Fu Yu and the two strategists discussed for half the night, and a plan took shape.
They decided to first contact the Japanese pirates and choose a day when the city's defenses were weak to collaborate from the inside and outside, directly letting them into the city.
As for how to make the city's defenses lax, that was naturally up to Fu Yu to improvise. At that time, with fire signals as the cue, great success would be easily achieved. To gain the trust of the Japanese pirates, one of the strategists named Jia Fangqiu even produced the Crown Prince's token.
Fu Yu looked at the lively and prosperous Yangzhou city, worried, and said, "Can we change the location? Yangzhou is so big. If Yangzhou falls, my brother will likely bear a significant responsibility."
"Young master, the Japanese pirates specifically want Yangzhou city; they don't fancy other places," Jia Fangqiu said.
"But we can't just do whatever they say, can we?"
"They promise to take only property and not harm lives. Don't worry, it's just a loss of some money. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, at worst, Yangzhou city's taxes will be waived, and it will be recovered in a few years."
Fu Yu actually found these words unreliable, but he had no other way and could only agree.
Another strategist then said, "Young master, everything is ready now. All you need to do is get the city guards drunk."
"Don't worry, I'll go drink with my brother in a couple of days."
Having planned everything, Fu Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't seen his brother in days. Being a commander was truly a busy job. He pondered whether he should go to the military garrison to see his brother, but he was afraid of being discovered, so he could only take it day by day.
Unexpectedly, Fu Chuan found him first: "Second brother, elder brother is busy with official duties. If you have nothing else to do, you should return to the capital. Yangzhou is not as peaceful as you imagine."
Fu Yu lowered his head, displeased, "Brother, I've come here rarely, and you're still driving me away. I haven't had enough fun yet."
"Nonsense, how can a battlefield be a place for fun?"
"Yangzhou is not at war."
"Regardless, it's not peaceful here. Brother has bought some local specialties. A caravan is heading north tomorrow, so you can go with them."
Fu Yu naturally refused.
Fu Chuan spoke directly, "Second brother, to put it bluntly, your purpose for this trip is impure. As long as you don't leave, I will not have peace."
Fu Yu's heart skipped a beat.
But returning was out of the question. He could only try to persuade his brother, through tears and tantrums. His brother had always succumbed to this tactic since childhood. Indeed, after the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Fu Chuan compromised.
Fu Yu secretly wiped away a bead of sweat. Fortunately, his brother didn't see through him.
Little did he know that as soon as his brother left, his expression changed. The strategist Mu Wu frowned, "Commander..."
"I know, my brother has a problem. Find someone to watch him, see who he's been associating with, and what he's been doing these past few days. Every detail must be recorded. If necessary, capture him and interrogate him severely."
Fu Yu had the intention, and Yangzhou city was in crisis.
He couldn't risk the lives of all the people in the city.
A day later, Fu Chuan listened with a dark expression as his subordinate reported his brother's entire plan, then smashed a sturdy wooden table with a slap: "He's really gone mad. This is treason."
"Commander, how should this matter be handled?"
Fu Chuan closed his eyes, unable to decide for a moment.
He couldn't betray his own family and tie his brother up to report him for rebellion. Moreover, the matter seemed suspicious no matter how he looked at it. His foolish younger brother might not understand, but their father certainly would.
If such a charge were leveled, he, the commander, would not escape death. Even if their father sought family glory, he would not risk his life for it. Besides, with a traitorous general, the Cao State Duke's mansion would be fortunate not to be annihilated, let alone reach the pinnacle.
Mu Wu pondered for a moment and then smiled, "Commander, the Japanese pirates have been entrenched in Jiangnan but have failed to take it for a long time. This time, the Yangzhou city gates being opened would be a great temptation for them. Not necessarily a full mobilization, but at least seventy to eighty percent will come."
"What do you want to say?"
"Luring the enemy into a trap. This is a good opportunity to wipe them all out."
Fu Chuan was stunned. His head, which had been dizzy from Fu Yu's anger, quickly calmed down. Upon careful consideration, Mu Wu's idea was indeed excellent. They had been locked in a stalemate with the Japanese pirates for too long. Jiangnan had been raising troops for so many years and no longer feared a direct confrontation.
However, those people hid at sea, and they had never found an opportunity to fight...
Fu Chuan made a decisive decision: "Summon all the generals for a meeting."
While everyone else was unaware, a large number of soldiers quietly departed from various cities in Jiangnan and gathered in Yangzhou. Meanwhile, Fu Yu, finding a clear and sunny day, loudly announced that he would return to the capital the next day and asked his brother to invite a few friends to see him off.
Fu Chuan readily agreed and brought six or seven generals.
Fu Yu felt both joy and anxiety.
He wondered what punishment his brother would receive for losing Yangzhou city due to getting drunk. But it didn't matter. As long as his cousin, the Crown Prince, ascended the throne, his brother would naturally be released without punishment.
The strong aroma of wine masked the scent of the soporific. In the wine house, the generals lay sprawled on the ground.
Jia Fangqiu's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Second young master, let's go to the city tower now."
As long as the guards on the city tower were drunk, this night's plan would succeed.
As for the eldest young master, well, he hoped he would live through the night. However, if his own younger brother didn't care about him, it was not for them, the strategists, to worry about. They only wanted to help the Crown Prince clear the obstacles.
That was all.
After all, they were loyal to their master. Their master was always the Crown Prince, not the Cao State Duke.