When Li Wufeng and Lin Yuexin were still talking about Cheng Dayou, the parties involved didn't seem to realize that many people were already targeting them.
The addition of Huzhou greatly improved the strategic situation of Jiujiang controlled by Cheng Dayou. Jiujiang and Huzhou were connected as one, providing Cheng Dayou with huge strategic depth. Taihu Lake and Yajiang River were originally connected by waterways. After the Taihu Water Bandits, the waterway between Taihu Lake and Yajiang River was dredged and excavated again, allowing the two waters to be connected more conveniently.
The grain warehouses in Jiujiang and Huzhou also provide sufficient food security for Chengdu You, especially Huzhou Prefecture, which is known as the largest grain warehouse in Jiangnan County. Although the vast and fertile land along the Taihu Lake has also suffered from drought, compared with other areas in Jiangnan In general, it is much better, and because Jiujiang has crisscrossed waterways, dense canals, and the abundant water in the Yajiang River, grain production has not been greatly affected. In addition, Jiujiang has always been a grain distribution center in the southeast. During the period of soaring grain prices, Cheng Dayou promptly implemented the policy of only allowing food in but not out, and the government controlled access. Although some grain merchants complained, it also allowed the food supply in the area controlled by Cheng Dayou to maintain a normal state, and also won him victory. won unanimous praise from the people of both places.
The surrender of the Taihu water bandits has rapidly improved the security situation on the ground and in the entire water area of Huzhou, and has also removed a major obstacle to the commercial exchanges between Huzhou and Jiujiang. The economic exchanges between Huzhou and Jiujiang have become increasingly frequent, and as Situ Tai The negative consequences of the policies in the East China Sea and Jiangnan areas have become increasingly apparent, causing some industrial and commercial owners in the East China Sea and Jiangnan areas to continue to move to Jiujiang and Huzhou. Jiujiang and Huzhou have also ushered in the best period of industrial and commercial development, especially after surrendering to the empire. The institutional problems that have always been criticized by the local gentry have also been solved. Although there are still some conservative-minded nobles and gentry who reject this rebellion from the Taiping Religion, in general, the originally antagonistic sentiments have been greatly improved. degree of relaxation. As the financial situation of the two places gradually improved, Cheng Dayou's rule in this region became increasingly stable.
The addition of the Taihu water bandits immediately raised the strength of Cheng Dayou's navy to a high level. In the later period, it was also Cheng Dayou's established policy to vigorously develop the navy. In the land south of the Yangtze River, the effectiveness of the navy often exceeded that of a pure navy. The army, with its flexible tactics and convenient and fast marching methods, can give the navy a considerable advantage against the army on this land.
All of this seems to be developing in the direction Cheng Dayou planned, but can't he just sit back and relax? Cheng Dayou's mood at this time did not feel relaxed at all. According to reports from the intelligence system, the Five Lakes navy is integrating and gathering. Cooperating with the Five Lakes navy is the elite Sixth Army of the Empire, which is more than Situ Biao's hand. What is this guy planning to do? Do you really want to do something to yourself? Cheng Dayou was a little surprised. The gathering of the kings was about to take place. Could it be that Situ Biao had already made up his mind to form an alliance with Xijiang to fight against Situ Tai who was about to take over the imperial capital
The information on the desk seems to be somewhat contradictory. Situ Biao moved the reorganized Fifth Army to the south, while the Eleventh Army was placed in a defensive posture to the north and east. What did he want? Should he use the opportunity of remaining neutral to attack himself, or should he join forces with Xijiang and send troops to Jiangnan to seize Situ Tai's control in Jiangnan
"Sir, are you looking for us?" I saw the coach standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking straight at the scenery outside the window. He didn't seem to hear the footsteps of the two of them coming in. The two people who just walked in exchanged glances, a little confused. It's definitely time to come.
"Well, you two sit down." Turning around, Cheng Dayou still had traces of contemplation on his face, as if he had not yet fully recovered from his thoughts.
The thin black man and the sharp-faced scribe both noticed that the coach was a little uneasy, but they didn't know what could make him like this.
"You all know that there is something strange happening in Situ Biao to the east of us. Li Wufeng has sent someone to see me again. I want to hear your opinions." The tone was light without any emotion. The ups and downs in the past few years have already passed. Let the Taiyuan Mountains of Chengdu be pressed to the top without changing color.
"Li Wufeng sent someone here again? Huh, it seems he is eager for us to help him open a passage to the east." The thin scribe said angrily, "Duan has a good idea."
"The situation is stronger than the people. Li Wufeng holds great power and strong troops. Of course he has the qualifications, but we need to think about it." He didn't take it seriously with the somewhat emotional words of his intelligence director. Cheng Dayou never felt like this. What's wrong with things? The strong survive and the weak are eliminated. The strong have the power to dictate to the weak. Although he doesn't want to admit it, it is the fact. Compared to Li Wufeng, his strength is indeed too weak. There are too few opportunities.
"What are your plans, sir?" the thin black man asked, stroking a few whiskers under his chin.
"Situ Biao put up an offensive posture at this time. I am not sure what he wants to do? Is he waiting for an opportunity to seize Gusu Weiyang, or is he trying to take our idea? If he wants to seize Gusu Weiyang, Situ Biao will naturally get it. With Li Wufeng's full support, Li Wufeng will also contain Situ Tai in the west. Can we get a share of the pie? If Situ Biao wants to attack us, does he have the support of Li Wufeng, or has he reached a compromise with Situ Tai? Will Situ Tai take action at the same time in the north?"
Cheng Dayou asked several questions in one breath, causing the two people in front of him to change their expressions slightly. If Situ Biao and Situ Tai reach an agreement to carve up Jiujiang and Huzhou, I'm afraid there really isn't much hope for their own side. After all, the strength between the two parties cannot be made up by other means.
The situation is still unclear, and many things can only be inferred based on the information he has already mastered. However, such inferences are often very one-sided and limited. It is for this reason that Cheng Dayou is unable to make a decision.
"Sir, in fact, the variables in this process all depend on what kind of outcome they can achieve in this meeting of kings. Can Situ Tai replace Situ Lang and become the new emperor, and will Situ Biao accept Situ Tai's rule? I know that Situ Tai is not Situ Lang. If he controls the central power, it is unlikely that Situ Biao will be allowed to monopolize power as he does now. It is imperative that the Five Lakes Land be returned to the center of the empire. In my personal opinion, This time, both Li Wufeng and Situ Biao will block Situ Tai's plan to ascend the throne. However, now that Situ Tai has the support of the original Situ Lang clan and the conservative nobles of the empire, and the two are too weak in the imperial capital to change this situation, Li Wufeng What kind of method will Situ Biao and Situ Biao adopt to fight Situ Tai? Whether it will be a direct war or an indirect confrontation. The relationship between these three parties, including us, is very subtle at present. It is really unclear what kind of changes there will be. It’s easy to grasp, but one thing is for sure, we will soon go to war. Whether the other party attacks us or we take the initiative, we must be fully prepared militarily. As for whether to vote for Li Wufeng’s side, I think we can It is best to wait for a while until the situation becomes clear. Your Excellency, you may wish to give Xijiang a clear answer. After the meeting of the kings, we will definitely give him a positive answer."
When the other two people's eyes were focused on the thin black man, the thin black man talked eloquently, "If Situ Biao really formed a close alliance with Li Wufeng, then we might as well join this alliance. The land of Jiangnan is not Situ Biao's." Biao can be eaten by himself. I think adults have also put in a lot of effort in Gusu, Weiyang, Jinling, and Pengcheng. In fact, we and Situ Biao all have the same idea, which is to take advantage of Li Wufeng's temporary inability to deal with it. When the south takes action, we will try our best to capture Jiangnan. Situ Tai's main force has been held back by Li Wufeng, and he is unpopular in Jiangnan and Donghai. We have a great chance. Even if Situ Tai really falls under Li Wufeng in the future, we can still With the capital in hand, we can find a better position and place for you and everyone."
This is not the first time that the thin black man has made such remarks, but it seems more realistic and direct when he says it. The man's prediction was coming true step by step, and both Cheng Dayou and the thin scribe had to carefully consider each other's opinions. , there was still unfinished meaning in the other party's words, and the two of them did not rush, but just waited silently.
"If Situ Biao intends to take advantage of this opportunity to eat us, then we will simply go directly to Li Wufeng and open up a base for Li Wufeng in the east. Such meritorious service is enough for Li Wufeng to stand alone." The thin black man finally added road.
The room was as silent as water, with only the breathing of the three people audible. Cheng Dayou was digesting the other party's proposal. He even felt that the guy in front of him was more like Li Wufeng's lobbyist. He seemed to have determined that he would not be able to stand on his own in this troubled world. Stay on your feet, God has given you a chance, but it has given Li Wufeng more opportunities. He is just a few years late, is there really no hope of recovery
He glanced at the other party with a solemn expression, as if he couldn't see through this guy's thoughts. Cheng Dayou himself was a little unsure whether it was wrong or right to recruit this guy under his command.
After a long silence, Cheng Dayou said calmly: "Mr. Jiao's words make sense. Let's wait. There are only a few days left. Let's see what the outcome of the meeting of kings will be."