“I’m tired.”

The Prince Regent rubbed his temples.

He believed in using people without suspicion, and he felt he wasn't lacking in this regard. The Emperor of Yan dared to trust his two marquises so completely; he, too, could trust Nian Yao implicitly.

But,

as the war continued,

the successive loss of cities and fortresses north of Zhennan Pass to the Yan, forcing a defensive contraction,

caused many nobles and officials in the court to shift their stance.

Memorials criticizing Nian Yao began to increase, many containing veiled accusations.

Beside him, Xiong Tingshan, who was leaning back while eating an apple and crossing his legs, laughed:

“Fourth Brother, just ignore those flies. They only cause trouble.”

The Prince Regent shook his head, tossed the memorial aside, leaned back slightly, and adopted a more comfortable position,

saying:

“I'm now somewhat thankful that the Emperor of Yan trampled the aristocratic clans and initiated the imperial examinations, essentially severing the aspirations of our Chu nobles.

Trampling the clans was a one-time smash, but the examinations are truly using a soft knife to cut at their roots.

Although like the Qian Kingdom, which governs through examinations, after a century, the scholar-officials seem similar to our nobles, ultimately, a new group of people will replace them, naturally causing a large number to fall.

If it weren't for this situation,

it would have been difficult for me to rally these nobles in a short time, getting them to provide troops, supplies, and manpower.”

Xiong Tingshan chewed on his apple and said:

“If he didn't trample the clans, what would Ji Runhao rely on to wage war externally? They are interdependent.”

If the Yan Kingdom were still the same Yan Kingdom, with powerful clans everywhere, and they invaded with such force, these Chu nobles might very well drag their feet, contributing troops but not effort.

At worst, the Xiong family would go to Yanjing and open a Chu Prince’s mansion next to the Jin Prince’s mansion; these great nobles would simply have a different Ji surname as their master, and continue living their lives.

Of course, life would likely be less stable than before, and everyone was used to the Xiong family being in charge. Changing leaders would certainly cause friction and inconvenience, but at least, everyone would have a way out.

If the Yan Emperor only wanted nominal unification, then everyone could consider giving it to him.

Like the desert court; when it was at its strongest a century ago, it couldn’t really control most of the desert tribes, but could command them to follow its banner in battle.

That’s how a pack leader operates;

but,

the Yan Emperor's actions were too decisive.

It's precisely because everyone understands that when the Yan enter, they won't be targets for co-option, but rather for purging and suppression, that their eight centuries of dignity and honor will disappear, that they quickly gathered around the Xiong family, working together to resist the Yan.

The fundamental contradiction has been grasped, and everyone is united; what remains are just minor details.

“The path to a strong nation is right before my eyes, yet I cannot achieve it. If only my father had died a few years later, if only I had waited a few more years; otherwise, I might have been able to cleanse the country before Ji Runhao did. Then it wouldn’t be the Yan attacking Zhennan Pass, but our Chu army knocking on the gates of Matishan.”

The Fifth Prince never had any affection for the late Emperor. As a son almost abandoned by the late Emperor, it was no big deal for him to use disrespectful language about him.

“Fourth Brother, that’s where you’re wrong. You're too nice. If you had told your brother earlier, I might have been able to help you clear the Emperor's inner circle, haha.”

Xiong Tingshan laughed as he spoke.

The Prince Regent glared at Xiong Tingshan, his Fifth Brother, who had become increasingly natural in front of him since he had let down his guard and entered Yingdu.

However, the Prince Regent quite liked this feeling of brotherly affection.

Because the other brothers had all been placed under house arrest and were only responsible for producing children.

“Furthermore, I agree that Nian Yao, that slave, is skilled in warfare. Regardless of whether it's intentional or unintentional, to be honest, as long as our Chu holds on in this battle and the Yan retreat,

firstly, the private armies of these nobles will be largely depleted, greatly weakened.

In short, this struggle for the world, this dragon throne, is thirty percent legitimacy and seventy percent military strength. If those great nobles were all like the Jing family, we would be willing to enshrine them all.

Secondly, through this war, Fourth Brother, you can centrally coordinate, and then, with the integration of troops, after the battle, there will be no more private armies; even if there were before, after the war, they will all become our Chu army.

Thirdly, if we win this battle, Fourth Brother, you can ascend the throne with momentum and then consolidate power more easily.”

“Using the Yan’s knife to cut off our own tumors, Fifth Brother, you really dare to think. You must know, if that knife deviates even a little, goes in even an inch more, this life might be lost.”

“If we lose, we lose; if we win, we win. It all depends on fate. I trust Fourth Brother’s ability. I think I haven’t misjudged you.

By the way, I heard the mutton soup in Juyang City is very famous. I’ve already sent someone to call a chef to make it. Would you like a bowl later, Fourth Brother?”

The Prince Regent nodded.

“Actually, I also know that Fourth Brother, your grand tour out of the capital this time is to support Nian Yao, that slave; firstly, to reassure Nian Yao, and secondly, to silence those people.

But Yingdu is the core of our Chu. I feel uneasy when Fourth Brother isn't there.”

“Don’t worry, after leaving the capital region, I’ll only go half a prefecture further north before returning to the capital. I just need to make this stance clear, to tell those people that I trust my own slave, and I will never change commanders mid-battle, doing such a foolish thing that digs my own grave;

if Nian Yao can’t defend Zhennan Pass, then I’ll just lead the army myself.

To say a thousand words,

it’s really more useful to take a trip myself;

those people, even if I tell them what’s in my heart, they’ll think it’s a ruler's tactic and try to figure out my deeper meaning. Isn’t it ridiculous?”

“Who calls an emperor both an emperor and a despot? Isn’t it because of this? Even when I’m talking to you now, Fourth Brother, I seem frank, but in reality, I’m being careful.”

“Are you asking for a beating?”

“Alright, alright, Fourth Brother, have mercy. I really can’t beat you. I surrender, I surrender.”

The brothers had really fought before,

and Xiong Tingshan had lost.

Many times, Xiong Tingshan didn’t think that Grand Yan Marshal was so great. A peak Third-Rank martial artist, and a divine strategist?

But the Emperor of their Chu was also a master, and could govern the country as well.

Just then,

Deng Man hurriedly ran in,

kneeling on the ground,

answering without waiting for the Prince Regent to ask:

“Your Majesty, urgent military report from the front lines! A force of Yan troops suddenly appeared in the Wei River and has captured Jing City!”

Xiong Tingshan crushed the remaining half of the apple in his hand, stood up abruptly, and roared:

“What!”

The Prince Regent also stiffened,

“How… is that possible?”

But such serious military intelligence couldn’t be wrong.

“Jing City is lost? How did the Yan come from behind?” Xiong Tingshan nearly roared.

With the loss of Jing City, the entire Shanggu Prefecture's situation instantly deteriorated beyond repair!

The Prince Regent immediately calmed down,

and said:

“Prince Ding, receive the decree!”

Xiong Tingshan immediately knelt down,

“Your subject is here!”

“Order you to quickly lead troops north and retake Jing City as soon as possible! I don't care how that Yan army got there! I want you to completely annihilate them!”

“Your subject obeys!”

Then,

Xiong Tingshan looked up at the Prince Regent,

and said:

“Your Majesty, please return to the capital quickly to oversee the overall situation.”

The Prince Regent waved his hand,

and said:

“No, I still need to stay in Juyang City for a few days. The news of Jing City's fall can't be concealed. I can't panic. I must remain steady, so that Chu can remain steady.

I'll return to the capital in a few days.”

………

It is said that when Chancellor Han had not yet entered the Grand Council and was not yet a Chancellor, he led troops into the southwest as a civilian official to quell a rebellion by the local chieftains. When he first entered the army in the southwest, he invited all the generals to stand in the marshal's tent and listen to his views on the war, hoping that the generals could implement and understand his established policy.

Chancellor Han had mentioned concepts such as "speed is essential in warfare" and "the battlefield changes in an instant" countless times.

Therefore,

he hoped that the Qian army would sweep away the enemy's lairs with the force of thunder.

But at that time, the Scarface Chancellor, who was not yet a Grand Marshal and had not yet entered the Grand Council and was not yet a Chancellor, stood up and, facing Chancellor Han, a civilian Grand Marshal, said:

The Qian army should fight steadily, step by step, first protect the grain supply, then defend the military camps, and adopt a strategy of dividing and disintegrating the enemy, slowly nibbling away at them.

Chancellor Han immediately ordered,

to whip the Scarface Chancellor thirty times for the crime of fearing the enemy and being timid!

Everything written by scholars in military books and stories, or rather, everything on the page, habitually simplifies complex matters and generalizes extreme events.

Chancellor Han felt that he was well-versed in military books and had both literary and military talent, so he should adopt an aggressive strategy and report a victory in the southwest to the Emperor in the capital as soon as possible;

then,

the Qian army was defeated.

But it was precisely because of the defeat that Chancellor Han resented the Scarface General. If they had won a great victory, he might have been lenient, simply establishing a story of a civilian official holding the overall situation with wisdom.

…

"This story sounds quite interesting." Zheng Boye sat on the deck, holding a cup of tea in his left hand and smiling.

Standing before him, telling him this story, was He Chunlai.

He Chunlai, like Chen Daole, came from a prominent literary family and had read extensively, so he could remember these anecdotes of famous people very clearly.

"Actually, in the past, I also thought that when fighting a war, one should start with brilliant strategies, then follow with thunderous strikes, and finally end with sweeping away the enemy like autumn leaves.

Stupid and clumsy battles are fought by incompetent people.

But now it seems that there is no such thing as brilliant strategies or a wave of the military banner that causes the enemy to disappear in smoke.

Those few battles, firstly, involved opening up the Jin, and three years ago, Prince Jinnan personally entered the Qian and made a tour;

the first time he entered the Snowy Plains, it seemed that he only brought thirty thousand Jinnan troops to sweep across the area, but Liang Cheng had personally cleared the mountain roads beforehand, and Si Niang and the Blind Man had also prepared hidden grain caches in advance;

Prince Jinnan even personally took me to the Snowy Plains in advance.

In the Battle of Wangjiang, Prince Jinnan didn't move because he was sulking?

Otherwise,

at that time, the Chu navy was powerful and crossed the river, but the Great Yan iron cavalry couldn't fly over. He was waiting, waiting for Wangjiang to freeze, waiting for the Chu navy to withdraw from Jin territory.

Fighting a war is really like acting on stage. People only see the glamour on the stage, but forget the ten years of effort put in offstage.”

"What Boye says is absolutely true."

Although he was inadvertently criticized, Gou Moli was still the first to express his heartfelt agreement.

Zheng Boye waved his hand,

and said:

"That's one point. Furthermore, after military intelligence is transmitted, military orders are issued, troops are mobilized, and preparations are made. With meticulous planning against carelessness, even if we lingered in Jing City for three days, in reality, it was less than three days.

But after destroying the Chu's nearest garrison, we didn't see the second wave of Chu troops from beginning to end.

Three days might seem like countless critical moments and rapid changes in Chancellor Han's eyes, but here, three days was really just extra time.

I can guarantee that next, as our army sails south, there may be some chaos ahead, but it will probably still be a smooth journey. The Chu have maintained and managed these waterways very well, which also benefits our navigation."

It wasn't that Zheng Boye was inexplicably confident here,

but because, firstly, his surprise attack on Jing City was completely unexpected by the Chu. If this was a feint or a trap…

how should I put it, Zheng Boye's troops were probably not as important as the massive amount of grain stored in Jing City.

The Chu, who had already lost the initiative,

probably wouldn't expect that after his surprise attack on Jing City, he wouldn't give up, wouldn't defend this strategic location to the death, but would continue to choose to move south.

In fact, to take a step back, even if there were true geniuses among the Chu who were very familiar with him and immediately judged that he would take this great risk after receiving the news of Jing City's fall, and persuaded the Chu bosses and nobles in the court to believe his judgment despite opposition,

it would still take time to deploy and mobilize troops to intercept him in advance.

In addition, the Chu navy's main force was in the Mengshan area, which was behind Zheng Boye, and another part was in the southwestern waters of Chu, which were completely out of reach of this battlefield.

This was no longer a conspiracy or scheme,

but purely a "race" game,

the objectively existing time consumption and geographical limitations were there, and human initiative could not reduce them.

Therefore,

going south to Yingdu was bound to be feasible. The question was, while it was comfortable to go south and you would definitely gain great fame, you might not be able to get out after going south.

Again, if all his subordinates were cavalry, Zheng Boye could completely use the extremely skilled cavalry combat experience of generals like Liang Cheng to raid around Chu for supplies, but now that four legs had become two legs, it was no longer so convenient.

But,

who knows what will happen in the future.

A'Cheng stayed in Shanggu Prefecture to continue to restrain and harass the Chu's subsequent supply lines,

and he went south to Yingdu to attract the Chu's attention, so that they would be temporarily unable or unable to wholeheartedly invest in the supply and support of the northern army.

In the final analysis, it was still to maximize the strategic effectiveness of his troops as much as possible.

He did his best to do what he could, even if it meant venturing deep, it didn't matter.

Because of the long-standing tacit understanding, the long-standing trust,

it told Zheng Fan,

as long as you complete the task that Prince Jinnan gives you, then Prince Jinnan will not let you down.

Moreover, he was exceeding expectations.

To be honest,

Zheng Boye really had the feeling that he was a supporting character hugging the protagonist's thigh.

After all, the protagonist never lets you down.

Gou Moli said, "Boye, in two days, our fleet should reach Xifeng Ferry. I suggest we disembark there."

Xifeng Ferry was located at the intersection of the Wei River and the Mi River. It could barely be considered within the scope of Yingdu, the so-called capital region.

Continuing down the Mi River and directly knocking on the gates of Yingdu sounded very imposing, but it could only be imposing for a while. Next, one would have to fall into a dilemma of advance and retreat.

After all, if warhorses were galloping, there might be a truly unexpected effect, and one could also think about the Chu being completely Qianized,

dreaming a dream of directly entering Yingdu.

But the problem was that when the fleet entered the Mi River basin, even relying on the beacon towers along the line would be enough to give Yingdu sufficient early warning, and there would be no opportunity to make a big dream, unless his brother-in-law was directly paralyzed with fear, thinking that the end was coming, and directly dragged out a sheep to surrender.

But no matter how he thought about it, his brother-in-law was not that kind of person.

If he was really a cowardly rat,

Zheng Boye would feel ashamed,

and Princess Xiong Liqing would feel less appealing.

"Xifeng Ferry is too early. Let's go a little further in. I didn't think about attacking the city walls directly, but at least we have to let our more than ten thousand soldiers and so many black dragon flags show up in the real heartland of the Chu capital region."

Fan Li next to him said with a simple and honest smile:

"Not poking the chrysanthemum, just applying oil."

Zheng Boye looked at Fan Li with some helplessness, and finally, had to nod,

and said:

"Crude, but true."

Teasing the Chu to itch, it was best to gather all the forces loyal to the king in Yingdu, so that the strength at Zhennan Pass would naturally be greatly weakened.

"Then shall we stop at Juyang City? The location is about right. Advancing, we can directly attack Yingdu; retreating, to the north, we can enter Chu's Xieyang Prefecture; to the east, we can enter Silin Mountain; and to the west, it's even more convenient, we can enter Changxi Prefecture, and Changxi Prefecture is where the Bai family of Baipu originated. The rattan armor soldiers from Yangshan Village that we destroyed came from there, and this prefecture is adjacent to the Great Marsh."

Gou Moli clearly knew Zheng Boye's purpose,

which was to preserve himself as much as possible while achieving the most effective strategic intentions.

Therefore, he had to design a safe location so that, at least when facing the Chu's encirclement, their side could maneuver calmly.

Zheng Boye pondered for a moment,

and said;

"That's possible."

Then,

Zheng Boye asked again:

"Is Juyang City famous for its mutton? The name sounds self-explanatory, it means 'sheep, don't come, if you come, you're done for.'"

Gou Moli was a little embarrassed,

and said:

"This subordinate doesn't know."

How could one also do a local snack survey when doing pre-war research?

It's completely unrelated!

He Chunlai said, "Niu Dongguan told this subordinate that Juyang City's mutton soup is known for its deliciousness."

Zheng Boye pointed his finger,

and said:

"Well, I have to try a bowl then."

As he spoke,

Zheng Boye smiled again;

"If other people's sons-in-law come to visit, the wife's relatives would naturally have to accompany them to eat, drink, and have fun to fulfill the obligations of a host.

It's a pity,

I don't have that fate."

————

Good night.