The princess is killing like crazy again

Chapter 38: Recruiting Talents

"Princess, do you really think so?" Gongsun Zhao asked.

Xiao Yurong looked calm and composed, "Of course it is so."

Gongsun Zhao bowed deeply again and said, "I, the guilty minister Gongsun Zhao, am willing to take refuge with the princess."

"Okay, get up." Xiao Yurong helped him up.

He did not stand up, but continued to kneel on the ground and said solemnly: "I am grateful for the princess' trust. Since you have saved me from prison against all odds, how can I repay your kindness if I don't work hard?"

"Your brother said that you are good at managing the internal affairs. As we are about to go to war to quell the rebellion, I still need you to manage the internal affairs of my princess's mansion." Xiao Yurong said, "I will send someone to inform you in detail after I return home."

She sighed, "I think there will be constant wars in troubled times, and I won't be in the mansion for long. You will need to take care of the affairs at the rear. As for the Fuyang Guards being leaderless, I will hand over the affairs to Yushu."

“Zhao will definitely spare no effort.” Gongsun Zhao bowed his head and knelt down.

Xiao Yurong bent down to help him up, "Why do you need to perform such a grand ceremony? Get up."

Gongsun Zhao stood up and said, "Zhao is willing to serve the Lord as a dog and a horse."

"The ruler and his subjects should work together. I hope you and I will be of one mind and one heart." Xiao Yurong said.

Looking at such a virtuous man, she silently said in her heart, I hope you and I, the king and his subject, will have a good beginning and a good end.

The situation was already decided, Gongsun Qian smiled, "Isn't this good? This place is damp and dirty, and my master is worth a lot of money, so it's better to get out as soon as possible."

"Okay." Xiao Yurong nodded.

As they were about to leave the prison, the very perceptive Minister of Justice came over to lead the way for Xiao Yurong and see him off.

Before leaving, Xiao Yurong remembered something and pointed in the direction where Xie Deshu was imprisoned, "I will take this person with me."

"Ah?" The Minister of Justice was stunned. "Princess, it's not a big deal to take Gongsun Zhao away. After all, he didn't commit any serious crime. But Xie Deshu... is a serious criminal after all."

Xiao Yurong looked calm, "Father wants to keep him, and he is waiting for him to surrender. If he is willing to surrender to me, he will naturally work for Chu Le. Father will be happy and will not punish him."

The Minister of Justice still hesitated.

"If you really blame me, I will take full responsibility." Xiao Yurong said.

This is what the Minister of Justice was waiting for, "How can I let the princess worry about this?"

"Yushu." Xiao Yurong said, "Take her to the princess's mansion and settle her down."

"Yes." Yu Shu looked at the Minister of Justice, "Sir, please."

Xiao Yurong and the Gongsun brothers continued to walk out.

Although Gongsun Zhao had been imprisoned and suffered from lack of food and clothing from time to time, no one tortured him severely.

During the days when he has no freedom, Gongsun Zhao still meditates and takes care of himself.

"You two brothers are exactly the same in this respect. You care about your image all the time," said Xiao Yurong.

Gongsun Qian said complacently: "That's inevitable, those girls all like good-looking men."

Gongsun Zhao said in a serious tone: "A gentleman should dress properly."

Xiao Yurong was amazed and said, "You two are obviously brothers, but you two are so different."

"I am a person of little talent and learning, how dare I compare myself with my elder brother? You are indeed a great writer, and your talent has risen to fame." Gongsun Zhao was extremely humble.

Gongsun Qian was even more proud. "My brother is self-aware on this point. My lord has got my two brothers, the dragon and the phoenix. Shouldn't he reward me well?"

"Brother, you must not be rude to the princess." Gongsun Zhao frowned, "As a subject, it is my duty to be loyal and filial. How can you presumptuously ask for a reward from my lord?"

"The sea embraces all rivers and is vast because of its tolerance. Princess is kind and generous, so she will naturally not be annoyed by my inappropriate words." Gongsun Qin waved his hand.

He had been working as an aide to Xiao Yurong for some time and had a certain understanding of Xiao Yurong.

As long as you are talented and loyal enough, Xiao Yurong will be extra tolerant of you.

Furthermore, Xiao Yurong was not a person who paid much attention to discipline and behavior. What was more important to her was that it was useful and could be used.

She was also extremely generous. As long as things got done, a little reward meant nothing to her.

Xiao Yurong really didn't care. "It's okay. Go to the housekeeper and get some extra money to buy some wine."

"My lord, you are truly magnanimous. I admire you." Gongsun Qin bowed with a smile.

Gongsun Zhao stared blankly at Xiao Yurong and Gongsun Qin, as if he didn't know how to react.

When they reached the door, Xiao Yurong said to Cuicui, "Take Gongsun Zhao back to the mansion first."

Cuicui bowed, "Yes."

After watching Cuicui lead Gongsun Zhao away, Gongsun Qin secretly asked Xiao Yurong: "Master, what you said to my brother in prison just now, what you were seeking, was it true?"

"It's fake." Xiao Yurong glanced at Gongsun Qian without changing his expression, "I made it up on the spot to make your brother surrender."

"My lord, you lie without blushing or beating your heart, and you even act righteous. You almost deceived me." Gongsun Qian gave his affirmation.

Xiao Yurong smiled: "But if I can win the hearts of the people... it may be difficult to be benevolent, but it is not a bad idea to benefit the people."

After Xiao Yurong returned home, he wanted to see Xie Deshu.

Xie Deshu was seriously injured, so after he was treated, he arranged for a royal physician to see him. However, he had to lie in bed and couldn't move for a while.

So Xiao Yurong condescended to meet Xie Deshu in person.

"Princess." Seeing Xiao Yurong coming, Yu Shu, who had been standing by and staring at Xie Deshu, saluted Xiao Yurong.

Xie Deshu still lay in bed without any response.

Yu Shu frowned in dissatisfaction and was about to say something when Xiao Yurong raised his hand to stop him.

Xiao Yurong walked closer and their eyes met.

After washing away all the dust, Xie Deshu's true face was revealed. His eyes were round, clear and pure. He was obviously a military commander, but he had almond-shaped eyes.

Unlike Yu Shu, Yu Shu is like a puppy in front of Xiao Yurong, but Xie Deshu is like a kitten.

She looks quite cute. Xiao Yurong raised her eyebrows.

"I was the one who saved you. You should be grateful to me, don't you know?" Xiao Yurong asked, unable to help but raising his hand to pinch Xie Deshu's face.

Xie Deshu nodded silently.

Xiao Yurong said: "Then you will have to work for me from now on. You have to do whatever I ask you to do."

Xie Deshu still nodded.

Xiao Yurong was a little confused, "He's so obedient, but why can't the emperor recruit him by coercion or bribery?"

"We cannot surrender the person who killed our master." Xie Deshu said.

The tone of his voice was even a little romantic, with round eyes, as if he was repeating his own knowledge very seriously.

"I am the daughter of the man who killed your master." Xiao Yurong's expression turned cold. "Kill the daughter of your master's enemy. Do you understand?"

"Daughter..." Xie Deshu's expression was a little puzzled. He tilted his head and thought for a while. "The master's adviser only told me that I cannot surrender to the person who killed the master. He didn't mention my daughter."

Xiao Yurong was speechless. No wonder Emperor Xiao said that Xie Deshu was not smart. He was indeed not smart.

Xiao Yurong sighed: "Don't you even know how to think about it?"

"Gentlemen all say that thinking is what a strategist should do. As a military general, I should not think," Xie Deshu said.

He has superb martial arts skills, but King Yi does not allow him to think or develop his intelligence. He is probably afraid that this most skillful sword in his hand will bite him.

As for a knife, all it needs to do is be obedient and shoot wherever you point it. It doesn't need to have its own thoughts.

"You can start thinking now." Xiao Yurong said, "You can think here with me, your new master. If you don't use your brain, how can you lead the troops?"

Xie Deshu looked at Xiao Yurong with his round eyes in silence for a long while, then nodded, "I will listen to my master."

Xiao Yurong looked at the two bloody holes on his collarbone, which looked painful.

She said: "You should take good care of your injuries. I will arrange for someone to teach you military tactics while you are recovering. You can pick up a weapon after you are well again."

Xie Deshu still nodded, "I'll listen to you."

"I will be going out to quell the rebellion soon, and it should be almost the same when I come back. With such a serious injury, no one else would be able to survive. Your physical fitness is really good." Xiao Yurong pinched Xie Deshu's face again and said with emotion.

Yu Shu asked, "Princess, what are you going to do with him after he recovers?"

"Let's send him to the Yue Tribe." Xiao Yurong thought for a moment. "The people of the Yue Tribe of Fuyang Guard are as determined as a rock. Once they receive a secret order, they will kill without mercy. It's quite suitable for him to be like this. When he is needed, he can be promoted to lead the troops."

"Yes." Yu Shu accepted the order and took out a booklet from the lining of his collar and handed it to Xiao Yurong, "Princess, this is some recent information about the Fuyang Guards. Please take a look."

Xiao Yurong read through the ten lines at a glance, and the more he read, the more he felt something was wrong.

"Why is the expense so huge?" Xiao Yurong's eyebrows jumped.

Yu Shu blinked, "Most of it is the expenses of the princess's precious Yue Department."

"You know how to joke?" Xiao Yurong glanced at him.

Yu Shu still felt a little embarrassed.

Xiao Yurong said: "That makes sense. They only know how to kill people and obey orders, and they don't care about the rest."

She sighed quietly, "Tell them to keep some in the future."

Yu Shu nodded and asked, "What about the money?"

Xiao Yurong closed the booklet with a calm expression and handed it to Yushu, "Secretly include the money for the expedition and let Wang pay for it."

Even though Xiao Yurong said this, Yu Shu didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He just nodded and took the booklet back.

Xiao Yurong had no psychological burden and Yu Shu obeyed his orders.

The master and servant hit it off immediately.

*

The time for the march has come, the trumpets sound, and the troops are assembled.

After issuing the order and swearing in, Xiao Yurong led his troops to rush to Xuancheng for assistance.

Xiao Yurong's father and brother saw her off. Emperor Xiao and Xiao Yuxie came to see her off not only as emperors and the Eastern Palace, but also as fathers and brothers.

Friends and relatives watched the team go away, and many of them shed tears silently.

At the same time, such news had spread throughout the Xuancheng military camp.

Knowing that the person coming to help was Princess Zhaoyang, two completely different voices were heard in the army.

One view is that Princess Zhaoyang's presence is not only useless but also a burden.

Another view is that the arrival of Princess Zhaoyang will inevitably reverse the situation and help her fight against King Wen.

Cui Ci Ning happens to be the latter.

But no matter what, it has to be arranged first.

Cui Ci'an couldn't bear to look at his silly brother's worthless appearance, and frowned and asked, "What does he look like?"

"Zhaoyang is coming, and military affairs must be prepared properly." Cui Ci Ning said.

Cui Ci'an glanced at him, "Is she in love with you? Is she attracted to you? Li's son came with her."

Cui Ci Ning only looked at Zhaoyang and didn't notice Li Yaozhi written behind him at all. He was stunned.

"Mr. Li comes from an aristocratic family. He is very particular about etiquette and is careful with his words and actions." Cui Ci'an said, "But you are outspoken and unruly. All the noble ladies in the capital will like him more, right?"

Cui Qining was dissatisfied, "What is a nobleman like him doing here in the military?"

Cui Ci'an said calmly: "Li Shaoyan can pacify the world with his pen and decide the fate of the world on horseback. When he was young, he was the companion of Princess Zhaoyang. When Princess Zhaoyang accompanied her, he was beside her. He revealed the enemy's formation with one sentence, which led to the great victory of Chu Le."

Cui Ci Ning’s teeth were about to break.

"Don't worry too much." Cui Ci'an said, "He and Princess Zhaoyang have been childhood sweethearts, and he is the most trusted and intimate minister of the princess. Under normal circumstances, you would not have a chance."

They are indeed brothers, and this hits exactly what Cui Ci Ning is worried about.

Seeing his absent-minded look, Cui Ci'an turned around and instructed his subordinates: "The conditions in the army are not as good as those in the capital. The princess is a royal family, so her food, clothing, housing and transportation are all well prepared. Don't come here to get military merits. If you don't serve well, you will have to go back and complain to His Majesty."

"Zhaoyang is not that kind of person." Cui Ci Ning was annoyed.

"Every time she complains, it's an imperial petition. No matter if it's her fault or not, His Majesty will definitely favor her. Even things like killing Xu Chen without an imperial decree were easily covered up." Cui Ci'an rubbed his temples with a headache.

He said seriously: "Cui Mingyang, I think you have been carried away. Remember your identity, you are a descendant of the Cui family."

Cui's strategist handed the letter to Cui Qining, "General, please read this. This is a letter from the princess' uncle, Marquis Huo, sent by carrier pigeon."

Cui Ci Ning lowered his head to read the letter. The general meaning of the letter was to ask Cui to treat Xiao Yurong well, protect her, and not let her go into battle.

Every word he said was full of protection. He almost wrote that if Xiao Yurong was injured, he would hold Cui accountable.

"Not long ago, the East Palace also sent a message saying that the princess is in poor health and asked Cui to take good care of the princess." Cui Ci'an said.

"The princess's mother's family is from an aristocratic family. Not only the royal family is eyeing the Cui family, but the Huo family is also. The princess's arrival has attracted all attention." said the strategist.

Cui Ci Ning shook his head. "Even if that's the case, it has nothing to do with Zhao Yang. I won't say much. When she comes and you get along with her, you'll understand."

"I'm going to train the troops, brother." Cui Ci Ning waved his hand and walked out of the tent.

Cui Ci'an looked at his brother's back and sighed again and again: "It seems that he really likes Princess Zhaoyang."

The counselors also looked worried, "If this is true, I'm afraid we have to find another way."

No matter what the army said, Xiao Yurong still came.

From a distance, he could see Cui Ci Ning was the one in the front. This guy rushed up directly and if Xiao Yurong had not reined in his horse in time, he would have almost stepped on him.

"Cui Mingyang! Don't you want to live?" Xiao Yurong said angrily.

Cui Ci Ning still had a smile on his face: "I was just too anxious and waited for you for too long."

Xiao Yurong's expression relaxed for a long time, "Why are you in such a hurry? Isn't it coming now?"