As the relationship with the imperial court began to become tense, Wu gradually realized that they still held the imperial court's lifeline in their hands.
Wu Du, at the residence of Wu Zixu's official.
Sun Wu and Wu Zixu sat opposite each other. This time, Sun Wu was wearing light armor, while Wu Zixu was wearing dark clothes with purple brocade and cloud patterns on the right side. His complexion looked much worse than a few days ago.
Wu Feng, Wu Zixu's son, knelt down behind Wu Zixu and looked at his father with worried eyes.
"Zixu."
Sun Wu looked at his friend's face and advised worriedly: "Since the king has asked you to stay at home, you should not submit any more letters in the past few days."
"When he calms down, he will naturally see you again."
"Wait until he calms down?"
Wu Zixu shook his head, his face full of disappointment: "I can wait, but can Wu Guo wait?"
"Chang Qing, it's not that I don't believe in your ability to lead troops, it's just...it's really difficult to be an enemy of the imperial court now."
"Other than Qin Hanming, who would dare to do this?"
What makes the imperial court strong is not just the soldiers and horses, but the great righteousness they control.
According to their titles, all vassal states belong to them.
For example, in the Kingdom of Wu, there must be many people in the country who feel that they are not only from the Wu Kingdom, but also from Dagan. This identity perception is difficult to reverse.
Once a war breaks out, many people and soldiers in Wu will doubt themselves.
How to fight this?
Usually, the vassal states choose to join forces to keep warm. As long as the imperial court attacks and annexes a vassal state without any reason, other vassal states will join forces to attack in an instant.
Everyone understands the principle of dying lips and cold teeth.
However, this time the situation was too special. The State of Wu defeated several vassal states around it until they were about to be destroyed. Even the court was called by the State of Yue for help.
At this moment, they no longer have any foreign aid.
Sun Wu comforted Wu Zixu in a deep voice: "Zixu, these Wu troops are all from my own hands. Even if they are against the imperial troops, they can still fight."
There will never be any hesitation!
"The imperial water transport has been cut off, and they have to supply supplies to the border. As long as they hold on for this period of time, they can't afford it."
When Sun Wu said this, he kept looking at Wu Zixu.
Wu Zixu sighed, looked at him wordlessly, and said for a long time: "Chang Qing, you are like a god with your troops. The imperial court sent 60,000 soldiers and horses. They are indeed no match for you."
"But the State of Wu can continue to cut off water transportation. What if it really forces the imperial court and all the imperial guards in Beijing are sent out?"
Sun Wu nodded: "I know what you mean."
How could he not be able to figure out what to do next?
If a fight really breaks out, the imperial court will be unable to do anything to the Wu State, and both sides will definitely make peace in the end.
The imperial court might agree to some very excessive demands from the state of Wu in order to provide grain, but it would certainly not last long!
Both of them knew the character of King Wu. Now that he had tasted the sweetness, he would definitely start blackmailing the court.
Under such circumstances, as long as the imperial court has a chance to breathe, it will definitely not be willing to be blackmailed all the time!
Sun Wu looked sad: "It's just that the king is such a person, no matter how much you try to persuade him, it's useless."
"As long as we are ministers, we will do our best and have a clear conscience."
It's easy to change a country, but it's hard to change one's nature. Even ten oxen can't change Fu Chai's temperament.
Wu Feng couldn't help but persuade him: "Yes, dad, you have said it anyway, it's just that Fu Cha didn't listen. If it doesn't work in Wu country, it won't work! Let's just go to other countries!"
When Wu Zixu heard this, he turned around and glared at him, which made Wu Feng tremble.
Seeing his son like this, Wu Zixu couldn't bear to get angry. Instead, he sighed softly and his back bent a little for a while.
"My father fled from Chu to Wu when he was young and narrowly escaped death. Now that I am old, I no longer want to leave."
He turned around and looked at Sun Wu, and said frankly: "Changqing, I have decided to advise the king, but the outcome will not be any good. But this child is so old, but he is still so reckless, which makes me worried.
.”
"I don't want to make the same mistake as my elder brother, so I want to entrust him to you."
At this point, he suddenly stood up and saluted Sun Wu: "There is no need for him to become famous, as long as he lives his life in peace."
"father!!"
"Zixu!"
Sun Wu was startled and hurriedly stood up, trying to hold up Wu Zixu's arm: "Why is this necessary?"
But Wu Zixu's attitude was very firm: "Changqing, if you can't leave for a while, you can send him to Qi State doctor Bao Mu. Please protect him."
Sun Wu hurriedly said: "It's not that I don't want to take care of him, but Zixu, why are you so stubborn? If you stay at home with peace of mind, what else will the king do to you?"
Wu Zixu still refused to get up, so Sun Wu had no choice but to agree.
"Dad..." Wu Feng had already burst into tears.
Wu Zixu turned around, looked at him, and said with emotion: "If there is an accident, don't give up your surname Wu, and just live your life anonymously."
"father……"
Wu Feng wanted to say something else, but Wu Zixu ignored him and turned around to salute Sun Wu again.
"Chang Qing, I have helped many people in my life."
"When Bo Pi fled from Chu, it was I who urged the late king to keep him. Young Master Fuchai had no chance of being crowned king, so it was I who recommended him to the late king to become the crown prince..."
"Now, it has taken me half my life to realize that you are the only one I can truly be friends with, Chang Qing."
At this point, two lines of tears flowed from his eyes: "I am not talking about this now for any other reason. I just want you to know, don't know someone who is ignorant and end up in the same situation as me."
"It's just that when I asked you to come to Wu State, I really didn't expect that you would be in this situation now. Now it seems that I don't know whether it is good for you or harmful to you..."
Sun Wu wiped his tears and said with red eyes: "My achievements are fleeting and I don't want to take them. I can only live with my love for Zixu and I will never regret it even if I die."
For a moment, the hall was filled with the sounds of three people crying.
After a long while, Wu Zixu stopped and advised Sun Wu: "Don't stay here any longer, otherwise the king will definitely become suspicious."
In this way, Sun Wu stood up and turned back three times to leave this extremely familiar Wu Mansion.
When he first came to Wudu from Qi, he lived in this house. He watched Wu Zixu recommend him to King Helu of Wu again and again...
The next day, Wu Guochaotang.
"Stop them! Stop their ships!"
In the Wu court hall, Fu Chai patted the armrest of the throne angrily.
"Your Majesty, I heard that the Yellow River burst and the canal was blocked, so the imperial canal boats are still staying in Hengshan and other counties and have not set off at all." A minister reminded cautiously.
"If they don't leave this year, will they never leave?"
After being angry, Fu Chai gradually calmed down and said through gritted teeth: "I don't believe that the imperial court can continue to do without grain!"
"Bo Pu, where are the spies you sent to the imperial court? How many troops do they plan to send?"
Dazai Bopu hurriedly stepped out of the queue and leaned over: "Your Majesty, when the news came back yesterday, the imperial court planned to dispatch two guards from the capital's forbidden army, a total of 60,000 horses to support the Yue Kingdom."