Heavy rain poured down, the waves were icy cold, and a group of merchant ships sailed hard on the Xiang River. This fleet was formed as an anti-risk measure. The pilot was a new large ship with the logo of Lujia Shipyard. Strangely, there were not enough numbers to match.
The mast can still go upstream stably.
Compared with the dark cargo ship behind it, this pilot ship is a passenger ship. The dim and warm lights mixed with the aroma of wine and food can be seen in the several cabins. The occasional figure is swaying and the dancers are dancing, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere.
But compared with the cold majesty of nature, the sounds of people, music, boilers, and pulp were all drowned in the sound of rain...
For the same reason, no one noticed when a small boat sailed down the river and docked at the larger ship.
A dark figure struggled to climb onto the deck. Sweat and rain soaked his whole body, making him feel wet and uncomfortable: "This new motor sailing boat is greasy and greasy, and even a few cables are missing. I am exhausted from climbing..."
"Stop complaining. Being a gray guard is all about dirty work. It's more important to convey the news to the adults. You can just wait here."
Another guard in black and gray clothes climbed up on the side. With quick movements, he took out the oil paper bag and changed Yu's clothes. Shi Shiran entered a luxurious guest room on the top floor.
"Who?" A man suddenly looked back, his eyes sharp.
"Sir, it's us."
The person who came in quickly submitted a secret message: "My lord said that we are doing well. The Marquis of Han has been on the lord's flagship for two days. Combined with the publicity about the appearance of the immortal, some people outside have suspected that the Marquis of Han has been detained, and there has been some fluctuation in popularity...
…”
"Although it's a bit exaggerated... but this misunderstanding is also a good thing."
The gray-clad guard nodded. He had experience in this area and was not surprised by the public's reaction.
Since the Cai Dynasty occupied the upper reaches of the two main rivers in Kyushu, the news of using power to oppress various princes spread quickly. With this background, not only the princes of the Qing Dynasty and the princes of Xiang jointly mobilized troops from all aspects, marched in formations, and even fought with the immortals
The battle for public opinion prevailed.
Just seeing that this kind of exaggerated news that no one believed in the past has become very popular is enough to prove that the legitimacy and power of the imperial court have not faded in the hearts of the people.
"Destiny will never end and I will..."
Baihu read the information carefully and did not miss any secret sign in any corner. He found a secret and special ship-shaped signal in the corner and was immediately delighted: "The Imperial Navy has arrived in the middle of the Qianjing River. It seems that they are serious about suppressing the enemy."
Xiangzhou... If you continue to strengthen public opinion propaganda, just say... the imperial court has issued an ultimatum to the Marquis of Han."
"Uh... is it pressure from rumors? I understand."
The hatch was reopened, and the howling wind rushed out with the hot air. Before it spread further, some shocking news first spread in the lobby on the first floor of the hybrid motorboat.
In the viewing seats next to the dance floor in the hall, the glazed lights illuminated the gold and silver utensils, and the aroma of green bamboo leaves and wine mixed with the aroma of the dishes was very tempting. Several merchants, young and old, dressed up, were having a fishtail banquet and communicating about the Xiangzhou business district.
Big and small things here.
After a while, an acquaintance joined in. The middle-aged businessman with a mustache on his lips drank and exchanged a few words, then glanced around and asked mysteriously: "Hey... have you heard about what happened on the Xiangshui River?"
"What?" A young merchant was puzzled at first. He thought some cargo ship had capsized again. When he saw the other party gesturing with three fingers, he was suddenly shocked: "What about the alliance between the three Xiangshui companies?"
"Yes, I heard the latest news..."
Thanks to sunny weather and newspapers, the news of the alliance between the three families spread in Xiangzhou very quickly. There was some lag and misinformation in the past two days, which was the reason why the storm confused Yuanci's communication.
The old man on the side woke up from calculating the profit of this shipment. Hearing this, he drank his wine glass and said: "Don't say that the Marquis of Han was detained. He is an immortal. I don't believe that the imperial court dares to tell the truth to the goods."
Mustache secretly cursed the old rebel, and immediately changed his lines and hummed: "There is no point in seizing this place, but it is said that the imperial court has issued a decree, asking the Han Dynasty to turn to the East China Sea to open up, Xiangzhou must be returned, otherwise we will not hesitate to fight.
Where to go, it's your choice... Tsk, isn't this an ultimatum?"
An ultimatum?
In a corner not far away, there were several merchants from Yingzhou whose expressions changed slightly. They invested heavily and followed the footsteps of the Han army to expand their industry and sales circle. This was the successful experience of eating soup and eating meat in the past. They gambled on their family business.
If we withdraw, won't all our business be wiped out?
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but look at the middle-aged man in plain robes who was leading him: "Master Ye?"
The middle-aged man surnamed Ye looked a little sad. He looked like he was in his forties, and his temples were white. He seemed to have experienced misfortune, but his eyes were shrewd and he made a gesture to silence them. He was obviously very prestigious.
He brought a glass of wine over and asked with a smile: "Didn't we have a good alliance? Why have you suddenly become tougher?"
"Of course it is." The mustached merchant was about to speak and continue to guide, when he heard someone beside him chuckle: "Apart from the general change, what other reason could there be?"
Everyone looked back after hearing the sound, and saw a young scholar at the table who looked like a scholar. He looked a little arrogant and held a newspaper in his hand: "Although the news was two days late, it has finally arrived. The Imperial Navy has left Tianmen Gorge.
The troops moved across the twelve prefectures around Gyeonggi, and together with the six prefectures of Gyeonggi... these are the seventeen prefectures, no, there are eighteen prefectures even with the imperial capital itself."
"Yingzhou Daily, didn't you say right away that civil war is not allowed in heaven...how to sweep it away?" the middle-aged man surnamed Ye asked tentatively, already having some answers in his mind.
The scholar sneered: "You are too naive. Civil war is not allowed in heaven, but Da Cai and the princes have the status of monarch and minister, and they have the righteousness to fight against the demon army. How can it be considered a civil war?"
"The main goal in the sky is to quickly wipe out the enemy ships. Is it possible that a certain prince cannot do it on his own and the imperial court is not allowed to do so?"
"If you want to invoke this clause, you must first wipe out the enemy ships and there will be nothing wrong in the territory before you can invoke it."
"The so-called area where civil war is not allowed to be protected by the Marquis Order is only the county where Dongtian is located. Who else endorses it for you?"
I don’t know what kind of person this scholar was, but what he said was clear and logical, to the point, and made sense, making everyone listen.
An old man even shouted: "What the scholar said makes sense. Come on, give the scholar a pot of good wine to help the conversation. I'll pay for it."
The waiter responded and stepped forward to serve the wine. The scholar didn't say anything, poured himself a wine, and drank it in one gulp.
In the heavy rain, I could hear the sound of the river waves in the distance, and saw the lights on the ship flashing. I breathed out the smell of alcohol and gritted my teeth and smiled: "Even the Marquis of Han swept across the enemy ships, and he stationed troops there...
…”
"The imperial court has great righteousness. Originally, the state soldiers, county soldiers and even the government officials were all members of the imperial court. But now it has only been a few years and it has really changed. Why don't you just surrender?"
"Now the seventeen states directly affected by Gyeonggi are completely under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, forming a huge security area. Who can match this?"
"This is to use force to force it... I think we are going to have trouble again in Xiangzhou."
Everyone looked at each other, most of whom were natives of Xiangzhou, and remained silent. Even the middle-aged man named Ye who came from Yingzhou just now frowned and thought deeply.
Seeing this atmosphere, Mustache felt a little happy, and immediately added fuel to the flames, half-truth and half-falsehood: "That's not all, I have a relative who is a keeper at the interrogation station. I definitely heard that the imperial army has marched to the southwest, and it is estimated that they have taken control of the Lingqing River.
The upper reaches of Kyushu and Shikoku...think about it, if the upper reaches of the two major river systems are occupied, what is left is not just a matter of going straight down the river?"
"The King of Chu didn't dare to compete last time, so why should the Marquis of Han?"
"hiss--"
There was a sound of gasping, and everyone was frightened. They looked at the rain curtain on the portholes, as if a large number of warships were passing by at this moment, bringing war and killing.
The scholar who just spoke even nodded. Judging from his knowledge of geography, this is almost one-fifth of the original direct control area.
He pondered for a while: "Although from the experience in my memory, outside this safe circle, the influence of the imperial court will continue to decline with distance, and with the resistance of various virtues and princes, the imperial army will eventually stagnate - if it can be done alone
If you rely on the imperial court to mow down enemy ships, why should there be so many princes?"
Listening to this, everyone looked at this scholar with admiration. The scholar is knowledgeable.
The scholar looked proud and pointed: "But where to stop is a big problem..."
"Can you tell me?" Someone said: "Man, now that we have some wine, let's bring some vegetables to the scholar."
In soft whispers, motorboats and sailboats formed a mixed passenger and cargo fleet, which was gradually approaching Fengliang City. A large ship emitted ghost electricity and appeared in everyone's field of vision.
Xiangzhou Navy·Flagship·Top Lounge
"Civil war is not allowed. I'm afraid that at least one county can be saved."
"Now I'm afraid I can only keep Yingzhou."
"But now I have 50,000 Taoist soldiers, hundreds of real people, and five true immortals." Ye Qing gritted his teeth and smiled ferociously: "If the imperial court presses hard, I will fight with my last ditch and beat the imperial court to a pulp."
"I'm afraid, doesn't the court care?"
It was windy and rainy outside, and several glass lamps were shivering in the heavy rain.
In the rain, he saw that the armored soldiers patrolling the ship were still executing their duties. Ye Qing paced back and forth in the cabin, staring at the simulated inner state map on the magic sand table.
"The key is where to park the fleet going east? No, I will have further negotiations tomorrow and can't delay it any longer. The key is to judge the strategic orientation and optimal conditions to make it most beneficial to my own strategy."
"If it doesn't meet my requirements, I will immediately go back and organize the army to prepare for war... If Cai Chao dares to fight, I won't dare. Even if they beat me to a pulp, I am still a true immortal and can make a comeback.
"You think an established true immortal can suppress me, a new true immortal?"
"Go all out, I don't need the help of Commander-in-Chief, I can kill this person with just one sword."
Guang Guogong has not been leaving for the past two days because he is trying to suppress the Cai Dynasty. In this case, Da Si Ming's clone Yu Jian stayed behind. According to the latest information she conveyed, the Cai Dynasty's imperial army has been painted yellow in one fell swoop.
Occupying nearly one-fifth of the area, military intelligence information from all aspects is still being eroded.
Calculating purely based on one hundred inner states, it will not be a problem for the Cai Dynasty to regain control of nearly a quarter in a few years... Coupled with the pressure of the approaching oppression, if a corresponding sphere of influence is formed, it may be able to mobilize 30% of the power of the original inner states.
Ye Qing felt that there was some moisture in this. It would depend on the number of state princes and state governors who sincerely followed the central government. It is estimated that only the Tude ones would be obedient, and the rest of them had backing. Who would really obey Cai Chao?