Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"I am simply not fit to be a prefect!"

Fan Changxin was crying and laughing at the same time, his expression completely disordered, not knowing how to express his feelings.

He was almost overwhelmed with happiness after seeing Wang Xingren off, and he was extremely proud of his gamble back then, otherwise he would not have had the opportunities he had today!

This is the prefect!

Such a high-ranking official was something that the Fan family ancestors could only dream of; they never dared to even think about it in their daily lives.

How did this suddenly happen to me?

Therefore, on the way to Zemeng Camp, Fan Changxin was sometimes excited and sometimes uneasy. In the end, he felt that he was really not up to the task and could only try to change this matter.

Seeing this, Lu Xiao shook his head and said:

"His Majesty's words are law, and he has even issued an imperial edict. How can he retract his decree because of your words alone?"

"Brother, being a prefect isn't as difficult as you think. Just think of it as Bai County being several times or even dozens of times larger."

"Back in Bai County, couldn't you even be a good magistrate?"

Hearing these comforting words, Fan Changxin's panic subsided considerably. He then clenched his fists and muttered to himself to encourage himself:

"You're right. It's just that I've gone from being the head of a county to the head of a prefecture. The number of people under my jurisdiction has increased by dozens or even hundreds of times, and the official duties I handle are the same."

"There's nothing to be afraid of..."

Lu Xiao smiled and waited for his brother-in-law to calm down before carefully inquiring about the specific imperial edict delivered by Vice Minister Wang Xingren.

After a brief conversation, he recounted the news Zhou Qi had brought back from the capital:

"Brother, the Chu people are despicable. Since they can't defeat me on the battlefield, they sent people to spread rumors within the territory of my Great Zhou."

"It is impolite not to reciprocate!"

"I want to send men to the capital of Chu to launch a counterattack!"

Fan Changxin was also indignant after hearing this, but after careful consideration, he analyzed it as follows:

"This matter was not ordered by General Xiong Zhao himself, but by his advisors."

"Does Your Excellency have any good plans?"

"I need my elder brother to arrange for someone to go to the capital of Chu to bribe Chu officials, spread rumors about Xiong Zhao, and sow discord between the ruler and his ministers."

After learning the news, Lu Xiao had already figured out how to deal with it, which was nothing more than an eye for an eye.

"The emperor of Chu was a paranoid man. Because of some rumors in their country, he sent Xiong Zhao to guard the border for decades and he never got promoted."

"Therefore, please send a few skilled men, not necessarily skilled ones, but clever ones."

Fan Changxin, as a seasoned businessman, knew exactly how to do this, and therefore volunteered:

"How about... I go?"

"It just so happens that during this time, thanks to your reputation, Lord Marquis, the Fan family has established a trade route between Zhou and Chu. I will then accompany you as an ordinary merchant and make my way to the capital of Chu."

"After all, I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving this matter to anyone else..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiao refused without hesitation:

"My brother is now the governor of a prefecture; how can he risk his life?"

"Think carefully, do you have any of the skilled men I mentioned under your command?"

This time, Fan Changxin was really racking his brains, constantly thinking of a suitable candidate.

He was willing to go, after all, it would be a business trip to a foreign country.

He's very familiar with this kind of thing.

Even before the Fan family had such a strong foundation, he often traveled to various places in the Great Zhou Dynasty to do business, and he had also been to the border of the Chu Kingdom, so he had some understanding of that area.

In order to make a profit, he used almost every method available to merchants, including this tactic of squeezing out other merchants.

However, Lu Xiao wouldn't allow it.

Snapped!

After much thought, Fan Changxin suddenly slapped his thigh, bursting with excitement:

"Got it!"

"There's a cousin in my clan named Fan Changshan. Because we're still within the five degrees of kinship, he looks exactly like me. He's also clever and often travels the border between Zhou and Chu as a merchant!"

"Let him make his own decision then. Seize the opportunity in Chu to spread the news of my arrival. In addition, let him leave a portrait and promise the people of Chu that in the future, when they come to trade in my Great Zhou, they can get goods at low prices just by showing their portrait!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke:

"The people of Chu won't know so quickly that I've become the prefect of this region. By the time they find out, my cousin will probably have already returned safely. This way, I can not only fulfill the Marquis's request but also increase the credibility of the matter!"

"Brother, you are truly talented!"

For a moment, Lu Xiao also began to look at his brother-in-law with new respect.

So, over the next period of time, he discussed the details with Fan Changxin and arranged for a support team to provide assistance from a different location and time if Fan Changxin's cousin encountered an accident!

After saying that, Fan Changxin hurriedly got up and went to make the arrangements.

……

The Chu army camp.

Immediately after receiving the message from their Chu spies, Qu Hongtu found Xiong Zhao and frowned deeply.

"The Zhou people trusted Lu Xiao too much, to the point of being blind."

"Our spies were captured before they could even make a breakthrough in their capital city of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The remaining spies could only continue to carry out military orders with extreme caution."

"General, it seems we need to add fuel to the fire."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Zhao frowned, but after a moment he let out a sigh of relief:

"Let's just forget about it. Such a despicable thing, if it succeeds, great; if it doesn't, then let it go."

"General, we don't have time to think this through!"

Qu Hongtu hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Xiong Zhao's aged hand:

"The information brought back by our spies isn't limited to this!"

"It is said that when Lu Xiao was leading the Northern Expedition against the Hu people, he gained momentum extremely quickly. By the time the Hu people reacted, it was too late for them to regret their actions, and they suffered a crushing defeat!"

"He's currently holding back, merely familiarizing himself with the situation in my Chu state, hoping to decide the fate of the world in one decisive battle!"

Xiong Zhao grew increasingly curious and hurriedly inquired about matters related to Lu Xiao.

After all, knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle.

Qu Hongtu dared not hide the truth and said with great concern:

"Lu Xiao's wife is named Liu Xianya. Although she is the Princess of Pingning of the Great Zhou Dynasty, she is not related to the current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty by blood. Instead, she is the daughter of his teacher when the emperor was still a prince!"

"General, you must have heard about the great changes that occurred within the Great Zhou territory back then. Lu Xiao's current status is not only due to his military prowess, but also because the Emperor of Great Zhou and Princess Pingning are fellow disciples!"

"This matter is known to many in the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty!"

At this moment, Xiong Zhao was truly shocked.

With a young champion who is skilled in battle and unparalleled in bravery, coupled with the close relationship between ruler and subject, it is no wonder that he can win every battle.

There was absolutely nothing about Lu Xiao that would arouse the suspicion of the Great Zhou Emperor!

Even if they did, given their personal relationships, not many people would dare to kick someone when they're down!

After all, they are family!

Seeing that he was wavering, Qu Hongtu continued to persuade him:

"General, think about it. If the Emperor of Great Zhou truly believes that Lu Xiao intends to defect to our Chu Kingdom, wouldn't he be even more furious and resentful?"

"Then Lu Xiao will be constrained at every turn and unable to win any battles!"