bookcurios Chapter 118 Conversation
Chapter 118 Conversation
In the main hall, only Xibo Hou Jichang and Jizhou Hou Su Hu were sitting on chairs facing each other.
By candlelight, Ji Chang, the Marquis of Xibo, saw that Su Hu, the Marquis of Jizhou, had a haggard face and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Ji Chang sighed softly, his voice low and somewhat helpless:
"Brother Su, to be honest, I don't want the Xiqi army to approach Jizhou. But now the situation forces me to do so."
Su Hu waved his hands, as if to shake off all the fatigue and tiredness.
His voice was low but full of power:
"Brother Ji, I know your difficulties. Emperor Xin is very cunning. He knows that our two families must be related by marriage, so he wants to use your name to coerce Jizhou. How could I not know his tricks?"
Ji Chang nodded and said in a deep voice:
"Brother Su is indeed very wise and saw through the true meaning at a glance. But now my Xiqi army has arrived and Jizhou City is in danger. Although I want to help, I also know that this matter is no trivial matter. I wonder what Brother Su's plan is?"
Su Hu was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about how to answer.
Then, he slowly raised his head, with a determined light in his eyes:
"Brother Ji, although Jizhou is small, the army and the people are united. How can we easily succumb to the tyranny of Emperor Xin? I have ordered the whole city to be on alert, and I swear to live and die with Jizhou!"
Ji Chang was moved when he heard this. He stood up, walked to Su Hu, and patted him on the shoulder:
"Brother Su, I admire your courage and determination. But have you ever thought about how the people in Jizhou would cope if we really went to war with the Shang Dynasty?"
"Brother Ji, I know what you said, but I will not sacrifice my daughter in exchange for temporary comfort." Su Hu said in a deep voice.
Su Hu took a deep breath, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes:
"Brother Ji, I know you have good intentions and are concerned about the safety of the people. But I cannot sacrifice the dignity and honor of Jizhou in order to protect the people."
He paused and continued:
"I have prepared for the worst. If it really comes to that, I will do my best to protect the lives of the people."
Ji Chang looked at Su Hu's determined eyes and knew that it was useless to persuade him. He pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"Brother Su, I won't try to persuade you anymore. I've already delayed for three days. If I delay any further, someone will definitely report it to the king. By then, I'm afraid the situation will become even more complicated. So, starting tomorrow, I'll send someone to challenge you at the foot of the city."
Su Hu's eyes flashed with a complicated light. He understood Ji Chang's worries and concerns. But he still said firmly:
"Brother Ji, thank you for your kindness. I appreciate it. But this is my own choice. No matter what the result is, I am willing to bear it."
"Brother Su, you and I have known each other for many years, and I will not really kill you all. If the city of Jizhou is broken, I will definitely arrange good people to pick you up and send you to a safe place." Xibohou Ji Chang said thoughtfully.
When Su Hu heard this, a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes. He knew Ji Chang's character well, and he also understood that what he said came from the heart.
However, as Marquis of Jizhou, he also has his own persistence and considerations.
Su Hu took a deep breath and responded slowly:
"Brother Ji, I am grateful for your kindness. However, I am afraid this is inappropriate."
"The purpose of King Di Xin of Shang is clear. He wants you to bring me back to Chaoge to be punished after you surrender me."
"If you release me privately, how will you report to the King of Shang? Wouldn't that put you in an unjust position?"
After hearing this, Ji Chang's lips curled up into a meaningful smile, as if he had already made up his mind.
He clapped his hands gently, signaling Su Hu not to worry too much, and then spoke slowly, his voice full of calmness and confidence.
"Brother Su, please relax."
Ji Chang's eyes sparkled with wisdom, as if he could see into people's hearts, and he continued:
"When the time comes, I will have a clever plan to deal with it. I will order someone to prepare a bloody corpse, dress it up to look like you, and bring it back to Chaoge."
"To the outside world, announce that when you captured Jizhou City, you were unfortunately hit by a flint and died on the spot."
"As for your family members, they also died in the chaos. Their bodies became blurred due to the fierce battle and were cremated on the spot."
When Su Hu heard this, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, which was then replaced by deep gratitude.
Then Su Hu stood up and bowed deeply to Ji Chang, his voice full of respect and gratitude:
"Thank you, Brother Ji, for considering me. I am lucky to have a good friend like you in my life."
Seeing this, Ji Chang also stood up, helped Su Hu up, and said with a smile:
"Brother Su, you and I have known each other for many years and we are as close as brothers. How can I just watch you fall into a desperate situation and do nothing? This is just what I should do. Don't worry, I am here to protect you."
The voice paused for a moment at this moment. Ji Chang took a deep breath, as if thinking about what to say next.
He looked up at Su Hu, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes:
"However, Brother Su, you and your family will have to change your names. Only in this way can we ensure your safety and not reveal any clues."
Su Hu nodded when he heard this, with a hint of determination in his eyes. He understood Ji Chang's concerns, and he also knew that this was for the safety of their family.
He held Ji Chang's hand tightly and said firmly:
"Brother Ji, rest assured. I know the seriousness of the matter and understand your painstaking efforts. Changing your name is not a big deal. When the time comes, I will follow your arrangements."
Upon hearing this, Ji Chang nodded with satisfaction and said softly:
"Okay, Brother Su, it's getting late. I'm meeting you in private this time. If I stay any longer, it might arouse suspicion. I'll leave first."
After a pause, he continued:
"Leave Yikao with you. When it's over, go to Xiqi with Brother Su."
After hearing this, Su Hu nodded solemnly, his eyes showing deep gratitude and respect for Ji Chang, and said frankly:
"Okay, I'll take Brother Ji back. Yikao is with me, don't worry. After I'm out of trouble, I'll let Yikao and Daji get married."
Ji Chang nodded slightly and said:
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Su. I'm leaving now!"
After saying that, the two walked out of the room side by side. The night was as dark as ink, and the stars were twinkling.
Su Hu personally escorted Ji Chang out of the mansion and watched him disappear into the night.
……
The next morning, the sky was filled with morning glow and golden sunlight sprinkled on the battlefield, adding a bit of vitality to this grim place.
King Ji Chang of Xibo stood at the gate of the Xiqi camp with a sharp gaze. He had already made up his mind.
Ji Chang waved his hand lightly, and a mighty general in armor rode out on his horse.
This person was none other than Su Changmei, the general of Xiqi. Holding a spear and looking very imposing, he galloped towards the gate of Jizhou City.
Seeing this, Beibohou Chonghouhu showed a trace of surprise on his face, looked at Xibohou Jichang and said:
"Aren't you going to wait two more days? Why are you challenging me so soon?"
Ji Chang looked at Beibohou expressionlessly and said:
"One day earlier or later, what difference does it make? I have figured it out. Today is a good day to challenge."
Chong Houhu frowned upon hearing this, and his eyes swept over Su Changmei's tall figure, but he couldn't help but frown slightly and said bluntly:
"You are the head coach, you have the final say, but I wonder if this young player you sent out can do it. He looks so thin, he might get knocked down with one shot."
When Ji Chang heard this, a faint smile flashed across his face. He looked at Chonghouhu deeply and said:
"Beibo Hou is worrying too much. Although Su Changmei is thin, he is a rare talent in our Xiqi army."
Then, he looked at Su Changmei and continued:
"He is highly skilled in martial arts, intelligent and brave, and has made many outstanding achievements on the battlefield. This time, I sent him to challenge you because I value his ability and wisdom."
After hearing this, Beibo Hou Chonghouhu said no more and looked ahead, waiting for Jizhou Hou Suhu to send people to fight.