"Fast horses have been sent from Sizhou. Chen Fang, the envoy of Shu, has almost reached the inner city. He will arrive in Changyang about tomorrow. My lord gave the order before, and Chen Fang came all the way without any trouble."
Sitting in the palace, Chang Sheng held the file and talked about the situation of the Shu envoy in detail. Liu Chen stood by and helped each of them pour a cup of tea.
"The matter of the envoy to Shu is no small matter." Chang Silang held up the tea cup and frowned, "If Chen Fang dies, it means that I, Beiyu, have no intention of peace talks."
"Lord, if my guess is correct, the old family members will soon enter the palace after getting the news."
"Then come in." Changshiro said calmly.
"Chang Sheng, and Liu Chen, you two should also know that the situation in the north is precarious. The King of Xishu... intended to organize the army and build weapons, but it didn't mean he gave me, Beiyu, a chance to breathe. That little... The King of Shu's temper is the same as mine, and he has always hated foreigners who caused trouble."
Listening to Chang Shiro's words, Chang Sheng was silent for a moment. He knew in his heart that aside from the factors of competition for hegemony, King Xu Mu of Western Shu had family, country and mountains and rivers in his heart, as did many Shu people. He admired this.
Moreover, as his brother Zi said, the current situation in Beiyu is indeed not suitable for war due to various superimposed factors.
Therefore, when he knew that Ye Xiao from Western Shu was building momentum for Shu envoy Chen Fang in the inner city, he told the people on the iron torture platform to stop as long as they did not ruin things in Beiyu for the time being.
"I have sent people to bring 20,000 more troops and horses to Hezhou Pass in Leqing." Chang Silang calmed his voice and said, "During this period, please pass it on for me and don't make enemies with Xishu for the time being."
"Lord, be careful of the family's killer." Liu Chen, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly added.
The old aristocratic families in the inner city have been in a state of panic due to their recent losing streak. It is really possible to kill an envoy.
"I have asked Chang Wei to go." Chang Silang rubbed his forehead, "King Xu Shu did this to show the old families. When the time comes, there will be no need to cover up during the peace talks, and the Shu people will lower their posture to some extent. , Dare not make mistakes."
"My lord is truly extremely intelligent."
"That's not the case, it's just about understanding each other." Changshiro raised his head, his face a little nostalgic, "He understands me, and I also understand him. It's almost like we have an appointment."
"King Xu Shu is indeed a strange man——"
Chang Sheng was beside him, and before his voice fell, Yan Pi suddenly walked in.
"My lord, the two military advisors and the old aristocratic families have entered the palace."
"Look, it's coming as promised." Tsuneshiro sighed.
This matter is related to the national system, and he cannot avoid it no matter what.
Not long after, many heads of aristocratic families entered the palace in surprise. As soon as they saw the ceremony, they eagerly asked.
"Lord, we have heard about it, but you want to negotiate peace with Xishu?" An old head of aristocratic family immediately spoke in a trembling voice. After just saying that, he started coughing violently.
"Master Yu, please don't be impatient and take care of yourself." Chang Shiro consoled him.
"My lord, if I, Beiyu, were to negotiate peace with Xishu, I would have lost the opportunity to make a big move! The Shu people are cunning, and sending the Shu envoy this time must be a trick! My lord, you must not be fooled!"
"My lord, be careful of the lame man's tricks in Xishu!"
"Lord, please expel the Shu envoys quickly!"
…
Tsuneshiro listened calmly, his face extremely calm, and he still had the air of a superior after all.
He didn't want to tell anything about Sha Rong. First, it will cause panic in Beiyu. Secondly, before there is definite evidence, if he says it now, he is afraid that this group of old aristocratic families will use it as an excuse, which will be counterproductive.
"I already understand what you all mean." Chang Shiro raised his head and looked around at His Highness's people. If we don't use some means, I'm afraid we will have to continue grinding.
"I, Chang Xiaotang, would like to join you all in preparing for war with Western Shu."
After hearing Chang Shiro's words, the entire Jinluan Palace was filled with cheers from the old families.
Only Chang Sheng and Liu Chen looked at the master in front of them in ecstasy. Both of them knew that their lord was using counter-measures.
"If your lord starts a war, I will give my full support!" The ancient head of the aristocratic family from before spoke hurriedly and hissed again. There was a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Master Yu, that's very good!"
Changshiro stood up, walked down a few steps, walked to the head of the Guxi family, and supported his body. Then he raised his head again and continued to look at the family heads around him.
"To be honest with you, in the past two years, I, Beiyu, have been constantly at war with Western Shu. Although there have been occasional small defeats, my fighting spirit has not diminished. Dear family heads, how about this? I plan to mobilize all the Beiyu troops at the beginning of next month to fight with Shu. It’s up to one person to win!”
"My lord, I will always support your lord!"
"Lord, so is the Che family!"
…
"Okay." Chang Shiro smiled, "Then, from tomorrow until the decisive battle with the Shu people next month, you can send your clan's private soldiers to the battlefield together and join forces with me to win this round. !”
As soon as these words came out, the old aristocratic families in the palace looked at each other for a moment. You must know that the private soldiers of the aristocratic family are not subject to deployment by Beiyu. Unless the children of the clan are going to war, they will be taken with them.
But according to what the lord in front of him said, everything was probably on the line in this round of decisive battle.
"Not only private soldiers, but also weapons and armor. The war in the past two years has actually caused too many losses. Since you all support me in the decisive battle, why not donate some and work together with me to attack Western Shu!"
"My lord... I seem to have a lot of weapons in Beiyu, right?" Yu Xing, who lives in his hometown, thought about it and asked anxiously.
"Of course there are." Changshiro said calmly, "But no matter what, the more the better. After all, no matter what, it is time for the decisive battle. Please don't hide your secrets, provide money and troops, and help us with all our strength. When the time comes, my king If you take over the country, you will definitely be rewarded!"
The heads of the aristocratic families who were originally excited became silent after hearing these words. Supporting Beiyu's struggle for hegemony is in line with their interests, in order to continue their wealth and family prosperity for thousands of years.
But now, whether there is a final decisive battle, asking them to spend money and troops, or bleeding a lot, how can this... be agreed to.
"Everyone, do you want to support this king in the decisive battle?" Chang Shiro frowned.
The huge Jinluan Palace suddenly became silent. Only the old head of the family, Yu Xing, hesitated for a long time before holding back a sentence.
"Lord, could it be that private soldiers are going to the battlefield?"
"Of course it is. After all, this is an unprecedented decisive battle. As long as we win and defeat Xi Shu, I, Beiyu, will be able to follow your wishes and unify the country!"
Yu Xing swallowed and didn't dare to answer. How could he be willing to give up? The family's property, which had taken hundreds of years to accumulate, could be gambled, but it could not be fully invested.
Changshiro watched silently, feeling the joy of success in his heart. But at the same time, there was also an inexplicable sense of loss.
He heard that in Western Shu, the people sent people and food to support the expedition, and the soldiers who went out of Yuguan refused to retreat and sacrificed their lives.
The contrast between the two appearances suddenly made Chang Shiro's heart slowly sink.
