Both moons are already half-circle.
In Pengcheng City, on a high building, the tall Sima Zheng, dressed in white, stood under the eaves with his hands behind his hands, looking quietly at the sky. In the attic behind him, a simple armored stomach could be faintly seen.
Downstairs, because it had just fallen into the night and the city was full of soldiers and horses, it was still brightly lit and noisy.
During the day today, the leader of Xuzhou Fangzhen, the youngest grandmaster of the Wei Dynasty, the unquestionable leader of the next generation of the famous Sima family in the empire, and the actually second-ranked figure in the imperial army system, met his seventh uncle Sima Jinda. The latter brought a handwritten letter from Sima Zheng's biological father, Sima Huada.
In the letter, everything was explained very clearly.
Sima Huada wanted Sima Zheng to cease the war with Zhang Xing and return Linyi, the capital of Langya County, and then agree not to fight in exchange for the withdrawal of the captured Sima Shida and the troops that had already reached Jiangdu County.
In addition, Sima Huada also described in the letter the embarrassing situation of the Sima family in Jiangdu, the difficulties he had to support the situation, and the moodiness of the saint.
In and out of words, Sima Zheng was asked to consider the survival of the entire Sima clan and help him solve this problem.
At this time, despite his predictions, Sima Zheng still fell into some extreme depression after verifying all of Zhang Xing's strategies.
After all, there are some things that he can refute or ignore. For example, his third uncle, when he returned to Pengcheng that day, he really had murderous intentions... This guy is so deceitful. Yes, if it weren't for this third uncle, Zhang Xing's long arm would circle back and stop the matter from the outside. Here in Xuzhou, he might be able to stand up and say a word without missing a word.
So he really didn't care about this person's life and death.
But there were some things that he could not and was unable to refute.
For example, the issue of family survival - if it is really revealed that his father deceived his superiors, hid military information, and lost his generals, depending on the temper of that saint, he may really have to execute his father, and if this happens, it will be terrible. Something will happen, either his family will be destroyed, or the saint will be overthrown by the already unstable Forbidden Army group led by his family.
No matter which outcome it is, it means that the Sima family is doomed.
It also means that some of his Sima Zheng's persistence, coupled with his grandfather's life experiences and achievements, have become ridiculous.
For example, when Li Wenbai and the other two local Langya tycoons who surrendered were definitely executed, his actions in Linyi and the seemingly frictional battle with the Deposed Dragon Gang became meaningless.
How can you make those people in Linyi believe in you again? Who dares to surrender? !
Of course, there is a real military threat in front of us - it turns out that Zhang Xingzhen was not exaggerating. The person who captured Zhao Guang in one day, regardless of whether it was a strange formation composed of people from the North, was equivalent to the standard master's cultivation. Coupled with Xiong Bonan, Bai Yousi, Wu Jingfeng, Wu Changzai, and Zhang Xing in front of them, the combat power of the Deposed Dragon Gang has indeed expanded to a certain extent.
Under such circumstances, insisting on military confrontation is likely to be self-inflicted, inflicting at most 800 losses on the enemy and 1,000 losses on oneself.
"General, are you looking for me?" Under the dusk, Wang Tong came in a hurry.
"I have something to do for you." Sima Zheng, who had already arrived downstairs, looked at the other party and spoke calmly. "I want you to go to Langya, take over the garrison in Linyi, and then go find the Langya nobles who have surrendered, tell them that we are about to withdraw our troops, and ask them if they are willing to go south with us and settle in Xuzhou?"
Wang Tong was stunned for a moment, thinking of Sima Jinda who had come during the day, and immediately realized: "General, are you planning to negotiate peace?"
"Yes." Sima Zheng did not hide or complain, or blame the matter on anyone. "Zhang Sanlang didn't lie to us. They are two armies, and there is a grandmaster on the southern one. I just want to be there with Langya. I am really ashamed to be lured away from the mountain and win with one blow."
"What does the general have to be ashamed of? Only half of the soldiers and horses at Sishuikou belong directly to Jiangdu, let alone Jiangdu? Our side has not suffered at all." At this point, Wang Tong sighed. "But it's still a pity. If we had known this earlier, we would have made more money here. Now that we have negotiated a peace like this, the military and the people are uneasy."
Sima Zheng nodded: "You are right, I will try my best to give everyone an explanation."
Wang Tong originally wanted to explain that he did not mean this, but as a trusted general of the other party, he knew the other party's temper to some extent, but he hesitated. Then he just handed over his hand and said: "In this case, I will go to Langya to clean up the situation and wait for the general's order."
After saying that, he also left and set out overnight.
After Wang Tong left, Sima Zheng, who had made up his mind, also went to bed. Early the next morning, he sent a messenger inviting Zhang Xingcheng to go to the small island in the north river for a while.
Zhang Xing received the invitation and immediately replied and agreed.
At noon, they set off from the outpost camp only ten miles away and arrived at Hezhongzhou with Bai Yousi.
Let's say that the Bian River and the river meet in the north of Pengcheng, and then continue southward from the east side of Pengcheng, and then it is called Surabaya River. Therefore, no one knows which river the small stone island in the river at this confluence point belongs to, and the locals just call it stone island.
Leaping onto the stone island, Zhang Xing and Bai Yousi saw each other standing there from a distance. They didn't treat each other with a banquet. Instead, their armor and stomach were clearly visible, shining only in the noon sun. They looked at each other in silence, and then kept silent. Be careful and walked over.
They still trust each other's character.
"Is it this armored stomach?" Zhang Xing, who was dressed in white, walked up to him and pointed at the opponent's body with his finger.
Of course Sima Zheng knew what the other party meant, but he shook his head directly: "No, the armor stomach is an old armor passed down from the family, how could it be so new?"
"Just wear it and take care of it." Bai Yousi said. "The flag of Saburo has been used for two or three years and has gradually become damaged. However, after King Xiongtian used it this time, it became inexplicably brighter and neater, which made Saburo particularly surprised..."
"I've been studying this for the past few days." Zhang Xing also smiled. "To be honest, it was only then that I realized that I still underestimated the vitality of heaven and earth... Without this thing, this world is more or less materialistic... With it, of course it is also materialistic, but obviously its laws have to override above other laws."
Sima Zheng was confused when he heard this. Naturally he didn’t understand anything about mighty materialism, but he guessed the meaning of the second half of the sentence and nodded immediately: "So it is called the vitality of heaven and earth. It is the fundamental essence of heaven and earth. It cuts the rivers and cracks the mountains, and the deserts divide the seas." , is definitely not caused by brute force.”
"But where did this kind of thing come from?" Zhang Xing looked around. "Come from the river? Emerge from the ground? Fall from the sky? Bring it out from the sun, or the red moon? Is the stock fixed or uncertain? It's caused by human activities, or what? A special gift from a powerful person?"
Sima Zheng shook his head slightly: "It is endless to talk about this kind of thing, and it is a difficult question to ask... Zhang Sanlang, you should know what I am looking for you, right?"
"Of course, I also received a letter from Shanyang." Zhang Xing answered frankly, without any of the arrogance he had when he was in Liu County.
In other words, this also exposed some truths - when there was no definite news about the southern route that day, Zhang Laosan's attitude was as arrogant and arrogant as it could be, but in essence it was a guilty conscience after the defeat of the northern route; now With the success of the southern route, he was happy and generous.
"I generally agree with the deal between you and my father." Sima Zheng said simply. "I lost this round and you won."
Zhang Xing was about to speak but stopped.
"Where is the victory or defeat between the two of you?" Bai Yousi smiled slightly when he saw this. "If you have to say you lost, it's because you thought this battle was between you and him."
"Not bad." Sima Zheng sighed. "There is some truth to this. This battle was essentially a battle between my father and Zhang Sanlang...but as a part of it, I still lost."
"Actually..." Zhang Xing finally corrected himself. "I think you are still mistaken... This battle is essentially a battle between your father and I and the emperor of Jiangdu. If you insist on saying that you lost, it is not a matter of battle. You are in Xuzhou, There is no defeat at all, it’s just that you don’t understand which side you are on and who you are fighting for.”
Sima Zheng was slightly stunned, but he did not refute this ridiculous statement.
"Anyway, that's what happened." Zhang Xing continued. "You just said that you generally agree, but that means there are still some areas where you disagree, right?"
"Yes." Sima Zheng responded calmly. "I have only one request. I want you to hand over my third uncle Sima Shida directly to me."
Zhang Xing was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "It can be done! I will inform your seventh uncle that Sima Shida will hand it back at the end, and we will hand it back when we finally evacuate Xiao County... That's it?"
Sima Zheng nodded: "That's enough."
Zhang Xing turned around and left. Bai Yousi nodded and turned around too. This battle was too difficult for the people on the Xuzhou battlefield.
When he walked to the side of Hezhou and was about to jump up, Chief Zhang Da turned around again: "Sima Erlang, the stomach is really good!"
Sima Zheng just stood on the island in the water, watching the two men leaping up without saying a word.
In late June, the war in Xuzhou suddenly relaxed.
In Xiao County, everyone was a little confused about the stinking deformed corpse at first, because he was so beaten that his mother couldn't even recognize it, let alone everyone from the Deposed Dragon Gang?
But the murder weapon was brought, and Xie Minghe seemed quite embarrassed about this matter. How could he say it was not the case, and use this to question Chief Zhang and Xie's division of responsibility? One could only watch helplessly as the head, which had worms on its brain, was hung up and passed on to the public.
Of course, soon, as the news came that Xuzhou soldiers and horses had evacuated Linyi, and Zhao Guang and Sima Shida were personally escorted by Wu Jingfeng and Bai Yousi, everyone had to believe it.
After all, under Chief Zhang's overall plan, this person is not missing.
At this time, except for the Wu brothers and Zhou Xingfan, who were slightly depressed, most of them couldn't help but stamp their feet. They all felt that Xie Fenguan was too harsh and it was better to give him a formal punishment.
But this stomping soon stopped, and was replaced by a new sense of astonishment and joy - a batch of silk, coral, jade, and several whale ribs were delivered.
This most obvious statement from the enemy is more reliable than anything else.
Zhang Xing also began to order the return of Peixian County, marched to Linyi, and steadily withdrew his troops. But at the same time, his expression turned bad.
Without him, Chief Zhang Da was not prepared for the lion to open his mouth at the beginning, especially because the military affairs were difficult, so he wanted to speed things up. However, Xie Minghe asked for a lot of extra food, weapons, and goods there, which was a kind of unexpected surprise. However, the food and ordnance were directly accepted by Du Po Zhen in Shanyang, and only silk and whale bones were sent... It's hard for you to say anything!
Not to mention, in the next few days, high-end furniture, sculptures, goldware, ritual vessels, and whale bones were sent here for free, especially whale bones, which were piled up directly in Xiaoxian County. When he reached the hill, it made him even more heartbroken, because these useless things that took up space reminded him all the time that the batch of food and ordnance had been fished out by Du Po Zhen.
And he can't curse like others, but has to appease others and let them talk about the overall situation.
As the saying goes: "Both of us are fighting against Wei, and we are all one family. How can we distinguish each other?"
He said so much that he even believed it himself.
"Actually, you can't say it's useless." Xu Shiying reminded seriously. "I said before that I would reward the entire army, but in the end I didn't have time. It's just right to use these good items as rewards, especially the rewards for this army expedition, or the rewards for the leader level, so that the leaders can exchange military merit for these items."
"Indeed." Zhang Xing certainly agreed. "Indeed, these silks are from Xiayi. I didn't expect that the silks would be returned to their original owners. The internal servants went back first, so I gave a part to the internal servants in return, and the rest will be handled accordingly, but..." However, the words At this point, Chief Zhang looked at the pile of whale bones that could be seen in the distance through the courtyard wall again, and finally couldn't bear it anymore. "But what are these bones for?"
Xu Shiying also became confused.
"Engraving, plus furniture making." Bai Yousi blurted out from the side. "Whales have been called half-dragons since ancient times. Dragons are hard to find, but whales are easy to find, so beds and seats are often carved from whale bones. However, the throne and bed in Dongdu are said to be real dragon bones."
Zhang Xing immediately thought of an old friend from Huaishang, and at the same time he suddenly realized: "So, this is for the exclusive use of the royal family?"
It had only been four or five years since he traveled back in time, and some of the things were a bit fake. He might have thought they were jade after seeing similar objects in person. As for Xu Shiying and several other leaders who were watching the fun, they were even more shocked on the spot.
"Not just the royal family, but more like the royal family, such as the Duke and the Princess, generally have specific whale bone ritual vessels." Bai Yousi continued to explain. "When conferring a kingship, a whale bone is often allocated and a corresponding ritual seal is specially made, so giving a whale bone has a specific meaning."
Chief Zhang was completely stunned: "Sima Gong wants to put me on the fire!"
"He's not that smart." Bai Sanniang answered seriously. "I'm afraid he really thinks this thing is to your liking."
"So... just stay!" Zhang Xing thought for a moment and nodded, which attracted many leaders to look at him or exchange glances.
But the next moment, these people were stunned.
"First make the seal ribbon, and the team will use it for all the above." Chief Zhang continued. "Then each of the chiefs will get a stool, and each of the chiefs will have a whalebone horse. Each of Li Longtou, Wei Longtou, and Du Longtou will give half of it separately... If there are any left, give them to Liangjun, Huaiyang, Jijun, and Those from Wuyang County gave some to Wu'an County Li Ding, Taiyuan Bai Gong, Hejian General Xue... and Wang Jiulang, aren't you going to Huainan? Give him half a stick... We have met some Everyone has some royal aura."
Shang Xia was completely speechless, but soon, he couldn't help but become impatient. Can he really be separated?
Facts have proved that it is indeed possible to divide the maza!
In the next few days, both sides would naturally continue to slowly retreat their troops in an orderly manner. However, Chief Zhang, who was too panicked to leave the battlefield early, actually helped the craftsmen cut and polish them. As expected, he quickly made several whale bone ingredients. Ma Zha, the leaders of the retreating troops took them one by one, only hanging on their horses.
It is said that it was so hot along the way that many people even had to dismount their horses and rest seven or eight times along the way.
Finally, as the agreement between Zhang Xing and Sima Zheng was quickly fulfilled, in late June, 10,000 Taibao troops boarded the waiting fleet in Zhongli County and successfully returned to the Huaixi area.
But Zhang Xing didn't waste any time. He released Zhao Guang first, then broke off Sima Huada's legs, tied them into rice dumplings, stuffed his mouth, and hung them on the city gate. Then he and Xiong Bonan, Bai Yousi, and Wu Jingfeng , Wu Changzai and other top combatants in the gang withdrew together.
Although Chief Zhang was not willing to fight this battle at the beginning, and the process was actually not perfect, at this point, it finally achieved a nominal solution - the Deposed Dragon Gang took back Linyi, killed the traitors, and carried on all the way. They advanced and attacked the city of Pengcheng, Xuzhou's base, and forced the opponent to complete the alliance under the city before turning back.
In fact, the Deposed Dragon Gang also promoted this to all parties within and around its territory.
As for the effect, it's hard to say, because so far, except for Liangjun and Huaiyang, which are close by, most of the surrounding forces still stay in the Deposed Dragon Gang. After completing the reorganization of the internal power order, Zhang Xing became the chief and took advantage of the situation to send troops. The shocking news about Xuzhou punishing traitors.
As for Liangjun and Huaiyang, although they heard the news, they were more shocked by the two whale bones... The two eunuchs are not unlearned like Zhang Xing, nor are they country bumpkins like Xu Dalang. Of course they knew what this meant, but they were each panicked and instinctively wanted to refuse.
However, the messages that accompanied the arrival of the whale bones came into effect - Xuzhou was a "big victory" in the First World War, and the bones came from Jiangdu. The newly appointed Chief Zhang distributed the whale bones wantonly to the gang leaders and surrounding friends.
After repeated attacks, he finally did not dare to refuse. He only accepted the whale bones and carefully hid them in the warehouse.
Not to mention these, just say that Zhang Xing left Xiao County with the last deposed dragon army, and the Xuzhou army rushed in immediately. Sima Zheng, who was leading the way, also saw Sima Shida hanging on the city gate, but finally relaxed. tone.
"It's good that he's not dead." Sima Jinda also breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to look at his nephew and spoke sincerely. "Erlang, please put your uncle down. I will take him back to Jiangdu to recuperate... A little humiliation is nothing."
Sima looked expressionlessly at Ning Dan, the only one among his uncles, without saying a word.
Sima Jinda was still a little confused at first, but soon, as his nephew looked closely at him, he suddenly remembered the relevant rumors in Xuzhou City, and then he was sweating like rain, and his voice trembled: "Two... Erlang, don’t do anything stupid!”
The surrounding generals also woke up, and for a moment they suddenly woke up. Someone with status like Chen Yonglue reined up his horse and stepped forward, ready to persuade.
Unexpectedly, Sima Zheng withdrew his gaze from his seventh uncle's face, and just glanced back. An invisible force of true energy surged violently, and a storm started on the ground. The generals from Chen Yong on down were silent and did not dare to speak. .
"Everyone." Sima Zheng was tall, with dazzling armor and stomach. He was sitting on a horse, but he looked at the generals as if he were condescending. However, his expression was normal, but his tone was sinister. "The two armies fought, each had a victory or defeat, and many of their sons died. Zhang Sanlang beat Li Wenbai to death in Jiangdu and took Linyi back. Naturally, he can give an explanation to the brothers in the gang, but what about me? We in Xuzhou What? If we can't kill one person, how can we give an explanation to so many brothers who died in the battle on the south bank of Bianshui River? How can we give an explanation to General Zhao who was seriously injured in bed? How can we give an explanation to so many heroes who defected to Langya?
"Besides, I heard someone say that if the trickle is not blocked, it will become a river." What he means is that if the trickle at the source is not blocked, it will flow into a river sooner or later. Sima Shida escaped from the battle , which caused the camp on the south bank of the Bian River to collapse instantly that day, was actually the main contributor to our loss of troops and generals this time, and it was also the trickle of the three counties of Xuzhou!
"And this trickle happens to be my uncle, so of course I have to block it with my own hands!"
As he spoke, Sima Zheng took out a pair of bows and arrows from the horseback of his stunned Seventh Uncle, then turned the horse's head, bent the bow and set the arrow, with enough luck, it turned out to be the sharpest Duanjiang Zhenqi, and then The bowstring was loosened amidst the silence of the countless soldiers below the city and the strenuous whimpering of the man at the top of the city.
The long arrow flew like lightning, directly piercing a large hole in Sima Shida's chest. The flesh and blood exploded and spread two or three feet away, and then the entire arrow body was nailed into the city wall.
At this time, Sima Zheng just handed the bow back to his seventh uncle, and then rode forward alone, passing under the city gate that was still dripping with blood. The blood fell on the shining armor and stomach, and it was like oil drops. It fell on the hot pot, made a sizzling sound, and then disappeared.
The generals in Xuzhou were silent for a moment, and then they scrambled to catch up with their horses from the blood stains. Sima Jinda was left alone at the gate of the city, still looking at the body of his third brother in shock.
Three days later, Sima Jinda reported that the prince-in-law Sima Shida was chasing the Huankou bandits, was ambushed, and died gloriously for his country.
】
This memorial was a collaboration with Wang Daiji. The former had sent it back one day earlier. After hard work with the generals of the Xuzhou camp, he had successfully driven the Huokou thieves out of their base. The thieves hurried westward, and he I also temporarily left the Xuzhou generals and led a thousand people to continue westward to Huainan County.
Of course, the actual situation is that Wang Daiji simply watched the other party board the ship in Zhongli County, and watched the other party prepare for several days on the other side and move out of Huakou Town. Even after the other party went up the river, he also led the thousand people to monitor the westward journey on the south bank.
It wasn't until the other party headed north at Ru River, the largest tributary of the Huai River, that I felt relieved. Then I turned back for dozens of miles downstream, crossed Bagong Mountain, headed south, and entered the Shouchun City of Huainan County.
When I arrived here, before I could sit down, I saw Zhang Xing's gift sealed by Cao Fan, the governor of Huainan County, which was half a whale bone.
Along with it, there was a note hidden in a small box without any seal.
Wang Jiulang carefully opened the note, but his eyelids twitched.
It turned out that there was only one sentence on the note - Shouchun is the first city in Huainan and has always been a king. I hope Ninth Brother will encourage it.
How many people did Wang Daiji have? How could he not know that Zhang Xing was trying to sow discord? How could he not know that he only led a thousand people here and had to rely on Jiangdu and Xuzhou to establish his own foundation? How could he not know that such things were all false? ?
You know, that day in Jiangdu, he heard that Sima Huada was going to send whale bones to Zhang Xing, and he felt ridiculed on the spot.
"Ambassador Wang?" Cao Fan, the governor of Huainan County, asked cautiously. "This bone..."
"Lock it in the warehouse!" Wang Daiji glanced at the county guard who had kept the note for him for several days, and smiled very happily. "It will take a while. I will send it to Lord Sima of Jiangdu in a while."
Cao Fan immediately nodded and regained his composure.
Summer was still going on, and on the last day of June, Du Pozhen also arrived at Runan County, where he was loyal, and then saw a city under Xie Minghe's guidance.
"That's Xuanpao City." Xie Minghe sighed as he stood on the bow of the boat and twirled his beard. "The first military town in Huaixi is located! With this city in hand, you can control the overall situation in Huaixi!"
Du Po Zhen picked up the whale bones on the boat and came to look greedily... In this world, masters above Condensation Pill can have a drastic impact on sieges, but this does not mean that cities and passes are useless. Ordinary people are still controlled by the city, and the army is still Restricted by the pass, not to mention the role of commercial exchanges and public security, the impact of cities and passes is reduced, which is only the difference between ten points and eight points... Then, a famous city, a large city, and a key city will undoubtedly give people a strong feeling. psychological suggestion.
Xuanpao City is a typical example of this kind of city. When Ru River passed by this place, because of the solid foundation under the city, it made a direct detour, as if a gourd was drawn on the side out of thin air.
As the Tang Dynasty moved south, the North and the South had been at war for hundreds of years, and the Jianghuai River became more and more important. No matter who controlled the situation, both sides expanded the city here, and finally built a city with a huge moat on three sides that encompassed the entire Dagua. A giant military fortress that can garrison over 10,000 troops and house thousands of horses.
From then on, there was no need to say much about Xuzhou to the north of the Huaihe River, but the Huaixi territory to the west of Xuzhou was headed by this city, and it also experienced countless wars over the hundreds of years.
It is even mentioned many times in history books that the small Hejian Island in the river west of this city is rich in chestnuts.
Of course Du Pozhen, who had not studied for a long time, did not know these details, but with his back to Banlizhou, touching the whale bones and looking at the city in front of him, he felt that he had spent half his life working hard, whether it was herding sheep or stealing sheep, in front of Zhang Xing Staying low and being cautious in front of Sima Zheng was all worth it.
He now has soldiers, food, ordnance and territory, and is about to use this as a foundation to clean up the six counties in Huaixi, recruit heroes, work hard, and build a foundation!
"Who? Where? What do you want?"
On the same day, Chief Zhang, who had just taken advantage of his last chance to arrange the drought relief work in Dong County, was about to cross the river and head north when he encountered unexpected news at Sikou Pass.
There is information that Xue Changxiong in Hejian learned that Zhang Xing seemed to be unstable after sending troops to Xuzhou and was mobilizing troops, so he left Henan alone and hurriedly turned back. At this time, Zhou Xingfan Fu, who had already crossed the river as the vanguard, After turning back and hastily reporting the military situation, everyone naturally thought that Xue Changxiong had moved.
However, what they heard shocked everyone. Xiong Bonan, Chen Bin, Wei Xuanding, Xu Shiying, Ma Wei... no matter who it was, they were all stunned.
"It's my second uncle Zhou Xiaoshang..." Zhou Xingfan also looked a little confused. "Just now, my cousin, whom I haven't seen for a long time, suddenly greeted me with my flag on the north bank and told me that my second uncle heard that third brother you had become the chief of the Deposed Dragon Gang. He no longer waited and hesitated, and directly raised troops in Yong'an County, conquering it instantly. The nearby Yiyang County and Anlu County then sent my cousin over to ask for his identity... When he arrived here, we were returning to the army, and he chased us for a long time before we caught up here."
Ma Wei counted with his fingers: "If we include Bai Hengyuan of Xiangyang...then north of the river, south of the river, from the Han River to Jiangdu, there are only two areas around Jiangdu and Dongdu that have not been separated."
No one around him said a word.
Zhang Xing thought for a moment, then suddenly turned around and asked earnestly: "Who knows if there are any whale bones left?"
As the saying goes: If the trickle is not blocked, it will become a river. If Yingying cannot be saved, what can Yanyan do?
ps: A rare time for boring science popularization. In historical names, people habitually call the area in the western part of Huaibei Huaixi, rather than the entire upper reaches of the Huaihe River. Huainan also generally refers to the central and western areas of Huainan, mainly because Xuzhou and Yangzhou's particularity and status are too detached and are generally discussed separately.
