The Grandmaster Strategist

On the 16th day of the first month of Jiaxu in the first year of Tongtai in the Southern Chu Dynasty, King Yong called a banquet with his ministers as usual because his son was about to travel far. Zhe did not attend the banquet. During the banquet, Qin Qing, the powerful general of Huwei, asked for a meeting in private and accused Zhe of rumors. After being politely persuaded, Qing retreated in shame.

--"History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties Biography of Jiang Suiyun"

I stretched out comfortably. In the past few days, I received news that the prince had taken the bait, so I could put these troublesome things aside for the time being. In fact, everyone in Prince Yong's Mansion is extremely busy today. Whoever asked the crown prince to take over the vassal status on behalf of Prince Yong, according to the usual practice, His Highness Prince Yong will hold a banquet for all ministers. I am not interested in this kind of thing, so I asked His Highness to take a leave of absence. I am going to read some out-of-print ancient books given to me by King Yong in the Hanyuan. His Highness understands that I don’t like the excitement, because many princes and nobles will come to the banquet today. In this way, King Yong’s outer palace may be too crowded. It's messy. After all, many of them are qualified to wander around the palace. As long as they don't approach a few forbidden areas, it doesn't matter. In order to prevent anyone from disturbing me, His Highness specially sent someone to guard the door for me and no one is allowed to enter without permission. , In fact, His Highness wanted me to hide in the back house, but I didn’t agree to the melon fields and plum trees. Anyway, there were people guarding the outside of Hanyuan, so what should I be afraid of?

Xiao Shunzi knows my temper best. He opens the doors and windows as soon as he gets up in the morning to let out the turbid air from the night, and then lights a stove of fragrance. I change into a loose robe and drink the fragrant tea that Xiao Shunzi makes for me. , What a magical day. After watching for a while, I accidentally looked up and saw Xiao Shunzi carving a piece of white jade with a silver knife. This is a habit he has developed recently. Since the last time I forced him to carve a wooden doll for Roulan, He suddenly became fond of carving, and would carve here and there with a knife when he had nothing to do. I once asked him why he suddenly became interested in these things. He mysteriously told me that he found this to be a good way to practice martial arts. A while ago, he I always felt that martial arts didn't seem to have much progress. Who knew that in order to carve wooden figures well, it turned out that his moves were a little smoother and more natural. Now he found a new way to practice martial arts. Although I don't understand wood carving and martial arts. Doesn't matter, but I still understand the principle of drawing by analogy. Looking at Xiao Shunzi's transformation from rough and messy to smooth and continuous knife marks, I also feel that he seems to have made some progress. At least the things he carves now are lifelike, so I simply bought it. Give him a pile of ordinary jade blocks and let him carve them for fun. No, the bookweight on my desk was carved by him a few days ago.

Looking at him, I suddenly smiled and said, 'Xiao Shunzi, although you like carving, you don't need to practice every day. Today, His Highness is hosting a banquet, and there is vaudeville music in front. You can go and relax. '

Xiao Shunzi said calmly: 'There are too many people outside today, I don't trust you alone. '

I smiled and said: 'You are too careful. This is Prince Yong's Mansion. I am just a small surrender. Who would come to assassinate me? Okay, go have some fun, don't forget, you are only twenty years old, don't act like an old man all day long, then I will be guilty. '

Xiao Shunzi glared at me, but he was still young after all, and those juggling were also very attractive to him, but he was always a little worried about me. I smiled and said: 'Well, you call Hu Wei in, Do you feel relieved to have him protect you here? '

Xiao Shunzi looked at the teacup on the desk and said, 'But someone has to serve the tea. '

I said helplessly: "Xiao Shunzi, don't forget that I taught you how to make tea. Okay, let's go play. You are not allowed to follow me today. The lanterns will be on for three consecutive days. You protected me last night." You go out and take a walk today by yourself. Don't stay bored in the house all day. I won't be in danger if I don't go out. '

Xiao Shunzi finally nodded and said: 'Okay, I'll go out and call someone right now. Young Master, you can rest assured and read, I will make arrangements. '

I looked at his back and smiled happily, right? Why is a kid who is just twenty years old so mature? He should have fun and have fun. Although when I was twenty years old, this brat stole from me. He had to take the No. 1 exam because of the expense, but there was no need for him to have to aggrieve himself.

After sending Xiao Shunzi away, I continued to indulge in the book. When Hu Wei came in and knelt, he saw that I had no response. He followed me for a while, until sometimes I forgot everything when I read a book, so he quietly He withdrew without disturbing me. I don't know at this moment that the moment closest to death in my life is about to come.

Qin Qing was dealing with his colleagues around him and thinking about his thoughts. Today he came to the banquet on behalf of his father, but he didn't want to chat with those old foxes, so he hurriedly congratulated King Yong and ran outside to the colorful shed. He looked at the juggling being performed on the high platform, but he didn't notice it at all. His mind was filled with the shadows of Princess Changle and Jiang Zhe.

Back then, he asked the princess to elope, but was sternly rejected. At that time, he was young and reckless, and he spoke unscrupulously, accusing the princess of being ungrateful and coveting the honor of the Queen of Nanchu. The princess left in tears, but her still arrogant look made him deeply regretful. , but it was a pity that he did not have the chance to say sorry, and then he was thrown into the military camp after being severely punished by his father. He killed this fourth-level tiger general with one knife and one shot, but it was a pity that he was not given a chance to harbor hatred every day. After the battle in Nanchu, the princess came back. Knowing this, he was both happy and sad. What he hoped most was to lead the army to attack Nanchu, and then kneel down in front of the princess to plead guilty, but now he did not have this opportunity.

After the princess came back, he once asked his mother to come to the palace to express his feelings, but he was met with cold water and the princess no longer had any affection for him. He was heartbroken, holding on to the last glimmer of hope. He participated in the martial arts performance, but was tied with that pretty boy. Although he knew that this did not mean that he was not as good as Xiahou Yuanfeng, Qin Qing knew that he had completely lost hope of reconciling with the princess. , and after the martial arts competition, he was imprisoned in the ancestral hall by his father and punished to kneel. It was because of the dispute between himself and the Nanchu surrender. Qin Qing hated Nanchu deeply. In anger, even the people of Nanchu also hated him. , Jiang Zhe, this person, had a false reputation, he knelt down and surrendered, and he was still eloquent. It didn't matter if he mocked him a few times, but his father actually violated the family law and severely punished him. Now Qin Qing still remembers the scene when his father scolded her with a livid face.

'Beast, I don't blame you for your misbehavior in the past, nor do I blame you for being angry for no reason, but you actually insulted the wise men in public. If this continues, what future will our Qin family have? Do you know what a big mistake this is. Jiang Zhe is not a mediocre person. He was the counselor to Prince De, and Southern Chu conquered Shu. His long song cost the life of the king of Shu. His performance made all the aspiring people of Dayong tremble with fear. This man is a national scholar. Also, you actually insulted him because he was a surrendered minister. Do you know that if this person is a little narrow-minded, your life will be in his hands in the future. '

Although he was dissatisfied, he still had to bow his head and admit his mistake in front of his furious father. It was not until yesterday that his father let him go and sighed: "Little slave, King Yong will hold a banquet tomorrow. You go on my behalf to congratulate the crown prince on his passing. Remember." , you must find an opportunity to see Jiang Sima and apologize to him. If this person holds a grudge against you, I am afraid it will be a disaster after all. I have inquired that His Highness King Yong regards this person as a confidant, and even His Highness King Qi also thinks highly of him. , both of your highnesses are not mediocre people, which shows how powerful this person is. If you can't ask for his forgiveness, I'm afraid your younger siblings will be implicated by you in the future. '

So I came to Prince Yong's Mansion full of resentment. I thought I would just admit my mistake, but just now, I learned a piece of news that almost made me faint. Princess Changle actually had an affair with that shameless surrender.

It was a coincidence that I learned the news. After meeting King Yong, I expressed congratulations on behalf of my father. Although I felt awkward, I still offered to apologize to Jiang Zhe. King Yong readily agreed, but said that Jiang Sima had always been weak and would have to wait until later. When he saw the guests, he asked himself to go and relax first. He reluctantly agreed, cursing the useless scholar while admiring the scenery in Prince Yong's Mansion. However, not long after leaving, he found two eunuchs whispering behind a pine forest. He had originally He had no intention of eavesdropping, but something he overheard made him freeze immediately.

But it was a eunuch who proudly announced to his companions that Princess Changle had a private meeting with Jiang Sima when she came to the palace. However, it turned out that the two had an affair in Nanchu. If he had not been ordered to serve Jiang Sima, he might not have known about it. What about such a big thing? He was still bragging that Jiang Sima had given him a thousand taels of silver, and that if he was willing to keep secret, when he became the consort in the future, he would ask this eunuch to be the general manager.

Qin Qing was so angry that he became dizzy after hearing this. It took him a while to wake up. When he wanted to inquire, the two eunuchs were no longer there. Qin Qing stayed there, thinking about it, if the princess married Wei Ying or Xiahou Yuanfeng, although he would be sad but convinced, if the princess really had an affair with that weak scholar, he would never be reconciled. After thinking about it, Go, the princess has been virtuous and gentle since she was a child. It must be the surrender who seduced the princess. If King Yong hadn't said anything first, I'm afraid he would have gone to question Jiang Zhe. So in the next time, whether it is watching a sideshow or doing something else , Qin Qing was all absent-minded. At that time, Qin Qing saw that most of the middle and lower-level officials had arrived, so he found a guard to lead the way to see Jiang Zhe. Those guards had already received orders from King Yong, so they led him Follow Qin Qing towards Hanyuan.

Although Qin Qing was full of anger, he was a general after all, and he was curious all the way. Since Jiang Zhe was the Sima of Tiance Commandery, and Shi Yu, the chief minister, was going to Youzhou to assist the crown prince, then in Prince Yong's Mansion This person is a figure below one person and above ten thousand people, but the place becomes more and more deserted as we walk, as if it is an extremely remote guest house. Involuntarily, Qin Qing asked the guard leading the way: 'Why does Jiang Sima live in such a remote place? '

The guard smiled and said: "General Qin doesn't know something. Jiang Sima likes purity, so he chose Hanyuan to live in. He rarely even goes out of the garden gate when there is nothing to do?" '

Since Qin Qing had suspicions in his heart, he couldn't help but think wildly. This man lived in a remote place. Could it be that he wanted to have a private meeting with the princess for convenience?

When he arrived at Hanyuan, Qin Qing found that the place was indeed heavily guarded. There were more than a dozen guards he saw. He led his guards to explain the situation to the guard in front of the door. After the guard entered, he came out and said: "Sima You Please invite General Qin. '

Qin Qing walked into Hanyuan, only to find that it was quiet and desolate inside. It seemed that Jiang Zhe really liked purity. He saw Hu Wei standing outside the door of an elegant house at a glance. Hu Wei was a close subordinate of King Yong. Qin Qing knew it very well. It seemed that King Yong really valued Jiang Zhe. Maybe King Yong was backing Jiang Zhe and the princess. Qin Qing's anger became even more intense.

I was reading a book when suddenly Hu Wei came in and reported that General Qin Qingqin had come to ask for an audience. I was stunned. This man was rude to me in public. Why did he come to see me today? I wanted not to see him, but then I remembered how King Yong would have arranged for him to come to see me if it wasn't an important matter. I had to put down the book and didn't bother to change clothes. It wasn't business anyway, and it was just for a while, so I wouldn't cause any trouble.

After a while, Qin Qing came in, and looked at me blankly as soon as he came in. I felt strange, waved Hu Wei out, and asked: "What important business does the general have here? Please forgive me for wearing casual clothes. I am in the room." I'm used to being casual. General, please take a seat. '

Qin Qing sat down silently and looked at the young man opposite. He was wearing a loose and comfortable green robe. His long hair was not tied up, but was only held back with a hairpin. His expression was leisurely and calm. Qin Qing had a strong feeling that the young man in front of him He is not a worldly person at all. Does he really have an affair with the princess? Qin Qing thought.

Seeing that this handsome general was silent all the time, I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, so I said coldly: "What does the general have to do? If it's nothing, please forgive Zhe for his frailty and inability to sit for a long time." 'After that, I picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of this superb Mengshan tea. This is the best among the tributes. Even His Highness King Yong only only had a few taels. He gave half to me. It is my favorite. This is the only thing on weekdays. I only drink a cup of it on leisurely days. Who would have thought that just after I took a sip, I heard Qin Qing say coldly: 'Are you really having an affair with Princess Changle? '

‘Pfft. 'All the tea in my mouth spurted out. I looked at Qin Qing blankly and asked with some stuttering: 'General Qin, what did you say? '

Qin Qing looked at me coldly and said: 'I asked you if you have an affair with Princess Changle. '

I subconsciously played to my strengths. Yes, Hu Wei was far away and shouldn't have heard. Why is there such a problem? I looked at Qin Qing and asked, 'General Qin, with all due respect, do you have anything to do with the princess? '

When Qin Qing heard this, his face turned red and he said, 'No? '

I felt the hairs on my body stand on end, knowing that this man had murderous intentions, but after much deliberation, I couldn't let Hu Wei in. If such rumors spread, I'm afraid even King Yong wouldn't be able to protect me. I said calmly: 'Since the general has nothing to do with the princess, it would be inappropriate to ask her about her personal relationship. But since the general has asked, it would be a bit guilty if I didn't answer. But this matter can never be repeated. I hope the general will use his brain more before asking questions. '

I looked at Qin Qing's face and felt that there was still room for improvement, so I continued: "Zhe was originally a surrendered minister of Southern Chu. It is understandable that the general despises me. But the only good thing about Zhe's life is to be clean and self-loving. Apart from his deceased wife, there is nothing wrong with him." He has never had an affair with another woman. If the general reprimands Jiang Zhe for surrendering, Zhe will have to listen no matter how angry he is. Only such filthy words, although they are just a thing of the past to me, I cannot allow you to talk nonsense. '

Qin Qing's face changed again and again, and she said coldly: 'Do you dare to swear? '

I smiled disdainfully and said lightly: "General, Jiang Zhe, I swear to the heavens and gods, and to the common people below, I swear that I will not do such a thing, but I might as well say it bluntly, there are only two people who can meet and talk with the princess." Once in Nanchu, I was ordered to meet him, and once a few days ago, I met him at Prince Yong's Mansion. The princess was a golden girl, and she was once the queen of Nanchu. She and Zhe were emperors and ministers. If General Qin regarded this as a personal relationship, , there are no innocent people in the world. '

Qin Qing calmed down. He could hear that although my words were sharp, there was no falsehood. Thinking of how he could obey his father's orders and apologize to Jiang Zhe when he came to question me after hearing the rumors and suffered a bloody head, he could only hold his fists and said : 'I was wrong. I heard this from two eunuchs in the palace. Please forgive me, Lord Sima. '

I felt a chill in my heart and immediately raised my voice: ‘Hu Wei. '

Hu Wei immediately pushed the door open and walked in. I said coldly: "Someone is talking nonsense and has angered General Qin. Go and bring them to me immediately. General Qin, what do these two people look like and where did they meet." '

Qin Qing originally wanted not to say anything, but when she saw the coldness in Jiang Zhe's eyes, she felt a chill in her heart and told them about the age and appearance of the two people. After hearing this, Hu Wei thought for a moment and said, 'Sir, these two men are known to my subordinates as father-in-law sent by the palace. Excuse me, sir, can you bring people here? '

I thought for a while and said: 'His Highness is hosting a banquet today. Do not disturb the guests. You arrest the two of them and imprison them to wait for His Highness to deal with them. '

After Hu Wei left, I looked at Qin Qing and said calmly: "General Qin, listen to my advice. The reason why your father is favored so far is not because of his power. I heard that General Fuyuan is a man of few words and always keeps his word." , Actions must bear fruit. The most admirable thing is that the general is fair and decisive in dealing with things. If there is no offense, even a small soldier will not be scornful. If there is an offense, even the royal family will not be lenient. The general can think about the past few days. There is something worthy of boasting about your behavior. I cannot bear to see the great general's descendants wither away. '

Qin Qing should have been angry, but she felt that what Jiang Zhe said was similar to what her father said every day, so she didn't dare to argue. Thinking of the anger and jealousy that had been driving her brain for many days, the more she thought about it, the more ashamed she became. He was originally a descendant of a general, and was taught by his strict father. Although he was confused for a while, it was not his nature after all. After thinking about it, he felt empty in his heart. He bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your teaching, sir. Qing Xiangri is offended." Sir, please forgive me. '

I was surprised. I didn't expect this man to be so aware of his mistakes and to change them. I couldn't help but help him up and said: "The general can't bear such a courtesy. If there is any offense, please forgive me, general." '

Qin Qing said calmly: "Sir, Qin Qing originally wanted to hear more about your teachings, but he was just ordered to come here to congratulate you. The banquet was about to start, so Qing had to go out to congratulate His Highness King Yong. If there is a chance in the future, I would like to ask you for your teachings." . '

Unexpectedly, the war turned into friendship. I couldn't help but feel happy, so I personally sent him out of Hanyuan. After seeing him walking away, I suddenly heard someone scolding: "Whoever breaks into Hanyuan without permission should be restrained." '