Plan to cut off the nine states

Chang Yan cheered and immediately started to pack his few luggage. Many doubts quickly arose in his heart, "Why did the young master decide to leave now? Is the little princess safe? Can we... just leave as soon as we say we can?"

"I originally wanted to help the princess break off the engagement, and even tried to seduce the Shanyu into going astray, but I didn't succeed, but it didn't fail either." Xu Chu showed a relaxed smile, "The princess no longer needs my help, she can protect herself. Shanyu. Yu-I know enough about him to use against him, all I need is a real hero."

"Hey, everyone is looking for such a person, who did you choose?"

"We have to look again."

"Oh, how should we move?"

"Escape, the opportunity will come soon."

The opportunity did come, but not so quickly, at least not faster than Chang Yan packed his baggage.

The next day, Zhang Shiyu invited Xu Chu to explain what he said in front of Shan Yu yesterday. It was just an explanation, not an apology. "If you want to say who can remain calm when Shan Yu is angry, you are probably the only one. I brought Shanyu's attention to you because I knew you must be fine - in fact, you are indeed fine."

"A pot of fine wine is enough." Xu Chu said with a smile.

"I always have good wine here... aren't you angry?"

"Of course not."

Zhang Shiyu smiled and said: "I knew...that, I have to leave. Shanyu once promised that after capturing Xijing, he would allow me to return to Yuyang, saying that I would meet him again in the spring tomorrow. At least four months, I can avoid the pain of running around. To be honest, I have never enjoyed such a long and practical life since I took the throne. I hope there will be no accidents, not even one."

"When are you leaving?"

"I can't appear too impatient - I hope it will be the day after tomorrow, but I haven't brought it up yet, and I don't know what Shan Su thinks." Zhang Shiyu sighed.

"I have an idea."

"Really?" Zhang Shiyu grabbed Xu Chu's arm, "Give me a move, and after I leave, I will leave all the jars of wine to you."

"For these jars of wine, I have to help you. The Shanyu cares about loyalty very much. If you leave too hastily, it will be counterproductive."

"I understand this, but I don't want to wait any longer. Shan Yu has so many things to do every day. It would be bad if he forgets about me."

"You cannot speak directly or remonstrate directly with the Chanyu, you need to use detours."

"What a roundabout way?"

"Go and seek Shan Yu's eldest wife."

Zhang Shiyu looked disappointed, "I thought it was some good trick. Everyone knows that Shan Yu obeys his eldest wife's words, but I... can't say anything. Shan Yu's eldest wife is from the Shen family and is an enemy of our Tiancheng Zhang family."

"We were enemies in the past. After King Jin returned and surrendered, where did we become enemies?"

"Not friends anyway."

Xu Chu smiled and said: "Since they are not friends, why is Zhang Geng so favored by his eldest wife?"

"He is a child, so he is not on guard, and...oh, I understand what you mean." Zhang Shiyu shook his head repeatedly, "I don't treat him as a younger brother, and he doesn't treat me as an older brother. I have nothing to say."

"You don't want to go back to Yuyang earlier? Shanyu is busy with military affairs now, and he will attack Xijing earlier than he expected. If there are no accidents, he will definitely have to fight another battle before winter, either going north to surround the World Army, or going south Capture Hanzhou, and if the war breaks out again, you won't be able to leave even if you want to."

Zhang Shiyu thought for a while and said helplessly: "You have to be there to speak for me."

"Prepare good wine." Xu Chu smiled and said, "There is also grape pulp. Your brother cannot drink."

That evening, Xu Chu was invited again.

Zhang Geng has arrived. He is the emperor's younger brother and cannot refuse the emperor's invitation, but he is reluctant. The two brothers sit across from each other and have been silent for a while.

Xu Chu took his seat, poured wine for Zhang Shiyu and grape juice for Zhang Geng, and said with a smile: "It's rare for us to have free time, so the three of us can sit together."

Zhang Shiyu hummed, and Zhang Geng looked at the wine bottle. Before he could speak, Xu Chu said, "You can only drink grape juice."

Although Zhang Geng was young, he had a bad temper. He lowered his lips, turned his head and whispered: "I want you to take care of me."

Xu Chu patted Zhang Geng's head gently and said, "It's okay."

Zhang Geng's face turned red, he glanced at the emperor opposite and left without daring to wave his hands.

Zhang Shiyu saw this and smiled secretly in his heart.

Xu Chu raised his glass and toasted, and the three of them drank for a while. Xu Chu chatted with each other, while Zhang Shiyu was anxious and kept winking.

After drinking a few drinks, Xu Chu asked Zhang Geng, "How old are you this year?"

Zhang Geng looked at the emperor again and reluctantly replied: "Nine years old."

"Well, you're not young anymore. Who will you be named king of?"

The emperor's younger brother is usually given the title of king, or at least the title of marquis. However, Zhang Shiyu ascended the throne in a hurry, and suffered a series of accidents after becoming emperor. How could he bother to grant a title to an unpopular younger brother? Even if the civil servants of the Manchu Dynasty wanted to remind him, they could not give advice to the emperor.

Zhang Geng's face changed slightly, he lowered his head and whispered: "I haven't been awarded the title yet."

Xu Chu said to Zhang Shiyu: "You are the only younger brother, why haven't you been crowned king for so long?"

According to Zhang Shiyu's intention, he would never make this younger brother king, but he couldn't show it at this time. He said a few times and said perfunctorily: "I haven't made time yet. I have been too busy recently and have been isolated from the court... …”

"You should be free this time when you return to Yuyang, right?"

"Uh... Yes, I'm free." Zhang Shiyu understood Xu Chu's intention, but he was still hesitant, thinking that the price would be too high.

Xu Chu did not allow him to pass the test perfunctorily, and continued to toast, and said: "This drink is for you to bid farewell. Since you intend to make your brother king, you should think of a name first. If you can't think of it, I will help you think of it."

Zhang Geng was just a child after all. When he heard that there was a throne to be claimed, he looked straight at his brother and didn't even feel that the emperor was annoying him anymore.

Zhang Shiyu wanted to return to Yuyang, so he had to smile and said: "Generally speaking, the king's title should be provided by Yousi, but the emperor can directly make the decision. Well... Since I want to return to Yuyang, why not be the king of Yuyang."

"Okay, King Yuyang. Zhang Geng, are you satisfied?"

Zhang Geng's little face was already red. He had no idea that good luck would come at a moment's notice, and he hurriedly said: "Satisfied, satisfied." Being a smart boy, he stood up immediately, went to one side and knelt down in front of the emperor, "Please do me a favor, Your Majesty. "

Zhang Shiyu said it casually and it became "Long En". Then he thought about it, it was just a king's title, which was not valuable to the current Tiancheng court. As long as he could leave the He Rong camp early, it would not cost him anything. He was so big, so he smiled and said: "Brothers, don't be formal, stand still, come over and drink... drink fruit pulp."

Zhang Geng returned to his seat, his attitude suddenly changed, he said "Your Majesty" in each mouthful, he personally poured and persuaded Zhang Shiyu to drink, and praised Zhang Shiyu to the fullest. Even though he was in the felt tent, he felt a bit like a palace. He felt more and more like his younger brother It's a good thing to be king.

Xu Chu struck while the iron was hot and added: "Since Zhang Geng has been granted the title of King of Yuyang, his biological mother should also be given the title early."

Zhang Shiyu nodded, "Of course, but my mother's title has not yet been established, and others cannot get ahead of me. But it's no problem. After I return to Yuyang, these matters will be top priorities and will be solved soon. What about the birth mother of King Yuyang?" She is also the Crown Princess, and if the ministers do not object, the Crown Princess is also possible. "

Zhang Geng was overjoyed and knelt down to kowtow to express his gratitude. Then he sat opposite Xu Chu and to the left of the emperor. Every time he poured wine, he would always stand up and be respectful.

At this point, Zhang Shiyu no longer needed Xu Chu's reminder. He held the wine glass and sighed: "Title is a major matter for the court. I am anxious, but others may not be anxious. I stay here, and I don't know when I can leave. Don't be anxious, either. Whenever I return to Yuyang, the first thing I do is discuss my title with the ministers.”

Zhang Geng said with a smile: "This is not easy. I will go to the palace and ask her to persuade Shanyu to let your majesty return to Yuyang as soon as possible."

Zhang Shiyu suppressed the joy in his heart and said, "Don't rush to talk about this kind of thing. On the contrary, it will make the palace suspect that I have different intentions."

Zhang Geng was still young and spoke a little openly. He smiled and said: "It doesn't matter. The palace has already said that your majesty is honest and obedient and can be manipulated at will. He is Shanyu's best ally. Anyway, you will come again in the future." , a trip back to Yuyang to have a small gathering with the Queen not only shows Shan Yu’s generosity, but also demonstrates His Majesty’s loyalty.”

Zhang Shiyu felt extremely uncomfortable when he heard this. The smile on his face was a little awkward, and he just nodded without answering.

Xu Chu said: "Zhang Geng, what should you say when you ask for Shanyu's eldest wife?"

Xu Chu first mentioned the matter of being crowned king. Zhang Geng was very impressed with him at this time and immediately replied: "I just said that your majesty misses the queen..."

Xu Chu shook his head, "It's not good to say that. The queen is Shan Yu's sister, so the palace may not care."

"Oh, what should I say? Please give me some advice, Mr. Xu."

"Mr. Xu" was not polite, "You must tell the truth to Shan Yu's eldest wife."

"truth?"

"Well, let the emperor return to Yuyang early and give you mother and son titles."

"Is this... okay?" Zhang Geng hesitated.

"Listen to me, all your lies will be seen through by Shan Yu's wife. The truth will be beneficial to you. You are a child, so you should be more sincere and tell your expectations directly rather than beating around the bush."

"Okay, I'll listen to Mr. Xu."

Xu Chu smiled and said: "There is another advantage. Let Shanyu and his wife know that the emperor wants to make you king. The emperor will not be able to regret it after returning to Yuyang."

Zhang Shiyu said: "Xu Chu, who do you think I am? Jun Wuxi said, I would deceive my younger brother?"

"No, I have no doubts about Your Majesty at all." Zhang Geng said with a smile, but he already recognized Xu Chu's words in his heart and decided to tell the truth to Shan Yu's eldest wife.

The two brothers were very grateful to Xu Chu, and the banquet gradually got better.

Xu Chu did not take the credit, and went to drink with Zhang Geng. Zhang Shiyu was very drunk and said to Zhang Geng: "You and I, brothers, should work together to revive Tiancheng. In the future, I will find a way to bring you back to Yuyang. Get my father back from King Liang, and let’s reunite as a family.”

With tears in his eyes, Zhang Geng kept swearing to be loyal to His Majesty until death.

Zhang Shiyu fell on the table, and Zhang Geng went to call the attendants outside. Xu Chu shook his head, stood up, helped Zhang Shiyu up, and sent him to the bed to lie down. Zhang Geng followed behind, ready to help at any time.

Returning to the wine table, Xu Chu said: "I'm doing you a big favor, and I hope you can do me a small favor."

"Mr. Xu, please tell me, I'm afraid I'm too soft-spoken and have too much ambition but not enough energy."

"This is a simple favor. I ask you to send a message to Shan Yu's wife."

"What words?"

"Just say that I want to leave and let Shanyu send me as an envoy. I can go anywhere."