Zhou Peigong, the governor of the twelve provinces, felt that the situation was serious. He hurried to Jiujiang, Zhang Chao and Dong Weiguo for talks, and then went to Nanjing day and night, intending to quell the internal strife between the two rivers.

Before Zhou Peigong entered Nanjing, Jiang Guozhu conducted a final analysis of the situation.

Although Beijing strongly condemned Nanjing for provoking trouble, Soetu also wrote a handwritten letter, and persuaded Jiang Guozhu to put the overall situation of suppressing Deng first. However, Jiang Guozhu knew that the relationship between the emperor and local ministers is very delicate now. The new military defeat made the Qing court's treasury tighter, and he probably wouldn't meddle in other people's business. Jiang Guozhu believed that if Beijing really stood on the side of Jiangxi and interfered with force, it would be good, so Chengdu would not stand by. If Jiang Guozhu unifies Liangjiang like lightning, Beijing would probably not be unable to get over money. As long as Jiang Guozhu was willing to pay taxes, Beijing would say that this was the will of the people of Jiangxi, and the court would not disrespect Jiangxi's father because of love (Zhang Chao).

Old choice - Now, except for the young emperor who worked hard in Beijing, all other Manchu princes have been open to it. Anyway, they entered the pass because the Han regime was weak and wanted to take advantage of the chaos. Now that the Han people are so arrogant, everyone is still thinking about how to make a fortune. It is not worth the life of the whole clan for the money they are destined to be unable to grab. Now the people who are most worried about the future of the Qing Dynasty are not those Manchu princes but their coats. They have been fantasizing about taking some leftovers from the fingers of Manchu princes. If the Qing Dynasty is about to be finished, how can they not let the crowds of people be lost? However, Jiang Guozhu did not take these people to heart, because Beijing is still the Manchu princes.

Although Shandong and Zhejiang called for peace, they also hinted that Nanjing would not interfere in the affairs of the Liangjiang River. Zhejiang and Shandong are weak provinces, and their neighbors are stronger than them, so one hugged Beijing's thighs, and the other was the only one who followed Chengdu's fate. For example, Zhao Guozuo and Songkui, these two brothers are planning to sell Zhejiang to the Eastern Zhejiang Army all day long. It is estimated that in a few years, all Zhejiang will be in the forbidden sea area except for the Governor's Office and General's Mansion in Hangzhou. Anyway, it is not the turn of separatist rule. Neither Geng Jimao from Fujian nor Jiangnan Jiang's Jiang Guozhu dared to beat them, so they naturally don't care about the outcome of the Liangjiang War.

As for Huguang, Guangdong and Fujian, which may interfere in Jiangxi, they are also in a state of restraint. If they really send troops into Jiangxi, they will probably be more intolerant of Chengdu and Beijing than Jiang Guozhu's unification of Liangjiang, because that will completely destroy Deng Ming's plan to maintain the status quo, and Beijing's current strategy is to delay more for one day.

"In the end, we need to get the understanding of Chengdu." Jiang Guozhu sighed lightly. Because Deng Ming led the main force to go to sea, Chengdu lacks military force now, but Jiang Guozhu does not intend to offend Chengdu too much. After all, he still has to leave a way out for himself. Since that is the case, the negotiations with Zhou Peigong today are very important, because the best relationship between the Qing court and Deng Ming, the Minister of the Suppression of Premier Deng is the one with the best relationship, and Zhou Peigong has an army that can be used to interfere. If Zhou Peigong is willing to remain neutral, his attitude may also have an impact on Chengdu - as long as he fights with Zhang Chao alone, Jiang Guozhu is still more confident.

But Duke Pei and Jiang Guozhu had completely different thoughts. Deng Ming talked with Duke Pei Zhou once before leaving the mainland, hoping that the Duke Pei of General Li could help and assist Chengdu in supervising these domestic warlords. However, Deng Ming had just left for a while, and the emperor in Beijing insisted on being the first to jump out and disrupt the situation, but his prestige was gone, leaving the vassal kings and governors even more ready to move.

Now that Jiang Guozhu is about to start a war, this certainly makes Zhou Peigong very angry, worried that it may lead to a chain reaction. Wu Sangui and Shang Kexi may be paying close attention to the movements in Liangjiang, and Geng Jingzhong, who had just inherited the vassal king, is not a fuel-saving lamp. These people also know that the opportunity is rare, and when Beijing and Chengdu are unable to take care of it, they will create a faita accompli - grab a piece of land and grab it in their hands, which means that they will bargain with Deng Ming in the future, and there will be more chips. If Jiang Guozhu succeeds, Wu Sangui and the others will also start to make small moves.

When Zhou Peigong went to Jiujiang this time, he urged Zhang Chao to give in to Jiang Guozhu, hand over part of the profits of porcelain to Nanjing, or simply ced one, and two prefectures to Jiangnan. It would not be too late to argue when Deng Ming came back. However, in recent years, Zhang Chao has been a local emperor, and no one dares to care about him, and no one dares to say what he is wrong. Therefore, Zhang Chao, like Jiang Guozhu, experienced a sharp self-inflation and disdainful of Zhou Peigong's compromise plan. Especially when Zhou Peigong talked about ceding the land, Zhang Chao was even more furious and said that he was just a lover of peace, but was definitely not timid and afraid of things. If Jiang Guozhu really dared to provoke a war, Zhang Chao would not only dare to respond, but also burn the war back to the land in Jiangnan. After he captured Nanjing, Zhang Chao would not mind sitting on the throne of the Governor of Liangjiang.

As Zhang Chao's right-hand man for ten years, Dong Weiguo had a clearer understanding of the situation. He knew that Jiangxi and Jiangnan would at most be able to protect themselves. It was purely a dream to enter Nanjing. However, when Dong Weiguo discussed with Zhou Peigong privately, he said that Zhang Chao no longer listened to the advice, and Dong Weiguo was also worried that once the land was ceded or the interests were given to Jiangnan, the eye of Guangdong and Fujian would jump up and bite Jiangxi. If this happens, Dong Weiguo hopes that the Suppression of Deng's Corps can participate in the war and help Jiangxi Green Camp guard the territory. But this kind of guarantee is not dared to give.

Therefore, Zhou Peigong came to Nanjing empty-handed this time, and could not provide any conditions to satisfy Jiang Guozhu's appetite. As Zhou Peigong was worried, the Governor of Liangjiang was dismissive of Zhou Peigong's suggestion to keep his restrainedness, and instead boasted about how Jiangnan was strong and how powerful the troops could be solved in half a month and unify the Liangjiang River.

"Does the old genius help me or Zhang Zhe?" Hearing Zhou Peigong begging him to let Jiangxi go, Jiang Guozhu couldn't help it: "As for the actions of Guangdong, Fujian, and even Yunnan and Guizhou, there is no need to worry. When I eliminate Zhang Zhe, I can free up my hands to help the old genius suppress them, ensuring that no one dares to make any abnormal moves before Deng Xiang returns!"

When he was in Jiujiang, Zhou Peigong tried his best to persuade Zhang Chao to make concessions, but if the other party was stubborn, Zhou Peigong had no choice. His suppression of Deng Zongli Yamen had business on the entire Yangtze River. Although the governors and governors usually bought Zhou Peigong's face, if they really broke up and started a conflict, it would not be beneficial to Zhou Peigong. Even if Zhou Peigong could suppress Zhang Chao and bow to Jiang Guozhu, then Zhang Chao, who was resentful in the future, would likely cause trouble to Zhou Peigong secretly, which would still bring him great losses.

Jiang Guozhu is stronger than Zhang Chao, and Zhou Peigong needs more places to cooperate with the Governor's Office in Liangjiang. Now Jiang Guozhu has turned his face up, and Zhou Peigong has no choice but to smile bitterly, saying that he will remain neutral and provide information to Nanjing secretly.

After leaving the Governor General's Office in Liangjiang, Liang Huafeng caught up with Zhou Peigong from behind: "Zhou governor, the Governor General is going to be the last general..."

"I dare not take it." Zhou Peigong hurriedly bowed and said humbly: "How dare the lower-ranking officials in front of Admiral Liang? Besides, Admiral Liang is also the relative of the Governor General? We are also relatives."

The two were polite and finally called each other brothers. Liang Huafeng told Zhou Peigong that Jiang Guozhu hoped that he would take Zhou Peigong to review the troops in Liangjiang, so that he could understand how big the gap between Jiangnan and Jiangxi was. Zhou Peigong smiled bitterly after hearing this, but he did not refuse and followed Liang Huafeng to the military camp.

After inspecting the elite soldiers in Jiangnan, Zhou Peigong's face was still full of worry. Seeing this, Liang Huafeng asked carefully: "In the opinion of Brother Zhou, is it easy to fight in Jiangxi?"

"Brother Liang has more days to lead troops than me. I wonder what Brother Liang thinks?" Zhou Peigong asked back.

"Well." Liang Huafeng twisted his beard for a long time and said slowly: "Since I heard that Jiangnan and Jiangxi were going to fight, our stocks have also fallen, but the decline is much smaller than that in Jiangxi. This means that there are more people who are optimistic about us?"

"Brother Liang knew the details," Zhou Peigong gave a thumbs up and praised: "This is much better than just listening to his subordinates brag."

"But has Brother Liang ever thought that the rules of the world have changed, and now they are completely different from the chaotic times in the past." Zhou Peigong changed the topic and pointed out that this was not a one-on-one challenge between Jiangnan and Jiangxi: "Since the emergence of Admiral Deng, the rules have been completely different. Why can I become successful? Now I am carrying the governor of the twelve provinces on my shoulders? It is because I understand Admiral Deng's rules best."

"My brother is right." Liang Huafeng nodded slightly. It would be great if it were the chaotic times in the past. He would have a lot of opportunities to take advantage of the troubled waters and the status of a soldier would be much higher. Although this current rule made Liang Huafeng feel disappointed, he could not help but admit that Zhou Peigong was right.

"Our old relative, alas! Although Admiral Deng went to sea, this set of rules has not changed, and the rules are still there." Zhou Peigong sighed again. If he followed Deng Ming's strategy step by step, Zhou Peigong was sure that he could win a generous reward for himself and his family. Therefore, he did not want the world to be in chaos and the heroes would rise together, which would make Zhou Peigong's face full of variables again - Zhou Peigong was not Wu Sangui, nor Shang Kexi. He was not very confident in fighting on the battlefield, and was quite satisfied with what he had obtained, and did not want to pursue too much.

...

At this time in Guilin, King Pingxi Wu Sangui was indeed as Zhou Peigong had concentrating on the development of the situation in the Liangjiang River.

"Li Dingguo replied to him, saying that as long as the prince is willing to do anything, he is willing to explain to Deng Ming on behalf of the prince." Xia State read Li Dingguo's reply to Wu Sangui. Wu Sangui and Li Dingguo had been in a confrontation for ten years, but no one could do anything to each other. Therefore, Li Dingguo repeatedly asked Deng Ming to agree to Wu Sangui, who would unite with the Ming army in Yunnan to launch a northern expedition.

However, Deng Ming was extremely wary of Wu Sangui. Although he could not control Guizhou and Guangxi, the conditions offered by Deng Ming repeatedly required Wu Sangui to hand over a province to Li Dingguo after anyway, and he was not allowed to expand his territory by himself - just watch from the side. Wu Sangui repeatedly protested to Li Dingguo against Deng Ming's naked distrust, saying that he was insecure and could not see the sincerity of the Ming army treating him well and his soldiers.

After several years of hard work, Li Dingguo gradually felt that Deng Ming seemed to be too harsh to Wu Sangui. Ten years have passed, Li Dingguo felt that his best years and Wu Sangui were endlessly spent in Yunnan and Guizhou. Therefore, in this letter, he took the initiative to propose that as long as Wu Sangui was willing to publicly and assist the Yunnan Army in the Northern Expedition with all his heart, Li Dingguo would ensure his future and safety and convince Deng Ming to put aside his prejudice.

"It depends on whether Jiang Guozhu is going well." After hearing Li Dingguo's letter, Wu Sangui smiled slightly. Confronting Li Dingguo was not what he wanted, but as long as he did not get rid of Li Dingguo for a day, Wu Sangui would not dare to devote his main energy to other directions, so he could only spend money with Li Dingguo.

Deng Ming's obvious hostility made Wu Sangui very uneasy, and he was always worried that he could not pass on the vassal state to his descendants. After careful study, Wu Sangui believed that a great war must be launched to expand his territory - even if he could not compete with Deng Ming in the world, he would have to force Deng Ming to recognize his status and strength. Time was obviously not conducive to Wu Sangui's side. No matter how he looked at Wu Sangui would die decades earlier than Deng Ming, and his descendants would still be slaughtered by then?

Six years ago, Wu Sangui seized the opportunity and caught Beijing and Chengdu off guard. He knew very well that neither the Qing court nor western Sichuan would agree to him entering Hunan, so Wu Sangui had never had the idea of ​​Hunan from the beginning. Wu Sangui just released a smoke screen to deceive Beijing, Chengdu and the people of the world. As Wu Sangui expected, Zhang Changgeng got information about Wu Sangui wanting to beat him from the channels between the Ming and Qing dynasties, and then began to cooperate with Wu Sangui's performance to help Wu Sangui block the greedy Sun Yanling. Sun Yanling was so stupid that he regarded Wu Sangui as an alliance. Not only did he let go of his guard, he also jumped up and down to advocate the attack on Zhang Changgeng, and assisted Wu Sangui to attract most of the hatred in Beijing and Chengdu.

Just like when he was in Shanhaiguan, Wu Sangui had a very clear understanding of what achievements he could get from his strength and hid his goals very well. No one realized that Wu Sangui actually intended to be Guangxi, so no one interfered with it. In the end, he defeated Sun Yanling with one blow. Wu Sangui not only easily annexed Guangxi, but also made Chengdu and Beijing breathe a sigh of relief. It felt that the result was completely acceptable.

However, just Guangxi is far from enough. Wu Sangui knew that he needed more gambling money, and this time he believed that he had the strength to occupy at least half of Hunan.

"As long as Jiang Guozhu conquers Jiujiang, I will do it anyway, and then immediately attack Hunan, attack the pseudo-Governor of Huguang, and take down the three prefectures of Yongzhou, Hengzhou and Baoqing."

"Where is Chenzhou and Changsha, will the prince really want to give it to Li Dingguo?" As Wu Sangui's son-in-law and confidant, Xia Guojin knew the plan of Pingxi King, but when talking about these two rich mansions, Xia Guojin's face was still full of reluctance.

"Haha, didn't Li Dingguo want me to cooperate with him in the Northern Expedition with all my heart and strength? Of course, I must do what I say." Wu Sangui not only wanted to give Chenzhou and Changsha to Li Dingguo, but also planned to allow the Ming army in Yunnan to enter Hunan from Guizhou, and could even temporarily hand over Guizhou Province to Li Dingguo to control.

"Small family!" Seeing the painful expression on Xia Guoxiang's face, Wu Sangui laughed at him: "Li Dingguo is a man who wants to be Yue Fei. Of course, I have to give him a way to go to the Northern Expedition. Don't worry, Li Dingguo will definitely not look down on Hunan, let alone our Guizhou. As long as he finds that Jiangxi has a chance, he will invade Liangjiang. Well, he may also go to Henan. When King Jin's northern expedition is in full swing and has no time to distract himself, we will help him manage these territory."

"What the prince said is." Xia Guo Prime Minister knew that Wu Sangui planned to let Li Dingguo attract the attention of the Southeast Governors and could also be used as a shield against Deng Ming. But not everyone could take it and let it go like Wu Sangui.

"It's really forced." Wu Sangui chuckled again, changed the question and asked, "How is Shang Zhixin there?"
Chapter completed!