knife

Chapter 744 Internal Response
Xiang Zhuang fell silent.

As the most outstanding figure of this generation of the Xiang clan, he naturally understood that Na Wei, who was currently entrenched in Danyang, was merely a minor ailment. If there were no external interference, given time, he could completely defeat his opponent.

Jiang Qian is the real threat.

Na Wei's departure from the southwest was like a fish out of water. He had no foothold elsewhere and was even regarded as a barbarian by most of the Chu people. His current occupation of Danyang was merely due to taking advantage of a loophole and using force to suppress the enemy. While he appeared strong, this could not last.

But Jiang Qian is different. This enchantress has the noble title of Empress Dowager and once stepped forward to save the Great Chu from the most dangerous time. She has a very high reputation in Chu. Just look at how she can command a large following in the Tiger Army. When the two sides' navies are locked in a fierce battle, the moment Jiang Qian appears, the other side immediately loses all will to fight.

He would have no objection if Jiang Qian, this major threat, could be eliminated in advance.

Moreover, in terms of status and position, attacking Jiang Qian would naturally be led by Na Wei. If Na Wei agreed to this, the troops currently attacking him would have to cease their attacks or even be transferred to Jiangnan, greatly reducing his pressure. This would also give him more time and space to persuade more people to join his side.

Do Na Wei and Linghu Ye have a sure chance of winning if they attack Jiang Qian together?

That’s not necessarily the case.

Even if they win, Na Wei's strength might be affected to some extent, which would be a good thing for him.

This seems to be extremely beneficial to him, but for Na Wei it is a matter of both opportunity and danger. Would he agree to it?

"What did Na Wei say?" Xiang Zhuang asked, looking at Linghu Ye.

“Now that you’ve agreed, I’ll go find Na Wei!” Linghu Ye said with a smile.

"What price would I have to pay?" Xiang Zhuang asked. "General Linghu wouldn't expect me to send troops across Nawei's controlled territory to fight in the Jianghan region, would he? Even if I agreed, Nawei wouldn't!"

“Of course not!” Linghu Ye said, “You need to submit a memorial to Danyang, acknowledging that the current Danyang court is the legitimate dynasty, and at the same time acknowledging Na Wei’s position as chief minister.”

Xiang Zhuang's face darkened. He fled to Yuezhou and raised an army under the pretext that Na Wei had murdered the late Emperor Xiong Kuo and attempted to usurp the throne. The current emperor was nothing more than Na Wei's puppet. How long had it been? Did he want to slap himself in the face?
"If I were to submit a memorial acknowledging these things, wouldn't all my previous efforts be in vain, causing my current subordinates to abandon and despise me?" Xiang Zhuang shook his head and said.

"Xiang Zhuang's army, it all depends on your own ability to control the situation!" Linghu Ye said, "Times have changed. Back then, you were also gathering momentum and needed a reason. Now that you have momentum, territory, and troops, you must be flexible when necessary. Sometimes taking a step back is to take two steps forward. A roundabout way to save the country is not about surrendering. I believe you have a way to persuade your men!"

After a pause, Linghu Ye continued, "Actually, you know in your heart that you got the better deal. You only talked, but Wei was going to take real action."

"General Linghu should understand that it's easy to raise the banner of righteousness, but once you do, it's hard to put it down. And once you put it down, it's difficult to pick it up again!" Xiang Zhuang hesitated. "To be honest, I'd rather contribute money and troops, but I'm unwilling to submit this petition."

Linghu Ye laughed heartily: "Where are you planning to send your troops?"

"Naturally, we can only send the navy!" Xiang Zhuang said. "On land, Na Wei will absolutely not allow my troops to set foot in his controlled territory, but the navy is different. Since the defeat at Red Cliffs, Chen Yan has not recovered his strength and is currently retraining his navy at Yunwu Mountain. A navy is indispensable in the battle against Jiang Qian. I have gathered a navy here, although it only has a little over a hundred warships. If we join forces with Chen Yan, even if we can't win the battle against Jiang Qian on the water, we can at least hold back Wang Dao's navy and make it more effective in this battle." Linghu Ye was somewhat surprised: "You would rather send a navy of a little over a hundred warships than acknowledge the current legitimacy of Danyang?"

"Exactly!" Xiang Zhuang said solemnly, "If I were to formally submit a petition to Danyang now and bow my head in submission, I would never be able to straighten my back again. Commander Linghu, the deed can be done, but the words absolutely cannot be spoken. This is merely a temporary expedient, and it is my greatest concession! Moreover, I can promise that during the great battle between the two sides, I will never take the opportunity to send troops to erode the territory controlled by Na Wei!"

Linghu Ye pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand what you mean. That's not impossible. Then write me a letter, and I'll go to Danyang to see Na Wei later!"

"You can do anything!"

After getting up and pacing around the room a few times, Xiang Zhuang said again, "Since we're going to cooperate, I won't hold back anymore. When the two sides clash, Prefect Yan Cheng of Tong'an is a trustworthy person!"

"Didn't this person surrender to Jiang Qian?"

"At that time, Tong'an was besieged, so when my uncle was preparing to retreat, he made special arrangements to have this person act as an inside agent in order to launch a pincer attack on the eight towns of Jiangnan!"

"Why do you trust this person so much?" Linghu Ye asked curiously.

Xiang Zhuang was a little embarrassed and hesitated for a long time before saying, "Yan Cheng can also be called Xiang Cheng. He was born to my uncle and his mistress. However, his aunt's surname was Xiong, so he could only be raised outside the family and take his mother's surname."

Linghu Ye was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled: "I didn't expect General Xiang to be such a quirky person, hehe, hehehe!"

"General, my uncle has passed away! Out of respect for the deceased, please, General Linghu, show some mercy!" Xiang Zhuang said.

“That makes sense!” Linghu Ye laughed. “It’s just that although I have never met General Xiang, I have long admired him. In my impression, the old general is an extremely upright and rigid person. I was a little surprised to hear this. Please forgive me, General Xiang!”

Linghu Ye left, having received Xiang Zhuang's promise. He still needed to go to Danyang first. If he could persuade Na Wei, he would then arrange for the two of them to meet before the matter could be officially settled.

"Uncle, are we really going to agree to this?" Xiang Dong asked. "And for this matter, we're handing over such an important secret agent as Prefect Yan?"

“Yan Cheng isn’t that important anymore!” Xiang Zhuang shook his head and said, “The real important person is Chen Yan. Na Wei is trying to win him over, and Linghu Ye has also sent people to bribe him. We can take advantage of this to legitimately merge our navy with Chen Yan’s navy!”

"Are you really sending Chen Yan to fight Director Wang?" Xiang Dong exclaimed in surprise. "Even if we unite, our navy is no match for Director Wang and Yao Dali right now. Uncle, if Chu and Qin join forces to attack Jiang Qian, Shu will definitely send troops to help!"

"It's just a diversion!" Xiang Zhuang said. "Chen Yan has learned his lesson once, but he won't fall into the same trap twice. He only needs to prevent Wang Dao from effectively supporting the land forces, and that will be enough. The rest can be left to Linghu Ye and the others!"

"

(End of this chapter)