In the imperial study room of Chu Palace, although Longtai tried his best to control his emotions, there was still excitement that could not be concealed between his brows.
"Beitangfeng actually ignores the interests of the Northern Han Dynasty and wants to form an alliance with us secretly?" Longtai stared at Qining: "Do you think it is credible?"
Qi Ning said: "Your Majesty, we don't care whether Beitang Feng is trustworthy or not. Regardless of whether Beitang Feng is true or false, we will send troops to the Northern Expedition." He lowered his voice and said: "The ultimate goal of our going north is to capture Dong Qi. Beitangfeng hopes that we will use heavy troops to attack the two counties of Xuzhou, and will also provide us with detailed defense arrangements for the two counties of Xuzhou, which is exactly what we need."
Longtai nodded and said: "Yes, the old Marquis of Tantai's strategy is to capture the two counties of Xuzhou, and then send a surprise force to attack Dong Qi...!" He seemed very calm at this time: "I know that Zhongli Ao will definitely do it. We have heavily deployed troops in Xuzhou. If Beitangfeng really informs us of the defense situation in those two counties, we know ourselves and the enemy, and we will definitely be able to defeat the enemy."
"What the emperor said is absolutely true." Qi Ning said: "Chai Bozhong claimed that as soon as our Da Chu sends troops, Beitang Feng will immediately enter Tongguan and attack Luoyang. Beitang Zhao will have to deal with Beitang Feng's northwest army at that time, and he will be unable to do so. Worrying about the Qinhuai front line, Zhongli'ao's logistics supply will definitely have problems. If everything goes well, we take Xuzhou and immediately join forces with the Donghai Navy to attack Dongqi at the same time. The main force of Dongqi is outside, and the Northern Han Dynasty is also Without the ability to intervene, the plan to capture Dong Qi will be realized.”
Longtai smiled and said: "Not bad." He tapped a finger on the table, pondered for a moment, and then said: "Do you think Beitang Feng will really send troops on time?"
"Your Majesty, if we really want to fight, we can only rely on our own army for everything. We don't really have any hope in Beitangfeng." Qi Ning said seriously: "It would be great if he sends troops. However, if we do not send troops, we will not suffer strategic setbacks because of his breach of contract." After a pause, he said: "But in my opinion, Beitang Feng will definitely send troops, and his urgency to send troops is stronger than ours. Much more.”
Longtai nodded and said: "The Northwestern Army of the Northern Han Dynasty has thirty to forty thousand troops. Since he is preparing to enter the Pass, he must be expanding his army in the northwest during this period. According to my estimation, Beitang Feng should have no less than fifty thousand troops. Although Qu Yuangu is not a general who is good at fighting, the people from the northwest are very brave, and the northwest army still has fighting power. Beitang Feng only dared to compete for the throne because he had this army in his hands."
"Now Beitang Zhao and Beitang Hao are exhausted. Beitang Feng naturally wants to rush into the pass immediately and capture Luoyang in one fell swoop. However, he is afraid of Zhong Li'ao and does not dare to act rashly." Qi Ning sneered: "He sent Chai Bozhong Qianli Coming all the way to Jianye Capital, it can be seen that we really want to use the power of our great Chu to hold back Zhongli Ao. As long as we really hold back Zhongli Ao, Beitang Feng will have time to take Luoyang. When the time comes, he will ascend the throne in Luoyang, and so will Zhongli Ao. There is nothing we can do.”
Longtai also sneered and said: "This Beitangfeng has a good idea. He actually thought of using our great Chu for his own benefit."
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, if Beitang Feng really ascends the throne, it would not be a bad thing for our great Chu." Qi Ning said with a smile: "Now the three princes competing for the throne in the Northern Han Dynasty, Beitang Zhao and Beitang Haodu He is considered to be talented, but Beitang Feng has no talent. If the other two get the throne, it will be difficult to deal with them. However, Beitang Feng has no talent in governing the country. Compared with the emperor, there is a huge difference between Beitang and Beitang. After a few years of hard work, the Northern Han Dynasty will definitely be weakened by him...!"
Longtai laughed and said: "You will find an opportunity to speak." His eyes flickered slightly and he lowered his voice and said: "I am not thinking about the two counties in Xuzhou, Qining and Beitangfeng, who want to use our great Chu to plot for him. Li, people have sent their confidants to come and give generous gifts, and we are all beautiful as adults."
"It's just that I think this gift is a bit too light." Qi Ning lowered his voice and said, "Don't you think that there is a huge opportunity hidden in this?"
Longtai seemed to understand something and asked: "You are talking about... Northwest?"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Exactly. Your Majesty, if Beitang Feng wants to take Luoyang, the main force of the Northwest Army must be exhausted. Even if the defenders are left behind, the number will definitely not be too large, and... the combat effectiveness must be very weak. "
Longtai nodded and said: "Beitangfeng naturally looks down upon the bitter cold land in the northwest. He has his eyes fixed on Luoyang. Since he wants to break into the pass, of course he must capture Luoyang. If he can bring more combatable soldiers in the northwest, He will never take less than one.”
Qi Ning said: "Before his death, the old Marquis of Tantai once told his ministers that the Northern Han Dynasty is not a country that can be conquered quickly. If you want the Northern Expedition to succeed, you should not rush it and do it slowly. Take the Eastern Qi first, and if there is a chance, even By capturing the northwest, our great Chu will form a siege on the Northern Han Dynasty, encroach step by step, and eventually achieve great things."
"Northwest...!" Long Tai thought thoughtfully, pondered for a moment, his eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands and said: "Exactly, Qining, the people from Beitangfeng came to the door. This is the opportunity God gave me to be a great Chu."
"We, the Chu army, can divide our troops into two groups. One group can cross the Huaihe River and attack Xuzhou, while the other group can secretly prepare in Xichuan, mobilize the soldiers and horses of Xichuan, and take advantage of the emptiness in the northwest to launch a sudden attack, seize Xianyang, and control Tongguan. As long as these two The soldiers and horses have successfully achieved their goal, and our great Chu will be able to unify the world and it will be just around the corner." Qining's brows showed a hint of excitement.
Longtai obviously felt that this was a huge opportunity, but he understood better that opportunities and dangers often go hand in hand. Once such a plan succeeds, it will definitely change the world situation.
After a long time, Longtai seemed to have made up his mind and said categorically: "Qining, the plan to surprise Xianyang must not be known to too many people. Even for my important ministers in the court, the fewer people know about it, the better." Xiang Qining After waving his hand, Qi Ning came closer, and Long Taicai whispered: "Who do you think can take on the important task of planning a surprise attack on Xianyang?"
Qi Ning said: "Your Majesty, I don't know the capabilities of the generals in the court. Moreover, the attack on Xianyang must not only be kept secret, but also carefully planned. If there is a slight leak or negligence in the plan, the goal will not be achieved. Please consider the candidates." .”
Longtai nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said: "I will think about it carefully and consider the candidate. You go and tell Chai Bozhong that since Beitang Feng wants harmony between the two countries, I will reward him for the harmony between the two countries. If he has the ability to win the throne, I I will be the first to congratulate him."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Your Majesty is so generous, Beitang Feng will burst into tears with gratitude."
"It's just empty talk." Longtai sneered and said, "You asked Chai Bozhong to leave something. Since you want to cede the two counties of Xuzhou to me, leave a written record to avoid getting entangled in the future."
Of course Qining understood what Longtai meant.
Even if Chai Bozhong brought Beitangfeng's autographed oath, it would be just a piece of waste paper. Whether he can get the two counties of Xuzhou or not depends on his strength. The key is naturally not whether Beitangfeng will give it to him, but whether Chu State can take it. .
If the Chu State really took over the two counties of Xuzhou and Beitangfeng sent troops to regain the two counties of Xuzhou after he secured his throne, then of course the so-called oath would not be able to stop Beitangfeng's decision.
But Longtai naturally had a deep meaning in asking the other party to leave an oath.
Qi Ning left the palace and found the military commander Shi according to the address left by Chai Bozhong.
Chai Bozhong had been waiting for Qi Ning's response. When he saw Qi Ning coming, he hurriedly invited him in. After Qi Ning sat down, he cautiously asked: "Master Marquis, I just learned that the Marquis has been promoted to the title of Duke Protector of the Country." , I made a mistake yesterday, please don’t blame me.”
"He who doesn't know is not guilty." Qi Ning said with a smile, "I kept Commander Chai waiting for a long time."
"My lord, I wonder what your Majesty means...?"
Qi Ning sighed and said: "Commander Chai, as I expected, the emperor was not very happy when he learned that the third prince had sent someone. Instead, he was suspicious and summoned several important ministers in the court for discussion. They all I feel that this is the strategy of the third prince, and he intends to lure our Chu State to send troops. Military Master Chai, since you know that I have been granted the title of Duke of Jin, you naturally also know that two major events have just happened in our Chu State."
Chai Bozhong nodded and said: "Sima Lan's rebellion in your country has been wiped out by your country, and the old Marquis of Tantai also passed away due to illness. It is really sad."
"It's good that you know." Qi Ning said with a wry smile: "Several ministers said that Sima Lan has just been executed and the government is not stable. It is inappropriate to send troops hastily at this time. In addition, Tantai, a great leader with great virtue and high respect, The old Marquis has passed away. He was the pillar of our army in Da Chu. Without him, everyone is even less sure about attacking Xuzhou. And I might as well tell you that Sima Lan was the one who presided over the planning of the Northern Expedition. Now Sima Lan has If we die, the Northern Expedition will become very troublesome."
Chai Bozhong frowned and asked, "Isn't your country ready to send troops?" He leaned forward and said, "My lord, with all due respect, it will not be easy to find an opportunity in the future if God refuses to take it. To be honest, even if the third prince Even if you can't take Luoyang, you can still dominate the northwest. If you can't become the emperor, it's not bad to be the king of the northwest. And no matter who Beitang Zhao or Beitang Hao wins and inherits the throne, they will definitely deal with Chu with all their strength. At that time, Mo Talking about Xuzhou or even Dong Qi, even if your country wants to get a city north of the Huaihe River, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky."
Qi Ning said: "I also told several important ministers like this, but they said that the third prince would never be so kind as to give us the two counties of Xuzhou. There must be evil intentions in it."
Chai Bozhong sneered and said: "The important ministers of your country are really short-sighted. If your father were still alive, how could they miss such an opportunity?" His face was a little ugly: "Then your Majesty means that you are not planning to send troops?"
"The emperor has great ambitions, and the third prince brings goodwill and hopes for harmony between the two countries. Of course, the emperor does not want to offend the third prince." Qi Ning said: "However, the emperor cannot be arbitrary in such military and national affairs, so...! "
"So what?"
"So your Majesty's intention is that Commander Chai must come up with an oath to ensure that after we capture the two counties of Xuzhou, your country will never send troops to take them back." Qi Ning said sternly: "In addition, after the third prince ascends the throne, you Our two countries must no longer be at war with each other and must live in harmony."
Chai Bozhong was startled and said in surprise: "If you leave an oath, then...then your country is willing to send troops?"
Qi Ning said: "With the oath, the emperor and I will have reason to persuade other important ministers to agree to send troops. I wonder if Military Advisor Chai has brought the oath from the third prince?"