The army Wu Rui brought from Poyang totaled 3,000 people, but the number was too large. Wu Rui was allowed to bring only more than 500 people into the city. At this time, Yingbu led 300 Poyang guards to temporarily stop Wu Rui.

Arrange defenses in the mansion.

Groups of soldiers were tattooed and placed in various courtyards and corridors, and some personal guards were quietly arranged in the dark to protect Wu Rui's safety at all times. However, the most heavily guarded one was the gate of Wu Rui's mansion, with nearly a hundred people.

Patrol and stand guard in front of the door.

After setting everything up, Qingbu quickly walked to the back house. At this time, Wu Rui probably hadn't rested yet. Qingbu had to pay his respects to Wu Rui before he could return to his room.

After walking through two yards, Qingbu came to Wu Rui's door. At this time, the lights were still on in the house. Qingbu raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door frame. At this time, Wu Rui's tired voice came from inside the house: "

who?"

"Master-in-law, it's me." Ting Bu replied, and there was a brief silence in the room, but soon, Wu Rui said hoarsely: "Come in."

Tingbu opened the door and walked into the room. Wu Rui was standing in front of the window at this time, looking at the bright moonlight outside the window. He didn't know whether he was thinking about something or whether he had become sad after coming to Jiangdong.

Or maybe he was a little tired at this time and stood in front of the window just to cheer up.

But no matter what Wu Rui was like, at this time, he was looking out the window quietly. Ting Bu couldn't disturb him, so he had to wait aside. After about a cup of tea, Wu Rui let out a long sigh, then turned around and said with a smile: "You too

It’s been a busy day, sit down.”

Ting Bu nodded and sat down on the soft mat. At this time, Wu Rui also walked over slowly and sat opposite Ting Bu. At this time, a guard knocked on the door and walked in with tea. He stood in front of the two of them.

I drank a glass and then left.

Soon, the door was closed. Wu Rui looked at Qingbu and said with a smile: "This time, Kuaiji and his party, who do you think is stronger between the Jiangdong Chu army and our Poyang army?"

Wu Rui suddenly asked about this topic, and Yingbu was not prepared at all. He hesitated a little, pondered for a moment, and then tentatively said: "Master Yuezhang, I think that the Chu Army in Jiangdong and our Poyang Army have their own characteristics. We cannot just judge by appearance.

Explain the strength and weakness.”

Seeing Ting Bu's concern, Wu Rui couldn't help but laugh loudly: "You don't have to deal with me, just tell me what's in your heart, I want to listen to the truth!"

Wu Rui said this, and Ting Bu could not prevaricate Wu Rui any more, so he could only laugh and said: "Actually, what I just said is the truth. However, if you look at the equipment and training quality, I think the Jiangdong Chu Army is slightly better.

"

Speaking of this, Qingbu hesitated slightly. He seemed to have something to say, but he suddenly stopped talking. Wu Rui looked slightly unhappy and scolded: "Hesitating, how can you be like a man?"

At this time, Wu Rui felt a little unhappy in his heart. He had three daughters, the eldest daughter Wu Yao, the second daughter Wu Fang, and the third daughter Wu Ling. They were all the apples of Wu Rui's eyes and the treasures of the family. A few years ago, Wu Rui

Come to Poyang if you value it

Tingbu took him as his son-in-law and married his eldest daughter Wu Yao to him. However, at home, his second daughter Wu Fang and third daughter Wu Ling were still in the middle of nowhere. At this time, Tingbu wondered whether he could establish a relationship with the Xiang family.

What about going one level further?

Moreover, after Wu Rui came to Kuaiji, he also saw that the Xiang family's army was definitely not a ragtag group, nor was it pieced together at will like bandits and ordinary rebels. Their army had the unique qualities of soldiers.

, Moreover, military discipline is strict, and such an army, if drawn out, will definitely be able to fight a hundred battles.

Thinking of this, Wu Rui's determination to seek refuge with Xiang Liang became even firmer. At this time, Qingbu on the side sighed: "Since Lord Yue-Zhang insists on letting me say it, then I will just say it. With my many years of marching experience, our Poyang

If there is a head-on conflict between the Chu army in Jiangdong and the Chu army in Jiangdong, our chances of winning are slim."

Wu Rui was interrupted by Ying Bu's words, and he couldn't help but nodded. In fact, he himself felt that the Poyang Army and the Jiangdong Chu Army were not at the same level at all. At least for now, he was indeed no match for the Jiangdong Chu Army.

At this time, Ting Bu had already cupped his fists and said: "Master Yuezhang, if you can trust me, I am willing to train the Poyang Army to the same level within two years, and I will live up to Master Yuezhang's expectations."

Wu Rui smiled and nodded: "You will have a chance."

After a pause, Wu Rui brought the topic back, looked at the tattoo, and said with a smile: "I'm thinking that just merging with the Xiang family is not enough to express my sincerity. If we can get closer, we can merge the two families."

relation……"

Wu Rui did not continue, but Yingbu already understood Wu Rui's thoughts. He couldn't help laughing and said: "If my father-in-law has such an idea, I have a suitable candidate."

"Oh? Who is it?" Wu Rui also became interested. At this time, Qingbu laughed and said, "Xiangzhuang."

When Ying Bu said this, he paused. He stared at Wu Rui quietly. He must be given time to think. After a while, Wu Rui woke up from his meditation and looked at Ying Bu. Ying Bu continued: "I got to know each other in Xianyang.

To evaluate Xiang Zhuang, I can only use eight words: steady, generous, courageous, and resourceful."

Ting Bu's idea coincided with his own, and Wu Rui couldn't help but raise his head and laugh. He also felt that Xiang Zhuang was the most suitable candidate and the best bridge to bring the Wu family and Xiang family closer.

Thinking of this, a woman's figure came into Wu Rui's eyes. She was his second daughter Wu Fang. Wu Fang loved martial arts since she was a child. She devoted herself to the military and practiced martial arts and archery since she was a child. Over the years, she has always been free to do so.

She doted on her, now it's time to find her a home.

But thinking of this, Wu Rui was worried again. How could he mention this marriage to the Xiang family? If he did it too obviously, it would give the Xiang family an illusion and make them feel that he intended to marry the Xiang family, but he didn't mention it himself.

The Xiang family will not mention this marriage easily.

A kind of distress that he had never experienced before hit his heart. Wu Rui couldn't help but shake his head and sighed. On the side, Ting Bu looked slightly surprised. Just now, Wu Rui was smiling and boasting about himself. At this time, why did he suddenly become distressed? I don't know.

What is going on in his mind?

Ting Bu was filled with doubts and just as he was about to approach, the guard's report sounded outside the door: "Sir, there is a man who calls himself Ding Gong and is outside the house asking for an audience."

"Ding Gong?" Wu Rui was slightly surprised. Soon, he suddenly remembered that Ding Gong was his good friend Ding Gu. At this time, he was looking for a job in Kuaiji County and joined Xiang Liang's command. How could he forget about him?

The biggest breakthrough in marrying with the Xiang family lies in this person. Thinking of this, Wu Rui picked up the cloak from the side, looked at the tattoo, and laughed: "Let's go, follow me to greet Mr. Ding!"

...

A burst of hearty laughter sounded in the backyard of Wu Mansion. Wu Rui and Ding Gu walked slowly to the back hall. Soon, the two came to the back office of Wu Mansion. As soon as they entered the room, a personal guard came

After three cups of tea, Wu Rui pointed at the soft mat and said with a smile: "Ding Gu, I haven't seen you for many years."

Ding Gu also cupped his hands and said with a smile: "At the beginning, I also wanted to go to Poyang to join you, but the journey is far away, and I miss my mother and don't want to stay away. Please forgive me, Brother Wu."

At this time, the three of them took their seats. Wu Rui waved his hand, pretending not to care, and said with a smile: "Alas...! Why are you and I so polite? Now, don't I come to Kuaiji too? Shanshui When we meet again, the relationship between you and me has exceeded the distance and nearness in reality."

Wu Rui's words made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere became more harmonious. At this time, Wu Rui changed the topic to the main topic. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a smile: "I heard that the Chu army in the east of Jiangdong has two tiger generals. , one is Xiang Yu and the other is Xiang Zhuang, I wonder if this is the case?"

For the time being, Ding Gu didn't know why Wu Rui suddenly mentioned this matter, so he had to put down his tea cup and said with a smile: "It does happen. The two brothers are known as twin evil spirits. However, the elder brother Xiang Yu is already famous for his martial arts, and the younger brother Xiang Yu is famous for his martial arts. The village is famous for its strategies, and they each have their own characteristics and differences."

Wu Rui nodded slightly, pretending to be thoughtful, and said: "However, I heard that Xiang Zhuang is not young yet, but he has never married. This is not normal. I don't know what is the reason for this?"

At this moment, Ding Gu finally heard Wu Rui's purpose. He couldn't help but squint his eyes and laugh. He looked directly at Wu Rui for a while and then said: "Brother Wu's news may be wrong. As far as I know, Xiangzhuang I have already been engaged to Kong Xiuyun, the daughter of the Kong family in Suiyang, but because Xiangzhuang has been away at war these past few months, the wedding date has been postponed again and again."

At this point, Ding Gu saw a trace of disappointment flash across Wu Rui's face, but Ding Gu changed the subject and continued: "However, there are also rumors saying that the wedding date of Xiang Zhuang and Kong Xiuyun has been delayed again and again. The real reason , Xiang Liang wants to break this engagement."

"Why is this?" Wu Rui became interested when he heard this, but Ding Gu laughed and said: "Because the marriage between Xiang Zhuang and Kong Xiuyun was recognized by Xiang Zhuang himself and was not approved by Xiang Liang, so... …”

Ding Gu deliberately stopped talking. Both of them knew each other well and stopped talking. At this time, Wu Rui sighed, gritted his teeth and asked, "I intend to recruit Xiang Zhuang as my son-in-law. I don't know if Xiang Liang can agree to this." marriage?"

Ding Gu sneered in his heart. Wu Rui, the old fox, finally showed his fox tail, but his face didn't show it at all. At this time, he pretended to be surprised, stared at Wu Rui, and then asked after a while: "Brother Wu wants to marry Are you a girl?"

Wu Rui nodded and sighed: "Although my eldest daughter is already married, my second daughter is still waiting in the harem. Now that she is old and has hairpins, I am considering a marriage with the Xiang family."

Ding Gu thought for a while, and he couldn't help but sneered: "Xiang Liang has always refused to hold the wedding of the Kong family. I think there must be something wrong. If Brother Wu wants to marry the Xiang family, the chance of winning is very high, and this is a I think Xiang Liang knows the powerful relationship of political marriage better than we do. Maybe he is also considering whether he can marry Brother Wu at this time?"

Speaking of this, Ding Gu glanced at Wu Rui and said: "Moreover, I heard that Xiang Liang has decided to send Xiang Zhuang to the west to guard Zhu County, and he will also increase his troops in Zhu County. If Xiang Zhuang returns, When we get to Zhu County, which is not far from Poyang, why don’t Brother Wu capture Xiangzhuang? This will be beneficial to Brother Wu without any harm.”
Chapter completed!