After Zhang Ping and Kong Ji met, Gong Ao ordered someone to set up a banquet and asked Gong Wei to accompany Zhang Ping to the banquet. For a while, the side hall became busier, but the atmosphere became more harmonious.

Kong Ji smiled through his beard, as if he had understood the purpose of Zhang Ping's trip, but he did not speak and only chatted with Gong Ao about some innocuous things. It was not until Gong Ao talked about Gong Wei's eastward journey that Gong Ao smiled happily and said

: "I will order Quanzi to prepare more generous gifts and go to Jiangdong. In addition, Mr. Kong will have to say a few good words for us in front of the King of Dongchu."

"Why should King Linjiang be so polite? Besides, you are our barrier to the west of East Chu, guarding the important places west of the Yangtze River. Your strength is also related to the peace of our East Chu country. My king will certainly

I won't ignore it and make things difficult for King Linjiang." As soon as Kong Ji's laughter fell, Zhang Ping seemed to hear the meaning of their words, so he stood up and cupped his hands and said: "King Linjiang comes again, it stands to reason that in this situation, I am a junior.

I shouldn't interrupt at will, but this time when I went south, my father specifically asked me to pay homage to the King of Dongchu to show my sincerity to the Yong Kingdom. Therefore, part of the supplies I brought along this time were dedicated to King Linjiang.

, and part of it is dedicated to the King of Dong Chu."

Zhang Ping paused for a moment when he said this. He turned back to Kong Ji and said, "I just heard that Brother Gongwei is going to Dongchu as envoy. I also have plans to visit the King of Dongchu. Can you take me with you?"

"This is great." Gong Wei was overjoyed, but Gong Ao glared at Gong Wei coldly. Gong Wei was so frightened that he stuck out his tongue and sat down. At this time, Gong Ao also stared at Kong Ji quietly.

, he wanted to see what Kong Ji was planning.

But Kong Ji was always smiling while grazing his beard. Kong Ji would not promise anything to Zhang Ping in front of King Linjiang about this kind of thing, but the situation in Guanzhong was always what Xiang Zhuang was most concerned about. Moreover, Xiang Zhuang had already spoken in advance, and Liu Bang soon

It is inevitable to go north. At this time, Yong Guo's visit is probably not a trivial matter. It is even less likely that Kong Ji will ignore Zhang Ping's request. Instead, he looked at Zhang Ping and smiled and said: "I agree to this matter, and I will go eastward with you."

Zhang Ping was overjoyed and hurriedly raised his hands and said, "Thank you, Brother Kong."

Seeing Zhang Ping calling himself Brother Kong, Kong Ji's laughter became even more hearty. He raised his wine glass and paid tribute to Gong Ao: "King Linjiang, this place is really a treasure. My trip to the west is well worth it."

"Master Kong, please come here often." Gong Ao also raised his glass and laughed.

…

Zhang Ping stayed in Jiangling for several days. After seeing the scenery of Jiangling and the majesty of Jiangling's army, under Gong Ao's personal send-off, an army of more than 2,000 people came to the river port. Kong Ji, Zhang Ping, and Gong Wei also came to the river port.

Farewell to Gong Ao, at Kong Ji's order, Jiangdong's ship slowly entered the river and headed eastward along the wide Yangtze River.

On the boat, Gong Wei and Zhang Ping were similar in age and chatted happily with each other. However, a long journey cannot be reached in one or two days. In the afternoon, they dispersed.

Afterwards, Zhang Ping ordered people to prepare wine and food and invited Kong Ji.

It was already night, and Kong Ji came to Zhang Ping's cabin under the escort of several soldiers. The soldiers stood outside the cabin door. Kong Jilang smiled and entered the cabin. There were only Zhang Ping and one soldier in the cabin. The soldiers saw Kong.

When Ji arrived, he hurriedly brought a soft mat and placed it next to the wine table. He then poured a glass of wine for Kong Ji, then stood aside.

Kong Ji had also sat opposite Zhang Ping, and the two were sitting opposite each other. At this time, Zhang Ping picked up the wine glass and said with a smile: "I have heard that Brother Kong is the chief counselor under the King of Dong Chu. He has followed the King of Dong Chu for many years. I must have known that Brother Kong

I must know the King of Dong Chu very well, so I hope that Brother Kong can help me turn more wheels during this trip to the east."

Kong Ji also picked up the wine glass and smiled back: "As long as I can do it, I will do my best."

Both of them laughed and drank the wine in their glasses. At this time, Zhang Ping lowered his head and pondered for a while, looked at Kong Ji solemnly, and whispered: "I once heard that when the King of Dong Chu left Guanzhong,

It has been said that Liu Bang will go north soon. I wonder what Brother Kong thinks about this?"

"Liu Bang is ambitious, and his subordinates are all Chu and Guanzhong people. They are not used to living in Hanzhong for a long time. Therefore, if Liu Bang wants to survive, he must go north. This is an indisputable fact."

"But if they go north, what will happen to our Yong Kingdom?" Zhang Ping pretended to be frightened, but Kong Ji was drinking quietly on the side. He was not in a hurry to answer Zhang Ping's question until Zhang Ping also drank a glass of wine and gently pressed him.

At that time, Kong Jicai sighed: "There is nothing to fear from the Han soldiers. Although they are slightly more powerful, they are actually just a mob. If you want to beware of the Han soldiers going north, why not strictly guard the fortress and wait for the work?"

"We have sent troops to garrison here, but our spies brought back something in Hanzhong. I don't know if these things are related to Dong Chu." Zhang Ping pretended to be mysterious.

Out.

Kong Ji was confused by what Zhang Ping said. He didn't know what Zhang Ping was worried about. Just when he was about to ask, Zhang Ping's personal entourage came back quickly. At this time, he had a long sword in his hand.

He walked to the two of them, handed the long sword to Kong Ji, and said loudly: "Master Kong, our spies brought this back from Hanzhong."

Kong Ji had been stationed in the army for many years. He could tell at a glance that it was an iron sword. He couldn't help but be surprised. He took the iron sword with both hands and pulled hard. The iron sword was pulled out of the scabbard, and only the top of the hilt was visible.

There are words such as "Forged by the Director of the Han Military Affairs Department" on the cast. Kong Ji picked up his own sword to compare. The iron sword of the Han army was already very proficient, without too many flaws, and it was a good sword.

Kong Ji'an was surprised. The spies from Dong Chu had also sent news that the Han army had built large-scale craftsmen's shops and dredged roads in Jiangzhou, Bajun. They were very worried about this village and sent scouts deep into Bajun many times. However,

No news was ever sent back, and it just so happened that Zhang Ping

What does it mean that they brought the weapons of the Han army? It means that the Han army built many blacksmith shops in Jiangzhou. Moreover, they dredged the roads and smelted iron on a large scale. This shows how firm their determination to go north was.

The day is very close at hand.

But Kong Ji did not show the worries in his heart. He forced himself to calm down, looked at Zhang Ping, and said in surprise: "How can the Han army have such weapons?"

"We don't know very well, but the Han army is basically equipped with iron weapons at this time, and the quality is very good. We have tested it and can easily cut off bronze swords. This is a great threat to our Yong Kingdom.

ah."

Zhang Ping sighed and said: "That's why I'm eager to march eastward, hoping to convince the King of Dongchu to hand over the smelting technology to our Yongguo. We are also willing to purchase Dongchu's weapons in the short term. We have doubled the number."

The price is also okay, please ask Brother Kong to help transfer the rice."

"This..." Kong Ji still didn't know Xiang Zhuang's attitude. He didn't dare to agree rashly. After thinking for a moment, Kong Ji sighed: "I will try my best to help you."

"Thank you, Brother Kong." Zhang Ping was overjoyed. He picked up his wine glass and said, "Brother Kong, let me toast you."

The two of them each finished their glasses of wine. At this time, Zhang Ping gave another look to his entourage, and he immediately took out a large carved carving of Lantian jade from the cabinet in the side room. The bottom of the large carving was made of thousand-year-old wood.

The plate showed the vigorous and domineering appearance of the big eagle. Zhang Ping took the jade product with both hands, slowly placed it on the table, slowly pushed it to Kong Ji, and said: "This is a little bit of my heart. Brother Kong, please don't postpone it. In addition,

, I have also prepared a big gift, which is dedicated to the concubine, and I hope Brother Kong will help me deliver it to the concubine."

…

In the early morning, when the cold wind on the river blew across the ship's deck, Zhang Ping couldn't help but shudder. He couldn't help but wrap the cloak behind him tightly before staring into the distance again.

Yesterday's conversation with Kong Ji solved the knot in Zhang Ping's heart. As long as Kong Ji helps, and the situation in Guanzhong is clear, I believe Xiang Zhuang will not reject him.

Zhang Ping thought so, and because of this, Zhang Ping got up very early today. At this time, the ship had slowly entered Zhu County. In two days, it would reach Jiangdong. Zhang Ping knew that his father, Zhang Han, must be looking forward to his early arrival.

After returning home, he was also anxiously hoping that the weapons matter could be settled. Therefore, Zhang Ping had to settle this matter as soon as possible and return to Guanzhong.

While the big ship is still moving slowly, the wind on the river is strong at this time, which can blow the sails. The big ship moves forward with the speed of the wind. The scenery along the way is beautiful. Compared with Guanzhong, it is a different scene.

Zhang Ping stared at the scenery in the distance, where he could vaguely see the villages on the south bank of the Yangtze River. People in the villages were busy, and some children were running around the village like dots. This reminded Zhang Ping of his own childhood.

Zhang Ping, who was born in the Jiangmen family since childhood, did not have much time to play, practice martial arts, and study military books. These were tasks imposed on him by his father Zhang Han. He wanted to cultivate himself, but he did not have the talent to practice military arts.

So far, nothing has been achieved, no major battles have been experienced, and no chance to dominate alone.

Just when Zhang Ping was filled with emotion, suddenly, a dark-black war dock appeared in the distance. The ship was far away from the war dock, but Zhang Ping could still see the Dongchu flags fluttering in the wind on the war dock, and groups of teams.

Soldiers held spears in hand, patrolling back and forth in the war dock, and archers stood behind the walls, staring quietly into the distance.

Is this the defense of the Eastern Chu Kingdom? How long will it take to build such a huge war dock?

Judging from the meticulous attitude of the soldiers of the Eastern Chu Army, we can imagine how strict Xiang Zhuang was in running the army, and Zhang Ping has always followed his father since he was a child. His father was fearless and strict in running the army, but the Qin Army has never been as strict as the Eastern Chu Army.

General battle.

Next to the battle dock, groups of corvees were building walls and military camps. As the ship gradually approached, Zhang Ping saw familiar faces. These... were the most brave soldiers of the Qin Kingdom.

They fell to this point, and Zhang Han cannot escape responsibility. Who can hold the blame, Zhang Ping, Sima Xin, and Wang Yi? But the ultimate reason was the debauchery and immorality of the second generation of Qin, which led to the final defeat of the Qin State.

Zhang Ping sighed. On the side, Kong Ji came over at some point. He looked at Zhang Ping with a solemn face and said with a smile: "What are you thinking about?"

"It turns out to be Brother Kong." Zhang Ping turned around and saw Kong Ji. He hurriedly bowed his hands and saluted, and then said with a smile: "I feel deeply about the defense of Jiangdong. These battle stations are like castles, which are indestructible."

"Haha, you're flattered. If you have the chance to go east, you will see more war docks. But it's a pity. I just got the news that our king is not in Wu County at this time, but came here a few days ago.

Poyang is currently in a military camp near Poyang County. It seems we have to change our route to go south to Poyang."

[,!]
Chapter completed!