In the afternoon, a chamberlain hurriedly led a person through the garden of the Chu Palace and walked quickly towards a pavilion.

Following behind the chamberlain was Kong Ji. At this time, he was holding a book of remonstrances and was anxious in his heart. His father and the officials went to the Chu Palace in the morning and were refused entry. This was something that had never happened since the founding of Eastern Chu.

Although he received Xiangzhuang's resignation in the afternoon to go to the west, Kong Ji had to advise Xiangzhuang that everything should be focused on stabilizing the government. Once he went west, the government would be abandoned, people's hearts would be unstable, and Eastern Chu would be in danger.

But Kong Ji could not see Xiang Zhuang at this time. Except for the generals who were meeting at noon, the only person in the entire court who could see Xiang Zhuang now was his sister Kong Xiuyun.

Therefore, after Kong Ji sorted out the book of remonstrances, he hurried into the palace. It happened that Kong Xiuyun was admiring flowers in the back garden today. After getting permission, Kong Ji followed the servant to the garden. At this time, walking through the bluestone path, Kong Ji saw the pavilion.

Kong Xiuyun was drinking tea in the room. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "I have seen the concubine."

"Brother, why are you like this?" Kong Xiuyun was a little surprised to see Kong Ji being so polite. Kong Ji also smiled and replied: "This is a palace, not as good as home."

Kong Xiuyun no longer forced Kong Ji, she smiled and nodded: "Brother, why are you so anxious to find me?"

"Have you heard that the imperial court is going to war again?" Kong Ji looked anxious. Kong Xiuyun seemed to see something. She shook her head slightly and said, "I didn't hear."

"My father and I agree that if we conquer the west, the government of Dong Chu will definitely be in turmoil, so we hope you can give this book of remonstrances to the king to dissuade him from sending troops to Guanzhong." Kong Ji said, holding the book of remonstrances in his hands.

When she presented it, Kong Xiuyun was not in a hurry to take it. She looked at the bamboo slips in Kong Ji's hand and sighed, "Don't you understand that women don't get involved in politics?"

"The situation is urgent and I don't have to worry about so much. Sister, only you can do this." Kong Ji sighed and said, "This is also what father meant. Don't worry."

"Then... okay, I'll give it a try." Kong Xiuyun stood up and nodded slightly. "

…

In the afternoon, after leaving the side hall, Xiang Zhuang ordered Ying Liang to select fifty strong bodyguards in civilian clothes, and he and he hurriedly left the Dongchu Palace and headed north of the city.

In only a quarter of an hour, this gorgeously dressed team arrived in front of the Cao Mansion. Xiang Zhuang had just dismounted when a guard hurriedly walked up the steps and said to the servant guarding the door: "My master has something to see Mr. Cao."

, please report as soon as possible."

"Who are you?" The concierge did not report. He looked at Xiang Zhuang, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes below. He thought that this man must be a wealthy businessman who came to Cao Wujiu for business, so he didn't take him seriously.

When the guard saw how rude this man was, he couldn't help but became furious. He waved the riding crop in his hand and whipped it at the concierge: "Blinding your dog's eyes, this is..."

Before the guard could finish speaking, Ying Liang had already scolded: "Six sons, don't be rude."

Liuzi's last words were interrupted. He quickly turned around and saluted Ying Liang. If he had just revealed Xiang Zhuang's identity, he would have been in trouble. Since Xiang Zhuang was not wearing a python robe and riding a carriage, it meant that he did not want others to know that he was coming to Beicheng.

, and myself...

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Liuzi retreated in despair. Yingliang only glared at Liuzi fiercely, then walked up to the concierge himself and said, "My servant is not being disciplined and has been rude in some way. Please forgive me."

Ying Liang's low posture allowed the concierge who had just been beaten to step down. The concierge was also frightened by Liu Zi's brutality. At this time, he did not dare to make things difficult for the group of people, so he had to say: "If you don't leave your name, I will

It’s hard to report.”

"Just give this to your master." Ying Liang took out Xiangzhuang's jade pendant from his arms and handed it to the concierge, then turned and left. The concierge looked at the jade pendant in his hand and just sighed, cursing himself for bad luck, and then

He hurried to the government office.

During a cup of tea, Cao Wujiu walked out of the door in person to greet Xiang Zhuang. On the side was Cao Feng. Cao Feng also looked surprised. She didn't expect that she had just broken up with Xiang Zhuang in the morning and that he would come to Cao's house in the afternoon.

It made Cao Feng feel that Xiangzhuang still valued the Cao family.

"How come the king is here in person?" Cao Wujiu laughed and walked out of the gate and went straight to Xiangzhuang. As he approached, he hurriedly saluted Xiangzhuang: "I have seen the king."

Xiang Zhuang had already turned over and dismounted, held up Cao Wujiu with both hands, and said with a smile: "Don't make any noise. Don't tell anyone about my coming to Beicheng."

Cao Wujiu nodded knowingly, pointed to his government office and said, "Your Majesty, please come in."

Accompanied by Cao Wujiu and Cao Feng, Xiang Zhuang came to the living room of the Cao Mansion. A maid brought tea and left. Xiang Zhuang winked at Ying Liang who was standing beside him. Ying Liang understood, walked out of the living room, and closed the door.

Afterwards, he led his personal guards to strictly guard the situation. Inside the room, Xiang Zhuang took a sip from his tea cup, then looked at Cao Wujiu and said with a wry smile: "It seems that all the officials have great opinions on my Western Expedition."

Cao Wujiu was also full of questions and wanted to ask Xiang Zhuang. At this time, Xiang Zhuang took the initiative to mention the matter. Cao Wujiu could only sigh: "Yes, today all the officials went to the Chu Palace, but General Ying stopped them outside the palace.

Yes, everyone is complaining a lot."

Seeing what Cao Wujiu said, Xiang Zhuang smiled and waved his hand: "I don't care what other people think about this matter. I want to hear Master Cao's opinion."

"I..." Cao Wujiu hesitated for a moment and then said, "I am also very confused. I hope that the king can think carefully about sending troops to Guanzhong. This is not a trivial matter. Moreover, the battle line spans such a long distance and requires the help of the Linjiang Kingdom."

Land, if Gong Ao has different intentions, your Majesty, have you ever thought that our retreat will be cut off? Even if Gong Ao is loyal to your Majesty, your Majesty should consider the national strength of the Eastern Chu Kingdom at this time."

Having said this, Cao Wujiu also picked up the tea cup and took a sip. While drinking tea, Cao Wujiu quietly glanced at Xiang Zhuang's expression and saw that he was not angry, so he continued: "I also think that we can watch the battle in Guanzhong.

No matter which side wins, we can benefit from it and strike later, which is much better than sending troops to rescue Guanzhong at this time. Moreover, Zhang Han, Sima Xin and Dong Yi may not want the king to also send troops to Guanzhong. If they guard against the king, the king will

Accept the reality that it is possible to fight against the major forces in Guanzhong."

Cao Wujiu said all his thoughts in one breath, which surprised Xiang Zhuang. He guessed that Cao Wujiu would not support the Western Expedition, but Xiang Zhuang did not expect that Cao Wujiu analyzed the situation in Guanzhong so thoroughly.

At this time, Xiang Zhuang thought for a while and sighed: "I will not change the matter of the Western Expedition."

Seeing Xiang Zhuang's determination, Cao Wujiu could only sigh lightly, looked at Xiang Zhuang and said, "Aren't you going to think about it again, Your Majesty?"

"Haha, the Western Expedition is a decision I have been considering for a long time. The reason why I did not disclose it to anyone is that I am not sure about the specific time when Liu Bang will go north. And this time, since Liu Bang has already gone north, our opportunity will come.

." After Xiang Zhuang finished speaking, Cao Wujiu sighed in confusion: "Opportunity?"

"Yes, this is an opportunity, a great opportunity for me to eliminate Liu Bang. Don't you think so, Mr. Cao?"

Cao Wujiu still shook his head helplessly: "I'd better ask your Majesty to make it clear."

"Haha, Liu Bang has more than 200,000 troops under his command. If he recruits troops in Shu, the number of troops at this time should be no less than 250,000. Just imagine that in the world now, the only one who can rival Liu Bang is Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu

After all, we are not Liu Bang's opponent. Once Western Chu is defeated, can Dong Chu alone resist Liu Bang's hundreds of thousands of troops? The answer is definitely, we can't defeat Liu Bang. Instead of waiting for the war to begin, we should take the initiative to fight against Liu Bang.

Completely defeat him or even eliminate him before he breaks out of Guanzhong. If Liu Bang is frustrated in Guanzhong and severely weakened, I can ask Linjiang State to send troops from Wushan to Bajun, and I will lead the coalition forces from Guanzhong to Hanzhong. Liu Bang

You will definitely lose." Xiang Zhuang said with a smile.

"But has your Majesty considered it? Zhang Han, Sima Xin and Dong Yi in Guanzhong are by no means mediocre people. Will they join forces with Your Majesty?" Cao Wujiu was still puzzled, but Xiang Zhuang smiled resolutely and said: "Yes.

, it is related to the survival interests of the three countries, and they will not destroy their alliance."

After finishing speaking, Xiang Zhuang stared at Cao Wujiu with bright eyes and said word by word: "So, I need someone to control all the military power in Kuaiji and stabilize the situation of the government for me, and this person is only you."

…

Promoting Cao Wujiu is not only a means for Xiang Zhuang to stabilize the court, but it also means that Xiang Zhuang improves the Cao family. Many people smell the political smell in this. The rise of the Cao family heralds the Cao family.

Feng may marry into the royal palace soon.

Of course, it is inevitable for Cao Feng to enter the palace, but the rise of Cao Wujiu can greatly restrain Kong Kun. The Kong family has too much power in Jiangdong at this time, and its prestige is also very high. It may not be a good thing for one family to dominate, but

Kong Ji accepted bribes without any scruples, but it was a reality. Kong Ji might have thought that Xiang Zhuang didn't know, but he didn't know that Hua Yu had already mastered these things and told Xiang Zhuang, but Dong Chu wanted to develop and grow.

, still cannot do without the Kong family.

The conversation with Cao Wujiu lasted for three hours, and after having dinner at Cao Mansion, Xiang Zhuang returned to the Chu Palace surrounded by everyone.

After a day of hard work, Xiang Zhuang was exhausted, but there were still many things waiting for Xiang Zhuang to deal with, especially when the army would march westward in ten days. He had to approve some important government affairs before then.

At this time, the study room in the back hall of the Chu Palace was brightly lit. Several servants were standing on both sides of the hall. Stacks of bamboo slips were piled up like a mountain. Xiang Zhuang looked at each one carefully.

Soon, light footsteps sounded outside the hall. Kong Xiuyun walked into the hall with two maids. One of the maids was holding ginseng soup, while the other was holding a book of remonstrances. The three of them went straight to Xiangzhuang.

And go.

Xiang Zhuang also seemed to hear the footsteps. He put down the bamboo slips in his hand, picked up the tea cup and was about to drink tea, but found that the tea was already cold. Just as he was about to call someone, Kong Xiuyun's soft voice came: "Your Majesty, the tea is cold.

Well, let’s drink some ginseng and rest first.”

Xiang Zhuang turned to look at Kong Xiuyun, feeling warm in his heart. He smiled and nodded. At this time, Kong Xiuyun came to the imperial case and helped him clean up the messy things. After clearing a space, Kong Xiuyun took the ginseng from the maid's hand with both hands.

Putting the soup on the table, he looked at Xiang Zhuang and said: "The ginseng soup is hot, please don't burn it, Your Majesty."

[,!]
Chapter completed!