Everyone was very happy at the banquet during the day, especially Wu Rui's initiative to cooperate with the Xiang family, which hinted to Xiang Liang that Wu Rui had already intended to surrender to him, but Wu Rui was not a fool, and his surrender must have some consequences.

He just hasn't brought up his little Jiujiu at today's banquet.

Of course, there is no free lunch in the world. Xiang Liang knew this very well, so he did not mention the matter too much at the banquet. He only waited for a few days to meet Wu Rui again and discuss the matter in depth.

Thinking of this, Xiang Liang put away his messy thoughts and looked at the documents on the desk. These documents were all delivered this morning. There was a whole pile. These documents must be sent out tomorrow morning.

Every day, Xiang Liang repeats these complicated official duties, which seems to have become a habit.

Thinking of this, Xiang Liang couldn't help but sigh. For the sake of Chu, for the future of the Xiang family, and for his father's oath that "although Chu has three families, if Qin is destroyed, Chu will surely die", Xiang Liang picked up a document, and the document was the governor of Kuaiji

Xiang Liang immediately picked up Shi's handwritten letter and read it carefully for a moment.

The content of the document was exactly the same as the document he sent not long ago, and it was all about the issue of arms reserves.

It can be said that in the past two years, Jiangdong has greatly improved its armaments reserves, and the food problem has also been alleviated. Nearly 70% of the soldiers have put on new cloth armor, and the officers all wear leather armor.

Some senior generals have already received their own armor, which is unmatched by the Jiangbei Army and the Qin Army in Lushan County. However, some bad problems have gradually been exposed, forcing Xiang Liang to face them.

Jiangdong's productivity can be self-sufficient, but if it wants to cope with large-scale battles, it still has trouble making ends meet, and low productivity is imminent. On the other hand, Zhangjun is vast and sparsely populated. It is adjacent to the river, and Kuaiji is connected to the sea.

In this way, Kuaiji and Zhangjun were not suitable as important logistics towns, and once they crossed the river and headed north, the transportation problem became the biggest problem for the Jiangdong Army.

These problems are bothering Xiang Liang, but the governor of Kuaiji, Shi, comes to the book again and again, hoping that Xiang Liang will discuss the matter as soon as possible and solve the current dilemma.

"Yes, it's time to think about these issues carefully." Xiang Liang thought of this and said to himself. At this time, Xiang Sheng's voice sounded at the door: "Mr. Liang, can I come in?"

"Come in." Xiang Liang's voice sounded a little tired. He put down the documents in his hand, and the door opened at this time. Xiang Sheng walked in quickly, came to Xiang Liang, and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Liang, Xiang

Zhuang has already been invited and is waiting at the door."

Xiang Liang nodded, Xiang Sheng turned and left. After a while, Xiang Zhuang walked in quickly, and the door was quickly closed after Xiang Zhuang entered. Xiang Zhuang had already come to Xiang Liang and bowed with his hands.

: "My nephew has met his uncle."

Xiang Liang smiled and nodded: "You must be very tired when you just came back. You won't blame me if I call you here now, right?"

Xiang Zhuang immediately waved his hand and said with a smile: "My uncle's words are serious. How can my nephew blame his uncle?"

After a pause, Xiang Zhuang's eyes wandered over Xiang Liang. After seeing each other for several months, Xiang Liang had aged a lot, especially the wrinkles on his face, which had become more and more obvious. Thinking of this, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but sigh.

Liang seemed to see Xiang Zhuang's inner thoughts. He smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Every day is full of heavy official duties. I haven't gone out for a long time."

After saying that, Xiang Liang stood up, stretched himself out, looked at the door, and said with a smile: "This is the county governor's mansion. No one will spy on us. We might as well go out for a walk."

"My nephew, please do as you wish." Xiang Zhuang cupped his hands and said with a smile.

In the south courtyard of the governor's mansion, there is a pond. In the center of the pond, a pavilion has been built. At this time, fifty guards have blocked off the pavilion and patrolled back and forth. At this time, Xiang Liang and Xiang Zhuang have slowly walked through the long

After walking through the long corridor and arriving at the pavilion, a guard placed two soft mats and they sat across from each other.

"I saw during the day that you seemed to have something to say?" Xiang Liang looked at Xiang Zhuang and couldn't help but smile.

Xiang Zhuang saw through Xiang Liang's thoughts and couldn't help but smile and said: "It's just some immature ideas. I'm going to discuss them with my uncle."

Seeing Xiang Zhuang being so polite, Xiang Liang couldn't help laughing loudly: "What can't you and my uncle and nephew say?"

After a pause, Xiang Liang waved his hand to Xiang Sheng on the side: "You all retreat, Zhuang'er and I will talk alone."

Xiang Sheng sang his promise and retreated slowly with his guards. At this time, only Xiang Liang and Xiang Zhuang were left in the pavilion.

To mine iron ore in the county, you have to cross the river along the way, transport it to the Jiangcheng River Port, and transfer it to Kuaiji. The journey is vast, the distance is long, and the labor is heavy, so some of it has to be done without trying."

Speaking of this, Xiang Zhuang stopped talking. He stared at Xiang Liang quietly. At this time, Xiang Liang was also lowering his head and thinking. Although Xiang Zhuang didn't finish what he said, Xiang Liang had vaguely guessed what Xiang Zhuang was thinking.

It must also be a matter of logistical reserves, and it seems to be the same thing as what I am worried about.

But Xiang Liang did not express his inner thoughts. He just stared at Xiang Zhuang quietly and said in surprise: "Zhuang'er might as well talk about it in detail."

Seeing that Xiang Liang was interested in this matter, Xiang Zhuang was overjoyed and said, "Since my uncle asked, my nephew will not hide it. If there is something wrong in what he said, please let me know."

Xiang Liang smiled and shook his hand, and Xiang Zhuang continued: "I think we can build a craftsman's shop nearby in Zhu County, which can serve as the most forward supply station for our army. Moreover, Zhu County is bordered by the Yangtze River in the south and the Dabie Mountains in the north, so it can be effectively defended.

If the enemy makes a sneak attack, they can also build a war dock in Shaxian County and transport weapons to Kuaiji or Zhangjun at any time."

Speaking of this, Xiang Zhuang glanced at Xiang Liang quietly and saw that he was still listening carefully. Xiang Zhuang continued: "The most important point is that once we cross the river and take part in the war in the Central Plains, Hengshan County will become our most effective and most important force.

A reliable logistics supply base. At that time, a steady stream of weapons was being transported to the front line, and my uncle could recruit troops leisurely. With such a supply line, who would dare to offend our military power?"

Xiang Zhuang's last words completely moved Xiang Liang. This is something Xiang Liang has been worrying about. Traveling long distances to transport iron ore is not a long-term solution after all. Moreover, the journey is long and it is difficult for Kuaiji County to achieve large-scale mining.

Especially for transportation, supplies need to cross the river to reach the other side before embarking on the road to the north. This will be a big challenge for transportation, and the time will also be extended. However, Xiang Zhuang's proposal just now is invisible.

, broke the dilemma and gave Xiang Liang hope."

After thinking for a short time, Xiang Liang nodded slightly: "This proposal is very good, I agree to you."

Xiang Zhuang was overjoyed when he saw Xiang Liang's promise. He immediately handed over his hand and said, "To be honest with my uncle, I have asked Kong Ji to start preparing to build a craft shop in Zhu County. In the early stage, I plan to put part of the shop into operation. In the later stage, I will

Expand the scale of the craft shop to achieve large-scale production of ironware."

Xiang Liang heard about the large-scale production of ironware, and a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart. But recalling that day, Hua Yu once said that Xuanzi did not yet have the formula to produce ironware on a large scale. Xiang Liang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and he couldn't help but sigh.

: "Zhuang'er's idea is certainly good, but I'm afraid Xuanzi doesn't have better technology for mass production yet."

Seeing that his uncle was worried about this matter, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but smile and said: "Don't worry, uncle, I have a way to get Xuanzi to come up with the formula."

The nephew spoke with confidence, and Xiang Liang said no more. After a moment of silence, Xiang Liang asked again: "What do you think of Wu Rui?"

"Uncle, that's why I came here." Xiang Zhuang said with a smile.

After a pause, Xiang Zhuang continued: "With Wu Rui's current strength, he can completely dominate Lushan County, recruit troops in Lushan County, expand his power, and then march eastward along Yi County. Although our Xiang family has strong soldiers and horses,

But it may not be the opponent of the Poyang Army."

Speaking of this, Xiang Zhuang looked at Xiang Liang's expression. Xiang Liang remained silent. Xiang Zhuang really couldn't tell Xiang Liang's attitude towards this matter, so he could only continue: "But Wu Rui did not choose to go eastward.

, but heeded his nephew’s advice and cooperated with the Xiang family. In fact, it means merging with us and jointly recovering Dachu."

Speaking of this, Xiang Zhuang smiled slightly awkwardly: "In order to stabilize Wu Rui, I promised on behalf of my uncle that as long as Wu Rui captured Lushan County, we could continue to appoint him to guard Lushan and serve as the county guard. This matter

My nephew has made his own decisions, and he asks his uncle to punish him."

Xiang Zhuang raised his hands and stood up. Xiang Liang also woke up from his meditation at this time. Every word of Xiang Zhuang's words was engraved in Xiang Liang's heart. At this time, he was determined to talk to Wu Rui about the merger.

At this time, Xiang Liang found that his nephew Xiang Zhuang was still standing in front of him. He couldn't help but smile and said: "I don't blame you, just sit down."

Xiang Zhuang sat down. At this time, Xiang Liang looked at the north. The stars in the north were extremely bright. His thoughts followed the stars in the north and drifted to Zhu County and the iron mines in Zhu County. He unconsciously

He stood up, walked two steps in the pavilion, came to the railing, and looked at the sky.

About a cup of tea later, Xiang Liang's slightly older voice sounded: "I'm going to let you go back to Zhu County and station 30,000 troops. Are you willing to go?"

Xiang Zhuang did not expect that his uncle would suddenly increase his troops in Zhu County. He stood up and came to Xiang Liang with doubts. Just when he was about to speak, Xiang Liang waved his hand and said with a smile: "In the future, if I lead the army north, Zhu County will

It is our northernmost military town and plays a decisive role."

After a pause, Xiang Liang let out a long sigh and added: "Moreover, Zhou Wen was defeated, Wu Guang could not attack Xingyang for a long time, and Zhang Chu's army spent tens of millions, but could not enter Guanzhong. From this point of view, Zhang Chu's regime was powerless. They

Our power has come to an end, and it’s time for our Xiang family to go north."

Seeing that his uncle had the idea of ​​going north, Xiang Zhuang felt a little excited in his heart. The day for the Xiang family to go north was finally coming.

At this time, Xiang Zhuang handed over his hand and asked Xiang Liang for orders: "Uncle, my nephew feels that just controlling Zhu County will not have the greatest effect on our Xiang family's move north. If my uncle allows it, my nephew is willing to send troops to go north.

Control the north of the Dabie Mountains, completely capture the remaining counties in Hengshan County, and make final preparations for my uncle to go north."
Chapter completed!