Chu State, Yingdu.

In the cold winter, in the middle of the Marquis of Chu's mansion.

Cai Tong was wrapped in a shabby mink fur and was sitting in the courtyard of the Hou Mansion.

Cai Tong was frugal, and in addition to a pot of hot wine on the table, he put a few dishes on the table.

Pickles, peanuts, dried fish. These dishes, which are usually on the table of ordinary fishermen, are not disgusted at all when this Chu Hou who guards one side eats them.

Since the Yun Rebellion was put down, Cai Tong gradually handed over the political affairs of the Chu State to Cai Yun to deal with, and he gradually became idle.

Cai Tong retreated into the background, in fact, he is already in a semi-retired state. However, a series of important decisions of the Chu State, Cai Yun can't make the decision at this time, and Cai Tong needs to take the idea.

"Father, since the last time our army delivered ten warships to Shu, these days, our army has built six more. On the other hand, Wu has built faster than us, and has already built ten ships. ”

Cai Yun stood in front of Cai Tong and did not sit down, reporting very respectfully.

Cai Tong took a sip of hot wine and smacked his lips.

"Those little cubs of the Hou family, don't be underestimated!"

At this moment, in the South China Sea, Shu's navy is dominant. The naval army of the Southwest County has the largest territory, the most warships, and the strongest sea clan warriors. Compared with the naval armies of Wu and Chu, they are more than one level behind.

However, this did not affect the development of the naval army between Wu and Chu. After all, there are huge benefits in the vast ocean, which can bring huge financial revenues to Wu and Chu every year.

In addition to the direct benefits obtained by the official naval armies of Wu and Chu in their crusade against the Sea Tribe, there are also various industries related to them and the corresponding commercial tax revenues.

These revenues greatly alleviated the embarrassing financial situation of Wu and Chu, and also allowed Wu and Chu to quickly recover from the trauma suffered by Wu and Chu in their previous war with the Liang army.

Although the national strength of Wu and Chu has decreased a lot, after the initial turmoil, the situation has been stabilized.

In this era, the territory held by the various princes has been stabilized, but they are also expanding their living space.

Jingyun opened up Fengyuan, Zhu Zi managed the wasteland, and even Huan Wu also entered the land of Hehuang. And Cai Tong and Hou Tao expanded their sphere of influence to the sea.

"Indeed! The brothers of the Hou family are quite united, and only a year after the death of Hou Shen, the lord of Wu, they have stabilized the situation inside and outside Wu, and their national strength has begun to develop steadily. ”

"Stabilize the situation?" Cai Tong shook his head and looked at Cai Yun, but he smiled, "Back then, Hou Shen took the foundation of the Yan family, and then ruled the country with the army to prevent the big families in Wu Land, although the means were ruthless, they were inferior to his children. In this short year, how many people have been eaten by these little tigers? The clans of Wu Land are indeed honest, but they killed too hard, and the situation in Wu was not as stable as imagined. ”

"What does Father mean?"

"Hou Tao is young after all, and he has no prestige. In order to stabilize the situation inside and outside, he had to do something. At this time, it is very unwise to use troops abroad, and the best means is to marry and form strong foreign reinforcements to deter the country. ”

"Marriage?" Cai Yun was a little puzzled, "Who can Hou Tao marry to?" ”

Cai Tong sneered, glanced at Cai Ying, and said, "Silly boy, of course it's you!" Could it still be Yang Xian? ”

"Me?"

Cai Yun pointed at himself in surprise, he didn't expect it to be like this at all, but his face unconsciously appeared happy.

The two daughters of the Hou family are both beauties with beautiful faces and moon appearances, and their fame has spread all over the country.

"Silly boy, do you think that marrying the Hou family is a blessing? Marry a little tigress, and you can stand it in the future. ”

Cai Tong picked up a dried fish and chewed it. His cultivation is profound, and even at this age, his teeth are still stable.

"Lord!"

At this moment, Fan Yue came from outside. He looked very anxious all the way, and the snowflakes on his shoulders had not yet dispersed.

"What's going on?"

"News from the Divine Capital, Huan Wu is dead!"

Fan Yue's expression was very serious, but Cai Tong's expression was very complicated.

Cai Tong was stunned for a moment, seemingly a little incredulous, then became a little surprised and lonely, and finally, all the expressions on his face were annihilated, and the fear in his heart that had been depressed for many years turned into a long laugh.

"Huan Wu, you are still ahead of me after all! Happy, when floating a big white. ”

The happiness on Cai Tong's face was something Cai Yun had never seen before.

Cai Tong had unified the territory of the current state of Chu many years ago, but after more than ten years, he was first suppressed by Jin Xiu of Nanyang, and then bullied by Huan Wu. After all these years, how can I breathe a sigh of relief?

Especially Huan Wu, the pressure he brought to Cai Tong was definitely not comparable to Jin Xiu, but a matter of life and death. Cai Tong has been thrifty for more than ten years, and has spent all his resources on the Xiangshui defense line on the front line, and he can't wait to spend a penny in half, which is caused by the pressure of Huan Wu.

And now, Huan Wu is dead, and a big stone that was pressing on Cai Tong's heart has quietly moved away. But Cai Tong didn't be happy for long, and his face showed sadness again.

"Huan Wu is dead, but Yang Xian is still alive!"

Since mastering the state of Chu, there are only two people who can bring Cai Tong that kind of pressure that is almost breathless. One is Huan Wu, and the other is Yang Xian.

And now Huan Wu is dead, but Yang Xian is still in Shu, and the 50,000 Zhichong army is still stationed in Jiangzhou, looking at them condescendingly, threatening the life and death of Chu.

What's even more worrying is that Huan Wu is dead, who else in the world can balance Yang Xian?

Calming down, Cai Tong looked at Fan Yue and asked, "How did Huan Wu arrange it before he died?" ”

Huan Wu let Huan Qi inherit the position of the prince of Lianghou, and let Chang Yu serve as the governor of Yongzhou to control the military and political power of Yongzhou. In addition, he also let the sheep check stay in the land of the river and continue to establish the upper rhino ride. ”

"Chang Yu, Yang Jian, Huan Wu has played a good deck of cards!" Cai Tong touched his beard, and then asked, "What about other places?" ”

"Chu Sui garrisoned Wancheng, Huan Yi Tun troops Luyang, Zhao Gong guarded Xuzhou, Zhu Jian stayed in Bingzhou, Zheng Da moved to Jizhou, Zhang Rui transferred to Yangzhai, and Huan Zhong and Huan Gong were transferred to Shendu, together with Xu Jin, in charge of the northern and southern armies. In addition, Huan Gong's Jizhou army was divided, part of it was given to Zheng Da, part was given to Zhang Rui, and part was entered into the divine capital. And the 10,000 heavy armor in the Jizhou Legion continued to stay in Shenwu City. ”

Cai Tong nodded, but heard Fan Yue say: "Lord, should we take this opportunity to march into Nanyang and test it?" ”

Cai Tong shook his head and said, "After Huan Wu's death, the situation has become quite delicate, so wait and see what happens for the time being. In addition, let Wei He lead his troops to Pingling. ”

Don't guard against Liang but Shu, Cai Tong's worries in his heart at this time are exposed.