The land filled with blood and fire was filled with boiling murderous intent.
The Jin-Qi attack was like a furious wave, while the allied forces defended it like a dam blocking the sea.
The frenzy was fierce, and each round of offensive could always cut off part of the dam, and the bloody water poured out a piece of red land.
The dam is also not to be outdone. Every time a wave comes, part of the rapids will be permanently left behind, making it impossible to return.
Seeing the increasing number of casualties, the faces of the kings of the Fourteen Kingdoms gradually turned pale in mid-air.
Finally, King Hu couldn't bear it anymore and spoke first: "If we continue to fight, we will suffer heavy losses. Let's negotiate peace with Jin and Qi!"
"good!"
As soon as this statement came out, all the kings agreed.
For the monarchs of these small countries, it is an impressive achievement to be able to fight to such an extent.
The best result is to force peace through war, retreat from the big country and strengthen the army, shock the world, and then carve up Chu State.
He not only longs for fame and fortune, but also looks forward and backward, thinking about luck.
This is the mob.
"Then you have to choose an alliance leader before peace talks are possible!"
Gu Cheng had expected this, raised the corner of his mouth slightly, and turned to look at them.
"Alliance leader?"
All the kings looked at each other, their eyes flickered slightly, and they said in unison: "Of course we are led by Prince Longyang!"
"Thank you for your support!"
Gu Chengdao: "I, Jiang Guo, will never dare to accept the position of leader!"
All the kings were stunned when they heard this.
The one who formed the alliance was the Jiang State, and the one who resisted the Jin and Qi was also the Jiang State. If he was not the leader of the alliance, why would he do that?
What's more, if Jiang is not allowed to be the leader of the alliance, no other country has the qualifications, and no other country dares!
"Don't worry, I already have a candidate!"
Gu Cheng flipped his palm, controlled the flying boat, and emerged from the clouds. A beam of light enveloped Yingdu and fell on the prince in the royal city.
"Prince Xiong Zhen, please come up and talk!"
"doctor!"
The faces of the kings changed slightly, and the one who was even more nervous was the Prince of Chu below.
"Your Highness!"
Shen Baoxu held Prince Chu's hand, stared into his eyes, and said word for word: "Endure the humiliation and bear the burden, overcome the difficulties, and prepare for the future!"
The current situation in Dachu is that the tiger is rejected through the front door and the wolf is admitted through the back door.
The two countries of Jin and Qi are like tigers, and the alliance of small countries is like a pack of wolves. They all covet the fat of Chu.
The lesser of two evils, any reasonable person can make a judgment from the standpoint of Chu State.
They would rather the alliance of small countries win than Jin and Qi.
The former still has hope of reversal, while the latter means total national subjugation.
"I understand!"
Prince Chu has experienced ups and downs in a short period of time and has become much more mature. He gritted his teeth and nodded.
Even if he suffers further humiliation in the future, he will endure it as long as he can save Da Chu.
Whoosh!
Seeing Prince Chu turn into a ray of light and ascend into the Qingming Boat, Shen Baoxu burst into tears.
The top powerful country, Great Chu, actually had to make concessions to a dozen small countries, and its dignity was completely gone.
"For the current plan, we can only retreat from Jin and Qi first, and then ask for help from Qin to drive out the small country!"
In grief and anger, Shen Baoxu also began to think of ways to drive away tigers and swallow wolves, frowning.
Qin was also a generation of tigers and wolves. Although he had a marriage relationship with Chu, he was more interested in uniting with Chu to fight against Jin.
After all, Qin and Jin bordered each other, and they were so suppressed by the most powerful country in the world that they could only hide in Hangu Pass.
It is indeed not in Qin's interest for Chu to be destroyed, but it would be too naive to say that they would sincerely come to help.
The root cause is profit.
"Even if we cede territory, we still have to lure the Qin people out of the border, and they will be suppressed by the Jin state!"
"If you continue to promote the threat of Wu, Qi and Dongyi will not spare him!"
"As for the Jiang Kingdom, there are dozens of small countries under its command, and they are so powerful and powerful. Wherever the emperor is placed, as long as the emperor speaks out, he will attack from all directions, and it is justifiable!"
"By dividing and conquering in this way, our great Chu will have room to breathe!"
Shen Baoxu took a deep breath and tentatively decided on a general policy.
These things sound simple, but in fact they are easier said than done. In the past, when Chu dominated the south and its horses marched across the Central Plains, there was no need to unite vertically and horizontally, but now it has to be done.
However, at this moment, the light of the Qing Mingzhou dropped down from the sky, and Prince Chu returned to the palace.
Shen Baoxu hurried forward to comfort him, but was startled when he saw Prince Chu's expression.
Because in a short period of time, Prince Chu changed from his previous depression and became energetic.
Such a contrast made Shen Baoxu unhappy and surprised, and he quickly asked: "Your Highness, why did Prince Jiang invite you to come up?"
The Prince of Chu happily said: "Prince Jiang promised to be the leader of the alliance. The kings of various countries were reluctant at first, but they were all subdued by him. The alliance will be used by the orphans. The crisis of our great Chu can be solved!"
"The position of leader?"
Shen Baoxu trembled all over and exclaimed: "This is absolutely impossible!"
Prince Chu was originally full of joy, but his face suddenly darkened when he heard this: "Why not?"
Shen Baoxu explained: "The leader of the alliance is an act of arrogance. His power conflicts with the uncle's. He is not allowed to be granted the title by the Emperor of Zhou. His name is unjust and unjust!"
The Prince of Chu was disdainful: "I, the great Chu, have always been unruly, and the emperor is just a decoration!"
Shen Baoxu's mouth was full of bitterness: "It's different! It's different!"
At this time and that time, the Chu State suffered such a disaster and its national strength declined significantly. Next, it would face crises from all sides. It was no longer the great Chu who declared to the princes of the Central Plains, "I am a barbarian."
Although Emperor Zhou is a decoration, he is still the nominal lord of the world. Every country pays tribute every year. If he wants to damage the common interests of the princes, no one is willing to do so. But if he only targets one country, then the country that is hostile to it is
I am very happy to conquer according to the will of the emperor.
But now that there is an alliance between more than ten countries, and Chu State declares itself the leader of the alliance, what is it going to do?
The emperor has become so miserable that he exists in name only. Should he be deprived of even his final imperial title?
The Emperor of Zhou will definitely fight to the death with him!
What's more, is there any chance of becoming the leader of the alliance?
Any hegemonic position is always earned by oneself, not given by others.
For example, Qi Huan, Jin Wen, and Chu Zhuang Qin Mu, who were not so powerful and coercive in the world that the Emperor of Zhou held his nose and made appointments. Now that the Prince of Chu has been forcibly lifted to the position of the so-called leader of the alliance, isn't he being roasted on the fire?
"This is Jiang Guo's plan. It is infinitely more vicious than Sun Wu's plan to steal the city and destroy the country!"
Shen Baoxu tried his best to persuade him: "Your Highness, if you agree, you will not only be like a puppet, but also the princes in the world will be eyeing our great Chu. Once the emperor of Zhou makes a statement, they will definitely attack in groups, and those small countries will rush in.
Even I, the great Chu, can’t handle it!”
Both Jiang and Wu were small countries, and they could not swallow up the vast Chu State like a snake or an elephant in a short period of time.
But as the saying goes, if too many ants kill an elephant, if there are too many small countries like this, even Chu will not be able to resist them.
Prince Chu smiled and said, "Don't worry, dear. Gu Xin knew that Prince Jiang had bad intentions, but he also had weaknesses. Jiang followed Confucianism and did not want to ruin his reputation, so he gave up his position as leader of the alliance. After Gu ascended the throne,
Then connect Confucius to Da Chu and spread Confucianism!"
He had long heard that Confucius was a learned man, and saw that Jiang State followed this path and became strong enough to compete with Jin and Qi in a short period of time, and he was very moved.
This time Chu suffered heavy losses, Fei Wuji and Xiang Ying died unexpectedly, and a large number of officials were replaced, which happened to be Confucian disciples.
Historically, this Prince of Chu was King Zhao of Chu. He admired Confucius very much and sealed it with the Shushe's land of seven hundred miles. However, he was blocked by the left and right, and the world got what he wanted.
The Prince of Chu was not stupid. He had a comprehensive consideration. As long as the Chu State followed Confucianism and the Jiang State respected him as the leader of the alliance, if he rebelled against him, it would violate Confucian etiquette, law and morality. At that time, Confucius was the first to refuse.
Most of the officials of Jiang State came from Confucianism. Once Confucius turned against them and the country of Jiang became unjust, he would use his position as the leader of the alliance to call on all the countries to destroy them, and he would be able to trap them in a cocoon!
Shen Baoxu wanted to persuade him again, but Prince Chu waved his hand and refused to listen anymore: "You can't achieve anything by looking forward and backward. If Gu Ruo doesn't even dare to take the position of leader of the alliance offered to him, then our great Chu will really be in ruins."
Got it!"
After saying that, he walked towards the palace.
Shen Baoxu's heart sank deeply and he called out: "Your Highness, where are you going?"
"Ancestral Hall!"
Prince Chu's eyes were sharp, as if they penetrated the palace city, and fell on the Jin and Qi army outside the city, revealing his deep hatred: "The position of leader of the alliance must be worthy of the name, and then there will be a future!"
Gu Cheng told him that the Wu army had withdrawn on the border and the main force of Chu was about to rush back to the capital. This was the best opportunity!
Opportunity to completely annihilate the Jin and Qi armies!
Only in this way can we shock the world and let the princes and countries, especially the countries in the alliance, know that the sick tiger is particularly powerful!
Entering the ancestral hall, the Prince of Chu knelt down in front of the ancestors’ memorial tablets and kowtowed heavily:
"Please ancestors, give me the wrath of the Fire God!"