Chapter 197: Frustration (Part 1)

Dozens of thick smoke emanated from inside and outside the city.

Several swords and swords were yelling and killing Lian Tian, ​​and the Northern Chu army had already rushed in like a flood.

Du Gongzhen said with a "slap" and said, "I wanted to resist, but I didn't want to be able to hold on for even three days. It's really vulnerable."

Zhu Xin, the former chief adviser, is now a Sima in the army. After hearing this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

The battle is courage. Now that the Chu army has achieved great momentum, who will fight to the death?

It's already amazing to be able to resist for three days.

At this time, he persuaded him: "General, it's time to report victory to the King and the Ministry of War."

Although conquering a county is not a great achievement, it still has the middle-class merit. After accumulating a lot, it will be a qualification in the future and the capital to be awarded the title.

Changsha County. Inside the study room

Zheng Pingyuan looked pale and looked at a report. After a long time, his sighing was inaudible: "Have you reached this point?"

In just a few days, Wang Hongyi's army captured the two counties one after another, and half of the territory under his jurisdiction was lost. Although he had a premonition, Zheng Pingyuan was still shocked by this news.

The lost two counties, Anding County, had just been pacified, and people's hearts were unstable, so it was understandable that they were captured.

However, Wuling has been in charge for three years. Even if he draws some troops, he will have 6,000 troops stationed in the county. If he mobilizes effectively, he can get twice as many militias. The sum is definitely not a small number.

This Wuling County is not a small county, with a vast territory and a strong city, but even such a county was beaten down in just three days.

The one who attacked the city was not Wang Hongyi himself or the general who relied on the throne, but was just a surrendered general who had conquered in Shu before?

"Come on the details of the second county to me to watch!" Zheng Pingyuan hurriedly said to the civil servant who was sending the news.

"Master..." The official hesitated for a moment when he heard Zheng Pingyuan's words.

"Huh?" Zheng Pingyuan looked over with a bad look. "Why haven't you gone to pick it up yet?"

Hearing this, the official's face suddenly showed a hint of embarrassment.

"Master, I have no detailed report on the battle..." The official knelt on the ground and reported in a low voice.

Zheng Pingyuan was stunned and then thought that such a major military situation would indeed be reported by a fast horse before a detailed battle report would be delivered.

Thinking of this, a hint of fatigue appeared on Zheng Pingyuan's face.

After waved his hand, Zheng Pingyuan asked the officials to go down first, but he narrowed his eyes slightly and began to think.

Zhang Yu and Ji Gui on the side were both silent, and they were both mentally prepared for the news they had just received.

Of course, Ji Gui is the one who is most anxious.

Ji Gui is Zheng Pingyuan's most trusted strategist. In terms of the relationship between the master and the personal relationship between the two, he is considered a direct official of Zheng Pingyuan.

In Jingzhou, Ji Gui didn't have been in business for a year or two.

Zheng Pingyuan used to own Jiangling and was the heir to the Zheng family, the largest aristocratic family in the local area. Its roots are very thick not only in Jiangling, but also in the entire Jingzhou.

Ji Gui is of course very clear about Zheng Pingyuan's strength, so he defected to him.

However, since Wang Hongyi entered Jingzhou, these foundations melted like snow. When the two counties were unable to react, they had already lost their losses in just a few days. Ji Gui was a little uneasy.

After the previous failure of the water battle, they could retreat to Jingnan and slowly recuperate, waiting for accumulating strength and then wait for an opportunity to regain the entire Jingzhou area... What about now?

Wang Hongyi's army had already reached the doorstep, but he still solved the second county at such a quick speed, while the other three counties were naturally shaking.

This is not only a matter of the army, but also a matter of general trend and confidence.

The most important thing now is that almost everyone has lost confidence and has no fighting spirit in the battle, otherwise the 50,000 or 60,000 troops can be dealt with at all.

"Lord, Wang Hongyi's incident is raging, so you must make plans in advance." After considering it, Ji Gui spoke first, which was considered a breaking silence.

"I understand Wang Hongyi. This person has the heart to encompass the world. Now this move is to unify Jingzhou." Zheng Pingyuan's eyes were faint, his voice was cold and his autumn colors were cold.

"Some time ago, Mr. Ji mentioned that the grassland recommended the Khan, and the foreign tribes on the grassland would not be able to calm down for a few years. Wang Hongyi got Shuzhong and did not take Qinchuan. I was still a little surprised. Now I think about it, this is a wonderful chess."

"I want to take Qinchuan. Now Qinchuan is incomparable to the previous dynasties. It is no longer a fertile place. Even if I take it, I am afraid it will not be able to withstand the invasion of the Hu people."

"Now, Guo Wentong has taken over. This can give Wang Hongyi at least a few years to go north when he is unified and his strength is stronger... Alas, he obviously can't wait."

Whether it is begging or surrendering, it is impossible. Wang Hongyi will only pacify quickly. I have to say that Zheng Pingyuan is still very good in political perspective.

Sighing, Zheng Pingyuan slowly stood up and looked outside.

The weather outside is bright and sunny, and it is rare to have a good weather.

But his mood was yin.

"Mr. Ji, Mr. Zhang, some time ago, I sent a gift letter to Jinling, but Is there any news?" However, I was unwilling to give up. Thinking of what happened some time ago, Zheng Pingyuan suddenly turned around and asked the two people in front of me.

It was Ji Gui who spoke. The civil servant, who was considered Zheng Pingyuan's first confidant adviser, stepped forward and whispered: "Lord, the person sent to deliver the gifts has not returned yet. I'm afraid it's..."

"Wei Yue is really confused?" Zheng Pingyuan said angrily.

"Although I don't want to publicly surrender, this is enough, and he is not satisfied yet? Don't he think about what advantage he can take if this marquis loses to Wang Hongyi?"

Ji Gui smiled bitterly and said, "Wei Yue is just resting his military spirit now, and we are in a bad situation too quickly now. I am afraid that even if we surrender, Wei Yue may not be willing to send troops to the lord again."

Zheng Pingyuan officially surrendered to Wei Yue before, and this is possible, but now, how could Wei Yue send troops to help Zheng Pingyuan, who may collapse at any time?

Although the battle with Wang Hongyi and the foundation was touched, Wei Yue had been in Wu Yue for many years and had been cultivated for one or two years, and might not be unable to recover. As long as he did not move at all and did not take the initiative to attack, even Wang Hongyi would not be able to do anything for the time being. Ji Gui had already thought of this.

Zhang Yu was thinking a little, thinking about something, and never spoke.

Ji Gui was worried and couldn't help but look at this person. Zhang Yu just looked up, and the two looked at each other and had plans in their hearts.

Zheng Pingyuan was upset and could not listen to the advice. The two of them quickly left.

"Mr. Zhang, Ji prepared a small wine in the evening, and asked him to come and talk." The two walked side by side. When they were about to part, Ji Gui bowed and said invitingly.

Zhang Yu nodded: "I will go and ask for trouble at that time."

The two got on the carriage and left.

Just as Zheng Pingyuan received the battle report, some families around Jingzhou also received the battle reports of this battle one after another.

The contents of these battle reports are undoubtedly the same.

Wang Hongyi's generals captured two counties one after another, and a small half of the territory was lost.

This battle immediately made people see through Zheng Pingyuan's weakness and the power of the Northern Chu army.

At night, there are fewer and fewer pedestrians on the street.

A carriage, protected by several guards, came to the door of a mansion.

Someone had been waiting in front of the mansion. When he saw the person getting out of the car, the housekeeper immediately greeted him with a smile on his face and took him into the small living room where the master entertained the distinguished guests in the backyard.

At this time, there was a lamp in the mansion, and there was a person waiting in the living room early.

I saw Ji Gui, who usually looks like a gentle and famous scholar, staring at the candlelight silently, not knowing what he was thinking.

Just as Ji Gui was pondering, a sound of footsteps came in from outside.

Ji Gui looked up at the entrance of the hall and saw a man in blue clothes walking in slowly with a smile under the guidance of the butler.

The person coming was Zhang Yu.

"Mr. Ji, are you anxious to wait?" Zhang Yu bowed to Ji Gui.

"Hey, I'm naturally anxious at this time. I'd like to ask the gentleman to sit down and come and serve tea to Mr. Zhang." Seeing that the other party arrived, Ji Gui ordered the servant to serve tea.

The two of them then took their seats. After the servants had served tea, all the servants in the hall were ordered to retreat by Ji Gui.

"Mr. Zhang, please come to the mansion today. I believe Mr. Zhang also knows that Ji has something to discuss with you." Because time is tight, Ji Gui said straight to the point: "What is the current situation? Mr. Zhang should know what you have to do. What strategy do you have to deal with the enemy?"

Ji Gui's rare show of weakness made Zhang Yu slightly stunned.

It is normal for the two of them to be both counselors and work under Zheng Pingyuan's tent. Although they have no hatred, they are gentlemen of good character and have never secretly stumbling. However, they always have a competitive relationship.

Moreover, as the old man Zheng Pingyuan, Ji Gui's qualifications and status are above him. Now, for Zheng Pingyuan, Ji Gui can put down his airs and take the initiative to show weakness, which is really admirable.

"Mr. Ji, there is a saying that I don't know if Yu should speak or not." Zhang Yu was silent for a moment and spoke.

Ji Gui bowed: "Mr. Zhang must make it clear."

"Yu said it. Mr. Ji thinks, can the lord still be independent?" Zhang Yu's voice was calm, but he said it, which was extremely heart-wrenching. He was not uncommon!

Ji Gui's expression changed immediately. He stood up suddenly, wanted to say something, but sat down dejectedly.

"The lord originally had five counties. If it was managed properly, it would be a great foundation. But now the disaster of overturn is right in front of you. People's hearts are chaotic and they have no fighting spirit. Even the lord himself has lost confidence..."

Zhang Yu didn't say the following words, but the meaning was already very clear.

Although Ji Gui is an old minister of Zheng Pingyuan, he also clearly realizes this. If he gives a few more years to develop, it may not be impossible, but now...
Chapter completed!