Chapter 264

Zhang Yuzhi gently stroked the scroll in her hand, a touch of deep thought rising between her brows, as if she had turned herself into a chess player playing against the two countries.

This demon species in Jiannan Dao, is it really wanting to surrender to Long Gong, or is it pretending to be submissive and feigning compliance?

Or did Long Gong deliberately release the news to test? Or is it true, but the twists and turns are difficult to see?

How will the Great Qi imperial court react to this? Will it be thunderous and wipe it out in one fell swoop, or will it wait and see and plan in secret?

In Zhang Yuzhi's heart, it was difficult to decide for a moment.

If they rashly send troops, what if they fall into the trap set by the demons and Long Gong, wouldn't all their efforts be wasted? She was full of worries and couldn't help but look up at the golden Sister Wu Tong tree in the courtyard.

But if the Great Qi remains still, once Jiannan Dao completely leans toward Long Gong, wouldn't the Great Sui behind Long Gong be like a tiger with wings, eyeing the Great Qi even more covetously!

Jiannan Dao, this throat of the northwest of the Great Qi, is only two provinces away from Bianjing.

Beside the couch, how can others be allowed to sleep soundly? It concerns the safety of the Great Qi and cannot be lost.

The demons in Jiannan Dao have good means, setting up a sunny plot. Whether the Great Qi sends troops or not, they can find a foothold.

Zhang Yuzhi prides herself on being smarter than others, but at this moment she is also trapped in a dilemma, her brows tightly locked.

The guests behind Xie Yuan were all deep in thought, and Zhang Yuan was even more solemn. The Great Sui had already defeated the Great Qi once, and if they won again, the imperial court would probably be even more turbulent.

He Xiao was thinking about what point of view to use to speak up and attract Zhang Yuzhi's attention.

The group of performers listened heartlessly, with it going in one ear and out the other. The Great Qi imperial court and the sound of hooves on the border were far away from them, and their minds were all in this Xie Fu.

Xie Yuan smiled and broke the silence: "Brother Guan, let's make a bet today. Where will the demon species in Jiannan Dao eventually go? Or rather, how should the Great Qi respond."

His eyes were bright, and his tone carried a hint of playfulness: "If Brother Guan's prediction is correct, I, Xie Yuan, will naturally be convinced, and from now on I will follow Brother Guan's lead. If you tell me to get off the horse, I will never dare to ride a donkey."

After speaking!

He changed the subject: "If Brother Guan miscalculates this time, you just need to do one thing for me, how about it?"

Zhang Yuzhi looked up slightly at Yu Ke, not knowing how the young man would choose. She seemed to have already thought of the one thing Xie Yuan wanted him to help with.

Facing this matter, you decide...

1. Agree to this matter. (Hint: It may lead to good changes.)

2. Do not agree to this matter. (Hint: It may lead to bad changes.)

3. Directly help Xie Yuan, without talking about the bet. (Hint: It may bring bad changes.)

4. Personally participate. (0/3)

The subtitles on the Great Cauldron slowly froze.

Yu Ke looked at the four options.

First, exclude "Personally participate".

Choose 2, do not agree to this matter, the hint says there are bad changes, directly exclude.

Choose 3, directly help Xie Yuan, it is also possible to cause bad changes.

It seems that this matter is not necessarily a good thing for "Xie Guan".

Exclude it!

Then only one option remains, "Agree to this matter".

If he wins, with Xie Yuan's temperament, he might really take it seriously and follow "Xie Guan's" lead.

1. Agree to this matter. (Hint: It may lead to good changes.)

The simulation continues.

【You smiled and said: "Sixth Brother, since you have already spoken, how can I refuse."】

【Xie Yuan was overjoyed and said, "Good."】

【He looked a bit ashamed and cunning and said: "Actually, I can reveal a little bit about this matter I need help with, I really have no other way because I was forced by my mother."】

【Hearing this, Zhang Yuzhi couldn't help but chuckle. That smile was like a flower blooming in spring, bright and moving. He Xiao on the side couldn't take his eyes off it.】

【"Xie Yuan, you wouldn't be wanting Young Master Guan to go on a blind date for you, would you."】

【Xie Yuan was pointed out by Zhang Yuzhi, his face instantly became a bit embarrassed and said: "It's all because my mother is forcing me, insisting that I meet the sixth daughter of the Li family, but I wouldn't dare even if I died."】

【"What if she takes a fancy to me? What if she seeks death for me? I, Young Master Lord Wo Yun, am determined to roam the Jianghu, how can I be tied down by the love of children, making people laugh?" Xie Yuan finished shaking his head.】

【Zhang Yuzhi laughed even more, for the first time losing the appearance of a lady of a great family.】

【Xie Yuan rolled his eyes. If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Yuzhi was his cousin and grew up with him, being teased by her since childhood, he would have already turned his face if it were someone else.】

【"Brother Guan, you can't go back on your word now!"】

【You said generously: "A gentleman's word is as good as a team of horses."】

【"Haha, I knew it, Brother Guan, you value love and righteousness."】

【You just smiled indifferently and said: "The outcome is not yet decided, I might not necessarily lose."】

【Xie Yuan heard this, laughed, and then asked: "Then Brother Guan, what do you think is the intention of the three demons in Jiannan Dao? And how will the Great Qi imperial court respond?"】

【The reason he was so confident was twofold. First, although Xie Guan was smart, he did not understand imperial court affairs or military affairs, and knew nothing about the news of Jiannan Dao and Long Gong, like a "deaf person".】

【Not hearing things outside the window, only reading the books of sages.】

【Second, this matter was complicated and ever-changing. He learned the news from his uncle and knew that the military ministers in the imperial court were also indecisive, and could only decide after the small cabinet meeting.】

【Xie Yuan was secretly happy in his heart, thinking he had the victory in his grasp.】

【Facing this matter, you thought slightly and decided...】

1. Great Qi sends troops to Long Gong. (Hint: The situation may move toward an increasingly unfavorable situation, or it may move toward destruction.)

2. Great Qi refuses to send troops. (Hint: The situation may move toward an unfavorable situation.)

3. Great Qi sends troops to Jiannan Dao. (Hint: The situation may move toward an increasingly unfavorable situation, or it may move toward destruction.)

4. Great Qi sends troops to Great Sui. (Hint: The situation may move toward an unfavorable situation.)

5. Great Qi sends troops to both Jiannan Dao and Long Gong. (Hint: The situation may move toward an unfavorable situation, and it may also collapse.)

6. Great Qi sends troops to Zhuya County, and all the people of Jiannan Dao are relocated to Longyou Dao. (Hint: The situation may develop in a good direction.)

7. Personally participate. (0/3)

The text on the Great Cauldron slowly froze.

Yu Ke looked at the seven options that appeared.

Analyzing them one by one, especially from the hints, the Great Qi's choice this time seems to have a long-lasting impact.

Option 1, Great Qi sends troops to Long Gong, hint "unfavorable" or even "destruction".

Yu Ke was a bit surprised. Even if the Great Qi was defeated this time, it would be impossible for "destruction" to occur.

Not to mention, there is the Master who is invincible in the world, and the world's number one Academy is still there.

As long as the Master is there, the Great Qi is there!

How could such a situation occur?

And the Great Qi has been established for a thousand years, and most of the time it has been the strongest country in the Central Plains. Can one defeat destroy such a behemoth?

Yu Ke couldn't explain it no matter how he looked at it, but the Kunxu Cauldron would not make a mistake.

Then the reason for this is worth thinking about?

However, this option must be directly excluded.

Look at the second option.

2. Great Qi refuses to send troops, hint that the situation is moving toward an unfavorable situation.

Yu Ke can understand this; doing nothing, the Great Sui will sit back and reap the benefits.

Directly exclude.

Look at the following options, option 3 hint is the same as 1, hint has the worst "destruction" word.

It seems that sending troops to "Jiannan Dao" and "Long Gong" are the most wrong options.

Then option 5 is the same, sending troops to both, there is only one result: collapse.

4 sending troops to Great Sui avoids this problem, hint that the situation is unfavorable.

Exclude it!

Yu Ke looked from beginning to end, and finally only two options remained.

Personally participate excluded.

Actually, there is only one option.

Option 6, hint that it will develop in a good direction.

Yu Ke didn't struggle and chose directly.

6. Great Qi sends troops to Zhuya County, and all the people of Jiannan Dao are relocated to Longyou Dao. (Hint: The situation may develop in a good direction.)

The simulation continues.

【You took out paper, remained silent, and slowly outlined it with a pen.】

【Xie Yuan leaned over curiously, only to see you writing "Great Qi" and "Great Sui" on the paper, and then splashing ink to draw a landscape terrain map.】

【Seeing this, He Xiao had a plan in his heart, feeling that he should seize the opportunity and take the lead.】

【He glanced at Zhang Yuzhi and hurriedly said: "Young Master Lord Wo Yun, I have some shallow opinions."】

【"It can be considered as throwing a brick to attract jade for Young Master Guan!"】

【Xie Yuan frowned slightly and said: "Old He, why are you bringing up what shouldn't be brought up, I am betting with Brother Guan..."】

【You were still drawing on the paper and said indifferently: "It doesn't matter, let's listen to Mr. He's high opinion."】

【Seeing your open-minded attitude, Xie Yuan stopped blocking.】

【He Xiao coughed lightly and said slowly: "I think the demons in Jiannan Dao must have bad intentions. Since it is difficult to distinguish true from false, it is better to respond to changes with stillness."】

【"Yin and Yang reverse, movement is Yang, stillness is Yin. It is better to control movement with stillness and wait for their follow-up moves. This method is the most secure."】

【Hearing this, Zhang Yuzhi nodded slightly, quite agreeing with He Xiao's insight.】

【Seeing Zhang Yuzhi paying attention to his words, He Xiao showed joy on his face and couldn't help asking: "Miss Yuzhi, what do you think about this?"】

【Xie Yuan also smiled and echoed: "Fourth Cousin, why don't you talk about your opinion."】

【He knew that this fourth cousin was very concerned about the Zehu Long Gong matter and knew the situation in the Great Qi imperial court like the back of her hand.】

【Zhang Yuzhi shook her head and did not speak.】

【Xie Yuan asked for trouble; this cousin was someone who kept all her thoughts in her heart.】

【To understand a woman's heart is like looking for a needle in the ocean!】

【Xie Yuan's gaze fell on the paper inadvertently. The drawn map made his eyes light up suddenly, and his tone was full of surprise: "Brother Guan, when did you learn this kind of painting skill?"】

【Only to see a simple map of the world's prefectures appearing on the white paper, drawn with black ink, with rolling mountains and rivers, as well as passes and cities.】

【The location is not very detailed, but I don't know why, there seems to be a charm locked in the painting.】

【Vivid and fragrant!】

【At first glance, the mountains are plain, but looking at the overlapping mountains, especially where the mountain ranges meet, a breath seems to emerge from the white paper.】

【Zhang Yuan had already walked over, staring at this painting, looking extremely surprised.】

【He had never seen such a vivid and lifelike painting among the treasures of many painting masters, and this actually came from the hands of a young man, and it seemed to be done casually.】

【Xie Houer couldn't help but praise: "Young Master Guan, your painting is really too good!"】

【Zhang Yuzhi was originally sitting on the horse stool and hadn't moved, not caring about the gathering of guests and performers behind Xie Yuan.】

【However, when she saw the rare surprise on Xie Yuan's face, she was a bit surprised. She knew that Xie Yuan, as a wealthy young master, had seen a lot of antiques, jade, calligraphy, and paintings, and there were few things that could surprise him.】

【She had also sat for long enough and needed to get up to stretch her muscles and bones.】

【So, Zhang Yuzhi slowly got up, and everyone gave way when they saw it.】

【You gently dropped the last stroke, marked a few key place names, and then slowly put down the pen.】

【"This is..."】

【Zhang Yuzhi stared at the simple yet charming map on the white paper, extending from the east of the Great Qi to the west of the Great Sui.】

【The thirteen provinces of the Great Qi, as well as the distant northwest Jiannan Dao and the mysterious Zehu Long Gong, were all vividly on paper.】

【She had seen detailed maps of the world's prefectures in her father's study, and by comparison, this painting might be slightly simple.】

【However!】

【This painting is "both form and spirit, with bone method in the use of the brush".】

【To appreciate a painting, the primary task is to observe its charm. Charm refers to the inner spirit and spiritual temperament of the work, which needs to achieve a vivid, lively, and prominent effect, that is, "both form and spirit", only with spiritual resemblance can the charm be vivid.】

【And this kind of map, its core lies in "managing the position".】

【Managing the position, which is the method of composition, concerns how to cleverly arrange the picture space.】

【When setting the trend, one needs to pay attention to Yin and Yang, vertical and horizontal ups and downs, opening and closing, embracing and supporting, passing and connecting, and also needs to properly handle the relationships between guest and host, echoing, virtual and real, complex and simple, sparse and dense, hidden and revealed, and unevenness.】

【Although this map is simple, it is harmonious and vivid.】

【Zhang Yuzhi's beautiful eyes were stunned, and she swept to the text marked on it.】

【Jiannan Dao, Great Qi, Long Gong, Zhuya County...】

【The brush moves like a dragon and snake, the font is regular script, not losing its elegance in the uprightness.】

【Looking at it word by word, the shape is like a tiger lying, and the start is like a dragon dancing.】

【Zhang Yuzhi came from the Zhuge family, a family of poetry and books, and her father was a master of calligraphy, practicing calligraphy since childhood.】

【She even had the honor of seeing the calligraphy of the Second Master of the Academy, but these words in front of her brought her a brand new feeling. She couldn't help but praise:】

【"So vigorous, such beautiful words."】

【Xie Yuan smiled proudly after hearing this and said to Zhang Yuzhi: "Fourth Cousin, I told you long ago that Brother Guan's words are unique."】

【You didn't care about their praise, but pointed to a place on the paper—Zhuya County.】

【"Great Qi sends troops to Zhuya County, no need to be too entangled in the intention of the demon species in Jiannan Dao. At the same time, the people of Jiannan Dao should be relocated to Longyou Dao."】

【Once these words were spoken, everyone fell into silence.】

【Zhang Yuzhi's gaze fell on Zhuya County near Zehu, which was the place where the Great Qi retreated after being defeated by the Great Sui.】

【She couldn't help but wonder: Why choose here as the place to send troops?】

(End of chapter)