My father, King Chu, was besieged at Gaixia

Chapter 107 Sincere Filial Piety
In the elegant room where Zhou Yin lived in the side yard, an old bastard was sitting on a couch, drinking wine leisurely, while another was pacing back and forth anxiously.

Suddenly, the pacing old bastard rushed out of the door, stuck his head out to look at the main courtyard in the west, then ran back dancing with joy, and said to the drinking old bastard in a trembling voice: "The candle is out, your method really works."

The drunken old bastard rolled his eyes and said disdainfully: "Don't be fooled by Master Chang's fierce appearance. In fact, he is very soft-hearted, especially towards delicate women and the weak. He has compassion for them."

The pacing old bastard nodded repeatedly without thinking much. He just thought that he had become the relative of the overlord who was feared by the world, the father-in-law of the arrogant and powerful Master Xiang Chang. He was so excited that he couldn't help feeling a strong sense of unreality.

He asked the old drunkard to propose marriage, and although he felt the sincerity of Xiang Chang's reply and promise, he had no doubts in his heart, but it was not as reassuring as a done deal. Now that the progress was so smooth, he finally put his heart at ease.

Seeing his smug look, the old drunkard frowned, put the glass heavily on the table, and said seriously:

"For the sake of your family's long-term prosperity, I have to say some ugly words in advance. Master Xiang Chang is very different from the Overlord, and he doesn't tolerate any injustice. Your coming here now is undoubtedly a timely help, and Master Xiang Chang is very grateful for your kindness. But you must also reflect deeply on yourself and don't be arrogant because of your achievements."

"As long as you remain loyal as always, and control your clansmen, and do not bully the people by relying on your power and violate the laws of the Chu State, Master Chang will never let you or your family suffer a bad end. In other words, you will have no problem enjoying a long-term meal of wealth and luxury. You must remember this."

The other old bastard also heard about Xiang Chang's killing of a warrior on his way here to enforce strict military discipline. His face became serious, he sat upright, bowed his hands and nodded solemnly: "I will accept your advice."

Zilong rode his horse and wielded his spear in the middle of the night, exploring the tiger's den five times. He killed the enemy chief and made him beg for mercy, his battle robe was stained with fallen petals.

Xiang Chang's body was full of energy and he was eager to fight. He had originally planned to fulfill his long-cherished wish of killing the enemy seven times in and seven out. However, he did not expect that when he was at the fifth entrance, the enemy chief could not bear it anymore and begged for the maid who came with his dowry to come in and serve him.

Although he felt a little regretful, Xiang Chang waved his hand, gently hugged her in his arms and stopped tossing her around, and the two fell into a deep sleep.

As soon as the sky was bright, Xiang Chang's biological clock, which he had been training for a long time, woke him up from his sleep on time. It must be said that this body was indeed the offspring of his father, the Overlord, and its quality was amazing. After fighting for almost midnight and sleeping for less than two hours, he was full of energy again after waking up.

Gently untying the jade lock and pink rope wrapped around his body, Xiang Chang jumped off the brocade couch, looking at the snow-white and exquisitely curved perfect body under the candlelight, his heart was warmed, and he was eager to try again. He shook his head, suppressed the lust in his heart, stretched out his hand to pull the brocade quilt to cover it, and then began to put on his robes and crown.

Bo Yan, who was tired and sleeping, was startled by the sound. He forced his eyes open and saw Xiang Chang putting on his robe. He quickly stood up and asked in surprise, "Master, are you going to..."

Xiang Chang looked back and saw that the brocade quilt on her upper body had slipped off, revealing her soft and graceful body, and her two snow-white peaks were even more dazzling. His eyes warmed up and he couldn't help but hug her and said with a smile: "You sleep a little longer, I have to do my daily morning exercises."

Seeing that Xiang Chang was still as gentle and kind as he was last night, and not the ruthless and cold-hearted young man with a gun drawn, Bo Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiang Chang saw through her thoughts and couldn't help but feel an inexplicable affection for his first woman in the world. He took off the dragon-shaped jade pendant given to him by his father, the King of Chu, from his belt and solemnly put it into her slippery little hand.

Bo Yan was startled, he raised it and took a look. In the candlelight he saw a ferocious dragon flying through the clouds carved on the front of the jade pendant, and the word "Xiang" engraved in small seal script on the back. Knowing that this was a jade pendant that could only be awarded to the direct descendants of the Xiang family, he was delighted, wrapped it in silk and stuffed it under the pillow, then, despite the discomfort, he pulled a piece of clothing to wrap his delicate body, and stood up to help Xiang Chang put on his robe.

After getting fully dressed, Xiang Chang, sensing Bo Yan's tenderness and attachment to him, kissed her on her smooth forehead, waved his hand to let her rest for a while, and then walked out of the dormitory proudly.

In the courtyard in front of the dormitory, Xiang Xi, who knew his habits well, had already prepared bows, arrows, halberds and other weapons. Xiang Chang stepped forward to take the halberd and was about to fight with Xiang Xi, who was also dressed. He looked back at the dormitory, afraid that the noise would disturb Bo Yan's sleep, shook his head, and threw it back to Xiang Xi. He did not mount his horse, but took the bow and arrow and practiced archery at a big tree more than 200 steps away from the courtyard.

He stood sideways, holding the bow in his left hand and pulling the string with his right hand. His body stood straight like a pine tree or a rock. The bowstring exploded continuously, and arrows shot out one after another. The pine tree, which was as thick as a bowl, trembled several hundred steps away. The pine needles fell like rain, and all the arrows shot at him missed their target. They were all deeply nailed into the tree trunk.

As arrows continued to be shot, Xiang Chang gradually felt that he was getting more and more into the state, and his feeling was getting better and better. For a moment, the external objects around him no longer existed. Only the arrow tips on the bow were flashing with a cold and sharp light, and the pine tree two hundred steps away remained.

Suddenly, the bow and arrow in his hand stopped, he took a deep breath, his expression darkened, and three arrows were put on the hard bow in his hand. The next moment, the bow opened like a full moon and shot out. With a "bang", the three arrows broke through the void and formed three straight lines, which deeply penetrated the pine tree at the same time.

Xiang Chang shouted again, and shot arrows one after another, almost connected like flowing water. A total of seven arrows were shot out like a string of beads and hit the pine tree again and again.

Looking at the pine tree trunk that was densely pierced with arrows and looked like a porcupine, Xiang Chang looked pleased. He held the bow across his chest and tried to calm the anger surging in his chest.

After the interaction of yin and yang last night, his physical condition was surprisingly good, and his archery skills improved greatly. Previously, the most he could do was "Two Dragons Seizing the Pearl" - shooting two arrows at the same time, but now he can actually do "Three Yangs Bring Good Luck" and "Seven Stars in a Row" - shooting seven arrows in one breath.

At this moment, there was a crisp "crack" sound, and the pine tree could no longer hold on. The trunk broke, and the huge crown fell weakly to the ground.

"Good archery skills!" Two cheers came from behind, and Bo Pi and Zhou Yin walked over with admiration on their faces.

It is unexpected that even though Xiang Chang was young and had the weakest will, and had enjoyed the pleasure of love last night, he was able to remain unmoved by women and get up early in the morning to practice archery. Zhou Yin was used to it, but Bo Pi was surprised and astonished.

Xiang Chang smiled, threw the bow to Xiang Xi, and returned to the elegant house with Bo Pi and Zhou Yin, and knelt down on the soft mat. Bo Yan's pretty face was slightly blushing, and she came in with a tray and served three cups of hot soup. When Bo Yan placed the hot soup on her desk, Xiang Chang reached out and gently held her hand. Bo Yan was startled and struggled to get away, while anxiously signaling with her eyes that Bo Pi and Zhou Yin were beside her. Xiang Chang smiled and let go of his hand. Bo Yan's face was completely red, and she glared at him. After hurriedly presenting the hot soup to Bo Pi and Zhou Yin, she lowered her head and retreated quietly.

The two old foxes were sensitive to Bo Yan's unnatural expression, but they lowered their heads, sipped the hot soup quietly, and looked as if they were unaware of it.

Bo Pi had just met Bo Yan and also saw the jade pendant given by Xiang Chang. Knowing that this was a promise from Xiang Chang, he felt relieved. He put down the hot soup and began to explain to Xiang Chang in detail the power he controlled so that Xiang Chang could allocate and use it next.

Bo Pi, a member of an old aristocratic family of the old Chu and a major pillar of the Linjiang Kingdom, opened up all the power controlled by his family to Xiang Chang without reservation, which really amazed Xiang Chang.

First of all, the entire Bo family is extremely wealthy, with abundant silk, gold, silver, ironware, food and other goods. Secondly, the Bo Pi family has a private army of more than a thousand people, which is undoubtedly the foundation of their family. This private army is usually distributed in the mansion and various estates, shops, and caravans, and can be formed at any time if needed.

In addition, the Bo Pi family also controlled part of the military forces in Jiangling City of the Linjiang Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Linjiang had an army of nearly 70,000, but only 50,000 elite soldiers were able to fight. Of these, 20,000 were stationed in various places, and 20,000 were stationed in the camp north of Jiangling City to protect the capital, known as the "Northern Army". 5,000 were stationed in the capital and the royal palace, responsible for protecting the court, known as the "Royal Army". 5,000 guarded the four gates of Jiangling City and were responsible for security in the city. The Northern Army had always been under the command of General Huang Jizhong, while the Royal Army was led by Wei Wei Ji Jiang, a trusted general of Linjiang King Gongwei, and the gate guards and city defenses were in charge of Lieutenant Xu Liao.

However, Bo Pi, a cunning old fox, quietly promoted a general from the vassal family to the position of Zhonglang Jiang and placed him in the Northern Army. Lieutenant Xu Liao was married to the Bo Pi family, and the two families had a close relationship.

What surprised and surprised Xiang Chang the most was that Bo Pi used his power to build a huge intelligence network by using his clansmen who held high positions of varying degrees in the court of Linjiang Kingdom and other places, their retained retainers, and the family's estates, caravans, shops, traveling merchants and other servants.

It can be said that the entire Linjiang Kingdom has no secrets from Bo Pi, an old man in the world. No wonder Xiang Chang, who attaches great importance to intelligence work, was greatly impressed by the intelligence he presented about the Linjiang Kingdom last night.

"My cheap father-in-law seems to be very talented in intelligence. From now on, I can consider entrusting the collection of intelligence for the entire Chu State and the construction of the intelligence network to him." Xiang Chang pondered secretly.

Xiang Chang was so poor that he would never let go of any power or talent. For example, Zhou Yin, in addition to his military position, was assigned by him to "manufacture weapons". He mobilized all the power that he had hidden in the old Chu and had survived by chance, recruited and trained craftsmen, established a secret weapons workshop, and produced Xiang Chang's improved "Chu Chang Crossbow" and "Stirrup".

"With the full support of Dazhuguo, our chances of success in this trip to Linjiang Kingdom have greatly increased. We are at least 80% sure of it." Xiang Chang spoke with confidence.

Bo Pi and Zhou Yin were cheered up.

Although both of them controlled enormous power, they were not good at how to maximize its effectiveness through careful planning and successfully achieve the set goals. They looked at Xiang Chang eagerly.

"Among the three forces in Linjiang Kingdom right now, the general Huang Jizhong has already surrendered to Han, while the Grand Marshal supports King Linjiang Gong Wei and remains neutral. The Grand Pillar State openly supports King Linjiang's decision to remain neutral, but has secretly surrendered to our Great Chu. This is extremely beneficial to us. We will make good use of this, start with this man, and open up the situation in Linjiang Kingdom in one fell swoop." Xiang Chang narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped the three words "Huang Jizhong" written on the cloth with his right index finger.

Linjiang Kingdom, with its capital at Jiangling.

During the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the fiefdom of Linjiang had always been the core area of ​​the old Chu State, and the current capital Jiangling used to belong to the territory of the old Chu State's capital Yingcheng.

It was not until the Qin-Chu War that Qin General Bai Qi led his army to capture Yingdu, the largest and most prosperous capital in the south at that time, and completely destroyed all the buildings, leaving only broken walls and ruins after the fire. Chu was forced to move its capital to Shouchun, and Yingdu was abandoned. It was not until Gong Ao was named King of Linjiang and chose Jiangling, not far from the old site, as the capital that this area regained its vitality.

After being away from war for many years, even with its sparse population now, Jiangling City is home to tens of thousands of households, making it a truly prosperous and wealthy city.

In Jiangling City, the general’s residence.

In front of the main hall, General Huang Jizhong stood with his hands behind his back, wearing a gorgeous, loose-fitting dark brown silk straight-hem robe with a pattern of ferocious beasts. The cuffs, hem and collar were inlaid with gold edges, making him look awe-inspiring with his strong body, broad shoulders and calm face.

At this moment, he had a smug look on his face as he watched the servants unload treasures such as gold, silver, pearls, shells, silk, etc. from three fully loaded carriages and send them into the warehouse.

A retainer came over to report that the Han envoy Shusun Tong wanted to see him. Huang Jizhong hurriedly said "Yes", and soon, an old man with half white hair and beard came from the gate. He walked steadily, looked dignified, his eyes were bright, and his weathered face showed a rare ruddy color, without any signs of old age.

He was wearing a dark blue rhombus-patterned gown, a light blue printed jacket, and a travel cap. He was still a long way away when a resounding laugh reached him:
"The general still has a lot of the fine wine that he has kept for ten years. Today, I am old enough to give you... Oh, so many treasures. Who is so tactful and sincere in offering this to the general?"

The old envoy whose half body was buried in the ground was Shusun Tong, who left a great reputation in later generations. It can even be said that the reason why Emperor Wu of Han abolished all schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone was due to him.

Looking back on his life, you will find that he is an extremely utilitarian, extremely realistic, flexible bottom line, and an old rogue who will do anything to achieve his goals. In particular, his shamelessness and smoothness, his perception and prediction of danger, and his ability to escape and save his life are comparable to those of Liu Bang.

(End of this chapter)