The last three kingdoms

Chapter 964 Harsh Conditions

To be honest, Lu Kang hated Zhong Hui very much. When he was in Yizhou, as a hostile opponent, Lu Kang had already dealt with him many times.

Zhong Hui is a man with a deep family, with insidious methods and full of tricks. When Lu Kang fights with him, he always pays more attention to it. If he is not careful, he will fall into the opponent's tricks.Of course, as a hostile country at that time, it was understandable to use all means to win, but Zhong Hui was definitely not an opponent that Lu Kang admired.

Lu Kang knew very well that Zhong Hui was a man who was unscrupulous and ambitious, and he was the kind of person who was unwilling to be subordinated to others. Lu Kang believed that if there was a suitable opportunity, Zhong Hui would definitely turn against him, but it was a pity that he was in Yizhou, the Three Kingdoms With endless disputes, Zhonghui has never had a chance to stand on his own.

However, when Sima Yan later ordered Zhong Hui to abandon Yizhou and return to the Central Plains, Zhong Hui traveled to Jingzhou, suddenly raised an army and rebelled, which proved that what Lu Kang said at that time was true.

According to Lu Kang's thinking, it's better to have less contact with people like Zhong Hui. The more contact he has, the more he will suffer from it.

Zhonghui turned against Jingzhou, a land bordering Soochow. It was very difficult for Soochow to remain neutral. At the beginning of the rebellion, Zhonghui took the initiative to ask Soochow for help in order to protect himself.

Later, Zhong Hui's position in Jingzhou was gradually strengthened, and his attitude became respectful at first and then condescending, becoming arrogant and rude. At the beginning, many of the conditions promised to the State of Wu were later reneged on all of them. Even the territory of the State of Wu, Zhong Hui There will be covetousness, deliberately provoking border disputes, embezzling Wu's territory, and the ambition is so bad that it is outrageous.

Lu Kang naturally didn't want to pay attention to such a smug villain. After Chuan Wang bought the account, Lu Kang's attitude was cold and his reaction was calm, and he was a little indifferent to Wang Buy's request for help.

Wang Mai couldn't help but secretly worried. It can be said that Lu Kang is Zhonghui's only hope. If Lu Kang doesn't send troops, Xiangyang City will be difficult to defend, but Lu Kang's attitude seems to explain everything. It is true that the Soochow people have been offended severely, and now it is almost very difficult to get Soochow's help.

Wang Mai told Lu Kang that he was strong, and brought up the set of sayings that were dead and cold, but Lu Kang was unmoved, and he said that Jin had assembled a large number of troops in Huaibei, and that there was always the possibility of attacking Yiyang, and that Wu was stationed in Yiyang. The army should not move lightly, it is beyond reach for Xiangyang.

Wang Mai knew very well that what Lu Kang said was not because he had any real difficulties, but because he had no confidence in Zhong Hui's reneging on his promises. He helped Zhong Hui last time, but Zhong Hui was ungrateful and bit the other way. It is impossible for others to help him without some sincerity.

So Wang Mai took the initiative to put all the cities and territories south and east of Xiangyang under Soochow, in exchange for Soochow's military assistance.

Lu Kang laughed softly. It seems that Zhong Hui is still very stingy. It is at the critical point of life and death, and he still holds on to the illusion that there are not many cities in the east and south of Xiangyang. Li tried to induce Soochow to send troops to rescue him, which was wishful thinking.

Lu Kang understood the bottom line of Zhong Hui's negotiation, and hated Zhong Hui even more, so he didn't bother to pretend to be a snake any longer, and put forward three conditions directly. First, Zhong Hui must surrender to Soochow, and also It is to change the banner, remove the banner of Cao Wei, and use the banner of Soochow; second, Zhonghui will hand over all the cities and sites, and the army of Wu State will take over the defense of these cities; The army must accept Lu Kang's unified command and dispatch.

These three conditions are indispensable.

Wang Mai couldn't help groaning secretly, Lu Kang's three conditions are simply fatal, the first condition is worth it, revoking the banner of Wei State and erecting the banner of Wu State, this is achievable, and what is in name is still empty after all. Yes, but the last two conditions are real. Hand over the control of all the cities and the command of the army. Is this the order of Zhong Hui? How could Zhong Hui agree to such harsh conditions?

Originally, Wang Mai wanted to bargain again, but Lu Kang sternly rejected it. Lu Kang's attitude was already very clear. Unless Zhong Hui agreed to his conditions, Soochow would never send troops.

Wang Mai had no choice but to leave Wu Jun's camp, and went back to Xiangyang to report to Zhonghui.

After Zhong Hui heard this, there was a black line on his face. Lu Kang's appetite must be too big. This is entirely his intention to annex Zhong Hui. If Zhong Hui agrees to these three conditions, it will be tantamount to surrendering Xiangyang Let it go to Soochow.

"This Lu Kang is simply deceiving people too much!" Zhong Hui said angrily.

Wang Mai also said helplessly: "Lu Kang's attitude is very decisive. He said that these three conditions are indispensable. If he does not agree to any of them, he will never send troops."

"This is coercion, this is blatant blackmail! The people of Wu fell into trouble and tried to annex Xiangyang in vain. Their plot will never succeed!" Zhong Hui roared hysterically, very angry. It took the strength of two bulls and two tigers to defeat it, but Lu Kang actually thought of annexing it so easily for nothing, it is simply whimsical.

Wang Mai was speechless. Anyway, he had tried his best to bargain with Lu Kang again and again, but Lu Kang had no intention of giving in at all. He repeatedly emphasized that these three conditions were the basis for the Wu army to send troops. If there is some sincerity, it is impossible for the people of Wu to give anything more. Whether Zhong Hui’s demise has nothing to do with Soochow Wu. The territory he occupies is only the territory of the original Jin State. It will be destroyed, but it will be returned to the original owner, and it will not have any impact on the border between Jin and Wu.

But for Zhonghui, there is a big difference. Without the reinforcements from Soochow, Zhonghui would not be able to last long. If he was defeated by Yang Hu, Zhonghui would have a miserable end. It is a relatively mild end, I am afraid that according to Sima Yan's method, Zhong Hui's life will be worse than death.

But if he joins Soochow, even if he loses his territory and military power, Lu Kang can still guarantee that Zhonghui's throne will not be lost. In the end, he will be a carefree and carefree vassal king for the rest of his life, which is already the best Soochow can give him. treated.

In the end, Zhong Hui sat there dejectedly. Instead of being executed by Sima Yan Lingchi, it would be better to agree to Lu Kang's request. Now Zhong Hui looks like he has nothing to love in his life.

This is a painful decision, but it is a choice that has to be made.

Zhong Hui waved at Wang Mai, signaling him to go to Yiyang again, but at this moment Xia Houxian stood up and said, "Your Majesty, we actually have another choice."

(End of this chapter)