The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

Ouyang Linlin stood up straight, snorted coldly and said, "You finally remembered us." Then she pulled Xiaohong up and followed the soldiers out.

Afterwards, several people met at the cell door.

The guards took Xi Yu and others to the palace of Chachatu, who received them warmly and apologized to them.

"Everyone, I'm really sorry for making you suffer." Chachatu's face was full of smiles, but there was a barely perceptible gloom flashing in his eyes.

Xi Yu bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. It's just some minor misunderstandings." He knew in his heart that this so-called enthusiasm and apology were just a pretense.

Chachatu personally arranged seats for them and ordered the maids to serve wine and food. "Here, these are all prepared for you. I hope they can make up for the previous unpleasantness."

Everyone expressed their gratitude, but in this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, everyone had their own thoughts in their hearts.

Xi Yu observed Chachatu's every move calmly, as he was well aware of the king's insidiousness and cunningness.

While Chachatu was chatting and laughing with them, he was thinking in his mind how to completely solve the troubles that were giving him a headache.

While Chachatu was pretending to chat and laugh with Xiyu and the others, he was secretly thinking about how to get more useful information from Xiyu.

After three rounds of drinks, Chachatu suddenly remembered those secret guards that made him both curious and fearful.

Chachatu's eyes flashed with anxiety, and he asked, "Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, I heard that you have those secret guards who appear and disappear like ghosts. I am really curious about how they do things. Can I also have such power?"

Chachatu thought to himself, "If I can control such power, my throne will be more secure."

Xi Yu's heart tightened, and he instantly understood Chachatu's intention. He smiled slightly and said slowly: "Your Majesty, these secret guards are not just anyone. They have undergone years of professional training and gone through countless difficult tests to have the skills they have today."

Xi Yu secretly sneered in his heart: "This Cha Chatu is quite ambitious. He even wants to take over the secret guards."

Chachatu frowned and said unwillingly: "Is there no way for me to have such power?"

Xi Yu took a sip of wine and replied calmly: "Your Majesty, this is really not suitable for everyone. Training secret guards not only requires unique methods and resources, but also requires absolute control over them. If you are not careful, it may backfire on you."

Xi Yu was already prepared in his heart: "Humph, it's not that easy to get the secrets of the secret guards from me."

Chachatu's face turned gloomy, and he was angry in his heart: "This Xi Yu is so ungrateful. It seems that I have to find another way to pry the secret out of him."

But on the surface, Chachatu still pretended to be calm and said with a smile: "Never mind, I'm just asking out of curiosity."

However, this seemingly ordinary conversation planted deeper suspicions and calculations in the hearts of the two.

After a moment of silence, Chachatu asked Xiyu again: "Why did you come here this time?"

Xi Yu said frankly: "Your Majesty, I came here to worship Buddha. I once dreamed that the gods and Buddhas guided me to come here to seek peace of mind."

A hint of doubt flashed in Chachatu's eyes, and he said "Oh", obviously not quite believing it.

Xi Yu spread his hands and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry about it. I am not here to disrupt the affairs of the Kushan Empire."

Chachatu thought to himself, "This reason sounds so absurd, there must be something hidden behind it." But he still said, "If that's the case, then that's good."

The atmosphere in the room became increasingly solemn. Both sides had their own thoughts, and an invisible contest was quietly unfolding.

Then, Chachatu looked anxious, leaned forward slightly, clenched his hands, and said, "Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, I want to ask you one more question. Can the Central Plains send troops to support me in attacking the Sassanid Empire? As long as it succeeds, I am willing to donate a few cities to the Central Plains."

Xi Yu was shocked, but his face remained calm. He shook his head decisively and said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed. I came here only for personal reasons, and I will not get involved in the disputes here."

Chachatu frowned, his face turned gloomy in an instant, his eyes revealed disappointment and anger, and he said loudly: "With such generous conditions, Zhongyuan is not tempted?"

Xi Yu looked calm and determined as he looked at Chachatu, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, the Central Plains has always valued peace and disliked war. Besides, this matter involves many people, and it is not something I can decide."

Chachatu snorted coldly and leaned back in his chair, his face looking very ugly. He cursed in his heart: "This Xi Yu is really stubborn!"

After a while, Xi Yu looked serious and looked directly at Chachatu with a firm gaze, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, forgive me for being frank, but forcing others to serve as soldiers is not a wise move. Governing a country should be based on kindness, so as to win the hearts of the people and ensure long-term stability."

After hearing this, Chachatu forced a smile on his face, nodded slightly and replied: "Well, you are right." However, his heart was full of disdain.

Chachatu secretly complained in his heart: "This Xi Yu really doesn't know my difficulties. He is saying some soft-hearted words here. I'm afraid it's easy for him to talk. In time of war, who can care about so much mercy!" Although he agreed with his mouth, his eyes revealed an indifferent expression. The corners of his mouth twitched inadvertently, showing his inner disgust.

Xi Yu was so perceptive that he could see through Chachatu's perfunctory response, but he continued to persuade him, "Your Majesty, kindness is not weakness, but wisdom. If you govern the country with kindness, the people will naturally support you, and the country will prosper."

Chachatu snorted in his heart, frowned slightly, suppressed his dissatisfaction, and said: "Okay, okay, I know."

The meal was quickly finished. Xi Yu put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and said with a folded hand: "Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality. It's getting late, so we'll take our leave now."

Upon hearing this, Chachatu said quickly, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. It's getting late. Why don't you stay in the palace? I can also show my hospitality as a host." His face was full of false enthusiasm, but his eyes kept flickering. He was thinking in his heart, "Humph, this Xi Yu knows too much. Keeping him here will always be a disaster."

Xi Yu smiled and shook his head, and said firmly: "Your Majesty, I appreciate your kindness. It is really not necessary. We still have to go to worship Buddha. I hope Your Majesty will agree."

Chachatu was secretly annoyed, his brows unconsciously frowned, and his hands clenched into fists under the table, but when he thought of Xiyu's mysterious secret guard, he couldn't help but feel a little afraid.

He weighed the pros and cons in his mind, and finally said helplessly: "In this case, I can't force you to stay. I wish you a safe journey."

Xiyu bowed again and turned to leave with a few people. Chachatu looked at their receding backs, his eyes revealing a hint of viciousness, and he gritted his teeth and said to himself: "You are lucky, Xiyu, you won't be so lucky next time."

Guan Yu was still being held in the dark and damp prison in Fangjun.

"Bang!" The jailer threw the simple meal into the cell roughly and said coldly, "It's time to eat!"

Guan Yu's eyes were wide open, and his originally heroic face now seemed a little distorted by anger. He shouted loudly: "I, Guan Yu, am an upright person. I have clearly been wronged. Why do you treat me like this!" As he said that, he kicked the food into the corner.

"Hmph!" Guan Yu gasped, his chest heaving violently, "I am loyal, but I have suffered such an unjust treatment. Where is justice!" His eyes were spewing anger, and his heart was full of resentment and unwillingness.

Seeing this, the jailer was so scared that he took a few steps back, muttering, "You prisoner, how arrogant you are!" But looking at Guan Yu's majestic aura, he dared not say anything more and left in a hurry.

Guan Yu grasped the prison bars tightly with both hands, his joints turned white from the effort. "I will seek justice and let the truth come to light!" He swore secretly, his eyes full of determination and resoluteness.

The other soldiers had been sent away by Liu Bei, and they returned to Youzhou that day. Now that the prime minister was away, the deputy general in charge of this matter was full of entanglements.

The deputy general paced back and forth in the tent, frowning, and muttered to himself: "Guan Shishi was wrongly imprisoned. This is a very serious matter, but the prime minister is not here now. Who should I tell this to?" He stopped from time to time, his eyes revealing hesitation and uneasiness.

After careful consideration, the deputy general finally made up his mind: "Let's tell Mr. Zhuge Liang. He is resourceful and will definitely be able to come up with a countermeasure." Thinking of this, the deputy general no longer hesitated and hurried out to find Zhuge Liang.

When Deputy General Zhao Hai arrived at Zhuge Liang's residence, he saw Zhuge Liang fanning himself leisurely with a calm and composed look.

Seeing Zhao Hai coming in a hurry, Zhuge Liang raised his eyebrows slightly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Zhao Hai didn't bother to salute, and said anxiously: "Mr. Zhuge, something happened!"

Zhuge Liang put down his fan, straightened his expression, and asked, "Deputy General Zhao, why are you so flustered?" Zhao Hai panted and said quickly, "Sir, Guan despised and was wrongly imprisoned in Fangjun Prison. The Prime Minister didn't know about this. I really don't know what to do, so I can only come to inform you."

When Zhuge Liang heard this, his expression instantly became solemn, his eyes became deep, and after thinking for a moment he asked, "What is the specific situation?"

Zhao Hai quickly recounted the whole story to Zhuge Liang in detail.

Zhuge Liang was stunned and fell into deep thought. After a while, he laughed. Zhao Hai was a little anxious. Why was Mr. Zhuge laughing at this time?

Zhuge Liang realized that he had lost his composure, so he coughed and said, "Don't worry, Deputy General Zhao. I laughed because I was a little surprised that the usually serious Guan Yu would fall into such a situation."

Zhao Hai became anxious and shouted, "Mr. Zhuge, Guan Yu was clearly wronged!" His face turned red and veins bulged on his forehead.

Zhuge Liang's expression became serious, his eyes were full of wisdom, and he said: "Deputy General Zhao, I naturally understand Guan Yu's character. I was just expressing my feelings for a moment. This matter still needs to be considered in the long run."

Zhao Hai asked anxiously: "Then sir, how can we save Guan Yu?"

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan and said slowly: "We can't rush this matter. We need to find out the truth and find the key evidence before we can clear Guan Yu's name."

Zhao Hai frowned and said, "But time is tight, what if..."

Zhuge Liang interrupted him and said, "Don't panic, let's send someone to investigate secretly first, and then make plans."

Zhao Hai looked at Zhuge Liang's confident look, calmed himself down a bit, and said, "It's all up to you, sir."

Zhuge Liang looked at the anxious Zhao Hai and said, "Deputy General Zhao, don't worry. I will take this matter to heart and make a long-term plan. You go back first and wait for my news."

Zhuge Liang looked calm and determined, trying to calm Zhao Hai down.

Zhao Hai’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, he thought to himself: “He is so nonchalant, is he really going to go all out? Or is he just perfunctory to me?”

Zhao Hai's face became increasingly ugly, and he said anxiously: "Mr. Zhuge, General Guan Yu is now in prison and the situation is critical. How can you be so calm? I think you don't take this matter seriously at all!" As he spoke, Zhao Hai's hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Zhuge Liang frowned and said, "Deputy General Zhao, don't be impulsive. I know my limits."

Zhao Hai could no longer suppress the anger in his heart. He snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and said angrily: "Hmph! Since the sir is so perfunctory, then I have nothing to say!" After that, he turned around and strode away.

Zhuge Liang looked at Zhao Hai's departing back, sighed softly, and thought to himself: "This Zhao Hai is also loyal, but at this moment he needs to be calm and plan in order to rescue Guan Yu."

After a while, a servant came to Zhuge Liang quietly and asked cautiously, "Sir, why did you laugh just now? I really don't understand." The servant's face was full of confusion and his eyes were full of curiosity.

Zhuge Liang held a feather fan in his hand, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said: "Think about it, why did Liu Bei lock up Guan Yu? This is clearly a strategy." Zhuge Liang had a mysterious smile on his face, his eyes were deep and distant.

The servant scratched his head and said in confusion: "I am too stupid to understand." He frowned and thought hard.

Zhuge Liang smiled without saying anything, just gently waved his feather fan.

After a while, the servant's eyes suddenly lit up and he said excitedly: "Sir, I understand! Is it because of..."

Zhuge Liang interrupted him with a smile: "Tell me about it."

The servant swallowed and said, "Is it to keep Guan Yu in Fangjun, and then..."

Zhuge Liang nodded, with an admiring look in his eyes, and said, "Yes, you can think of this, which shows that you have some understanding."

When the servant received Zhuge Liang's praise, a look of joy appeared on his face and his heart was filled with pride.

Zhuge Liang stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes full of wisdom, and slowly analyzed: "You see, in order to keep Guan Yu, Liu Bei was willing to ruin his reputation. Those two palace maids must have been deliberately arranged by Liu Bei. Such good intentions are truly amazing." Zhuge Liang raised his head slightly, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Zhuge Liang sighed softly and said, "This is also a helpless move. When the time is right, I will report this matter to the Prime Minister. I'm sure the Prime Minister will not be able to say anything."

A complicated look flashed across Zhuge Liang's eyes, and he was secretly calculating in his heart.

The servant nodded, not quite understanding, and said, "I understand, but this method..."

Zhuge Liang waved his hand and said, "Don't say too much. You and I know the pros and cons of this." After that, Zhuge Liang fell into deep thought, frowning slightly.

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, thinking to himself: "I didn't tell Zhao Hai my thoughts just now. That guy is impatient. If he knew, he would definitely spread the news. But now the situation is unclear, it's not a good time to make it public. I can only wait for the Prime Minister to come back."

His brows were slightly furrowed, and his expression was a little solemn.

At this time, the servant asked cautiously, "Sir, has this matter been kept secret from Deputy General Zhao?"

Zhuge Liang stopped and looked at the servant. He said firmly, "Keep it a secret for now. Don't let any news leak out. If it gets out now, something unexpected might happen."

The servant nodded and replied, "I understand, but Vice General Zhao..."

Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "Zhao Hai's loyalty is commendable, but he is impulsive. If he knew the inside story of this matter, he would inevitably make mistakes. When the Prime Minister returns, we will make a long-term plan and we will be able to handle it properly."

After saying this, Zhuge Liang fell into deep thought again. The waving of the feather fan in his hand slowed down, and he was worried about the various situations that might arise in the future.

In Liu Bei's palace in Fang County, Liu Bei stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back.

His back looked somewhat lonely, his brows were furrowed, and his face was full of pain.

Liu Bei thought silently in his heart: "I feel deeply painful, Yunchang, Yunchang, I am really sorry for you. But in order to keep you and for the sake of the great cause, I have no choice but to do this. But how can I tell you the hardship behind this."

He sighed deeply and looked into the distance, his eyes full of helplessness and entanglement.

The breeze outside the window blew gently, but it could not blow away the gloom in Liu Bei's heart.

He bit his lips tightly, the guilt in his heart pressing down like a huge rock, but he understood that the decision at this moment was related to the overall situation in the future. Even though he was reluctant, he could only grit his teeth and persevere.

Liu Bei stood in front of the window for a long time, feeling increasingly heavy in his heart: "I believe Yunchang must be blaming me in his heart. I also want to visit him, but I really don't have the courage to face his angry and disappointed eyes."

His face was full of pain and struggle, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

"But this matter cannot be delayed any longer. Tomorrow, I will send someone to Youzhou to make Guan Yu's 'crimes' clear. Although the Prime Minister is not here, I have to stabilize the situation." Liu Bei secretly made up his mind, and his eyes gradually became firm.

At this moment, it seemed as if someone said to him, "Liu Bei, can Guan Yu understand your painstaking efforts when you do this?"

Liu Bei sighed and said, "I don't know. I hope Yunchang can understand my helplessness. All this is for the great cause." There was a hint of confusion and expectation in his eyes.

As the night deepened, Liu Bei was unable to sleep and paced back and forth in the room. "Yunchang, Yunchang, we have been brothers for many years. I have no choice but to treat you like this this time." Liu Bei muttered to himself, his face full of guilt.

Suddenly, he stopped and looked out the window with a determined look: "No matter what, this step has been taken and there is no turning back. Tomorrow's affairs can only be successful, not failure." (End of this chapter)