In the small courtyard, Lu Xiu held a lantern and stood with Lin Ying under the eaves to watch the rain.

Lin Ying was silent for a moment and replied: "Brother Lu, I have never believed in fate. I always feel that fate is what I live, or is constructed by the choices I encounter in this life. It is not determined by gods, ghosts, horoscopes, or astrology. Arranged. But this time, I can also understand why so many people believe this. Many things are indeed beyond our control. All I can do is to make complete and detailed preparations to deal with different situations. result.

I don’t want to put myself in danger, but after weighing the pros and cons, it’s best if I go. Whether I live or die, I must go. But there are too many variables in this trip, and I can’t predict the outcome, so We can only prepare two edicts."

Lu Xiudao: "I am grateful for Your Highness's trust, but I still have two questions. I don't know whether to ask them or not."

Lin Ying smiled and said: "Shu'er said that she knew you when she first entered the Chu Kingdom when she was a child. She knew you earlier than she knew me! You are the person she trusts, and I am also the person she trusts. , so I also trust you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Lu Xiudao: "Your Highness has already answered the villain's first question."

Lin Ying shook her head. "If your first question is to ask why I trust you, I have indeed answered it. If you want to ask why I gave the edict to you for safekeeping, I have not answered it yet."

Lu Xiu was even more confused: "Are these two different things?"

Lin Ying said: "I still have an edict that I haven't issued yet. This edict will not be given to you until you come up with the correct edict. Although I believe you, the edict is about the country of Chu, as well as Shu'er and the young master. I'm sorry, so to be sure, I still can't use your trust as my only bargaining chip. I hope Brother Lu can forgive me."

Lu Xiudao: "Your Highness has thought carefully, and this villain understands."

Lin Ying continued: "Your eldest aunt passed away in the palace a few years ago. Before she left, she exchanged a secret for my will. She hoped that I could be accommodating, extinguish King You's anger, and resolve the issue. The tenth generation of your family cannot enter the court as officials. I have already written the decree to interpret it. You only need to come up with the correct edict. In the future, you, Lu Zhe, and other members of your family will all You can become an official in the court."

Lu Xiu didn't know the reason at all. He couldn't help but open his eyes wide and listened to Lin Ying say: "As for which volume is the correct edict--you remember, if within three days, Young Master Cui will be sent to Qianqiu Palace and the collection of books, If the pavilion took out the edict for Shu'er to ascend the throne, then you can also take out the edict for Shu'er to ascend the throne and return it to the library.

If within three days, Shu'er or I personally come to inform you and ask you to take out the edict for Prince Sui to succeed to the throne, then you will take out the same edict and return it to the library. Except for me and Shu'er, no one else can Believe it.

And...if Shu'er and I don't come to see you within three days, and Young Master Sui takes out the edict from Qianqiu Hall and Cangshuge Pavilion to make him ascend the throne, then you have to take out the edict for Shu'er to ascend the throne. The imperial edict for enthroning the throne, and the crime of substituting the imperial edict secretly to accuse the prince. Lu Xiu, if anything happens, do you dare to accuse the prince?"

Lu Xiu nodded sincerely: "Dare."

Lin Ying said again: "Do you remember everything I said clearly?"

Lu Xiu repeated it word for word, and Lin Ying breathed a sigh of relief. "What's your second question?"

Seeing Lu Xiu lowering his eyes and thinking, Lin Ying rolled her eyes and laughed: "Did you originally want to ask me what kind of thing requires me to personally go to safety? Later, when I heard what I said about your eldest aunt, I thought again. Ask me what secret she told me? Now you don’t know, which one is better to ask first? And if you ask both, you are curious why I left the edict for the prince to succeed to the throne, and at the same time, I was on guard. He took out the edict for his succession without permission."

Lu Xiu nodded calmly and confusedly.

The light rain gradually stopped.

Lin Ying looked at the bright moon reflected in the puddle and explained to Lu Xiu: "Tomorrow I am going to meet the King of Song who came uninvited. This is the risk I have to go in person. After that, the Chu State will There will be a perfect reason to attack Song Dynasty.

Your aunt Lu... As a medical lady in the Chu Palace, she served Shu'er's mother for many years. She followed her to the Song Dynasty and then followed her back to Chu. After the death of Shu'er's parents, there was an old incident from the Song Dynasty. She knew. In fact, I had made a guess, but I never got confirmation, so I finally asked her. She told me the truth, which solved many doubts in my mind...

As for Young Master Sui... I appreciate his both civil and military skills, but I'm not completely sure what he is thinking. When he was young, he was weak and could surrender willingly. But now... I want him to be strong. He was also afraid that his mind and virtue were not worthy of his talent and military power.

After his parents died, I'm afraid no one in the world can really suppress him. My friendship with him should be considered profound. If I were alive, he would still have some scruples. If I were really dead, he would still have some scruples. Shu'er needs to be able to control him. He has liked to be competitive since he was a child. If after my death, he dares to use evil means to obtain the throne of the King of Chu, it will not be a good thing for him or the Chu country.

When someone is in a high position, what they need most may not be virtue and force, but to follow the rules personally and not act arbitrarily just because they hold great power.

Only if the young master can avoid such a big temptation can he be worthy of the supreme authority. If he can avoid it, you can convey my words to him today. If he cannot avoid it, he will never be crowned King of Chu. opportunity.”

…

Lu Xiu recalled the words of the late king and listened to Shu'er say: "Brother Lu, I will give you a chance to debate with the ministers at the court meeting tomorrow. If you can persuade them to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty for the time being with just one person's words, I will Appoint you as the Prime Minister of Chu State."

Lu Xiu was frightened: "Your Highness, we are debating peace. I am willing to give it a try, but even if I win, I have no merit. How can I make an exception and be granted the title of Prime Minister? I hope Your Highness will think twice."

Shu'er said: "I have no fame in Chu State, so I became the King of Chu as an exception. Since the reign of King Zhao of Chu State, there has been a practice of 'court debate' in all major and urgent matters that need to be decided. Before the late king ascended the throne, Shu'er said , and also debated with the royal court of Anyi. The ministers listened to the debate and made their own decisions. If you can really defeat the ministers, you will be the best choice for the prime minister."

Lu Xiu nodded.

…

The next day at the court meeting, Lu Xiu held a court debate with the three princes and nine ministers of Chu, as well as the civil and military officials.

No one had ever thought that an unknown historian from the Library could be so knowledgeable and eloquent. He cited scriptures, analyzed the pros and cons, and answered questions fluently in three hours, without hesitation in times of crisis.

In the end, the ministers agreed to temporarily negotiate peace with the Song State and no longer attack. Instead, they ordered the Chu army to garrison the captured Song city and treat the plague among the troops first.

After the court debate ended, Shu'er took out a piece of handwriting written by the late king and ordered the palace officials to read it out——

"The Lu family of Qingtian, Linjiang, served as an official for five generations, and was loyal and honest. The Lu family was a distant duke, and his official position was the prime minister of King Xian of Chu. The Lu family was a respectful official, and his official position was the seventh son of King You of Chu. However, he was convicted by King You because of his outspoken advice. , which prevented the ten generations of the Lu family from entering the court as officials. I occasionally heard about it, and when I was surprised, I asked Lu Xiu, a descendant of the Lu family, to talk about it. I couldn't help but respect his virtues and talent, and lamented his life experience, so the Lu family was exempted from being allowed to enter the court. According to the official's decree, I hope that the people of the Lu clan will serve Chu regardless of their past grievances."

Shu'er said to the ministers: "I saw the late king's handwriting, so I invited Lu Qing to the Cangshuge to compile history. Later, I heard that everyone in the Cangshuge praised his rigorous and diligent approach, and I was very pleased. A few days ago, Lu Qing submitted a letter After reading the memorial, I wanted to share it with all the ministers, so today's court debate took place.

Prime Minister Fan is very old. He has been bedridden for a long time and cannot attend court meetings often. He has resigned several times. I have not approved because I have not yet thought of the best candidate for the Prime Minister.

Now that I heard about Lu Qing's court debate, I can't help but appreciate his amazing talents just like the previous king. I dare to ask Lu Qing, can you ignore King You's past resentment and serve Chu in response to my request to become prime minister?"

Lu Xiu knelt down: "I don't dare."

At this time, Dongfang smiled and said: "Mr. Lu, as we all know, I was the first to propose sending troops to attack the Song Dynasty. If I had not heard this wonderful court debate today, I would have immediately returned to the Song Dynasty and continued to attack the city. But today I listen to you. The argument is not unreasonable. Mr. Lu is knowledgeable and knowledgeable, which reminds me of the late king frequently. No wonder he and you hit it off, and in order to allow you to serve the Chu Kingdom, he exempted you from King You's order.

The Prime Minister of Chu State should be like Mr. Lu.

Since Your Highness has asked you to be your prime minister, but you don’t agree, is it because you still hold grudges against the old politics of King You?”

The two siblings cooperated tacitly, and then changed the title of Prime Minister to the Prime Minister of worship, and frequently mentioned the late king. At a time when all the ministers were curious about Lu Xiu, no one objected.
Chapter completed!