Zhu Xiang was locked up.
Meng Wu himself couldn't believe it. I'm so awesome! I actually did it!
Li Mu turned the King of Qin's edict over and over again, wondering, "Isn't the wording a bit informal?"
Meng Wu rubbed his nose and said embarrassedly: "This, there are very complicated reasons."
He told Li Mu that he had made promises while drunk, and was instigated by Lin Zhi and Prince Zichu to sign the contract, and that Crown Prince Zhu and the King of Qin were involved.
"I never thought this decree would actually be used." Meng Wu said, "Zhu Xiang is really too restless. Even the emperor can't help but worry about him."
Li Mu's mouth twitched slightly: "Indeed."
Zhu Xiang was such a worry that even the King of Qin was worried about him.
"I originally wanted to follow you to Eyi and get some military merits. I didn't expect to get military merits here in Zhuxiang." Meng Wu said, "Your fleet is really impressive. After the matter in Zhuxiang is resolved, I want to hang out on the boat more."
Li Mu said: "There is no need to wait for this matter to be resolved. Yunmengze also needs boatmen, I will give you one."
Meng Wu did not shirk: "Okay."
Li Mu also asked about the situation of Xunzi and Lian Po in Xianyang City.
Meng Wu said: "Xun Qing and Lian Gong are in good health. Bai Gong even murmured that Lian Gong's health is still good enough to go to the battlefield. Lian Gong also seems to be a little restless and intends to go to the north for a stroll."
Li Mu said: "Mr. Lian is good at defense. It is just right for him to go to the northern border. However, the conditions are a bit difficult. I am worried that Mr. Lian's health cannot bear it."
Meng Wu nodded: "Mr. Lian is still hesitant. But he is doing well in the Xianyang Academy, and his voice of cursing is very loud."
Li Mu laughed: "As long as you are energetic."
Zhu Xiang leaned against the window and said helplessly, "Do you really have to lock me in the room and chat by the window?"
Meng Wu and Li Mu ignored him and treated him as air.
Zhu Xiang sighed deeply. How old were his two friends? Why were they acting like children and saying "Ignore you"
Although Zhu Xiang's words made sense and convinced Meng Wu and Li Mu, it did not mean that his friends would not continue to be angry.
Zhang Ruo came to visit Zhu Xiang in the courtyard where he was under house arrest, with his hands behind his back. Seeing Zhu Xiang swearing and weeding out the flowers in the courtyard to plant vegetables, he couldn't help laughing and said, "It seems that you are living a good life under house arrest."
"Please don't laugh at me, Mr. Zhang." Zhu Xiang sighed while leaning on his hoe, "I don't know when Meng Wu will let me out."
Zhang Ruo smiled and said, "Soon."
Zhu Xiang: "Hmm? Has he found his conscience?"
Zhang Ruo smiled but said nothing.
Zhu Xiang continued to sigh. Why did he feel that Zhang Gong had also turned bad
Zhang Ruo did not become a bad person. He just liked these three young officials even more because of the friendship between Zhu Xiang, Meng Wu and Li Mu.
The court was full of intrigues, and even though he and Sima Cuo were good friends, they were both concerned about their families. In addition, the King of Qin was very averse to the formation of factions among the ministers in the court, so he could not be too close to Sima Cuo.
The relationship between these three people is like that of close friends recorded in folk stories and history books, which makes people feel warm in their hearts.
Zhang Ruo knew Meng Wu. In the eyes of outsiders, Meng Wu was a serious and slightly dull person. Meng Wu's talent as a general was not very good, but he was low-key. When he was young, he knew the principle of keeping a low profile and was deeply trusted by the King of Qin.
Li Mu was a man with a sharp edge, strong self-confidence and stubborn opinions on the use of troops, which was very similar to Bai Gong.
After getting together with Zhu Xiang, Meng Wu became very talkative and loved to brag to his friends; while Li Mu, on the other hand, became very humble and even looked shy when responded to his friends' compliments.
This contrast is really something Zhang Ruobai can never get tired of watching, it is so interesting.
Only Zhu Xiang was so friendly and cheerful to friends and strangers, and it seemed that he had not changed much. No wonder Zhu Xiang's friends were worried about him. A person who can't pretend will have a hard life.
"Mr. Zhang, don't go. Is Meng Wu really going to let me go? Is there any conspiracy?" Zhu Xiang leaned out of the windowsill with his hands and shouted.
Zhang Ruo stroked his beard and left with a smile.
The Qin soldier guarding Zhu Xiang covered his mouth with one hand to hold back his laughter.
Duke Zhu Xiang was truly very funny. During the time he was guarding Duke Zhu Xiang, he had to hold back his laughter every day.
Zhu Xiang's bad premonition came true.
One afternoon, when the sun was high in the sky and Zhu Xiang was still sleeping soundly on his bamboo bed, his bedroom door was kicked open with a loud bang.
Zhu Xiang was so scared that he rolled over in bed, his heart almost jumping out of his chest.
"Uncle!" The sharp child's voice almost pierced his eardrum, and the heart that Zhu Xiang had just swallowed almost jumped out of his throat again.
"Ah? Zheng'er? Why are you here?" Zhu Xiang patted his chest, "Did I have a nightmare?"
Ying Xiaozheng kicked the door open and rushed to the bedside: "When my uncle saw me, he actually thought I was having a nightmare? Zheng'er was having a nightmare?!"
Zhu Xiang said embarrassedly: "Your appearance at this time is indeed a nightmare."
Ying Xiaozheng pounded the bed with both hands and said, "You also know that I will be angry! Then why did you go to the battlefield!"
Zhu Xiang covered his ears silently.
Here it comes, here it comes again, he heard these words again.
Li Bing followed Ying Xiaozheng into the room slowly and said, "Duke Zhu Xiang, should I address you as General Zhu Xiang? Congratulations, General, for your great achievements and military exploits."
Zhu Xiang could still hear Li Bing's sarcasm even with his ears covered.
He put down his hand and sighed, "Don't read it, don't read it. I have been placed under house arrest by Meng Wu with the Qin King's edict. Considering how miserable I am, don't read it."
Li Bing put away his smile and said coldly, "I understand your feelings and I know that what you said is true. Maybe only you can do this. But why are you in such a hurry? Even if you want to do it, you can discuss it with us first."
"Yes! Isn't it just cutting down mountains and destroying temples!" Ying Xiaozheng bumped his head into Zhu Xiang's arms. Cutting down mountains and destroying temples, enfeoffment of gods, I have done it in my dreams, I can do it too!
Zhu Xiang caught his fat nephew who bumped into him without even taking off his shoes, while holding his waist and groaning, "It's too heavy, and... Hey? Zheng'er, have you become lighter?"
Zhu Xiang picked up Ying Xiaozheng and showed an expression as if he was struck by a bolt from the blue sky: "Zheng'er, you've lost weight! Li Bing!!!! I gave Zheng'er to you to take care of, and this is how you take care of him?"
He put Ying Xiaozheng down and rubbed his soft, chubby baby cheeks with heartache.
Fortunately, my fat nephew’s face is still chubby, but it is definitely lighter!
He has held Ying Xiaozheng in his arms since he was a child, and he can even pick up the slightest difference in weight!
"This is your fault," Li Bing said, "Zheng'er heard that you lost your appetite after going to the battlefield."
Ying Xiaozheng said: "Yes! It's all my uncle's fault!"
"I was wrong, I was really wrong. Next time I will discuss it with you before making a decision." Zhu Xiang admitted his mistake immediately.
But he admitted his mistake and will dare to do it again next time.
How can we wait in an emergency? If we don't send troops before the other side reacts, those witches and sorcerers will incite the villagers to hide in the mountains, and it will be difficult for the Qin army to pull them out.
When Ying Xiaozheng heard his uncle sincerely admit his mistake, his soft face twitched for a moment, and finally turned into a sigh of conscientiousness.
No elder would be so sincere in admitting his mistakes to the younger generation. But no one would be so sincere in admitting his mistakes that people would not believe him every time.
Uncle, will you really not teach the child bad things by doing this
Although I won’t be corrupted by you.
Li Bing was completely helpless against Zhu Xiang.
He was a gentleman with a good temper. As soon as he scolded Zhu Xiang, Zhu Xiang admitted his fault. How could he continue to hold on to him
Li Bing sat down on the bed and sighed, "Your goal has been achieved. General Meng is here, so there is no need for you to go to the battlefield again."
Zhu Xiang said: "I know."
Ying Xiaozheng sat in Zhu Xiang's arms, kicked off his shoes and threw them off the bed: "Uncle, do you really know?"
Zhu Xiang smiled and said, "Of course. This matter is not over yet. I will change the battlefield next. Zheng'er, do you want to help?"
Ying Xiaozheng leaned on Zhu Xiang's chest and looked up: "Ah? Okay."
Only then did Li Bing feel completely relieved.
Since it is something that Ying Xiaozheng can help with, it shouldn't be dangerous.
"What are you going to do? Is there anything I can help you with?" Li Bing asked.
Zhu Xiang said, "Yes, when you return to Chengdu, help me find some folks who can write ballads and stories, and make up some stories to spread."
Li Bing was puzzled: "Story?"
Zhu Xiang said: "It's a story about punishing evil and promoting good."
Li Bing thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I see. It's a story about punishing evil gods and promoting good gods, right?"
Zhu Xiang nodded.
Ying Xiaozheng said, "Why don't you write about folk sages beheading evil gods? Shouldn't uncle prefer stories about humans challenging gods?"
Zhu Xiang rubbed his nephew's head, which he hadn't rubbed for a long time, and said with a smile: "I will write these stories. You are worthy of being Zheng'er, so domineering!"
"Indeed." Li Bing said, "He looks a lot like you."
Zhu Xiang winked and said, "How about I write you a few more stories about killing gods while controlling floods?"
Li Bing was stunned: "Me?"
Zhu Xiang said, "When Dayu was controlling the flood, he cleared the river while killing the evil gods that blocked the way. When Li Bing, the governor of Shu, was controlling the flood, he must have encountered some mountain gods and river gods that blocked his way, right? Isn't that right, Zheng'er?"
Ying Xiaozheng said: "Uncle, please make one for me too!" I like this one!
Zhu Xiang smiled and said, "Okay, let's see what uncle does!"
Li Bing held his forehead: "It's up to you."
"Such interesting things, write a few for me too." Meng Wu swaggered in, "Congratulations to Duke Zhu Xiang, you can be released with the guarantee of Prince Zheng... Ouch, you hit me with a pillow, be careful or I will lock you up for a few more days. I can hold the royal decree!"
Meng Wu threw back the pillow that Zhu Xiang threw at him.
Li Bing helped Zhu Xiang catch the pillow and put it away.
Zhu Xiang cursed: "Your Wang Ling, didn't you just write it when you were drunk?"
Meng Wu said: "The king's seal is real, it is the king's decree. Why, you don't accept it? Zheng'er, what should you do if your uncle doesn't accept it?"
"Stop, stop, stop pulling." Zhu Xiang rescued his hair from Ying Xiaozheng's hands. "Are you done so soon? Aren't you still fighting?"
Meng Wu said: "Those small countries have agreed to only worship the gods recognized by the King of Qin. The rest are just scattered bandits. There is no need for me to go out in person. Of course I came to welcome Master Zheng. Zheng'er, you have grown a lot taller."
Meng Wu unceremoniously took Ying Xiaozheng out of Zhu Xiang's arms and shook him: "You have grown up."
Ying Xiaozheng smiled and said, "Thank you Uncle Meng for locking up my uncle in time. When I grow up, I will also write an imperial edict to Uncle Meng to lock up my uncle if he goes to a dangerous place!"
Zhu Xiang held his forehead with his hand: "Hey, Zheng'er, don't learn bad things."
Meng Wu said: "You deserve it. I have already delivered the documents to Xianyang. You can wait to be beaten when you return to Xianyang."
Meng Wu actually wanted to beat Zhu Xiang, but Li Mu was right. With their strength, they could still hurt Zhu Xiang even if they tried to hold back. It would be better to leave the beating of Zhu Xiang to the elders.
I wonder if the ruler in Xunzi's hand will break because of his anger. I should prepare a few more rulers for Xunzi.
"Okay, okay, it's all my fault." Zhu Xiang put on his coat, "Can I finally go out?"
"Yes." Meng Wu said, "You must be restless. Let me know what you are going to do next, and I will send someone to protect you."
Zhu Xiang said: "It's not a dangerous matter, just find someone to write some stories, no need for protection."
Meng Wu immediately said, "I heard you say outside the door that you want to write a story about a mortal slaying a god? Give me a few too!"
"Yes, all of them." Zhu Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
People in this era should be particularly respectful of gods, be particularly attentive during sacrifices, and believe very much in matters of ghosts and gods.
But why are they so excited when it comes to slaying gods
It seems that the Chinese people's habit of challenging the heavens is something engraved in their ancestral blood.
Ancestors really have all sorts of messed up things engraved into their bloodlines at random.
"But Zheng'er, you can't be fooled by your uncle so easily." Meng Wu put Ying Xiaozheng back into Zhu Xiang's arms and said maliciously, "Do you know how haggard he was when I saw him? If he hadn't been forced to rest for a while, what you see now is a skinny, frail uncle who staggers when he walks. You must punish him well and never let him do things that will burden him in the future."
"Ah? Uncle has become as thin as my father?" Ying Xiaozheng's eyes widened, "Uncle!"
Zhu Xiang: “?”
Li Bing, who didn't know much about Master Zichu, asked: "?"
Zhu Xiang said quickly: "I'm not as weak as Xia Tong, Zheng'er, don't believe it!"
Ying Xiaozheng hugged Zhu Xiang's neck and shook him hard: "Uncle! How could you do this!"
Meng Wu pulled Li Bing, whom he was not very familiar with, and ran away, considerately closing the door, leaving the uncle and nephew to chat slowly.
Li Bing was puzzled: "What's wrong?"
Meng Wu said happily: "Zheng'er's skill of nagging people is completely inherited from Zhu Xiang's teachings. Zhu Xiang will have to listen to his scolding for at least an hour."
Li Bing said worriedly, "Zheng'er will have a dry mouth."
Meng Wu was even happier: "Zhu Xiang knows how to take care of Zheng'er. He listened to Zheng'er scolding him while taking care of Zheng'er, hey."
Li Bing didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
When Zhu Xiang left Xianyang, Meng Wu came to see him off, and he also got to know Meng Wu at that time.
But unexpectedly, Meng Wu is the kind of person who likes to laugh at his friends in private.
However, it was hard for Zhu Xiang's friends not to laugh at his jokes, because Zhu Xiang was very good at making his friends laugh.
"You've worked hard taking care of Zheng'er." Meng Wu said familiarly, "I heard that Zheng'er is helping Zhu Xiang handle government affairs in Chengdu? Zhu Xiang is exploiting Zheng'er again."
Li Bing said embarrassedly: "I was busy with flood control, so I asked Zheng'er to take over as the county governor temporarily. Zheng'er did a very good job."
Meng Wu became more familiar with Li Bing: "You trust Zheng'er so much, it seems that Zhu Xiang and you have a good relationship. Come on, tell me more about Zhu Xiang and Zheng'er in Shu County."
Li Bing readily agreed: "Okay."
Through the bond of "Zhu Xiang", he will probably have another close friend.
Zhu Xiang’s friends all believed that anyone who could become Zhu Xiang’s friend must be someone worth making friends with and someone who could be trusted.
The impact on the State of Chu caused by the plot of separation was more serious than Li Mu had imagined.
Li Mu originally thought that Chu would soon send troops to try to retake Eyi, and he needed to fight a few more battles with Chu to make it give up trying to take back Eyi.
Unexpectedly, the State of Chu remained peaceful for a long time. Li Mu waited for Meng Wu and Li Bing in Eyi, but the people of Chu never came to take back Eyi.
For the first time, Li Mu doubted himself on a strategic issue.
How could his judgment be flawed?!
At this moment, Li Mu recalled the time when he was drinking with Bai Qi, and Bai Qi lamented the loss he had suffered on the battlefield of Changping.
At that time, Bai Qi rarely showed a look of fear.
Li Mu was now in this predicament. The Chu State was much more stupid than he had expected, and all his previous preparations were in vain.
But he was better than Bai Qi. At least he was not in danger. It was just a pity that a lot of supplies were wasted.
Li Mu later learned that it was not that the King of Chu did not want to send troops, but that the nobles were all waiting and watching, and they started arguing over who should lead.
The reputation of the Qin's new navy spread more and more terrifyingly, which made the people of Chu feel terrified.
In addition to Zhu Xiang's experience of cutting down mountains and destroying temples, the Chu people, who had a strong belief in ghosts and gods, thought that Li Mu's navy might have borrowed the power of ghosts and gods, and that Zhu Xiang killed the small gods in the mountains in order to use the gods as sacrifices to provide strength for Li Mu's navy.
This rumor was really outrageous, but the people of Chu believed it.
The King of Chu and all the nobles summoned witches and alchemists for divination, and they all said this.
After thinking about it, Li Mu believed that the King of Chu and the Chu nobles certainly did not really believe it, but they needed to find an excuse for this great defeat.
Although he became famous in the battle against the Huns, the people of the Seven Kingdoms did not necessarily look down on the Huns, believing that "I am better than them" in fighting against the barbarians. Li Mu had no record of fighting against other countries, and he was a young general, so he was naturally easily looked down upon.
Moreover, he had just entered Qin from Zhao, and it was not clear that he could command the Qin army. Therefore, it would be difficult for the Chu people to accept the fact that he defeated the veteran general of Chu quickly. The Qin navy was too powerful, and all kinds of rumors made them unbelievable and fearful.
At this time, letting them believe that it was the help of ghosts and gods would make them feel more at ease than letting them accept that Qin really had a powerful navy and a promising young general.
But once they have built up the momentum of having the help of ghosts and gods, even if the people at the top don't believe it, the other generals and soldiers will.
They needed to send someone to test themselves, but no one wanted to be the tempter.
In addition, the King of Chu and the great nobles had just fallen into a plot to alienate them, and the rift was not so easy to repair, so the discussion on sending troops was delayed even longer.
While the Chu people were still arguing, support came from Guanzhong, Qin, and Shujun. They saw that another war would be aimed at the Qin-Chu war, so they dared not act rashly.
"Bai Gong has frightened them. Even when Qin was unable to leave the Three Jins, Chu did not dare to send troops." Meng Wu said to Li Mu, who was so bored that he came to watch Zheng'er. "Chu is like a beast whose spine was broken by Bai Gong. Although it is a beast, it is no different from a domestic animal."
Meng Wu made no secret of his contempt for the Chu people, even though their relatives held high positions in Qin.
Zhu Xiang could hardly believe Meng Wu's evaluation of the Chu people.
Isn’t it said that “Even if there are only three households left in Chu, Chu will be the one to destroy Qin”? Isn’t it said that Chu is very tenacious and fierce
He recalled the decision made by the Chu State in this time and space after Bai Qi attacked Chu, and scratched his cheek.
In fact, in the original history, the situation of the State of Chu was similar. After being frightened by Bai Qi, it basically never recovered and did not dare to attack the State of Qin even when it saw an opportunity.
Although Qin won the Battle of Changping, it also paid a heavy price. In the Battle of Handan, Qin suffered heavy losses and lost the Three Jins.
But the State of Chu did not dare to take advantage of the defeat of the State of Qin to regain the lost territory.
In his later years, King Zhaoxiang of Qin made many stupid decisions and Qin retreated to Hangu Pass. However, the land seized from Chu was still under the control of Qin. When King Zhaoxiang of Qin died, the territory of Qin had expanded a lot.
Logically speaking, the land lost by Chu was its "ancestral land". In this era when ancestors and sacrifices were highly valued, Chu should have sent troops when it saw the opportunity. So it is true that Chu was frightened by Qin.
The courage of the State of Chu was probably developed after Changping Jun betrayed the State of Qin, which led to the failure of the Qin army's attack on Chu.
At this time and space, the Qin State did not suffer too great a loss in the Battle of Changping, Bai Qi was still alive, the Battle of Handan did not happen, and the Qin State was at its strongest. The Chu State dared not to be hostile to the Qin State.
Anyway, the former capital city has been lost, the ancestral tombs have been burned, and it doesn’t matter if a former secondary capital is lost. This secondary capital is from the Spring and Autumn Period, which is very old, so it can be lost.
After Zhu Xiang figured it out, he smiled and said his analysis: "Li Mu, it seems that the good thing you are looking forward to, that the people of Chu will give you military merits, will not come true."
Li Mu said calmly: "If he doesn't come, I will go. I will go down the Yangtze River. If the Chu people still don't send troops, then I will divide the river with them."
"Govern by dividing the river?" Zhu Xiang was puzzled. "How do you do that?"
Li Mu dipped his finger into the warm water in the cup and drew a curved line on the table: "The area north of the river belongs to Chu, and the area south of the river belongs to Qin."
Meng Wu: "Puff." He sprayed out the tea.
Li Bing covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed. Zhang Ruo could not help but press his temples.
Only Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng in Zhu Xiang's arms clapped their hands: "Great, great, then we will march north and capture the Central Plains!"
Li Mu smiled and said, "Yes, the next step is the Northern Expedition."
Meng Wu wiped the spurted water and said, "You, you are really crazy!"
Li Bing coughed: "North, Northern Expedition..."
Zhang Ruo kept repeating: "Young people are to be feared, young people are to be feared."
Zhu Xiang laughed so hard that tears came out: "Are you so surprised? Isn't it just dividing the country by the river and conquering the north? Hahahaha, right, Zheng'er?"
Ying Xiaozheng crossed his arms and said, "Yes, I'm not surprised. My teacher can definitely do it."
That's my teacher!
In Xianyang Palace, the King of Qin was shocked again.
"Zhu Xiang, Zhu Xiang was so angry that he went to the battlefield himself and declared that all gods not appointed by the King of Qin were demons?" The old King of Qin's face was shaking wildly, and the wrinkles on his face were about to fall off. "Appointed gods?"
Prince Zhu stammered, "Sir, Father, are you going to confer the title?"
The old King Qin hesitated for a long time and said, "Isn't it too arrogant?"
Prince Zhu took a deep breath and almost fainted.
Look at what Zhu Xiang did! He actually made my father, the most powerful ruler in the world, question whether this was too arrogant!
(End of this chapter)