Chapter 11: Persuasion

  Qing Ji and Zhan Daifu sat shoulder to shoulder, smiling and saying: "Zhan Daifu's visit this time, is it under the orders of Lord Qi Sun?"

  Zhan said with a bow: "Prince Ji Sun? Celebrate the son misunderstood. Zhan certain in the past had been sent to Wu State, when the former king was still the prince of Wu State, to Zhan certain a small minister of Lu State but treated with courtesy, Zhan certain is grateful and ashamed that he has no way to repay. Now hearing that the son borrowed from Lu back to Wei, so hurriedly came to Qi City to welcome him, in order to fulfill the host's courtesy."

  Qing Ji's heart sank as he listened: "It turns out that the State of Lu doesn't care about this fallen prince." He thought for a moment, suddenly understanding, and couldn't help but secretly sneer: "Do they think they can deceive me, Qing Ji, a mere martial artist? Ha! This is only suitable for fooling ghosts. You are a great official of the State of Lu, and my current identity is so sensitive, if you hadn't been sent by Season Sun Yiru, the ruler of the State of Lu, would you have hurried to welcome me?"

  Qing Ji's mind was turning with thoughts, but his face remained expressionless. He laughed and said: "So that's how it is. I've long heard that Lu Guo is a country of gentlemen, and indeed its reputation is not in vain. Zhang Dafu has high integrity, Qing Ji thanks you here."

  "Ah, it's nothing, just a little courtesy. This is the least I can do." Zhang Dafu smiled and said: "Young master, you've come all this way, how do you like the scenery of our Lu State? Is this lacquer city prosperous enough?"

  The national policy of Lu is to tolerate each other for the country, and often establish friendship with other countries in a kinship way. For many years, no swords have been moved, and it is indeed very rich. The streets are crowded with people, the roadside stalls are countless, the vendors' voices are loud, and the residents' clothes are mostly gorgeous. The prosperity of this big city in Lu is indeed not comparable to that of Wu State.

  Qing Ji turned his head and looked around, nodding frequently, and praised: "Both Qi and Lu are the most prosperous places in the world. What I have seen along the way is indeed true. This lacquer city is close to your country's capital, and its prosperity and wealth are already beyond the reach of my Wu State's capital. The prosperity and wealth of Qufu can be imagined. Thanks to your hospitality, unfortunately, Qing Ji has no valuable gifts to repay you. I will surely return a great favor to you in the future..."

  Zhan smiled and said: "I, Zhan, have said before that this is to repay the kindness of your late king. Lord Qi is too polite, I am ashamed and dare not accept."

  Qing Xi laughed and said: "This kindness can benefit the upper and lower classes of Lu State, I think Zhan Bo will not be for himself, and he will certainly be happy to accept it."

  Zhan gained attention in a flash, and Qi said: "Oh? What does your words mean, young master?"

  Qing Ji smiled slightly and said, "Huan Gong is a fierce tiger in the current world, with ambitious aspirations. Since he came to power, he has been preparing his horses and sharpening his weapons, plotting to dominate the land. Lu State and Wu are just a stone's throw away; wouldn't Grand Officer Zhan be aware of this?"

  Zhan burst out laughing and said: "This, Zhan has naturally heard of it. I've heard that Wu Guo is now worshipping Wu Zixu as a minister, Wu Zixu has a deep blood feud with the King of Chu, and he can't forget to lead his troops to attack Chu to avenge his hatred. The two countries of Wu and Chu have long been at odds over the dispute over Sanglin, I think, Wu Guo's military training should be aimed at Chu Guo?"

  Qing Ji lost his smile and said: "Zhan Dafu, haven't you heard the story of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth get cold'? The ambition of Chu State is not limited to just Chu State. Once they succeed in conquering Chu, their next target will be Lu State, right beside them."

  The exhibition won a slight nod of approval: "By the bedside? This phrase is ingenious, and the description is really too apt."

  Qing Ji nodded and said, "The people of Lu are at ease, the city of Lu is rich and prosperous, just like a humble gentleman with countless treasures but open doors. Can't the strong thieves next door be tempted?"

  Xuan gained a hearty laugh, his eyes flashing with cunning: "Celebrating the young master's persuasion, could it be that you want to advise me to send troops from Lu to help you attack Wu? Young Master, at present, Helü occupies the mountains and rivers of Wu, while you only have one place in Wei State, Ai City, with a small number of soldiers. Just now, you also said that Helü is a fierce tiger in this world, if Lu sends troops to assist, wouldn't it be like inviting fire to burn oneself?"

  Qing Ji smiled and shook his head, saying: "Forgive Qing Ji for speaking bluntly. Lu is a country of gentlemen, not showing off military prowess but cultivating virtue and etiquette. The grandeur of its rituals and ceremonies has made it a place where vassals flock to. However, if we talk about military strength, it's really not the match for even the most ferocious beasts. How could Qing Ji possibly borrow troops from Lu? What I said is already a great favor to you."

  "Really?" Zhang rubbed his mustache and said with a smile: "I'd love to hear more about it."

  Qing Ji smiled faintly and said confidently: "Huan Tie is indeed a fierce tiger in this world, but I, Qing Ji, am the one who can tame him."

  Zhan Huan laughed and said, "The current King of Wu is a fierce tiger in the world, but you have the ability to subdue dragons and tigers. In that case, aren't you even more terrifying than Helü?"

  Qing Ji shook his head and said, "Zhan Dafu's words are wrong. The dragon is invincible in the water, but on land it can't be considered fierce. The rhinoceros has great strength on grassland, but if it gets stuck in the mud, it can't move an inch. Whether someone has ability or not depends on the environment they are in."

  Ji Guang sent an assassin to usurp the throne, and his name was not justified. The people of Wu State were all loyal to their former master, so when I led my army to punish him, although I only had 15,000 soldiers, he was already in a state of panic. This is because neither the military nor the civilians could be used by him, and he had no choice but to resort to his old tricks again, sending another assassin to make an attempt on my life. Although he has fierce and powerful troops, he can only surrender helplessly when facing me, which is why I said that I am the one who can restrain him.

  "Qing Ji said, 'This time I was ambushed and defeated. When I return to the State of Wei to recruit soldiers and horses, accumulate wealth and grain, and come again with an army, will the lowly tricks of He Lü still be able to succeed? By then, Qing Ji will have restored Wu Guo, and Lu Guo will not have moved a single soldier or sword, nor spent a single thread or grain. Wouldn't this be a great thing for Lu Guo? The gift that Qing Ji spoke of refers to this matter. I think, Master Zhang will no longer decline, haha...'"

  His face always wore a smile, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking in his heart. After hearing Qing Ji's words, he laughed loudly: "I've long heard that Young Master Qing Ji is the number one brave warrior of Wu State, running faster than a horse, able to catch flying birds with his hands, and step on fierce beasts, as agile as a god, with the bravery of a thousand men. However... wanting to attack Wu State isn't something that can be accomplished just by relying on individual martial prowess, Young Master, how do you have such confidence?"

  Qing Ji smiled lightly and said: "Huan Gong's usurpation of the throne is a minor trick, and the hearts of the ministers and people are still with their former master. The country is unstable, this is one; plotting to overthrow the ruler, who among the kings, dukes, and officials under heaven does not fear? Those who have obtained the Way are many helpers, and the lords who are willing to help Qing Ji in secret are not few. Moreover, there is the state of Wei which has been assisting Qing Ji with all its might. The states of Chu, Yue, and Wu have always been enemies, and although Chu and Yue do not have a good impression of Qing Ji, they are also happy to see him attack Wu. The fact that Chu received the two princes, Yan Yu and Zhu Yong, is proof of this. Furthermore, with Qing Ji's personal bravery calling out to heroes all over the world, when the time comes, counterattacking Wu will not be easy?"

  Qing Ji smiled and slightly closed his eyes. He didn't say much, turned around and strolled leisurely to appreciate the scenery of the lacquer city. At this moment, something suddenly hit his left shoulder, Qing Ji was startled, quickly raised his head to look outside, at the same time, his legs tightened, waiting for an opportunity to pounce out of the carriage.

  He raised his head and saw two girls leaning out of the window upstairs, looking at him. The girl who was covering her mouth and laughing had a pink face and sparkling eyes, wasn't she the same girl he met on the road? Qing Yi's heart skipped a beat with joy, he stretched out his index and middle fingers, lightly touched his lips, then raised them to her and made a flying kiss gesture.

  "Offer them peaches and plums, repay them with jade and jasper." Alas, jade and jasper are equivalent to romance, how can romance be lacking in a kissing scene? Not having one would be unforgivable to the audience, this is indeed an example of "coming but not going, impolite".

  Ren Bingyue was smiling triumphantly upstairs, but as soon as she saw his carefree movements, her heart suddenly skipped a beat like a little deer, and she turned bright red and hastily withdrew her head.

  Zhan suddenly opened his eyes, as if he had just seen the two fingers that were waving in the air, and hastily asked: "Young master, what's wrong?"

  "Oh...... nothing......" Qing Ji waved his two fingers casually again, and said in a calm tone: "There is a fly......"

  Zhan Huan quietly observed his every move and change in expression, seeing him speak like this without revealing anything, only thinking to himself: "Qing Ji's visit to Qufu, is he really not seeking help from the State of Lu? Looking at how relaxed and carefree he is, still having the leisure to flirt with women, it seems he truly doesn't take my State of Lu seriously. Does he have such confidence in conquering Wu?"

  If Wu is successful, it will eliminate the major threat to Lu's heart and abdomen. Zhan Bo is fundamentally distrustful, but if Lu helps to celebrate the Wu campaign, it will naturally become a brotherly state. If you help Qing Xi to attack Helü and replace him, ally with Wu to resist Qi, it will be very beneficial for Lu. Moreover, by doing this righteous deed, Lu's reputation among the vassals will surely be greatly enhanced, and its prestige will be prominent. The question is, does Qing Xi really have such ability?

  Zhan hesitated for a long time, then turned back to Qingji with a smile: "There is a villa in this place, which is the private residence of Cheng Bi's wife from our country. My fief and Cheng Bi's wife's fief are adjacent, and the two families have always been friendly. This time I came to welcome you, I borrowed this villa from Cheng Bi's wife as a place to welcome you, Qingji. If you think the scenery of Lacquer City is still pleasing to the eye, you might as well stay here for a few more days."