Contract Prince

Chapter 125 Vicious

Marquis of Wu'an Mansion.

Tao Shenzheng was trembling with anger, and the servants said "His Royal Highness is here", so Marquis Wu An hurriedly packed up his emotions and went out to greet him.Seeing Xiao Muxue, who is so elegant, he was about to kowtow and kneel to welcome her.

"Uncle Tao, there's no need to be too polite. Xiao Muxue said softly, she didn't have the airs of a princess at all, she looked like a junior.

Although Tao Shen was a little apprehensive, he still gave a "no" and hurriedly led Xiao Muxue into the hall.After the princess took the seat, he poured a cup of tea himself and handed it to the princess.

"Uncle Tao, the son-in-law is ill and it is inconvenient to go out. So today, I will visit you by myself." A few times of Uncle Tao suddenly shortened the distance between the two.

Tao Shen has always treated Gu Yunjing as his own child. After hearing this, he looked a little anxious, "How is the situation of the son-in-law? Have you sent the imperial doctor to see it?"

Xiao Muxue said: "Because of being overworked, there is no serious problem for the time being, and it needs to be recuperated."

"That's good." The anxious look on Tao Shen's face eased, and he suddenly let out a long breath of relief.

Xiao Muxue looked sideways, and her eyes fell on Tao Shen's slightly gray temples. After a long time, she said, "Uncle Tao, this time I'm here for Tao Ce's joining the army."

Tao Shen was startled, and his expression became serious.After Tao Ce failed to join the army, he even ran to the princess consort for help.If he had known this earlier, he should have imprisoned his little bastard.Now that the princess came forward, things got a little tricky.Tao Shen was thinking about how to respond to Her Royal Highness's remarks.

"The matter of the dog has disturbed His Highness, and I am extremely ashamed."

Xiao Muxue shook her head lightly, "Uncle Tao is serious, the matter of Tao Ce is not only a matter of the Tao family, but also a matter of the imperial court."

"Nowadays there are very few people in the imperial court who are good at fighting, and even fewer are able to fight well and have a pure heart." Xiao Muxue's eyes filled with admiration, "And Tao Ce is such a rare Talent, if you practice it, you will be a great general in the future. If you can serve the army, it will be a blessing for the whole country."

Tao Shen knew that what Xiao Muxue said was true, and he was very clear about his son's ability and temperament.Although Tao Ce looks a little frivolous and exaggerated on the surface, he is a loyal and brave person in his heart.

He was not good at studying since he was a child, and he liked to dance with knives and guns. The person he admired the most was Zhenyuan Hou Guwei.However, Tao Ce was born in the Marquis of Wu'an. This is a scholarly family, and the ancestors of all dynasties relied on their meritorious service to increase their ranks.

A sword has no eyes, and it is inevitable that you will be injured on the battlefield, and you will inevitably risk your life.Therefore, Tao Shen has always opposed his son's joining the army.

Of course, in addition to the above factors, the most important reason why Tao Shen refused to let Tao Ce join the army was because of the current situation.

After Xiao Guan ascended the throne, in order to prevent military generals from becoming powerful and cause mutiny, he tried his best to suppress the power of generals, adopting a strategy of emphasizing civility and despising military affairs.Many military generals with great military exploits did not end well, and even Zhenyuan Hou Guwei, who was so powerful in the world, could not help being jealous by the emperor.

Tao Shen was just such a son, he absolutely couldn't let Tao Ce risk many dangers to join the army.

"His Royal Highness, the princess is ridiculously praised. Tao Ce is just a dude who likes to play all day long. How can he deserve this praise." Tao Shen said slowly again, "There is no word on the battlefield, and life or death in the army is uncertain. My Tao The family has been passed down for several generations, and Tao Ce is still counting on Tao Ce to carry on the family line and continue the incense."

"That's why I don't agree with him to join the army." Although Tao Shen was very close to the princess consort, he also understood that a courtier should not discuss political affairs rashly, especially not to belittle the strategy of emphasizing civility over military affairs in front of the royal family.Therefore, the most important reason can only be attributed to the inheritance of the family.

Xiao Muxue smiled secretly, "I understand what Uncle Tao is thinking. If that's the case, let's choose a marriage for Tao Ce and let him join the army after he gets married."

Tao Shen was speechless.

"Although there are three ways to be unfilial and having no descendants is the greatest, but Uncle Tao is a person who understands righteousness, so he will not stick to it. Uncle Tao is afraid that Tao Ce will make great military achievements in the future, and he will be suspected and jealous, right?"

Being told by Xiao Muxue about the central matter, Tao Shen's expression was suddenly moved.

Xiao Muxue's beautiful face showed a hint of impassioned expression, "Now the war is endless, and the soldiers in the front are fighting bloody battles to defend their homes and the country. Wouldn't it be embarrassing for a good man to curl up in a corner and enjoy the comfort because he fears this and that?"

"Although Mu Xue is a girl, if possible, she will go to battle and kill the enemy!"

Tao Ce's heart trembled suddenly, looking at the heroic Highness Princess, he suddenly felt very ashamed.

Xiao Muxue said again: "Uncle Tao, the problem you are worried about will not happen again in the future. Right now, the father is in a coma, and the political affairs in the court are all decided by King An. He is a man of accomplishment, and he will never deliberately suppress generals. "

"King An is currently only supervising the state affairs and cannot change the national policy. But I believe that he will do his best to protect the generals. If the emperor wakes up in the future, I will definitely persuade the emperor to change the national policy of emphasizing literature over military affairs."

Xiao Muxue got up and bowed respectfully to Tao Shen: "Please also ask Uncle Tao to look at me and fulfill Tao Ce's wish to join the army."

"Your Highness, you can't do it, you can't do it." Tao Shen hurriedly jumped up from his seat, with an excited expression, flattered and said, "How can I be worthy of your highness's gift."

"Your Highness is right. I'm confused. I'll go to the recruitment office of the Ministry of War and re-report Tao Ce's expelled name."

…………

With the efforts of Xiao Muxue, Tao Ce finally joined the army as he wished.He is the son of the Marquis of Wu'an, with a noble title, and his status is not comparable to that of ordinary soldiers.So Xiao Zhan specially granted him a general position, but Tao Ce refused.

He wanted to start training from the bottom, wanted to build military exploits with real skills, and didn't want to rely on the protection of his ancestors to enjoy privileges.After putting on the clothes of an ordinary soldier, he came to Zhenyuan Hou Mansion with great interest.

"Yun Jing, look at my military uniform!"

Gu Yunjing was leaning on the bed, studying the book of war with great interest. After hearing Tao Ce's voice, she closed the book and said with a slight smile, "Why are you wearing a soldier's suit?"

Tao Ce said generously: "I am a soldier now. Starting from the bottom, only by suffering with the soldiers can I become a good general who cares about the soldiers in the future."

"When I was young, Uncle Gu often said this to me, and I remember it very deeply." Tao Ce was in high spirits, "I will see Uncle Gu soon, and I can fight the enemy with him. It is not in vain for my seven-foot man's body."

"Well said!" Gu Yunjing listened, and his heart surged, "A good man should be like this! Tao Ce, you are going to the border soon, and I present this book of war to you. It is called Qilue, and I am trying to forget Compiled when I was worried about the valley."

"Although you are brave and extraordinary, you still don't know much about military tactics. To become a general, you must not only be brave, but also know how to run an army."

"Okay." Tao Ce smiled, walked to the bed, and readily took the book of war from Gu Yunjing.He usually scoffs at the teachings of Confucius and Mencius in the Four Books and Five Classics, but he has a special liking for the book of war.

Gu Yunjing asked: "Has the food, grass and silver been raised?"

Tao Ce stuffed the book of war into his arms, sat down on a stool, poured a cup of tea, took a few sips, and said: "The preparations are ready, but it will take a lot of time to go to the front line. As the saying goes It is said that soldiers and horses go ahead without using food and grass, and it will take a lot of manpower just to escort 50 stones of food and grass."

He sighed slightly: "The number of soldiers currently recruited is not enough to escort food and grass. Delays come and go, I am afraid that the food and grass will be transported to the front line, it will be too late."

Gu Yunjing stared: "This is indeed a problem. Escorting 50 shi at once is not a small burden, so you might as well escort it in batches. My father originally asked the court for 20 shi for food and grass, which means that 20 shi is urgently needed. And the extra 30 shi can be delayed for escort."

Tao Ce's eyes lit up, and he gave a loud thumbs up, "Smart and smart, this way, the burden will be relieved a lot. It's not too late, I'll go talk to Han Jun right away."

"Wait." Gu Yunjing hurriedly called Tao Ce, "I wrote a letter, which was originally sent to the border by a courier. Since you are going to Shimen Pass, please pass it to my father for me."

"As you order, my son-in-law." Tao Ce slapped his face and ran out the door.

After Tao Ce left, Gu Yunjing's head was aching again, and she coughed violently.

Xiao Muxue came over with the medicine, and when she heard the son-in-law's cough, she hurriedly put down the medicine, patted her shoulder lightly, and said worriedly: "I'm worried about you looking like this."

Gu Yunjing removed the handkerchief covering her lips, and smiled slightly, because her face was pale, her smile looked very bleak.

"Xue'er, it's okay. It's because I didn't rest and recuperate that I fell ill. After a period of rest, I'll be fine." Gu Yunjing said softly, "I can't go to the household department during this time. You let Gu Zhong told Deng Kuan that if there is any progress in the case, come to the Hou Mansion and tell me anytime."

After finishing speaking, there was another severe cough.

"Leave the case alone, okay?" Xiao Muxue's expression was very gloomy. Seeing Gu Yunjing's haggard appearance, she was very distressed, "When you get better, go to Wangyou Valley with Master. What case, what kind of society Ups and downs are not important, I just want you to be well."

Gu Yunjing's slender hands slowly covered Her Royal Highness's delicate hands, and then held them tightly. She said softly, "His Royal Highness Prince An will take over the government for the time being, and King Zhao and his like will definitely have trouble again."

"During the period when King An was idle, King Zhao and the others did a lot of things, and many ministers are now attached to him. This time, it is because King An's status as the son of the son took the lead, so that King Zhao will not be allowed to supervise the country."

Gu Yunjing paused slightly: "The day your elder brother Zhan was demoted, the emperor "rectified" all the ministers who were close to him, those who should be demoted, and those who should be demoted to other places. Therefore, although His Royal Highness King An is in charge of the country, the foundation is not strong enough to compete with King Zhao."

"If I leave now, within a few months, the capital will be in chaos. There will be more internal and external troubles, and the country will really be over."

Xiao Muxue hesitated: "But, your body?"

"Don't worry, my own body knows what it is, and it won't collapse all at once. Besides, with Master around, my condition won't get worse."

Xiao Muxue's eyes were moist, because she was moved because of pity, and because of many emotions that could not be expressed in words.In the era of wars and smoldering flames, how many children of nobles and nobles escaped from joining the army and enjoyed a luxurious life.

But Gu Yunjing, a woman, has to bear so many responsibilities.Even if he is sick and weak, he has never flinched, and he has never dared to forget his worries about the country.

Xiao Muxue felt how lucky she was to meet someone like Gu Yunjing, she stroked Gu Yunjing's thin cheek with her soft hand, and said emotionally: "Being able to be a partner with you is the greatest luck in my life .”

Gu Yunjing smiled knowingly: "Me too."

……

Zhao Wangfu.

"Damn Xiao Zhan, I don't live with him!" Xiao Cong clenched his fists, his face was livid, and he gritted his teeth, because the force of the clenching was so strong that his mouth was greatly distorted.The originally sinister face looked even more fierce and terrifying.

Sitting next to Xiao Cong was a burly middle-aged man, who was none other than Qin She.

Qin She drank tea slowly, calmly, not at all as impetuous as Xiao Cong.

"Uncle, don't just drink tea, but say something." Xiao Cong stomped his foot and said, "Then Xiao Zhan has already bullied us. Today is to withdraw your military affairs of raising food and grass, and tomorrow it should be abolished." I am crowned prince!"

Xiao Cong was already very, very dissatisfied with Xiao Zhan, but now that King An has withdrawn from Qin She's military affairs, Xiao Cong's dissatisfaction with him has quickly risen from [-] to [-].I can't wait to pull Xiao Zhan off the horse now, so that he will never recover.

"He Xiao Zhan is currently in charge of the country, isn't he very capable? I will send killers to assassinate him right now!"

Qin She put down the teacup, pressed Xiao Cong's elbow heavily, frowned and said, "If you can't bear it, you will make a big mess. Uncle has his own plans."

When Xiao Cong heard this, his anger disappeared a lot, and he hurriedly asked, "Uncle, what are your plans?"

Qin She said with a deep eyebrow: "Xiao Zhan's foundation is not stable now. The reason why he is so domineering is nothing more than two support. One is the queen, and the other is the eloquent son-in-law. As long as we remove his support, Xiao Zhan Isn't Zhan alone and helpless?"

"Uncle means to kill the queen and Gu Yunjing?"

"good."

Xiao Cong was about to ask about the details when Yu Wenyan suddenly visited.

"What is Yu Wenyan here for?" Xiao Cong said with a look of disgust, he and Yu Wenyan had been at odds for a long time.

Qin She said slowly: "He has stayed in Xiao Country for so long, he must have intentions. Listen to what he said first, and find out the reason for this barbarian's visit. Uncle hide for a while." After finishing speaking, he went to the nearest Behind the screen.

Xiao Cong asked his subordinates to call Yu Wenyan over, and after a while, this striding King of Southern Chu appeared in front of King Zhao with a smiling face.

"What is the purpose of the King of Southern Chu coming here?" Xiao Cong said in a bad tone.

Yu Wenyan's bearded face was covered with a deep smile, "His Royal Highness Zhao Wang doesn't seem to welcome me very much."

Xiao Cong snorted, "You're still a little self-aware, I really don't welcome you."

Yu Wenyan's smile deepened, "His Royal Highness Zhao Wang, don't hurry to chase me, after listening to my words, it's not too late to rush."

"Speak quickly if you have something to say, and fart quickly if you have something to say. Stop dawdling with me."

Yu Wenyan is used to bending and stretching. He knows that he needs to cooperate with Xiao Zhan now, so he endured his anger.

"Your Highness King Zhao, I think your life is getting worse and worse."

"Fuck your mother, this king is living in style." Xiao Cong is such a self-respecting person, even if his life is not going well, he will not let Yu Wenyan come to comment.

Yu Wenyan chuckled and shook his head: "King An is now sitting in a big position, and he is suppressing your power everywhere. How can His Royal Highness Zhao live in style? I heard on the way here that King An withdrew General Qin to prepare The military affairs of food, grass and silver.”

Xiao Cong's eyes darkened, and a look of deep loneliness appeared on his arrogant and arrogant face.

"His Royal Highness Zhao, don't be disheartened. Xiao Zhan won't last long." Yu Wenyan frowned. You, elder brother, take it seriously."

"Wait..." Xiao Cong interrupted Yu Wenyan, "You just said, what do you mean that Xiao Zhan won't be able to jump for long?"

"Okay, since His Royal Highness Wang An wants to hear it, then I'll tell the truth." Yu Wenyan was persuasive, and specifically picked the topics that Xiao Cong cared about the most.

"It's actually very simple. As long as His Royal Highness Wang An is willing to cooperate with me, I can help you ascend to the throne. Let alone one Xiao Zhan, ten Xiao Zhans will not be your opponent."

What Xiao Cong dreamed of was so straightforwardly pointed out by Yu Wenyan, and he didn't let it go, he asked: "What kind of cooperation method does the King of Southern Chu want?"

Of course King Zhao knew what Yu Wenyan was like, he was double-faced and full of swords.Xiao Cong was worried that he would be used invisible by him, so when he asked this question, his expression was very nervous.

Yu Wenyan smiled: "His Royal Highness Zhao Wang doesn't have to be so nervous, just relax. I'm not a tiger, I won't eat you."

"The condition of my cooperation is that I will help you ascend to the throne, and you will give me the food and grass route map of Xiao Guo's army." It turned out that Yu Wenyan originally planned to send troops to help Xiao Guo, and then get the food and grass route from it.However, Xiao Guan's inexplicable coma made him change his mind.

Xiao Cong said: "My uncle is not the general of the army, and now he doesn't care about controlling the grain and grass. How can I get the road map for the grain and grass?"

Yu Wenyan smiled faintly, "His Royal Highness King Zhao really belittled the General Qin by saying that. Although the General is far away from the army now, you and I both know that before Gu Wei took over as the Generalissimo of the Army and Horses, he was a full-fledged general. Marshal for many years."

"In terms of background, in terms of qualifications, how does Gu Wei compare with the Great General of Qin? The Great General used to have many generals, as long as he has the heart to give an order, how can those generals not listen to him?"

Xiao Cong frowned: "You mean, go down through my uncle's former subordinates to get the food and grass road map?"

Yu Wenyan said: "That's right. In addition to Tao Ce and Han Jun, there is also a person named Luo Dong who is in charge of food and grass this time. Luo Dong was favored by General Qin in the past. Maybe he won't help with this?"

Yu Wenyan smiled submissively: "Actually, this can be regarded as killing two birds with one stone. If food and grass cannot be supported, no matter how much Gu Wei can fight, it will not help. After all, people have to eat, and once the food is cut off, even a body of iron and steel cannot bear it."

"When Xiao Guo's army is defeated, His Royal Highness King Zhao can use this to make a big fuss, and Gu Wei's position as Marshal of the Army and Horses will definitely be lost."

"Since Gu Wei became the Generalissimo of the Army and Horses, he has stole the limelight from General Qin. Doesn't His Royal Highness King Zhao want to regain the position of Generalissimo for General Qin?"

I want to, of course Xiao Cong wants to, even in my dreams.If Qin She became the marshal of the soldiers and horses, then his background would be even stronger, and there was no need to fear Gu Wei at all.At the same time, Xiao Zhan lost a powerful arm.He could completely crush An Wang to death.

Therefore, Yu Wenyan's words were very attractive to Xiao Cong.

He would never believe that Yu Wenyan is a good person, and the other party must have a deeper conspiracy behind such painstaking planning.Xiao Cong asked, "What do you want the food and grass road map for? What's the benefit of cutting off food for Southern Chu? You are obviously helping the people of Xiliang."

Of course, Yu Wenyan's true thoughts would not be disclosed to Xiao Cong. He smiled and said, "His Royal Highness is right, I am indeed helping Xiliang. To be honest, I owe the King of Xiliang a favor. So, I just want to repay him with this great gift.”

There was too much information, and he couldn't sort it out all at once. He frowned, and after careful consideration, he said in surprise, "So, you and the Xiliang people have been colluding secretly?"

"No, no." Yu Wenyan waved his hand, "I have always been a loyal subject of your Xiao Kingdom. It's a pity that your emperor doesn't treat me as a human being, and we Nanchu people don't treat us as human beings too much."

Bah, loyal ass!Xiao Cong cursed secretly in his heart.Nanchu and Xiaoguo signed a subsidiary treaty, even if it was for pigs or dogs, it was a matter of course.Yu Wenyan didn't even think about being loyal to Xiao Guo, and secretly engaged in these small tricks.

Xiao Cong already has a kind of pathological arrogance and self-righteousness.He slandered Yu Wenyan in his heart, but in fact he was worse than the other party.Southern Chu has always been suppressed by Xiao Guo's high-pressure policy. As a monarch, Yu Wenyan has dissent towards Xiao Guo, which is normal.

But Prince Zhao is a prince and a subject of Xiao Guo, so he doesn't serve the country well.All I can think about is how to be the emperor, how to betray the country and seek glory and get aid.In his arrogance, he still thinks this method is very honorable and very strategic.

If Xiao Guan knew that his beloved son was such a good-for-nothing, he would probably vomit blood and die.

During this period of time, under Qin She's earnest teaching, Xiao Cong has improved a little compared to before, at least he heard that he should be more cautious in doing things.Although the piece of fat meat is placed at present, he has to test whether it is poisonous before he dares to eat it.

Xiao Cong said: "Mr. Southern Chu, please allow me to think about it carefully. I will give you an answer in a few days."

Yu Wenyan smiled and said: "It's natural to think about it, but His Royal Highness King An must hurry up. After all, Tao Ce and the others will have to deliver food and grass in a few days."

"His Royal Highness, please think about it, and I will not disturb you." Yu Wenyan slightly cupped his hands, and walked briskly, and quickly left Zhao Wang's mansion.