The Grandmaster Strategist

In the twelfth month of the first year of Zhihua in the Southern Chu Dynasty, Jiang Zhe was imprisoned in Prince Yong's Mansion. Although the king treated him with double courtesy, Zhe's ambition was unyielding. King Xian of Qi, who loved philosophical talents, urged King Yong to pardon him. King Yong had no choice but to grant it, because Zhe He was of noble character, so he presented him with wine and a golden helmet given by the emperor. Zhe was so grateful that he burst into tears and surrendered to King Yong.

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

I almost subconsciously took the golden helmet, and my mind was filled with the scene of Li Zhi pressing it on the wine glass. He actually let me go, letting me go, a crazy person who has repeatedly offended him, and it can still make his great achievements come to nothing. A sting in the heart. Somehow, my tears fell drop by drop, falling on the golden helmet and on the snow-colored skirt of my clothes. I could hardly move. I remembered that once Prince De realized that I could not serve Nanchu loyally, he was very angry with me. Be careful, I am recuperating in Jianye, and Prince De's spies are always monitoring me. Thinking of the last remonstrance I gave, I wholeheartedly worked for Nanchu, but all I got in return was scorn. I thought I didn't care about these at all, but to this day Only then did I realize that these were buried deep in my heart. They were sad past events that even I couldn’t notice, or didn’t want to think about.

I picked up the golden helmet and drank the wine in one gulp without worrying about the spilled wine. I thought to myself that this was probably the reason why Zhuge Wuhou worked so hard. The wine was sweet, and I felt as if my chest was on fire. I raised my golden helmet, fell to the ground, and said loudly: "Your Highness is deeply gracious. Although I am so heartbroken, I cannot repay you. If Your Highness does not despise my capriciousness, I will give you Jiang Zhe." I am willing to serve His Highness.”

Li Zhi was already disheartened, but unexpectedly I surrendered suddenly. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. Shi Yu was smart and gave Li Zhi a gentle push. Li Zhi quickly stepped forward to help me up and said excitedly: "Sir, you have changed your mind. I, my king, I really don't know what to say. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up."

There was no room for resistance for a weak scholar like me. I was helped up by Li Zhi, and my mood gradually calmed down. I whispered: "If I hadn't met him at that time, I would have become a hero. Tang and Wu met by chance. Feng. Hu Yunlong." He looked at Li Zhi and said calmly: "Your Highness is magnanimous and spared my life, but I have nothing to repay. Only by dedicating myself to His Highness can I make up for the offense I have done to Your Highness these days."

Li Zhi shook his hand and looked at me in shock. He was originally glad that he had not poisoned Jiang Zhe, otherwise he would have lost the sage. But from my tone, I actually knew about the poison in his wine.

I looked at Li Zhi, who looked uneasy, and said with a smile: "Your Highness, there is no need to worry. If His Highness had not shown mercy, Zhe would not be willing to serve."

Li Zhi looked at Shi Yu. Shi Yu had already sent away his servants. At this time, he couldn't help but trembled after hearing my words, and he also looked at Li Zhi.

I was not subtle and said: "Your Highness, Mr. Shi, don't worry too much. Zhe used to be unworthy of Your Highness's grace, and it was natural for His Highness to grant him death. Now that things have changed, I will not hold grudges. Please, Your Highness, please don't see how arrogant I am these days."

I am not saying this to expose my shortcomings. Since I have decided to be loyal to King Yong, I must consider how the monarch and his ministers get along. King Yong wants to kill me, and I deliberately provoke King Yong. If I keep these in mind, it will inevitably happen in the future. Now that I have put it forward, King Yong will not feel ashamed of me, nor will he remember my offense to him. In the future, the king and his ministers will naturally live in peace. Don’t say that I have too many thoughts. Since ancient times, there have always been birds hiding in their bows. It's sarcastic, but to be clear, the reason is that the king is afraid of the meritorious ministers, and the ministers are also responsible for going beyond the rules of ministers, so I have to leave a way out for the future.

As expected, Li Zhi's expression changed several times, and he finally became cheerful and said: "Sir, please don't blame me. I would like to appoint you as Sima of Tiance Commandery, and work with Ziyou to assist me."

I bowed and thanked him again, and Li Zhi smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, there is no need to be so formal. I regard you as a mentor and friend, so please don't be so distant."

I smiled and said: "The etiquette of respect and humiliation should not be neglected. How can it be disrespectful to follow the clouds?

However, if His Highness does not blame Sui Yun for his lack of etiquette, Sui Yun will be rude. "This is my original intention. Since I have surrendered to King Yong, I will inevitably see each other every day in the future. It would be so painful if I were always respectful. Anyway, before King Yong ascended the throne, I didn't have to think too much about etiquette.

The goal has been achieved, and I said seriously: "Your Highness, Sui Yun also wants to have a deep talk with His Highness, but it is not possible now. Please send someone to inform the King of Qi, saying that Sui Yun suddenly relapsed and had to stay to recuperate. The King of Qi will definitely kiss him." Come to visit, Suiyun dares to ask His Highness to personally serve the decoction. This is one. Second, although Suiyun knows a little bit about Dayong's affairs, the forces in the DPRK are still entangled and it is still not clear. Please tell Your Highness what you can now. All the information has been collected and sent. After Suiyun studies it, we will have a detailed discussion with His Highness tonight. Thirdly, Guan Xiu and others do not know what happened today, so there is some resentment in their hearts. Please ask Mr. Ziyou to go and inform him. You might as well tell him in a secret way. Today's matter is to demonstrate His Highness's benevolence and to reassure his counselors. These three things are of vital importance."

After hearing what I said, Li Zhi's eyes lit up and he said: "Sui Yun has indeed thought carefully. I will immediately comply with the request. I will accompany my husband back to the guest house immediately. Zi You, please go and inform King Qi first." Shi Yu and I met With a smile, Shi Yu hurried away, and I kept up the show and asked King Yong to help me out of the hall. Xiao Shunzi, who was waiting very anxiously outside, saw me coming out and hurriedly walked over and gave Yong a cold look. The king said, "Sir, what happened?" He took over from King Yong and helped me. I said calmly: "Xiao Shunzi, you have a way to make me temporarily sick. I want to see King Qi."

Li Xian, who was full of joy, arrived at Prince Yong's Mansion, but a basin of cold water was poured on him. When Shi Yu told him that Jiang Zhe's old illness had relapsed, Li Xian's first reaction was that Prince Yong deliberately forced him to stay, but then he thought about it. The method would not be so clumsy. No matter what, Li Xian still asked to see Jiang Zhe and left Qin Zheng in the car. Li Xian went straight to Qifengxuan. His heart was full of anger, but as soon as he walked into the room, Seeing Jiang Zhe lying on the soft couch with a pale face, while his second brother was concentrating on holding a bowl of steaming soup and blowing air there. Seeing him come in, he just smiled and said: "Sixth brother , Mr. Jiang had a candlelight conversation with some of my staff last night, and today I saw him off. He drank a few too many glasses of wine, and his old illness relapsed. I'm afraid he won't be able to go."

Li Xian looked at Jiang Zhe's face and said angrily, "How could it be such a coincidence? Your medicine was ready right when he got sick."

Li Zhi said calmly: "Since Mr. Jiang arrived at the palace, he has to take medicine almost every day. This is a routine. Therefore, I told my brother to prepare decoctions at all times. Fortunately, today, Mr. Jiang suddenly fell ill. Without this medicine, I am afraid that Mr. Jiang will be ill again." I’m going to be bedridden for many days.”

I opened my eyes with difficulty, cursing in my heart why Xiao Shunzi was so serious. The cold and cold energy that entered my body made me feel cold all over, and my movements were difficult. I said feebly: "Sui Yun has been sick since he got sick in Shu. It happens often, no matter the time. I didn't expect it to happen today. I'm really ashamed of His Highness." After saying that, I coughed a few times.

His Highness King Yong took a sip of the decoction and said, "It's ready." After that, he asked Xiao Shunzi to help me up, and King Yong personally gave me the medicine. After I took the medicine, my complexion seemed to be a little better, and I said: "Your Highnesses, after Suiyun took the medicine, I had to take a nap. Please don't take it off."

King Yong said quickly: "Sir, please have a good rest, I will leave now."

I nodded lightly, looked at King Yong with "tears of gratitude" in my eyes, and then seemed to slowly fall asleep.

King Yong stood up and whispered: "Sixth brother, let's not disturb sir. Let's talk outside."

After leaving Qifengxuan, Li Xian said with a dull expression: "It's God's will. It seems that you have won, second brother."

Li Zhi smiled and said: "Sixth brother is too worried. After Mr. Jiang recovers, he will naturally go to Prince Qi's Mansion."

Li Xian sneered and said: "He is well. Marshal Tiance, His Highness King Yong, personally serves the decoction. I will be surprised if he is not moved again."

Li Zhi thought to himself, I have done a lot of work in the past, but it is a pity that he refused to submit, but said: "Sixth brother is too worried."

Li Xian fluttered his sleeves and walked away. He left the palace gate without getting into the car. He grabbed a guard's horse and gave him a whip in anger. The horse neighed and galloped away. Li Xian ignored the people behind him. Called and left angrily.

When I was in Qifengxuan, I asked Xiao Shunzi to unlock the restraints on my body and said with a smile: "I'm covered in cold sweat and smell of alcohol. Come on, I want to take a shower."

Xiao Shunzi smiled and said: "It has been prepared for a long time. Don't I know the master's temper?"

I looked at him and said, "Don't ask me why I changed my mind."

Xiao Shunzi said calmly: "I heard it clearly from a distance of more than ten feet. Xiao Shunzi will never question the young master's decision. Don't worry, young master. As long as Xiao Shunzi is here, no one can hurt the young master."

His tone of voice was so calm and yet so determined. I felt warm in my heart and said, "Of course, Xiao Shunzi, you have to practice hard. I can protect myself wisely in the officialdom, but there is another world in the world." , if a top master assassinates me, it will be up to you."

A look of excitement flashed in Xiao Shunzi's eyes, but he said coldly: "Don't worry, young master, I have already mastered the sword manual that the young master gave me. Although there are some people I can't defeat, no one can get past me easily. This is it.”

I nodded, Xiao Shunzi never boasted, but I asked doubtfully: "I remember you said that some sword manuals require masculine energy, how come they can be used now?"

Xiao Shunzi smiled lightly: "Young master is proficient in Yili, don't you know the principle of Yin and Yang?"

I looked at Xiao Shunzi's unconcealed joy. Although I didn't quite understand it, I knew that Xiao Shunzi's martial arts had reached a new level. I thought to myself, I've heard people say that it takes more than twenty years to practice martial arts. Only then can he enter the palace. Why is Xiao Shunzi so powerful when he is only in his early twenties? Could it be that he is really a genius in martial arts. But I don’t know that my random thoughts are mostly right. Xiao Shunzi is talented and intelligent, has a persevering temperament, and the martial arts he practices is in line with his physical condition. In addition, following me over the years, he has also made great achievements in arts and sciences, so he can have Today's achievements, although still far behind the three great masters, have far surpassed the top masters in the ordinary sense.

After changing into Tsing Yi, I happily followed Shi Yu to the confidential study room of Prince Yong's Mansion. This place is located on the right side of the Prince's Mansion and is heavily guarded. In this ordinary study room, all the confidential documents of the Prince's Mansion are stored, except for Prince Yong's Mansion. Except for Wang himself and Shi Yu, no one else was allowed to enter without authorization. The people who took care of the study were four bookboys aged 18 or 19. All of these people behaved well and walked vigorously. It can be seen that they were all the confidants of King Yong. After a while, with just one order, I could become King Yong's right-hand man. I secretly praised King Yong for being extraordinary, so I walked into the study and started to inquire about the information I needed to know, although Xiao Shunzi had already obtained it from Chen Zhen. The intelligence that came here told me, but it was not as comprehensive as the intelligence collected by King Yong. The book boy who stayed to serve me was very capable. When I asked for documents according to the catalog, he could get them immediately. Although there was no Xiao Shunzi around to serve me, it was a bit awkward. I'm not used to it, but it doesn't matter. I will work in my study from now on. I only need to look at the things here once.

Li Xin once again glanced at the handsome young man in his twenties, full of curiosity. Li Xin's father was a personal guard of King Yong. He was killed in an assassination, leaving only an orphan. When Li Zhi saw that he was helpless, he took him into his house to take care of him. After a few years, his diligence, studious and loyalty were recognized. Li Zhi's agility was appreciated, and he was given a name and entered the confidential study room. Although his actions here were strictly restricted, he was able to participate in secrets and follow His Highness King Yong, which was even more beneficial. Moreover, King Yong had already said However, when they reach adulthood, they will be allowed to go out to serve as officials. Li Xin knows very well that this is a path to success. Of course, the price is that he needs to be loyal forever and never be too cautious, so curiosity is the biggest shortcoming. There was once a book boy who peeked at the documents out of curiosity and broke the rules. When King Yong discovered it, His Highness, who had always been kind, flew into a rage and ordered to kill him with a stick. Li Xin will always remember the tragic situation at that time, so he never went beyond his bounds. Well, he knew he shouldn't guess the young man's identity, but when he found His Highness King Yong waiting for the young man in another study, he couldn't help but be curious.

In another study room, although Li Zhi was reading the book of war, he was always uneasy. He looked at Shi Yu and said: "Zi You, you should go and have a rest. I can just wait for him. Don't be too tired." ”

Shi Yu said with a smile: "As soon as Jiang Suiyun surrendered to His Highness today, he acted vigorously and resolutely. He first asked King Qi to let go and then reassured the counselors. Ziyou was very impressed, so he also wanted to know what strategies and eagerness he would offer to His Highness. Not under His Highness.”

Li Zhi smiled and said: "Yes, I am really looking forward to his advice. You know the current situation very well. I am trapped in a trap. The more I struggle, the tighter the net is. I really want to know what he has." This method allows me to escape from the siege. Thinking about it really scares me into a cold sweat. If I really kill Jiang Zhe, I am afraid that I will be doomed."

Shi Yu said: "Yes, thanks to His Highness's benevolence, otherwise Jiang Zhe would not be willing to be sincerely convinced. After thinking about it, I am afraid that our minds are all under his control. Today's cup of poisonous wine is probably what Jiang Zhe said to Your Highness." test."

Li Zhi said doubtfully: "But if this king had not reined in his horse, would he really have drank that glass of poisonous wine?"

Shi Yu smiled bitterly and said: "This subordinate has no way of knowing his arrangements, but since the matter has not reached that point, His Highness does not need to worry."

Li Zhi also smiled and said: "Yes, what should I worry about in the past? Zi You, I'm afraid he won't come out soon. We might as well play a game of chess to kill time."

Shi Yu said: "Since Your Highness is so elegant, my subordinates will naturally accompany you. Please show mercy to Your Highness."

The two looked at each other and smiled, placed the chess board, and started playing.

After a while, the bookboy Li Zhong came in and reported: "Your Highness, when I went to deliver tea, I saw Mr. Jiang seemed a little bored. He also asked where his servant was."

Li Zhi was stunned and looked at Shi Yu. Shi Yu's thoughts changed and he said: "Your Highness, I see that Jiang Zhe relies heavily on Li Shun who is beside him. He seems to be unable to leave him for a moment, and Li Shun is also loyal to Jiang Zhe." No, it’s better to let Li Shun go in and serve you, since Li Shun will inevitably come into contact with secrets in the future.”

Li Zhi thought for a while and said, "Yes, Li Shun is not an ordinary person. The friendship between their master and servant must be very deep. Li Zhong, please send Qifengxuan to summon Li Shun to serve in the study."

After a while, Li Zhong came back and reported: "Your Highness, Mr. Shi, Mr. Jiang is very happy. Li Xin reported that Li Shun is very abiding by the rules. He only concentrates on serving and never pays attention to the content of the documents."

Li Zhi felt relieved and said, "That's good, Ziyou, it's your turn."

Shi Yu looked at the chessboard and said with a smile: "Your Highness is not thinking well. It seems that I am going to win this game."

Li Zhi looked at the trapped Bai Long with a wry smile and said, "Yes, I lost."

Shi Yu said: "This is my subordinate's concentration. Your Highness doesn't have to worry about that. Don't let your subordinate win the next game."

Li Zhi picked up the chess pieces and said, "Okay, let me kill you and make you bleed like a river."

The two gradually got involved. When the third chess game ended, Shi Yu stood up and looked out the window. It was dawn and the window was dark. Li Zhi looked at the chess board and said, "I won half the piece."

Shi Yu said with a smile: "Your Highness is very good at chess. As long as you pay a little attention, your subordinates will be completely defeated."

At this moment, Li Zhong came in and said, "Your Highness, Mr. Shi, Mr. Jiang, please see your Highness."

When Li Zhi heard this, he jumped up and asked, "How does he look?"

Li Zhong said: "Although sir, he looks a little tired, but his demeanor is very peaceful. He is also joking with the villain, asking him to drag His Highness out of the palace?"

Li Zhi, whose heart had been hanging all night, was finally relieved. He took a long breath and said, "It's okay, it's okay."

Shi Yu looked out the window and said in surprise: "Your Highness, look."

Li Zhi looked up and saw outside the window, the dawn sun had penetrated the thick clouds, and the eastern sky had turned white. Li Zhi smiled and said: "It's a good sign, let's go see Jiang Zhe?" After saying that, he walked out. Seeing Li Zhi's heroic posture, Shi Yu couldn't help but let go of a big stone in his heart, and followed him.

End of Part One.