Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 288 Variables
On Peng Lize (Poyang Lake), brocade sails cover the sky and the sun, and more than 500 warships of Chu State are going up the river.

Although it was still early spring when dripping water turned into ice, a southeast wind blew up very rarely, allowing the fleet of the Chu State Navy's fleet to go upstream with the wind, but it also saved the effort of rowing the oars.

For this expedition to Bashu, Xiang Zhuang mobilized 20 elite forbidden troops from Huben Camp and Sirius Camp, plus [-] government soldiers. In addition, he also requisitioned [-] mules, carrying a full [-] shi of rations. However, they could only march on foot on the Chidao north of Penglize, without boats, mules carrying rations, and [-] government soldiers.

In the cabin, Xiang Zhuang was chatting with Gao Chu, Pang Yu, and Bai Lixian.

During this false expedition to Bashu via Jiangling, the nominal general of the Chu army was Gao Chu. Except for Gao Chu, Pang Yu, Bai Lixian and a few other high-level generals, even most of the imperial guards did not know that Xiang Zhuang actually In the army, as for King Huainan, King Linjiang and King Liang, they even believed that Xiangzhuang was still in Shouhu Camp.

In fact, Bi Shu was in charge of the Shouhu Camp.

Before the expedition, Xiang Zhuang had officially worshiped Bi Shu as General Wei and was responsible for defending Jiangdong. Xiang Tuo, Huan Chu, Ji Bu, Zhong Limei, Yu Ziqi, Xiao Kai, Tian Heng and a large number of veterans were shocked by Xiang Zhuang's decision. The generals are not very convinced, but there is no way, now Xiangzhuang's royal power has been completely stabilized, and no one can easily challenge Xiangzhuang's royal power.

However, after appointing Bi Shu as General Wei, Xiang Zhuang made another puzzling decision.

Xiang Zhuang actually transferred Zhong Limei, Yu Ziqi, Xiao Kai, and Tian Heng to Bi Shu's account as lieutenants!
Except for Bi Shu, among the many civil servants and military generals in Jiangdong, perhaps only Bai Lixian can vaguely guess Xiang Zhuang's thoughts. At the same time, a group of confidants such as Cao Shen, Guan Ying, and Wang Ling were also transferred to Han Xin's army.

In a word, Xiang Zhuang recognized Bi Shu's ability to lead the army, and believed that he was fully capable of defending Jiangdong. Heng and the others are Bi Shu's deputy generals, just to prevent Bi Shu from raising his confidants, so that when he takes back the military power in the future, there will be no extra problems.

When Xiang Zhuang was chatting with Gao Chu, Pang Yu and Bai Lixian, Qu Bucai hurried into the cabin suddenly.

As a traveler, no one can understand the importance of information better than Xiang Zhuang. In this expedition to Bashu, Qu Bucai, the eagle dog, must be brought along.

When Qu Bucai walked into the cabin, he was still holding a carrier pigeon in his hand.

The use of carrier pigeons for communication is not unfamiliar to the ancients of this era. When fighting with Xiang Yu, Liu Bang used carrier pigeons to convey military information. However, Liu Bang did not attach importance to carrier pigeons, but paid more attention to the traditional flying riding. However, only people like Xiang Zhuang who travel through the world will make every effort to promote the pigeon communication system.

"Your Majesty." Qu Bucai bowed deeply to Xiang Zhuang, and said, "The villain has just received a letter from Fei Ge, Qi Wang Han Xin is secretly gathering an army to Langye County, and many car dealers in Qi State are also going there recently. Food and grass are being transported to the south, and the villain judges that the army of Qi State is likely to attack Huainan State."

"Huh? Han Xin?!"

"Attack Huainan Kingdom?!"

"at this time?!"

When Gao Chu and Pang Yu heard the words, their expression changed slightly.

Xiang Zhuang also frowned instantly, this was really unexpected.

"Strange, this is not in line with common sense!" Bai Lixian shook his feather fan and said, "Han Xin chose to send troops at this time, which is also expected, but for Qi, the best annexation target should be Wo Yeqianli. Zhao Guo, the next choice is to take advantage of the emptiness and destroy Liang, but attacking Huainan is the worst choice."

Before dispatching troops, Xiang Zhuang, Bi Shu, and Bai Lixian had repeatedly discussed this issue.

Xiang Zhuang, Bi Shu, and Bai Lixian didn't think that the Qi State would attack Huainan at this time, because for Qi, Huainan was a tough bone, and it was a real bone without any scraps of meat. So I tried my best to gnaw down this hard bone, but in the end I couldn't get much oil and water!

"This is troublesome." Pang Yu frowned, and said in a deep voice, "Although King Yingbu of Huainan is brave and good at fighting, he is not as good as King Han Xin of Qi. Huainan Kingdom has accumulated some wealth over the years, but Compared with the Qi State, it’s still not enough, if the Qi State’s army really goes south, Huainan Kingdom may not be able to resist it.”

Gao Chu also said: "If the Huainan Kingdom is destroyed by the Qi Kingdom, Jiangdong will be directly exposed to the Qi army's soldiers. Although Bi Shu is a member of the Guigu sect, he has just left the army after all, and he has never been in charge of the army. Said, let alone participated in any war, suddenly facing a great military strategist like Han Xin, what a disaster."

The implication of Pang Yu and Gao Chu's words is naturally to cancel the expedition.

Bai Lixian held a different opinion: "Your Majesty, the arrow is already on the string, so we must shoot it!"

Xiang Zhuang pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and told Qu Bucai, "Qu Bucai, immediately send a letter to the Huainan State Minister Kuaiche about the suspicious movements of the Qi army, so that the Huainan army can take precautions as soon as possible!"

"Here!" Qu Bucai responded abruptly and took the order to go.

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Ten days later, Jiangling Ferry.

In front of the ferry, there were many cars and horses, and there were many crowns and covers. Linjiang Wang Gongwei was personally leading Du Hong, Gongsun Wu and other civil and military generals to the ferry to meet the Chu army. As a prince of a country, Gongwei did not have to be so polite. How to put it, Gao Chu, the general of the Chu army, is just a country lord, and he is not worthy of such a big gift.

However, considering the strong national power and military power of Chu State, when Linjiang State faces the threat of the Han army in the future, it will still need to rely on the full support of Chu State. Therefore, Gongwei adopted the suggestion of General Gongsun Wu and led all the officials to come here. Greeting at the ferry, among other things, at least it can leave a good impression in the minds of the soldiers of the Chu army, right?
You must know that Gao Chu is the confidant general of King Xiangzhuang of Chu. When the Jiang Kingdom asks for help from the Chu State in the future, this person may be the one who will lead the troops. Therefore, it is beneficial and harmless to make friends with him at this time.

Not long after, warships of all sizes appeared on the surface of the river.

At the same time, the dark army of Chu State also appeared on the Jiangbei Road. Looking at the banners covering the sky and the endless cavalry, Linjiang Wang Gongwei and the civilian and military generals standing behind him couldn't help but change slightly. Not to mention anything else, just this strict formation and formidable aura is far inferior to Linjiang's army.

Among the crowd, Prime Minister Du Hong said anxiously: "Your Majesty, there is still time to change your mind. Once the Chu army arrives at Jiangling Ferry, it will be too late!" These officials are actually nothing, they can be officials of Chu State instead of Linjiang State, but what about you, Your Majesty?"

Gongwei Moran, to be honest, he has regretted it a little now.

In case the Chu army's attack on Liang is false, and the sneak attack on Linjiang is true, then it is really leading the wolf into the house.

However, Gongwei knew better that it would not be a good idea to change his mind now. Chu’s army was advancing by land and water, and the soldiers had already reached the city of Jiangling. Refusing the Chu army to pass through the border at this time would be tantamount to turning against the Chu army. Once the Chu army became angry, it would be If there is no hostility in the first place, I am afraid that hostility will also arise, that would be bad.

When Gongwei was uneasy, a Chu warship suddenly sailed away from the brigade and slowly approached the pier.

The big ship had just landed, and a general of the Chu army in full suit had already boarded the pier surrounded by more than a dozen generals. Wu She, who was standing beside King Linjiang, hurried forward and introduced the general of the Chu army, Gao Chu. It was given to Linjiang King and many Linjiang Wenwu, and Gao Chu went up to greet Linjiang King and Linjiang Wenwu respectively.

After the greetings, Gong Wei was surprised to find that the rest of the Chu warships did not dock, but continued to go up the river, and the Chu army and cavalry on the Jiangbei Road did not intend to stop at all. They only turned a corner on the fork in the east of the city, then bypassed the north of Jiangling City and continued westward.

The civil and military forces of the Linjiang Kingdom behind Gongwei were also very confused. Didn't the [-] Chu troops come here to help in the battle?According to the agreement between the two countries, the [-] Chu troops will disembark at Jiangling Ferry, and then, together with the Linjiang army, will pass through Yan County and Qi County to attack Deng County in Nanyang County. However, why are the Chu troops going west?What are they going to do?
Lieutenant Gong was still hesitating whether to ask, but Du Hong couldn't help but ask Gao Chu: "General Gao, didn't your army come here to cooperate with my Linjiang army? Why didn't you stop at Jiangling, but got more and more serious?" Sent to the west? I don’t know what your army means? Is there any other ulterior purpose?”

Gao Chu frowned, and said unhappily, "Master Du, the [-] troops led by this general are indeed here to help the Linjiang Kingdom. Void, this is a golden opportunity, so this general decided to change the target and take advantage of the void to attack Bashu."

Now, the Chu army has passed Jiangling, and Yiling Road is further ahead, and it is less than five hundred miles away from Wu County, the gateway to Bajun. It was absolutely too late for Ma Chuanxun to order Berkshire to step up his guard. Therefore, he was not afraid that the king and ministers of the Linjiang Kingdom would know the news.

"A sudden attack on Bashu?" Du Hong said, "General Gao, are you kidding me?"

"Du Guoxiang's words are so rude, how can military affairs be a trifle?" Gao Chu was displeased.

After a pause, Gao Chu said to Gongwei again, "King Linjiang, the military situation is urgent, and I will leave now. After the Bashu is wiped out, I will come to the door to apologize to the king!" After finishing speaking, Gao Chu turned around and left. After two steps, he turned back and said, "Bashu has Shu brocade, which is a rare treasure in the world. I will definitely bring thousands of brocades for the king!"

Gongwei said in a daze: "So, I have General Lao."

Gao Chu waved his hand, and then led a dozen generals away.

(End of this chapter)