Chapter 64: The One Who Can Subdue You

  Kan Fung still couldn't let it go, Liu Zhang smiled and said: "Is it that without Zhou Yu we can't do anything? I believe with Xiaozhi here, we can also settle down Zhang Lu and Pang Xi's gang of clowns."

  Fa Zheng smiled and said, "What the lord says is right. What we decided in Jiangzhou Garden today will be done, no matter how dangerous it is ahead. Fa Zheng will definitely follow the lord to the end. Why bother about having or not having a Zhou Yu or Zhang Lu, Pang Xi? They are all mediocre people. If we can't even take them down, won't our grand ambitions become a joke?"

  The key to this strategy lies in a single swift move, my lord. Fa Zheng believes that if you publicly announce the expedition against Zhang Lu after the third month, it will only serve to lull Zhang Lu and Pang Shiyuan into complacency, causing them to act according to your schedule. In that case, we must not delay; we can set out for Zhang Ren's camp in Mianzhu tonight, under cover of darkness. Pang Shiyuan will never expect us to launch an attack on Bazhou immediately after the four categories of officials have been appointed, and we will surely catch him off guard.

  Liu Zhang shook his head with his hands behind his back and said, "What you say is true, but I'm still waiting for someone else. Let's wait a bit longer before sending troops."

  "Who is so important?"

  Liu Zhang picked up the teacup, took a sip and found that the tea had gone cold. He put down the cup and said slowly: "Give me seven days' time. If there is still no news after seven days, we will immediately send troops out. You go back and secretly inform Zhang Ren to prepare his soldiers and horses. Tell him I only need elite troops; 10,000 soldiers from Dongzhou will be more than enough. As for the other units, let Zhang Ren train them as usual, or even relax a bit."

  Fa Zheng nodded and understood Liu Zhang's intention.

  "Besides, Liu Xun is ill, and from tomorrow on, I will have to accompany Liu Xun and won't be discussing politics anymore."

  "Is Young Master ill? When did this happen? How could I not know?" Fa Zheng was shocked, although Liu Zhang was in his prime years, the Young Master's serious illness was a major event for the entire state.

  Liu Zhang glared at Fa Zheng: "Is it that after being disturbed by Zhou Yu, you don't dare to think about the problem?"

  Liu Zhang finished speaking and walked out of the grape arbor, feeling refreshed and clear-headed as he let out a deep breath. With the end of the Ghost Festival and the four departments' promotion ceremony, the new administration in Yi Province was finally on track. Tomorrow, there would be no need to discuss politics again, and after such a long time, he could finally have a good night's sleep.

  Liu Zhang returned to the house, and He Hua walked over to Fa Zheng and said: "Mr. Fa, the master has invited you to spend the night at the provincial governor's mansion, and ordered the maid to arrange a room for you, please follow me."

  Fa Zheng walked behind He Hua, thinking about the matter of Bashu. Zhou Yu said that it would take a month to conquer Han Zhong, but he himself did not dare to guarantee that he could conquer Bashu in a month. In the face of such a disparity, as Master said, it seemed that he didn't even dare to use his brain.

  Fa Zheng slapped his forehead a few times, trying to shake off Zhou Bu's influence. The lotus flower in front turned around and asked strangely: "Mr. Fa, what's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?"

  "No, no, right, how come this vast pasture is so empty?" Fa Zheng covered up his embarrassment.

  "It used to be very lively, but later the old master dispersed all those singing girls..."

  On the second day, the civil and military officials of Yi Province went to the Pastoral Palace for a meeting, but were informed that the young master was ill and the lord was personally taking care of him, having no time for government affairs. Although they were all perplexed, they silently dispersed.

  On the third day, for the same reason, some of the literary and military officials began to shake their heads and sigh.

  By the fifth day, the officials could no longer bear it.

  "The young master is ill, and there are already maids and servants to take care of him. Why should the master trouble himself?"

  "Even if Master loves his son dearly, this discussion of state affairs shouldn't take up too much time, yet now he doesn't even bother to look at the documents, sigh."

  "Does the master really think that after the government-run workshops and the four departments' selection of officials, he can enjoy peace and stability? This is a bit too simplistic."

  The officials discussed it in a flurry, speaking politely with their mouths, but thinking in their hearts that the former profligate and lustful master had returned. Huang Quan, the chief of the civil officials, also looked anxious, thinking that if things continued like this, people's minds would be disturbed and something would happen sooner or later. He said to Wang Lu: "Wang sir, you'd better go and advise his lordship. If the young master really has an illness, send him to a medical institution immediately, don't delay official business."

  Wang Can was also dissatisfied with Liu Zhang's neglect of government affairs. When Huang Quan spoke, he immediately became indignant and said: "If the lord acts in this way, he is indeed a mediocre ruler. I will go to advise the lord, even if it means losing my head, I must persuade him to come out."

  After Wang Ju left, Fa Zheng called Huang Quan to one side and whispered a few words in his ear. Huang Quan's eyes widened: "It's actually like this, I thought Master... Alas, I'll call Lord Wang back right away."

  "Hey, wait." Fa Zheng pulled Huang Quan back with one hand, looking at Wang Lei's flying sleeves, and smiled to Huang Quan: "Let him go, I like to see this stubborn and tall guy being defeated. Besides, if he goes, our play will be more real."

  "Huang seems to have offended a colleague." Huang Quan sighed.

  In the Mu Fu courtyard, Liu Zhang was sitting in a chair watching Xiao Furen and Hao Liehai fighting fiercely. Since Hao Liehai arrived at the manor, there were two big eaters in the Mu Manor. The only difference is that Hao Liehai doesn't like to eat fancy dishes, just one bowl of meat and one bowl of rice per meal is fine. For these two people, the manor had to hire another cook.

  The two were barbarians and had common interests, they immediately hit it off, after a few days, they became good friends who could talk about anything, Liu Xun finally escaped from Xiao Furan's clutches, at this time he was writing on the small stone table next to Liu Zhang.

  Liu Zhang picked up a handful of peanuts from the plate and said to Liu Xun while eating, "Xun'er, you should relax occasionally and not work too hard."

  "It's true that stupid people work hard, smart people use their brains." Zhou Bu said with a smile.

  Liu Zhang coldly said to Zhou Bu Yi, "Will you die if you don't speak sarcastically? Use your brain! Last night I saw someone preparing medicine in the middle of the night, and Lian Er was already asleep early."

  Liu Xun didn't get angry, wrote a full page of words, and picked up a handful of bamboo slips again. He turned around to face Zhou Bu Yi and said: "Brother Bu Yi, will you teach me how to write poetry?"

  Liu Zhang was baffled - why did his son like writing poetry so much? He hadn't even learned all the characters yet, but he had already written over a hundred poems, enough to publish a collection.

  Zhou Bu Yi hesitated and scratched his head, but ultimately succumbed to Liu Xun's pitiful and expectant gaze, picking up the brush to point out.

  Liu Zhang looked at the two children with a smile, just then Wang Xu came forward and said: "Your Excellency, there are officials outside who have come to persuade you again." Previously, Huang Quan had quietly come several times but was refused entry, which is why he called Wang Xu today.

  "Not in sight."

  "It's Wang Lei, the great king, he's seeking death and life..." Wang Xu said with difficulty.

  "Oh dear, this is troublesome," Liu Zhang frowned: "In that case, let him make a scene first, if he still doesn't calm down after a few times, then have him arrested and thrown into prison."

  "This... doesn't seem quite right?" Wang Xi hesitated.

  "Just go when I tell you to, no need for so much nonsense. Oh, right, tell the soldiers to keep a close eye on him, absolutely cannot let him get any ideas about seeking death. If anything happens to him, you all will be finished too."

  "Yes, yes, yes." Wang Xie hastily replied and left.

  Liu Zhang let out a light breath, Huang Niang, tomorrow is the last day, I hope it won't disappoint me.

  ，！