Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 521 Buying People's Hearts
Changguo, located less than a hundred miles west of Linzi, can be called the last gateway to the west of Linzi.

Zhou Yafu, led by the surrendered general Shen Tujia, made an emergency landing on the county magistrate of Changguo without bloodshed. However, the coalition forces of Han, Han, and Zhao had just entered Changguo County, and a shocking news suddenly spread to the army.

"What did you say?!" Zhou Yafu grabbed the iron sword dead man who came to report the news, and roared in disbelief, "Linzi was captured by the Chu army first?! How is this possible? How is this possible? How is this possible?! "Zhou Yafu repeated three sentences in a row that it is impossible, which shows that he absolutely cannot accept such a result.

Zhao Jiangbai also said in disbelief: "I just received the urgent report yesterday, and the Chu army just arrived in Boyang, and there are still more than 200 miles away from Lixia. How could they arrive in Linzi overnight?"

The iron sword soldier who reported the letter said with a wry smile: "The two generals don't know that the Chu army came over from Dongtai Mountain."

"Dongtai Mountain?" Zhou Yafu's heart trembled, and he said in a deep voice, "I understand, I understand everything! I said why the Chu army's marching speed is so slow. It turns out that this is just a trick. This is just a trick." After a pause, Zhou Yafu suddenly Then he said, "No, it's still wrong. If you cross Dongtai Mountain, there will be only three to five thousand people at most. How can you take Linzi?"

"This villain is not very clear." The Iron Sword soldier said with a wry smile, "Anyway, there was a whole night of fighting inside and outside the city of Linzi last night, and the fire was also burning all night. In short, Linzi has fallen. Xi has already surrendered, and Qi Wang Hanhe has also given up the small city of Linzi."

"What? Han He surrendered too?" Zhou Yafu's young and handsome face instantly turned livid. What the hell is this?The Han, Han, and Zhao allied forces took great pains to lure out the main force of Shentujia's Qi army, but let the Chu army take advantage of it from behind?With this dark loss, the coalition forces suffered greatly.

Moreover, Han He offered the city, doesn't it mean that King Qin Yuxi also fell into the hands of the Chu army?

Before leaving, the prime minister had repeatedly told himself that the Chu army must not be the first to attack Linzi, especially the King of Qin Yuxi must not fall into the hands of the Chu army, otherwise, the consequences would be very serious. The prime minister's exhortations are still in my ears. However, the army has already taken Linzi by surprise, and Han He really surrendered, this soft bone!

However, this matter must not be left alone, and a way must be found to restore the situation.

Then Zhou Yafu called Shentu Jia, Bai Yan, Han Ju and Tian Huo to him, and ordered them all, all the generals responded one after another, and each took his order.

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The small city of Linzi is now full of Chu troops.

As for the Imperial Army of Qi who was originally stationed in the small city, they moved to the big city, and the [-] troops of General Qi Zhao Xi also moved from outside the city to the big city.

It is also prudent to arrange the project in this way.

Tai Tu once said that one must not have the heart to harm others, and one must not have the heart to guard against others.

Although Han He had already surrendered, and Zhao Xi, Lou Jing, and the local tyrants of Qi also showed enough goodwill to Chu, but in any case, there were only 3000 imperial troops stationed in Linzi, so the situation in Linzi was still quite delicate. At least until the Chu army arrives, everything is still uncertain.

Although the Chu army occupied the small town, Xiang Zheng did not rashly move into the palace.

This is also because Xiang Zheng is smart enough, he will never rashly touch Qi Ren's sensitive and fragile nerves at this time.

Xiang Zheng just enlisted the school lieutenant office of the Imperial Army of Qi as his temporary residence. At this time, Xiang Zheng is hosting a banquet in his temporary residence for Emperor Han He, Qi Chancellor Lou Jing, General Zhao Xi and a dozen powerful Qi locals. , at the banquet, the host and guest chatted happily, but it was hard to hide the bitterness and loneliness revealed between Han He's eyebrows.

If given a choice, Han He is certainly not willing to abdicate, let alone surrender.

But unfortunately, Han He had no choice at all, even though the small city of Linzi had not fallen at that time, and there were 5000 elite forbidden troops stationed in the small city, but this was useless at all, because the more than [-] forbidden troops were all from Linzi. The Chu army only summoned a few hundred rural elders, and the imperial army began to waver.

The reason why the Chu army was able to capture Linzi was not only relying on military strength, but also relying more on the hearts of the people. Han Xin, Han He and his father's behavior of ignoring the hearts of the people and fishing in the dry lake has finally borne bitter fruit today. The local tyrants spared no effort to win over and infiltrate, and finally got rich rewards.

Therefore, it is no accident that such a result appears today.

As soon as the morale of the imperial army of Qi was shaken, Han He lost the capital to resist.

Escaping to Linqu has become a delusion. Without the protection of the imperial guards, can he get out of Linzi and arrive in Linqu by himself?Even if the Chu army didn't come to intercept him, the bandits along the way alone could kill him.

So in the end, Han He reluctantly sacrificed his city and surrendered to the Chu army.

Seeing the bitterness and loneliness on Han He's face, Xiang Zheng felt that the heat was almost ready, and said immediately: "King Qi, if my prince remembers correctly, your ancestor should be Huaiyin, right?" An imperial edict has been issued to abdicate, and Xiang Zheng called him the king of Qi just out of politeness.

Han He got up on his knees and answered respectfully.

Now, as a prisoner, life and death depend on other people's thoughts, Han He can't do without respect, although presenting King Qin's jade seal is a great achievement, but who knows what Xiang's father and son think?If Xiang Zhuang thinks that Han He is a hidden danger, so he instructs Xiang Zheng to assassinate him, it is impossible for the powerful Qi to plead for his life?

Xiang Zheng smiled and waved his hands and said, "King Qi doesn't have to be like this. The crown prince has already given a memorial to his father and conferred you the title of Marquis of Huaiyin. If there is no accident, his father will not reject this prince's presentation."

Of course Xiang Zhuang would not dismiss Xiang Zheng's performance, in fact, it was Xiang Zhuang's instruction.

Because in the eyes of Xiang Zhuang, Han He is not a character at all, and it is just a matter of letting him live and let him die. A reputation of benevolence and righteousness depends on soldiers and horsemen to conquer the world, but to secure the world depends on the hearts of the people.

The hearts of the people and the army have always been the two sharp weapons in the hands of the ruler, and both are indispensable.

One of the most realistic considerations is that if Xiang Zhuang kills Han He now, of course the people of Qi will not say anything, but they will inevitably think in their hearts that Xiang Zhuang is actually another Xiang Yu, cruel and heartless, then one day in the future Xiang Zhuang will be killed. If they want to become emperor, the people of Qi are likely to rebel against him, because they are afraid and worried.

However, if Xiang Zhuang had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness, the result might be different.

Sure enough, as soon as Xiang Zheng's words came out, Lou Jing, Zhao Xi, and the strong men of Qi who were present were all moved. Even Han He was a little surprised. He got up and bowed to Xiang Zheng, and said very sincerely: "King of Chu Xiao Hou admires benevolence and righteousness, recalling all the accusations against Chu before, Xiao Hou is deeply ashamed and ashamed."

What Han He said was sincere. He thought that he would lose his life, but he never thought that he could still be a Marquis. Moreover, he is the Marquis of Huaiyin where his ancestors lived. Anyway, this can be regarded as returning home.

Zhao Xi, Lou Jing, and dozens of powerful men also knelt and stood up one after another, praising King Chu for his righteousness.

Xiang Zheng could see the reactions of Han He, Lou Jing, Zhao Xi and others, but he felt a little emotional in his heart. If he wanted to take over the power from his father and become a qualified king, he had to learn more. Many, such as Han He, Xiang Zheng didn't want to kill him, but he didn't think of making him Marquis of Huaiyin, so it must be said that Jiang is still old and spicy.

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Until he walked out of the palace, Tian Heng still suspected that he was in a dream.

Ever since he was expelled from Linzi by Guan Ying, Tian Heng has always dreamed of returning to Qi and becoming king again. For this long-cherished wish of his life, he is always preparing and working hard, but unfortunately, Xiang Zhuang never gave him the chance to lead the army alone, Tian Heng knew that Xiang Zhuang was guarding against him.

Without Xiang Zhuang's nod, Tian Heng knew that he had no chance at all.

However, when Tian Heng was about to despair, happiness suddenly fell from the sky. He thought that being called into the palace this time was just that Xiang Zhuang wanted to ask himself about the situation of the powerful family in Qidi, but he never thought that, Xiang Zhuang even offered to restore his throne. It was King Qi, King Qi!

At this moment, Tian Heng really wanted to look up to the sky and laugh three times. Would he not be excited when his long-cherished wish for many years came true?
However, Tian Heng still tried his best to restrain his emotions, because he could feel that a pair of cold eyes were staring at him secretly, watching his every move. It spread to Xiang Zhuang's ears that Xuan Yiwei was everywhere.

Returning to the mansion in a daze, Tian Ruibai and Zidu also heard the news.

"Uncle, the King of Chu really wants to restore your throne?" Tian Libai asked impatiently, "And you're still the King of Qi?"

It is impossible for Tian Ruifei not to be excited, and it is impossible not to be anxious, because Tian Heng has no children, and he is the only nephew who is a direct relative. Even if Tian Heng has a heir apparent in the future, he will at least be able to earn a position as a general.

Zi Du was a little worried, and frowned and said, "My lord, the King of Chu is not testing you, is he?"

"Probably not." Tian Heng shook his head, and said in a deep voice, "When the King of Chu proposed this proposal, I firmly refused to accept it. If the King of Chu was just probing, why insist on it?"

"That's weird." Zi Du said, "The king of Chu has been guarding against the lord all these years, why is it uncharacteristic this time?"

"Hey, why do you think so much?" Tian Huaihui jumped up and said loudly, "Whether he is tempting or not, as long as uncle returns to Qidi, then the fish will return to the sea and the dragon will dive into the abyss. Heh, at that time Even if the king of Chu wants to change his mind, he can't."

Tian Heng's eyes were also bright, and he wished he could leave for Qi now, but it was obviously impossible, but Xiang Zhuang told him clearly that it was impossible for him to go to Qi before the situation in Qi became clear.

(End of this chapter)