in the front, and the marriage between Yecheng and the He Rong tribe can be consolidated in the rear. If it comes back late, it will be useless for Yecheng to marry the princess to the He Rong tribe. , but adds to the hatred.”

Sun Yalu laughed and glanced at the piles of military reports on the table, "Is Mr. Xu still not relieved?"

"When I want to put it down, I have nowhere to save it, so I have to hold it in my hand."

Sun Yalu shook his head with a smile, cupped his hands and said: "I have been in the valley for half a year, leisurely and unchanged, but the world is no longer what it was back then. Mr. Xu, it is better to let it go completely. Someone will naturally catch it for you. Seeing that Mr. Xu is confident, I don't have much. Say anything and say goodbye."

Xu Chu personally walked to the mouth of the valley. Sun Yalu said: "The palace will send someone here soon. Mr. Xu... Well, I really don't know what to say. Mr. Xu has caused trouble for himself, and also made the King of Jibei and Princess Huanyan very upset." Embarrassing.”

Xu Chu smiled and said, "They will be grateful to me later."

Sun Yalu shook his head, called his entourage, mounted his horse and returned to the city. Since he saw it with his own eyes, he naturally couldn't lie and must tell Princess Huanyan the truth.

Everyone in the valley was attracted by polo and kept shouting about it. Now that the two sides were equally powerful, the fight became more exciting. The onlookers were itching to play and wanted to play. So they found a sickle and cut the grass while watching to expand the venue. .

Only the old servant was not interested in polo. He recognized Sun Yalu as a well-established guest in the city. When he saw him leaving, he immediately came up to him and asked carefully: "Master, what do you need me to do?"

"Well... prepare some food and wine, and bring out some good tea as well. There may be more guests in the next few days."

"Just a guest?"

"Even enemies, we will entertain them with food and wine." Xu Chu said with a smile, looking at the crowd in the distance, feeling more and more confident.