Chapter 772
Who told your men to fight for the world!
However, taking Hongdu will not be easy. This place is heavily guarded by Zhu Chongba. Only by capturing this city can one advance or retreat, thus ensuring an invincible position.
Chen Jie looked at the map, while the entire Han King's forces had already begun to operate. Once the war machine started running, it couldn't be stopped; a victor had to be determined.
Meanwhile, in Jinling, Zhu Chongba obtained detailed information about the Battle of Luoyang.
When Zhu Chongba saw that the Battle of Luoyang had ended in a narrow defeat, he did not say anything, but simply mobilized supplies to support the front lines at any time.
After Tang He and Feng Sheng returned to Jinling, Zhu Chongba convened a general military meeting.
Inside Zhu Chongba's council hall at this time.
Zhu Chongba was holding a wooden ruyi in his hand, tapping it on his palm intermittently. He appeared calm, but in reality, he was filled with anxiety.
At this time, his subordinates were his military generals and civil officials.
On the left are military generals, led by Xu Da, the top commander under Zhu Chongba. Behind Xu Da is an empty seat, followed by generals such as Chang Yuchun and Fu Youde.
To the right was the civil official group, led by Li Shanchang, whom Zhu Chongba called "my Xiao He". Below Li Shanchang sat Liu Bowen, followed by other officials.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and then Feng Sheng, who was using crutches, and Tang He, whose arm was in a sling, walked in.
Once inside, the two men didn't sit down immediately. Instead, they knelt at the doorway and said, "Your Excellency, we have been defeated. Please punish us!"
Seeing the two men covered in wounds, everyone present looked at Zhu Chongba. Zhu Chongba put down the back scratcher in his hand, got up and slowly walked to the two men. He then gently helped them up and said, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. We all saw your battle in Luoyang. Even if it were someone else, they might not have fought as well as you. Chen Xiaohu and Shi Gengming are both famous generals."
Upon hearing this, Tang He lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty trusts me so much, I am ashamed!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chongba said, "As I said before, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. We have already fallen behind Chen Jiusi in the first step, but our war has only just begun. Don't worry, the battles to come are even more important."
With that, Zhu Chongba helped the two of them up and said, "Please sit down. Our meeting today is not to hold you accountable, but to discuss how to fight the next battle and where to fight!"
Upon hearing this, Tang He and Feng Sheng exchanged a glance, then immediately clasped their hands in a fist and said, "Yes."
The two then limped into the meeting room and took their seats.
Once everyone was seated, Zhu Chongba spoke directly: "Alright, let's discuss the upcoming war plan!"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the strategic map in the middle, and Zhu Chongba said, "Xu Da, why don't you explain it to everyone?"
Xu Da then stood up, took the bamboo section handed to him by a guard, and pointed at it on the sand table.
"Gentlemen, look at this: since last year, Chen Jiu Si has led his troops out of Sichuan and occupied Shanxi, Shaanxi and Qinghai. He has achieved strategic depth and has reached a position where he can both attack and defend."
"According to reports from our spies, they are now building ships. It is said that they will build a hundred multi-storied ships. Their vanguard has already reached Jiangzhou, which is only three hundred li away from Hongdu by water."
"Hongdu!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to Hongdu. Hongdu's location was now extremely important, almost a vital passage controlling the east-west waterways. Whoever occupied Hongdu would have the strategic initiative.
Everyone then looked at the sand table. Li Shanchang said, "What Commander Xu said is very true. Chen Jiusi is located on the two lakes and the Yangtze River. His military force is at its peak. His fleet covers the river. If he goes down the river to the east, his military force will be aimed directly at Nanjing. Only Hongdu can block his fleet."
"This city is truly the western shield of Jinling. If it falls, Chen's naval forces can reach Caishi in ten days!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, and then Zhu Chongba looked at Hongdu and said, "This place is indeed very important."
At this moment, Li Shanchang said, "This place is so important, we must send a great general to guard it, we cannot afford to lose it!"
"By the way, who is currently defending this city?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Da replied, "It is Wenzheng."
Wen Zheng!
Everyone was taken aback by these words, and then they remembered the person: Zhu Chongba's nephew, Zhu Wenzheng.
This person's strength is unknown. Although some say he is very skilled in military strategy, he rarely demonstrates it. Instead, he displays more of a spoiled and arrogant attitude. Therefore, no one knows how to deal with him.
Li Shanchang, who was closer to Zhu Chongba, said, "Your Excellency, do you think we should send a mature and prudent general to guard this place?"
He phrased it tactfully, and everyone else understood that he was clearly somewhat worried about Zhu Wenzheng.
Zhu Chongba thought for a moment. Tang He and Feng Sheng were injured, and Chang Yuchun was brave but lacked strategy. The only generals who could be of great use were Xu Da and Fu Youde.
Fu Youde was a surrendered general, not one of his old comrades from Fengyang. Although he seemed very loyal, Hongdu was too important for him to risk. After all, Fu Youde had been Xu Shouhui's subordinate and had some connections with Chen Jiu Si.
When Xu Shouhui was deserted by his followers, he surrendered to Zhu Chongba. Logically, there shouldn't have been any problem. However, since Hongdu was involved, he was hesitant to take such a big gamble.
Thinking this, Zhu Chongba looked at Xu Da. If it were Xu Da, there would be no problem, but Xu Da was the deputy commander of the entire army. How could he leave this place lightly?
Thinking this, he looked at Liu Bowen, who remained silent.
Liu Bowen was also afraid. He had been sowed discord by Chen Jiu Si's scheme and was in a terrible state. Now he dared not speak casually, for fear that a word might touch a nerve with Zhu Chong Ba and make him suspect his disloyalty.
Liu Bowen was also impressed. Everyone said that Liu Bowen was unparalleled in wisdom and strategy, but he was caught in the crossfire of Chen Jiu Si's scheme and was completely powerless to fight back.
There's nothing we can do about it; Chen Jiu Si's schemes are always based on people's hearts.
However, Liu Bowen remained silent, which made Zhu Chongba even more uncomfortable. What does it mean that you're not saying a word? Are you trying to play the game of Xu Shu infiltrating Cao Cao's camp?
Zhu Chongba looked at Liu Bowen and asked, "Mr. Liu, what is your opinion on this matter?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen looked at Zhu Chongba and then at the others, saying, "You gentlemen have already analyzed it very thoroughly. Hongdu is indeed of utmost importance."
"Hey, Mr. Liu, let's talk about something we don't know."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen glanced at Zhu Chongba, only to see Zhu Chongba looking at him with suspicion in his eyes. Liu Bowen's face was full of grievance; this wasn't over yet.
Left with no other choice, he could only say, "Then I'll share my humble opinion."
Liu Bowen said, "We don't need to elaborate on the importance of Hongdu, but there are two problems with Hongdu now: who will fight it, and how will they fight it!"
"The victory in this battle will not be on the chessboard, but outside of it!"
"As you all see, as Commander Xu just said, Chen Jiu Si's forces have reached Jiujiang, but these forces are not Chen Jiu Si's five main forces, but the White Deer Army, a former subordinate of the Prince of Ruyang, commanded by Wang Bao Bao!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Indeed, it was Wang Baobao's troops who occupied Jiujiang and other places. In Jiujiang, he used the White Deer Army as the main force, gathered the remnants of Zhang Shicheng's army, and added his former troops, bringing his strength to nearly 50,000 men.
Recently, Wang Baobao has been planning to attack Hongdu. If he could capture Hongdu, it would be a great achievement.
This was also the main purpose of this military conference. Hongdu was guarded by Zhu Wenzheng, but the troop strength was less than 20,000.
This is the current situation. Liu Bowen continued, "The Battle of Hongdu was not about defending the city, but about blocking reinforcements!"
“Hongdu is a high city with strong defenses, and with nearly 20,000 garrison troops, it won’t be easy for Wang Baobao to take it. However, if Wang Baobao attacks, it’s hard to guarantee that Chen Jiu Si won’t intervene. If Chen Jiu Si takes the opportunity to intervene, then the battle for Hongdu will be hopeless.” “Therefore, the key to this battle lies in blocking reinforcements. How to prevent Chen Jiu Si’s large army from gathering in Hongdu is the crucial point.”
Hearing this, Xu Da nodded slightly and said, "Mr. Bowen is right. It is indeed so. No matter how strong Wang Baobao is, it will not be easy for him to attack Hongdu. But if Chen Jiu Si makes a move, it will be a killing move!"
This analysis by the two men allowed Zhu Chongba to quickly understand the strategic intent behind the move. He then said, "Then let Xu Da lead his troops to garrison Nankang, and let Fu Youde send troops to garrison Hukou. If Chen Jiu Si sends troops, we must immediately stop him with our troops. We must not let Wang Bao Bao capture Hongdu."
"promise!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed, and the army began to be mobilized immediately, creating an atmosphere of impending doom.
Zhu Chongba sat alone in the council hall for a long time. Around midnight, Ma Xiuying came and draped a cloak over Zhu Chongba's shoulders.
"Girl."
Zhu Chongba came to his senses and saw Ma Xiuying. Ma Xiuying said, "Have something to eat. I asked Cui'er to prepare duck blood vermicelli soup and sesame seed cakes for you."
"Hehe, girls really dote on us."
As Zhu Chongba spoke, Ma Xiuying said, "Don't overwork yourself."
Zhu Chongba said, "Hehe, there's nothing I can do. The opponent is too strong. I dare not slack off in the slightest."
Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuying sighed and said, "You and Chen Jiu Si are both heroes of your time. If only you could be friends, why do you have to fight to the death?"
Zhu Chongba said, "Two tigers cannot share one mountain, let alone two dragons."
Ma Xiuying said, "Yes, you men fight and die for this country, but in the end, aren't it us women and children who suffer the most?"
"Girl, what's wrong with you?!"
Upon seeing Ma Xiuying's reaction, Zhu Chongba immediately asked her what was wrong. Ma Xiuying replied, "I feel it's not worth it for my life and Yun Jin's life."
"How did I end up with two men like you? You're happy fighting to the death for the world, but when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. When two dragons fight, one of you will surely die."
"Whether it's me and Biao'er, or Yun Jin and her Chen Li, we all end up as orphans and widows. Why is God so cruel to us!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chongba looked at Ma Xiuying, whose eyes were red with tears, and sighed, "Sister, we really have to apologize to you. This is fate, there's nothing we can do about it."
"But in the end, no matter what, don't hate me or Chen Jiu Si. This is fate, and you have to accept it."
"Don't worry, Chen Jiu Si and I have a gentleman's agreement. Whoever wins the world in the future will be kind to their family. If we win the world, we'll let Chen Li be Biao'er's study companion. As long as he doesn't think about avenging his father, we'll be kind to his family for life."
"We will definitely be able to do this."
Hearing this, Ma Xiuying sighed and said, "What I want is not to be pampered, but a man who is whole and without a trace."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chongba chuckled and said, "Hehe, don't worry, sister, we won't lose, we absolutely won't lose."
……
"yawn!"
Su Yunjin yawned, holding a cloak in her hand, embroidered with a four-clawed python, the robe of a king or nobleman.
Chen Jie has become the King of Han, but his royal robes have not yet been decided.
Meanwhile, Yin Hongmei and Cuiju were teasing Chen Li.
Just then, Su Yunjin yawned, and a pair of large hands appeared behind her, draping a thick robe over her shoulders.
"Don't catch a cold."
A gentle and steady voice came from inside, and Su Yunjin knew it was Chen Jie without turning around.
"king……"
Yin Hongmei and Cuiju stood up, intending to bow, but Chen Jie gestured for them to stop, indicating that there was no need for formalities.
At this moment, Chen Li clapped his chubby little hands together, a sweet smile spreading across his face: "Daddy, Daddy..."
At this time, he could not speak fluently, but he could already call someone "Dad".
Chen Jie was overjoyed. He went over and picked up Chen Li, then came to Su Yunjin's side and said, "It's so late, don't catch a cold."
Su Yunjin said, "It's not that I caught a cold, I feel like someone is talking about me."
Chen Jie said, "Who would miss you?"
Su Yunjin sighed, "I'm afraid it's Sister Xiuying."
Chen Jie was taken aback: "Ma Xiuying?"
She and Su Yunjin had only met once, how could their feelings be so deep?
Su Yunjin seemed to see the doubt in Chen Jie's eyes and said, "Although I have only met Sister Xiuying once, I know that we should be the same kind of people, or rather, she should be more resilient than me."
“We are both unfortunate people. We found husbands who have grand ambitions and lofty aspirations. This should have been our good fortune.”
"But our husbands also have ambitions that can conquer the world, and that is our tragedy."
"Now that things have come to this, the fate of the world rests with your husband and with the King of Wu. The two of you are like divine dragons soaring through the heavens; your struggle is a matter of life and death."
"And Xiuying and I will inevitably become orphans and widows in the end, either me or her."
As she spoke, Su Yunjin burst into tears. Could there be anything more cruel in the world?
Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "My wife, some things are fate, but also helplessness. Zhu Chongba and I are both chosen by fate. Once we are chosen by fate, we are no longer ourselves."
"Even if we wanted to give up now, the people behind us wouldn't agree. Each of us has thousands of people behind us, pushing us forward. We can only do this by completing our historical mission. This is the difficulty of defying destiny."
"There's nothing we can do about it!"
Chen Jie looked at Su Yunjin and said, "But don't worry, my wife, I will never lose to Zhu Chongba. This world will eventually belong to my family, Chen!"
"You and Li'er will never become an orphan and a widow!" (End of Chapter)