Counting the Wu army that fled with Sun Sheng will not exceed about 15,000 people, and there are many of them who are lightly poisoned and injured, and in a few days, according to Gongsun Jian's calculations, it is estimated that Sun Sheng's men will not be able to have more than 10,000 people in combat. That is to say, through several encounters, nearly 20,000 troops of the Wu army were effectively killed and wounded.

An army that has been hit like this has basically lost any combat effectiveness. Moreover, in a few days, the army supported by the Zhou State would be able to arrive. At this moment, if Sun Sheng was smart, he would take the initiative to withdraw from the army. Otherwise, it is likely that the whole army will be surrendered to the territory of the Zhou State. This also reflects what Gongsun Jian said to Sun Sheng at the beginning, every soldier of Wu who crossed the border of Zhou State would not return alive.

To say that Sun Sheng still had some luck, at least his direct 3,000-person pro-army did not suffer too much blow. Because there is a system in the army of Wu State, the generals of the unified army and the pro-army directly under them are all eaten later. So they effectively avoid food poisoning. But it was hit by the confusion and sudden defeat of the army. Especially the 'bombing' at the beginning of Ding Feng's leadership.

After retreating for nearly 100 miles all the way, Sun Sheng finally gathered the defeated subordinates. But at this time, he had no more than 7,000 men. Thinking that the reinforcements of the Zhou State would soon arrive, they had to retreat to the border of the Wu State in a hurry. It was not until the Zhenyuan Pass at the junction of the two countries that he stopped to reorganize the people.

After contacting the soldiers and horses in charge of defense in Wu, and collecting and storing some supplies, grain, and grass, Sun Sheng began to redeploy his troops. Concentrate his men and horses in the camp at Zhenyuan Pass and its two wings. Prevent the Zhou State from taking advantage of the situation to regain lost territory and attack the Wu State. At the same time, he asked Wu to send troops, horses, grain and grass to urgently support the front line.

Sun Sheng knew very well that he had failed this time, and it would not be easy to fight again. And what we have to guard against at this moment is the counteroffensive of the Zhou State. King Min, the great prince of Zhou, is not a vegetarian. If you don't get it right, in the end, Wu will cede the land and sue for peace. At that time, don't look at your own brother as Emperor Wu, but you may also sell yourself in exchange for the understanding and peace of the Zhou State.

Therefore, the only thing Sun Sheng could do at the moment was to ask the Wu court to increase the troops, and at the same time find a way to hold Zhenyuan Pass with all his might.

Zhenyuan Pass is the first city located in the territory of Zhou on the border between Wu and Yue, and it is the transit of Wu State fifty miles away from here. Therefore, only by holding this place can the battle of Wu not be completely defeated. But there is no need to think about it, it is impossible for Zhou Guo to be willing to lose this border pass easily, otherwise those towns behind him are almost impossible to defend, and they are all within the attack range of Wu State.

Therefore, the battle between Wu and Yue to determine the final victory or defeat of the war will inevitably revolve around Zhenyuan Pass.

Three days later, Qian Yan, the prince of Zhou, rushed to Linshui County with his vanguard. But he was surprised to find that Wu's army had actually retreated. Linshui County is organizing manpower to repair facilities such as the city wall and the docks, warehouses and other facilities outside the city. to eliminate the effects of war.

Although he has been in the army for many years, Qian Yan is still no stranger to Gongsun Jian. The two of them didn't have much contact before, but Qian Yan still knew a little about the rumors about Gongsun Jian before. Especially when he took his men and horses to Linshui County, Gongsun Jian had actually led the militia to defeat the army of 30,000 people of Wu State, which surprised Qian Yan a lot.

Arrange for the army to camp outside the city. Liu Dayuan, the magistrate of the county, took Gongsun Jian and other officials from Linshui County out of the city to pay homage to Qian Yan, the king of Fujian. How to say that he is also a prince, and Liu Dayuan is the No. 1 chief official in Linshui County. Bringing his subordinates and others to greet him was the right thing to do.

Qian Yan's face was very serious, and he didn't smile. At first glance, you can tell that he is not the kind of person who is too good at dealing with people. After simply exempting everyone, he chatted with Liu Dayuan and sent them back. signaled that he would not go into the city to rest and go to the banquet, so he lived in the military camp outside the city and waited for the arrival of the army behind, and asked Liu Dayuan to arrange to raise some grain and grass.

When everyone was about to withdraw, Qian Yan left Gongsun Jian alone to speak.

Only Qian Yan and Gongsun Jian were left in the handsome tent, but at this time, Qian Yan rarely smiled and said: "Gongxian Lieutenant, if it weren't for the sudden death of the imperial concubine, I'm afraid this king would have called you brother-in-law now." ”

Gongsun Jian smiled awkwardly, nodded and said, "Actually, it's a matter of time." After Mingyue's mourning is over, I will go back to marry her. ”

"Hahaha, weren't you reluctant to marry Mingyue's girl before? Why did you suddenly change your character. Qian Yan deliberately teased. Gongsun Jian scratched his scalp and replied: "I was young and ignorant before, and I have never seen Mingyue." Later......"

"Okay, let's not talk about that." Qian Yan also saw Gongsun Jian's embarrassment, waved his hand and said, "When there is no one in private, you and I will be commensurate with Uncle Lang." You said it yourself sooner or later. Brother-in-law, let me ask you. What is going on with the defeat of the Wu army? The military emergency report from Jin Longwei before said that Linshui County was in danger. ”

Faced with Qian Yan's inquiry, Gongsun Jian had to tell the story of the incident. It's just that some key points are hidden, such as explosives and other things in your hands. Although with Qian Yan's ability and Jin Longwei's investigation, it must be something that cannot be hidden. It's just that Gongsun Jian doesn't admit it for the time being, and you can't do anything about him.

The two chatted for a long time, during which Qian Yan also asked Gongsun Jian about how to conquer Zhenyuan Pass and completely defeat the Wu army. Gongsun Jian also put forward some of his own personal opinions, but they were just some things that were read from the book. He didn't say what he really thought.

In the end, Qian Yan also warmly invited Gongsun Jian to stay for dinner.

"Brother-in-law, you can't drink alcohol in the army during wartime. Therefore, this king will toast you with tea instead of wine. Qian Yan picked up the teacup and said to Gongsun Jian. Gongsun Jian had no choice but to pick up the wine glass in front of him. He is not a soldier under Qian Yan, so he is not subject to military regulations.

After the two drank a cup of drink, Qian Yan spoke again: "I heard that brother-in-law, you have also served under my master Xu Hu. ”

"Yes, but my official position is low, and it is rare to see the governor of the capital. It was only after he made some merits that he was summoned by the Metropolitan Governor. Later, I became a civilian officer and left the Northern Army. ”

"Hahaha, then the two of us can be regarded as comrades, and now we are relatives. Come, come, this king will toast you again. As he spoke, Qian Yan picked up the teacup again. Gongsun Jian's MMP with a belly. The heart says that you drink tea and I drink, what does it mean for you to have a left cup and a right cup to respect? Could it be that you want to get me drunk with a good cliché?

"Uncle, there are no outsiders in your tent. Besides, you and I are both soldiers. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it directly. Gongsun Jian drank the wine in his glass, looked at Qian Yan and said.

When Qian Yan heard this, his face changed slightly, but he quickly calmed down. After a moment of silence, he looked at Gongsun Jian very seriously and asked, "Brother-in-law, what do you think of the situation between Korea and China?" ”

Gongsun Jian shook his head and said, "I don't have any opinion. But I think what you're asking about the court shouldn't be about the court, but about the crown prince, right? ”

Qian Yan was slightly stunned and nodded slightly.

"Then what do you think of the selection of the crown prince?"

Gongsun Jian didn't rush to answer Qian Yan's question, but asked rhetorically, "Isn't the eldest brother interested in that seat?" ”

Qian Yan's expression was a little gloomy, he shook his head and sighed, and then said in a low voice: "Hey! Actually, to be honest, I wasn't interested in that seat at all. I just like to be in the army with my generals. But you can also see what happened to my imperial uncle, King Chu. When I was young, my uncle was the same as me, and his ability to lead troops into battle was a hundred times stronger than mine. Even my master, Xu Hu, the Metropolitan Governor, thought that if he led the two armies against each other, he would not be the opponent of Uncle Huang. But what? Since his father ascended the throne, the emperor's uncle has resigned from all official positions and lived in seclusion. Even the royal palace hardly took a step. Speaking of this, Qian Yan paused, and then glanced at Gongsun Jian.

"Brother-in-law. I know you have a good relationship with your third brother. Can you help build a bridge for your brother secretly? ”

Gongsun Jian looked at Qian Yan with some confusion and asked, "Uncle, are you going to secretly help King Wei to win the heir?" ”

Qian Yan nodded and said: "If the second or seventh child succeeds to the throne, they are both born to the queen, and they will definitely not tolerate me." And my best ending is at most the same as Uncle Huang's now. But if the third child ascends the throne, maybe with your help brother-in-law, I can still stay in the army and continue to serve. ”

"Then you didn't think about sitting in that seat yourself?"

Qian Yan smiled helplessly, then reached out and picked up the wine jug in front of Gongsun Jian and poured himself a glass of wine, and said bitterly after drinking it all: "My only backer is in the army, and only in the Northern Army." But even so, not all the generals in the Northern Army will follow my orders. My mother was just a palace maid at the beginning, and her family didn't have any power. It's very difficult for me to sit in that seat. So the only way out is to take refuge in a promising prince. The fourth and fifth are concubines like me, and they are all mediocre. Speaking of which, the sixth child is your aunt and cousin, but you should also know the situation of your father-in-law, my father will never make the sixth prince the prince. And although the second child is the queen's concubine, his ambition has never been valued by his father. Then the only ones who can hope to inherit the throne are the third child and the seventh child of the queen. As for the other younger brothers, they are too young and their foundations are not strong. ”

"But I listened to your analysis, how do I think that King Wei may not have hope?" Gongsun Jian couldn't help but raise the doubts in his heart. In fact, Gongsun Jian already had the answer in his heart, but he just wanted to test Qian Yan again.

"Hehe, brother-in-law! Don't look at me, I've been a soldier at the border, but I've been secretly paying attention to the affairs of the DPRK and China. Qian Yan smiled and said, "Don't look at the queen, she has a lot of power in the harem. But her personality is too domineering, so the other concubines in the harem don't like her. And the most popular thing in the harem is your aunt. Above the court, although the Chen family is supported by his father behind his back, he is still a little tender to fight with the nobles and your father-in-law. It can be said that once the father emperor cannot completely suppress the nobles in his lifetime. Then in the future, even if Lao Qi ascends the throne, he may not be able to sit firmly. With these factors, then the one who has hope is the third. The third child was raised by your aunt since childhood. Speaking of which, it is almost the same as the sixth child, which is equivalent to her son. And Mingyue is your future daughter-in-law, who has also been taken care of by your aunt since she was a child, and has the closest relationship with the third child. Tell me for yourself, no matter what the reason, you and the public should be able to help the third child, right? Of course, there is also a possibility that in the future, maybe the sixth child will have a chance. But I think it follows my father's temper and temperament. Hehe......"

The rest of the words, although Qian Yan did not say it explicitly. But Gongsun Jian also understood the meaning. It is nothing more than that once Emperor Yue is about to die, he will definitely make a move on the public in advance.

Seeing that Gongsun Jian was contemplative and didn't say anything, Qian Yan spoke again: "This time I led the troops to the battle, which is the best opportunity to grasp the military power. In this way, the Northern Army has my master, and the Western Army has me, and I heard that your brother-in-law is very good at making money, and you can also lead troops to fight. As long as the DPRK and China have won over those nobles again. It is not impossible to push the third child to succeed to the throne. This is the only way to protect your family. Brother-in-law! Think about it yourself. ”