After driving away Shen Hou and Sui Hou, no one dared to oppose Ji Bi's order. At this time, Ji Bi finally enjoyed the feeling of being dictatorial and having great power.
Under Ji Bi's order, the Sixth Army of the Son of Heaven began to prepare for the expedition. This time, because the eastward expedition to the Huai Kingdom was long, Ji Bi planned to use Qi and Lu as bases, and then launch a crusade against the Huai Kingdom.
The news that the emperor decided to personally attack the Huai Kingdom spread quickly. Many princes did not expect that the emperor would decide to conquer the Huai Kingdom personally. Especially some powerful princes, they know very well that the Sixth Army of the Emperor is the force that shocks the world.
With the emperor's six armies in hand, no prince dares to act recklessly. But if an emperor who has never led an army in battle is allowed to lead an army into a war, there will be too many variables.
Of course, there are many princes who are overjoyed. In their view, the Sixth Army of the Emperor among the kings is the invincible army in the world. This time, the Emperor's personal conquest, the opponent is the Huai Kingdom established by the descendants of the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Isn't this war A military parade?
How powerful was the Yin Shang Dynasty back then, but they were all destroyed under the attack of the Sixth Army of the Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, let alone the Huai Kingdom now established by the descendants of the Yin Shang Dynasty?
It's just a barbarian land, how can it compete with the emperor's six armies supported by the princes of the world?
Moreover, there are many benefits to following the emperor in the war. If you follow the emperor in the war, if you make great achievements, you may be able to be divided into vassals. As for defeat, they never considered it at all.
...
Huaiguo, Huai'an.
The news that Emperor Zhou wanted to personally conquer the Huai Kingdom had long been known to the Huai Kingdom's elite. Over the years, the Huai Kingdom had been wary of Bang Zhou, and had people all year round to inquire about news about the vassal states and Bang Zhou. These people were either businessmen or retainers, and used various methods to collect information for Huai State.
Since Emperor Zhou personally carried out such a big move, they were naturally the first to pass the news back.
Wang Zhao is discussing with Da Sinong this year's tax issues and farming issues. The autumn harvest is about to begin, which is also the main source of food for the country. The autumn harvest must be completed in a short period of time. Once the opportunity is missed, or the weather is not good and there is a heavy rain, it will be a big problem for the grain harvest.
The guard hurriedly brought up a roll of bamboo slips. Wang Zhao opened it and looked through it. After seeing the news that Emperor Zhou personally led an army to conquer the Huai Kingdom, his expression changed.
"Ji Bi is actually recruiting an army at this time. Doesn't he know that now is an important time for the autumn harvest? What will happen to the food in the fields when the army is mobilized? Are you crazy?" Wang Zhao couldn't help but said after reading the information.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Bangzhou is coming with his army. We also need to gather the army to prepare for battle!" said the minister next to him.
"Haha, don't worry!" Wang Zhao threw down the bamboo slips and laughed loudly: "This Ji Bi is not familiar with military affairs. Some time ago, she even drove away the three princes and insisted on leading the army. Such an act is a sign of a master. ?” (The ancestor of the Yin and Shang princes established the Fang Kingdom and inherited the dukedom. In order to emphasize orthodoxy, he changed his surname to Wang and his son’s surname was Wang.)
Wang Zhao is already in his forties this year. Thanks to Zijue's good genes, he is strong and handsome. Especially in these years, Zijue took him to teach him personally and also let him command the army to conquer Huaiyi. It can be said that he has experienced many battles, and is not comparable to Ji Bi.
"Our Huai Kingdom now has 500,000 people, 30,000 soldiers, and 500 chariots. Although there are many armies from Zhou Dynasty, they have come from afar and are exhausted. How can they be our opponents?" Wang Zhao said loudly, in the main hall. The ministers also settled down.
Soon the court meeting ended, and the ministers left one after another. Only a few important ministers were left. Next is the time for everyone to discuss countermeasures.
"Jie, you lead the people to train the army. It will take at least a month for Bangzhou's army to arrive. It is enough for you to prepare. Weapons and food are indispensable!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Zhang, harvest this year's autumn grain and put it into storage as soon as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, although the army of Bangzhou has come from far away, it is very large in number. There are also troops from Qi, Lu, Ju, Ji, Tan and other countries. The army is no less than 100,000. Our army only has 30,000. The enemy is outnumbered and we are outnumbered. Although we have I am confident of defeating Bang Zhou, but if the loss is too great, the national strength will be compromised. Why not state our interests to Xu State and form an alliance with it to help in the war?"
When Wang Zhao heard this, he immediately nodded, acknowledged Wang Tao's words, and immediately said: "What the Prime Minister said is true. I wonder who can be sent as an envoy to Xu?"
"Your Majesty, if I am willing to send an envoy, I will definitely ask Xu Hou to agree to the alliance." Wang Tao said.
"The Prime Minister will definitely succeed if he takes action. I will wait here for the good news of the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister returns, I will definitely be generous with rewards!" Wang Zhao promised.
After Wang Tao received the order, he immediately returned to his mansion. After preparing his belongings, he led a group of people and rushed towards Xu State.
Huai State is not far from Xu State. The two countries are adjacent to each other. According to seniority, the current leader of Xu State is Wang Zhao's nephew. Of course, when facing the king of a country, one cannot simply talk about seniority. Most of the time, the relationship between the two parties is equal.
When Wang Tao entered the capital of Xu State, Xu State also sent out a high-level reception. After all, the relationship between the two parties has been very good since the Zijue era.
Wang Tao was welcomed into the palace of King Xu. Wang Tao was also a descendant of Zijue, but he was just a concubine. However, because of his quick thinking, extremely high level of governance, and handsome appearance, he was appointed as the Prime Minister by Wang Zhao.
After arriving at Xu Palace, Wang Tao saluted Xu Hou solemnly. Xu Hou was also very happy and said warmly: "Wang Xiangyuan has worked hard here. No need to be polite. Come and take a seat!"
Wang Tao bowed and said, "Mr. Xu, I am very frightened to greet you with such courtesy."
"Haha, Huai Guo and Xu Guo are related by marriage. They should have this etiquette. The king doesn't have to worry!" Xu Gong said with a smile.
"Since the Huai Kingdom was established on the land of Huaisi, those states have become much more honest, and our Xu Kingdom has also become much more stable. This is all the result of King Jue!"
"The State of Xu is also a big country in the east. Without the help of the State of Xu, how could the State of Huai fight against Qi, Lu and other countries on its own?" Wang Tao said respectfully: "Now the State of Xu and the State of Huai are each other's wings and support each other, so that they can fight with each other." The states of Zhou and Fang can compete with each other.”
Hearing Wang Tao's words, Xu Gong was very happy, and then continued to ask: "The Prime Minister Wang personally came to visit. It must be something important. I wonder what it is?"
"The monarch has received news that Emperor Bangzhou led the Sixth Army of the Emperor to summon Qi, Lu, Tan Juji and other countries to prepare for a crusade against Huai. The monarch sent me here because he wanted to join forces with Xu to deal with Bangzhou's army!" Wang Tao said directly said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the palace hall, which was originally very lively, suddenly became quiet. The news that Emperor Bangzhou personally led an army came was a great shock to the kings and ministers of Xu State.
After a while, whispers arose in the hall, and soon a minister stood up and asked: "Bang Zhou's army came to attack the Huai State. What does it have to do with our Xu State? The king came to drag the Xu State into it." Among them?"
