In mid-August, three ships carrying the flag of the Northern Expedition were anchored in Qingdao Port. Chen Ping and Cao Shen looked at each other and walked forward together.
"Laisheng is a scholar from Jiaodong. He has been cultivated by the two monarchs for many years. How dare you let Chen Jun and Cao Jun welcome him here?"
The person who came was a civil servant in his thirties. He didn't even dare to say anything and saluted the two of them.
Laisheng was a native of Jiaodong and a disciple of the great Confucian Fu Qiubo. However, after the Jiaodong scholars gathered in the rural school incident, he was the first to join the county school founded by Xiao He, the master of Heifu. He forgot the character Qi and wrote Qin seal script, and abandoned poetry and books.
He studied law and order, and later became a minor official in the county government.
When Xiao He went to the south, he also took Laisheng with him, but now he is returning to his hometown as the envoy of Marquis Wu Zhong to contact Chen and Cao.
Cao Shen said with a smile: "It has been almost half a year since Marquis Wuzhong raised his army. Jiaodong has only just contacted the army. How late. Chen Jun and I are like watchdog stones on the seashore, and like wanderers wandering outside. Now we see each other."
How can you not be happy when someone comes to your home?"
This is true. Although with the cooperation of Cao Shen and Chen Ping, they encouraged Qi merchants to join them to "protect themselves", each family launched an attack together in July, joining thousands of troops, killing the county captains, expelling the county guards, and recruiting the counties to surrender.
The soldiers took control of the situation in Jiaodong almost overnight.
But Jiaodong is still like a small boat in the sea. On the left and right are the counties and counties that are still loyal to the Qin court, or the menacing Qi and Chu bandits. It is not easy for the two to defend Jiaodong. Today, they finally got in touch with the large army, and they suddenly looked happy.
open.
As for who is coming? It is not important. What is important is the message he carries and the significance of this matter.
Laisheng said hurriedly: "In June, when the Weiyang captain captured Kuaiji, he listened to the merchants from Jiaodong who said that the two monarchs were dead, but Wu Zhonghou did not believe it. He thought that Chen Jun and Cao Jun would definitely save the day, so he asked me
This item was sent..."
After saying that, he asked people to put on the Jiaodong County Sheriff's and Weiyin ribbon robes that Heifu had made a few months ago in Jiangling, and formally appointed Chen Ping as Jiaodong Governor and Cao Shen as Jiaodong Lieutenant.
The two of them were a little moved after taking over the Yin Shou robes. They also learned that although Heifu was confronting Wang Bi head-on, he had not forgotten Jiaodong. One of the tasks given to Weiyang was to get in touch with Jiaodong!
That's why Weiyang ignored Xu Shu's dissuasion and sent five ships to the north without knowing the situation in Jiaodong. After two thousand miles of trekking, only three ships were left. There were obvious traces of arrow fire on the hulls. Presumably
Along the way, we experienced many dangers.
Sima Luoyu, the big ship escorting Laisheng from the north, also landed and talked with Chen Ping and Cao Shen about what they saw and heard along the way:
"Needless to say, the Guangling area has long been captured by the Chu bandit Yingbu. However, they are blocked by our army's ships across the river, so they cannot go to Jiangdong."
"As for the ports of Quxian in Donghai County and Ganyu in Langya County, they were also occupied by Chu pirates. We wanted to dock to repair the ship, but we were attacked by them, causing many casualties. We had to land on an uninhabited beach.
Search for fresh water and replenish food."
Although it was a bit dangerous, Luo Yu had encountered a shipwreck in Haidong in his early years and had to survive in the wilderness for several months. This trouble would not trouble him.
When entering the vicinity of Langya, he met the Jiaodong merchant Daojian fleet cruising on the sea. Only then did Luo Yu and Laisheng learn about what happened in Jiaodong...
The information brought by Laisheng and Luo Yu was very important. Chen Ping and Cao Shen immediately let them enter the port and marked the sphere of influence of the "Chu bandits" on the map. Only then did they realize that it had become a reality.
"The so-called Chu Kingdom occupies Jiujiang and the East China Sea. Now Xiang Ji has defeated Jing Ju and Qin Jia who are kings in Pengcheng. They have joined forces with the bandit Lu Ze brothers in Peixian County. They have three counties and have more than 50,000 troops.
It should not be underestimated.”
What worries Chen Ping even more is the movement of the Chu bandits' partial troops. He pointed all the way north from Tancheng: "Currently, the Chu bandits Long Qi and Zhang Liang's tribe have sent thousands of troops from Tancheng, Donghai County, to occupy Jucheng, and are getting closer to Langya...
"
Langya is the buffer between Chu and Qi. Once it falls, Jiaodong will be the next to suffer.
Cao Shen said: "Langya also has thousands of soldiers. Mr. Chen, who do you think will win and who will lose?"
Chen Ping said with a smile: "I know Zhang Liang. He is a Korean aristocrat. His ancestors have been with Kaifeng and others for generations. He is a die-hard restorer. He scattered all his family wealth when he was young. His brother will not be buried until he dies. He is bent on overthrowing the Qin Dynasty."
, to restore Korea. This man is known for his clever schemes. He once planned the local people in Weishui to assassinate Marquis Wu Zhong, but failed, and then went to Ju to plot to assassinate Qin Shihuang Emperor, and almost succeeded."
"This time, heroes and bandits from all over the country were also secretly contacted by Zhang Liang. Langya County was suddenly besieged. The Chu bandits took advantage of the overwhelming victory in Tancheng and may not be able to defend it."
He looked at Cao Shen and said something that surprised everyone: "The lips are dying and the teeth are cold. We must save Langya!"
Hearing this, Cao Shen shook his head and said: "Chief Chen, did I hear you right? We just killed the Jiaodong commander and fought with the soldiers from Langya. Many people died on both sides, but now you want to support Langya
?”
Chen Ping didn't think there was anything wrong with this, and said matter-of-factly: "Brother Cao, Marquis Wu Zhong raised the army for the Northern Expedition to pacify Jingnan and reorganize the government, rather than to rebel and restore the country. So you and I are still officials of Qin.
We are guards. But Qi and Chu bandits are different. In their eyes, there is no difference between us and those officials who are still loyal to the Qin court. We are both worthy of being killed."
"The death of the rabbit makes the fox sad. Before the rabbit is captured and killed, it is better to put aside the grudges and face this ferocious jackal together."
Cao Shen felt a little unsure: "Official Langya, are you willing to abandon your prejudices and join forces with us?"
Chen Ping was confident: "There are 30,000 immigrants from the Central Plains in Langya. They are all immigrants who have enjoyed tax exemption for three years. They are afraid of being massacred by thieves. Local officials, big and small, also heard about the bad reputation of Chu thieves, and they all wanted to skin the Qin officials and make them fast.
Is there any reason why they would like to have someone to guard against thieves together?"
In Chen Ping's view, the current world situation has almost returned to that of the Six Kingdoms of the Spring and Autumn Period, when Qin, Qin, and Chu were united, cooperation and betrayal happened in the blink of an eye, and friends and enemies were not fixed.
Chen Ping hoped that Cao Shen could personally lead troops to the cities of Langya County to block the Chu pirates from heading north, while the thirteen merchants would provide support from the sea and transport those households who wanted to take refuge in Jiaodong. In the troubled times, in the end,
The most important resource is people!
"Not only Langya, but Linzi County also needs to send people to lobby."
Since last month, Linzi has also been having a hard time. After hearing the news from the south, the bandit Peng Yue from Onezawa, together with Chen Xi from Wanqu, Jin She from Yuanju and other local heroes, raised their troops to attack Xuejun and Qufu.
The Zhu family and the Taishan bandits joined forces and gained more than ten thousand soldiers.
Although this force is new, it is developing rapidly. A few days ago, it has captured Xue County and occupied half of Jibei. It is attacking Linzi in the east. It is said that they have actually found Tian Rong's son Tian Guang and established him as the king of Qi.
…
Unfortunately, Linzi had to send troops to defend Jiaodong and deal with numerous rebels. It was already stretched thin.
Chen Pingdao: "Tell Linzi and the governor of Langya to turn the conflict into friendship for the time being. Our common enemy is the bandits of Qi and Chu! Jiaodong is willing to protect each other with these three counties!"
"Over at Langya, Guan Yan and his son can do the work for you."
As for Linzi?
Chen Ping glanced at the newly gathered staff, and his eyes were fixed on a small official in soap clothes with triangular eyes, but his eyes were full of enthusiasm and eager to try.
"Lou Jing! You are eloquent, go ahead!"
…
Chen Ping was busy making appointments with Linzi and the remaining Qin court forces in Langya to "join forces" in an attempt to defend this corner of the land in troubled times.
Zhang Liang has not been idle either. He has been trying to bring together heroes and martyrs from Qi and Chu to complete the plan he listed for Xiang Ji to "enter Qi and attack Zhao" and fully launch the strategy of heroes from the six countries.
But things went against expectations. In late August, not only was Long Qie, who was marching towards Langya, stopped in Zhucheng by "Jiaodong Lieutenant" Cao Shen, but the news from Chu also did not make Zhang Liang worry.
"The so-called Northern Expeditionary Army is still the same as the Qin court."
Long Qie led few soldiers and only confronted Cao Shen. When the news came back to Tancheng, Zhang Liang looked at Xiang Juan: "Uncle Xiang, Major General Xiang has destroyed Jingju and Qin Jia, and unified Chu, but he is serious
Don’t you want to join Qi?”
In Zhang Liang's view, once Xiang Yu enters Qi, he will sweep through several counties. After he captures Qi and mobilizes the troops of Yan and Zhao in Hebei, the dog-eat-dog battle between Wang Ben and Hei Fu should be decided. No matter who wins, it will be a good time to take advantage of it.
Tired, enterprising in the Central Plains...
However, Xiang Tang gave Zhang Liang a letter from the south written by Xiang Ta: "Ji'er did not want to attack Qi, and did not attack Shangqiu first as Fan Gong said. Instead, he led his army to attack Huaiyang, Chen County!"
Zhang Liang was stunned: "Attacking Huaiyang? I heard that Hei Fuzheng and Wang Ben fought decisively between Nanyang and Yancheng. At this time, General Xiang went to attack Huaiyang, which would inevitably contain Wang Ben's troops deployed in Yingchuan.
That's to share the worries of Mr. Hei. Who is the person who gave this advice to the Major General? Damn it!"
Xiang Pan shook his head and said: "It's not Zhang Er who is lurking in Huaiyang. He sent Chen Yu to Pengcheng to persuade Ji Er, saying that after the great Chu was established, Chen Ying must be captured first to regain the whole territory of Chu, and then he could call the world to the west.
To punish the Qin Dynasty. Ji'er thought it was justified, so he really led people to attack Huaiyang. Fan Gong was not around, and no one could persuade him. He also ordered Xiang Sheng to go north from Jiujiang County to recover Xiang County..."
"Xiang Ji loves false fame so much. Although he regained his old land, in fact he suffered the consequences for others. I'm afraid it will lay the seeds of disaster for the future."
Zhang Liang felt that something was wrong, but based on his understanding of Zhang Er and Chen Yu's style, he also vaguely felt that this might be an early opportunity for the restoration of Korea, so he didn't care about Qi Di, and immediately