knife

Chapter 828 Going North is an Attitude
The seriousness disappeared without a trace, yet it didn't cause the slightest ripple.

People in this profession are naturally elusive and mysterious, and their long absences from the public eye have become a habit. Many people believe that this guy is hiding in the shadows, probably plotting something big.

Of course, some people believe that Yan Su, seeing that things were not going well, had already slipped away and fled.

The news that Chang Lei's army suffered a major defeat at Anfu Temple, and that Chang Lei, along with the young marshal Linghu Yong and a large number of other generals, died in battle, and that tens of thousands of soldiers of Nawei perished in Liyang County, spread like wildfire from south to north, leaving countless people speechless with astonishment.

The saying that everyone's joys and sorrows are different is simply because everyone stands in different positions and holds different stances. In any situation, there are always people who benefit and people who suffer. There is no such thing as a perfect solution in this world; it is just a matter of making choices.

For ordinary people, the crushing defeats of figures like Chang Lei and Na Wei are actually a good thing.

For example, the people of the former Chu region, as well as the eight towns south of the Yangtze River and various places in Nanyang,
The swift end of the war meant that these areas would enter a period of calm and recovery. As long as there were no more protracted wars, the people would always be able to grow strong again, just like weeds on the ground, with just a spring rain.

Some ambitious individuals who were still itching to act found that the opportunity had already passed before they even had a chance to make a move. At this point, trying to do anything would only be suicide.

So the unruly and ambitious fellows immediately tucked their tails between their legs and became compliant subjects once again, welcoming the victors and diligently offering supplies to reward the army and provide the materials urgently needed to restore people's livelihoods. All they wanted was to secure a place in front of the new victors.

They will hibernate again, quietly waiting for the next opportunity.

Jiang Qian's failure to enter Danyang City completely extinguished the hopes of the remaining elders and descendants of Chu. Although the emperor was still on the throne and the court still existed, they had become mere figureheads. The entire nation's focus had now shifted to Yong'an County.

"To immediately march north after the war has just ended is far too hasty!" Both He Jiong, the prefect of Yong'an, and Han Zheng, the prefect of Ruyin, opposed an immediate northward advance. "Our focus now should be on pacifying the country. Na Wei's years of tyrannical rule, coupled with the continuous warfare, have brought the entire Chu region to the brink of collapse. If we rush north to support the Beiting Protectorate without addressing internal issues, it will likely incite another civil unrest, achieving the opposite of our intended purpose!"

Zhu Chi continued, “The national treasury is empty. Several places in Yuezhou were already in chaos due to the Xiang clan’s rebellion, and recently they have suffered from floods. The starving people are crying for food. If things go wrong, the starving people will turn into rioters. In the southwest, the tens of thousands of troops of Na Wei were completely wiped out, and there is widespread resentment and hate speech. Shang Rong and others have been struggling to hold on and have repeatedly asked for help. We cannot give up the situation we have finally achieved in the southwest!”

"The army has been fighting continuously for nearly two months and needs rest. The army needs rewards, the dead and wounded need compensation, many units need to be replenished, and the army structure needs to be adjusted. All of this takes time and money!" Kang Zhen pondered for a long time and also supported the opinions of the above-mentioned people: "Whether we go north or not is not important at the moment. As long as the news of our victory spreads, it will be enough to deter the north and will also have a great influence on Linghu Ye's main force!"

Listening to everyone's words, Jiang Qian turned to look at Zhang Qingyun, who had remained silent, and asked, "Is there any new news from Zhiqiu Courtyard?"

Zhang Qingyun glanced at everyone and said, "What you all said makes a lot of sense. It is indeed difficult to launch a large-scale military operation now, but there is still a big difference between sending troops and not sending troops."

"Tell me the differences," Jiang Qian said with a smile, tapping the table.

"Everyone is still guessing what we're planning to do next," Zhang Qingyun said bluntly. "Based on what Zhi Qiu Academy knows, many people still believe that the Holy Maiden will wait and see the outcome of the confrontation between Linghu Ye and the Protector-General before making a decision, so she won't rush to send troops. For these people, the Holy Maiden's hesitation is their opportunity, and it also means that Chu's support for the Northern Protectorate is not unconditional. But if we immediately march north, these rumors will be dispelled. This would be the heaviest blow to the Northern forces, but the best news for the Northern Protectorate! Therefore, the number of soldiers and generals doesn't matter, but they must be representatives of Chu, with clear stances, leaving no room for misinterpretation!" Zhang Qingyun's meaning was clear: whether or not to send troops immediately was no longer a military issue, but a political one. Obviously, this issue couldn't be bypassed because of a lack of funds.

When it comes to matters of principle, I'm afraid I'd be willing to sell everything I own to get involved.

"The key issue is that if too few people go, they won't amount to much. If someone manages to take advantage of them, it will be a huge blow to morale!" Kang Zhen said, frowning.

Zhang Qingyun smiled slightly and said, "I just received the latest news before the meeting: Huang Shijie, the garrison commander of Tongguan, has decided to abandon the darkness and join the light."

With a loud bang, the entire council hall erupted in chaos. Tongguan Pass controlled the most vital lifeline into Luoyang. Once Tongguan Pass was crossed, the entire city of Luoyang would practically be within their grasp.

"As long as our army appears outside Luoyang, the eastern capital, Luoyang will be within our grasp!" Zhang Qingyun said. "The spies planted by Zhi Qiu Academy in the eastern capital have played a huge role. Cui Cheng, the military commissioner of the eastern capital, has also agreed to surrender. Xiao Zhongren's troops from Moshan in Nanyang have already infiltrated Luoyang in batches!"

"Director Zhang, is everything you've said true?" He Jiong and Han Zheng were both extremely shocked.

“Of course!” Zhang Qingyun glanced at the two of them. “I had already reported this matter to the Holy Maiden before the meeting, and it is absolutely certain.”

"In that case, a single general leading several thousand elite troops will suffice to solve the problem!" Han Zheng exclaimed with delight. "If we're talking about a representative general from Chu, then I think it has to be General Kang Zhen!"

No one had any objections.

Kang Zhen was indeed a representative figure among the generals of Chu, and moreover, he was Jiang Qian's trusted confidant. His personal journey north was a clear expression of Chu's attitude to the world.

"Then it's decided. Kang Zhen will lead five thousand elite troops northwards immediately!" Jiang Qian said. "Even if we're poor, we can still scrape together the funds for five thousand men. As for the floods in Yuezhou and the affairs in the southwest? Didn't we capture many wealthy gentry from Pengcheng and Donghai this time? If they dare to come, they'll have to pay the price. Their property will be confiscated. As for the people, they'll be sent to Shang Rong in the southwest!"

“If these people harbor resentment and go to the southwest, I’m afraid it will be detrimental to the grand plan of replacing native chieftains with centrally appointed officials!” He Jiong was somewhat worried.

Jiang Qian laughed: "You're overthinking it. Those people scattered across the southwest are like a drop in the ocean. There, they are Qin or Chu people, and they don't speak the same language or have different customs as the native people of the southwest. They will inevitably be rejected by them. If they want to survive and thrive, they can only rely on the power of the government. Moreover, there, they can also understand the significance of having a powerful court behind them. Therefore, they will become an aid to the reform of replacing native chieftains with centrally appointed officials, rather than an obstacle. Let's proceed with it!"

(End of this chapter)