However, these past few days, I've noticed some anomalies. The royal family seems to be colluding with a certain faction from the Tianwu Dynasty. If they were to unite, the Chu family might...
"What!" Chu Jiang's face suddenly changed drastically upon hearing this. He kicked over a nearby teacup and roared, "Scoundrels! My Chu family has guarded the borders of the Tianwu Dynasty for generations.
We've been loyal to the Tianwu Dynasty, and yet we're betrayed by these ungrateful wretches!"
"Father, don't be angry. In fact, I've had vague suspicions over the years. After all, our Chu family has been in conflict with the royal family for so long.
We've been checking each other's power, and neither side could truly defeat the other. The royal family must be worried that if our Chu family grows too strong,
it would threaten their ruling position, and that's why they want to eliminate us!" Chu Chen said.
"Hmph!" Chu Jiang snorted and said, "No matter what, I will never allow the Chu family to be swallowed by these ungrateful wretches. Chen'er, do you have a plan?"
"A plan?" Chu Chen narrowed his eyes, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
"Back when I was in Qingzhou, I already planted a chess piece. Now, it's time for this chess piece to make a move."
"Oh?"
Chu Jiang asked in surprise, "The person you're talking about, is he named Ye, the young man I brought back from Qingzhou?"
"That's right!" Chu Chen nodded. "It's because of him that I was able to be reborn. Father, don't worry, he's a chess piece I've laid.
I've already finished this game of chess, and I'm just waiting for him to cast his net and take down the entire royal family!"
"Chen'er, I'm looking forward to your plan," Chu Jiang said with a smile.
"Father, there's something I've always found strange. How many strong individuals has the royal family secretly cultivated over the years?"
"I don't know," Chu Jiang shook his head. "Every five years, our Chu family has to pay tribute to the royal family, but the amount of tribute.
I've never seen it. I've secretly sent people to investigate, but there were no clues at all."
"However, based on my deductions, the experts the royal family is secretly cultivating should not be weaker than our Chu family's foundation.
Otherwise, our Chu family would have already destroyed the royal family, and they wouldn't have lasted until now," Chu Jiang mused.
"Father, how many of these people the royal family is secretly cultivating do you think have reached the Condensing Gang realm?" Chu Chen suddenly asked.
"Thirty to forty, no less than twenty," Chu Jiang replied.
"That's enough!" Chu Chen's face was filled with excitement. "Father, I plan to let those old fossils of the royal family make their move first.
Once they've all perished, the royal family will be completely isolated. Then, it will be much easier for us to deal with them!"
"Good!" Chu Jiang also nodded in agreement. The father and son then discussed the specific details. After a long while, Chu Chen left the room.
As Chu Chen walked out of the courtyard, he encountered a maid. Seeing Chu Chen, she immediately bowed and said, "Young Master, Madam requests your presence in the front hall."
"Hmm?" Chu Chen was taken aback and said, "Why is Mother looking for me?"
"Young Master, this servant does not know," the maid replied, shaking her head.
"Never mind, I'll see what Mother wants to say to me."
Chu Chen took a deep breath and followed the maid to a garden.
In the garden, Chu Jiang and Madam Zhao were leisurely sipping tea and chatting. Seeing Chu Chen enter, they stopped their conversation.
"Chen'er pays his respects to Father and Mother," Chu Chen said, cupping his fists.
"Sit down," Chu Jiang nodded slightly, gesturing to a seat in front of him. Then, he looked at Madam Zhao and said, "What do you want to say to Chen'er?"
"Chen'er, was the wedding banquet for your sister last night held smoothly?" Madam Zhao did not answer Chu Jiang's question but instead looked at Chu Chen and asked.
"Mother, the conflict between our Chu family and the royal family has been long-standing. This marriage is merely a trade of interests," Chu Chen said indifferently.
"Chen'er..." Hearing this, Madam Zhao's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she then sighed, "If that's the case, why don't we take the initiative?"
"Mother, you misunderstand. Your son doesn't want to not take the initiative, but the royal family is currently powerful. If we were to mobilize our troops, we must be fully prepared.
Otherwise, we might suffer heavy losses. Therefore, your son has decided to wait and see what tricks the royal family is up to.
Also, I hope Mother can persuade Father not to tear his face with the royal family, to avoid sparking a war," Chu Chen said.
"Alright! I will tell your father," Madam Zhao nodded, then said to the maid beside her, "Lian Xin, please escort the young master out."
"Yes!" Lian Xin replied and walked up to Chu Chen, saying, "Young Master, please."
"Mm," Chu Chen nodded and then left.
After Chu Chen had walked away, Madam Zhao turned around, and a hint of worry flickered in her beautiful eyes. "My Lord, are you truly willing to listen to me?"
"Heh heh, the enmity between our Chu family and the royal family is irreconcilable. Do you think this hatred can truly be settled like this?"
Chu Jiang chuckled. "Moreover, Chen'er is right. The royal family's recent actions are indeed strange. Perhaps there are secrets hidden within."
"Sigh!" Madam Zhao sighed softly, then said, "My Lord, since you insist, I won't say any more. You must remember to prioritize the overall situation.
Do not act impulsively and bring disaster upon yourself!" Back in his courtyard, Chu Chen sat down cross-legged.
He began to rest. After a while, he stood up, then pushed open the door and walked out of the courtyard.
"Young Master." Seeing Chu Chen appear, the two maids outside the courtyard quickly bowed.
Chu Chen nodded and then walked alone towards the depths of the Chu mansion.
In the depths of the Chu family, there was a quiet bamboo forest. In the heart of the bamboo forest stood a bamboo building, exuding an air of mystery.
Entering the underground secret passage, Zhang Zhiyuan and the Wei army generals were waiting for him in the passage.
"Greetings, Lord Chu," they both cupped their fists.
Chu Chen waved his hand, signaling them to rise.
"Uncle Zhang, General Wei, how many troops have you mobilized this time?" Chu Chen asked.
"Reporting to Lord Chu, this subordinate has seven hundred cavalry under his command, stationed in various camps outside the city. Including the two of us, that makes a total of three hundred and fifty men." Zhang Zhiyuan said.
"Three hundred and fifty men..." Chu Chen frowned. This was too small a force. However, he also understood that Wu'an City was too far from the imperial capital.
Without a large army stationed there, it was difficult to defend.
"Lord Chu, the cavalry under this subordinate are all well-trained and brave in battle. One of them is worth ten," the Wei general said proudly.
"Mm," Chu Chen nodded. "In that case, I'll trouble the two generals to lead the army to attack the city tonight. However, you must be careful and cautious, and do not act rashly."