Chapter 10: Fratricide
"Endure! How long should I endure it?"
Fuchai asked impatiently.
For the entire morning, he had been enduring the shouting and cursing from the enemy troops outside the city!
How could we tolerate someone with such a violent personality as Fuchai?
If the enemies who were shouting and cursing below the city were not out of the range of bows and crossbows, they would have been shot into a hornet's nest long ago!
"Sir, this is just Qingji's plan to lure the enemy out. He just wants to scold us and drive us out of the city for a fight. Please don't be fooled."
Wu Zixu could only persuade Fuchai patiently.
"Humph! So what if this is Qingji's plan? Do you think I'm afraid of him?"
Fuchai held his proud head high, full of disdain.
The young and energetic Fuchai was not afraid of his cousin Qingji at all!
Qingji was known as the bravest warrior in the Wu State and was unrivaled in the world.
But Fuchai only thought that he was no less brave than Qingji!
The title of the bravest warrior of Wu should belong to Fuchai, not Qingji.
Qingji was just a few years older than him and became famous at an earlier age!
At this moment, seeing that Fu Chai did not listen to his advice at all and was stubborn and self-willed, Wu Zixu said calmly: "Master Fu Chai, if you can't stand these scoldings, please go back."
"Here, it is enough for Wu Yuan to hold the fort!"
"You! Humph, whatever. Just stay here like a coward!"
The furious Fuchai glared at Wu Zixu and turned away.
Outside the city, Qingji, who had been standing on the chariot, had a calm expression from beginning to end.
But generals such as Meng Ben and Hefu who were standing aside could not bear it.
Meng Ben stepped forward and said, "Sir, give the order to attack the city!"
"Our army has a lot of siege equipment, bows and arrows, and morale is high. Although there will be heavy casualties if we attack Wudu, it is better than staying here and wasting time with them."
"Exactly!"
"Sir, I am willing to lead the troops in the front line!"
"Now, our army is making a concerted effort to capture Wudu!"
All the generals came forward to persuade Qingji to order an attack on the city.
However, Qingji waved his hand and did not give the order to attack!
Why?
Because Qingji knew it very clearly in his heart.
His army stormed the capital of Wu. Given time, they would be able to capture this strong city, but they would have to pay a heavy price!
A tragic victory!
This is not what Qingji wants to see.
Furthermore, no matter whether it is Qingji’s army or Helu’s army, both sides are from the state of Wu!
This is a civil war!
Every soldier who dies is one less!
Qingji did not want to commit too much sin and kill too many people.
This is not Qingji's soft-heartedness.
But he really didn't need to attack Wudu City by force!
When the army besieged the city, people in the city would inevitably be in panic and rumors would spread everywhere.
Not to mention King Wu Liao's old ministers, even the soldiers and civilians in the city probably don't have much intention of resisting!
In this situation, Qingji could easily wear down the morale of the defenders bit by bit, and when the time was right, he could take the enemy troops in one fell swoop.
At this moment, Qingji already regarded himself as the King of Wu, and the soldiers and civilians in the city as his own soldiers and civilians!
What if we are stuck in a stalemate with Helu's army and engage in a war of attrition?
Behind Qingji stood the Central Plains countries such as Wei, Lu, Cai, and Chen.
So what if we borrow grain from other countries?
Furthermore, Qingji could also collect money and grain from the State of Wu to help with military expenses.
The Helu army in the city can only sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Comparing the two, Qingji was really not afraid of wasting time with Helu like this.
…
Fu Gai, following Helu's order, led a team of soldiers to Ji Zha's residence to issue an imperial edict.
This is a secret decree and can only be read by Ji Zha.
However, after reading this secret decree, Ji Zha's expression changed drastically, his face twitched, and his pupils lost focus!
"Is this really the king's decree?"
Ji Zha held the imperial edict tightly in his trembling hands, looking horrified.
"Uncle, this is indeed the king's decree."
Fu Gai answered honestly.
Hearing this, Ji Zha's pale face turned red with anger. He blew his beard and glared, scolding: "How could the king write such an edict? The feud between Wu and Chu is like fire and water, which cannot coexist!"
"The king wants me to be an envoy to Chu, bribe the Chu people, and cede cities and lands in order to ask for Chu's reinforcements. Don't you know that you are inviting a wolf into the house?"
"No matter how bad Qingji is, he is still a Wu person, and a legitimate descendant of the Wu Kingdom!"
"I am not afraid of being cursed after my death, but how dare Ji Guang be so shameless as to cede the land left by our ancestors and ruin the foundation? How can he be worthy of the name of a king!"
"If Ji Guang wants to send someone to Chu, please choose someone else. I will never interfere!"
"If he insists on forcing me to surrender, please have him cut off my head and go to Yingdu to meet the people of Chu!"
Ji Zha scolded Helu harshly and ordered his men to kick Fu Gai out of the house.
Fu Gai had no choice but to go back and report with Helu's secret decree!
Helu, who learned of this, was furious and could not help cursing: "This old man who takes advantage of his age is really ungrateful! I let him serve in Chu because I think highly of him!"
Wu Zixu, who was standing aside, did not expect Ji Zha to have such a strong temper and looked very embarrassed.
"Zi Xu, now Ji Zha is unwilling to be the envoy to Chu. In your opinion, should I appoint someone else as the envoy?"
“No.”
Wu Zixu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, looking at the entire Wu State, who has the same reputation as Ji Zha? Ji Zha is not willing to submit now, but he is relying on the fact that Your Majesty dare not kill him, so he is fearless."
Helu really didn't dare to do anything to Ji Zha.
After all, Ji Zha was a highly respected wise man in the State of Wu and the Central Plains countries, and his fame was too great!
Once Helü killed Ji Zha, he would be condemned by thousands of people and cursed by the people. He might even be attacked by other countries.
For a wise man as famous as Ji Zha, like Confucius, even if you cannot treat him with courtesy, it is best not to offend him too much!
Helü pondered for a moment and asked, "Zixu, do you have a way to make Ji Zha agree to go to Chu?"
"I have a plan, Your Majesty, perhaps you can try it."
"Speaking."
Wu Zixu sighed and said, "As a human being, we cannot avoid the seven emotions and six desires. Everyone has his own fetters!"
"Although Ji Zha is called a 'sage' with ancient customs, I think Ji Zha is still not immune to worldly things!"
"Bond?"
"That's right. Ji Zha's bond should be the same as that of ordinary people, it's family affection!"
Wu Zixu narrowed his eyes and said, "Ji Zha may not fear death and will not avoid being killed by the axe, but how can he not care about the life and death of his own family?"
"Zi Xu, are you asking me to capture all of Ji Zha's children and grandchildren in order to force Ji Zha to go to Chu?"
"Exactly."
“…”
Upon hearing this, Helu fell into silence.
Put yourself in his shoes. If someone threatened the life and death of his wife, children and elders and forced him to betray his country and go to Chu, would he agree?
Helu asked himself if he could agree.
This is because Helu was very concerned about his life. Not to mention threatening the lives of his wife, children and elders, even if a sword was placed on Helu's neck, he would agree!
