Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 280

Six counties, the mansion of Da Sima.

After Zhou Yin returned to Dachu, he returned to his original post as Da Sima.

However, considering Zhou Yin's new surrender, it is inevitable that he has scruples, and he may not be willing to give up Jiujiang's military power and go to Wuzhong. Therefore, Xiang Zhuang still let Zhou Yin concurrently serve as the governor of Jiujiang, and he will be stationed in six counties to preside over military and political affairs.

Xiang Zhuang and Zhou Yin's monarchs and ministers were getting along well at first, but since Bai Lixian started to reform, the relationship between the two began to become a little delicate, because whether it was registered household Qimin law, or scholars, farmers, businessmen, etc. Classes, or Xintian Fufa all touched Zhou Yin's interests in Jiujiang.

The Zhou family is the largest powerful family in Jiujiang, not only has a large hidden population, but also owns a large amount of land.

Bailixian's new law requires all the hidden population of the Zhou family to be registered, and also allows the Zhou family and the common people to receive taxes together, isn't it seriously damaging the interests of the Zhou family?

However, before the implementation of the first two batches of new laws, Xiang Zhuang sent someone to explain them.

Zhou Yin considered that Xiang Zhuang was also a talented and broad-minded person, and the reason why he implemented the reform was not to make things difficult for the Zhou family, but to make Da Chu stronger, so he forbeared it, more than half a year ago At the time when the gentry in Jiangdong was at its worst, many clan members of the Zhou family also wanted to make trouble, but they were suppressed by Zhou Yin.

Recently, rumors have spread in Jiangdong that it is said that the reform of the military system is really going to be carried out.

Now, Zhou Yin is really not sure what to do. The first few batches of new laws, whether it is the law of household registration, the law of civil servants, agriculture, industry and commerce, and the new land tax law, although they hurt the interests of the Zhou family, they did not touch the fundamentals of the Zhou family, because Zhou Yin still firmly controls the military power in Jiujiang County. As long as the military power is still in his hands, it means that Xiang Zhuang still trusts Zhou Yin.

However, now that the reform of the military system is going on, does it mean that Xiang Zhuang is going to attack Zhou Yin?

Thinking of this, Zhou Yin was a little anxious and gloomy. If he was in Xiangzhuang's position, he would also be unable to tolerate a capricious general who would rely on Jiujiang's military power for a long time. Speaking from his heart, Xiangzhuang To be able to bear it until now, and to start at this time in the name of military system reform, is considered to be very broad-minded.

"Father, there is no such thing as a good feast. I think I can't go to Wuzhong!" Zhou Huan said loudly.

"Aren't you going to Wuzhong?" Zhou Yin sighed, and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty is calling, can you not go?"

"Why not?" Zhou Huan said without hesitation, "Just say that father, you are sick, and you are not good at walking."

"Huan'er, you think things are too simple." Zhou Yin shook his head and said, "And escaping is not an option after all, don't forget that you and my father and son are ministers of Chu State after all!" After a pause, Zhou Yin said again, " You go to clean up and go with Weifu, and the military and political affairs of Jiujiang will be temporarily entrusted to General Mengyu."

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Chu Palace, go to the study room.

Xiang Zhuang was pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

It has been many days since the letters inviting Gao Chu, Pang Yu, Zhou Yin, Huan Chu, and Ji Bu to return to Wuzhong to enter the palace for a banquet have been sent out, and Huan Chu, who was stationed in Danyang, and Ji Bu, who was stationed in Qu’a, have already returned to Wuzhong. Count the time Gao Chu, who was stationed in Fanyi, Pang Yu, who was stationed in Dongou, and Zhou Yin, who was stationed in six counties, should be back soon.

Today's Chu army, in addition to the imperial army directly under Xiangzhuang, also has troops stationed in various counties.

The Xiangzhuang Imperial Army has three major battalions, namely the Huben Camp in Jinxiang, the Tianlang Camp in Huyan, and the Xiaoqi Battalion in Mengji, with a total of 6000 elite soldiers. Most of the Huben Camp and Sirius Camp are veterans brought back from Jiuyuan. The Xiaoqi Battalion was formed based on the [-] old Qin cavalry troops of Mengji, plus more than [-] elite soldiers killed in the Liyang Battle.

In addition to the [-] forbidden troops directly under Xiangzhuang, there are also large troops stationed in all counties.

Last summer, after the Chu army repelled the siege of the Seventh Route Allied Forces, the 3 troops originally belonging to General Xiang Tuo were divided into two. At that time, Zhou Yin's [-] troops were still stationed in Jiujiang, Gao Chu's [-] troops were stationed in Lujiang, and Pang Yu led [-] troops in Kuaiji.

Xiang Zhuang knew that this situation was dangerous.

Zhou Yin, Huan Chu, and Ji Bu are all senior generals in the army, each with a large number of loyal confidants, and there are also a large number of old trilogy in Chu. If they guard one side for a long time, it is easy to form a situation that cannot be lost. When the forbidden army is strong enough, it is okay to say, once the strength of the forbidden army is weakened, there is a good chance that warlords will cut off the drama.

Even if Xiang Zhuang such as Gao Chu and Pang Yu single-handedly supported and cultivated the direct descendants, after a long time in sole control of military power, it is easy to breed arrogance and self-important mentality, so it is necessary to keep them by your side, always Tap to remind them one or two, lest their tails go up to the sky.

All in all, it's time to lift the military power of these generals.

Through the establishment of household laws and regulations, the power of Jiangdong's clan has been severely setback. Through the Scholars, Farmers, Industry and Commerce Class and the New Land Tax Law, the influence of Jiangdong's nobles and aristocratic families has also been greatly weakened. The central government's control over the local area has been greatly strengthened. Now, it is It's time to weaken the influence of veteran generals in the army and gather military power.

Xiang Zhuang believed that Gao Chu and Pang Yu would never have any objections.

Huan Chu and Ji Bu will inevitably have thoughts in their hearts, but they will definitely take the overall situation into consideration. Xiang Zhuang's only worry is the attitude of Zhou Yin, the great Sima and governor of Jiujiang County. Zhou Yin had originally rebelled against Chu and returned to Han. If you hand over the military power in your hands, it is very likely that you will turn your back on Dachu again. If so, it is inevitable to launch another crusade.

When Xiang Zhuang was pacing back and forth, Jin Xiang suddenly came in to report: "Your Majesty, urgent report from Jiangbei!"

As he said that, Jin Xiang handed over a letter, and Xiang Zhuang took it, but it was sent by Xiaoqi General Meng Ji. The letter said that Zhou Yin and Zhou Huan's father and son had left the six counties and set off for Wuzhong. Before leaving, Zhou Yin also entrusted all the military and political affairs of Jiujiang County to Meng Ji, and he didn't even leave the military talisman for dispatching troops.

After reading the letter, Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but secretly nodded.

Now it seems that my worries are unnecessary. Zhou Yin may not be a loyal minister, otherwise he would not have betrayed Chu Guihan at the beginning, but Zhou Yin is definitely a person who understands affairs, so he would resolutely betray Chu Guihan at the beginning, and he will be decisive now As long as Zhou Yin understands affairs well, he will definitely not treat him badly.

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Three days later, Zhou Yin, Zhou Huan and his son finally arrived in Wuzhong.

That night, Xiang Zhuang held a luxurious night banquet in the main hall of the palace, graciously entertaining Huan Chu, Ji Bu, Zhou Yin, Gao Chu, Pang Yu and other five generals in command, Yafu Fan Zeng, Ling Yin Xiang Ta, and General Xiang Tuo. , senior doctor Wu She, military adviser Bai Lixian, deputy military adviser Bi Shu, and several other senior generals Zhong Limei, Yu Ziqi, Tian Heng, Xiao Kai, etc. all attended to accompany them.

After drinking for three rounds, Xiang Zhuang asked Pang Yu, "Zi Ang, how is the situation in Dongou?"

Pang Yu sat up on his knees, cupping his hands and bowing: "Your Majesty, the political situation in Dongou County has completely stabilized, and the Dongou people who originally hid in the mountains have returned to settle in the city one after another. The hundreds of guards under the Ou County Captain can almost maintain the local law and order."

"Okay." Xiang Zhuang nodded happily, and said with a smile, "Then you don't have to stay in Dongou anymore, and immediately take the [-] garrison to Shanyin, deliver it to Kuaiji Commander Ding Gu, and then go back to Wuzhong. "

"Here!" Pang Yu suddenly agreed, Xiang Zhuang waved his hand again, and Pang Yu sat back on the table.

Xiang Zhuang asked Gao Chu again: "Shizhi (Gao Chu's written word), how is the situation on the other side of the Lujiang River?"

Gao Chu hurriedly sat up on his knees, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the situation in Lujiang is not bad. Under Geng Wang's lobbying, the counties of Ganxian, Nanye, and Yudu in the south of the Lujiang River, and Anping, Luling, and Yichun in the west Several counties have been brought under the rule of the Great Chu, and the county magistrates and county lieutenants appointed by the King have basically controlled the political situation of each county."

"Okay, okay." Xiang Zhuang said repeatedly, "Then you should come back too. I heard that Yuniang is pregnant, so you should spend some time with her, haha."

"Here!" Gao Chu suddenly agreed, and sat back on the table.

When Xiang Zhuang's eyes turned to Huan Chu and Ji Bu again, he made another statement: "Lao Huan, Lao Ji, I heard that the [-] mob has been trained by you two to become elite soldiers. Looks good, and even practiced riding and archery? This is really not easy, I have to go and see it when I have time."

Huan Chu and Ji Bu looked at each other and smiled, their brows could not help but look a little smug.

Huan Chu even glanced provocatively at Gao Chu who was sitting across from him. For a long time, no matter whether he was the former king or the great king, he thought that Lao Huankong had brute force and could only charge forward. Facts have proved that he, Lao Huan, can also Leading soldiers is more capable of training elite soldiers. Gao Chu and Pang Yu are not the only two little kids who can train and lead soldiers, hum!
"Okay." Xiang Zhuang nodded, and said again, "Since the [-] elite soldiers have been trained, you don't have to stay in Danyang and Qu'a anymore, you can also go back to Wuzhong. As for the [-] elite soldiers, leave them to Danyang Junwei Huandu, Wujun Junwei Jixin."

Huan Du is the younger brother of Huan Chu, and Ji Xin is Ji Bu's younger brother. They are also powerful generals in the army, but their prestige is far worse than that of Huan Chu and Ji Bu. Huan Du and Ji Xin don't have the ability to deal with the overwhelming momentum. Without Xiang Zhuang's support, Huan Du and Ji Xin wouldn't be able to control the situation at all.

"Ah? This..." Huan Chu and Ji Bu were stunned when they heard this.

"Why?" Xiang Zhuang turned the glass of wine in his hands, and said calmly, "You are not willing to surrender your military power?"

"Eh? No, no, no, of course not." Huan Chu and Ji Bu woke up like a dream, and hurriedly sat up on their knees and pleaded guilty to Xiang Zhuang, "Your servants have no such intentions. Since the king has issued an edict, I will take care of myself." Take orders, take orders yourself."

Xiang Zhuang's gaze finally fell on Zhou Yin, but before Xiang Zhuang could speak, Zhou Yin had already knelt up and said, "Your Majesty, I have often felt unwell in recent years, and I have been unable to bear the heavy military duties, so I implore you to choose another virtuous man." Serve as the governor of Jiujiang County and Grand Sima, and then let the ministers stay with the king to enjoy the rest of their lives."

Xiang Zhuang was slightly moved, and sighed: "Great Sima understands righteousness deeply, and I appreciate it."

After finishing speaking, Xiang Zhuang turned back to Xiang Qi who was standing beside him and said, "Xiang Qi, read out the imperial edict."

Taking two steps forward, Xiang Qi took out a silk script from his sleeve and read: "Shang Yu: Canonize Zhou Yin as the Marquis of Shu Township, eat two thousand stones; , eating [-] stones; Gaochu was the Marquis of Fanxiang, eating [-] stones; Pang Yu was the Marquis of Yinxiang, eating [-] stones."

(End of this chapter)