From Xiangcheng, the army marched south to Zhi County, passing through Tuohe River, Suixi, Lieshan and other places along the way.
In these places, more or less Chu troops were stationed, but the number was not large, probably only one to three thousand-man troops.
However, these thousands-man generals named Chu Kingdom's Thousand-Man Corps had a very keen sense of smell. Not long after Xiangcheng fell to the Wei army, they quickly evacuated southward, probably hoping to retreat to Qi County and regroup.
"Where are the 'remnants' of Nanmen Huai?"
At noon on August 9, when Zhao Hongrun was riding through the fierce mountains, he asked Zongwei Zhou Pu who was beside him.
I remember that on the eve of the army's march south, Zhao Hongrun specifically asked the surrendered general Nan Menhuai to lead three thousand-man troops, pretending to be "the remnants of the troops who fled south from Xiangcheng", in order to see if they could use deceit to capture Qi County.
After all, when the Wei army captured Xiangcheng, because the guard Nanmen Chi took the initiative to surrender, almost no one of the 20,000 Chu troops in the city escaped from the city, and they were all absorbed by the Yanling army.
Therefore, it is possible that Qi County was not aware of the news that Xiangcheng had fallen into the hands of the Wei army.
Of course, this is just a hypothesis. After all, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and subjective conjecture alone cannot be trusted. Therefore, in the final analysis, Zhao Hongrun arranged this just to give his side more possibility of capturing Zhi County as soon as possible.
After listening to Zhao Hongrun's inquiry, Zongwei Zhou Pu replied seriously: "Just now, the Qingya people came to report that General Huai of Nanmen is about ten miles in front of the army."
To be fair, Gao Kuo, the Zongwei around Zhao Hongrun, was better at sorting out all kinds of information, selecting important news from the major and minor events reported by the Green Crows every day, and telling Zhao Hongrun. However, since Gao Kuo temporarily joined the Shang Shui Army to sharpen himself,
, Zhao Hongrun lacks the role of an intelligence officer who analyzes intelligence.
Fortunately, he still has Zongwei Zhou Pu, a talented person who is qualified for any position, so Zhao Hongrun handed over the Green Crows to Zhou Pu. After all, if the Green Crows reported everything to Zhao Hongrun, no matter how big or small, they would be better off.
The person also felt annoyed and panicked.
"Ten miles?"
After hearing Zhou Pu's words, Zhao Hongrun frowned slightly.
The army he led has only walked about ten miles since starting from Xiangcheng. It seems to be very slow, but if you consider that the Wei army has surged to 80,000 people - leaving Fen in Xiangcheng.
The Xing army, the Shang Shui army and the newly surrendered Chu soldiers were about 15,000 people - this speed was not very slow.
But in comparison, the marching speed of the fallen general Nanmen Huai was problematic.
You must know that Nanmen Huai is currently playing the role of a defeated army fleeing south from Xiangcheng. Is it really appropriate for him to be traveling leisurely like this?
"Invite the Qingya people to inform Nanmen Huai and ask him to speed up the march. The defeated army traveled twenty-five miles in half a day, but he can think of it... By the way, after arriving in Zhi County, there is no need to rush to contact Zhi.
The Chu army in the county asked him to adapt to changes
.Let him remind himself. If he realizes that the Chu army in Qi County has learned that he has surrendered to our army, tell him to retreat immediately. If he is foolishly killed by the Chu army in Qi County, I will ignore it."
Zhao Hongrun frowned and ordered.
"Yes!" Zongwei Zhou Pu smiled slightly and rode away, probably to contact the Green Crows.
The army slowly passed through Mount Lie.
Unfortunately, due to bad timing, Zhao Hongrun was not lucky enough to witness the rumored Fierce Mountain known as the "Burning Mountain with Raging Flames" this time. He only saw a hill that looked dark from a distance and was split from the middle.
.
According to the newly surrendered Chu generals, Lieshan had just "spontaneously combusted" a month or two ago. If you want to witness that magical scene with your own eyes, you may have to wait for a while.
Although Zhao Hongrun was very sure that Lieshan's "spontaneous combustion" was most likely caused by natural gas leaking from the cracks in Lieshan when struck by lightning during the heavy rain season, he still wanted to see the spectacular scene with his own eyes.
It's a pity that the timing is bad.
The army continued to advance, and when they reached about 20 miles south of Mount Lie, Zhao Hongrun ordered the 80,000 Wei troops to stop advancing and rest where they were.
At this time, the newly surrendered Chu general who went to persuade the Chu army deputy general Nanmen Yang in Longji Mountain and the former guard of Xiangcheng Nanmen Chi also returned to Zhao Hongrun under the protection or supervision of several Qingya people and asked the latter
Return and report the results.
When he heard from Nanmen Chi that Nanmen Yang was willing to surrender to the Wei army, Zhao Hongrun was really happy, because this meant that the 50,000 Longji Mountain Chu army in Nanmen Yang was no longer the enemy blocking the Wei army's retreat.
It was a disguised cover, although Nanmen Yang was not sure that he would lead the 50,000 Longji Mountain Chu troops under his command to defect to the Wei army without arousing the hostility of his generals.
"Thank you for your hard work, General Nanmen. I will keep your merits in mind."
Zhao Hongrun comforted Nanmen Chi with his kind words. Although he did not give the latter any actual reward, the verbal promise alone was enough to satisfy him.
After all, in the Yanling Army and the Shangshui Army, Su Wang Ji Run's faith of "doing what you say" has gradually become deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, which made Nanmen Chi deeply believe in Zhao Hongrun's promise.
I have to say that it is not surprising why people in this era value credibility more than life, because sometimes, a gentleman who has always been honest and values commitment can convince people and avoid doubts.
This is an era where failure to pay attention to personal integrity will lead to difficulties.
No, Nanmen Chi, who was in a great mood after hearing Zhao Hongrun's promise, even took the initiative to ask: "Your Highness, has my brother (Nanmen Huai) ever revealed anything about the situation in Qi County to Your Highness?"
It can be seen that he is also eager to make meritorious deeds.
But this is not surprising. After all, the brothers defected to the Wei State. Only by making meritorious service to the Wei army in this battle can he enjoy good treatment after the Nanmen family moves to the Wei State in the future.
Do nothing and still expect Wei to give you noble treatment?
At least Nanmen Chi is not so naive.
"Hmm." Zhao Hongrun smiled and nodded when he heard this, and said: "General Nanmen Huai has told me that Zhi County is said to be the fiefdom of Juyang Lord Xiong Li?"
"Uh... yes." Nanmen Chi's expression was a little unhappy, probably because Zhao Hongrun had already learned about the situation from his brother Nanmen Huai, and there was no chance for him to speak.
It is undeniable that being familiar with His Royal Highness, Prince Su, is a matter of great benefit and no harm to either the Nanmen family or Nanmen Chi personally.
"What kind of person is Ju Yangjun Xiong Li?" Leng Buding Zhao Hongrun asked.
Nanmen Chi, who was still secretly regretting it, was stunned when he heard this, and asked doubtfully: "My brother has never mentioned it to His Highness?"
"General Nanmen Huai only mentioned that Juyang Lord Xiong Li is the brother of King Chu." Zhao Hongrun said calmly.
Hearing this, Nanmen Chi suddenly became interested and narrated eloquently: "Ju Yangjun Xiong Li is the youngest brother of the King of Chu. He is very trusted by the King of Chu, so he was awarded the title of Ju Yang, Fang Zhong, Zhi
The power and status of the feudal towns in the three counties are very important among the nobles headed by the Xiong family in eastern Chu."
After a pause, he added: "However, this man is greedy in nature... He treats the common people in the fief very harshly. He regards all the farmland in the fief as his own private land, and the farming tax is as high as 'ten eight'... …”
"Are you kidding me?"
Zhao Hongrun looked at Nanmen Chi with an unbelievable look.
You must know that "Shiba" means taking 80% out of 100%. This is no longer just a high tax, it is simply sucking people's blood.
If it were in Wei State, the Wei people would have rebelled long ago.
"King Chu doesn't care?" Zhao Hongrun asked with a look of disbelief.
"Ju Yang Lord Xiong Li pays tribute to the palace with priceless treasures every year..." Nanmen Chi said with a smile.
Zhao Hongrun understood it as soon as he heard it, but it was still a little hard to accept.
I remember that two years ago, Yan Mo and other Chu generals once told Zhao Hongrun that the "four tithe" town tax imposed by Xiong Tuo, the king of Yangcheng, in the city was considered extremely benevolent in the Chu country. In Eastern Chu, there was The Xiong nobles are many times more greedy and cruel than Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo.
At that time, Zhao Hongrun was still a little unbelievable, but now after listening to Nanmen Chi's words, he finally believed it.
He was finally able to understand why the slogan "liberate the common people of Chu State who were oppressed by the nobles" proposed by his Wei army had a better effect than he expected. The reason was that the nobles of Chu State in the east of Chu, they Far more cruel and greedy than Zhao Hongrun imagined.
"The tragedy caused by aristocratic privileges overriding national law..."
Zhao Hongrun felt faintly palpitated.
Because in Wei State, there are also many members of the royal family or public family with the surname Ji who disregard the country, seek national interests, and infringe on the interests of civilians to achieve their own interests.
Even at the beginning, Zongzheng Zhao Yuanyan of the Zongfu hinted that Zhao Hongrun should not be too harsh on the Ji family.
This made Zhao Hongrun secretly glad that his father, Emperor Wei, was on his side in this matter. The father and son worked together to bring down the clan and weakened many of its rights. Otherwise, if he continued to tolerate it in the long run, perhaps The Wei State will gradually follow in the footsteps of the Chu State and become more and more corrupt.
Fortunately, the situation of the State of Wei is much better than that of the State of Chu. However, in the State of Chu, even the foundation may have been hollowed out, causing a towering tree named "Da Chu" to tilt and be about to fall.
"Wait a minute, if you put it this way, it would actually be more beneficial to the Wei Dynasty if I supported Guling Lord Xiong Wu or Liyang Lord Xiong Sheng?"
Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but think of his private agreement with Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo.
He knew very well that although Xiong Tuo, the Lord of Yangcheng, also tended to be cruel in character, he was influenced by the thoughts of his uncle, Xiong Hao, the Lord of Runan. If Xiong Tuo ascended to the throne and became the King of Chu, he would be a worm in Chu State like Ju Yang Lord Xiong Li. , will eventually be cleared away by Xiong Tuo.
At that time, the new Xiong aristocratic force headed by Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, will replace the old Xiong aristocrats of Chu State. Although this internal fighting will greatly damage the vitality of Chu State, in a real sense, Chu State will The country may be reborn from the ashes.
Even if the Chu State of Qi fell behind due to internal strife, its territory and citizens were several times that of the Wei State, but as long as the hidden dangers of the old aristocrats in the country were eradicated, the country might not be unable to regain its vitality.
And this is not a good thing for Wei State.
"What a headache..."
Zhao Hongrun rubbed his brow bones.
He was thinking about this issue all day long, and until 80,000 Wei troops arrived in Qi County, he was still thinking about the pros and cons of this matter.
The reason why he was confused was because he had a premonition that he would meet Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, in this battle.
So, should we take this opportunity to get rid of this young master of the Chu Kingdom who may be able to bring the Chu Kingdom back to life?