Zhao Jun did not pay much attention to the situation in Jingzhou and the southern princes' lands, except for the movement of the armies of the various princes, the Zhao army was still in the territory of Henan Mansion north of Nanyang Mansion, and began to establish military camps and set up camps.

Although looking at the posture, Zhao Jun has no intention of going south, after all, at this moment, Nanyang Mansion only has the army of the King of Hanzhong and the King of Luoyang. If Zhao Jun goes south at this moment, it will be in the best interest of Zhao Jun.

But regardless of whether Zhao Jun had the intention of going south or not, Situ Hao and Situ Fei did not dare to be careless. After all, no one dared to guarantee that the Zhao army would no longer raid Nanyang Mansion like the land of Dongyongzhou. Therefore, while sending people to strengthen the city defenses in various parts of Nanyang Mansion and sending a large number of scouts, the two asked the Shu army and the Qi army to speed up and rush to Nanyang Mansion to support.

The Zhao army's surprise attack on Dongyongzhou not only surprised the southern princes, but also the Zhao army. The only thing that knew that the Zhao army was not attacking the Chu army, and there were only the generals of the town army of the Zhao army and the high-level officials of the Chu army who participated in the operation. Although Chu Jun knew that Zhao Jun's goal was not himself, he also did not know what Zhao Jun's goal was.

Now the Zhao army has taken the land of Dongyongzhou in less than a month, and the soldiers forced Emperor Yan to surrender, which not only made the whole Zhao country rejoice. Even the Chu army was surprised by the speed of Zhao's march.

The envoy of the Zhao army brought the news that the Chu army would accept the reorganization of the Zhao army, and that the king of Chu and the upper echelons of the Chu army would go to Luoyang City to meet the king of Zhao, and that the middle and low-level officials and officers of the Chu army would enter the royal academy to study for half a year to a year, and that they would be rearranged. When the news reached the hands of the King of Chu, it also made the upper-level officials of the Chu army discuss it.

After the news came out that the Zhao army did not start a war against the Chu army, but launched a surprise attack on the Luo army in Dongyongzhou, many people in the Chu army and among the civil and military officials understood that there must be a deep connection between the king of Chu and the Zhao army, and even the king of Chu had surrendered to the Zhao state. Although the king of Chu did not admit it, he also did not clarify this statement.

Suddenly, the Chu army knew that the king of Chu was afraid that he had really surrendered to the Zhao army, and even the people of Xuzhou also knew the news. For the people of Xuzhou, they are naturally rejoicing. After all, the war was far away from the land of Xuzhou, and besides, Zhao's policy was much better than Xuzhou's, and the people of Xuzhou naturally wanted to enjoy the same policy under Zhao's rule. Therefore, the people of Xuzhou all agreed with the Chu army's surrender to Zhao.

However, the Chu army had different opinions, some were willing to surrender to Zhao, and some were unwilling to surrender to Zhao, and in general, those who were willing to surrender still had the upper hand. In particular, the Zhao army raided Dongyongzhou, and in just one month, Dongyongzhou was taken, not to mention the defeat of the Luo army, and the Yan Emperor was also forced, which was enough to make the civil and military officials and generals of the Chu army feel the pressure doubled. So, willing to ghost know still has the upper hand. Of course, the most important thing is that the high-level of the Chu army and the descendants of the king of Chu are all with the king of Chu, and how the king of Chu makes decisions, they naturally follow.

"This is an order from King Zhao, what do you think?" King Chu said lightly.

General Wei Li Han frowned and said: "Let's meet King Zhao in Luoyang, it's nothing, after all, we are surrendering to the Zhao army, how the other party arranges, this is not up to us." However, this reorganization of the army and the transfer of middle and low-level officials to the Royal Academy to study are aimed at completely breaking up our Chu army and completely isolating our relationship with the Chu army. In other words, from now on, the Chu army will cease to exist. Not to mention half a year to a year's study, even if the Chu army is scattered and reorganized, it is enough to make the Chu army cease to exist. ”

Although Li Han did not say what he meant, his words also showed his dissatisfaction. After all, since then, their Li clan no longer has real power in their hands. The old situation of having troops in hand will completely disappear. This is indeed a little unwilling for a leading general and a member of the Li family.

Li Fanglin said lightly: "This is also normal, my Chu army has surrendered to the Zhao State, if King Zhao does not completely break up the Chu army, he will rest assured?" Even if he was relieved, the courtiers of the Zhao State would be relieved? If Zhao State lets you hold the military power, will you surrender to Zhao State with confidence? Don't talk about King Zhao, even if other princes stand in the perspective of King Zhao, they will do the same. In this way, we can return to Zhao with confidence. ”

"To put it too much, if we still have a crush on this Chu army, I'm afraid that even if Zhao Guo accepts us now, in the future, in order to prevent our Li family's tail from falling out, it will ......."

Zhendong General Li Yi said in a deep voice: "What Fang Lin said is reasonable, King Zhao did this, so I dare to surrender with confidence." However, the generals below are afraid that they will not understand, and let them completely hand over the rights in their hands, but I am afraid that they will not be reconciled. ”

Zuo Cheng Li Fangzong sneered secretly, these people are reluctant to give up the rights in their hands, and the generals below will not be willing? Is this Chu army in charge of yours or the generals below? However, Li Fangzong did not say much.

General Wei Li Zhe said coldly: "Your Majesty, in the humble opinion of your subordinates, at this moment, there is no need for us to make a decision immediately. Although the Zhao army now occupies Dongyongzhou, the southern princes will not stop there. Although the Zhao army took the land of Dongyongzhou in less than a month, the soldiers forced Emperor Yan to surrender. However, this is also because there are not many Luo troops in the land of Dongyongzhou. You must know that the Luo army and the southern princes thought that the target of the Zhao army was us, so most of the Luo army's army was in Jingzhou, and they were not transferred to Dongyongzhou in time to garrison. ”

In addition, the Zhao army's surprise attack on Dongyongzhou also caught the Luo army off guard, and it was a big defeat. As for forcing Emperor Yan down, this is also the master of the old ministers of Great Yan in Luoyang City. Although this Luoyang City is the capital of Dayan, it is also the fief of the King of Luoyang. And the Emperor Yan who did it is just a puppet in the hands of the King of Luoyang, who cares about this Emperor Yan? ”

"Therefore, there is no need for us to be jealous of Zhao Jun because of Zhao Jun's rapid victory this time. According to intelligence, the southern princes and the land of Jingzhou gathered to prepare for a big battle with the Zhao army. At this time, Zhao Jun can no longer take care of us, and at this moment, we also have the ability to decide our own way out. It should be said that now Zhao Xun should be worried about whether our Chu army will fight back against them at this moment. ”

Li Fangyu said coldly: "Li Zhe, don't forget, Wang Shizi is still in the hands of Zhao Jun." Do what you say, Wang Shizi's life will be difficult to protect. "Li Fangyu and Li Fanglin are both Li Fangzong's younger brothers, and the two naturally understand Li Fangzong's choice, and they both think that descending Zhao is the best choice for Chu Jun now, and it is also the only choice. However, whether it is Li Fangzong, who is Zuo Cheng, Li Fanglin, who is the head of Hucao, or Li Fangyu, who is the head of Cao, are all civilian officials, and they have no military power in their hands, so they can't have too much influence at this moment. In troubled times, the status of military generals is higher than that of civilian officials.

Li Zhe said in a deep voice: "We didn't attack the Zhao army immediately, why should the Zhao army embarrass the prince?" We can completely delay time under the pretext of rectifying the Chu army and preparing for the merger of the Chu army and the Zhao army. On the one hand, looking at the situation and results of the war between the two sides in Jingzhou, it is also convenient for us to make a choice. On the other hand, it was also good to secretly inform Wang Shizi and let him leave the Zhao army and return to Xuzhou. ”

Li Fangyu said disdainfully: "Jingzhou War? Which of you dares to say that the Zhao army is going to fight with the southern princes in Jingzhou? Who can guarantee that there will be a war? In addition, the southern princes did not agree with each other, even if it was a big war, it would be difficult to match the Zhao army. The Zhao army is up and down, and the southern princes' coalition army, not to mention, is the army of the princes, who will be dispatched? How to cooperate? Where the food and grass for the army came from is a problem. If it is really a big battle, the final result will be the victory of Zhao Jun. At that point, how do you choose? ”

Li Zhe said in a deep voice: "If the Zhao army and the southern princes do not go to war, then, we will take advantage of the situation, and there is no way to do it." If it's a big war, then our chance has come. ”

"As you said, the Zhao army does have a great advantage to a certain extent, but the army of the southern princes can fight on multiple fronts. And the Zhao army may not have won all the battlefields in one battle. Even if Zhao Jun wins in the end, Zhao Jun is also exhausted. It had to guard against not only the southern princes, but also the northern Turks, the stability of the Western Regions, and other problems. By that time, all the princes will be greatly weakened, and we will not have a chance? ”

Immediately afterwards, Li Ying, Li Fang and others also all agreed with Li Zhe's opinion. Even Li Yi, the general of Zhendong, couldn't help nodding secretly. He was unwilling to give up the rights in his hands, and now that he has the opportunity to go further, how can he give up?

Since then, seeing the reactions of Li Zhe and several generals, Li Fangzong knew that Li Chi, the king of Chu, had chosen Li Zhe's opinion. Otherwise, he would not have taken Li Hao's safety to heart. In fact, everyone understands that Li Hao is in the Zhao army, and it is definitely not so easy to turn back. In other words, they have put aside the life of Li Hao, the son of the king.

Sure enough, Li Chi, the king of Chu, also showed a hint of intention and a shallow smile on his face at this moment, and Li Fangzong understood that Li Chi had already made up his mind. Immediately, he signaled to his two younger brothers not to let them object to Li Zhe's words again.

"Fangzong, you are the Zuo Cheng of the Chu Army, and the head of the civil officials of my Chu Army, what do you think?" Li Chi asked with a smile.

Li Fangzong said in a deep voice: "What General Li Zhe said is not unreasonable. However, many soldiers in the Chu army agreed with the surrender of Zhao, and the people of Xuzhou also agreed with the surrender of Zhao. In this way, there will definitely be some trouble in the future. However, if things are as General Li Zhe said, these problems will no longer be difficult problems. ”

Because Li Chi had already made up his mind, it was inconvenient for Li Fangzong to oppose it anymore. As for the success rate of this matter, Zhao Jun's reaction and other issues, he didn't say much. In addition, on the surface, although he seems to agree with Li Zhe's opinion, he also said that if things are as Li Zhe said, there will be a possibility of success, if not, even if he fails, he can't blame himself.

In mid-July, reinforcements from the Qi army and the Shu army finally arrived at the boundary of Nanyang Mansion in Jingbei. Nanyang Mansion suddenly became a gathering place for military camps, and in the entire territory of Nanyang Mansion, a total of 80,000 troops from all directions have been gathered, which is almost the same as the strength of the Zhao army. In addition, under the edict of the king of Hanzhong and the king of Luoyang, Nanyang Mansion recruited more than 40,000 young people.

Therefore, in terms of overall military strength, the coalition forces of Nanyang Mansion have exceeded the number of troops of the Zhao army. In addition, Dongyongzhou is a new place, and the Zhao army not only cannot immediately collect it for its own use, but also has to stay in various places. In addition, the Zhao army also had to beware of the Han army to the west of Hangu Pass, and needed to garrison the land of Hongnongfu. Therefore, the number of troops that the Zhao army can use is only less than 70,000. The remaining 30,000 people are stationed in various places.

All of a sudden, the entire land of Jingbei and the south of Luoyang was covered with war clouds, and the atmosphere in the two places suddenly became tense, and the activities of the people in the cities to which the two places belonged became less. Compared with Jingzhou, in the land of Dongyongzhou, Zhao Xun did not recruit local youth. For the people of Dongyongzhou, who were accustomed to being recruited by the former government to garrison the city, they felt that the Zhao army was unusual.

Although the army was gathered, neither side had any intention of attacking the other. The coalition army of the southern princes was in the land of Nanyang Prefecture, beware of the Zhao army's attack, and the Zhao army set up a joint camp in the southern counties of Henan Province, stationed on the spot, and had no intention of going south. In the territory of Dongyongzhou, the Zhao army began to take over the army in an orderly manner to implement the new policy. Although the front line has the meaning of a big war, the people in the land of Dongyongzhou began to cheer. The people here are happy that Zhao's new policy has finally come to their heads.

The Zhao army did not move, and the coalition forces of Nanyang Mansion also did not dare to move lightly. You must know that although the coalition forces have the advantage in strength, the coalition forces are coalition forces after all, and it is difficult to cooperate perfectly. It's good that there are no problems with each other. In just half a month, the king of Hanzhong and the king of Luoyang have made a big deal about the problems of the allied forces.

"Damn, what does this Zhao Jun want? Fight and not fight, retreat and not retreat! Even Situ Hao, the depressed king of Luoyang, is also frowning at the moment. More than 100,000 soldiers and civilians, the daily consumption is enough to make their heads as big as a fight. If we go on like this, not to mention the problem of fighting, even food, it is a big problem that is difficult to solve.

"Big brother, it seems that Zhao Jun has no intention of going south. However, if he continues to stalemate like this, we will be out of luck. Not to mention the problem of grain and grass, it is enough to make it difficult for people to bear the daily disputes between the armies. Situ Fei also had a bitter face and said in a muffled voice.

At this moment, Situ Fei finally understood that he had thought about the problem simply. In fact, to garrison Jingzhou, it is enough to just be yourself and the Luo army. It's just that he wants to use the strength of the Shu army and the Qi army to defeat the Zhao army in Dongyongzhou and recover Dongyongzhou, so as to avoid Xiyongzhou becoming a lone army. But now it seems that this is simply not possible.

"Alas...... If the Shu army and the Qi army can cooperate with us sincerely, the Zhao army on the opposite side is not a difficult problem to solve at all, as long as the Zhao army on the opposite side does not increase the troops, we can completely take the land of Dongyongzhou. It's a pity......" Situ Fei couldn't help but sigh.

Most of the coalition forces in Nanyang Mansion were the armies of the kings of Hanzhong and Luoyang, and the Qi and Chu armies accounted for only a very small part. If they cooperate sincerely, they will be able to defeat the Zhao army in Dongyongzhou if they increase their troops so far and the army will come out together. In addition, he himself contained the Zhao army from Chang'an, and the Qi army went out of Yangzhou to contain the Zhao army in Yuzhou, and he would definitely be able to recapture Dongyongzhou in a very short period of time, before the Zhao army could mobilize the army. It's a pity that the Qi army and the Shu army are not willing to fight the Zhao army in an all-round way, and they are not willing to take back the land of Dongyongzhou for themselves and the king of Luoyang.

Situ Hao smiled bitterly: "Forget it, don't think about taking back Dongyongzhou." According to the spy report, Zhao Jun has implemented a new policy in Dongyongzhou and has been supported by the people of Dongyongzhou. As long as they want, they can recruit tens of thousands of young men from the land of Dongyongzhou to fight at any time. These young men who have received the benefits of Zhao Jun are stronger than the young men we have recruited. After all, they are fighting for their interests. ”

"In addition, there are also a lot of soldiers in Dongyongzhou, and now their families have received the benefits of Zhao Jun, and they have all begun to join Zhao Jun and receive training. The county soldiers and government soldiers of the Zhao army in various places are composed of the soldiers of the Zhao army mixed with these soldiers. In other words, the more than 30,000 soldiers of the Zhao army can be transferred back to the front line at any time. ”

"Now in the land of Dongyongzhou, it can be said that the upper and lower levels have begun to serve Zhao Jun. And here, we are still entangled because of internal problems. ”

After a pause, Situ Hao said again: "My family is still in Luoyang City and has not been killed by Zhao Xun. Since I can't fight, I don't want to kill them for the sake of an impossible victory. ”

Situ Fei knew that his eldest brother loved his children very much, and when he saw Situ Hao say this, he knew that it was impossible to recover Dongyongzhou this time. The two princes of the south are reluctant to send troops, and even the king of Luoyang, who has lost his lair, is unwilling to do it, so what can he do?

With a secret sigh in his heart, Situ Fei said with a gloomy expression: "Well, since this is the case, it is only impossible to fight with the Zhao army and recover Dongyongzhou." Then let's defend Nanyang Mansion and confront Zhao Jun in this place. By the way, big brother, Luoyang is lost, you Luoyang King ......"

Situ Hao said bitterly: "King Luoyang? What kind of king of Luoyang am I! ”

"Big brother, since that's the case, let's change the title. The eldest brother now occupies Jingzhou, and he can call himself the king of Xiangyang. Emperor Yan surrendered to the Zhao army, and the princes and kings canonized by Emperor Yan have no constraints, and the eldest brother can change them at will. ”

"Forget it, the king of Luoyang is the king of Luoyang, what's the use of changing these now? Since this place is guarded, in addition to the soldiers, these young men will be temporarily disbanded. If needed, they will be called up separately. If this continues, my treasury in Jingzhou will be empty. In addition, Dongyongzhou was taken by the Zhao army, and your land of Xiyongzhou is not very safe, especially the land of Chang'an Sanfu, which may face the attack of the Zhao army at any time. Now, what you need to do is to increase the defense of the three auxiliary lands of Chang'an. The kings of Qi and Shu did not want to see Jingzhou fall to the hands of the Zhao army, so they had to contribute. However, whether Xiyongzhou falls or not, they will not care. ”