help me?
Zhou Jinghuan's eyes darted around quickly. He didn't know what Yang Qingzhi was up to, but it was impossible for him to believe that Yang Qingzhi would suddenly be so kind.
"Tell me about it," Zhou Jinghuan said.
Yang Qingzhi calmly said, "May I speak to you in private?"
Zhou Jinghuan said, "Hao Qing."
Hao Qing understood and immediately stood behind Zhou Jinghuan, pointing his long sword at the ground, making it clear that no one was allowed to come closer.
Zhou Jinghuan and Yang Qingzhi then walked to the side.
This scene made Zhou Mobai anxious, and she immediately craned her neck.
"Grand Commander, you should know that my father is seriously ill," Yang Qingzhi said as they walked, the two chatting casually like friends taking a stroll.
Zhou Jinghuan said, "I've heard a little about it. Brother Qingzhi, you should relax and not worry yourself. The Yang family will still need you in the future."
Yang Qingzhi clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the direction of the palace and said, "The Yang family relies on the strength of the empire, on His Majesty's wisdom, and on the Grand Commander's care. My abilities are far less than one-tenth of my father's. If my father were to fall, how could I possibly support this family?"
"Why are you so discouraged, brother?" Zhou Jinghuan carefully observed Yang Qingzhi's expression.
Yang Qingzhi lamented, “I’ve been thinking a lot at home lately. They say people should reflect on themselves often, and that’s really true. After these years of fighting, I’ve thought I’ve surpassed my predecessors and was intoxicated by the reputation of being a junior commander, but in reality, I’ve lost more than I’ve won. I’m no match for Yuan Zhang, nor for Zhao Huan, and certainly no match for Zhao Cheng.”
"I... am just an ordinary person."
"Alas, my brother, you are still young. You must not lose heart." Zhou Jinghuan sighed, but the sigh did not seem fake; it seemed to carry a hint of genuine emotion.
Yes, you are just a mediocre person.
I've always thought so.
Yang Qingzhi solemnly said, "That's why I decided to come to the Military Criminal Division to help the Grand Commander. I hope that the Grand Commander will take good care of my Yang family in the future!"
Zhou Jinghuan asked, "Speak, what do you want to do?"
Yang Qingzhi regained his composure and said, "I know that the Second Prince has not been idle during this time. Many generals in the Military Prisoners Division have received his promise that as long as they can get out, they will serve him from now on. But as you know, he and the Grand Commander, the most important people currently imprisoned in the Military Prisoners Division are Li Yunqing and He Biao."
“One of them is my sworn brother, and the other is the most valiant general in the Yang family army. Their prestige in the Southern Zhou military far exceeds that of me. Their allegiance is of paramount importance.”
“I have known them for many years and I know their character. Now, neither the Grand Commander nor the Second Prince would rather die than submit to you, unless…”
Zhou Jinghuan replied, "Unless your father gives the order."
"right."
Yang Qingzhi nodded and said, "My father is bedridden and unable to come in person, but the two generals have always trusted me. I will persuade them on my father's behalf and I am confident that I can change their minds."
"From now on, let them follow the Grand Commander."
"To follow the Grand Commander is to be loyal to His Majesty and to the Southern Zhou!"
This was a great thing for Zhou Jinghuan, but Zhou Jinghuan gradually raised his eyebrows and said after a long time: "Brother Qingzhi, we have known each other for a long time. Let's get straight to the point. You are a master of scheming. How do I know if you deliberately made them join me, but what tricks you are actually playing?"
Yang Qingzhi said, "Grand Commander, you think too highly of me. As I've said, I've now realized that I'm nothing but an ordinary person. The reason I was able to achieve some success in the past was because of my father's influence and the solid foundation of the Yang family army. Now that my father is on his deathbed and I have no military power, what leverage do I have to resort to underhanded tactics?"
"But it's impossible to say I have no selfish motives; I have two selfish motives."
"Firstly, I am like brothers with the two generals, and I really can't bear to see them ruin their future."
"Secondly, I hope the Grand Commander will remember the decision I made today and treat the Yang family well in the future."
"Grand Commander, Gray Robe has submitted to you, and Zuo Zhu has betrayed me. Everything is under your control. I only wish to ask for a peaceful end for my father and the Yang family."
Yang Qingzhi bowed down again: "I hope the Grand Commander will grant my request."
Zhou Jinghuan took Yang Qingzhi's hand, his expression becoming serious, and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Qingzhi."
"Look at that camphor tree."
Zhou Jinghuan suddenly pointed ahead and said to Yang Qingzhi.
Yang Qingzhi looked in the direction Zhou Jinghuan pointed and saw a huge camphor tree with a thick trunk and lush foliage, which seemed to be able to block out the sky in this small world.
Zhou Jinghuan continued, "It's not easy for a tree to grow this big. It must have taken so many years of cultivation and endured so much wind and rain to establish its roots and branches to occupy a place in the world. Look at the sapling next to it, so thin and weak, its trunk isn't even straight, it looks like a hunched old man. Although the big tree and the sapling are together, they don't look like father and son at all!"
It was as if a muffled thunderclap exploded in Yang Qingzhi's mind.
He could easily see through Zhou Jinghuan's metaphor.
A son is not as good as his father.
The son doesn't resemble his father!
Disgrace!!
Yang Qingzhi put his hands behind his back and quietly clenched his fists tightly.
He must remember this humiliation!
When he finished speaking, Zhou Jinghuan glanced at Yang Qingzhi's expression out of the corner of his eye, but he only saw calmness in Yang Qingzhi's eyes.
He asked, "You agree, right, Brother Qingzhi? Hahaha!"
Yang Qingzhi also laughed: "Hahaha, Grand Commander, what a wonderful analogy! What a wonderful analogy!!"
In the distance, Zhou Mobai craned his neck, looking puzzled, and asked, "What are those two talking about, laughing so happily?"
...
When the military and political power of the Southern Zhou court was transferred, Zhao Cheng and his party also left Yunjing County and headed north.
After Zhou Jinghuan took over as Grand Commander, he proposed a peace agreement to Zhao Cheng and expressed his willingness to cooperate with Zhao Cheng to provide greater support to the Eastern Chamber of Commerce in Southern Zhou.
Zhao Cheng informed Xiao Luomu and Cai Yilu to come to Yanchuan, and the three of them met in Yanchuan City.
Therefore, Zhao Yan led his army directly back to Changsui, while Zhao Cheng went to Yanchuan first.
After discussing official business with Xiao Luomu and Cai Yilu, Zhao Cheng went to the Red Sleeve Pavilion at Heaven and Earth.
In a private room on the third floor, Chen Feier and Wu Sisi had been waiting for a long time.
"Boss... no, now you should call me General!" As soon as Wu Sisi saw Zhao Cheng, she obediently pressed her body against him, wrapping one arm around his neck, exuding charm.
Chen Feier's expression was somewhat aloof, but there was still an undisguised fervor in her eyes.
"General."
"What general!" Zhao Cheng waved his hand, put one arm around Wu Sisi's waist, and pulled Chen Feier into his arms with the other.
"There are no great generals here, only your precious treasures!"
Wu Sisi glanced out the window and said, "I heard Zhou Nuo came with you too..."
"Don't worry, she thought I came out to discuss business. Zhao Hu has already sent her back to the Right Prime Minister's residence." Zhao Cheng revealed a mischievous smile.
"Official business is over; now it's your turn to be my business!"
"Important matters cannot be ignored!!"
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