"Can I understand your words to mean that you no longer intend to fight to the death with me?"
When he said this doubt, Zhao Hongrun himself was actually a little unbelievable. You must know that during the negotiation a few days ago, Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, gritted his teeth at him and wanted to hack Zhao Hongrun to death with a knife.
But today, Zhao Hongrun has not yet felt the other party's hostility, which makes him unable to help but wonder whether the Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo in front of him is himself or is someone else pretending to be him.
"Ah, you can understand it that way."
"Tell me the reason." Zhao Hongrun asked with a frown.
"Isn't this obvious?" Xiong Tuo spread his hands and said with a strange expression: "According to the legend of Da Chu, the green poison of the witch is difficult to cure. If this is true, you will become Xiong's...cousin-in-law. "When he said the last three words, his expression looked as if he had swallowed a disgusting insect.
Zhao Hongrun obviously also felt an inexplicable chest tightness.
Thinking about it, you have to know that a few months ago, the two of them were in a life-and-death situation. Now, in a second thought, it seems that there is a possibility of shaking hands and making peace. It is even very possible to become a relative. This kind of thing seems to come from Zhao Hongrun and Xiong Tuo found it difficult to adapt to the change that was maliciously teased by God in a short period of time.
"How about joining forces with Xiong?" Taking a deep breath to adjust his mood, Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo finally revealed his purpose: "Xiong helped you ascend to the throne of King Wei, and you also secretly helped Xiong become a great king. King of Chu, how is it?"
"..." Zhao Hongrun remained silent. At this moment, he finally realized what it means to be an enemy of yesterday and an ally of today.
But after thinking about it, Zhao Hongrun shook his head and said calmly: "I am not interested in my position as the king of Wei, and I will not help you ascend to the position of King of Chu... If it were not for some reasons, I would have been there long ago. I’ll kill you!”
"I heard." Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo smiled without surprise and said sarcastically: "Ajiang mentioned me just now, saying that when she told you about Runan Lord Xiong Hao, Xiong and their sisters When it comes to the relationship between the three, when it comes to innovation and change, there is murderous intent in your eyes..."
"What if it were you?" Zhao Hongrun asked.
"Kill! To avoid future troubles!" Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, replied without hesitation.
"..."
"..."
The two looked at each other and couldn't help but fell silent.
They both knew that if it weren't for Mi Jiang's element, there would have been no way for them to shake hands and make peace with each other, because having fought against each other once, they knew very well what kind of person the other person was.
The embarrassment right now is that for some reason, they can't get rid of each other.
After a period of silence, Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, spoke again: "No matter what, you don't want to help Xiong become the King of Chu?... Maybe. If Xiong becomes the King of Chu, there may be something he can take advantage of. There’s no telling what the opportunity will be.”
"..." Zhao Hongrun said nothing.
He knew what Xiong Tuo meant by the opportunity he could take advantage of.
After all, Xiong Tuo's ambition is to find ways to eradicate the old aristocratic forces in Chu State, including the Xiong family. However, because this old aristocratic force is too deep-rooted, even if Xiong Tuo does become the king of Chu in the future, it will be difficult. Drastically reformed the state of Chu.
By then, there is no doubt that a large number of old aristocratic forces headed by the Xiong family will stand up against Xiong Tuo.
However, Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, was not someone like Xiong Hao, Lord of Runan, who cared about the feelings of his fellow clan. He was even more ruthless. Therefore, it is conceivable that when Xiong Tuo, who later became the King of Chu, proposed reforms, he was already We are ready for a full-scale decisive battle with the old aristocratic forces.
By that time, the entire Chu State will be plunged into civil strife and strife. It is undeniable that this will be a golden opportunity for Wei State to attack Chu State.
But the problem is that if Chu State withstands that catastrophe and is reborn, both Wei State and Qi State will be in big trouble.
For things that are generally uncontrollable, Zhao Hongrun doesn't mind taking a bet, but if it involves the national destiny and fate of the entire Wei State, even he would not dare to place a bet easily.
For a long time, Zhao Hongrun said in an inexplicable tone: "The more you say this, the more I want to keep you..."
Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, seemed to have heard some hidden meaning in Zhao Hongrun's words, and said with a faint smile: "Then let's put it another way... Thanks to you, Xiong will be in my university for a long time in the future. Chu Nei's momentum will be greatly affected. Not only can we no longer suppress Liyang Lord Xiong Sheng, but maybe even Guling Lord Xiong Wu, that idiot, won't be able to suppress him... I won't talk about Xiong Wu for now, but that Xiong Sheng is not easy to deal with."
"Liyang Jun Xiong Sheng?" Zhao Hongrun touched his chin and said meaningfully: "Wasn't he demoted?"
Xiong Tuo was stunned, staring at Zhao Hongrun for a long time with an inexplicable expression, and said with a half-smile: "You know a lot? Did Qu Cheng or Yan Mo tell you this?" After saying that, he suppressed the smile on his face. , frowned and said: "My father is indeed dissatisfied with him, but it is undeniable that there are still many aristocratic forces in the country that support Xiong Sheng. Furthermore, now that Qi State is building a city in Pi County, it is not difficult to guess that Qi State will continue to attack me. Da Chu will launch a tentative attack for a period of time. When Wei State eliminates internal troubles, King Xi of Qi may once again form a coalition of countries to attack Da Chu... And Xiong Sheng's territory is in Liyang, Qi State If you want to cross the border between Chu and Qi, there will inevitably be friction with it... It would be better if Xiong Sheng is defeated. If he wins a few battles one after another, now that Xiong is defeated by you, his momentum will definitely be at its peak..."
Having said this, Xiong Tuo turned to look at Zhao Hongrun and added in a low tone: "Xiong Sheng, that is also one of the very few people who supports the reform of Mr. Xiong Hao, Lord of Runan... Moreover, he is more powerful than Xiong. Difficult to deal with."
...Is he another great nobleman of the Xiong family who intends to reform the Chu State?
Zhao Hongrun was slightly shocked when he heard this.
You must know that his previous refusal to join forces with Xiong Tuo was simply because he did not want any possibility of reform in Chu State, because once Chu State changed its original governance strategy, restrained the rights of aristocrats, and improved the status and treatment of civilians in Chu country , then, this country is bound to develop rapidly and pose a threat to Wei State.
Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for Zhao Hongrun to secretly support Xiong Tuo.
But now listening to what Xiong Tuo said, Xiong Sheng, Lord of Liyang, turned out to be a great nobleman who wanted to change the current appearance of Chu State, which inevitably made Zhao Hongrun hesitate.
After all, he had heard Qu Cheng, Yan Mo and others mention Liyang Lord Xiong Sheng. Unlike Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo, who had a bad temper and offended many local nobles, Liyang Lord Xiong Sheng was quite respected by the nobles. Even Xiong Tuo, the son of King Chu, who refused to admit defeat easily, admitted that this person was quite difficult to deal with.
Does that mean that secretly supporting Xiong Tuo, who is about to lose power, and competing with Xiong Sheng, the Lord of Liyang, for the position of King of Chu, is more beneficial to the Wei State?
Zhao Hongrun frowned and thought for a moment. Suddenly, he asked: "As far as I know, Liyang Lord Xiong Sheng was suppressed by you before? Why?"
Maybe he didn't expect Zhao Hongrun to suddenly ask about this matter. Xiong Tuo frowned, as if this topic made him a little unhappy.
However, he also understood that if he could not give a reason that satisfied Zhao Hongrun, it would be absolutely impossible for the King Su of Wei to support him.
Thinking of this, Xiong Tuo smacked his lips and said unswervingly: "It was he who shook the determination of Mr. Xiong Hao, Lord of Runan..." Specifically, Xiong doesn't want to go into details. You just need to know that he and I are absolutely inseparable.
There is no possibility of coexistence!"
So that’s it…
Zhao Hongrun recalled that Mi Jiang once revealed to him that her father, Xiong Hao, Jun of Runan, gave up his decision to lead the army of Western Chu to fight against the nobles of Eastern Chu after meeting Xiong Sheng, the current Jun of Liyang.
After lamenting that Chu was too impatient and not ready for reform, he entrusted his unfulfilled ambition to Xiong Tuo, who had not yet become Lord Yangcheng at that time.
Therefore, in Zhao Hongrun's view, Xiong Tuo's words should be credible.
After thinking about it again and again, Zhao Hongrun finally decided to secretly support Xiong Tuo as appropriate. Anyway, as long as the two tigers Xiong Tuo and Xiong Sheng could not win in the short term and maintain the situation of two tigers fighting, this would be a great threat to Wei Guo.
It is indeed the most favorable situation.
"What do you want?" Zhao Hongrun asked in a low voice.
Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, raised a smile when he heard this, and then said unceremoniously: "A lot of rice! A lot of armaments!"
Zhao Hongrun frowned when he heard this.
Seemingly seeing the concerns in Zhao Hongrun's heart, Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo smiled and said: "Don't worry, Xiong will not cause trouble for your Wei State this time. Xiong just plans to go to Ba Shen to have a reunion..."
bar?
Zhao Hongrun was stunned. You must know that Ba is a place where many small countries exist side by side, and Bach and Chu have good relations. It is hard to imagine that Xiong Tuo, the Lord of Yangcheng, would actually plan to plot against Ba.
"Ba...it is said that I have always had a good relationship with your Chu country?"
"Ha! Having said that, there are some things that Xiong feels are more secure in his own hands..."
For example...horse!
Xiong Tuo said secretly in his heart.
It has to be said that because his army lacked elite light cavalry, he suffered a lot at the hands of the Wei army this time.
But on the other hand, because of this national war, Xiong Tuo also clearly understood the importance of cavalry on the battlefield. If he could form Chu's first cavalry team, it would not only be able to intimidate Wei, but also be used to bully those who
The Chudong nobles had no regard for war horses.
Of course, in addition to horses, Xiong Tuo also hopes to get the wealth of Ba, especially grain, brocade, etc.
Participate in cooperation instead of attacking...?
Zhao Hongrun looked at Xiong Tuo for a while, then lowered his voice and said: "When the troops withdraw, I will leave you the equipment of the Pingyang Army and some of the rice grains..."
Xiong Tuo shook his head when he heard this: "This is far from enough!"
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun said displeasedly: "Don't push yourself too far!"
"What Xiong means is..." Xiong Tuo looked up at Zhao Hongrun and whispered: "You should have heard that Xiong would trade with cross-border merchants from Wei from time to time... Your country restricts local flows.
As for foreign things, Xiong doesn't care...change to a long-term trading partner."
…
Hearing this, Zhao Hongrun frowned and glanced at Xiong Tuo with an inexplicable expression.
"Think about it carefully... Probably in March and April this year, Xiong will personally visit Daliang to observe the peace talks between the envoys sent by our great Chu Shouying and your country. During the introduction, Xiong will personally visit you."
"Go to Daliang? You are so brave..." Zhao Hongrun sneered when he heard this. After all, there were many people in Wei who wanted to cut Xiong Tuo into pieces with a thousand knives.
"Humph!" Xiong Tuo snorted, stood up and walked outside the study.
"This matter is none of your business... By the way, as far as Xiong knows, Shouying's batch of supplies has been on the road two days ago, and the delivery has been prepared, and then... I'll ask your troops to take the supplies with you.
Pick up the things and get out of Xiong’s fiefdom!”
"..."
Tapping his fingers on the desk, Zhao Hongrun watched Xiong Tuo walk out of the house.
It was undeniable that he couldn't help but feel a little emotional at the moment. After all, who could have imagined that the relationship between him and Xiong Tuo would gradually become so complicated.
In early February of the seventeenth year of Hongde's reign, the indemnity materials originally promised by the scholar-bureaucrat Huang Zu of Chu State arrived in Runan one after another.
At this time, Zhao Hongrun's 80,000-strong army officially entered a busy stage. Almost every day, tens of thousands of soldiers escorted carriages filled with pearls, jade, lacquerware, copperware and other supplies, and transported them along the land route.
Chen County, unloaded the carriage and returned to Runan.
After repeating this process for more than ten days, all the gains of the Wei army were transferred from Runan to Chen County, loaded onto the warships prepared by General Wu Ji with 3,000 men, and gradually transported to the territory of the Wei Dynasty.
At the same time, as the emperor gradually became warmer, large numbers of civilians from Chu State also embarked on the journey to move to Wei State.
Under the escort of the Wei army, some of the at least 300,000 people took warships to the Wei State in Chen County, and some went to the Wei State on foot. At this time, the fiefdom of Xiong Tuo, the king of Yangcheng, could be said to be nine out of ten.
null.
However, it seems that Xiong Tuo, the Lord of Yangcheng, does not care about this. It is no wonder that after all, during the battle between the two armies, the power of the Wei army has not yet touched Xiangcheng, Yangcheng and other Huaihe River areas. Xiong Tuo, the Lord of Yangcheng, is still far beyond that.
The feudal population was 300,000 people.
It is no exaggeration to say that Xiong Tuo, who suffered heavy losses from this defeat, could actually alleviate the food shortage in his fiefdom after losing those people.
By the end of February, everything was almost completed. Including more than 50,000 Pingyang troops, 80,000 Wei troops under Zhao Hongrun officially withdrew, and Zhengyang, Runan and other Chu cities were handed over to Xiong Tuo, the king of Yangcheng.
The army recently formed by the city lord Xiong Tuo took over.
During this period, Zhao Hongrun, in accordance with his private deal with Xiong Tuo, ordered Qu Cheng, Yan Mo and other generals of the Pingyang Army to remove all weapons and equipment from the entire army when they led the army to withdraw, leaving behind soldiers who still had troops.
The king of Yangcheng, Xiong Tuo, lacked armaments.
At the same time, Zhao Hongrun also left a lot of military rations for Xiong Tuo in each city.
Of course, the Chu civilians in the city had already been swept away by Zhao Hongrun. Although some of them were unwilling to move to Wei, the proportion was really insignificant.
Regarding his private transaction with Xiong Tuo, Zhao Hongrun did not inform Junshuiying. After all, from a certain perspective, this could be regarded as a way to benefit the enemy.
He only revealed a little bit to Qu Cheng, Yan Mo and other generals. After all, these Chu generals who surrendered to the Wei State had only one way out after they arrived in the Wei State: relying on him, and there was almost no possibility of betrayal.
As for whether more than 50,000 Pingyang soldiers going to Wei empty-handed would arouse suspicion, Zhao Hongrun didn't care.
After all, in the Yanshui Camp far away near Yanshui River, there were not many Wei troops stationed in the empty camp, but there were still tens of thousands of armaments that originally belonged to Xiong Hu's army.
As long as the additional defensive facilities of this camp are dismantled, it will be enough to arm an army of 50,000 soldiers. (To be continued.)