The Fucui Plan

Fearing any mishaps, the youth specifically emphasized, "At this time, you must not be greedy; you must eliminate them completely."

Chu An agreed profusely, but his thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

Xu Ming Zhan saw the man's demeanor and couldn't help but sneer, thinking to himself that if these people weren't killed, he would have to flee sooner or later. Staying with this person would achieve nothing; he still wished to leave his name in history.

Soon, the next day, the court's relief funds were insufficient, and the populace sought to pressure the government to distribute grain for famine relief. Du Chao Gong arranged for people to open granaries and distribute relief rice, using the excuse of dispersal to dispatch his private army to nearby courier stations, preparing to act in Fucui according to the original plan.

Xu Ming Zhan had long prepared a plan based on the terrain, embedding people among the refugees.

Entering Fucui was costly, but not unbearable. The youth had made meticulous preparations, starting with surveying temples, using a few stratagems to create internal conflict among the local gentry, causing them losses, which naturally led to increased taxes, merely by exploiting their "greed."

With increased taxes, those private troops were also blocked at the pass. Just as Chu Feng Qi had said, after being blocked, Chu An began to persuade them to surrender.

To feign heavy losses and further fuel Chu An's ambitions, Du Chao Gong indeed suffered significant setbacks. Each person carried a considerable sum of money through the pass, which, when combined, was enough to resolve Chu An's immediate difficulties in concealing his troops.

Furthermore, those private troops acted skillfully, employing a bitter stratagem to put on a show of resolute non-surrender, finally laying down their weapons in despair, making Chu An almost believe every word.

Thus, it was only a matter of waiting for the opportune moment to see who could seize the initiative before the upheaval occurred.

For several years, Chu An had been controlled by Du Chao Gong, merely acting under his name. Aside from his steadily rising reputation, he gained nothing. Du Chao Gong achieved his desires, but Chu An held no real power, viewed as a thorn in the side by the other princes, serving as a target for their attacks.

Working hard for no substantial gain, Chu An began to entertain thoughts of leaving. However, he possessed no real power and wished to declare himself king, so his only recourse was to climb over Du Chao Gong and push him down. Yet, Du Chao Gong was no ordinary person; before Chu An could even react, the man saw through his intentions and promptly taught him a memorable lesson, causing him to fall flat on his face.

Chu An was forced to be obedient for a short period. Then, during a trip to the south to manage waterworks with Du Chao Gong, he rescued Xu Ming Zhan, who had fallen into the water. Unexpectedly, after several conversations, the two found themselves kindred spirits. Upon learning he was a prince, the youth revealed extraordinary wisdom, helping him devise a plan to escape Du Chao Gong's control, succeeding beyond expectations.