Since the Jin State had no intention of helping him, Lu Houchou thought of going to the Chu State to find Li Ran.
It coincided with the completion of the Qianxi Terrace built by King Ling of Chu at that time, and he was inviting princes from all over the world to come and congratulate him.
Lu Houchou took this as an opportunity, and both the government and the public proposed a personal visit to Chu.
Lu Houchou's move was justified. Therefore, Ji Sunyiru certainly knew Lu Houchou's intention, but he did not point it out on the spot.
However, he naturally would not let Marquis Lu go so easily. Therefore, he asked Meng Xizi (Mengsun Bao) to accompany him. The purpose was to take advantage of Meng Sunbao's lack of understanding of Zhou etiquette, so that Lu Houchou would make a fool of himself among the princes and make him retreat in the face of difficulties.
Later, Lu Houchou, accompanied by Meng Sunbao, went on an envoy to the State of Chu and passed by the State of Zheng.
However, when Lu Hou Chou was in Zheng State, due to Meng Sunbao's fault, he did not know how to respond to the courtesy, so he indeed spoke in a very foreign accent.
This naturally made Lu Houchou lose face, but it did not dispel Lu Houchou's determination to go to Chu to ask for help.
However, in the end, it backfired. When they arrived at Qianxi, it happened that Li Ran had already left Chu.
King Ling of Chu was also preparing to launch a large-scale attack on Wu, and he was even more worried about the fact that Ji Sun Yiru had funded the Wu State on behalf of the Lu State. Therefore, he ignored Lu Houchou.
When Lu Houchou talked about his own country's affairs, King Chu Ling showed no interest and threatened that he had no intention of intervening in Lu's affairs. Seeing this, Hou Hou Chou of Lu was greatly disappointed and had to return home in dismay.
However, although this trip to the Chu State achieved nothing, it eventually led to the betrayal of Meng Sunbao, the leader of the Meng family, to the Ji family. Meng Sunbao resented Ji Sun Yiru for embarrassing him, so he and Lu Houchou got closer and closer.
As one of the three big families in the Lu State, the Meng family fell in love with Lu Houchou, which was an unexpected surprise for Lu Houchou.
However, Ji Sun Yiru actually still had a clear grasp of Lu Houchou's actions.
Luhou Chou secretly resisted him. Although he did not respond openly, he often made obstacles in the dark.
Therefore, there is not much that Lu Houchou can do.
He still needs to wait for the opportunity, an opportunity to completely overthrow the Ji family.
…
Soon, a glimmer of light seemed to appear.
During a conversation with Confucius, Lu Houchou unexpectedly learned that there was such a person as Nan Kuai.
Nan Kuai was a retainer of the Ji family and the governor of Feiyi, and Feiyi was the main city of the Ji family.
Because the Nan family had been taking care of Fei Yi for the Ji family for three generations, the people in Fei Yi had long been accustomed to only recognizing the Nan family and not knowing the Ji family.
Therefore, after Ji Sun Yiru succeeded as the head of the Ji family, he was extremely distrustful of this retainer. Whenever internal rewards are announced, Nan Kuai, who is far away in Feiyi, is deliberately omitted.
Therefore, Nan Kuai was also extremely dissatisfied with Ji Sun Yiru. Of course, he knew the reason behind Mu Xiu Yu Lin, and also knew that Ji Sun Yi would liquidate him sooner or later.
Obviously, during the years when Confucius worked as an errand for the Ji family, through his strong social talent of "it was a pleasure to have friends from far away", he also knew all the gossip within the Ji family.
Therefore, when Confucius proposed his plan to the Marquis of Lu and stated the pros and cons, he volunteered to go and instigate Nan Kuai on behalf of the Marquis of Lu to rebel against the Ji family.
Hou Chou of Lu was overjoyed when he heard about it, so he wrote a letter and gave it to Confucius, asking Confucius to go and secretly lobby Nan Kuai.
Confucius did not dare to slack off after receiving the emperor's order, and rushed to Fei Yi to find Nan Kuai. Nan Kuai didn't know Confucius. Although Confucius was also working for the Ji family, his status was low after all, so it was normal for him not to recognize him.
Therefore, Nan Kuai was not very concerned about Confucius' arrival, and did not even retreat.
Confucius smiled calmly:
"Mr. Nan, today Qiu Nai is here to pay homage to Mr. Shuzhong. We really have something important to discuss!"
At this time, Confucius deliberately avoided "shusun" and only mentioned "shuzhong", which was actually to deceive others. Nan Kuai also looked at the tall man in front of him quite strangely. After a moment of hesitation, he asked the others to step back.
Soon, only Nan Kuai and Kong Qiu were left in the lobby. Seeing that there was no one else around, Kong Qiu said:
"Master Nan, the Ji family is very suspicious of you. Does your Excellency know?"
Nan Kuai was shocked when he heard this. Although this has long been an indisputable fact, after all, he is also his lord, and he usually just talks nonsense after drinking. Now in front of outsiders, I don’t want to say much.
"Ji Wuzi showed great kindness to our Nan family back then. Without Ji Wuzi, our Nan family would not be what it is today!"
Nan Kuai said this very briefly, and when Confucius heard it, he knew there was something wrong. He only said that Ji Wuzi was kind to him, but he said nothing about the current sect leader.
"Mr. Nan, this is ridiculous. Although Ji Wuzi is kind to the Nan family, in the final analysis, although everything Mr. Nan has on the surface is given by the Ji family, in fact, I am afraid that is not the case!"
"Oh? Why did you say that?"
"Lord Nan, it is clear that the Ji family's rights were given by the Marquis of Lu after all. Without a king, how could the Nan family have lived in Feiyi for three generations without any worries? How could they be so carefree in Feiyi?"
Nan Kuai lowered his head and thought for a while.
"This statement is wrong. As the saying goes, 'a retainer dare not know the country', this is the principle of being a retainer! Therefore, even the kindness of the emperor cannot replace the head of the family!"
"Since ancient times, the emperor has been respected. The princes only recognize the emperor, the ministers only recognize the princes, and the retainers only recognize the ministers. This is the law of heaven, and everything is in peace. But now, the government is not upright, and the Ji family is even more beautiful. Court, which one can be tolerated? Besides, Ji Sun Yiru has now become suspicious of you, don’t you have other ideas? Do you just sit here and wait for death? "
Nan Kuai glanced sideways and said:
"What exactly do you want to say?"
"The Ji family has no virtue, and has no tolerance for others. Now the Ji family has neither restrained herself nor returned to etiquette, and abused the people without restraint. Now she is suspicious of you. If things go on like this, you will be harmed by the Ji family sooner or later. If this is the case, why not, sir? How about erecting a righteous flag to show off your official office? Wouldn’t it be better if you could directly serve the king and be granted a title and be placed in the court in the future?"
Nan Kuai suddenly shouted:
"Confucius! You are so courageous! As a junior official of the Ji family, you dare to openly instigate me, a retainer of the Ji family, to rebel! Even if I cut you into pieces, it is not an exaggeration!"
Confucius was not afraid at all:
"What goes up and down the line, the head of the family doesn't recognize his master, so why should he recognize his master as a retainer? Now the king is being deceived by the Ji family, and people of Nanda must also see it. The country is in such a state of confusion, can Nanda have the heart to turn a blind eye? "
After hearing this, Nan Kuai stopped talking and continued to wait for Confucius' next words.
"What's more, if this matter comes to pass, it will be of great benefit to you and the Nan family!"
After hearing this, Nan Kuai slowly sat down again, lowered his head, and seriously considered Confucius' words.
At this time, Confucius spoke again:
"How can a man live in troubled times and live in poverty for a long time? Mr. Nan can only defend one city now, with only a hundred thousand people and thousands of soldiers. Once the Ji family turns against you, who can Mr. Nan rely on?" Please think twice, sir!"
Nan Kuai hesitated for a moment.
"It's just that...the Ji family is so powerful that it might be difficult for them to be an enemy!"
"There are people who are retainers and kings! Now that Mr. Nan has the support of the king, what do you have to worry about?"
Confucius saw that Nan Kuai had been persuaded by him, so he took out the sign of Lu Houchou and handed Lu Houchou's letter to Nan Kuai.
Nan Kuai took the letter and read it, and found that it was indeed an edict written by Lu Hou Chou. Its meaning was that the Ji family was evading the monarchy, being arrogant and domineering, and abusing the people without restraint. As a result, the people's livelihood in Lu State is now in decline, and the country will not be a country. It is hoped that Nan Kuai can comply with the destiny and help the monarch to remove the Ji family in order to revitalize the imperial court. If successful, the Nan family will be granted the title of nobility and enter the city and inherit it from generation to generation.
Faced with such temptation, Nan Kuai was extremely excited for a moment. If this matter can be accomplished, it will be an earth-shaking change for the Nan family, and their destiny will be completely different. The benefits to future generations will be countless.
After Nan Kuai hesitated for a moment, he made up his mind.
"In that case, I would like to tell you that I will obey your orders! In the future, I will do my best to accompany you and protect my authority!"
Confucius put his palms together and smiled:
"Master Nan has this idea. It's the best thing. The Lu country can be saved!"
Confucius returned to Lu Hou Chou to resume his duties. Lu Hou Chou was very happy when he learned that Nan Kuai had agreed. He thought that if something happened within the Ji family, Ji Sun Yiru would definitely be caught off guard and this plan would be successful.
——
Chapter 489_Shu Sunruo’s Infernal Affairs
Nan Kuai wanted to rebel against the Ji family, but he also knew that a lonely tree cannot become a forest. It would definitely be difficult for him to do it alone.
So he secretly looked for people who could cooperate.
Obviously, Shusun Ruo, the leader of the Shusun clan, should have been his first choice, but because of the three Huan of the Lu State, they were still sympathizers on the surface. There were many things that it was simply inconvenient for Shusunruo to come forward.
What's more, although the Shusun family has been secretly competing with the Ji family, in order to better preserve themselves, Shusunruo has been hiding his capabilities and biding his time most of the time.
After all, after the death of Shusun Bao, the Shusun clan was so disturbed by Shu Niu, it can be said that their vitality was seriously damaged. At this time, Shu Zhong's urine appeared in Nan Kuai's sight.
Speaking of this Shu Zhong Xiao, it was originally a branch of the Shu Sun family, but I don’t know what happened. It is well known that the relationship between the Shu Zhong family and the Shu Sun family is actually quite tense.
And Shu Zhongxiao is also closer to Ji Sun Yiru. Although Uncle Zhongxiao and Uncle Sun would have a closer relationship if they were clan relatives, in this era, it was extremely common for clansmen who were closely related to each other to break up directly.
Maybe it was because Shu Zhongxiao was jealous of Shu Sun's status in the Lu State, or maybe it was Ji's deliberate attempt to win over him.
In short, in the eyes of outsiders, the Shuzhong family is close to the Ji family, but they are even more distant from their own Shusun family.
Therefore, many people in the Lu State at that time disdained Shu Zhongxiao's style.
Then Nan Kuai, why did he think of Shu Zhong Xiaolai to oppose Ji Sun Yiru together?
That's because, not long ago, another extremely strange and bizarre thing happened.
Although it is strange, people with keen eyes can see some clues from it.
It is said that Uncle Zhongxiao, in order to sow discord between the Ji family and the Shusun family, told Jisun Yiru eloquently: Shusunruo had no military exploits before, but he was awarded the "three lives" before Jisun Yiru. His status is even higher than that of his father and brother. This is inconsistent with etiquette and law, and he should be dismissed from his job.
In fact, it is normal for Shusun to be given three lives. After all, Lu Houchou is closer to Shusun. If Lu Houchou can give him three lives, he only needs to find some excuse. .
However, it was obviously very uncomfortable for Ji Sun Yiru. After all, among the three emperors, whoever is awarded the third life first will have to bow to the other ministers first when they see him.
Although this is just a trivial matter, this disgusting "etiquette" shackles are ultimately what Ji Sun Yiru does not want.
Jisun Yiru, who originally did not want Shusunruo to accept the "three lives", naturally agreed with these remarks. So, the two of them discussed how to make Shu Sunruo take the initiative to refuse the "three lives".
However, before Ji Sun Yiru could formally bring it up in the court meeting, Shu Sun Ruo openly questioned Ji in front of the civil and military ministers:
"Our uncle and grandson's family is unfortunate. The legitimate son was killed and a concubine was established. That's why Ruo is in the position he is today. If he is punished due to family troubles, he is willing to accept it! However, the gift of three lives is an order issued by the king. If If the king does not revoke this edict, then all this will be deserved!"
"Dr. Jisun, I heard that the doctor was quite critical of this matter. I wonder if this is really the doctor's idea? Today, please give Ruo an explanation in front of all the gentlemen, so that all the gentlemen can bear witness!"
Ji Sunyiru never expected that Shusunruo would clarify the matter directly in front of everyone.
This made him extremely passive for a moment. In a hurry, Ji Sun Yiru could only say abruptly:
"This is what your uncle Zhongxiao means! It is not what I mean!"
Obviously, Ji Sun Yiru regretted it as soon as he said these words.
He originally wanted to use the statement "This is said by your own uncle and grandson" to support himself.
However, when he said this, he obviously directly put Shu Zhongxiao on the head.
Shu Sunruo glanced sideways at Shu Zhongxiao.
"The Shuzhong clan is a branch of the Shusun clan. There is absolutely no reason for him to say that. The reason why he said it was probably to cater to Dr. Jisun's wishes, right? If Dr. Jisun had no such intention, then How could he make such remarks? Dr. Jisun, you should explain it again!"
Ji Sun Yiru could only say:
"I really have no intention of doing this! Just as Mr. Shusun said, the Shusun family deserves all this! You shouldn't accept it!"
In this way, the matter of "resigning three lives" can only be given up.
However, those who are more discerning, after this incident, have another consideration for Shu Zhongxiao's position.
Shu Zhong Xiaoben was close to the Ji family, but was eventually abandoned by the Ji family. There was originally a rift between the Shusun family and the Shuzhong family, but Shusunruo instead spoke up for him.
What exactly does all this mean? In fact, anyone with a discerning eye can immediately discern the mystery.
Of course, Ji Sun Yiru will also realize that the problem is unusual.
Because Ji Sun Yiru was still planning the "three lives" matter, why did Shu Sun Ruo attack him in advance? And it was in public.
On the one hand, this makes Ji Sun Yiru lose face, and there are two suspicious points in it:
One is how did Shusunruo know about this? Secondly, why did Uncle Sunruo go out of his way and openly confront him in the court over such a trivial matter? And don’t leave any thin noodles?
This is nothing like the extremely low-key and calm Shu Sunruo from before.
Therefore, Ji Sun Yiru must have suspected Shu Zhongxiao. But he just suspected it, and he couldn't prove it by saying that this was a big hole that the two of them teamed up to dig for him.
Moreover, Ji Sunyiru couldn't understand at all, what was the meaning of their doing this?
If Shu Zhongxiao is really a member of Shu Sun's family, then why did Shu Sun want to expose him directly?
This is something Ji Sun Yiru cannot understand.
Therefore, in order to "take the overall situation into consideration", Ji Sun Yiru began to be wary of Shu Zhongxiao on the one hand, but on the other hand, she still kept him by her side.
What Ji Sun Yiru didn't know was that this was Shu Sun Ruo's clever move.
On the one hand, he had known that Ji Sun Yiru would be confused about this.
On the other hand, this unclear and ambiguous relationship has allowed those "thinking" people in the Ji family to figure out some ways.
Take Nan Kuai for example. In his opinion, Shu Zhongxiao is most likely to be a "hidden stake" placed by Shu Sunruo next to the Ji family.
Even if this is not the case, if Shu Zhongxiao is now "betrayed" by Ji Sun Yiru in public for no reason, wouldn't Shu Zhongxiao be filled with resentment?
So Nan Kuai went to find Shu Zhongxiao, and mentioned to him the idea of using Fei Yi to counter the Ji family.
Shu Zhong Xiao Ze pretended to be surprised and looked at Nan Kuai:
"Master Nan, it is not a small crime for a retainer to betray his master!"
Nan Kuai couldn't help but smile.
"That Ji Sun Yiru was enjoying the dance of eight beauties, but he allowed the monarch to only accept four beauties. This was beyond the bounds of etiquette, which is rare in the world! When it comes to crime, the Ji family is much more powerful than me!"
Shu Zhongxiao listened but remained silent.
Nan Kuai then said:
"The head of the family does not recognize the king, which is not good for the country. I want to leave the Ji family and return to the public office. If the son changes his position, I will use Fei as a public minister!"
Upon hearing this, Shu Zhongxiao replied slowly:
"It's really rare for Mr. Nan to be so concerned about his official duties."
Shu Zhongxiao did not agree to Nan Kuai immediately, but this made Nan Kuai quite anxious.
"Master Shuzhong, don't you want to contribute to this?"
Uncle Zhong Xiaodan smiled and said:
"I have a low position, but now that I have been appreciated by the Ji family, I have been working under the Ji family. The Ji family has never treated me badly, so why should I do this?"
When Nan Kuai heard this, he curled his lips with disdain and said:
"Have you forgotten, sir? Your Excellency is a relative of the Shusun family! Not long ago, the Ji family betrayed Lord Shuzhong in the court. Isn't this considered a injustice? Nan can hardly believe that your Lordship is really single-minded. Working for the Ji family?"
When Shu Zhongxiao heard this, he was speechless for a while. After a while, he hesitated and said:
"It's just that... although Mr. Nan has this intention, I'm afraid it's too aggressive?"
"The Ji family is rude, a minister is not a minister, and a king is not a king. What should Nan be afraid of? What's more, Nan is in Feiyi, but the Ji family is so cold to me. I have been working for the Ji family for three generations, how can I bear it? Are you so cowardly? What Nan wants now is to become a public minister of the Lu State! He no longer needs to bear this personal grudge!"
Nan Kuai's clear words finally gained Shu Zhongxiao's trust:
"I understand your heart. I am willing to help you!"
Nan Kuai was overjoyed when he heard this, and immediately took out the secret edict from Marquis Lu and showed it to Shu Zhongxiao. After reading the secret edict, Shu Zhongxiao threw it directly into the brazier next to him.
"Don't publicize this matter everywhere, just do it secretly. Your Excellency, make preparations in Feiyi. I have my own arrangements here. Your Excellency, just wait for my orders. When the time comes, we will succeed!"
Nan Kuai got Shu Zhongxiao's approval and finally confirmed Shu Sunruo's "Infernal Affairs" identity, and went back happily.
】
There is no doubt that Shu Zhongxiao is actually the "hidden stake" placed by Shu Sunruo around Ji Sun Yiru.
The so-called "three lives" matter was actually the result of their long-term planning. In fact, this move was intended to deliberately "expose" Shu Zhongxiao.
But now, after all this planning, Shu Zhongxiao's hook really caught a big fish for them!
Obviously, Nan Kuai, the Prime Minister of Fei Yi Family, is the big fish they have been waiting for.
