Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 436 Prince Tian Ding of Jin: The King of Qi has arrived? [3rd update, please vote with monthly tickets and recommendations]

"Big brother!"

"Fourth brother!"

"Fourth brother!"

"Eighth brother!"

When the three brothers Cai Fu, Guan Sheng, and Yue Fei were reunited after a long separation, they inevitably shared another passionate embrace.

"Big brother, eighth brother, thank you for coming to save me!"

"We're brothers, what are you thanking me for!"

"Fourth Brother, the way you fought your way out of the encirclement was so majestic and awe-inspiring!"

"Of course, of course, Eighth Brother, you've grown quite a bit taller!"

"Not bad, not bad, Fourth Brother, your beard has gotten even longer!"

"Oh no, brother, you're even stronger than before!"

"So-so, Fourth Brother, your face is even redder than before!"

"..."

The three brothers exchanged pleasantries upon meeting, and Cai Fu then called Yang Zaixing and He Yuanqing over to pay their respects to their fourth uncle.

Qiu Qiongying and Hu Sanniang also came to greet Guan Sheng.

Qiu Qiongying was Lu Junyi's sworn sister, and Hu Sanniang was Yue Fei's sworn sister. So, they were practically family with Guan Sheng.

Then, we finally got down to business.

Guan Sheng summarized his work over the past period and recounted how he decisively captured Huguan after discovering the opportunity to strike.

Cai Fu highly praised Guan Sheng's work and also shared his own experiences in Gaizhou.

Guan Sheng then realized that the fighter jet he had discovered was actually manufactured by Cai Fu.

"It was because you seized the opportunity and made a decisive move that you were able to successfully capture Huguan and Zhaode Prefecture!"

Cai Fu comforted Guan Sheng, who was a little disappointed:

"Others might not have been able to spot the opportunity, nor would they have been able to make the decisive move to send troops!"

"Fourth brother, you already have the spirit of your ancestor!"

One compliment made Guan Sheng beam with joy, and he stroked his three-foot-long beard until it was perfectly straight, as if he had a perm.

"Thus, the situation in Hebei became one of 'five families dividing Jin'."

Cai Fu arranged a map on the table using five wine bowls:

"Tian Bao occupied Fenyang Prefecture, Tian Biao occupied Jinning Prefecture, Little Black Fatty occupied Gaizhou, and we occupied Zhaode Prefecture."

"King Tian Ding of Jin only had Weisheng Prefecture left in his hands."

"The situation is more complex, but also more balanced, with no one daring to easily attack their neighboring rival."

"The only concern is that the government troops will disrupt the balance, and no single party can resist the government troops on its own."

Yue Fei interjected: "Eldest brother, fourth brother, in my opinion, the future situation may turn into a series of alliances and counter-alliances!"

"Tian Ding, Tian Bao, and Tian Biao may all join forces for their own interests!"
"We also need to join forces with that little fat black guy!"

"It makes sense!"

Guan Sheng gave Yue Fei an appreciative look:
"Eighth brother is quick-witted, why don't you stay and help fourth brother?"

Yue Fei quickly waved his hand: "Fourth Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, I haven't even finished my apprenticeship yet!"

Guan Sheng then remembered that Yue Fei was only fifteen years old, still a child...

Shan Shiqi and Sun Qi, together with Yang Zaixing, Hua Rong, Jiang Jing, and Xiao Rang, conducted a comprehensive survey of Zhaode Prefecture.

The army had ample supplies of weapons, armor, and provisions, and more than 23,000 of the 30,000 garrison troops of Zhaode Prefecture surrendered.

With the addition of the more than 21,000 surrendered soldiers from Huguan, and the remaining 15,000 or so henchmen from Baoduzhai, Guan Sheng's forces suddenly expanded to 60,000!

However, 60,000 is just a good-looking number; Guan Sheng will definitely eliminate the old, weak, sick, and disabled.

It would be good if 30,000 men were left in the end.

However, if these 30,000 troops are all elites, they are enough to guard Zhaode Prefecture.

Cai Fu and his companions rested in Zhaode Prefecture for two days, during which Cai Fu slept side by side with Guan Sheng and Yue Fei.

Two days later, Cai Fu was to leave Zhaode Prefecture.

This time, Cai Fu recruited many surrendered generals, including Song Jiang's subordinates and generals from the Jin Kingdom.

He didn't intend to bring them all back to Qi; Guan Sheng had occupied Zhaode Prefecture and needed manpower right now. Before leaving, Cai Fu made personnel arrangements:
The position of Commander-in-Chief of Zhaode Prefecture was undoubtedly filled by Guan Sheng.

Tang Bin was the only one who could be appointed as the General of Huguan.

In addition to Zhu Tong and Yang Xiong, Cai Fu also left Shan Shiqi and Yun Zongwu to Guan Sheng as garrison commanders of Zhaode Prefecture.

Hu Guan arranged for Hao Siwen and Zhu Jing to assist Tang Bin.

With everything arranged, Cai Fu bid farewell to Guan Sheng and led his men eastward...

……

The State of Jin, Weisheng Prefecture.

"what?"

Prince Tian Ding of Jin collapsed to the ground, utterly disbelieving his ears.

"The King of Qi has arrived?"
"And they even stole my Zhaode Mansion?"

Upon learning the news, the faces of the military and civil officials, including the Left Chancellor Qiao Daoqing, the Right Chancellor and Grand Tutor Bian Xiang, the Privy Councilor Fan Quan, and the Grand Commandant Fang Xuedu, all changed drastically.
With the loss of Zhaode Prefecture, can the State of Jin still be called a state?
Is there any country in the world that consists of only one city?

"Imperial Preceptor! Grand Tutor!"

Tian Ding looked at Qiao Daoqing and then at Bian Xiang with anticipation.
"Can we take back Zhaode Prefecture?"

Qiao Daoqing and Bian Xiang exchanged a wry smile, and Bian Xiang sighed:
"Your Majesty, perhaps we can reclaim Zhaode Prefecture..."

"But what if the imperial army attacks Weisheng Prefecture while we are seizing Zhaode Prefecture?"
What should we do if the traitors Tian Bao and Tian Biao attack Weisheng Prefecture?
"Moreover, Zhaode Prefecture has the support of Gaizhou, so who will support us?"

Bian Xiang was a farmer with superhuman strength. As both prime minister and grand tutor, he possessed the courage to fight ten thousand men!
But when it comes to speaking, one inevitably becomes a bit blunt...

The civil and military officials all looked very grim, but Tian Ding looked the grimest because the truth was too hurtful.

Even so, Bian Xiang was still being tactful.

To put it more bluntly, the State of Qi had two prefectures in Hebei, which made it the most powerful force there!

The current Prince of Jin, Tian Ding, is no different in essence from the two traitors, Tian Bao and Tian Biao...

Minister Li Tianxi couldn't help but raise the following point:

"Your Majesty, the King of Qi is very powerful. In order to counter the King of Qi, I believe..."

"Perhaps we should try to ease tensions with Tian Bao and Tian Biao; it would be even better if we could form an alliance..."

"Bullshit! I will never forgive these two traitors!"

Tian Ding flew into a rage, grabbed his counterfeit jade seal, and hurled it at Li Tianxi.

If I can't defeat the King of Qi, can't I defeat you?

"Oh!"

The counterfeit imperial seal hit Li Tianxi squarely on the nose, causing him to bleed profusely...

Once the civil and military officials saw this, who would dare to speak the truth?

……

Gaizhou.

When Song Jiang learned that Cai Fu had occupied Zhaode Prefecture, his expression changed constantly, going through a spectrum of colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

Lei Heng sighed: "Huguan has 30,000 garrison troops, and Zhaode Prefecture also has 30,000 garrison troops!"

"The fact that the King of Qi was able to capture Huguan and Zhaode Prefecture overnight is truly..."

Wu Yong quickly gave Lei Heng a wink, and Lei Heng shut his mouth, no longer daring to say anything provocative.

For a moment, everyone fell silent, except for a deafening snoring sound.

Song Jiang glanced speechlessly at Li Kui, who was huddled in the corner like a lump of mud...

After losing both hands, the former "Black Whirlwind" spends his days drinking and sleeping.

Eat until you're drunk, then sleep; wake up and eat again.

This cycle repeats itself endlessly, as if this is how life will always be.

Song Jiang sighed regretfully and said, "Actually, it's a good thing that the Prince of Qi has taken over Zhaode Prefecture, surnamed Cai."

Having been saved by Cai Fu once again, they were too embarrassed to call him "the one surnamed Cai" anymore.

Even Song Jiang had to change his address to Cai Fu as "King Qi".

Goodnight, I'll try posting a map in the bonus chapter. If it works, I'll give you some monthly votes to encourage you!

(End of this chapter)