In the evening, in a room in Jishantang, Hubushan.

The scholar in his thirties pondered, knocked on the table and said something.

"Chaozong, I suddenly thought of He Jin's introduction of Dong Zhuo in Guanzhong at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. What do you think about this?"

The scholar who spoke was Mao Xiang, whose courtesy name was Pijiang. He was born into a prominent family in Rugao County, Nanzhili, and his father was appointed as the deputy envoy of the Censorate.

Mao Xiang looks very handsome, with a free and timeless aura all over her body, gentle and elegant manners, and extraordinary temperament.

The young scholar he talked to was a few years younger than him, named Hou Fangyu, with the courtesy name Chaozong, and was the son of the Minister of Revenue who had retired.

Hou Fangyu is also handsome and looks like a handsome young man.

"I know what Brother Mao wants to say. But Wang Xiao is different from Dong Zhuo, and we are even more different from He Jin." Hou Fangyu said.

He couldn't help but look out the door again as he spoke, as if waiting for something.

Mao Xiang said: "People are different, but the principles are the same. The strong are the heroes in troubled times, and the soldiers are the kings. Fang Yizhi advises us to bring the king into Nanjing. This is a war and handing the handle to others. Once the success is not achieved, you and I will become the stairs of chaos and evil."

Hou Fangyu said: "He Jin was a general back then, and it was indeed unwise to lead Dong Zhuo to kill the ten regular attendants. But who are we now? We are just scholars who have not won the title.

On the other hand, who is Zheng Yuanhua and Ying Sijie? He holds heavy power, oppresses young masters, and acts against the enemy, making the people of Jiangnan live in poverty! If the king does not make him laugh and clear the king and kills the powerful ministers, we will allow them to always control the government? Or will the conflicts start again and wars sweep across Jiangnan?"

Mao Xiang sneered and said, "It's not wise to drive away the tiger and swallow the wolf."

"At present, there is no way out. You know how many people died in this battle in Xuzhou. Everyone is a subject of the Chu Dynasty. They should have worked together to fight the enemy. Now... why are you alive?

Zheng Yuanhua took advantage of the situation and robbed first, but the one who was mistaken was His Majesty. Now there is news in Shandong that the King of Qi is intended to be emperor. Once he and Wang Xiao rebelled, the disaster would arise within the Xiao Wall, and the country would be destroyed!

There is also the official spirit of Jiangnan... It's so rotten. The Zheng Party knocks on the bones and sucks marrow, searches the people's wealth to resist Wang Xiao by serving arrogant soldiers. If these evil spirits are not eliminated, the situation will inevitably become more and more serious!"

Hou Fangyu sighed and said, "The blood in a year is more than five years of tax, and this year's prison chases the next year's silver. It's a pity that the poor children are not full of traitors, and the traitors are all meat... If Jiangnan has a serious illness, I need strong medicine in urgent need, and I am willing to use it."

He was moved by his emotions, but Mao Xiang had a leisurely drink a cup of tea.

"Chaozong, tell me the truth." Mao Xiang said slowly: "If you want to clear the emperor, are you out of public intention or... your personal future?"

"You and I have been together for many years, so how do you see me?" Hou Fangyu was unbelievable.

"I believe in you, but I don't believe in Shen Cifu."

Hou Fangyu said: "We are not for Shen Cifu. Brother Fang and Brother Chen have both told me that when Zheng Yuanhua is eliminated, we will let Shen fight with the king and wait for the emperor to take power."

"School." Mao Xiang said: "After Zheng Yuanhua, who can still fight against Wang Xiao's troops after looking at the Chu Dynasty?"

"Wuchang also has the Marquis of Zhennan, and the Marquis of Nan'an, and Zheng Zhilong of Nan'an, and there are thousands of soldiers of the Chu Dynasty in the world!" Hou Fangyu said: "In addition to the four towns of Beijiang, we also have the governors of six provinces. Each province has only a little inferior to Wang Xiao. We just waited to eliminate the treacherous party and let the court have no party or disputes between the north and the south. If we are united, why worry about not being able to recover from the north?"

"Then what is the difference between us and Zheng Yuanhua? We support arrogant soldiers and strong generals, and fight in the internal struggle. We just do it all. We are united in our hearts? Imagination."

"What do you think you should do?" Hou Fangyu asked.

Mao Xiang smiled bitterly and said, "What can I have an idea? I don't like Fang Yizhi and Chen Huisheng, and I became an official early."

"Since you have no idea, why do you always say that Brother Fang's proposal is not good?" Hou Fangyu asked.

After saying that, he frowned and added: "In this chaotic world, we should be determined to do whatever we want. If we are afraid of wolves in front of us and tigers in the back, how can we accomplish things? Could it be that we can dominate the world by just talking big and talking."

Mao Xiang said: "What's wrong with me if you really want me to say this proposal?"

"Say." Hou Fangyu was already a little angry.

"Don't think I'm straightforward." Mao Xiang glanced around and said, "What are the identities of our members of the Fushe Society? The officials in Jiangnan, the imperial examination geniuses, and the farming and studying, and our families have fields and business. Otherwise, how can we support our study, it's light?"

Hou Fangyu did not answer.

Mao Xiang said, "Then let me ask you again, who is Wang Xiao? He divided the land and increased the commercial tax. Shandong has not yet held the imperial examination. Instead, there is a public ability exam for scholars and the people. Today I also saw that Wang Xiao never soft-hearted in dealing with the aristocratic family. Let's wait and see, the wealthy people in Xuzhou are not his opponent."

He said, pointing to Hou Fangyu and himself.

"You are smarter than me, but you know if I don't tell me. You and I are incompatible with Wang Xiao, and this is a conflict of interests. It has nothing to do with political views or black and white, but we have different identities and life experiences from him."

Hou Fangyu said: "I know."

Mao Xiang said again: "Anyway, I am talented and famous, but I can't pass the exam for so many years. Haha, I failed six times. As long as I surrender to Wang Xiao, I will naturally have high officials and generous salaries in the front, and have a bright future!

But what should I do with my parents, relatives, friends, village party, and people from Fushe? If I welcome Wang Xiao to Nanjing, will I betray my relatives and village party betray my conscience?"

Hou Fangyu looked up calmly and said, "This is a great cause of the country and a way to save the people from war. I, Hou Fangyu, have a clear conscience."

Mao Xiang smiled slightly and asked again: "You are trying to avoid civil war and for the people of the country and the people. Then, what about Fang Yizhi and Chen Zhenhui?"

"Brother Mao! I have been so righteous for many years, do you doubt them so much?!"

"Know people, but not the heart."

"Since that's the case, why do you have to come with me?" Hou Fangyu asked, suddenly realized, and then said, "Oh, do you think Dong Xiaowan will come too?"

Mao Xiang turned the teacup and said a little lonely: "Actually, women are meaningless, but people are meaningless when they live."

Hou Fangyu sighed, feeling that Mao Xiang had changed.

Three years ago, Mao Xiang traveled north, and when he returned this year, he happened to meet the scattered soldiers who entered the pass. The servants and maids he brought were killed and looted.

It was also after that, Mao Xiang seemed to be frightened and tired of discussing the government and saving the nation in a critical situation. After failing this provincial examination, he had the idea of ​​not becoming an official again.

Hou Fangyu then advised: "Now that the Zheng Party is in charge of the imperial examination, it is expected that you and I will fail. It is strange that you can pass the imperial examination. You are only in your early thirties and still have a chance in the future. Let's make a determination to become an official and restore the country..."

"You don't understand. Restore the mountains and rivers? You have never even seen those barbarians." Mao Xiang sighed: "What's the point of this? I think you can save your family and your country? I just ask you, is your career going smoothly? Oh, why not take advantage of your youth and have fun in time."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and said, "Chaozong, I would like to remind you. You used to say, 'The legitimate emperor's grandson is the orthodox world, and this is the rule. Wang Xiao is a rebellion of the foreign relatives, and he must be eliminated. This ancestor's etiquette is the etiquette." Now you think of the alliance Wang Xiao, this is the first step to compromise. With this step, you will continue to compromise... You and I are no longer the scholars who were envious in the past."

"Brother Mao, we agreed to advance and retreat together!"

"Fang Yizhi passed the imperial examination for young master, but he wanted to advance and retreat with us. Can he do it? If he had not been dismissed from office now, would he have time to think of you and me? It would be useless to say more, I will leave and go back to Nanjing. Don't worry, I will not tell anyone about your affairs, and I will never compromise with others."

Watching Mao Xiang's figure walk out of the room, Hou Fangyu felt a little sad.

He lowered his head and murmured, "You don't compromise, but you ran away..."

~~

Hou Fangyu sat alone in the house and waited for a long time, and finally heard the sound of footsteps.

The one who came in was Chen Zhenhui, who was also one of the "Four Young Masters of Fushe".

Chen Zhenhui was over forty years old and had already become an official, but was stripped of fame and fortune because she was persecuted by the Zheng Party.

"Wang Xiao is going down the mountain, everyone should be back soon... Where is Pijiang?"

"Brother Mao is gone and back to Nanjing." Hou Fangyu smiled reluctantly and said, "Brother Chen knows that he can't live without those concubines, and now he wants to chase Dong Xiaowan."

Chen Zhenhui said: "You don't have to find a reason. I know. He thinks we are driving tigers and swallowing wolves. It's okay, as long as we can't afford a civil war, I will do whatever he wants and feel ashamed."

"Where is Brother Fang?"

"He saw Xuzhou City splitting the fields and Anmin, and couldn't help but run to see how Wang Xiao governed and should be able to come back in the evening..."

As they were talking, Li Xiangjun and Gu Hengbo also came back. They thanked the servants who had sent to the Yu family and entered the yard.

"How about it? How about seeing that Wang Xiao today?" Chen Zhenhui asked anxiously.

Hou Fangyu looked at Li Xiangjun carefully, breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled slightly: "You will be fine if you have nothing to do, just say it slowly."

Li Xiangjun frowned and whispered: "There is something wrong. I saw Liu Lanshan on the top of the mountain. He became the captive of the Duke. The Duke seemed to question us at him."

Chen Zhenhui said: "No wonder I smelled a faint stench. It turned out that Liu Shaomou was also in Xuzhou."

He has always looked down on Liu Lanshan. Not to mention anything else, Liu Lanshan married Zheng Yuanhua's granddaughter for fame and fortune. He wanted to take a concubine but did not dare to criticize others all day long, which made people annoyed...

It made him even more angry. Chen Zhenhui would curse him a few more words whenever he heard his name.

"A person who writes all the eight-legged articles, poems, songs and essays like bullshit can also pass the Jinshi? If the Zheng Party controls the imperial examinations, if it is not eliminated, the literati in the world will never be able to pass the sun!"

Hou Fangzai frowned slightly and pondered: "It's okay, since Liu Lanshan is still a prisoner, it means that Wang Xiao and Zheng Yuanhua have no possibility of reconciliation, and we still have a chance."

Gu Hengbo suddenly asked with a smile: "Since you want to not have a civil war, why not let the Duke have a good talk with the Prime Minister? Instead, I am glad that they have a conflict?"

Chen Zhenhui said seriously: "We must avoid civil war and eliminate the evil of the Zheng Party. This will kill two birds with one stone."

Gu Hengbo smiled and said, "I'm too much, so I won't disturb your discussion."

After saying that, she took the servants and maids back to the room.

Hou Fangyu was not surprised there, and held Li Xiangjun's hand and said softly: "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's okay, I am a famous family. The Duke of the State is the prince-consort. Whether he catches or kills me, it will be a bad reputation and will not do anything. You don't have to worry about your son."

She looked at Hou Fangyu with beautiful eyes and said softly: "Young Master runs to save the people. Even though I am a fair woman in my family, I am honored to be able to contribute to this matter."

Chen Zhenhui shouted OK and stroked her hands, "Li is really chivalrous, so how many bearded men are ashamed to kill."

"Let's talk about it when you enter the house..."

~~

"I tried Wang Xiao with Liu Yu's words of 'taking the position well', but I didn't see any reaction... This time, I really couldn't see what he thought."

When Li Xiangjun talked about seriousness, he didn't care so much about the details of the title, and showed a meditative expression. He said, "Either he has no rebellious intentions or is very cunning... But this is only possible for an old minister who has been immersed in the officialdom for decades, right?"

Chen Zhenhui nodded: "Since he has no intention of rebellion, let's continue to act."

"What if he is the extremely cunning person as Xiang Jun said?"

"If this is the case, at least he knows how to restrain himself, which is better than other warlords... right?"
To be continued...