Embroidered color and fragrance

Chapter 213 Countermeasures
Zhou Chao stood at the head of Runing City and looked at it. It was only more than 400 miles away from Nanyang, and it took only two or three days to get there.

But now it seems to be separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

"It's said that each has half, but in fact we only occupy a corner." Zhou Chao laughed at himself. In front of them was Shen Zhan, behind them was unwilling to leave Luzhou, and behind them was Liu Qing leading people to guard Huguang, Xiangyang and De'an are guarded.

They are besieged on all sides, which means they are surrounded by each other.

"My lord." Deputy General Song handed him a cup of tea, "Yanjing has come to order."

Zhou Chao hummed, took it over and looked at it, his eyes lit up, and his frown eased a little, Vice General Song hurriedly asked, "But what good thing did the Holy Majesty say?"

"Well." Zhou Chao handed the secret letter to the other party, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is worthy of being His Majesty. Although he hasn't fought a war for several years, he still has unique insights into war affairs."

Deputy General Song was also happy to see it, "It's just that this matter is not easy to handle."

"There's nothing difficult to do." Zhou Chao smiled and said, "It's much easier to do this than if we lead troops to fight Zhennan...and Shen Zhan head-on."

The two went downstairs while talking.

As soon as he arrived at the bottom of the city tower, he saw the uncle of the Wu family in Runing City head-on. Uncle Wu looked in his early thirties this year.

But Zhou Chao knew that Uncle Wu was not only difficult to speak, but also domineering.

The Wu family has lived in Ru Ning for generations, and there have been four emperors and two prime ministers. The descendants and concubines occupy half of Ru Ning. Not only that, but there are also people from them in several nearby state capitals.Wu Family Academy even has people going to high school every year, with students all over the world.

In Henan, it is said that the Wu family is a famous family, and no one dares to say a word wrong.

"Uncle Wu." Zhou Chao cupped his hands. After they entered Runing City, the first thing they did was to go to the Wu Mansion to meet Mrs. Wu. After Mrs. Wu gave his approval, they finally gained a foothold in Runing.

Uncle Wu returned the salute, and said straight to the point: "I heard that you are going to touch our Zhuangzi?"

The family has a big business, not only for business, but more than half of the surrounding fields are theirs. Almost everyone in the entire Runing Mansion is related to the Wu family. Even if it is an ordinary farmer, there may be five out of ten. A tenant of the Wu family.

"No." Zhou Chao's heart skipped a beat. The Holy Majesty's letter had just mentioned the Wu family, and mentioned the rich and powerful families with whom Wu had a relationship, and let the power of these people trap Shen Zhan.

How come it's such a coincidence that people from the Wu family came to mention Tian Mu just after talking about it?
"Is there some misunderstanding, where did you hear the news?" Zhou Chao said, asking Uncle Wu to sit in the classroom beside him.

Uncle Wu waved his hand and stood under the city tower. He had a lot of things to do, and he didn't have the heart to deal with these generals who didn't know a lot of characters: "It's good if there is nothing. We have been like this for a hundred years ago. If you haven't mentioned this matter, I don't think you should do more useless work, Mr. Zhou."

"Runing is so comfortable, not because of Zhizhou's credit, but because our Wu family is here." Uncle Wu stared at Zhou Chao, and said: "That's all I have to say, Mr. Zhou can do it for himself."

Said and left.

Zhou Chao frowned and smiled wryly. Vice-General Song was so angry that he pointed at Uncle Wu's back and cursed: "This son of a bitch, look at him."

"He also makes sense. We really can't move these clans, at least, we can't move now." Zhou Chao sighed, and smiled again, "However, tell us, the more we can't move, the more my sage said. Feasible."

You are right, Nanyang is so close to Runing, I heard that the Wu family has three or four in-laws from Nanyang, this move...

It's raging.

Zhou Chao and Deputy General Song called their staff to discuss countermeasures overnight. At this moment, in the study of the old man of the Wu family, there was also a young man, panting heavily, and said: "...my father said, this I have to tell you first, lest the imperial court make a sudden move and we will be caught off guard."

"The imperial court is going to rectify the farmland at this time?" Mrs. Wu is over 70 this year, but he is still full of energy. "This matter, I don't think it is reliable. Where did you get the news?"

The young man replied: "Do you know the Chen family?" Seeing Mrs. Wu nodded, the young man went on to say, "The Chen family did not dare to sell land in Runing, but they secretly sold it in Nanyang a while ago. They have three Zhuangzi in their hands." , the largest is 200 mu, and the smallest is more than [-] mu, all near Runing."

"Uncle Chen's son-in-law is a student of Mr. Zheng, and he is about to enter the court as an official. He wrote back, saying that he asked him to sell the land at a discount." The young man said: "I also thought at first It’s unreliable. We’re at war, and the Later Song Dynasty has dominated half of the world, so it’s impossible for the court to do this now, isn’t it just asking for trouble?”

"Yes." Old Master Wu said, "That's true."

The young man said again: "But, we can't win this battle. The state treasury can't even get three months' worth of food."

"It's so tight?" Mrs. Wu thought it was inconceivable that a country's treasury could be so empty.

The young man said: "The main reason is that the beating of Nurhachi cost too much. It was a dying cow, and it had been plowing the land for another year. Now it is the last breath left."

"There is some truth to what you said." Mrs. Wu still doesn't believe it, but it doesn't matter if you don't believe it or not. It's not a bad thing to be on guard. "Go back and tell your father, I know the matter, and I know it well. You should be more cautious in Nanyang When Shen Zhan and Su's Xianyu turn around, they are most proud and arrogant, so don't mess with them if you have nothing to do, just avoid them if you can."

The young man stood up and said goodbye. The old man Wu thought about it for half the night in his room, and woke up early the next morning. He had just washed up and had breakfast, and the manager went back and forth, "Zhou Chao is here."

"Invite him to come in." Mrs. Wu sat down in the warm pavilion, after a while Zhou Chao came in, bowed, and said with a smile: "There is a reason for disturbing the old man early in the morning, please forgive me."

"I'm old, I wake up early. It's good to have a younger generation to talk with me early in the morning." Mrs. Wu invited Zhou Chao to sit down and asked, "What's the matter with Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou Chao thought for a while, and in his mind he went through the language he had organized before, took a sip of tea, and said, "That's right. The entire Henan prefecture, the literati clan is looking forward to you, the old man. Zhou is here today. , I want to ask the old lady for a favor."

Mrs. Wu was drinking tea, and she glanced at Zhou Chao from the corner of her eye.

"That's right, Shen Zhan conspired against him, and he is now in Nanyang. Now he has a strong army, with more than 8 people. To tell you the truth, I only have [-] in my hand." Big, so, I thought of a way."

Zhou Chao was very frank, and Mrs. Wu's complexion became a little warmer.

"Regardless of Ru Ning or Nanyang, you always have the final say. If you raise your arms and call out, those prominent families will definitely answer the call. When the time comes to unite, even Shen Zhan has three heads and six arms. Silent silk."

"For this matter?" Old Master Wu asked, "How to do it specifically."

Zhou Chao said: "What can make everyone more united and respond immediately?" After a slight pause, his tone became more serious, and he said: "Benefits!"

What is the biggest asset and benefit of the clan, that is the land, Mr. Wu raised his brows, nodded and said: "Master Zhou continues."

"Let's talk about it. Let's say that the Later Song Dynasty will rectify the fields. The people near Nanyang have no fields. The Later Song Dynasty intends to rectify and reform to affect everyone's interests." Zhou Chao said: "Once this matter comes out, it will definitely arouse great reactions. Then Shen Zhan won't be able to stay in Nanyang any longer."

The whole city drove and opposed, and they could not be killed or beaten. One can imagine the situation.

"Then...Master Zhou, have you thought about how the matter will end?" Mrs. Wu asked, "No one dared to mention this matter for a hundred years. You mentioned it today to drive away Hou Song. What about after Hou Song left?"

Those tenants, don't underestimate the power of these people. It's okay to have no hope, but if you give them hope, it will fail.

Who knows what those poor ghosts will do.

In Zhou Chao's opinion, there are at least two purposes for Mr. Wu.

First, Zhou Chao couldn't beat Shen Zhan, so he wanted to pull them out as shields and forwards. Anyway, it was their clans that died, which was a good thing for the court.

Second, if things are really successful, then it is very likely that the imperial court will take advantage of the trend, settle the account on the head of the Song Dynasty, and then divide their interests and weaken them

Power, after all, no one in power would want to see such a situation.

It is Zhao Zhiang's idea to want to move but not to move.

"After the Song Dynasty left, it will naturally remain the same as before," Zhou Chao assured, "I can assure you on this matter that the life of your families and houses will not be changed by anyone."

Old Master Wu didn't believe it, so he nodded slightly and said: "This matter is no small matter, I want to discuss it with my family. In this way, I will give Mr. Zhou an answer tomorrow morning."

"Yes." The result was already good, Zhou Chao got up and said goodbye, "That Zhou someone left."

As soon as Zhou Chao left, Mrs. Wu called his son, grandson and great-grandson and other men in charge to come in. A dozen men from the family sat in the room to discuss the matter, talking a lot, and there was no result in the afternoon.

In the evening, he went on to say that he came to the conclusion that Zhou Chao's method would not work. It would not be good for them to push them to the forefront no matter what the outcome would be.

Old Master Wu did not invite Zhou Chao to come, but asked his eldest grandson to tell Zhou Chao that Uncle Wu found Zhou Chao and replied straight to the point.

Zhou Chao was not surprised, but he was very angry.

When is this, the country is in crisis, and they only think about their own gains and losses, honor and disgrace.

"My lord." Deputy General Song looked at Uncle Wu's back, and said coldly, "If you can't do it, the Wu family will be imprisoned first. Let's see how they show off their power and don't take you seriously."

Zhou Chao shook his head and said: "No, they will not target Shen Zhan, but us." Then he said: "Think of a way."

Mrs. Wu knew that this matter was not over, and that Zhou Chao would still use his brains, so he ordered his family members, "...if anyone still comes to see me, just say that I am sick and lying at home to die." He added: "Go get a doctor."

The family members should have gone to invite the doctor that the Wu family often invited, but they were all in vain. There was only one young doctor in the huge medical clinic. Just make a show."

The doctor was invited to see him.

Even if the old man is in good health, he will always suffer from one or another illness. He prescribes some nourishing prescriptions and takes medicine harmlessly, and the news of Mrs. Wu's illness spreads.

The Wu family closed their doors and refused to accept visitors.

Zhou Chao stood at the door of Wu's house, no matter how good-tempered he was, he was full of anger. If it wasn't for the bad situation, he would definitely kill the Wu family.

As soon as he left, the servant at the door of Wu's house hurried back to report to Uncle Wu, "Master Zhou stood at the door for a while, then left with a displeased expression on his face."

"Just leave it alone." Uncle Wu said: "Send someone to watch him, I'll go and talk to the old man."

The servant should be, Uncle Wu went to the room of Old Mrs. Wu, and the serving woman was taking out shoe soles outside the study, when she saw her coming, she opened the door with a smile, and said, "The old man is reading."

"Yes." Uncle Wu stepped into the study, and saw that the old man was leaning on the chair and fell asleep. He stepped forward and called, "Grandfather."

After shouting several times, Mrs. Wu didn't respond at all.

"Grandfather." Uncle Wu boldly stretched out his hand to touch his breath, he was startled, and shouted: "Grandfather!"

Not only was he out of breath, but his body was also cold.

"Hurry up and invite the doctor." Uncle Wu hugged him on the soft couch and put him away, and the mother-in-law went to call for the doctor in despair, and the whole Wu family was turned upside down.

The doctor was the one used by the Wu family before, his face sank as soon as he stroked his pulse, he looked at his nails and eyes, sat down on the ground in fright, and stammered: "Old... the old man is poisoned. "

Poisoned?Uncle Wu asked, "What kind of poison did you catch? When did you catch the poison? Find out quickly."

"The old man's meals are all made in the small kitchen, and the people who use them are old people who have been using them for many years. How could they be poisoned?"

"Don't worry about old people and newcomers, lock up all the waiters in the yard, and go to the kitchen to check."

The doctor didn't find any poison, but it was definitely poisoned, and the fingernails were all purple and black.

I searched the kitchen and found no clues. People interrogated and called, but there was nothing useful.

"Medicine, the nourishing medicine that the old man caught a few days ago." Uncle Wu asked the woman in the room, "Where is the medicine, show it to the doctor."

The mother-in-law replied: "The slave girl took the medicine home, the old man said that he didn't need to take medicine because he was not sick, so the slave girl took it back and took it."

How can people be poisoned without taking medicine.

"Have you seen any outsiders during this time?" The doctor asked.

Uncle Wu immediately thought of the young doctor, "The doctor I met the day before yesterday is from your clinic. His surname is Han."

"On the fifteenth day before yesterday, our clinic closed." The doctor said, "Besides, we don't have a doctor surnamed Han."

Only then did Uncle Wu remember that the medical center will be closed for one day on the fifteenth day of every month.

"Who is that person?" Uncle Wu asked, "It's not someone from your clinic, how could it be in the clinic?"

The doctor shook his head. If the Wu family didn't know, he was even more unclear.

"Could it be Mr. Zhou?" Suddenly, a young man said: "Recently, apart from seeing this doctor, the old man has also met Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Chao didn't get things done, so he held a grudge and planned to poison Mrs. Wu so that he could control the Wu family?
There is this possibility.

"Go and check!" Uncle Wu said: "Zhou Zhouchao still has that Doctor Han. If I find him, I will tear him into pieces!"

The entire Runing City was alarmed by all the efforts of the family to find someone. Everyone knew that the Wu family was looking for a doctor surnamed Han.

Zhou Chao was also very surprised when he heard the news, and asked the people from the Wu family, "Poisoned? Is this doctor surnamed Han? If anyone needs my help, we will do our best."

"No need." The person who came here was just a manager, and he looked at Zhou Chao without any respect, "We appreciate Mr. Zhou's kindness, and we will leave!"

Ru Ning was in turmoil, but Nanyang received news after a day.

Su Wanru hugged August to bask in the sun at the door, and seeing Mei Ziqing coming in from the door, she smiled and said, "How is it? It's going well?"

"It's going well, and now people all over the city are looking for me." Mei Yu sat down opposite him with a smile, and took out a rattle from her bag to August, "The Wu family is shaking up and down, and it is estimated that it will spread in two days." to Nanyang."

"It has already come." Su Wanru smiled lightly, and said, "It's much faster than your footsteps."

Mei Yu laughed and shook her head, she wanted to hug August, but when she thought about the dust all over her body, she couldn't bear it, and asked, "Where is Lord Hou?"

"He's gone out to do some errands, and he's going to Xiangyang tonight, so I'll leave it here to deal with the aftermath." Su Wanru smiled and said, "Have you seen Zhu Xun? I haven't seen anyone else for several days."

Mei Yu said: "He walked with me, but he said that he had something to do and would leave temporarily for half a month." Then said: "I see he is disguised, I don't know where he wants to go."

Su Wanru frowned, "Is he disguised? Does he want to sneak back to the capital?"

"It's possible." Mei Yu nodded and said, "It's very possible what you said, otherwise he wouldn't have disguised himself."

Su Wanru had a headache, pinched August's face, and said, "Your uncle pig, what a pig!"

"Pig." August nodded, "Eat meat."

Su Wanru laughed loudly and said, "Okay, I'll roast meat for you today."

"I'll go burn it." Mei Yu said, "Has Lu Cheng's craftsmanship improved?"

Su Wanru wanted to cry without tears, she shook her head and said, "What are you growing up for, we are all making do with food, if it wasn't for the fear of being poisoned, I really want to hire a cook."

"I'm going to cook it today." Mei Yu patted August's head, "Do you want to eat meat?"

August nodded his head, "Yeah." He answered him continuously.

"Then you guys rest, I'll change clothes and cook." Mei Yu said and left, Su Wanru led August and took the two dogs for a walk, August pointed to the door, said: "Play! "

Su Wanru opened the door to the yard, the wind on the street has softened a lot, and many young people who are not afraid of the cold have already put on spring clothes. When Lu Cheng saw her going out, he followed her from the side door. Su Wanru asked, "How is it?"

"Zhu House, Zhang House, and Liu House have all sent people to Runing." Lu Cheng said, "What should we do next?"

There is a little boy named Fu Xing next door who likes to play with August. He is one year older than August. The two of them can't speak clearly. Whenever they meet, they quarrel and fight. It's very lively.

"August, August." Fuxing was fat and puffy, half a head taller than August, running, and rushed over to hug August, "Sugar."

As he spoke, he grabbed a piece of candy from his bosom, and Fu Xing's mother, Yan Shi, snatched the candy from her son in fright, and said to Su Wanru, "Princess, children are ignorant, I don't know... I don't know, I can't." For food."

"It's okay." Su Wanru said, "Fu Xing, my family also has candy, delicious sweet-scented osmanthus candy."

Fu Xing was about to cry, but when he heard that there was sugar, he laughed, and dropped the matter, and sat under the eaves with August to grab a stone and play.

Su Wanru was sitting on the threshold, watching the people coming and going on the street. The Zhang Mansion was diagonally opposite. He didn't think much about it when he rented this place, but now it seems that he has hit the right button.

There was a gap in the side door of the Zhang residence, and a pair of eyes were staring at this side.

"Mrs. Yan." Su Wanru turned her eyes and said to Yan, "Do you have a farm in your family?"

　Come back at ten o'clock in the evening, there is another update!Okay, the typo will be corrected later.The sun came out today, so I decided to wash everything that could be washed at home.Quack~!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)