"Crack." The chopsticks in Fu Chuan's hand snapped into two pieces. He looked up and glared at his brother, "Fu Yu, are you insane? What nonsense are you spouting? You want me to be a deserter? To leave Yangzhou City to the Wokou? Do you know what fate awaits the tens of thousands of people in this city?"
Fu Yu quickly placated him, "Brother, don't be angry. I was just joking around!"
Fu Chuan let out a scoff, his eyes clearly stating he didn't believe a word.
Fu Yu paused, then picked up a piece of sparerib and placed it in his brother's bowl, "Eat, eat. Brother, these are your favorite spareribs."
Fu Chuan, however, put down his bowls and chopsticks, "What did you really come here for?"
"Brother."
"Father sent you?"
Fu Yu nodded with a troubled expression.
"Eat first. We'll talk in my study after you're done." Fu Chuan finally suppressed his anger, though the shadows beneath his lowered brows deepened subtly.
The brothers soon entered the study. Fu Yu, enduring his brother's gaze, forced himself to speak, "Father's intention is for something to happen in Jiangnan. That way, Prince Rui will be forced to march out, giving Cousin Crown Prince some breathing room."
"Prince Rui is currently overseeing the state affairs; how can he possibly go to battle? Has the court run out of capable men? I recall Prince Yong and the Duke of Xie's heir both returned to the capital not long ago."
"Alas, Prince Rui is more familiar with the Jiangnan battlefield. As long as you submit your memorial, Father will definitely find a way to persuade Prince Rui to leave the capital."
"Ideally, he'd die in Jiangnan, wouldn't he?"
Fu Lingyun had indeed said these words, so Fu Yu offered no rebuttal.
Fu Chuan sat in his chair, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. He could actually understand his father's actions; the family came first. If it were in the past, he might not have found fault with sacrificing a city's populace for the sake of the empire.
Great achievers disregard trifles. What powerful figure does not have a sea of corpses behind them?
But these past three years, he had guarded this land and witnessed the suffering of fallen cities. It was not merely a simple word like 'massacre,' but a vivid, bloody hardship laid bare before his eyes.
The people of Jiangnan spoke of the Wokou with gnashing teeth, wishing they could devour their flesh and drink their blood.
To open the city gates for such people...
Hah. As long as he, Fu Chuan, lived, it would be absolutely impossible.
Fu Yu, having heard no response from him for a long time, assumed he was unwilling. He earnestly advised, "Brother, I know you might be reluctant. But Cousin Crown Prince is in grave danger now, and so is our Fu family. While the Emperor has not openly stripped us of our military seals, the authority we hold has been gradually shrinking. If this continues, the Fu family will be reduced to just another noble clan."
"And how does Father guarantee that the Crown Prince, upon ascending the throne, will heavily rely on the Fu family?"
"The Crown Prince is mediocre; he will naturally have to depend on Father. Brother, great achievers disregard trifles..."
"That doesn't mean sacrificing a city's people to pave the way for the Fu family," Fu Chuan's voice remained calm, but Fu Yu detected his firmness. "Brother, I've actually thought about it. It doesn't have to be Yangzhou City; a smaller city would suffice."
Fu Chuan looked at him, "Is this all you learned at the Imperial Academy?"
"Brother," Fu Yu looked ashamed.
"Stop talking," Fu Chuan waved him off. "No matter what, I will never allow the Wokou to cross the defensive line. You haven't seen it, so you don't know how tragic cities massacred by the Wokou are. As for Father..."
Fu Chuan didn't finish his sentence.
He knew better than anyone how much Fu Lingyun valued the family. Three years ago, he might have agreed with his method.
But now, Jiangnan was the place he had protected for three years. How many brothers had died to secure this moment of peace? If he, for his own ambition, were to deliver the entire city's populace to the mercy of the Wokou, he feared he would live the rest of his life in nightmares.
A man standing between heaven and earth, seeking not fame among lords, but a clear conscience, is sufficient.
That night, Fu Yu, unable to convince his brother, tossed and turned. The next day, while Fu Chuan was at the military post, he secretly went to an inconspicuous inn.
There, hidden away, were the two strategists and twenty skilled individuals whom Fu Lingyun had provided him.
Fu Lingyun understood his sons to some degree.
His elder son had been groomed as the heir since childhood, possessing his own strong opinions, and had spent several years gaining worldly experience. He might not be as compliant as his younger son, who always followed his lead. Therefore, he had to make contingency plans. If Fu Chuan agreed with his plan, all would be well and good. But if he remained stubborn and unyielding, they would have to act as the situation dictated.