Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

The current Wu Family has been "castrated" by the Grand Ancestor Emperor, having removed the main branch, which was the strongest branch of the Wu Family. Now, the Wu Family is merely an offshoot of the past, with only the current Patriarch Wu Yanqing as an Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist. With no advantage in military strength, it is indeed difficult to resist Chen Mo.

For this reason, the Wu Family chose to buy peace back then.

Liu Ji's words hit Wu Yu's sore spot.

Wu Yu is a pro-war advocate within the Wu Family. When the Wu Family first discussed Chen Mo, he proposed that Jiangdong occupies the natural barrier of the Celestial River, understands the water flow, and knows that the waterways of Jiangdong remain stable only from September to October; at other times, the currents are swift.

And since Chen Mo does not have a navy, even if they battle, the Wu Family does not fear him.

However, the Wu Family did not adopt his suggestion. For Jiangdong, which has been peaceful for hundreds of years, tranquility and peace are what the rulers of Jiangdong aim for, and no one in the clan supported him.

Later, the Wu Family spent money to buy peace, which was extremely frustrating for Wu Yu.

Peace and stability are earned through battles, not bought with money.

Even if peace can be bought, it's only temporary; only strength can ensure long-term peace.

Wu Yu did not show his thoughts but said, "The brother met Chen Mo last year, and he promised not to invade Jiangdong."

"Governor, Chen Mo came from the Celestial Master Army. How can we trust the words of a bandit? Linzhou didn't provoke him back then, yet now, hasn't he annexed it?"

Liu Ji pondered for a moment, took a sip of tea, and then said, "Fate is in one's own hands. Relying on the hope that others won't attack you is ultimately unrealistic and unsettling."

Wu Yu frowned, sensing the discussion shifting under Liu Ji's guidance, so he said, "As far as I know, Prince Huai and Chen Mo have signed a non-aggression pact. Now, you're telling me this, can I consider it as you making a fool of me?"

"To be honest, I have always opposed the signing of this pact. It was a delaying tactic to prevent Chen Mo from causing disruption when our army attacked the Celestial Master Army. Now that the Celestial Master Army has been eliminated, the pact is no longer necessary," Liu Ji said.

Wu Yu's eyes flickered.

Liu Ji glanced at Wu Yu out of the corner of his eye and smiled, saying, "The Prince doesn't intend for the Wu Family to go head-to-head with Chen Mo; just sending troops to hold him back and disperse his forces would suffice.

After the matter is settled, the Prince will take only the Qing and Yu states, leaving Linzhou to the Wu Family."

Wu Yu's eyes lit up; for a commander, Linzhou holds significant strategic value to Jiangdong.

If we compare Jiangdong to a house, Linzhou is its main gate.

If the key to the main gate is in someone else's hands, they can enter and exit the house at will.

But if you hold the key, others cannot freely come in.

By now, Wu Yu was persuaded by Liu Ji, but he alone couldn't make decisions for the Wu Family, so he said, "Even if I agree, it won't do any good. The clan and the Patriarch need to agree as well."

"Might I ask the Governor to introduce me to Patriarch Wu?" Liu Ji asked.

Wu Yu thought for a moment and replied, "Okay."

...

Wu Yu took Liu Ji to meet Wu Yanqing and explained Liu Ji's intentions to him.

As expected, Wu Yanqing refused outright, even scolding Wu Yu despite his attempts to speak on Liu Ji's behalf.

However, at this moment, Wu Changlin also agreed to support Prince Huai.

The reason Wu Changlin agreed was that Chen Mo's behavior during their last meeting left a bad impression.

He demanded three hundred thousand coins and also extorted fifty thousand bushels of grain.

Such greed led Wu Changlin to fear Chen Mo would ask for more, deciding it was better to eliminate him through this matter.

Yet, Wu Yanqing still refused.

The older people get, the more they seek stability.

Moreover, the Wu Family had never involved itself in the worldly conflicts of the centuries, and Wu Yanqing was even less willing to agree now.

After stepping down, Wu Yu said to Liu Ji, "I told you, he wouldn't agree."

Wu Changlin also said, "I understand my father; Jiangdong has been at peace for a long time. If this peace and stability are disrupted and we fail, he will become a sinner to both the Wu Family and Jiangdong itself."

"As long as the Wu Family sends troops to hold them back, failure is impossible," Liu Ji said. "Even the Celestial Master Army, which swept through the Northern Land with a hundred-thousand-strong army, was crushed by the Prince. How can Chen Mo, with only ten thousand troops, stand a chance against him?

Moreover, the Prince has the support of noble families across the realm, with continuous supply lines, and a deep foundation. Meanwhile, Chen Mo is but a young upstart with no family background or connections. How could he contend with the Prince?"

Not only did Wu Changlin look down upon Chen Mo from the bottom of his heart, but even Liu Ji, who wasn't from one of the four great aristocratic families, underestimated Chen Mo as well.

"Even so, since my father has refused, I can't do anything," Wu Changlin said.

Liu Ji thought for a moment, then said, "I have a plan, but it requires the cooperation of both the Governor and the Young Clan Leader."

Wu Yu and Wu Changlin exchanged glances and then looked at Liu Ji.

Liu Ji said, "Chen Mo is greedy, lustful, and arrogant, yet still unmarried, seeking something greater. I've heard that the Young Clan Leader's younger sister is still unmarried. Why not propose she marry Chen Mo as a ploy to lure him to Jiangdong for the wedding, then ambush him midway? Regardless of success, the battle lines between Jiangdong and Chen Mo will be drawn, forcing the Elder Patriarch to send troops."

Hearing this, both Wu Yu and Wu Changlin were taken aback.

In Wu Yu's view, this was a vicious plan. Even if it didn't succeed, it could force the Patriarch to participate in the conflict.

If it succeeded, even better; with Chen Mo dead, the three states will be leaderless.

Wu Changlin frowned and scoffed sharply, "Is Chen Mo worthy of marrying my younger sister?"

"Young Clan Leader, please don't be angry. The plan isn't for your sister to truly marry Chen Mo but to use the pretext to lure him to Jiangdong," Liu Ji said.

"Even if it's fake, it's unacceptable, and father wouldn't agree," Wu Changlin said.

"Keep it from the Elder Patriarch initially. Inform him after the invitations are sent out."

"You're putting me in a position of unfiliality."

"That's why we need the Young Clan Leader's cooperation," Liu Ji said, bowing his head.

"Ridiculous."

Wu Changlin left with a flick of his sleeve.

"This plan is indeed too shameless," Wu Yu echoed.

Liu Ji suddenly pulled Wu Yu aside, speaking softly, "Does the Governor wish to control the Wu Family?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yu's expression changed slightly, looking seriously at Liu Ji, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"If this plan is successful, the Governor could potentially become the master of Jiangdong," Liu Ji said.

Wu Yu distanced himself somewhat from Liu Ji, turning his back as if deep in thought.

Eventually, he went to find Wu Changlin and began persuading him.