Although the general will not be affected by the emperor's fate, it will still take time.
The words in King Wu's letter were sharp and unquestionable. Pei Zong had no choice but to sigh and give the order to retreat. Just like last time, he could only sigh.
Where did the main force of Wu's army come from, and where did it start to return?
At this time, because they are allies, the Chu State will naturally know about Wu Jun's actions.
In the court meeting hall, King Chu frowned. The Wu army's withdrawal from Linzhang was not good news for him.
But Jiangling was in danger and he could not say anything if he returned to defend the Yangtze River.
All countries have counselors, and Chu also has counselors, and there are more than one.
After understanding the current situation, counselor Cui Ji stood up, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, although Jiangling was lost, it will not affect the overall situation of the south. Xiangyang is even more serious. In the opinion of a humble minister, I should advise King Wu to stop withdrawing his troops and continue Stay in Linzhang to ensure that the overall situation is not lost."
The King of Chu didn't want Wu Jun to stay in Linzhang, but he understood the King of Wu's mentality. Hearing this, he said: "Master Cui's words are just wishful thinking of our country, and Wu will not agree."
Cui Jidao: "Your Majesty, the King of Qin captured Jiangling in order to forcefully cross the Yangtze River and force the Wu army to return. Once this happens, the situation north of the Yangtze River will no longer be able to be reversed."
"Then what do you think we should do?" King Chu became a little impatient: "Right now, Pei Zong is already withdrawing his troops. Even if I send envoys to Wu to lobby, even if I convince the King of Wu, by then the Wu army will have already been withdrawn. gone back."
"This..." After hearing what he said, Cui Ji couldn't help but hesitate, but after a pause, he suggested: "In that case, I think that if the Wu army withdraws from Linzhang, our army can no longer defend Xiangyang alone. The king should Order Han Shuai to withdraw his troops with Pei Zong to the south of the Yangtze River and jointly defend the naval defense line."
"What did you say?" King Chu almost suspected that there was something wrong with his ears. "Xiangyang is so important! How can you give it up!?"
"Your Majesty," Cui Ji explained: "Now that Jiangling is about to be occupied by the Qin army, and the Wu army retreats, Xiangyang on the north bank of the Yangtze River can easily become an isolated city."
Before the King of Chu could say anything, another counselor stood up again, but he objected: "Master Cui's words are wrong. I have 150,000 elite soldiers in Xiangyang, and the food and grass I hoarded last time will be enough for three to five years." The purpose is to resist the enemy in this city. If we retreat at this time, what is the difference between fleeing without fighting? Besides, so much money, food and luggage should also be given to the King of Qin?"
"That's right." The King of Chu received the message: "Our Chu State's national strength is different from before. This batch of grain and grass is hard to come by. This battle is so important, and we are guarding Xiangyang, there is no reason to give in. If so, how could I have done it in the first place?" Why let Hanzhou go north?"
"But this is the moment, my lord." Cui Ji said anxiously: "If the King of Qin sees the Wu army returning, he will definitely take advantage of the situation to occupy Linzhang, and then encircle Xiangyang."
King Chu frowned slightly, as if he had some doubts.
But the previous counselor said again: "I don't think so. Xiangyang City has gone through many wars and has been besieged by large armies a few times. As long as the supply in the city is endless, there will never be a time when the enemy troops are exhausted and leave in despair."
"Besides, we have hoarded more supplies this time. Right now, Wu's army is defending the Yangtze River, and our army is controlling the north and south in Xiangyang, so that the King of Qin can't advance in front or behind."
King Chu, who was a little hesitant at first, couldn't help but nodded slowly after hearing this: "Well... it makes sense. The most important thing is the geographical location of Xiangyang. Our country must not lose it."
"But the king!" Cui Ji was anxious and wanted to say something else, but the King of Chu waved his hand: "I understand what Mr. Cui means, but do you think it is possible to give Xiangyang to the King of Qin like this? Once In this way, the entire north bank of the Yangtze River will fall, and Qin's hundreds of thousands of troops will no longer be able to stop them from approaching the Yangtze River!"
"This!" What he said made sense, and Cui Ji couldn't help but choked.
"Okay, there is no need to discuss this matter anymore." King Chu said, and looked at a minister: "Lu Tong, you have to work hard again and quickly go to Ling Kingdom to urge King Ling to send troops."
"Yes, Wei Chen accepts the order." The latter bowed down.
At this point in the war, envoys from Chu had already been to Ling Kingdom, and King Ling had promised to help. This was one of the reasons why King Chu was unwilling to give in to Xiangyang.
After the court meeting, all the ministers came out of the palace in twos and threes.
Cui Ji was walking alone, and when he reached the steps outside the palace gate, he couldn't help shaking his head, and sighed repeatedly: "Good medicine is bitter in the mouth and good for the disease, but good advice is hard on the ears and good for action. If you make a mistake and don't listen to me, you will regret it." …”
"My king's vision is far inferior to that of King Qin. But, what, what..."
After sighing, he shook his head again, and then left with his hands behind his back.
But what he said happened to be heard by the former counselor, who couldn't help but rolled his eyes and went to the palace study instead.
Cui Ji was very arrogant and self-reliant. He never looked down on other counselors and thought that except for himself, the people in Chu State were mediocre.
He came from a noble family and was a famous scholar in Chu State. He was indeed very talented. Likewise, he also had friends in the circle of advisers, one of whom was Jia You.
Chu Palace, study room.
The counselor who had previously refuted Cui Ji in the court was asking to see the King of Chu.
The latter put down the bamboo slips in his hand and asked casually: "Master Lu, what else can I do?"
Lu Chang bowed respectfully, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, you don't know something. After the court meeting just now, the minister walked behind Cui Ji. Inadvertently, he heard him complaining loudly and making many disobedient remarks. In his words, not only He said that the king is not as good as the king of Qin, and even more... he said that the king is actually a mediocre lord. If you don't listen to him, you will die sooner or later."
"What did you say!?" The King of Chu was furious when he heard this. He stood up with a bang and said with a gloomy face: "I am a mediocre king!? Not as good as King Qin!?"
"This, this, your Majesty, please calm down. This is not what I said, but Cui Jimu has no superior." Lu Chang was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt down.
He was just adding fuel to the fire. The reason was that Cui Ji was too conceited and often ridiculed him, causing him to feel resentful.
"What a bold Cui Ji! How dare you humiliate me!" King Chu was furious. He was a monarch. How could he not be annoyed when his ministers said that to him.
Seeing this, Lu looked at him cautiously, and then said in a trembling voice: "Today, Cui Ji repeatedly suggested that Xiangyang should be given up, and the ministers were suspicious. Your Majesty, do you know that Cui Ji is the counselor of the Qin State, Jia You?" We have been friends for many years, and the two have been exchanging letters frequently."
"What?" King Chu's eyes suddenly widened with a look of shock.
Lu Chang continued: "How important is Xiangyang, just give it to the King of Qin? Your Majesty must be aware of his intentions."
