If it weren't for the other party's identity, it would be difficult for anyone to be able to match the middle-aged official who came forward and smiled in a harmonious way with Zhu Jie, who was greedy and cruel in the legend, and caused chaos in Jiangnan, because his appearance and temperament were too incompatible with this identity.

Zhu Jie, who was about to descend to the ranks, was short and fat, and his face was covered with fat. His naturally enthusiastic smile was like Maitreya Buddha worshipped in a temple. If he was asked to change into a businessman's uniform, he would be a very ordinary shopkeeper. Who would have thought that just a while ago, he had just killed a court official and even charged him with collusion with a traitor and a ill-treatment.

While laughing, Zhu Xie had already twisted his fat body to come to Sun Tu. Just as Sun Tu bent down to salute and met, his hands quickly poked out and stopped this action: "Sun Qiang Sun doesn't have to be so polite. If you can come to the south of the Yangtze River to quell the rebellion, it's better to support us. It's better not to do these empty rituals. Come on, let's go in and talk first, and have a simple meal here later, even if you're welcome to you." As he spoke, he pulled Sun Tu very carefully and walked towards the hall in front.

Sun Tu also showed a happy smile on his face at this time: "Shuai Zhu is so polite, and he really makes his subordinates flattered." This is not bad. The other party is a chief official of the border and the governor of Jiangnan Road personally named by the court. His identity is much higher than that of a fourth-rank chief of his commander.

"Oh, Mr. Sun is too sarcastic. His official position is just for outsiders. What people in the army like us value most is their personal ability and contribution. In recent years, Mr. Sun has repeatedly made contributions in Shandong, and we have heard of it. To be honest, there are not many officials in the court who can admire us, but you are one of them." As he said something happy, Zhu Xie had already invited Sun Tu to the hall and let him sit on his side. This really gave Sun Tu a face.

Sun Tu did not struggle too much. He sat down according to his arrangement and said with a touching look: "Ship Zhu is really respectful to the wise and the officials are a little ashamed. The things in Shandong were nothing before. I believe that if Shuai Zhuo was there to control the overall situation, he would have done better than me. He would have put down all the local thieves a few years earlier."

These few words immediately made Zhu Xie laugh: "Mr. Sun is so polite. It's a pity that I can't escape from Jiangnan, otherwise I could really go to Shandong to have a look." He actually accepted the praise with a smile.

Tong Mu, who was with him, saw them praising each other and was a little dazed in his happy conversation. Didn’t Sun Tu say that he wanted to get rid of Zhu Xie before, but now he seems to have changed his own person? But soon, he also showed a signature smile, respectfully accompanying the last seat, watching the two of them continue to talk nonsense, and at the same time, he had to look up to Sun Tu anymore. This person has been in the officialdom for many years, but he is much more stable than before. At least he has mastered all the false and slandering methods in the officialdom.

While the two of them were politely greeting each other, the servant had already brought up a few bowls of drinks that nourish the body. Zhu Jie took it up and took a sip, and said, "You are from the north, you probably don't know how humid the climate here in the south is inconvenient, so I specially asked for such a prescription for removing dampness and nourishing the body from a famous local doctor. You must drink a few more bowls."

"Oh? I have to try this. If it really works, please help Zhu Shuai tell the prescription together, so that I can ask someone to prepare some for the soldiers below to drink." Sun Tu took up the tea bowl with interest and tasted it carefully, then nodded repeatedly.

"This is easy to say. I will ask someone to copy a copy for you later. However, there are several medicinal herbs in this drink that are quite expensive. If you want to let tens of thousands of soldiers drink on a large scale, it will cost a lot of money." After Zhu Jie agreed, he took the initiative to get to the point: "I wonder how many soldiers and horses you brought to Jiangnan this time, Mr. Sun?"

"To be ashamed, there are only about 22,000 troops. After all, the Shandong bandits have just been cleared, and the officials dare not evacuate all their troops. But Zhu Shuai, please rest assured that the soldiers and horses under my command are all elite troops in the army, and even if they are placed in the south of the Yangtze River, there are few enemies."

"If it is true as the Chief Secretary said, then we will be relieved. You don't know that the rebel forces in Jiangnan are becoming increasingly powerful. Not only is Suzhou unable to defend it, but even several cities near Jinling are always attacked by the thief army. Especially in the past half month, I have been worried." Zhu Xie smiled happily: "By the way, I wonder when Chief Secretary Sun's subordinates will be able to truly join the battle?" It was not until this time that he exposed his true purpose. He said so many compliments and flatteries, and finally hoped that Sun Tu could lead his troops to quell the rebellion as soon as possible.

When Sun Tu heard this, he put the half-drink drink on the coffee table, and then frowned slightly and said, "I led my army from Shandong to travel all the way. In addition, the soldiers may be unacceptable to the local environment and unfamiliar with the geography of the south, so if you really want to join the battle, you will have to live for more than ten days. But the most important thing is not this, but the supply of food and grass."

"How do you say this?" Zhu Xie asked hurriedly with a smile.

"In order to arrive in Jiangnan as soon as possible, my subordinates did not carry too much food and grass. In addition, the court had promised me early in the morning that as long as I led the army, I would allocate the food and grass for more than half a year in one go. But I wonder if Zhu Shuai had prepared the relevant food and grass?" Sun Tu said, looking at the other party deliberately, but found that the smile on Zhu Xie's face suddenly froze.

But soon, he recovered and smiled and said, "There is such a thing? Why didn't I receive relevant documents from the court? This matter is very important, we have to ask clearly."

"Hmm? Could it be that Zhu Shuai can't even meet the small request of the senior official?" Sun Tu quickly disappeared and asked with a frown.

"You don't know anything about the commander Sun. Because Fang La of Jiangnan suddenly proclaimed himself emperor a few months ago, the officials were furious. The court then transferred many troops to help fight the thieves. Now there are less than six or seven official troops stationed in Jinling, and the number is more than 150,000. Almost all of these people and horses have to ask us for money and food. Even though Jiangnan is rich, they are now in a short position. You open your mouth and ask us for more than 20,000 people for half a year of food and grass. We are really powerless. But don't worry, as long as we have something to eat, we will never starve the soldiers below. Why do you do this? I will transfer you half a month of food and grass first. After you go to war, the logistics supply will be replenished. What do you think?"

Zhu Xie first showed his difficulties in his family, and the so-called landlords had no surplus food. Then he took the initiative to propose his own response, which made people really unable to find any reason for this. Of course, if Sun Tu didn't know what he did in Jiangnan and the current chaos in Jinling.

Seeing the other party's expression of being kind and righteous, he had tried his best to raise food, Sun Tu's frown became deeper: "Is it only half a month of food and grass? Then it's hard for the officials to explain to the brothers below."

"Qin Qian, you and I are all working for the court, and the people below are the same. I hope you can understand more. After all, Jinling is not a place to store grain and produce grain. If Suzhou and Hangzhou are not lost, there will be enough food and grass, but now..." As he said that, he sighed again, and then looked straight at Sun Tu.

Cooperating with Zhu Xie's confusing fat face, it really gives people the feeling that a kind person has done everything he can do. After hesitating, Sun Tu could only nod and respond: "Since Zhu Shuai is also embarrassed, it is not easy for the subordinates to ask too much. However, once the food and grass from the court are transported in place, Zhu Shuai will be able to deliver it to me as much as possible. Also, this half month of food and grass can only stabilize the morale of the army. If they really want them to attack the enemy, they will have to allocate another month of food."

"Of course, please don't worry, Chief Sun." Zhu Xie agreed with full mouth. Then he led Sun Tu to the hall next to him for a drink and greeting.

Although Zhu Jie only asked some officials around him to accompany Sun Tu to drink, the dishes and fine wine at the banquet were rare and exquisite. Just a dish that is said to be famous local fish soup was cooked with only the tenderest piece of meat under the carp. A dish was probably not made with dozens or hundreds of fish. In fact, from these luxurious and wasteful wines, you can see how extravagant Zhu Jie is on weekdays, and his so-called tight money and food is just a empty word.

However, today Sun Tu seemed particularly easy to talk, and had no intention of lying. During the banquet, he patted his chest and promised to do his best to suppress Fang La and his gang. If he did not win the entire victory, he would not leave Jiangnan. This statement naturally won unanimous praise from everyone from Zhu Xie. This reception banquet was naturally ended by the host and guests.

It was not until he sent off Sun Tu, who was already smiling and smiling like a good man, that Zhu Jie's face turned gloomy: "This Sun Tu is really not a fuel-efficient lamp."

"Zhu Shuai, I think he is easy to talk to. Even if we only give you half a month of food and supplies, we didn't complain about him..." A confidant said softly.

"Hmph, what do you know? This is the most terrifying thing. This person is much harder to deal with than other rude and straightforward generals. After a meeting today, I couldn't even figure out what he was thinking. Hey, he could be the commander at a young age and change his name all over the world. Sun Qianli is indeed not easy to deal with." Zhu Jie frowned and made a low comment, but it made the confidants around him look surprised.
Chapter completed!