Chapter 784
Chen 94: Who do you think will win the world, me or Zhu Chongba?
"Wang Baobao has been saved."
Chen Jie put down the battle report in his hand and looked at Zhao Ya, who was lying on the bed beside him, wearing a cotton coat, with her hair wrapped around her head, and holding her child.
This was the third day of Zhao Ya's labor. With more than a dozen of the best midwives in Huangzhou Prefecture and the famous doctor Bai Wenjing there, Zhao Ya's delivery was going very smoothly. Of course, this was also related to Zhao Ya's excellent physical condition.
Zhao Ya looked at Chen Jie and said apologetically, "Husband, I..."
Chen Jie said, "Yes, I understand without needing to say more. Wang Baobao was a bit willful. His 50,000-strong army was wiped out, and many of them were recruited by Xu Da and became our enemies."
"This makes our advantage in annihilating Fu Youde's 100,000-strong army negligible."
Zhao Ya lowered her head, and Chen Jie said, "But this has nothing to do with you. Your most important task right now is to take good care of your health. We can talk about the rest later."
As he spoke, Chen Jie reached out and teased Zhao Ya's second son, Chen Wen, who was in her arms.
This is the name Chen Jie gave to his second son, Chen Wen. Wen represents a type of jade with beautiful patterns, implying that a gentleman is like jade.
Chen Jie put a lot of thought into naming his sons. He planned to follow the example of Zhu Chongba when naming his sons, incorporating some symbolic elements. For example, his eldest son was named Chen Li, with the character "Li" containing the radical for "king," and his second son was named Chen Wen, with the character "Wen" containing the radical for "king." This symbolized that they would all be kings and nobles in the future, and the most outstanding one would become an emperor.
Chen Jie looked at Chen Wen. The little one had just been born, but he was already chubby-cheeked and very cute. Chen Jie liked him very much.
Zhao Ya wanted to say something more, but seeing that Chen Jie didn't want to say anything more about it, she gave up and remained silent.
Chen Jie played with the little guy for a while, then got up. He had a lot to do. He had already figured out that Zhu Chongba was mobilizing troops to prepare for a decisive battle with him. Now, troops were entering Hongdu every day from the front lines.
Chen Jie, on the other hand, began to amass troops based in Jiujiang, with Zhang Dingbian now serving as the commander-in-chief at the front.
Chen Jie also began to gradually mobilize troops and supplies to the front lines. Hu Weiyong was extremely busy, with a huge amount of government affairs to deal with every day.
But he worked with great enthusiasm because he wanted to compete with Li Shanchang to see who was the greatest prime minister in the land.
Chen Jie came out of Zhao Ya's room and said to Chen Chun behind him, "Chen Chun, go and get a bottle of Blood Qi Pills for Prime Minister Hu. Prime Minister Hu has been using up too much of his brainpower lately, so give him some to replenish it."
"Yes."
Chen Chun immediately agreed, explaining that the Blood Qi Pill was a tonic personally refined by Chen Jie using precious medicinal herbs. Consuming it could strengthen the body, making it especially suitable for top-tier individuals like Hu Weiyong.
After giving the order, Chen Chun returned and looked at Chen Jie, asking, "My lord, where do we go next?"
Chen Jie said, "Didn't Xiao Hu bring Fu Youde here? We can take this opportunity to meet this old acquaintance."
"By the way, where did you lock up Fu Youde?"
Chen Jie asked Chen Chun, who immediately responded, "Tiger Commander said this person is very stubborn, so he locked him up in the water dungeon."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Take me to see it."
The water dungeon was extremely harsh, the lowest-class prison in Huangzhou Prefecture, and was generally not used for holding people. It seems that Chen Xiaohu had tried everything, but the other party showed no intention of surrendering, which angered Chen Xiaohu.
After thinking it over, Chen Jie led Chen Chun into the Huangzhou Prefecture water dungeon.
"King Han!"
Upon reaching the entrance, the soldiers immediately saluted. Chen Jie nodded and entered the water prison. He was immediately greeted by a musty smell. Although it wasn't the hottest time of summer, the smell inside was still pungent.
Chen Jie went down the steps and soon arrived at the water dungeon, which was a large pool of water with a walkway in the middle that was above the water level. The water in the pool was not deep, only up to the knees.
But it is now the winter month, and the pool water is freezing cold. Fu Youde has been soaking here for two days.
At this moment, he was chained to the water dungeon, and his great strength at the Furnace Realm was blocked by his major acupoints. However, his wounds had been treated. Chen Xiaohu locked him up here not to humiliate him, but more because he was really annoyed by this stubborn guy and threw him into the water dungeon to calm him down.
Clang!
The chains locking the cell door were opened, and a ray of light shone in, causing Fu Youde to squint.
"Your Majesty, please, I will light the lamp for you!"
Upon hearing the sound, several people came down from upstairs.
"Han King? Chen Jiu Si!"
Fu Youde murmured something, and then a group of people came down. The one in the lead walked with a majestic and imposing manner, and was none other than the world-renowned Chen Jiu Si.
Back then, he had met Chen Jiu Si several times. At that time, both of them were generals under Xu Shou Hui. Chen Jiu Si was the General Who Guards the East, while he himself was the General Who Conquers the North, holding a higher rank than Chen Jiu Si.
The Tianyuan Empire established by Xu Shouhui used the Han system for its military, which, from lowest to highest rank, consisted of Grand General, General of the Cavalry, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, General of the Guards, then the Four Expeditionary Generals, and finally the Four Garrison Generals.
As the General Who Conquers the North, he was half a rank higher than Chen Jiu Si, the General Who Guards the East. Who would have thought that in just a few years, he would be just a general under Zhu Chong Ba, while Zhu Chong Ba would become a dignified Prince of Han who could rival Zhu Chong Ba.
He commanded hundreds of thousands of troops, controlled five territories, and had millions of people; he was a regional warlord.
Moreover, he himself had fallen into prison, and compared to this, Fu Youde felt a mix of emotions and was very sad.
"General Fu, I am late. You have been wronged."
Chen Jie arrived at the prison and looked at Fu Youde, saying...
Fu Youde slowly raised his head, looking at Chen Jiu Si without saying a word. Seeing this, Chen Chun shouted angrily, "How dare you! My lord is talking to you!"
"Oh, nonsense. General Fu and I are old acquaintances. If we're talking about old friendships, his official rank is even higher than mine."
As he spoke, Chen Jie slowly walked down the steps, placed his feet in the pool, and reached out to ask a soldier beside him for the key.
Upon seeing this, the soldier said, "Your Majesty, this man is extremely fierce. Do not harm Your Majesty."
Chen Jie laughed and said, "What are you saying? General Fu and I are old acquaintances. How could the general hurt me?"
Chen Chun glanced at the soldier from the side. "You actually thought of injuring our Prince Han? Our Prince Han is a fifth-level Fusion God. Apart from those two terrestrial immortals and Zhu Chongba, who in this world dares to say they can hurt our Prince Han?"
However, this flattery was quite good; regardless of whether it was right or wrong, the attitude was just right.
At this moment, Chen Jie came to Fu Youde and personally removed the shackles from Fu Youde's body.
"General Fu has lost weight. He looked much stronger a few years ago."
Fu Youde then looked at Chen Jie and said, "King of Han, you don't need to go to such lengths. I am a prisoner. You don't need to do this, personally going down into this filthy water dungeon. You know that I cannot surrender."
"Yes, I know General Fu's character."
"I'm not here to persuade you to surrender, or rather, I'm not here specifically to persuade you to surrender."
"Want to know what happened after you were arrested?" Fu Youde suddenly perked up and looked at Chen Jie, saying, "Would the Prince of Han be willing to tell me?"
"What's the big deal? My decisive battle with Zhu Chongba is just around the corner. As a general, you should know something about it."
"Then please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
Chen Jie said: "After you were captured, your general Lan Yu led less than a thousand remnants to escape to Hukou. Later, our army's Zhuque Army commander Shi Gengming led a thousand men to attack Hukou. Lan Yu resisted stubbornly and was killed until only less than a hundred men escaped. From then on, our army took Hukou."
"However, I have already ordered someone to leave a way for Lan Yu to leave without pursuing him. This is to give General Fu some face and to commend the general's integrity!"
Fu Youde clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, King of Han. I am ashamed. A general should live and die with his soldiers. I am incompetent and have caused the army to suffer defeats. I am ashamed before King Wu, ashamed before the 100,000 soldiers, and even more ashamed before the countless people in Jiangnan who are waiting for their husbands, fathers, and sons to return!"
"What the general says is very true, but has the general ever considered that your 100,000 troops did not have to die!"
Chen Jie looked at Fu Youde.
Fu Youde turned to look at Chen Jie, who said, "General Fu, you and I are both people trying to make a living in this chaotic world, and we should know how difficult it is to survive in this chaotic world."
“You were originally a member of the Zoroastrian sect, but later you followed Master Peng Yingyu to join Xu Shouhui, and then you joined Zhu Chongba.”
“Since you were able to surrender from Xu Shouhui’s troops to Zhu Chongba, why can’t you surrender from Zhu Chongba’s troops to me? What’s so difficult about that?”
"I cherish the talent of a general. In chaotic times, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on; why hang yourself on one tree?"
"If General Fu is willing to submit to me, I will surely give you a high-ranking position and generous salary, to satisfy you. How about that?"
Chen Jie said to Fu Youde.
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde said, "The King of Han thinks I am a coward who is afraid of death and a person who goes around claiming different masters."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "General Fu is a loyal and righteous man, but even the most loyal and righteous man should consider some things."
"I've heard that Zhu Chongba wasn't very good to you?"
Fu Youde said, "Why do you say that?"
Chen Jie said, "With your talent, General, Zhu Chongba only gave you the title of Left Deputy General, ranking you after Xu Da, Tang He, Chang Yuchun, Feng Sheng, Deng Yu, and even that brat Li Wenzhong. How could you be so underutilized? Just because you are a surrendered general, you are treated like this. Is this favoritism?"
"This is true in terms of military equipment, but you are even more stingy with money. My scouts report that your mansion in Jinling has no more than three courtyards and no more than a hundred acres of land. Even your old subordinates, Liao Yongzhong and Yu Tonghai, who followed Xu Da and Tang He, live more lavishly than you."
Why?
"Isn't it because you are a surrendered general, someone I used to know?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde pondered for a long time before saying, "The King of Wu has always treated me well. Why should the King of Han sow discord and act like a petty person?"
Chen Jie sighed and looked at Fu Youde, saying, "It seems you really are impervious to reason."
"Fine, I won't force you. If you're willing to be a loyal subject, I'll grant you that loyalty."
As he spoke, Chen Jie said to the soldiers behind him, "Change General Fu's cell and get some wine and food. I'll have a few drinks with General Fu, and that will be enough to settle our past friendship."
"promise!"
Then Chen Jie said to Fu Youde, "Let's go. Loyal ministers should not be humiliated. I'll get you a better cell and you can have a drink or two with me."
Fu Youde looked at Chen Jie and said, "I think I'll stay in this water dungeon."
"What, are you afraid that if you drink my wine, I'll convince you?"
Fu Youde remained silent for a moment, then stood up and said, "Please, Prince of Han."
The two quickly left the water dungeon and found a clean single cell. Wine and meat were served, and Chen Jie and Fu Youde drank a bowl of wine before Chen Jie asked, "Fu Youde, who do you think will win the world in the end, me or Zhu Chongba?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde paused, then put down his wine cup and said, "King Wu!"
Chen Jie looked at Fu Youde and said, "Oh, you mean I'm not as good as Zhu Chongba?"
Fu Youde sighed and said, "Both the King of Han and the King of Wu are first-rate heroes of their time, just like two dragons, each wanting to be the only true dragon."
"If we're talking about who's superior and who's inferior, I really can't say. I'm just a defeated general, how dare I claim to rule the world?"
"The reason I spoke of the King of Wu is because I am under the King of Wu's command. If I don't even believe that the King of Wu can win, then how can he possibly win?"
"Ha ha……"
"Interesting, interesting."
Chen Jie smiled and then said, "In the past few days, Zhu Chongba has transferred Deng Yu, Li Wenzhong, Tang Shengzong and other troops to Hongdu, and more grain and military supplies have also entered Hongdu. He is preparing for a decisive battle with me!"
I have already stationed troops in Jiujiang, Wucheng, and your Hukou, forming a triangular formation.
This battle is inevitable. It will take at least three months, at most half a year, for a decisive battle. After the decisive battle, Zhu Chongba and I should be able to determine the winner.
At that time, Zhu Chongba will undoubtedly win, and you will continue to receive high-ranking official positions and generous salaries from him.
But if I win, I won't ask you to serve in my army. My military academy is short of a few instructors. You are a talented commander, so how about I ask you to serve as an instructor in my army?
Upon hearing this, Fu Youde looked at Chen Jie and then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "The King of Han is righteous and unwilling to force me. Since the King of Han thinks highly of me, then I will accept this bet with the King of Han."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie said, "Alright, since that's the case, let's make it a deal."
Chen Jie drank another cup with Fu Youde, then got up to say goodbye. Watching Chen Jie's back, Fu Youde couldn't help but exhale, "Truly a dragon!"
"Can the King of Wu really win?"
Fu Youde watched Chen Jie's retreating figure, his mind filled with countless thoughts, which the powerful ruler could discern.
As Chen Jie left, Chen Chun said, "Are we just going to let Fu Youde go like this?"
Chen Jie said, "He is also a talented commander; keeping him around will be useful."
"By the way, you just told me that Liu Bowen went north to Dadu?"
Chen Chun said, "Yes, according to the scouts from Dadu, Liu Bowen has met with the emperor, and it seems that the emperor intends to get involved in your decisive battle with Zhu Chongba."
After hearing this, Chen Jie thought for a moment and said, "Wait a little longer."
Half a month passed in this way. Half a month later, a message came that Liu Bowen had persuaded Emperor Qianshun to send troops to help Zhu. Emperor Qianshun sent his younger brother, Prince Yangdi, Aruhui Temur, to lead an army of 100,000 southwards, and they were already approaching the Luoyang defense line.
The military report was delivered to the Prince of Han's residence overnight. Chen Jie, who was preparing for the decisive battle against Zhu Chongba, immediately summoned all the generals and high-ranking officials for a meeting upon receiving the news. (End of Chapter)