"... There is a person like a flower that has bloomed and withered and has no roots... Damn it!"
After Wu Zhe uttered these words, Dugu Mo and Bao Lao were silent for a moment. ?. .
After a while, Dugu Mo said a person's name in a deep voice: "Wu Xuan!"
Old Leopard had doubts: "Prince Xuan? Is the emperor suggesting that we kill him?"
If it is said that the beautiful flowers will die, then it is more understandable to kill a woman. But Emperor Xuanwu naturally wouldn't have any murderous intentions towards women like Zhou Zhiruo or Shiliu, maybe he didn't even know about them.
"I can't think of anyone else right now." Dugu Mo turned to Wu Zhe: "Am I right?"
Wu Zhe said with a smile, "Young master is smart, you can guess right."
"It really is him." Dugu Mo asked in a low voice: "Could it be that this is the emperor's test for me?"
Wu Zhe noticed that Dugu Mo seldom referred to Emperor Xuanwu as Emperor Father, but mostly called Emperor Xuanwu or Emperor Xuanwu directly.
"Indeed, presumably the eldest prince and other princes may have experienced this kind of test. It's just that your test is probably the most serious one, and it is the focus of Emperor Xuanwu's care." Wu Zhe tidied up the peony flowers, and suddenly smiled. : "Oh, I was confused for a moment before. How did I think that Emperor Xuanwu would send bamboo? Although the meaning of bamboo is very clear, it is too easy for outsiders to guess his intentions." It turns out that Emperor Xuanwu loves face. His son never felt sorry for him, so when Prince Xuan ordered the 30,000 cavalry to be wiped out, he deliberately gave up his son.
Especially when the specific information came, it turned out that the 30,000 Jingqi were all killed by a woman, and Prince Xuan was tricked by a beauty, which led to a complete miscalculation. Now, compared to Dugu Mo's retreat, Prince Xuan is totally unforgivable.
Emperor Xuanwu was very taboo about the hero's sadness at the beauty pass. Moreover, although Dugu Mo was defeated by the advantage, Emperor Xuanwu did not disagree with his strategy, and even thought that a sneak attack at noon was a good strategy.
It's just that the opponent Dugu Mo faced was too terrifying. According to the insider report, it was Xiao Ruoyao who discovered the surprise attack in advance. In the time of about two cups of tea, he hastily prepared the anti-surprise attack and other arrangements for rejecting horses.
Even if the opportunity to retreat to Jindu is missed. It was Dugu Mo's mistake, but the key lies in Xiao Ruoyao's fraudulent claim that the strategy to seize the city was excellent. Emperor Xuanwu thought about it, and felt that even if he was present. I'm afraid that in a short time, they will think that the capital of Jin has been lost.
After all, a contest on the battlefield is not as simple as arranging chess pieces. It is difficult for both sides to know how many troops the opponent has. It is also very possible that a surprise army raided Jindu. As for Prince Xuan, he fell into the trap of a beauty, and even without a direct confrontation, he lost General Chu and 30,000 Jingqi. What is the concept of thirty thousand cavalry? The cost of military resources is no less than 300,000 infantry! In addition to the two moon-level saints who were injured and killed, the degree of loss was much greater than that of Dugu Mo. Even people were captured by the state of Jin.
With such a huge loss, even Wu Guo, with its huge national power, would consider temporarily suspending its military operations to unify its hegemony, and switch to proclaiming itself emperor to stabilize people's hearts.
Therefore, Emperor Xuanwu did not hesitate to abolish Prince Xuan's prince status as a commoner. Even more unwilling to redeem him in face. Of course, Lu Lao, who had injured his arm, had to redeem it as a monarch. Even if his combat strength has been greatly damaged, in order to reassure all the masters and show the country's attitude towards soldiers, it is inevitable to spend millions of silver taels.
After entering and exiting, it's no wonder that Xuanwu was so angry that he didn't want to kill Prince Xuan.
"Understood?" Wu Zhe explained clearly.
Dugu Mo and Bao Boss felt that it made sense. Especially Elder Bao heaved a sigh of relief: "I thought before that the master's fault was not less than Prince Xuan's. It turned out to be relatively minor."
Dugu Mo also nodded: "I never thought Miss Zhou could analyze the whole matter so thoughtfully."
"My dead ghost father didn't train me for 16 years. Many teachers have been hired, and I have read a lot of books. Plus I don't go out, so I naturally think more than others. Wu Zhe sighed.
Thinking of Wu Zhe's family being killed, Old Leopard hurriedly comforted him, "The Zongheng Quan patriarch is dead, and your revenge will be avenged."
Wu Zhe said with a cold expression: "He imprisoned me for sixteen years, and he doesn't have much family affection. In his eyes, I'm just a commodity."
Dugu Mo said: "How is Miss Zhou a commodity? I'm afraid there is no price in the world that can measure a girl's wisdom."
"Hmph, my mother said that when a man wants to take advantage of you, he will talk sweetly to you." Wu Zhe shook his head, not accepting Dugu Mo's flattery at all.
Dugu Mo was not angry either, and turned to it and said: "Miss Zhou, do I want to follow the emperor's order to kill Wu Xuan?"
"Even if Emperor Xuanwu doesn't say anything, you still have to kill Wuxuan." Wu Zhe said, "Don't you think that when he comes back, those remnants of his forces will wholeheartedly rely on you?",
"..." Dugu Mo was silent.
"The second girl of the Chu family heard that she has a marriage contract with Prince Xuan. Although she hasn't made an official engagement yet, but thinking about the fact that Chu's female general was invited to help Prince Xuan enter the Jin Kingdom, the rumor is probably true." Wu Zhe urged: "Young master, don't you think that he is an obstacle?"
Dugu Mo walked around the room with his hands behind his back, before he sighed: "Alas—that's the only way to go."
In fact, he didn't have the slightest psychological burden for killing Prince Xuan, but he was worried that if he agreed too quickly, it would easily make Zhou Zhiruo feel that he had no feelings, so he hesitated for a while.
Old Leopard said: "Since we want to kill Wuxuan, we can't expose our identities. We'd better invite other good fighters when we do it."
"No need." Wu Zhe said with a smile: "Just go over and say a word, and give him another thing, Wu Xuan will naturally commit suicide."
"Is it so convenient?" Old Leopard asked anxiously, "What do you mean?"
"Since the emperor asked us to help him, and he refuses to let go of the conversation, at least he has to help a little. Take this flower pot and replace it with a bamboo." Wu Zhe pointed to the royal logo on the flower pot and said: " But remember to take this flowerpot back and replant it with peonies, so as not to let the handle go.”
"Okay." Old Leopard nodded to keep it in mind: "Bamboo is a pawn. And it only blooms once and dies. I guarantee that Prince Xuan will think that Emperor Xuanwu wanted him to commit suicide."
"That's right, one more sentence is that Prince Mo will not treat his family badly. Is this enough for him to leave at ease?"
"Enough." Dugu Mo nodded emphatically beside him: "It is said that he must die on the land of Wu Kingdom. He will commit suicide soon after he sets foot on the border of Wu Kingdom."
It is conceivable that Prince Xuan, who has been imprisoned in Qi State for a long time, must have been ridiculed and stared at. Even his own self-blame and psychological pressure have almost driven him crazy. As long as he is not allowed to see a little hope, he will definitely commit suicide.
"Oh, by the way, after Wu Xuan commits suicide, the Chu family will naturally know that this is the day to visit you." Wu Zhe clapped his hands: "Old Bao, it's best for you to find another opportunity to hint to them and let the second lady Go to the chrysanthemum field to enjoy the flowers."
"Go to the chrysanthemum field to enjoy the flowers?"
"Hey, chrysanthemums are used to commemorate the dead. Even if she goes to admire the chrysanthemums, there is nothing wrong with it." Wu Zhe's eyes rolled around: "At that time, it's time for our prince and the second lady of the Chu family. Girls or something, no, no, it’s best to rescue the second young lady after she fell into the water, coughing, coughing, and getting wet... Create a reason to get married, presumably the Chu family will be happy to cooperate."...
"It turns out that after Wu Xuan's death, the contact between the two families will be difficult for others to criticize. With such a plot, there is nothing to criticize." Bao Lao was simply pleasantly surprised: "I admire Miss Zhou's ingenious calculations so much!"
Wu Zhe said modestly: "Hey, it's okay. I haven't done any work with the young master, and I'm quite embarrassed. Feel free to come up with some small ideas as an apology and compensation."
Although Dugu Mo wanted to kill his half-brother, but looking forward to the future, he was in a good mood, and praised: "In the future, the monthly salary that Miss Zhou will enjoy in the mansion is equivalent to that of a leopard elder!"
Old Leopard also said: "I have no objection!"
After such a short arrangement, Shiliu bought back the peony in no time: "Your Highness, do you think I bought this potted flower? It was secretly covered with a basket along the way, so no one else would know."
"You have made great contributions and are worthy of praise." Dugu Mo said perfunctorily.
This compliment, which is not considered a compliment, made Shiliu secretly happy for a long time, and then looked at Wu Zhe, showing that you are a lazy girl, and the prince doesn't like it at all.
Wu Zhe was speechless, so he pretended not to see it.
***********
Two days later, Wu Xuan, who was redeemed from Qi State, returned to Wu State.
Dugu Mo, instigated by several good civil and military ministers, went to the border to meet him in a team.
But just as he approached Wuxuan's post station, news came that Wuxuan committed suicide.
According to the messenger, Wu Xuan committed suicide by hitting a rock shortly after setting foot on the border of Wu State. And before committing suicide, he thanked Prince Mo for his brotherhood.
"Brother—" Dugu Mo heard the report, fell off his horse with a bang, and staggered towards the station on foot.
"Prince Mo's love for Yin Yin is evident." Everyone sighed in unison that Dugu Mo was so loyal to his brother, yet he was so sad.
Feeling sad, Dugu Mo arranged for Wu Xuan to be buried in a grand manner.
Because the title was taken away, although the coffin was luxurious, it could not be buried in the imperial tomb.
Dugu Mo personally led Wu Xuan's son to the coffin for burial three days later.
The common people were full of praise for Prince Mo's righteous deeds.
"It's time to appreciate the flowers." Wu Zhe was lazy on the bed and muttered casually.
No one could have imagined that Prince Mo's master planner for the rise of Prince Mo would be a sixteen-year-old girl who spends most of her time in bed. )