Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 375 Sword Pointing at Huainan
Time flies, another three years passed in a blink of an eye, and the time came to 185 BC.

At this time, Han Wang Liu Bang was 71 years old, and Chu King Xiangzhuang was 40 years old.

In the past three years, there have been basically no major wars in Huaxia. Qi is licking its wounds, while Chu and Han are desperately accumulating strength and preparing for the final decisive battle.

However, the changes in the world structure are dizzying. First, Zhao State suddenly formed an alliance with Chu State, and then Yan State and South Korea also turned their backs on Han State and formed an alliance with Chu State. Obviously, for Han, Zhao, Yan and other countries Generally speaking, the threat of Qi and Han is far greater than that of Chu in the south.

Then Nanyue joined the Qi and Han camps, posing a threat to Chu from behind.

Then, half a month ago, the Huainan Kingdom suddenly abandoned the covenant with the Chu State, and instead formed an alliance with Han and Qi, and sent troops to massacre two counties in Jiujiang County, killing tens of thousands of people. Chu people.

Xiang Zhuang was furious when he heard the news, and immediately summoned the ministers of civil and military affairs to gather in the palace of Chu to discuss matters.

"Yingbu was unfaithful and ungrateful, betrayed his alliance and defected to the Han, and the Huainan army was cruel and brutal, and killed our innocent people. If this matter is not pursued, I will not be in vain as a king!" In the corner of the front table below, he shouted sharply, "Everyone, tell me, how should Yingbu be punished, how should Huainan be punished?!"

Taiwei Xiang Tuo came out in response, and said: "Your Majesty, there is nothing to say, just raise troops and destroy Huainan Kingdom!"

When he said this, Xiang He was full of confidence, and the facts are indeed like this. After three years of hard work, all the soldiers in Jingxiang and Bashu have been trained. According to the roster of the Chaochong Mansion, there are currently 30 soldiers in Jiangdong. There are 20 soldiers in Jingxiang, 70 soldiers in Bashu, plus [-] forbidden troops and [-] naval troops, Chu already has nearly [-] troops!

With an army of nearly 70, wouldn't it be easy to wipe out a mere Huainan country?
"Yes, Yingbo is so hateful, he must not be forgiven lightly, and he just took this opportunity to destroy Huainan Kingdom."

"What the Taiwei said is very true. If such evil deeds are not punished, where will the prestige of our Great Chu Kingdom be placed?"

"Your Majesty, I would like to lead one hundred thousand troops across the river to conquer the north. If the Huainan Kingdom cannot be destroyed, I will come to see you."

"How can you kill a chicken with a sledgehammer? Huainan is a mere country, and there is no need for the Taiwei to personally conquer it. It will be enough for the general to go."

In an instant, the hall boiled like boiling water. Now, Xiangzhuang's prestige has reached an unprecedented height, even compared with Qin Shihuang of the Great Qin Empire, even the most authoritative Ling Yin Xiangtao is also the only one who follows Xiang Zhuang's lead, let alone other ministers.

At this moment, Xiang Zhuang made an unprecedented statement that he would severely punish Yingbo and Huainan, so the officials couldn't be more excited?
Xiang Zhuang lightly raised his hand, and the civil and military ministers who were furiously denouncing Yingbo and Huainan shut their mouths at the same time.

"So, the widow is determined to attack Huainan." After saying this, Xiang Zhuang said again, "General!"

Bi Shu, who had already been promoted to a general, stepped forward, clasped his hands and gave a long bow, and replied respectfully: "The minister is here."

Nowadays, the official rank system of Chu State is relatively chaotic. There are Lingyin who inherited from the former Chu, Taifu, Taishi, and Taiwei who inherited the system of three lords and nine ministers, and there are also generals, generals, and generals added by Xiangzhuang. Wait, Xiang Zhuang is considering introducing grades to distinguish the ranks of court officials. Of course, that is by no means the nine-rank Zhongzheng system.

In fact, even if the nine-rank Zhongzheng system is implemented, it is impossible for Chu to have a group of noble families.

In the current state of Chu, as long as you have the ability, whether you are a soldier, a merchant, or a craftsman as a coolie, you have the opportunity to obtain a title for your meritorious service, and thus rank among the nobles. It is also very easy to be a commoner, because titles below the Marquis of Chufache cannot be hereditary.

Therefore, it is impossible for the current state of Chu to have class solidification.

Without class solidification, the gentry family would lose the soil for survival.

Xiang Zhuang looked at Bi Shu and asked, "General, if you lead the army, how many troops can destroy Huainan Kingdom?"

Xiang Tuo was a little disappointed when he heard the words. It seems that this Northern Expedition has nothing to do with him. Huan Chu, Ji Bu, and Zhou Yin are full of regrets. They missed this opportunity. It is rare for them to lead the army in this life. It's a chance, after all, he is almost 60 years old, maybe someday he will follow the king.

Bi Shudao: "If it's just the Huainan Kingdom, 15 soldiers and horses are enough, but I think Han and Qi will definitely not stand idly by, and will definitely send troops to rescue them at that time, so at least [-] troops are needed."

Xiang Zhuang pondered for a moment, and said decisively: "The widow will give you 20 government soldiers, plus the Huben Army, and the Huainan Kingdom will definitely be destroyed!"

"Here!" Bi Shu bowed to the ground, his heart agitated. In a blink of an eye, more than three years have passed since the last battle in Huainan. In this battle of Huainan, I don't know if there is still a fight with Han Xin. Chance against?

Xiang Zhuang issued an order, and Chu's war machine immediately began to run at full speed. Trucks of military rations, trucks of luggage, and racks of equipment came out of Wuwei Gate, and drove continuously along the Kaixuan Avenue to the riverside. Under the support of the navy, they crossed the Wujiang River and marched into Jiujiang in a mighty manner.

The soldiers who were on vacation without changing the rank of title also ended their vacation one after another, and handed over their young sons who wanted to learn martial arts to their beautiful wives and concubines who were crying, and then personally pulled out the fat and strong sons from the stables. The war horse took the polished horizontal knife from the attendant, and finally turned around and waved to his relatives, and galloped away.

At the same time, the farmers put down their hoes, the hunters put down their shortbows, the craftsmen put down their hammers, and the fishermen put down their fishing nets, and went home with their knives on their hands. , Put on a shiny new leather armor, then step on the Numa I just bought, and go to dismantle Chongfu Yingmao.

Naturally, it is impossible for such a huge material dispatch and such a large-scale army build-up to be hidden from the eyeliners of various countries. Soon, the news that Chu State is going to Jiujiang to gather a large-scale army spread to Xianyang and the rest of the world through hundreds of pigeons. Linzi spread to Pengcheng, and also to Handan, Anyi and Jixian.

##########
Hearing that the Chu army was continuously gathering towards Jiujiang, Huainan Wang Yingbu panicked.

At this time, Yingbo was already over 60 years old and entered his twilight years. He no longer had the spirit of the past. Because he was addicted to wine and sex all day long, Yingbo, who was just over 70 years old, looked like an old man in his [-]s. , not only the tall and straight back is bent, but the face is also covered with mottled age spots and criss-cross wrinkles.

When the disaster was approaching, Yingbo hurriedly called the ministers of civil and military affairs to discuss countermeasures.

Above the court, Fei Zhu severely demoted the Chu army, and threatened that only [-] troops would be able to keep the enemy out of the country. Zhu Jian, Ma Ye and other traitors also added fuel and jealousy, and Kuai Che shook his head. These short-sighted idiots really don't know how the word "death" is written, and they even want to block the army of Chu with their own power?
However, Yingbo finally regained consciousness for a rare moment, and turned his attention to Kuaiche.

Kuai Che sighed, and went out to play: "Your Majesty, all the soldiers in the eleven counties under Chu State's rule have been trained, and the total strength has exceeded 60. Bi Shu is even comparable to Qi Wang Han Xin." Great military strategist, this time Bi Shu commanded 30 troops to attack Huainan Kingdom, the momentum is definitely beyond our Huainan Kingdom's ability to resist..."

"Kuai Che, how dare you spoil your own prestige by letting other people's ambitions grow?"

"That's right, what a 60 army is called bluffing."

"And that Bi Shu, it's just a waste of fame."

Before Kuai Che finished speaking, he was repeatedly reprimanded by Fei Zhu, Zhu Jian, Ma Ye and others.

In normal times, Kuai Che would definitely not say anything, but this time, Kuai Che rarely paid attention to Fei Zhu and others, but continued to advise Ying Bu: "Your Majesty, hurry up and condemn the envoys to King Han and King Qi." Ask for help! When the state of Chu is ready to stop and 30 troops invade Huainan, it will be too late."

##########
When Yingbu was calling a group of ministers to discuss countermeasures, Liu Bang was also holding an imperial meeting.

Two years ago, Liu Bang also set up a spy organization following the example of Xiang Zhuang, and sent a large number of spies to Jiangdong, Jingxiang, and Bashu. Although many spies were killed by Wumuya in Chu State, a small number of spies managed to lurk down , and formed a complete intelligence agency, so Liu Bang was able to know the movements of Chu State at the first time.

Hearing that Chu State was going to attack Huainan State, Liu Bang hurriedly summoned the Right Prime Minister Xiao He, the Right Army Adviser Zhang Liang, the Left Army Adviser Chen Ping, the Left Prime Minister Bai Mo, the Taiwei Zhou Bo, and the General Lu Tai to discuss countermeasures.

"Everyone, please tell me." Although Liu Bang is 72 years old, he still looks hale and hearty. "It is said that Xiang Zhuang'er mobilized more than 30 troops this time, and even sent out the most elite tiger and ben army. It is determined to win, Huainan alone will definitely not be able to resist, shall we save it or not?"

Xiao He looked at Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, and said, "I think you should save them."

As soon as Xiao He finished speaking, Bai Mo, Zhou Bo and Lu Tai all nodded in agreement.

Liu Bang's gaze fell on Zhang Liang and asked, "Zifang, what's your opinion?"

Zhang Liang pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I also think that Huainan Kingdom should be saved, but how to save it still needs careful consideration." Huainan is still separated by Qi, if you want to directly send troops to Huainan, the army will have to pass through the border of Qi, will the King of Qi have any ideas?"

Liu Bangdao: "This is all for the rescue of Huainan country, Han Xin shouldn't have any ideas, right?"

"That's not sure." Chen Ping took over the conversation and said, "Your Majesty, I also think that Brother Zifang's words are justified. Instead of directly sending troops to Huainan, it is better to conscript a large army to attack Jingxiang and force the Chu army to return to the division to save themselves. .”

(End of this chapter)