From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 293

It was another chaotic night, as if I didn't fall asleep, and as if I had never woken up.

Finally, the sky was bright, and Empress Zhaojing rubbed her eyes, and couldn't help shouting: "Xiaozhuang, Xiaozhuang."

The door was pushed open, and Xiaozhuang walked in slowly, smiling: "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Empress Zhaojing said: "How was the decisive battle last night? Did Junior Brother lose?"

Xiaozhuang said: "No news has come yet, and the Inner Court is also waiting for news."

Empress Zhaojing sighed and said: "Let's go to the tower and take a look. There may be news over there."

Xiaozhuang thought for a while, but said: "By the way, there is another news. The secret sentry of the Inner Court reported that Qiu Huan and other military meritorious officials planned to pretend to be real in the military exercise and put Zhou Yuan to death."

Empress Zhaojing raised her phoenix eyebrows and shouted immediately: "He dares! He Qiu Huan If you dare to harm my junior brother, I will kill all his clans!"

Xiao Zhuang said: "I asked my sister to protect Zhou Yuan. I believe nothing serious will happen."

Empress Zhao Jing said: "Zhuang Xuansu's skills are limited. You go to protect my junior brother in person. I will feel more at ease."

Xiao Zhuang smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, Zhou Yuan is not powerless. It is not so easy to kill him."

"No!"

Empress Zhao Jing said: "I am still worried! You go in person! My junior brother can lose, but he cannot die!"

As soon as the voice fell, the voice of the female guard came from outside: "Your Majesty, there is news from the office about the military exercise."

"Hurry up and bring it here!"

Empress Zhao Jing hurriedly got out of bed, took the note and looked at it. Her beautiful eyes flickered and she laughed out loud immediately.

Xiaozhuang also laughed and said, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Empress Zhaojing smiled and said, "The nature of a gentleman is not different, he is good at making use of things. It turns out that Junior Brother has already prepared a retreat. When 1,800 people rushed to attack, the remaining 200 people borrowed 200 ships."

"Ten taels of silver were given for each ship, and the villagers took the initiative to help launch the ship and meet the large army in the reed marsh. Now they are hiding in the reed marsh."

At this point, Empress Zhaojing narrowed her eyes and said, "What's even more ridiculous is that Qiu Huan went to borrow a boat without money, so the villagers naturally refused to lend it, and they almost got into a fight.

Xiao Zhuang said: "I told you, Zhou Yuan is not a reckless person, he must have a back-up plan."

Empress Zhao Jing tilted her head and smiled: "Of course! My junior brother is not someone who can be bullied by everyone!"

"Come on, put on makeup for me, I want to go to the tower to take a good look at the frustrated faces of those ministers!"

...

On the tower, the faces of the ministers were indeed not good, only the Minister of Revenue Liu Jing was in a very good mood.

"Oh! Xunzi said that the nature of a gentleman is not different, but he is good at making use of things."

"Zhou Yuan is a scholar and a Confucian general after all. He naturally understands this truth. It's a pity that Qiu Huan, a dignified marquis, has not read many books."

Deng Bochi said coldly: "It's a pity that there are still only two thousand people. Hiding in the reeds can't withstand the shooting of bows and arrows. The densely packed people on the boat are the best targets."

Liu Jing smiled and said: "It's hard to say whether we can find people, let alone treat people as live targets."

Yang Guozhong sighed and said slowly: "Such military exercises are interesting. It's impossible to crush them one-sidedly. What's the fun of that."

"How will the next war develop? Let's listen to the old Duke's opinion."

Everyone looked at the Duke of Zhenguo.

Song Shan'ao frowned and said, "Borrowing boats in advance and using silver to stop the enemy from borrowing boats, Zhou Yuan used this trick very well."

"But the reeds in Chaobai River are too dense. Their boats will move in them and form tracks. Qiu Huan can guess Zhou Yuan's position as long as he sends people to stand on a high place to observe."

"More importantly, this is early spring, and Chaobai River is in the dry season. The swamps and pits on both sides cannot stop the army during the day."

"Qiu Huan can send people to directly surround and kill Zhou Yuan's army. With thousands of bows and arrows in hand, these are all easy."

Speaking of this, Song Shan'ao narrowed his eyes slightly and thought of a way.

This method is enough to determine the outcome of the battle of the reed marshes. If Zhou Yuan thought of it, he could survive. If Qiu Huan thought of it, Zhou Yuan would be in trouble.

...

Standing at the bow, looking at the reeds swaying in the wind, Zhou Yuan's eyes were calm, and he said softly: "Your Majesty is still good to me. He actually sent Master Zhuang to protect me personally. It's an honor."

Zhuang Xuansu's face was very ugly, and he gritted his teeth and said: "I shouldn't have come!"

Zhou Yuan said: "There are benefits to coming. At least you can see a wonderful battle."

Zhuang Xuansu glanced at the woman sitting next to him, and there was an inexplicable fear in his heart.

This woman is too beautiful, and the Tao rhyme fluctuations on her body made her understand that thisThe woman is absolutely powerful.

I really don't know where Zhou Yuan found such a strong person.

It is said that her name is Li Yu'an? I met her once when I was in Zhou's mansion, but I didn't expect to see her again here.

"Since someone is protecting you, then I will leave. There is no point in staying here."

As he spoke, Zhuang Xuansu stood up and wanted to leave by boat.

Zhou Yuan said: "Don't leave, you will be useful here. You will be needed to intimidate those dead people."

Zhuang Xuansu asked in confusion: "That group of dead people?"

Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice: "I will annihilate more than 10,000 people on Qiu Huan's left and right wings here, and blow the horn of counterattack, but this is a military exercise after all, and I am afraid that someone will not cooperate."

Zhuang Xuansu snorted coldly and said: "I am the head of the inner court department after all. Why should I listen to your orders? Naturally, there are Jinyiwei to help you."

Zhou Yuan stopped talking and just looked at Li Yu'an.

Li Yu'an nodded and chuckled, "If you stay and help, I can agree to one condition."

Zhuang Xuansu actually didn't like her very much, and there was always hostility in his heart.

She narrowed her eyes and said, "I am doing things for His Majesty. What conditions do you need to agree to?"

Li Yu'an said, "I can help you to master the magic skill and take your strength to the next level. Although you are still not as good as your talented sister, at least you will have the capital to escape when you meet Chu Feifan in the future."

Zhuang Xuansu's heart moved. Master the magic skill? She has been looking forward to it for many years, but unfortunately her talent is really limited, and she really can't do it.

This woman, can help me?

How is it possible! My sister can't help me!

Zhuang Xuansu snorted, "Boasting! I don't believe it!"

Li Yu'an smiled faintly and said, "The Demon-Subduing Skill is the traditional mental method of Tianshi Zhengyi Dao, passed down by the head of Qingcheng Mountain. It emphasizes the perfection of having nothing outside, integrating the inner emptiness, and nourishing the spirit. I have studied this aspect very deeply. I only need to teach you for three days and you will be able to comprehend it."

Speaking of this, she stretched out her slender jade hand and gently pinched it. The rhyme of Taoism flowed in her palm, and a breath of extremely hot waves surged. In the heat wave, an illusory lotus slowly grew out.

Li Yu'an said: "This move of planting lotus in the fire is the ultimate application of Taoism. Your sister has not reached this level either."

Zhuang Xuansu was stunned, then swallowed his saliva and said with difficulty: "Actually, Zhou Yuan is my friend. We met when we were in Lin'an Prefecture. It is my duty to help him. Besides, it is my duty."

Zhou Yuan laughed and nodded: "Yes, I have a good relationship with Zhuang Sizhu."

As soon as the voice fell, a small boat came quickly from the reed marsh. The spy said in a deep voice: "General, Qiu Huan's troops have moved. The four armies on the left and right wings, totaling more than 10,000 people, have surrounded the reed marsh and are shrinking inwards."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: "The decisive battle has finally begun!"