Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 459 Rest and Rehabilitation (Updated)
The time finally entered October in 184 BC (October was the first month of the year in the pre-Qin calendar), the disputes among the countries gradually subsided, Zhao's army also retreated to Handan, and Nanyang finally entered the cold winter. As the weather turned colder, the epidemic was finally brought under complete control, and the sick soldiers recovered one after another.

The isolated military camps, counties, townships, and kiosks have also lifted the blockade one after another.

The specter of the plague finally subsided, and Xiang Zhuang could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

With the lifting of the blockade ban, the government soldiers stationed in Nanyang County can finally disperse to the various counties. As the government soldiers of each county left one after another, the Nanyang camp soon fell silent.

Xiang Zhuang was scheduled to leave Nanyang with the Xiao Cavalry Army and the Sirius Army in the last batch. Compared with the heavy casualties of the county soldiers, the casualties of the Xiao Cavalry Army and the Sirius Army were not large. It has something to do with being particularly strong. In fact, most of the soldiers who died of the plague were soldiers injured in the Battle of Mianshui.

This is also reasonable. Wounded soldiers are weak and are always prone to infection.

Looking at the devastated Nanyang Basin, Xiang Zhuang sighed: "This time, we are seriously injured."

Two consecutive wars in Sishui and Mianshui plus a plague really hurt the vitality of Chu State. The loss of the strong men alone exceeded 20. The payment of pensions will be astronomical. Moreover, nearly 70 strong men will be transferred to join the war. , resulting in a large shortage of strong labor in various counties, seriously affecting farming, and this year's grain production reduction is a foregone conclusion.

The reduction in grain production over there is a foregone conclusion, but here there are still more than 50 refugees waiting to be fed. Most of the autumn grain collected by the counties is not enough to feed the more than 50 refugees in Nanjun and Nanyang counties. Purchasing grain from the people to solve the problem will definitely cause the price of grain in Chu to skyrocket.

The soaring price of food will definitely increase the prices of cotton, porcelain, liquor, etc. It is foreseeable that the entire Chu area will usher in a new round of soaring prices, and its severity will far exceed that of the last large-scale bounty issued by Xiangzhuang As a result, the handicraft industry in Chudi will usher in a terrible winter.

Of course, Xiangzhuang can also see death and let the more than 50 refugees in Nanjun and Nanyang counties starve to death. In this way, the prices of the entire Chu area can be stabilized, and the handicraft industry will not be greatly affected. , From a large perspective, such a choice is actually completely acceptable and understandable.

But as a time traveler, Xiang Zhuang obviously wouldn't do this.

At that moment Xiang Zhuang turned his head, looked at Wu She and said, "Bazhi, I have to trouble you to go to Nanyue again, and at least buy 50 shi of rice from Zhao Tuo, otherwise, this winter will be difficult." The country was short of food, and Xiang Zhuang could only make his mind on Zhao Tuo, the king of Nanyue. The rice in Nanyue was cooked several times a year, and the most important thing was rice.

Wu She cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will try my best to lobby the Nanyue King."

Xiang Zhuang nodded, and then asked Xiang Ta: "Ziyi, have all the officials sent to the six counties of Nanyang, Yingchuan, Chen, Dang, Sishui and Donghai been drawn out?"

The six counties of Nanyang, Yingchuan, Chen, Dang, Sishui, and Donghai have been formally brought under the rule of Chu State. Today, there are 36 counties under the rule of Chu State. The pre-Qin world is divided into [-] counties, and Chu State already owns nearly half of them. However, for at least three years, counties such as Nanyang, Yingchuan, Chen, Dang, Sishui, and Donghai can only be the burden of Chu State.

Especially the Yingchuan Group, Chen County, Dang County, which belonged to Liang State, and Nanyang County, which was devastated by the plague this time, are really devastated and ruined, unless Xiangzhuang forcibly issued an edict to conscript the people of all counties to fill the land. A few counties, let alone three years, I'm afraid it may not be able to restore the prosperity of the past in ten years.

But these are things for later, let's get through this winter first.

Xiang He said hurriedly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the six sheriffs and 86 county magistrates sent to the six counties have been briefed and will take up their posts in a few days." I heard that under the rule of the six counties, thieves are rampant, and the law and order are not good, so a considerable number of troops have to be retained to maintain law and order.”

Xiang Zhuang's heart moved slightly, and he suddenly thought of the [-] Liang Army prisoners of war.

Seeing that they are about to leave Nanyang, how to arrange the [-] Liang Army prisoners of war has not yet been figured out.

These [-] Liang Army prisoners were originally Liang people. Although they were all bloodthirsty veterans before being captured, after several years of prison life, their ferocity has subsided a lot. Why not take this opportunity? Put them back to Liangdi, and then organize them on the spot to become the soldiers of the various counties of Liangdi?
If this matter is done well, it will not only solve the defense problems of the counties in Liang, but also add an elite army to Dachu out of thin air. Anyway, these [-] prisoners of war are veterans who have experienced many battles. However, if you want to calm down this group of veterans, you have to send them a general, and this is none other than Gao Chu.

At that moment, Xiang Zhuang ordered Xiang Tuo: "Zi Yan, send the flying cavalry to Wuguan immediately, and let Gao Chu come to Wancheng."

"Here!" Xiang Tuo agreed, and went down to make arrangements. As soon as Xiang Tuo left, Qu Bucai hurried to Xiang Zhuang, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is the letter from Fei Ge who just transferred from Jiangling, from Xianyang. dispatched."

After reading the secret letter, Xiang Zhuang sighed, turned his head and said to Bai Lixian, "Zi Liang, the plot to kill someone has failed."

This secret letter was indeed sent from Xianyang, saying that Bai Mo used the power of the champion Hou Zhou Guanfu to lift Lu Tai's military power, and then beheaded Lu Wan, the governor of Jiuyuan County with thunderous force. Now the power of the whole big man has completely fallen In the hands of Bai Mo and Chen Ping, the attempt of Chu's monarchs and ministers to stir up civil strife in Han failed.

In addition, the secret letter also mentioned that Chen Ping had rebuilt the pre-Qin spy agency Black Ice Platform, and launched a cleansing of the spy agencies of the Kanto countries. Almost uprooted by the black ice platform.

"It's a pity." Bai Lixian also sighed after circulating the secret letter, "It's a pity that such a good opportunity."

After a pause, Bai Lixian said again: "However, this is also reasonable. If Bai Mo can't even deal with this crisis, what qualifications does he have to be Minister Tuogu?"

Xiang Zhuang is silent, Bai Mo is so difficult to deal with, I'm afraid it will take a lot of trouble in the future.

Qu Bucai said in a deep voice: "My lord, Wumuya's activities in Guanzhong may also be affected in the future."

Xiang Zhuang frowned and remained silent, and after a while he suddenly asked, "How is the training of the spy personnel sent to the Huns?"

Ever since he learned that the Xiongnu had plundered people from Yan, Zhao, and Han, Xiang Zhuang had raised his vigilance against the Xiongnu. Now that Chu has just experienced two major battles, the military and material resources have been seriously consumed, and it is bound to have to rest for a while. During this period of time, Chu State may be unable to use large-scale foreign troops.

But even so, Xiang Zhuang hopes to know the details of the Xiongnu as much as possible!
Obviously, with the fall of Liu Bang and Han Xin successively, the Huns have replaced Qi and Han as the number one enemy of Chu, and the Huns are still a foreign race. The Han is nothing, but if they lose to the Huns, they will become the sinners of history, which is absolutely unacceptable!

Qu Bucai replied: "Indeed, there are a few ebony soldiers who sneaked into the desert as captive slaves. However, it is not a matter of overnight to send a liaison organization to go deep into the desert."

This is indeed a difficult problem. At this stage, there is almost no trade activity between the Xiongnu and the Central Plains. The Huns basically come to grab everything they lack, such as food, salt, and iron and porcelain. Rob, in this situation, no matter what your identity is, don't try to break into the Huns.

Xiang Zhuang didn't care about this, and said arrogantly: "It's up to you to think of a way, I only want the result."

As a traverser, Xiang Zhuang has always been vigilant towards the Xiongnu, and even more aware of the serious consequences of a large number of Central Plains craftsmen being taken captive to the desert. Once these Central Plains slaves bring advanced farming technology and iron smelting technology to the Xiongnu, the level of equipment of the Xiongnu cavalry You will get a completely new promotion, and the tragedy in history is likely to repeat itself!
Qu Bucai was heartbroken, but he could only bite the bullet and answer: "Your Majesty, I want to go to Liaodong, pass through the Northern Raccoon Tribe, and maybe I can think of a way to invade the Xiongnu."

"Yes." Xiang Zhuang said decisively, "You can find all of this and buy it."

Qi Mai is Zhaoshe, the younger brother of Northern Diao Wang Zhaoshe, who was begging for money. He was captured by Xiang Zhuang outside Linzi City 18 years ago. He specializes in selling horses and slaves between Liaodong and Jiangdong. Of course, his business mostly goes by sea.

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This time they went south to hit Caogu, and the Xiongnu returned with a full reward!

While Yan, Zhao, Han, Qi, and Han countries were attacking each other, the Xiongnu took advantage of the emptiness and broke in hundreds of cities in one fell swoop. In addition to more than [-] women and children, the Huns also grabbed a large number of people. The property, grain alone, is loaded into thousands of carts. In addition to grain, there are also a large amount of iron, cloth, and porcelain.

One day in early October, the mighty Hun cavalry finally returned to the royal court in Mobei.

In the next half month, the entire Monan royal court fell into unprecedented joy. According to the merits of each tribe, Mao Dun rewarded more than 3 women and children, a large amount of iron, cloth and porcelain, but, More than [-] craftsmen who were captured from the Central Plains were all detained by Mouton.

One day in late October, under the protection of [-] Xiongnu cavalry, Mao Dun appeared at the foot of Yanran Mountain, which is more than [-] miles away from Jiuyuan. The old blacksmith didn't want to work for the Huns, but the Huns threatened their wives and children, so they had no choice but to submit.

After more than ten days of searching, more than a dozen old blacksmiths discovered a large iron ore vein at the foot of Yanran Mountain.

After the severe winter, Maodun conscripted [-] slaves and [-] blacksmiths to mine and smelt iron in Yanran Mountain. For a while, the foot of Yanran Mountain became a boiling melting pot, and furnaces of molten iron were smelted. A perfect sword was forged, and a fine bow was also made...

(End of this chapter)