Zhu Xiang helped Chen Qi up without answering.
He didn't know how to answer.
Chen Qi just knelt down and begged without letting Zhu Xiang answer.
A gentleman can deceive others with his own tactics, but he dare not deceive Zhu Xiang, because Zhu Xiang is Guangling's only hope.
Chen Qifa's beard was gray, not just because of his age. He knew that Zhu Xiang could be easily deceived, but the Qin people who were watching Zhu Xiang closely would not do that.
If they really went too far, the guards behind Zhu Xiang would probably knock him out and carry him away.
A guard came to report: "Duke Zhu Xiang, Li Duwei is here to visit."
Captain Li is Li Si.
Under the governor of a county in the Qin State, there were county magistrates and military commanders to assist them. The county magistrate assisted in civil affairs, and the military commander assisted in public security. If it was a border county, there was also a chief official in charge of military power.
The position of a commander was slightly higher than that of a county magistrate. However, Ying Xiaozheng appointed Li Si as the commander, not because he valued Li Si more than Han Fei, but because Li Si was more suitable.
Zhu Xiang sighed deeply and said, "Zheng'er is here to urge me."
Fuqiu said anxiously: "The situation is very dangerous now. Duke Zhu Xiang should really return to Wujun."
After learning about the internal relocation order of Southern Chu, Fuqiu was overwhelmed with anger and sadness. When he brought people to see Zhu Xiang, he really hoped that Zhu Xiang could save these Chu people.
After he calmed down, he slapped himself and cursed himself for causing trouble for Duke Xiang of Zhu.
How could Duke Zhu Xiang control what the people of Chu did? He led people to force Duke Zhu Xiang to do something he was powerless to do. Isn't this embarrassing for Duke Zhu Xiang? What if Duke Zhu Xiang really got stubborn and decided to stay and take the risk
Fuqiu deeply regretted his immaturity. After calming down, he urged Zhu Xiang to leave quickly every day.
Zhu Xiang shook his head: "Wait a little longer."
When Li Si walked in, he just heard Zhu Xiang's words.
Li Si, who was so cautious and never showed any disrespect in front of Zhu Xiang, couldn't help but get impatient: "Duke Zhu Xiang! What are you waiting for! If you don't leave, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will come here in person!"
Zhu Xiang jumped up from his chair in shock: "What? Why didn't you stop Zheng'er?!"
Li Si said: "We have stopped him now, but if Duke Zhu Xiang does not go back, no one can stop him!"
Zhu Xiang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "It's good to persuade him. I'll ask Xue Ji to go back and take care of Zheng Er."
Li Si was horrified: "Only Lady Wu was allowed to go back? What about Duke Zhu Xiang?"
Zhu Xiang said: "I am waiting for Li Mu's letter."
Li Si was puzzled: "A letter from General Li?"
Zhu Xiang nodded: "Can you defend it? I'm waiting for Li Mu's letter."
Fuqiu was so frightened that his voice became shrill: "Duke Zhu Xiang wants to defend it?"
Zhu Xiang hesitated for a moment and said, "Look at Li Mu's reply. If he tells me to leave, I'll leave right away."
Li Si said: "Duke Zhu Xiang sent a letter to General Li? Excuse me, by the time Duke Zhu Xiang's letter reached General Li, General Li's reply hadn't yet been delivered to Guangling City, Xiang Yan had already arrived!"
Zhu Xiang shook his head: "I didn't send the letter."
Fuqiu didn't care about etiquette anymore and grabbed Zhu Xiang's arm tightly: "Duke Zhu Xiang, what do you mean by this? Are you looking for an excuse to stay here?"
Zhu Xiang said, "It's not an excuse. Li Mu learned about the relocation order no later than us. He knows me very well, so he will give me an answer whether to leave or stay before Xiang Yan comes."
Everyone in the room looked at each other.
Li Si asked doubtfully, "Duke Zhu Xiang, are you telling the truth?"
Zhu Xiang said: "If Li Mu does not reply, I will leave when I find out that Xiang Yan's troops have appeared. The boat is at the ferry and I can get on it at any time. After I get on the boat, Xiang Yan will be unable to do anything to me. Don't worry."
Li Si asked, "Before that, was Duke Zhu Xiang really unwilling to leave?"
Zhu Xiang said: "Yes."
Fuqiu let go of Zhu Xiang's sleeves, his body shaky: "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let Duke Zhu Xiang know about the relocation order. If Duke Zhu Xiang is in danger..."
Zhu Xiang patted Fuqiu on the shoulder and comforted him: "Even if you didn't tell me, I would have known it. Knowing it in advance now will give us room for preparation. Don't regret it. It's better to take action now. Confucianism advocates benevolence and love for others..."
Zhu Xiang looked at Jiao Yun: "The Mohists believe in benevolence and universal love. Although they have differences in who they love, if they have the ability, they will not turn a blind eye to the tragic scene before their eyes. As Confucianists and Mohists around me, you two do not need my orders, just do what you can. I believe you can do it."
Jiao Yun, who was used to holding a sword, put the sword behind his waist for a rare occasion. He sighed, clasped his hands and said, "Yes, Duke Zhu Xiang."
Fuqiu wiped away his tears, gritted his teeth and bowed: "Yes! Duke Zhu Xiang!"
Zhu Xiang said, "Call Meng Tian."
Li Si turned around and walked a few steps, then remembered that he had just arrived and didn't know where Meng Tian was, so he quickly turned back.
Zhu Xiang didn't originally ask Li Si to call anyone; Li Si just made it a habit.
Li Si asked anxiously, "What should I do?"
Zhu Xiang said: "Xue Ji is still in the textile workshop, take Xue Ji back to Wu County."
Li Si said: "Duke Zhu Xiang, if you don't go back, will your wife go back?!"
Zhu Xiang was silent for a while and nodded silently.
Li Si looked at Zhu Xiang deeply, clenched his hands, and said, "Okay, I will take my wife back to Wujun. Duke Zhu Xiang, if something happens to you, even if you save Guangling City, with the prince's character, no one can stop him from slaughtering the city and burying you with him."
Zhu Xiang immediately said: "Zheng'er won't..."
He stopped talking and sighed, "Well, I don't know if it will happen. But I'm afraid that the Xiang family, the Southern Chu Lord, and the Chu King's entire clan will be slaughtered by Zheng'er. I will take care of myself. Even if I defend the city, I will not go to the battlefield. I know my own strength. And even if the city is broken and Xiang Yan captures me, he won't dare to kill me."
Li Si took a deep breath and said, "Duke Zhu Xiang, please take care."
After saying that, he went to find Xue Ji as Zhu Xiang instructed.
When Xue Ji heard Zhu Xiang's request, she immediately burst into tears.
But she didn't complain, and quietly packed her luggage and prepared to leave.
When leaving, Xue Ji did not go to see Zhu Xiang.
She asked someone to tell Zhu Xiang that she had not said goodbye to him, so Zhu Xiang must go back to see her.
After saying this, Xue Ji boarded the boat back home.
Zhu Xiang is actually at the dock.
He didn't know whether Xue Ji saw him, but since Xue Ji said she didn't want to say goodbye, he didn't show up.
Zhu Xiang was indeed very sure that he would not die even if the city was breached, and at most he would suffer some pain.
Even if Xiang Yan and Nan Chujun had a hundred courages, unless he personally put on armor to fight and died in the hail of arrows, as long as he was not on the battlefield, Xiang Yan's first order when the city was broken must be not to hurt himself.
Duke Xiang of Zhu could die, but he must not die in his hands.
If he died, no matter how great Xiang Yan's contributions were, the King of Chu and the Lord of Southern Chu would hand over Xiang Yan's entire family to appease the King of Qin's anger.
Although Xiang Yan is loyal to the King of Chu, he also has to take care of his family's feudal lord. As the patriarch of the Xiang family, he will not do anything to destroy his entire clan for the sake of the State of Chu.
The King of Southern Chu did not dare to let himself die on his territory. He had finally obtained the Southern Chu Kingdom, and if he died under his army, the King of Chu would definitely use this as an excuse to ally with the Qin army to destroy him.
The Qin State would certainly not care about any gains or losses, and would only avenge itself first.
Even the other five countries would use themselves as an excuse to send troops, pretending to avenge themselves, and come to Chu to get a piece of the pie.
Zhu Xiang thought, he wanted to see if the people of Southern Chu would dare to kill him if he rode his horse into the army formation of Southern Chu.
However, in order to avoid being accidentally killed by some foolish young man from the State of Chu, Zhu Xiang would not take the risk (mainly because Zhu Xiang was too weak, and even if he rode his horse forward into the enemy's formation, he would be captured alive).
After Xue Ji's boat left the shore, Zhu Xiang came out from his hiding place, took out his bamboo flute and played it.
Li Mu had been in the frontier for a long time. In addition to the zither that all scholars knew, he was also good at playing the bone flute and bone Xiao.
There were many bamboos in southern Qin, so after arriving in Wujun, Li Mu changed to bamboo flutes and bamboo flutes. In his spare time, he taught Ying Xiaozheng to play the flute and bamboo flute to cultivate his sentiments. Zhu Xiang followed and learned a little bit.
The mournful sound of the flute, accompanied by the gurgling river, carried the sound of farewell to the boat.
Xue Ji stood at the bow of the boat, her clothes fluttering, and she pursed her lips as she watched the figure of her lover on the shore gradually disappear into the distance.
She wondered, how many times had they separated? How many times had she watched her beloved go to a dangerous place
But she had no choice, because she was her husband's wife, and she had to protect her children and the house until her husband returned.
Even if she doesn't want to.
After the Qin State unified the world, there would be no more dangerous places in the world, and she would no longer have to part with her beloved.
Xue Ji's vision is not very high. Even though she has a very high status and position now, she has also assumed the responsibilities of "Mrs. Changping Jun", which is higher than the achievements of most women in this world.
But in fact, she still had no idea what unification was.
But since Zhu Xiang hoped so, she hoped so.
Now, for the first time, she sincerely hoped that Qin would be unified as soon as possible.
As long as there is no war in this world, not only will she and her lover not have to be separated anymore, but couples in this world will also not have to face so many separations anymore, right
Xue Ji thought naively and hoped naively.
When the sound of the flute was completely covered by the sound of flowing water and she could not see her lover even when she stood on tiptoe, Xue Ji turned around and returned to the cabin.
She sorted out the documents she was going to give to Zheng'er and began to think about how to persuade Zheng'er, who was definitely furious, his temper was getting worse and worse, and his character was becoming more and more stubborn like a husband.
She also had to help Zheng'er appease the refugees from Chu.
Southern Chu issued an order to relocate its people, which meant that more Chu people were bound to migrate south.
Xue Ji patted her cheeks gently to cheer herself up from her frustration.
Her lover had important things to do, and she also had a lot of things to do. As the wife of Lord Changping, she could do more than just comfort Zheng'er and wait for her lover to return.
When Ying Xiaozheng saw Xue Ji, he was horrified and rushed to the boat, wanting to row the boat to pick up Zhu Xiang himself. Not to mention that he was stopped by Xue Ji, Li Si was sent to Guangling City by Ying Xiaozheng.
Ying Xiaozheng's word is as good as gold. If his uncle doesn't come back, Li Si won't come back either.
Li Si stood on the deck, feeling a chill in his heart.
The prince's words mean that he wants to block the sword for Lord Changping, right? Although Li Si is confident that he is definitely stronger than Lord Changping, he is also timid about going to the battlefield.
I hope Changping Jun really has self-awareness and doesn't go to the battlefield.
On the other side, when Han Fei arrived at Li Mu's warship, Li Mu had already asked people to send the letter to Guangling City by light boats and sailboats and fast horses via water and land routes.
Han Fei saw Li Mu sitting cross-legged on the deck, holding a jar of wine, and looking a little depressed.
Since warriors often had to ride horses, they wore crotch-closed trousers, so Li Mu's action was not considered impolite. It was just that Li Mu was more self-disciplined and reserved, and rarely made such casual movements.
Han Fei knelt down beside Li Mu and asked anxiously, "Why is the general so worried? Could this move by the Chu people threaten Southern Qin?"
Han Fei was puzzled.
Li Mu took out a letter unfolded by a wax ball from his arms and threw it to Han Fei.
After reading it, Han Fei frowned and thought hard.
Han Fei didn't know much about military affairs, and Li Mu didn't expect Han Fei to figure it out on his own.
He explained the purpose of the Nanchu Migration Order.
Li Mu dared to conclude that the order to relocate was definitely proposed by Xiang Yan, because Xiang Yan was the only one in Chu who had such a pure military vision.
Since Zhu Xiang entered Qin, Qin changed its previous hegemonic military stance and adopted a conciliatory approach, raising the banner of righteous army, which has shown initial results.
After Li Mu seized Southern Chu and established Southern Qin, he used the same strategy towards the heartland of Chu.
Agreeing to let Zhu Xiang go to Guangling City to guide farming was a move by Li Mu to allow Zhu Xiang's influence to transcend the Yangtze River.
Xiang Yan's tactic of cutting off the tail to survive turned the rich land on the north bank of the Yangtze River into scorched earth and built layers of fortifications and checkpoints to hinder the Qin army, which made Li Mu admire him.
"If Chu had not separated Southern Chu, Xiang Yan would never have dared to come up with this plan." Li Mu sneered drunkenly, "Southern Chu is weak, and the King of Southern Chu is afraid of the Qin army. Even if he is reluctant to give up that rich land, he has no choice but to agree."
Han Fei asked, "Is the general depressed about this?" He also admired Xiang Yan. How could someone make this legendary general who had never lost a battle depressed!
"No." Li Mu picked up the wine jar again and poured a mouthful of wine into his mouth.
He gulped down several gulps of wine before he sighed out his anger: "Zhu Xiang is going to be in danger again. What's more hateful is that if we want to crack Xiang Yan's move, Zhu Xiang must be in danger."
It's just that the plan was broken. The military situation is not constant, and it is normal for you to go back and forth. If a game of chess is not played to the end, no one can tell the final outcome.
Although Li Mu was surprised by Xiang Yan's ruthless move to break the deadlock, he would not be depressed because of it.
This was much easier than enduring the burning, killing and looting by the Northern Hu for several years in order to find the biggest opportunity for battle.
The enemy cannot shake his heart. The only ones who can shake his heart are those who stand with him.
His monarch, his colleagues, his relatives, his friends.
Seeing that Han Fei was still confused, Li Mu did not explain to Han Fei.
He just suddenly wanted to find someone to talk to about his troubles, and he didn't care whether that person could understand him or not.
He had already sent a letter to Zhu Xiang and knew that Zhu Xiang could understand him.
Just as he understood Zhu Xiang.
Even if Zhu Xiang had not sent a letter, he knew that Zhu Xiang must have been waiting for his letter and his decision after learning about the order to move internally.
"I wonder if Zheng'er will hold a grudge against me for this." Li Mu raised his head and poured the last drop of wine from the jar into his mouth, then stood up unsteadily. "That kid is really not generous."
Although Han Fei didn't know what Li Mu was talking about, he still defended Prince Zheng: "The prince is a man of love, how could he bear a grudge against the general? From what the general said, since Duke Zhu Xiang and the general have a tacit understanding, even if the prince is angry, there is nothing he can do."
Li Mu laughed, the alcohol rising in his body, and he staggered: "I'm afraid Zhu Xiang will blame me too."
Han Fei was shocked again: "General! What terrible thing are you going to do? Even Duke Zhu Xiang will blame you!"
Li Mu smiled and said, "Is it scary? It's not scary to me. Being a general is like this, leading an army is like this. Being kind is not good for leading an army, that's how it is."
"Hold the city for ten days." Zhu Xiang opened the letter, his brows relaxed at first, then knitted tightly, "After ten days, Xiang Yan's plan will be solved."
Ten days... Ten days.
Zhu Xiang didn't believe that Li Mu would send troops to rescue after ten days.
He clenched a corner of the letter tightly in both hands, almost tearing it.
Zhu Xiang stared at every word on the letter, then closed his eyes and did not open them for a long time.
He understood what Li Mu meant.
The focus is not on defending the city, but on the fact that "Changping Jun led the Chu people to resist the Southern Chu army for ten full days."
Ten days were enough time for the news of his defense of the city to spread to every city in Chu State, and even reach the ears of the kings of the six states.
The Yangtze River Delta is not as vast as it will be two thousand years later. Guangling City is very close to the sea. It is adjacent to the Yangtze River in the south and the sea in the east, which is very suitable for the Qin State's fleet to display. As long as Li Mu wants to defend it, the Chu State will be helpless to take Guangling City.
As long as Guangling City was captured, the Yangtze River Delta, both north and south of the Yangtze River, would be under the control of the Qin State and would become the "military port" of the Qin State's navy.
Moreover, Guangling City became a thorn in the north bank of the Yangtze River. Even though the cities on the north bank of the Yangtze River west of Guangling City had been burned down, Xiang Yan's wish to establish an isolation zone on the north bank of the Yangtze River would not be realized.
The Qin army could not only station troops and send out troops from Guangling City, but also attract the Chu people on the north bank of the Yangtze River who did not want to leave their homeland to surrender.
The cities on the west side of the north bank of the Yangtze River were burned down by the Chu generals, but the Qin people protected Guangling City, making it the only prosperous city on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Xiang Yan's plan to obliterate the Qin people's "righteous soldiers" and Zhu Xiang's "benevolence and righteousness" would be thwarted.
As for the Chu people who originally lived on the north bank of the Yangtze River, they no longer had to risk fleeing southward, but could flee eastward. Zhu Xiang's wish to save the people could also be realized.
He said to let the Chu people flee south, but the Yangtze River is a natural barrier, how can ordinary people get boats to cross the Yangtze River? Southern Chu would not let the Chu people flee south, and would definitely burn all civilian ships along the coast.
Zhu Xiang's letters to Xiang Yan and Nan Chu Jun were just an expression of his dissatisfaction and a futile venting.
He knew that Xiang Yan and Nan Chujun would definitely burn every civilian ship and would not leave even a sampan.
This is what the Migration Order is all about.
Zhu Xiang opened his eyes.
The lie was already forming in his mind.
To complete this plan, he could not tell the people of Guangling City that Qin State deliberately made them resist the attack of Southern Chu State for ten days, resulting in countless casualties.
He had to make this incident tragic enough, enough to move people all over the world.
Duke Xiang of Changping, the friend of the King of Qin, the uncle of the Crown Prince of Qin, and a recognized national figure among the Seven Kingdoms, led them to defend the city and was in danger with them. This lie no longer needed any words to embellish it.
Everyone will believe it.
With a "click" sound, Zhu Xiang lowered his head and his fingers tore the letter paper.
The letter paper cut his fingers and blood stained Li Mu's handwriting.
Would I get cut if I tore the letter paper? Zhu Xiang was in a trance for a moment, picked up Li Mu's letter, walked to the candlelight, and lit it.
The burning letter fell to the ground and turned into ashes.
Zhu Xiang stared at the ashes for a while, then picked up a broom and swept the ashes out of the house.
The wind blows and they are gone.
The paper cut was very shallow and the blood on his finger had stopped. If it weren't for the dull pain, he would have looked like he was not injured.
Zhu Xiang went back to his room, took out a coat and put it on, then said to Jiao Yun who was standing guard outside, "Call all the Chu officials, and also Meng Tian."
Jiao Yun looked at Zhu Xiang without answering or leaving.
Zhu Xiang said: "I will defend the city for ten days."
Jiao Yun's eyes flickered and he smiled bitterly.
This was the first time Zhu Xiang had seen Jiao Yun with such an obvious expression. Jiao Yun's face was usually like a mask, which made Zhu Xiang worry that Jiao Yun's facial paralysis was caused by illness.
"Duke Zhu Xiang, you go back and I will guard it." Jiao Yun said, "Believe me, I can defend it."
Zhu Xiang said: "This city must be guarded by Lord Changping."
Jiao Yun was silent for a while, then asked, "Is this General Li's plan?"
Zhu Xiang said: "No, it was a plan he and I made together."
Jiao Yun looked straight into Zhu Xiang's eyes.
Zhu Xiang's gaze remained unwavering.
Jiao Yun sighed, turned and left.
Zhu Xiang asked, "Li Si, you haven't slept yet?"
Li Si walked out from the corner: "How dare I sleep?"
Zhu Xiang said, "Send a letter to Zheng'er. I will defend the city for ten days. This is my plan. He and Li Mu must follow my plan and cannot change it. Although he is the crown prince, I have the King of Qin's edict. The affairs of Southern Qin are subject to my orders. Grind the ink for me."
Li Si lowered his head and said, "Yes."
Duke Zhu Xiang did not send a letter to Li Mu, so how did Li Mu know about Duke Zhu Xiang's plan? Duke Zhu Xiang might have a tacit understanding with Li Mu, but the plan must have been led by Li Mu.
But Duke Zhu Xiang said that it was his own plan, so it must be true.
Li Si once again envied Zhu Xiang and Li Mu's friendship. He wondered if he would ever have such a friend in his life.
The figure of Han Fei appeared in Li Si's mind, and then he shook the figure off with a look of disgust.
His best friend could not be a hypocritical stutterer who had been let down by the King of Han a hundred times but still missed the Kingdom of Han.
The cities during the Warring States Period were pitch black at night.
Tonight, the city of Guangling was ablaze with fires everywhere. Torches meandered through the main streets of the city like dragons, illuminating the entire city and turning the night sky red.
All the famous scholars in the city left their homes and went to the mansion where Duke Zhu Xiang was temporarily staying.
On the second day, the gates of Guangling were opened, and some people fled north of Guangling City in horse-drawn carriages.
More people came to the vicinity of Guangling City, urging and helping farmers to harvest the immature rice, and informing the villages near Guangling City of the relocation order.
The area around Guangling City was flat and the farmers had no hillsides or trees to hide in. They had only two options: either flee north, 30 miles away from the Yangtze River, or enter Guangling City to seek shelter.
Most farmers chose to flee north, but there were still many young and strong men entering Guangling City. Most of them were equipped with their own weapons and were local knights or poor scholars who had fallen to the level of common people.
Zhu Xiang did not recruit soldiers specifically, but the number of young and strong troops defending the city more than doubled.
Most of the ordinary citizens in Guangling City had nowhere to go, so they brought their families to the outside of the city wall. Under the command of the Qin soldiers, they used bamboo baskets to weave pebbles and built several low walls outside the original city walls.
Zhu Xiang still hadn't tested the formula for cement, and now he had no time to calcine cement. But when digging the fish pond, he dug up a lot of sticky silt, and when repairing the canal, he also had a lot of building materials left over, and there were also craftsmen such as Zheng Guo.
Based on Li Bing's experience in building the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Zhu Xiang filled bamboo baskets with pebbles and covered them with mud from the bottom of the fish pond. He worked day and night and quickly built several low walls.
Fortunately, the weather was hot, but the sky was covered with thin clouds, so there was no direct sunlight. The mud dried quickly in the shade.
Zhu Xiang looked up at the sky.
This kind of weather is very suitable for rice to mature. If Xiang Yan had not attacked and the rice had not been harvested early, Guangling's rice would have had a good harvest this year.
(End of this chapter)