On August 12, Huainan, Zhongli Township. `Le`wen`novel`www`lwXs520`com

Zhongli was originally a branch of Huaiyi. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was sandwiched between the two great powers of Wu and Chu. It often became a battlefield, and its ownership was uncertain. Until the twenty-fourth year of Duke Zhao of Lu, Wu State finally destroyed Zhongli Kingdom and turned this place into a The city here was established as a military fortress in Huainan.

During the Northern Expedition of King Wu Fuchai, Huainan, as the rear of the Wu army, also stayed behind a certain army, and was guarded by the general Xumenchao. On this day, Xumenchao was convenient for Zhongli outside the city gate to welcome the return of Fuchai's army...

It was only when I saw the front of the Wu army, Xumenchao felt a sigh in his heart. When the Wu army went north in May, the Wu army was full of vigor. Now it has only been three months, but they are all downcast, their armor is not in order, their weapons are lost, and their flags are crooked. Where is there another one? The style of the master of a hundred battles?

Moreover, Xumenchao made a rough estimate, and the number of people was not correct. When the 50,000 Wu army went north, only 20,000 people came back... Xumenchao knew that the news from the north these days was true, and Wu Jun was indeed there. Lu Song was defeated.

Finally, after the defeated soldiers arrived one after another, Xumen Nest welcomed its own king.

Fuchai didn't ride a horse or ride a car, but walked with ordinary soldiers. The king's spirit and prestige were all gone, his beard and hair were messy, his eyes were dull, and he didn't know what he was thinking. It was not until Xumenchao stepped forward to call him again, that Fuchai woke up.

Looking around, knowing that he was back in Huainan, Fu Chai breathed a sigh of relief, the experience of these three months was like a lifetime away.

At the beginning, he insisted on going north with a hegemonic heart, regardless of Wu Zixu and others blocking him, and even killing him to remove obstacles, just like a stupefied young man who was dedicated to making contributions, Fuchai recognized the reality in Lu Song, although Wu Guo was already very stubborn. It is stronger, but it is still slightly inferior compared to the Zhao Kingdom in the north. Except for the Langya naval battle, several land battles did not take any advantage, and finally had to take the initiative to withdraw.

When they left Pengcheng, the Wu army still had 40,000 people, but the nightmare began on the way to retreat. The Zhao army's cavalry was extremely fast, and they kept sticking to and harassing them. The Wu people were able to use the accompanying Song Dynasty monarchs and ministers as their backs. He arrived at Fulisai smoothly, but it was also here that Fuchai suffered the most painful loss in his life. His childhood playmate, the old loyal minister Zhuanjiao, asked for his life and exchanged his life for Fuchai to successfully cross the river and withdraw. in Wu State.

But Zhao Wuxi still did not give up. He sent troops to cross the Suishui overnight and continued to pursue the Wu people. Finally, in Lingbi, the cavalry caught up with the scattered rear formation of the Wu army. After a burst of impact, the formation collapsed. At least 5,000 people were lost, and when they arrived at Gaixia, thousands of Zhao soldiers who were walking fast also caught up. Fuchai was afraid that the army of Zhao State would be behind him and did not dare to fight. It was another battle of pursuit and annihilation. He lost another 5,000 people. In addition, he was scattered when crossing the Huai River. Fuchai only brought back less than 20,000 remnants of defeated soldiers , compared to when he went north, it has been damaged by more than half, not to mention the most elite rhinoceros guards have been wiped out.

After entering Zhongli in embarrassment, the Wu people who had escaped for more than ten days from Pengcheng to Huainan on the 400-mile road were finally able to breathe.

But Fuchai didn't even have time to drink his saliva, so he immediately asked Xumenchao to report to him the current situation of Wu State.

...

"Your Majesty left more than 10,000 troops in Huainan and ordered his officials to guard them, but since late June, 30,000 people have been dispatched from Chu State. Most of the towns have been lost, and now Wang Sunsheng is going north to force the Yihu..."

However, Fu Chai waved his hand: "The widow doesn't want to hear about Huainan, what you need to know is how Wuzhong is and how is Gusu? Previously, Zhao Wuxi sent people to spread rumors in our army that Wucheng had been captured by Goujian, and the prince was also dead. Now, is it true or false!?"

"It must be a false statement." Xumenchao said without hesitation: "The last time I communicated with Wucheng was half a month ago. I learned from the prince's silk book that although Goujian has occupied three rivers and five lakes, Wucheng still stands by the prince. Under the situation, and the Yue people and soldiers are few, they are not enough to occupy the entire Wu State!"

"Goodness, greatness, Heaven will not destroy Wu Kingdom!" This is the first good news that Fuchai has learned in the past few months. The capital is the heart of the country. If the territory is gone, it can be conquered again, and the soldiers can be reunited again. In one day, Wu Guo will not fall!

Xumenchao knew that the king was eager to return to the country, and when he was overjoyed, he said: "Although Wucheng is still there, but... according to the knowledge of the minister, the two officers of the Yue Kingdom, Fan Li and Xie Yong, led the boats to settle the sea and connect the river, cutting off Huainan. On the waterway to Wuzhong, the Huainan navy was attacked and destroyed by the Chu State Sima Ziqi in Penglize. Therefore, although there are more than 10,000 soldiers in Huainan, they could not cross the river to return to the capital, and could only sit and watch the people crossing the river..."

This is the reason why the prince friend was trapped in the lonely city and there was no one to help. Fu Chai scolded Gou Jian for being cunning and Fan Li was cunning, but he also said it was okay.

"The main force of Wu's boat divisions went to the north and defeated the Zhao people in Langya. After that, they lingered for several months to assist the Qi people in attacking Ju. Just when the widowers left Pengcheng, the boat division, commander-in-chief of deputy general Fengtong, had also departed from Langya. Going south, when we reach the big river, the boat master should also return, and we will also have the strength to fight against the Shangchu and Yue boat divisions!"

Although the land battle of the Wu Kingdom was a complete defeat, the boat battle never failed anyone. Xumenchao was overjoyed: "When will the king continue to go south?"

"Have a rest in Zhongli for a day, and then head south now!" Fuchai returned to his heart like an arrow, but he was already a little terrified of the north, and he was looking north in a hurry along the way.

He ordered: "Huinan Wu division, half of them will go south with the widowers, and half of them will follow the Xumen general. Zhao Jun's cavalry has been cruising in Huaibei, Zhao Wuxi will also reach the Huaihe River, Zhongli and Wucheng are too far away, if the two armies of Chu and Zhao arrive, they will not be able to defend It's better to lead the army to Shandao, Beiliang, and hold Hangou. The rest of the places, such as Yihu, Qunshu, and even Chen Cai and Zhongli, can all give up!"

At the end of the speech, Xumenchao was shocked and quickly dissuaded him: "I know that the king wants to concentrate his forces to retake Wuzhong, but Zhongli must not give up!"

Fuchai is a stubborn person. He likes to do things according to his own plan. He can't stand the disobedience of others. Xumenchao denies his strategy. After the tragic situation, even the Zhuan carp beside him died heroically in battle, and suddenly he lost the will to be competitive.

Every man has his own time of adulthood, but not all of them are at the age of 20. Zhao Wuxi's growth was when he witnessed Le Qi's assassination; Gou Jian's growth was a shame for Kuaiji; His growth was not in the battle with Li, not in becoming King of Wu, but in the death of Wu Zixu, the failure of this trip to the north, and the death of Zhuanzi in battle after the breakup. This unforgettable lesson is enough to reverse some of his violent character... …

So Fu Chai sighed and patiently came to ask Xumenchao why he said he couldn't give up Zhongli.

"Your Majesty," said Xumenchao, "Zhongli is connected to Chen and Cai in the west, and Xu and Si in the east. It is the gateway to the south of the Yangtze River. Twenty years ago, it was because of the capture of Zhongli that Wu State could conquer Chu in the west. North Tuyuan. Although the king's hegemony is now blocked, Zhongli cannot be lost, because this place is located in the Huai River, the situation is convenient, the water is blocked and the mountains are protected. If Wu State loses Zhongli, it will lose Huainan and Huainan. Then the riverside is inferior to the outside world, and there will be no way to compete with Zhao and Chu! If there is only a hundred miles of Wuzhong left, I am afraid that even the country of Yue will not be able to compete!"

These words are not pleasing to the ears, but they are well-founded. Fuchai frowned: "But Zhao Chu is very powerful. Zhongli only has a Tushan Mountain and a Huai River as a barrier. How can you resist it?"

"That's a bad statement. Although the State of Zhao and the State of Chu attacked the State of Wu together, they were not allies. The previous year, Zhao Wuxi fought with the State of Chu, causing King Zhao of Chu to die in the army. Wang Sunsheng, who led his troops to attack Qunshu, was even more so. Those who defected from Zhao State! Zhao Chu will inevitably have a rift in Huainan. Huainan is remote, and the forests are all over the country. The Zhao army has no boat division, and the cavalry can't play a role. , it will make the Chu state stronger, and the minister expects that Zhao Hou will not take the initiative to attack Zhongli, and even prevent the Chu state from advancing eastward..."

"Good! Great good!" Fu Chai suddenly opened up. More than ten years ago, the bravest general in Wu State was Fu Gai, and the most strategic one was Sun Wu. Xumenchao was inferior to them in both respects. However, when Hu Kai and Sun Wu "betrayed" Wu State one after another, Xu Menchao, a veteran who was over 500 years old, stood up and tried to save the situation. So Fu Chai saluted Xumenchao face to face and said: "People say that Chu Cai Wu Yong~lightnovelpub.net~ In fact, Wu Zhong also has many strong and wise men, although the widow has no five sons and no grandsons, but there are still generals and kings and grandsons. Luo, there is a prince! Wu Kingdom will not perish!"

Xumenchao hurriedly returned the salute: "Your Majesty, as long as you bring out the bravery who has reported the times over the past three years, you will surely destroy Goujian and rejuvenate the kingdom of Wu!"

Fuchai immediately swore, "Fuchai will never forget this shame. Wuzhong will have his own people to recover it. If the general thinks Zhongli can be defended, Huainan will be handed over to the general!"

...

The next day, shortly after Fuchai's army left Zhongli and headed for the Wujiang crossing of the Yangtze River, Zhao Wuxi's mighty army also arrived at the Huaihe River, on the other side of Zhongli Town...

Seeing that the flags and flags of the city on the opposite side were still not falling, with a stance of strict guarding, Wu Xie said with regret: "After chasing four hundred miles, it's a pity that Fu Chai still ran away..."

In this regard, Zhao Wuxi has some hidden worries in his heart. After all, Wu State is a great country with a century-old heritage. The fact that Zhuan Crucian carp and others resolutely died made him shocked to realize that Jiangdong's children are so talented. Woolen cloth?

PS: There is another chapter in the evening (to be continued.)