Eighty Thousand Hunt in Wu!

Ma Xiyue's expression turned peculiar the moment Zhu Youning mentioned his father.

Zhu Youning continued, "Your father wishes to emulate the Zhuge family of the Three Kingdoms era. It may be good for him, but it is a bitter pill for you brothers. Your father's title as King of Chu was granted by His Majesty, yet he secretly colludes with the Jin State."

Hearing this, Ma Xiyue's heart jolted, and the good mood from their polo match vanished entirely.

Zhu Youning's words were razor-sharp, causing his heart to constrict. His emotions were a mix of shock and terror—how could Zhu Youning possibly know that his father, Ma Yin, had been to Taiyuan?

Of course, he could not know that Zhu Youning was a transmigrator who had observed many events from a god's-eye perspective.

Unable to fathom the source of Zhu Youning's information, Ma Xiyue hoped he was merely bluffing and laughed, "Your Highness jests. How could our Chu State possibly collude with the Jin State?"

Zhu Youning cast a sidelong glance at him and rattled off the details as if counting his own family treasures, "To my knowledge, Ma Xisheng lived in Taiyuan for quite some time and was as close as a brother to Zhang Zifan, the young master of Tongwen Hall. Is that not so?"

"This..." Cold sweat beaded on Ma Xiyue's forehead. He wanted to say something, but the words died in his throat.

Fortunately, Zhu Youning's tone softened, sounding less like an interrogation and more like a casual observation. "Your father is playing a double-sided game. In the struggle for hegemony between Liang and Jin, if Liang wins, you become king; if Jin wins, your brother becomes king. Though, I fear the King of Chu favors your brother, Ma Xisheng, more."

Ma Xiyue immediately retorted, "That naive, playful second brother of mine? How could he accomplish anything? He can neither ride or fight, nor does he understand military strategy, statecraft, or the art of checks and balances."

"The eldest prince seems to have missed the point," Zhu Youning sneered. "Who becomes the next King of Chu is entirely up to the old King's word, is it not?"

Ma Xiyue was left speechless.

"Furthermore, the evidence of your father's collusion with Jin is ironclad. Fortunately, His Majesty is not yet aware. If he were to find out, a bloody conflict would be inevitable." Zhu Youning spoke with great confidence, "Between Liang and Chu, which is stronger and which is weaker? Do you understand now?"

Ma Xiyue naturally understood the disparity in power and immediately bowed, "I beg the Prince to instruct me."

Zhu Youning offered a faint smile. "Colluding with Jin was the old King's decision; what does that have to do with you? You would be better off seizing power yourself and reconciling with Liang. If our two nations are at peace, no blades need be drawn."

"Does Prince An mean...?"

Ma Xiyue's face changed instantly upon hearing this.

The idea was simply too insane.

Zhu Youning was clearly suggesting he emulate the Xuanwu Gate incident of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

This was an act of supreme disloyalty and unfilial conduct!

Seeing Ma Xiyue still hesitating, Zhu Youning added fuel to the fire, "Xiyue, I can assure you that the heir in the old King's heart is definitely not you. You must understand this clearly."

Zhu Youning continued, "Think about it: if the old King truly viewed you as his heir, would he have sent you as an envoy to Bian Prefecture? He knows His Majesty's temperament well; coming to Bian Prefecture puts your life in grave danger!"

Ma Xiyue's face grew somber.

Zhu Youning's words were not without merit.

His father, Ma Yin, did indeed favor his second brother, Ma Xisheng. Since childhood, no matter what Ma Xisheng did, Ma Yin would claim he was right, while he himself was scolded for everything.

Perhaps he had sometimes thought Ma Yin's harshness was a way of grooming him as an heir, but if that were true, why did he not take him along when he went to Taiyuan in the Jin State? Instead, he had sent him to Bian Prefecture all alone.

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Zhu Youning's voice sounded again, echoing his own thoughts perfectly: "Moreover, when the old King went to Taiyuan to meet Li Keyong, he did not take you—he took Ma Xisheng. In Taiyuan, Ma Xisheng visited every civil and military official of the Jin State. It may seem trivial, but Ma Xisheng's network of connections has already far surpassed yours. This single act is enough to reveal the old King's intentions."

"He sent you alone to Bian Prefecture to face danger, while personally taking Ma Xisheng to Taiyuan to meet the power brokers of Jin. Eldest Prince, do you still not understand?"

Ma Xiyue's face was now twisted with agitation.

"Impossible! I have rendered service to the Chu State! I have bled for my father!"

"There is one more thing. Ma Xisheng's biological mother is Consort Yuan, who is most favored by Ma Yin and holds absolute sway in the inner palace of Chu. As for your mother..."

Zhu Youning paused appropriately, knowing Ma Xiyue understood the implication.

Ma Xiyue understood all too well. His own mother was of humble origin and lacked Ma Yin's favor; she could not compare to Consort Yuan in the slightest!

Seeing Ma Xiyue fall into a long silence, Zhu Youning spoke once more, delivering the final blow.

"In the eyes of the old King, you will always be an unfilial son. No matter how much you do, in the end, the throne of Chu will still belong to Ma Xisheng!"

"To achieve great things, one must accept minor losses. Some things must be seized for oneself," Zhu Youning said. "If you lack the resolve or cannot bring yourself to act, I can assist you."

Ma Xiyue remained silent for a long while, then took a deep breath, his gaze gradually hardening.

"That will not be necessary, Your Highness. I will act myself!"

Zhu Youning nodded in satisfaction. "In addition, I have a gift for the future King of Chu."

"The future King of Chu..." Ma Xiyue murmured, his face brightening instantly. "I accept your auspicious words, Prince An. What is this gift?"

Zhu Youning immediately produced a map and spread it across the table.

Ma Xiyue looked at the map and instantly recognized the mountains and cities depicted upon it.

"This is... a map of the Wu State?"

"Correct," Zhu Youning nodded slightly. "When you have firmly secured your position as King of Chu, our two nations can launch a joint campaign against Wu. Chu can divide its forces into two prongs: one naval force advancing east along the river to take Wuchang and then Jiang Prefecture (Jiujiang), threatening the Wu army's rear; the other, a land force, striking northeast to attack Yuan, Ji, and Hong Prefectures."

"My Great Liang's elite troops will also advance along multiple routes to conquer Huainan. If we succeed, we can press our advantage and attack Caishi Ferry! Our naval forces can also descend the canal to Yangzhou, threatening the eastern Wu fleet and seeking a decisive battle."

"Furthermore, I will urge His Majesty to issue an imperial decree urging the Wuyue State to attack Run Prefecture, the Min State to attack Zhaowu Garrison, and the Han State (Southern Han) to attack Baisheng Garrison—that is, Qian Prefecture! When that time comes, Chu will fight in the south, Liang in the north, and Min and Wuyue in the southeast. With eight hundred thousand troops hunting the Wu State, they will be overwhelmed and left to be slaughtered!"