Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 237 A Three-Way Standoff: You Are the Fourth! [3rd Update, Please Subscribe]

It has been arranged that Crown Prince Tian Ding will ascend the throne today, and Tian Bao and Tian Biao, as vassal kings, should come to support Tian Ding.

However, Shan Shiqi from Zhaode Prefecture arrived, as did Niu Wenzhong from Gaizhou, but Tian Bao and Tian Biao did not.

What do they want?
Tian Dingqing couldn't help but clench her fists:
Could it be that these two uncles are planning to betray me?

Bian Xiang was speechless.

In fact, this result involved Qiao Daoqing, Bian Xiang, Privy Councilor Fan Quan, Minister Li Tianxi, and Zheng Zhirui...

They've already discussed it; they know who can come and who can't.

However, Tian Ding was very close to his two uncles, Tian Bao and Tian Biao, and they dared not speak frankly to him.

Tian Ding's favorite person was his second uncle, Tian Bao.

Tian Bao is fun-loving and enjoys playing with him.

The first time Tian Ding went to a brothel, it was Tian Bao who helped him disguise himself as an adult and sneak into the Lichun Courtyard.

Tian Ding admired his third uncle, Tian Biao, the person he respected most.

Because they were close in age, Tian Ding used to be Tian Biao's little follower.

However, Tian Biao later grew rapidly and became an invincible general!

Tian Hu rose to power with the help of the resourceful Tian Bao and the invincible Tian Biao.

The three brothers fought together to conquer the world, so Tian Hu gave Fenyang Prefecture to Tian Bao and Jinning Prefecture to Tian Biao.

More than once, Tian Hu told Tian Ding that Tian Bao and Tian Biao were his right-hand men...

Therefore, Tian Ding also regarded Tian Bao and Tian Biao as his right and left arms.

The result disappointed him.

Tian Bao and Tian Biao not only failed to arrive ahead of time, but they also failed to show up even after the agreed time had passed.

"cough!"

Imperial Advisor Qiao Daoqing advised Tian Ding:
“The auspicious time has arrived!
"Since the Second and Third Kings are already too late, why doesn't the Crown Prince ascend the throne first?"

Grand Tutor Bian Xiang also advised, "Yes, Your Highness, why don't you ascend the throne first!"

Commander Sun An further advised, "Yes, Your Highness, why not ascend the throne first!"

The entire court of officials shouted in unison, "Please let the Crown Prince ascend the throne!"

Tian Bao and Tian Biao gave the young Tian Ding his first lesson as a king.

Tian Ding almost ground his teeth to powder:
"Then let us ascend the throne first!"

……

Baodu Mountain.

During the banquet, Cai Fu put down his wine bowl and told Tang Bin:
"If nothing unexpected happens, loyal and righteous men like Qiao Daoqing, Bian Xiang, and Sun An will definitely support Crown Prince Tian Ding's succession to the throne."

"But the second king, Tian Bao, and the third king, Tian Biao, most likely won't support Tian Ding..."

Tang Bin asked curiously, "Why are you so sure, brother?"

Unfortunately, Cai Fu didn't have a goose feather fan, so he had to use a toothpick in his mouth to strategize.

"Firstly, Tian Ding is young, while Tian Bao and Tian Biao are in their prime."

"Secondly, the combined forces of Tian Bao and Tian Biao are enough to confront Tian Ding."

"Three come..."

Before Cai Fu could finish speaking, a henchman came to report:

"Chief, the Mountain Supervisor has sent an envoy!"

Tang Bin glanced at Cai Fu and gave instructions to his henchmen:

"please come in!"

So Cai Fu and the others left, leaving only Shi Jin and Tang Bin to continue drinking.

The envoy entered, paid his respects to Tang Bin, and presented a letter from Shan Shiqi, the military commander of Zhaode Prefecture:
"Chief Tang, my husband begs you to be very careful and guard against the Second King and the Third King!"

Tang Bin opened the letter, read it once, and then passed it on to Shi Jin. He then wrote a reply and gave it to the messenger.

After the envoy left, Cai Fu and his group came out, and Tang Bin gave them a thumbs up:
"Brother, please cover me!"

Shi Jin handed Shan Shiqi's handwritten letter to Cai Fu, who, upon reading it, confirmed that Tian Bao and Tian Biao had indeed declared independence.

Tian Bao declared himself King of Fenyang, and Tian Biao declared himself King of Jinning.

"Thus, the tripartite balance of power in the State of Jin has been established!"

Cai Fu patted Tang Bin on the shoulder with confidence:

"We should seize this opportunity to develop our strength and wait for the right moment!" "Brother, the waters of Jin are too deep; I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it..."

After much deliberation, Tang Bin made his request:
"Brother, could you please leave my sworn brother to guard Baodu Mountain? I will assist him!"

Cai Fu looked at Guan Sheng, and Tang Bin quickly said:

"Brother, actually, I already talked to my sworn brother about it these past two days."

"If we only need to defend the mountain stronghold, I have Shi Dalang's help, which is enough for me."

"But if I were to take advantage of this opportune moment to make a difference, I am truly powerless to do so."

"So I hope you'll let my sworn brother stay..."

Cai Fu hesitated for two seconds: "Alright."

"In that case, Fourth Brother, you will stay and guard Baodu Mountain with Brother Tang Bin."

"I'm taking Shi Dalang with me. I'll transfer Zhu Tong and Yang Xiong to you later."

"I'm entrusting Baodushan to you!"

"Don't worry, brother, I will do my best!"

Guan Sheng clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the heavy responsibility.

They didn't go into details at the time, but continued the topic that night when Cai Fu, Lu Junyi, and Guan Sheng slept side by side.

"Fourth brother, the tripartite balance of power in the State of Jin will not last long and will soon be broken."

Cai Fu patted Guan Sheng's hood:

"The imperial court may take this opportunity to attack the State of Jin."

"If we attack Tian Ding, Tian Bao and Tian Biao will most likely not come to our aid, and may even take advantage of the situation."

“If we attack Tian Bao or Tian Biao, Tian Ding will not come to their aid, and may even take advantage of their misfortune.”

“Tian Bao and Tian Biao might help each other, but they only have one state each, so it wouldn’t be of much use.”

Lu Junyi couldn't resist showing off his intelligence: "Brother, what if the imperial court was unaware of the internal strife in Jin and didn't launch an attack?"

Without Cai Fu needing to say anything, Guan Sheng already provided the answer:

"Tian Ding, Tian Bao, and Tian Biao will then attack each other!"
"Tian Ding controls three prefectures. Once he secures his position, he will definitely attack Tian Bao and Tian Biao!"

"Not bad!"

Cai Fu nodded with satisfaction:
"No matter which side wins, Fourth Brother, you can take advantage of the chaos!"

"Let's try to take over one of his prefectures first, and then you, Fourth Brother, will be the fourth leg!"
"The state of Jin has become even more chaotic, which will make it easier for us to attack in the future..."

"Don't worry, brother, I've got it all on you!"

Guan Sheng was filled with excitement. His elder brother had entrusted him with an important task, and he was finally going to be able to stand on his own!

Moreover, according to my elder brother's analysis, Hebei has great potential!

The three brothers chatted until the wee hours of the morning. Lu Junyi and Guan Sheng were both sleepy, so Cai Fu got up to go to the bathroom.

He went out and found a towering tree, and Cai Fu selflessly watered it with his holy water.

Pulling up his pants as he emerged from behind the towering tree, Cai Fu suddenly spotted a petite figure in the darkness.

"The night is long and I have no intention of sleeping."

Cai Fu pulled up his pants and walked towards her with a smile:
"I thought I was the only one having trouble sleeping. It turns out you can't sleep either, Yingzi?"

Qiu Qiongying silently emerged from the darkness, her beautiful eyes fixed on Cai Fu.

"What's wrong, Yingzi?"

Cai Fu jokingly raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes:
Are you sleepwalking?

"Pfft!"

Suddenly, Qiu Qiongying knelt at Cai Fu's feet and kowtowed three times to him with tears in her eyes!
"Alright, Yingzi, it's all over now."

Cai Fu accepted Qiu Qiongying's three kowtows.

I've done so much for her, it's worth it to kowtow three times.

Cai Fugang helped Qiu Qiongying up with both hands. He wanted to say a few words to comfort her, but she hugged him tightly!

Qiu Qiongying tightly embraced Cai Fu's broad back and muscular waist, while Cai Fu quickly raised his hands to show his innocence:

"Yingzi, what are you trying to do?"

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(End of this chapter)