The Grandmaster Strategist

Seeing Jianye City from a distance, I was really excited. I finally came back. Thirty miles away from the city, the king came with cultural relics and hundreds of officials to greet the triumphant heroes. We all dismounted and paid homage to the king. The king was overjoyed and pulled Prince De's hand said: "Wang Shugong is in Sheji, and I have prepared a banquet to celebrate Uncle Wang's success." When I followed the army into the city, I accidentally felt someone in a small restaurant on the left side of the royal road, and kept talking. He looked at me, but I didn't feel any malice.

After the celebration banquet, I hurried back to my residence with Chen Zhen. This time I attacked Shu and I got a lot of rewards, so I had already decided to buy another house in the suburbs. Anyway, Prince De also agreed to accommodate me and allowed me to do so. I am recuperating at home, so I don't have to be so constrained by living in the city. Before I came back, Xiao Shunzi had already come back with Wang Haixian. He had already chosen a house for me, paid for it, and got the deed. Last night, he met me at the inn and told me the location of the house. Chen Zhen and I followed the map and found the house in a short time. It was an elegant and quiet small farm, with all kinds of pavilions and pavilions. Xiao Shunzi had hired several servants to keep it spotless.

After I showered and changed clothes, I went to the study room, where Xiao Shunzi had already put all my books. I picked up a book of historical records and started reading. At this time, Chen Zhen walked in and reported: "Sir, someone is outside. Asking to see you, I was stunned, I just moved here and haven’t registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs yet, how could someone come to visit me?”

Seeing my confusion, Chen Zhen explained: "When you came back, you hired a carriage. After the coachman came back, someone asked you where you live." I thought to myself that if you catch the cart and boat shop's legs and teeth, you should be killed. Sure enough, this is the case. While thinking about it, he said: "Where is the post?"

Chen Zhen handed over the post with both hands. Frankly speaking, although Chen Zhen was originally obedient, I always felt that he didn't think highly of me. But since I beat the King of Shu to death with a poem, his expression has changed and he treats me with all respect. . I took the post and opened it, and saw the words Liu Piaoxiang written on it. I quickly asked, "Is that person still there?"

Chen Zhen replied: "The villain has asked them to wait at the concierge." I quickly said: "Let them come in quickly, no, I will greet them personally." With that, I hurried out and when I arrived at the concierge, I saw a man in Qingyi The scholar wore a black cloak to cover her whole body and a black gauze hat. Her appearance could not be seen clearly, but just looking at her figure and manners, I ignored the two maids pretending to be book boys beside him and rushed over to hold his hands. He yelled: "You're here. Are you watching me upstairs today?"

A maid said coldly: "Since Duke Zhuang Yuan left for the war, my lady has been restless and has not even gone to the boat. If Duke Zhuang Yuan had not come back today, she would not have gone out."

I suppressed the joy in my heart, held Liu Piaoxiang's delicate hand, and said, "I knew it, I knew you liked me too."

Liu Piaoxiang took off her bamboo hat, revealing her pale and haggard face. I stayed for a while, then stepped forward to hug her and said, "You treat me like this. Even if you are shattered into pieces, you can't repay your kindness to this beauty."

Liu Piaoxiang said lightly: "After you went on the expedition, I was restless day and night, always worrying about your safety. Today I saw you came back triumphantly, and I felt relieved. I shouldn't have come to see you, but I always wanted to ask you personally how you were doing. "

I said gratefully: "Actually, I want to see you, but I always think that you may not want to see me."

The maid smiled and said: "Okay, don't be sour, I'm going to be exhausted."

Liu Piaoxiang and I looked at each other and smiled. I supported Piaoxiang and walked in. Of course, the two maids were taken care of.

Late at night, I looked at Liu Piaoxiang's lazy sleeping posture. I got up and took a pen and paper. At this time, Liu Piaoxiang woke up, came over, hugged me from behind, and said with a smile: "Master Zhuangyuan" I’m writing poetry again.”

I looked at her lovingly, put my arms around her slim waist, held her on my knees, and let her see my new work.

She gathered up her hair and picked up the poem, but it was a poem called "Magpie Bridge Immortal". She read in a low voice: "Slender clouds make tricks, flying stars spread hatred, silver and silver are far away in darkness. Jinfeng jade dew will win as soon as they meet." However, there are countless people in the world. Tenderness is like water, good times are like dreams, and we can’t bear to look at the Magpie Bridge on our way home. If our love lasts for a long time, how can we stay together day and night?"

"Ah!" She whispered softly, and then looked at me with fiery eyes. How could I withstand such temptation? I carried her to the bed and stayed with her all night. When I got up the next day, the beauty was gone. I thought sadly, is she still not ready to marry me? But she no longer receives guests, doesn't she want to marry me? Then I saw a short poem written in fresh ink on my desk.

"On a spring outing, the apricot blossoms are blowing all over your head. Whose young man on the street is full of charm? I plan to marry you, but even if I am ruthlessly abandoned, I can't be ashamed."

I knelt on the ground with great gratitude and prayed: "God bless me, Piaoxiang is really willing to marry me."

What innocence, what reputation, I would be lucky if a strange woman like Piao Xiang could marry me. Think about it, Piao Xiang is not a woman who likes fame, wealth and power, nor does she like a stable life too much. Wait for me I want to find a way to leave Nanchu, and take her to travel around the world, let her see the scenery all over the world, and travel around the world with beautiful women. Such days are just like the gods. When both of us are tired, we will stay in a place with charming scenery. What a wonderful prospect it would be to live forever in a place.

I hurried to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and learned that the emperor had issued an edict to promote me to a first-level official position. I was already a lecturer in the Imperial Academy, and the emperor had agreed that I should stay at home to recuperate temporarily. After completing various paperwork, I happily ran to a jewelry store and looked at it for a long time, but I couldn’t find any jewelry I liked. I was used to seeing all kinds of jewelry, so how could I like these vulgar items? Later, I designed my own design and asked them to make a gold hairpin for me. A gold bracelet, after they saw my design drawing, they asked to use this style, but I refused. This is what I want to give to Piao Xiang, how can I let them copy it. However, I promised to give them the other two design drawings. Anyway, it doesn't matter whether they make money or not as long as they don't spread them out. They were very happy and said that although my design required exquisite craftsmanship by famous artists, they would never miss my deadline.

No wonder they are so solemn. This golden hairpin of mine is not an ordinary phoenix hairpin, but a real phoenix hairpin. On the top of the tassel hanging down from the phoenix peck, there must be three three-point diameter crystal round pearls, a real phoenix hairpin. Pearl of the South Sea. The gold hairpins, silver beads, and emerald green tassels are all eye-catching as you can imagine. The most amazing thing is that I require each bead to be engraved with a phoenix by a famous craftsman. It is as small as millet and lifelike. It is located on the side of the bead hole. Fang, if you don't observe carefully, it is not easy to detect. The golden hairpin itself, the hanging ring on the phoenix mouth is the so-called rotating ball type with rings and beads, which can rotate in all directions. Such an exquisite golden hairpin is hard to find for a thousand gold. If Zhao Jue hadn't privately given me a large reward, how could I have done it? Have the financial resources.

As for the bracelet, my design is that the main body of the bracelet is made of dozens of fine gold wires wound in a spiral manner. Bells are cast irregularly on the gold wires. The interface is a lotus flower, and there are also bells on each bell. I want to carve a lotus pattern. This is my praise for Piao Xiang, telling her that in my heart, she is still a lotus that emerges from the mud and remains unstained.

After being busy for most of the day, it was almost evening before I took Chen Zhen home with great satisfaction. As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw the fragrant maid throwing herself in front of me and crying bitterly. I was stunned. I don't know why a cold chill came from me. It took me a long time to hear my voice ask in a stiff voice: "What happened?"

The maid cried and cried: "The young lady was very happy to go back this morning. She was going to dismiss the slaves and get married. Who knows that Yanniang sent someone to say that there was a distinguished guest who wanted to see the young lady. The young lady refused and said that she would never see the guest again. But Yan Niang said that the person coming here was too big and asked Miss to help us. Miss Yan Niang thought that Yan Niang had taken good care of us over the years, and it was just a perfunctory meeting. After Miss Yan became a good person, she could justifiably refuse. Who knows , Unexpectedly, the young lady never came back. This evening, someone suddenly sent the young lady’s body back, saying that the young lady died of a sudden illness..."

Hearing this, I screamed and fell to the ground, fainting immediately. When I woke up and saw Xiao Shunzi's anxious face, I pulled him and asked, "How could this happen? How could Piao Xiang die?"

Xiao Shunzi said sadly: "I brought Miss Liu's body back and examined it carefully. After being raped, Miss Liu died by breaking her heart with her feminine inner strength. Although she had been cleaned and covered up, The scars on the lower body and the traces of internal force cannot be hidden from me.”

I closed my eyes in pain. If the fragrance was not for my sake, why bother? I continued to ask: "Who, who killed her?"

Xiao Shunzi said: "I have already checked. Yanniang said that Liang Wan sent someone to say that there was a distinguished guest who wanted to see Miss Liu. Yanniang thought that Liang Wan would not embarrass Miss Liu, and she did not dare to offend the distinguished guests of Dayong. That’s why I forced Miss Liu to go. I had already visited Mingyue Tower and didn’t see any distinguished guests. However, I caught one of their servants for torture and found out that Miss Liu was indeed murdered in Mingyue Tower. If I read it correctly, maybe It was Liang Wanxia's hand. I tried to sneak attack her, and her internal strength was consistent with Miss Liu's injuries."

I said miserably: "Liang Wan, okay, okay. Xiao Shunzi, help me go see Piao Xiang."

I arrived at a side room, and there was a fragrant corpse in the coffin. I looked at her lifelike face, with an expression of anger and regret, and burst into tears. She was really dead. My beloved woman, The woman I wanted to take as my wife was killed like this.

"Liang Wan!" I shouted in pain.

In the days that followed, I was as numb as a walking corpse. After finally burying Piao Xiang, I became really ill. This illness lasted for half a year. The root of the disease left in Shu recurred. Later, I began to practice health preservation again. With Qigong, my illness gradually improved and my appearance returned, but it was always a bit sad.

Not long after I got sick, I heard that Prince De Zhao Jue had been granted a title by the Lord of the Kingdom, allowing him to go to the palace with swords and shoes and see the king undefeated. It’s no wonder that Prince De was the uncle of the king and the governor. At this moment, he really had no title. I insisted on writing a letter and asked Chen Zhen to send it to Zhao Jue. Not long after, Zhao Jue declined, saying that he was Uncle Wang and his status was already very honorable. There was no need to continue to reward him. If the country The lord felt that it would be disrespectful to the country not to reward meritorious service, so he asked the lord to reward him with more land, gold and silk. The lord was indeed overjoyed and the reward was very generous. After a while, Prince De asked himself to guard Jingxiang, and the lord was pleased to grant the favor. .

Prince Zhao Jue of Germany once came to see me before he went to Jingxiang to guard me. When he saw that I was seriously ill, he specifically asked the Imperial Hospital to treat me. Later, he also sent medicines and supplements to Xiangyang many times. However, Xiao Shunzi said that Zhao Jue sent someone to pay attention to my actions, so don't worry about him. Anyway, I am in bed every day to recuperate, and he will not pay attention to the movements of other people around me. As for Xiao Shunzi's whereabouts, it is not anyone now. All can be found.

One thing that worries me is that the emperor originally wanted to restore the imperial title, but the ministers all advised him that Shu had just been conquered and the military losses were huge, so it was better to wait for a while. The emperor was not happy at first, but later received the Qi The king's letter gave up sadly. From then on, the king of the country was obsessed with wine and sex day and night, especially with a group of female musicians from Shu. Accompanied by a group of literati who accompanied him, he drank and had fun, wrote poems and lyrics, and even listened to his slaves. The famous calligraphy and painting classics obtained from Sichuan were recorded and included in the Chongwen Hall. Apart from this, which I admire more, the rest were all done by the foolish emperor. He also handed over all government affairs to the Prime Minister Shang Weijun. Uncle Wang, there is a prime minister in his house, so he can feast day and night. Under the leadership of the king, many courtiers are becoming more and more indulgent. I sent people to collect their poems. They are all erotic poems. It is really terrible.

Southern Chu was so drunk and dreaming that Dayong was not having a good time. The news that King Yong wanted to be independent reached the ears of the crown prince Li An. Li An personally went to Yong Emperor Li Yuan to cry and complained. Li Yuan ordered him to return to King Yong and put him aside. For half a year, King Yong stayed in Chang'an and was restless. He was assassinated and plotted several times. Not long after I heard the news, a mysterious man visited my residence. He was a retired man and claimed to be the bodyguard of King Yong. I received the letter from King Yong, which said that he is now carrying slander and is most likely to follow It is related to my strategy. I promised to advise him at the beginning. This matter has nothing to do with Nanchu. How can I protect myself? I smiled bitterly. His Highness King Yong really knows how to use all his power. After thinking about it, I replied a letter to him. For safety's sake, I wrote a line with my left hand without looking up or signing.

"If you want to take, give first. There are strong enemies outside, but no worries inside."

King Yong was indeed very smart. Later I heard that when Emperor Yong held a banquet, Li Zhi's wine was poisoned. Li Zhi vomited blood after drinking it. If the medical saint Sang Chen hadn't happened to be in Chang'an, Li Zhi would have died. Because Emperor Yong was furious at this time and was deeply involved, Li An restrained himself. Soon after, he heard that the Northern Han invaded the border area. Li Zhi immediately wrote a letter requesting to resist the Northern Han. Sure enough, he was approved. Emperor Yong also wanted to Separate the brothers for a moment to let them calm down. I knew the news and smiled lightly. For me, this is killing two birds with one stone. King Yong and the Northern Han Dynasty will definitely have conflicts for several years. Prince Li An is in charge of military supplies, so he will definitely make things difficult for Li Zhi in every possible way. This way, Yong can be restrained and he will not have time to go south. Gu, if I take revenge in the future and I have King Yong as my backer, as long as I have good means, no one will go out of my way to embarrass me.

When I was ill, Xiao Shunzi personally investigated and finally told me that if he wanted to kill Liang Wan, he could take advantage of the opportunity to assassinate him. But I refused. Although Liang Wan's crime was unpardonable, the person who killed Piao Xiang still deserved it. There is a person who asked Liang Wan to pimp him to eliminate future troubles. This person's identity must be very special. Liang Wan will never reveal it. I know that this woman is as beautiful as a peach and plum, but as poisonous as a snake and scorpion. I just caught her. , I can't make her tell who the murderer is. I have to put her in a situation where she can't rest in peace even if she dies, in order to force her to tell the truth, so I can't kill her now.

Liang Wan was indeed vicious. After Piao Xiang died, I kept silent in order to hide her from others. I just asked Yan Niang to bury her quietly. Then I signaled to Chen Zhen to give her part of Piao Xiang's savings and share the rest. Piao Xiang's maid arranged for them to leave Jianye and live elsewhere. I secretly contacted Yan Niang through Chen Zhen. Yan Niang knew that Piao Xiang had a lover, but she didn't know it was me. But seeing me like this Generous and naturally happy, after she finished handling everything, Liang Wan's killer arrived. Liang Wan sent someone to monitor Yan Niang. Seeing that she handled it in an orderly manner, she didn't rush to take action. When the matter was over, she sent someone to kill Yan Niang. , I saw that she did not send anyone to deal with Chen Zhen, and I was sure that Piao Xiang did not reveal that she was about to get married. Xiao Shunzi secretly followed Liang Wan's killer and saw him report to Liang Wan with his own eyes that all clues had been cut off and those fragrant maids had fled away. It was a better way for Liang Wan to deal with it. If they were silenced all, It inevitably arouses suspicion.

When I heard Xiao Shunzi say this, I took a deep breath, Liang Wan, you really deserve to die. No matter what your identity and background are, I will definitely make you die without a burial place.

After some days, my condition gradually improved. One night, I set up an incense burner in the back garden to offer incense. Thinking of the two love affairs, I couldn't help but feel heartbroken, and silently prayed: "You and I fell in love at first sight, and we knew each other. Who knew that there would be unforeseen circumstances in the sky, and you would suffer and die, and the jade pieces would sink, and the beautiful shadow would not be left, and the lingering fragrance is hard to find. If you are there, Ling, help me find out the real culprit, and accomplice the Liang family, and execute them together to appease the innocent soul of Qing Quanxia."

After praying, I picked up a brocade box on the incense table. Inside were the gold hairpins and bracelets I originally wanted to give to Piao Xiang. I thought about them and felt even more melancholy. There was also a jade ring inside the brocade box, which was Piao Xiang's. On the day Xiang was killed, I found it specially and said it was going to be given to me. I decided to give Piao Xiang's other jewelry to her maid. I only kept this ring. This ring was originally bought by Piao Xiang herself. I liked its green color and clear texture at the time, but it was a little too big to wear, so I kept it in my dressing box. I put the ring on my middle finger, a relic of my beloved. There were two pieces of poems in the brocade box. I took them out and read "I plan to marry you, but I can't be ashamed even if I am ruthlessly abandoned." I finally burst into tears.