In front of the Wu County Sheriff's Mansion, dozens of war horses were tied to horse posts and snorting. In front of the gate, more than a hundred Chu troops had put the Sheriff's Mansion under martial law and no one was allowed to approach.

In the lobby, Xiang Liang was sitting high up, and Zhou Lan and others were sitting down one after another. At this time, everyone looked serious and silent. Not long ago, there were urgent soldiers coming to report that Xiang was in charge of envoy to Zhang Chuguo half a month ago.

Bo and others have already entered the river port and are heading towards the county governor's mansion. I don't know what kind of news they will bring.

Whether Zhang Chu will agree to the Chu army going north to participate in the war in the Central Plains, everything will have to wait until Uncle Xiang comes back to know. But when everyone bowed their heads and said nothing, Xiang Liang put down the tea cup in his hand, coughed dryly, and sighed: "Last time,

While we were marching westward, the East Vietnamese troops moved north to spy on our southern frontier of Kuaiji. Although in the end, when we returned from the deployment of troops, the East Vietnamese troops retreated, this invisibly reminded us that East Vietnam is our current

Our biggest enemies must be conquered, so that we can move north with peace of mind."

"What's so difficult about this?" Xiang Yulang stood up with a smile, cupped his hands and said: "As long as my uncle gives me three thousand Chu troops, I am willing to sweep across East Vietnam and level them."

"The land of East Yue, with its high mountains and crisscrossing rivers, may not be easy to conquer. Yu'er should not be underestimated." Xiang Liang scolded.

After a pause, Xiang Liang waved his hand downwards, signaling Xiang Yu to sit down. Then he stood up and walked around in the lobby. After taking a few steps, Xiang Liang turned back, stared at everyone, and sighed: "Last time, Zhuang'er mentioned it to me.

, it is recommended that our army march westward and capture Qixian County, where there are three iron mines of the Qin State. If we can control the iron mines, we can have enough iron resources. Although the production of iron tools is still very limited at the moment, in the near future, we

The Xiang family will definitely have the ability to mass-produce iron swords, so I think Zhuang'er's suggestion is necessary."

Speaking of this, Xiang Liang looked at Hua Yu, who was sitting in the last seat. He was recommended by Xiang Zhuang and was in charge of the Xiang family's craftsmanship. At this time, he had been promoted to the logistics chief, responsible for the supervision of the Xiang family's weapons manufacturing and food storage.

and transportation.

At this time, Hua Yu had noticed that Xiang Liang was looking at him. He stood up hurriedly, cupped his hands and said: "General, not long ago, I visited Xuanzi, and he also admitted to me that he has a way to smelt it harder and have excellent toughness.

The sword, moreover, is cast in large quantities, but..."

Speaking of this, Hua Yu hesitated slightly and paused, but Xiang Liang shouted impatiently: "Speak!"

"However, Xuanzi has never seen that kind of sword-making formula. He promised that he would try his best to collect the formula for us, but he is not sure whether he can find it." Hua Yu said with a cupped hand.

This news, like a sweet date, made Xiang Liang happy, but what Hua Yu said later made Xiang Liang feel disappointed. If Xuanzi could not find the formula, he would not be able to make swords on a large scale. In that case, even if he owned iron ore, he would not be able to make swords on a large scale.

Weapons cannot be mass produced.

But in the past few days, Xiang Liang has also thought about it from a different angle. If there are iron ore, arrowheads, and agricultural tools, they can be produced on a large scale. This will be a vital boost to Jiangdong's agriculture. Moreover, Xiang Zhuang once mentioned to himself

In this matter, iron farm tools play an important role in promoting productivity. It is for this reason that Xiang Liang reconsidered and marched to Qixian County to capture the iron ore in the Dabie Mountains.

Thinking of this, Xiang Liang walked back to his seat and sat down, looked at everyone, and said loudly: "The fight for the iron ore is equally important. I think we should put this matter on the agenda to see if we should attack Hengshan County.

"

On the side, Ji Bu cupped his hands and said: "General, I agree to send troops to Hengshan County to seize resources."

"I agree." Zhou Lan also cupped his hands and smiled. At this time, Xiang Yu had already stood up and said: "Uncle, since you don't agree to send troops to East Vietnam, then leave the matter of conquering Hengshan County to me. I just need

Three thousand Chu troops will surely sweep across Hengshan County."

When Xiang Liang saw Xiang Yu's request for orders, he began to be tempted, but once the Chu army used troops at this time, would the East Yue take the opportunity to go north again to spy on Kuaiji? Although the Chu army has the strength at this time, there is no need to fear the East Vietnam, but sooner or later there will be

One day, Xiang Liang must mobilize his army for a long journey. At that time, Kuaiji will be empty. Can he still resist the East Vietnamese? This problem is also very difficult.

Just looking for the immediate future is not something a general would do. There must be a long-term and stable strategy to check and balance East Vietnam before he can safely send troops to the north. Should Xiang Yu's request for orders be accepted at this time? Xiang Liang was still hesitating, but there was a man

The Chu soldiers walked in quickly, stopped in the center of the hall, raised their hands and said: "Inform the general, General Xiangzhuang and others have entered the city."

It seems that Xiang Zhuang has already received Xiang Bo and others. I wonder what kind of news there will be when they return. Xiang Liang stood up with expectation and said with a smile: "Let's put aside the discussion for the time being. Follow me to greet Xiang Bo and others."

people."

...

At the north gate of Wu County, along the Lengjiang River, more than a hundred Chu troops were waiting in formation. At the front of the Chu army, Xiang Liang and others stood on horseback, waiting anxiously. It was already three o'clock in the day and the sun was dazzling, but everyone was already there.

Filled with the joy of Xiang Bo's return, no one cared about the heat.

Soon, a team of more than a hundred people appeared in the distance. At the front of the team was Xiang Bo in a green robe. Behind him was Xiang Zhuang, followed closely by Xiang You and others. The red Chu flag was fluttering in the wind.

Liang was overjoyed, and the joy of meeting again after a long absence came to his heart. Xiang Liang raised his right hand, and behind him, the war drums beat slowly, which was a welcome drum.

Soon, with the sound of military music, Xiang Bo and others were already a hundred steps away. At this time, Xiang Bo raised his hands on his horse and said with a smile: "Second brother, I'm back!"

Xiang Liang also rode his horse to greet him. He looked at Uncle Xiang on the horse and said with a smile, "It's been a hard journey. Let's go back to the government office and talk in detail."

Xiang Bo nodded. On the side, Xiang Zhuang pulled Kong Ji over and introduced him: "Uncle, this is Kong Ji, a native of Suiyang. His father, Kong Kun, lives under Chen Sheng's tent at this time. He came here to seek refuge."

We are here, and..."

When Xiang Zhuang said this, he paused. He didn't know how to tell about his marriage to Kong Xiuyun. After hesitating for a moment, he had to say perfunctorily: "Also, he has some information about Zhang Chuguo."

Xiang Liang couldn't help laughing when he heard Xiang Zhuang's introduction: "Okay, take him with you and go back to the Yamen together!"

Half an hour later, the two teams returned to the governor's mansion together. At this time, the front door of the mansion was once again closed.

The hall became quiet again, and everyone's eyes fell on Xiang Bo.

After a moment of silence, Xiang Bo said: "I was on my mission to Zhang Chuguo this time and mentioned to him the idea of ​​moving the allied forces north. I could tell that day that Chen Sheng had agreed, but I don't know who persuaded him. In the end, Chen Sheng refused.

Our request to go north."

Speaking of this, Xiang Bo sighed softly and said: "Why don't we march to Jiujiang first, and after establishing a foothold in Jiangbei, we can consider the next plan."

Xiang Liang shook his head. Chen Sheng's refusal to go north must have some purpose. I'm afraid that Chen Sheng was no longer working hard to recover Chu at this time. His selfishness had gradually been exposed, but he had already responded to Chen Sheng's call to win over Jiang Dong.

If the eight thousand disciples are openly rebelling now, they will definitely be dissatisfied. At that time, they will be in a dilemma and will end up ruining their future.

Kong Ji on the side seemed to see Xiang Liang's worries. He cupped his hands and said: "General Xiang Liang, before I came here, I heard my father mention this matter. If you are willing, I am willing to tell the truth."

Xiang Liang's eyes lit up and he smiled and said, "You might as well speak out."

Kong Ji nodded, stood up and said: "Uncle did persuade Chen Sheng that day, and Chen Sheng also decided to join Jiangdong Army and march to Hanguguan together. However, later, Cai Ci, Chen Sheng's staff, advised Chen Sheng that Jiangdong is like a tiger. If Chen Sheng leads

The troops from Jiangdong heading north would be tantamount to inviting a tiger into the house, and they would surely reap the consequences. For this matter, my father had a heated debate with Cai Ci, but in the end, Chen Sheng still chose Cai Ci's suggestion."

Speaking of this, Kong Ji looked at Xiang Liang and saw that he was still listening. Kong Ji continued: "So, Chen Sheng was worried that General Xiang Liang would be shocked by your great achievements, so he refused his uncle's request to go north. Now, he has

The troops were divided into six routes. In the first route, Wu Guang led his troops to besiege Xingyang, holding back the main force of the Qin soldiers in Sanchuan County, making them unable to take care of Hangu Pass. In the second route, Zhou Wen led his troops to directly attack Hangu Pass and advance towards the middle of the pass.

The key point is that the third route is led by Song Liu to march to Nanyang and approach Wuguan, echoing Zhou Wenyao. The other three routes are Wu Chen's military expedition to Zhao, Zhou Shi's military expedition to Wei, and Deng Zong's military expedition to Jiujiang. Each has its own formation and each phase.

Conquest, just imagine, Chen Sheng has already fought against the Qin army on a large scale, how could he easily pull Jiangdong Army into the situation?"

Speaking of this, Kong Ji saw that everyone was slightly disappointed, so he encouraged him: "However, if General Xiang Liang can send troops to conquer the land east of the Yangtze River and stabilize the south of the Yangtze River, it may not be a bad thing. As long as the war situation in the Central Plains changes, Xiang Liang

A general can also lead his army to the north and advance to the death on the pretext of reinforcing Zhang Chu. If the world responds, why worry about failing to accomplish his great cause? So Chu cannot be revived?"

Seeing that what Kong Ji said was reasonable, Xiang Liang nodded slightly. Although temporarily giving up going north made many people feel disappointed, especially himself, for the future of Jiangdong and the future of the Xiang family, Xiang Liang knew that he had to endure it for the time being.

Thinking like this, Xiang Liang fell into deep thought, but Kong Ji didn't seem to stop talking. He walked to the center of the lobby, cupped his hands and continued: "I have one more important thing to report to Xiang when I go south this time."

General Liang."

Xiang Liang was interrupted from thinking. He raised his head and looked at Kong Ji, slightly surprised. Kong Ji had already said again: "Back then, Xiang Zhuang captured his sister's hydrangea in Suiyang and was already married to the Kong family. Just because at that time

The Xiang family was in trouble and General Xiang Liang was escorted to Xianyang, so this matter had to be put aside for the time being. But now that the Xiang family has established itself in Jiangdong, shouldn't it be time for our two families to consider this marriage?"

Speaking of this, Kong Ji raised his head and looked at Xiang Liang and continued: "My father told me before leaving that the Xiang family is the queen of the generals and will not refuse to marry. I asked me to discuss their marriage with General Xiang Liang in my father's name. I don't know.

What does General Xiang Liang think?"

Xiang Liang was angered by the sudden news. Xiang Zhuang didn't tell him such a big thing. He was in a state of confusion at this time and had no intention of thinking. He could only sigh: "Family affairs and state affairs are all important, but nephew Kong Jixian, I

I think this matter should not be discussed in court, and I will definitely pay you a visit in the future."
Chapter completed!