Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"This was a personal item used by the former king of the Northern Hu!"

As he spoke, Lu Xiao presented the dagger he had just received from Zhang Qingshan with both hands, his expression sincere:

"After capturing this item, I cherished it greatly and originally planned to pass it down as a family heirloom. However, seeing the old general's actions, I am too embarrassed to leave it to my descendants."

"Is Your Excellency willing to part with it?"

Xiong Zhao was taken aback!

The jade pendant he handed over was not only given to him personally by his wife, but it was also a gift from the Chu royal family, representing considerable honor.

Unexpectedly, Lu Xiao took out something even more precious than his jade pendant!

That was a dagger representing the royal family of the Northern Hu!

This is not only Lu Xiao's honor, but also the honor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Ordinary people would never be willing to give it up.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao laughed, tucking the dagger into his arms as he said:

"They're just external possessions, what's there to be reluctant about?"

"To be honest, General, after the war with Chu ends, regardless of victory or defeat, and regardless of the decision of my Great Zhou court, even if I end up as a commoner, I will still slaughter all the Rong people!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Zhao immediately lowered his gaze and expressed his sincere respect.

He knew that the Western Rong, like the Northern Hu, had always been a major threat to the Zhou Dynasty, and that the Zhou people hated the Western Rong even more than the Chu people.

After all, the other side had similar customs to the Hu people, and had killed and plundered countless people in the surrounding areas.

On the contrary, both the Zhou and Chu states only wanted to conquer each other, without any intention of destroying or annihilating the other's state.

Coming to his senses, Xiong Zhao laughed loudly and said:

"In that case, I wish the Marquis of Champion a speedy achievement of his ambitions. Perhaps the Marquis can accomplish this in my lifetime!"

"Thank you for the old general's auspicious words!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Xiao invited the other person to drink with a smile.

For the next period of time, the two chatted like old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years, having a lively conversation.

About two and a half hours later, after they had finished talking and a considerable amount of time had passed, Lu Xiao took the initiative to stand up, clasp his hands in farewell, and bid farewell.

"I have benefited greatly from the guidance of the old general today."

"However, it is getting late. If we do not return to our respective camps, the soldiers in the army may have some concerns."

Let us part ways here.

Xiong Zhao agreed wholeheartedly and quickly returned the greeting.

After they mounted their horses, they looked back every few steps, bidding farewell as they rode further and further away.

Once they reached a safe area, Lu Xiao immediately spurred his whip and sped off towards the main camp.

"Chen Ye, you go ahead and summon Zhou Qi and Qian Haiyun to the watchtower. I have important matters to discuss with them!"

"promise!"

A moment later, Lu Xiao strode back to camp and saw that Zhou Qi and the other man were indeed waiting there. Without much ceremony, he gave the order:

"You two should set off back to the capital tonight. Please have the Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue prepare the funds and transport them here as quickly as possible!"

"My lord, why is that?"

Zhou Qi was stunned for a moment, then asked in confusion:

"In the past two days, the imperial court, along with the Fan family and Lady Wang, have successively sent grain and military equipment. The soldiers in our camp are all well-fed and clothed, and are just waiting for your order to march out and attack Chu!"

Why do you urgently need money?

"For Xiong Zhao!"

At this moment, Lu Xiao had already walked behind the desk and was quickly writing a letter.

"This man has realized that if the delay continues, the Chu army will surely be defeated. Therefore, he wants to sow discord between the ruler and his ministers, first forcing me to leave the Zemeng camp, and then launching a full-scale attack!"

"Therefore, you and I must seize the time and launch a counterattack!"

Lu Xiao realized during his conversation with Xiong Zhao that the other party had not only sent spies to spread rumors in the capital of Da Zhou, but had also investigated his background.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have made a promise to him using the jade pendant.

The enemy may have even sent an order to the Chu capital before they arrived, requesting their court to send more reinforcements. Therefore, we must be on guard.

Otherwise, people wouldn't have nothing better to do than say those things to him.

This is a sign that a great war is about to begin!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qi and Qian Haiyun were both shocked.

They hadn't expected that after their last close encounter, the Chu Kingdom would launch a much larger military operation. So they hurriedly left their camp and waited for Lu Xiao to finish writing the letter before setting off.

However, what they received, besides the letter, also included a jade pendant.

As Lu Xiao pulled them by the hands and led them outside, he said:

"This is Xiong Zhao's personal possession, and it was given to him by his wife years ago. Take it with you back to the capital and tell the Emperor and the Prime Minister that they must send the silver as soon as possible."

Whether or not we can defeat the State of Chu depends on the two of you!

Zhou Qi and his companion were terrified, knowing that their mission was extremely important. But the more important it was, the more curious they became about what their lord was up to!

Isn't demanding money and provisions just a way to stockpile food and troops for a long-term war?

Before they could ask any more questions, Lu Xiao pushed the two of them onto the horse that Chen Ye had led over, patted the horse's rump, and said:

"After you return to the capital, deliver this letter to the Prime Minister, who will then surely know the reason!"

……

It was June, and the weather was getting hotter and hotter. The capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty was also quite busy and lively.

After all, the summer grain harvest is about to begin.

Because the Champion Marquis's battle formation against the Northern Hu was so dazzling, from the emperor down to the officials, everyone firmly believed that the Champion Marquis would surely defeat Xiong Zhao with thunderous force and thus take over the State of Chu.

So they tacitly began preparing money and provisions for Lu Xiao's use!

In the Hall of State Affairs, Zhou Kang had just finished instructing the Minister of Revenue to collect this year's summer tax revenue as soon as possible when Zhou Qi burst in, panting heavily.

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he barged in without even washing up, so it must be something extremely urgent.

He immediately said with concern:

"What's the matter, you're in such a hurry?"

"Besides, didn't you just return to Zemeng Camp earlier this month? Could it be that that old scoundrel Xiong Zhao has mobilized even more troops to besiege it, and the Marquis of Champion is considering asking the imperial court for help?"

"Father, you...you should read this letter first!"

Zhou Qi gasped for breath and handed over Lu Xiao's handwritten letter after he finished speaking.

A moment later, Zhou Kang put away the letter and headed straight for the Hall of Diligent Governance, but he paused at the door:

"Go home and rest first. Return to Zemeng Camp immediately after receiving my message!"

"Father, what happened?"

Zhou Qi was filled with curiosity.

After all, he had rushed all the way, shortening the half-month journey to the limit of six days, and he and Qian Haiyun had to run more than a dozen post horses to death before they returned.

But Lu Xiao didn't say anything, and neither did his own father.

This made him very uneasy.

Zhou Kang didn't have time to answer; after giving that instruction, he had already hurried away.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, he disregarded the proper etiquette between emperor and subject and loudly proclaimed in front of the other officials:

"This old minister has a matter of utmost urgency to report. Your Majesty, please immediately dismiss all attendants, leaving no one behind!"

"By the way, the Minister of Revenue can stay!"