Shen Bing's guess was correct, and Wang Jian then said:
"In addition, Xiang Yan asked Shouchun for help."
"In the hope that the Chu State would use the natural danger of the Yellow River to defend Caozhou, Chen Cheng deployed heavy troops and blocked the river."
"Now, should we attack Chu first or Qi first..."
Shen Bing hesitated for a moment, and then a Qin general stood up and cupped his hands to Wang Jian and said:
"General, I have something to say."
Wang Jian nodded and said:
"General Li, please speak."
The horse dealer introduced from the side:
"This is Wang Jian's general Li Xin."
"He once served as Sima. He is good at reading military books and is brave and good at fighting."
Shen Bing said "Oh", it turned out that this guy was Li Xin.
History books contain:
Ying Zheng asked Wang Jian how many men he would need to destroy Chu, and Wang Jian said he would need 600,000.
He also asked Li Xin how many men he would need to destroy Chu, and Li Xin said it would be two hundred thousand.
So Ying Zheng thought that Wang Jian was old, so he sent Li Xin to lead 200,000 troops to destroy Chu, but he returned with a great defeat.
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard Li Xin say:
"Qi and Chu are both great countries."
"However, there are differences between the two great countries: Chu State has a vast territory and a large population, while Qi State has a small territory and a small population."
"In terms of morale and popular support, the people of Chu fought many battles and were strong and brave. The people of Qi have been prosperous and peaceful for many years, but they were timid in fighting due to the number of people."
"Which one should attack Chu first and then Qi? I think it is easier to attack Qi first and then difficult ones."
It should be said that there is a certain truth. Since ancient times, battles have always been easy first and then difficult, especially Qi State is facing the hinterland of the Qin army's defense line... Qi State is a few miles up from Caozhou of Chu State.
In other words, Qi Di threatens the safety of Qian City.
If the Qi army stabbed Qin in the back at the critical moment of the Chu-Chu battle, the Qin army would be in danger of being attacked from both sides.
Wang Jian didn't say anything, but just turned his eyes to Shen Bing.
Ma Shang smiled and said nothing, drinking wine by himself, as if he were an outsider watching a play.
Shen Bing thought for a while and replied:
"General, my subordinates think we should attack Chu first..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Xin jumped out again:
"Attack Chu first, then Qi may be able to help secretly."
"At that time, our army will be one against two, and the outcome is really unknown."
Shen Bing asked back:
"Is it possible that if our army attacks Qi first, then we won't be fighting one against two?"
Li Xin replied:
"What the captain said is wrong! If we attack Qi first, Chu may not come to Qi's aid."
"Because Qi repeatedly rejected Chu's request to join forces to fight against Qin, Chu almost wanted to sever diplomatic relations with Qi. Chu people have been resenting Qi for a long time!"
Although Shen Bing knew that Qi had refused to join forces many times, he didn't know that "Chu people have complained about Qi for a long time."
So this cannot be refuted.
Seeing that Shen Bing was speechless, Li Xin continued with some pride:
"Therefore, if Qi State is attacked by Chu State, it will not come to help!"
"After our troops unite at one fell swoop, we will be free from the troubles from the East."
"At this time, if we go all out to the south of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers and advance both by land and water, Chu will be able to conquer the country in one go!"
All the generals nodded in agreement.
After thinking for a while, Shen Bing replied:
"I don't know what kind of grudge Qi Chu has."
"But as the general said, there are only two major kingdoms, Qi and Chu, left in the world at this time. Even if Wei is attacked, Chu will come to help. How can Qi be attacked and Chu will stay out of it?"
"I think Xiang Yanduan is not such an ignorant person."
Shen Bing directly talked about Xiang Yan instead of saying that the King of Chu was carrying the cud.
Because the person who played the decisive role in Chu State at this time was actually Xiang Yan.
Wang Jian nodded slightly in agreement.
But he added another sentence:
"In this case, no matter whether Qi first and then Chu or first Chu and then Qi, our army will be one against two."
"Why do you think the captain thinks that we should go first and then gather together?"
Shen Bing replied:
"If I attack Qi first and Chu supports Qi with all its strength, Qi will fight Qin to the death."
"So Da Qin really fought one against two."
This is easy to understand.
No one wants to perish, and Qi is no exception.
If it were just Qi, Qin would certainly be able to defeat it easily.
But if Qi State is joined by Chu State to help... it may be a protracted war of attrition like Jimo.
If the military among the six countries is the strongest, it is undoubtedly Zhao.
But in terms of overall strength, it is Chu State.
The most important thing that Chu State lacks is food, weapons and equipment, so it can help them with all its strength.
At this time Li Xin asked:
"Isn't it true that Chu first and then Qi are one against two?"
Shen Bing asked:
"May I ask the general, is Chu State short of military rations or weapons?"
Li Xin shook his head and said:
"There is no shortage of it."
Shen Bing asked again:
"Is Chu State in need of soldiers?"
Li Xin shook his head again:
"No shortage."
If the Chu State lacks anything, it is a stable political situation and a unified command like the Qin State...
As mentioned before, each noble in Chu State had its own fiefdom and considerable self-control.
When going to war, the army was also sent by various nobles and then joined together to fight.
In such a war, it is inevitable that everyone will consider their own interests and become like a piece of scattered sand.
On the other hand, the Qin army had all the troops in the country assigned to Yingzheng, so they all rushed to win promotions for meritorious service.
But these certainly don't need to be considered by Shen Bing.
Shen Bing then asked:
"Since Chu has no shortage of food, weapons, and soldiers, what use can Qi secretly assist Chu?"
Li Xin was speechless.
Shen Bing continued:
"If Qi comes first and Chu comes later, it will take two battles to win."
"Chu first and then Qi, that is to say, our army destroyed Chu, and Qi, without the secret support of Chu, would be left alone."
"When the time comes, Qi will probably surrender without us, Da Qin, sending troops!"
Wang Jian nodded and praised:
"That makes sense."
"Qi has always been in a corner of peace. If our army has destroyed Chu... He knows that his strength is far from that of our great Qin. Even fighting is in vain, so he might as well surrender."
"Then the states of Yan and Dai would also think the same way, and they would fight to bring peace to the world."
Li Si nodded and said:
"I agree with what the captain said."
"At this time, the three kingdoms of Yan, Dai, and Qi all placed their hopes on Chu."
"I hope Chu State can block our Qin offensive or both sides will suffer losses."
"If our army can defeat Chu... then the situation will be decided!"
"First Chu and then Qi are the same as capturing thieves and capturing kings!"
Shen Bing secretly said that he was truly worthy of being a famous figure. In just a few words, he made the key points of what Shen Bing wanted to say clear.
If Yan, Dai, Qi, Chu, etc., regardless of their country, are regarded as enemies.
If you use Li Xin's formula of "easy first and then difficult" to fight one by one, it will be a war of attrition.
First destroy Dai, then Yan, and then Qi.
By the time they reached the Chu State, the Qin State's military strength had been almost exhausted and the soldiers were exhausted. By then, the outcome would be uncertain.
However, as long as the snakehead of Chu is cut off, other countries will instantly lose hope.
Even if the Qin army does not attack by then, what will happen if they are allowed to develop for a few more years?
What other flowers can they conjure?
Wang Jian nodded slightly, but he still said:
"What General Li and the captain said are reasonable. This matter will be discussed later!"
In fact, there is no need to discuss it at all. It's just that with Ying Zheng sitting below, Wang Jian has no right to make the decision.