After Qisi County was captured, the remnants of the Qin army fled from the west gate one after another and disappeared. At this time, the people ate pots of pulp and knelt on both sides of the road to welcome the new ruler of Qisi County, the Jiangdong Chu army.
It can be said that the Chu army in Jiangdong has an excellent reputation in Hengshan County. Moreover, Zhu County has made rapid progress in recent years under the governance of Xiangzhuang. The people have reclaimed wasteland and planted land, and their lives are very stable. Because of this,
The people of Qisi County did not object or resent the arrival of the Chu army from Jiangdong.
At night, the lights in the county office were bright, and groups of soldiers carried dishes into the lobby. Here, several tables of banquets were placed to celebrate Xiangzhuang's complete consolidation of Hengshan County, and the Chu army from Jiangdong took the first step northward.
Amid laughter, Xiang Zhuang drank three large glasses. Cao Feng nervously reminded Xiang Zhuang to pay attention to his wounds and not to drink too much. Xiang Zhuang could only nod his head frequently.
But again, Xiang Zhuang's accommodation to Cao Feng aroused Wu Fang's dissatisfaction. At this time, after a few sips of Tingbuman, he laughed and said: "Brother, we have not seen each other for several months. I feel like this time,
You are more mature and dignified than before, and for this, I toast you!"
On the side, Ding Gu also laughed and said: "Major General, for being able to capture Qisi County this time, General Yingbu has made great contributions. We should pay a toast in return."
Everyone said something to each other, but Xiang Zhuang couldn't refuse. He raised his wine glass and filled it up again. He put down the wine glass. He shouted happily and wanted to pour the wine. Wu Fang was completely angry and scolded: "Brother-in-law, General Xiang Zhuang
He's injured, you can't persuade him to drink!"
"It's not over yet, that's it..." Qing Bu suddenly stopped talking. He realized that he had talked too much, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Qing Bu wanted to change the topic to save the awkward atmosphere. At this time, Wu Fang glanced at Qing Bu and ignored him.
, just smiled and said to Xiang Zhuang: "General Xiang Zhuang, my brother-in-law is a rough man, please ignore him."
With that said, Wu Fang picked up the teapot from the table, poured a cup of tea for Xiang Zhuang, handed it to Xiang Zhuang, and said with a smile: "General Xiang Zhuang won't refuse tea instead of wine, right?"
Xiang Zhuang took the tea and said with an embarrassed smile: "Miss Wu Fang offers tea, I should drink it!"
On the side, Cao Feng said displeasedly: "Miss Wu Fang is drinking tea, right? In this case, I will pour you a glass of wine for Brother Xiangzhuang in return!"
Cao Feng was full of jealousy in his words. At this time, he picked up the wine glass, raised it to his chest, and said sternly: "I'll do it first as a courtesy."
Cao Feng drank the wine glass, but Xiang Zhuang couldn't hold it back even if he tried. At this time, Wu Fang was also furious and said bitterly: "Are you the only one who can drink? I can do that too!"
Wu Fang also poured a glass of wine, raised it to her chest, and drank it in one gulp. The two women each picked up the wine pot and poured wine again. Xiang Zhuang shook his head helplessly. What should he do in this situation?
The two women had a few drinks together, but the atmosphere became more lively as they competed for wine. Many generals followed suit, but Xiang Zhuang slipped away quietly at some point. It was not until the two were drunk that they discovered Xiang Zhuang.
Zhuang disappeared, and they were so angry that they both left.
...
In the early morning, a caravan of more than 20 people appeared in the east corner of Xisi County. They walked slowly along the winding mountain road. The leader was wearing a white robe and carrying a long sword at his waist. He was riding on a horse with a unique temperament.
, he is Li Shengyong, the chief clerk under Deng Zong.
Since Deng Zong replaced Ge Ying and took charge of Jiujiang County's troops, he fought more than a hundred battles and finally pacified half of Jiujiang County. However, Deng Zong was never able to capture the southwest area of Jiujiang County.
This is not because Deng Zong is incompetent, nor is Deng Zong too weak. The fundamental reason is that the world situation is unstable, and Deng Zong does not want to rise too quickly, otherwise he will be tabooed by Chen Sheng.
Of course, sending an envoy to the Chu army in Jiangdong and allying with the Chu army in Jiangdong was also Deng Zong's current way out. Therefore, Li Shengyong was ordered to go west, disguised as a caravan, and passed through Anfeng County to Zhu County.
But on the way, Li Shengyong heard that Xiang Zhuang had sent troops north to capture Qisi County not long ago. At this time, the troops were stationed here. It seemed that they had no plans to go south. Li Shengyong just took advantage of the opportunity to move westward.
The mountain road was rerouted, passing through Hengshan Mountain and heading straight to Qisi County.
At this time, after going through several detours, a county town appeared in front of us. This is Qisi County.
On the city wall, some craftsmen are repairing the city wall, and some temporarily recruited strong men are transporting soil blocks and preparing to compact the city wall. There are many large and small military camps around the city. From here, it can be seen how much Xiangzhuang attaches great importance to Qisi County.
After walking for about half an hour, they finally arrived at the gate. At this time, Li Shengyong no longer had to pretend to be a businessman. He took out the greeting card in his arms and came to an officer beside the city gate. He cupped his hands and smiled.
: "Please help me pass it on to General Xiangzhuang and Li Shengyong, the special envoy of Jiujiang County, for a visit."
...
In the county yamen, Xiang Zhuang sat high up, and on the side was a guest seat with a tattoo, and another one for the envoy Li Sheng who was about to arrive. Below, the deputy general Ding Gu and the school captain Li Ji took their seats. At this time,
, the lobby is extremely quiet.
Soon, a loud shout from one of his followers sounded outside: "Jiujiang Special Envoy Li Sheng needs it."
Li Shengyong, still wearing his white robe, walked into the lobby, bowed his hands and saluted Xiang Zhuang: "Li Shengyong, the chief secretary under Deng Zong, has met the general."
"Master Li, there is no need to be polite. Please take a seat." Xiang Zhuang smiled and waved his hand. Li Shengyong stood up. At this time, he saw Xiang Zhuang clearly in front of him. In his impression, Jiangdong General, who was in charge of one side, should
He is a big man over thirty years old, but the Xiang Zhuang in front of him is a young man in his twenties.
But Li Shengyong knew very well that the Xiang family would not employ people easily. If they were able to take charge of the military and political affairs of one side and lead the army north to seize Qisi County, then Xiangzhuang would definitely not be simple.
At this time, Li Shengyong had walked to the guest seat next to Tingbu and sat down. At this time, he took out a piece of sheepskin from his arms, handed it to him with both hands, and said with a smile: "On this is a record of my general's salutations. The salutations are all recorded here."
Outside the county government office, please ask the general to check it."
Li Shengyong came with a gift, which was beyond Xiang Zhuang's expectation. He couldn't help laughing and said: "Master Li, you don't have to be so polite."
After saying that, Xiang Zhuang went straight to the topic and asked: "I wonder what the purpose of Chief Li's visit this time is?"
Li Shengyong did not expect that Xiang Zhuang would get straight to the point and ask so straightforwardly. He couldn't help laughing and said: "I wonder if the general has ever heard that the Qin army has captured Xu County at this time and is advancing towards Chen County. Forty
Fifty thousand Qin troops, how powerful they are, I am afraid that this time Zhang Chu will..."
Li Shengyong did not continue speaking. He paused deliberately and glanced at Xiang Zhuang quietly, wanting to see his expression, but Li Shengyong was disappointed. Xiang Zhuang's face always had that majestic look that has not changed.
, at this time Li Shengyong had to continue:
"My general believes that the Zhang Chu regime is in danger at this time. It is only a matter of time before Zhang Han overthrows the Zhang Chu regime. If we want to revive the Chu state, it must be the Xiang family. Therefore, we are willing to fight against each other and obey the Xiang family's orders. I don't know what the general can do."
Will you accept us?"
Li Shengyong made it very clear that Deng Zongjun of Jiujiang County was willing to surrender to the Xiang family, which was of course a good thing. However, Xiangzhuang had no contact with Deng Zong, so it was difficult for Xiangzhuang to judge their sincerity when they came to visit unexpectedly.
After thinking briefly, Xiang Zhuang sneered and said: "If General Deng is really serving the country, why doesn't he send troops north to reinforce Chen County?"
When asked by Xiang Zhuang, Li Shengyong hesitated slightly. He was not sure what Xiang Zhuang's attitude was at this moment. After thinking for a short time, Li Shengyong sighed and said in a deep voice: "To be fair to the general, these days.
Nian, Chen Shenghuang//Indecent and excessive,
After appointing Zhu Fang, Hu Wu framed the minister, and Chen Sheng's fellow villagers came to seek refuge with him, but were killed. The total atrocities were shameful, and more importantly, Chen Sheng was not from Chu. Unlike the Xiang family, who was the general of Chu State, he would be
He will definitely support Chu people."
Li Shengyong spoke with so much indignation that Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but be surprised. He had also heard about Chen Sheng's unjust killing of fellow villagers. He heard that some of Chen Sheng's fellow villagers came to seek refuge with Chen Sheng just because Chen Sheng's past was mentioned during the banquet.
There were many offenses in his words, but he was ruthlessly killed by Chen Sheng. Such a person who does not care about his old feelings is indeed difficult to win the hearts of the world.
Moreover, from Li Shengyong's words, Xiang Zhuang can conclude that Deng Zong is sincere in his investment. If the Xiang family can appoint Deng Zong, it will not only strengthen their strength, but also remove a lot of resistance from Jiujiang County, and prepare for their future march north.
There are no disadvantages.
Thinking of this, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but laugh loudly: "I have written down what Mr. Li said. I will write to my uncle to recommend General Deng. I also hope that General Deng can come and join us as soon as possible to help Chu."
"Definitely." Li Sheng smiled and cupped his hands.
At this time, Xiang Zhuang glanced at the entourage beside him and shouted loudly: "Inform the chef that we are going to have a banquet for Master Li and ask them to prepare more food and wine!"
"Here." He walked away quickly. At this time, Xiang Zhuang looked at Li Shengyong again and said with a smile: "It's just a small amount of wine. Please don't take offense to Mr. Li."
...
At noon the next day, Xiang Zhuang took 300 personal guards, Ying Bu and others to send Li Shengyong out of Qisi County. At this time, a shocking news came. Zhang Han divided his troops into two groups and captured Xu County along the way.
, and the other group, led by Captain Dong Yi, approached Tan County. After several days of fierce fighting, Dong Yi broke through Tan County.
At this time, Zhang Han had begun to advance towards Chen County, which indicated that Zhang Chu's regime was at a critical moment. After Li Shengyong learned the news, he couldn't sit still. After bidding farewell to Xiangzhuang, he decided to rush back to Jiujiang.
.
Xiang Zhuang did not hold back. At this time, Li Shengyong's caravan had gradually moved away. Looking at their retreating figures, Xiang Zhuang sighed softly. The battle in the Central Plains that he had been looking forward to for a long time was finally about to begin.
On the side, Qingbu looked slightly surprised and said in a deep voice: "Brother, how credible do you think Deng Zong's surrender is?"
"The credibility is extremely high!" Xiang Zhuang replied.
"But why didn't they go to Kuaiji to find Liang Gong and come to Hengshan County to find you? Don't they know that only Liang Gong can decide this matter?" Yingbu expressed his doubts.
Xiang Zhuang had withdrawn his thoughts at this time. He looked at Qing Bu, who was slightly confused, and said with a smile: "They are testing our attitude, and then decide whether to join the Xiang family. Since I have promised them at this time, they will definitely do it again."
Send an envoy to Wu County to discuss this matter with my uncle in detail."
After saying that, Xiang Zhuang looked into the distance again. The demise of Zhang Chu's regime had triggered a tug-of-war in the Central Plains. It seemed that he was about to go north, and he had to speed up the pace of stabilizing Hengshan County.
