Zhao Shuo was covered in dirt and was locked in a cage. He curled up in a corner, his head buried deep between his legs, without any movement.

An unpleasant smell filled the surroundings. It can be imagined that Zhao Shuo had been locked in it for more than a day, and he had eaten, drink, defecation and urination here.

A soldier walked to Li Xun and whispered a few words in his ear.

After Li Xun arrived in Luojing, he did not rush to accept King Zhao Shuo of Chu. Instead, he made a round trip in two military camps in the city. One was in the north of the city, where tens of thousands were imprisoned. Originally, Yang An and Yang Zuo's army, and another military camp were stationed in the south of the city, where 20,000 soldiers of the Puzhou Jiedushi Yunji were stationed. Now the entire city of Luojing is under the control of Yunji. After Zhao Xun succeeded to the throne, he has issued an edict to appoint Yunji as the Quanzhi of Luojing. On the one hand, he has allowed him to sit in Luojing to stabilize the situation in Henan, and on the other hand, he is to strictly prevent the movements of Wang Huailei, the governor of Chuzhou Jiedushi.

The war in Henan has ended for several days. Zhao Xun issued two edicts, ordering the governor of Chuzhou, Wang Huailei, to lead his troops to return to Chuzhou. However, Wang Huailei was disobedient and agreed to the emperor, but he refused to leave. Instead, he recruited surrender and rebel in Huzhou, and accepted the remaining forces of the mob headed by Su Chi on a large scale to expand his army. In just a few days, Wang Huailei had recruited more than 20,000 strong men.

Zhao Xun was quite worried about this situation and had ordered troops from all over Henan Province to take strict precautions. After the Fengjing coup, just two days later, he transferred Huang Xian back to Hedong and closely monitored the movements of Chuzhou Jiedu Wang Huailei. Once Wang Huailei had any abnormal movements, Huang Xian could act cheaply and immediately lead the army into Henan without passing through the court.

Li Xun walked around Luojing City, and during this period, he sent several smart soldiers to inquire about the news and collect information.

The soldier just whispered in Li Xun's ear: "Zhao Shuo was locked in a cage five days ago and has never eaten a single bite of food yet."

Li Xun pointed at Zhao Shuo and asked coldly at the guard officer beside him: "Why don't you give King Zhao Shuo to eat?"

The officer glanced at Zhao Shuo and said disdainfully: "He is no longer a King of Chu, but just a prisoner."

Li Xun looked at the officer coldly: "I just arrived from Fengjing. The court just ordered me to escort the King of Chu back to Fengjing. There was no other order. Do you say that Zhao Shuo is no longer the King of Chu, and you deprived him of his throne?"

Hearing Li Xun say this, the officer was slightly stunned, then bowed and said, "How dare you do this in a humble position?"

Li Xun sneered and said, "I think you are very brave. The King of Chu has not eaten for five days. If he has something to do, your life will probably not be saved."

The officer's face suddenly became nervous and quickly explained: "General Li, you misunderstood. It's not that the King of Chu who did not give food to the King of Chu, but that the King of Chu himself took a hunger strike. It really has nothing to do with the King of Chu!"

Zhao Shuo himself refused to eat?

Li Xun frowned slightly and scolded coldly: "If you dare to lie to me, I can't avoid you."

"I dare not do it for a humble position."

The officer bowed his hands and said no, and his attitude completely softened.

Li Xun waved his hand, and the officer immediately took his men away.

Li Xun looked at Zhao Shuo, and at this time, Zhao Shuo also raised his head. When he saw Li Xun, he couldn't help but grin.

Li Xun smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, King of Chu, you can still laugh at this time. It seems that you are not afraid of death."

Zhao Shuo's voice was weak, but he still had a smile on his face: "I already know the ending, I have a clear mind, what else to be afraid of?"

Li Xun shook his head. In his opinion, King Zhao Shuo of Chu was a weird man. He even had some reverie in his heart. Is Zhao Shuo crazy? He had no interest in such a good situation and advantages. Later, he directly killed those who really helped and supported him, disarmed his own power and gave himself to Zhao Xun for free. What is this not a disease? Does Zhao Shuo think that Zhao Xun would let him go? It's too naive. Of course, Li Xun also heard about the inside story, but he didn't believe it too much, because in Li Xun's opinion, there is no hatred, and he can even hate him so much that he doesn't want his own life. Especially for a woman, it is even more impossible, or it is hard to believe it with Zhao Shuo.

Sima Tu took out a noodle cake from his arms, which contained chicken and fish. It was a famous local snack in Luojing. He bought two, and after eating one, there was one left. He heard that Zhao Shuo had not eaten for five days, so he took it out and went up to hand it to Zhao Shuo.

Zhao Shuo leaned forward, sniffed hard, closed his eyes, and said intoxicatedly: "It's so fragrant!"

After saying that, Zhao Shuo opened his eyes, retracted his head, shook his head, and sighed: "What a pity, I will never be able to eat it in my life."

Li Xun said in confusion: "Your Highness, you can eat whatever you want. No one can force you. I hope you understand this."

Zhao Shuo looked at Li Xun and said indifferently: "King, I don't accept food from pity. I have my dignity. I hope you understand this."

Li Xun smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, King of Chu, why are you doing this? You plan to kill Yang An and Yang Zuo, and take the initiative to give out your military power. You are a meritorious person. After you go back, explain clearly that the emperor may not make things difficult for you."

"If I value life and death, I wouldn't have done so many stupid things, and Zhao Xun wouldn't have ascended the throne so easily."

Zhao Shuo said disdainfully: "What will Zhao Xun treat me? Even a fool can guess. Li Xun, why should you comfort me with a child's words?"

Li Xun remained silent. Zhao Shuo was right. He was once the position of Prince Zhao Xun and the biggest and most powerful competitor. Although Zhao Shuo took the initiative to retreat later, some things happened. No matter who won in the end, the ending of another person will not change much from the fundamental reason.

Sima Tu said softly at this time: "Your Highness, the late emperor has passed away. Don't you want to go to the imperial tomb to kowtow to the late emperor a few times and be filial to you?"

Zhao Shuo was also silent. After a while, he said silently: "Although my father was very cold and distant to me from beginning to end, he had never felt harmful to me. Instead, he sent me to Luojing as his body became increasingly deteriorating. This was to let me protect myself. How could I not understand this kind of heart for protecting my son?"

Li Xun also advised: "Since that's the case, you should go back and go to the imperial tomb to worship."

Zhao Shuo shook his head and sighed deeply: "I have been silently reciting the sutra of rebirth countless times in the past few days. This filial piety is enough."

Seeing that Zhao Shuo's will is firm, Li Xun could only smile bitterly and said, "Filial piety lies in the heart, not in the expression. I, Li Xun, know what His Highness the King of Chu meant."

Li Xun stopped saying anything, because once a person like Zhao Shuo made a decision, it would be difficult to change his mind. Otherwise, Zhao Shuo would not have done so many stupid things and would not have turned around no matter how hard he did it.

"I feel comfortable listening to you."

Zhao Shuo laughed and was very free and easy. Then, he took out a gauze scarf from his arms, which was covered with blood red and hundreds of words.

"This is a sutra of rebirth written by me with my fingertips of blood. Take it back and take it to the imperial tomb and burn it in front of the soul of my father. It is my last filial piety and retribution for my son."

Zhao Shuo handed the scarf to Li Xun, then leaned against the back, closed his eyes and stopped talking.
Chapter completed!