On the Lichuan side, the war was temporarily at a stalemate.
On the other side, Xiao Yuan also personally led a main force of 400,000 people and was about to arrive in Xiangyang.
At this point, the total number of troops invested by the Qin State in the battle against spirits has reached one million.
And this 400,000-strong army was pressed behind, so it didn't march very fast, and it also carried a large amount of food, grass, baggage and siege equipment.
Why go to Xiangyang? There is no doubt that it requires water transportation.
During the war, waterways were not only more convenient, but also saved a lot of war costs compared to land transportation.
Now that the south of the Yangtze River has been pacified, the Qin army's follow-up supplies can be transferred from Sichuan and Shu, out of Ningyang, down the river, and directly to the front line.
The Yangtze River branches everywhere and flows through various water bodies, which allows the Qin army's troops and food to be continuously transported along the waterways.
Xiangyang.
This city is known as the best city in the world.
After Xiao Yuan conquered Jiangbei, he rebuilt the moat.
When the king arrived with his army, Xiangyang officials naturally rushed to the city to welcome him.
The commander of the Xiangyang Prefecture bowed and shrank his shoulders, and said with a shy smile: "Today, the king is leading his army to the east. There are millions of Qin troops. Who can stop him? He will surely wipe out the world and restore prosperity to the earth..."
"Master Gao said it well, the world is in chaos, only the Eastern Spirit is still alive, and the mountains and rivers will never return." Xiao Yuan said without dismounting: "Let's enter the city."
"Yes, yes, your Majesty, please come quickly." The Xiangyang Mansion Order quickly bent sideways.
When everyone entered the city, the generals all rode on war horses, followed by countless Qin soldiers.
But Xiao Yuan had just come in, and before he had taken two steps, a shout came from above his head:
"Your Majesty, please stay."
Xiao Yuan was startled, pulled the reins slightly, turned the horse around slightly, and looked up.
On the top of the city, I saw a man dressed as a civil servant, holding a ceramic wine pot in his hand. He was shaking and unsteady, and said drunkenly:
"Your Majesty, you still remember how Xiangyang was captured. If it weren't for me, Cui Ji, how could the hundreds of thousands of Qin troops have entered this city..."
This person is Cui Ji, the former counselor of the Chu State, who is currently working in Xiangyang.
At that time, Xiao Yuan sent his troops south and was blocked outside Xiangyang. It was his advice across the river that led to the pacification of this place.
After the incident, Xiao Yuan awarded him a large reward and appointed him an official position. However, in Cui Ji's view, he was obviously not satisfied with this Xiangyang job, so he had many complaints.
Seeing that it was him, Xiao Yuan was happy for a moment and said loudly: "It turns out to be Mr. Cui. Of course I remember what Mr. Cui said. Without Mr.'s plan, our soldiers would indeed not be able to enter Xiangyang."
"Haha, it's good that your Majesty remembers it." Cui Ji burped. In front of the King, he talked about his merits in public. He didn't look like a minister, nor did he mean to salute. His attitude was arrogant.
Seeing him like this, Xu Hu was furious, pointing his fingers and shouting: "You are so bold! How dare you be rude when you see the king!"
Xiao Yuan didn't pay much attention, but looked at the top of the city and said with a smile: "Mr. Cui calls me, what's the matter?"
Cui Ji continued to shake his head and said: "At the beginning, hundreds of thousands of Qin troops were helpless. They had to stay down. If Xiangyang was uncertain, the Qin army would not be able to cross the Yangtze River. Is this true?"
"Of course, of course, Mr. played an indispensable role in pacifying Jiangnan." Xiao Yuan admitted this and did not shy away from it.
Cui Ji was drunk and continued: "Since you know my contribution, why don't you use me and let me do this mere Xiangyang job?"
"Oh? It seems that the gentleman has lost his talent. Could it be that he has a good strategy for attacking the spirit." Xiao Yuan asked with a smile.
"Of course." Cui Ji was holding the wine pot, already standing a little unsteadily: "Don't you hear that Cui has a talent in the world, and he can defeat a million troops with just a little trick to rejuvenate the country and secure it?"
What a fanatic.
Hearing this, everyone near the city gate looked at each other.
Because of their attitude towards Xiao Yuan, almost all the Qin generals were pressing their sword hilts and staring coldly at the top of the city.
The commander of the Xiangyang Prefecture looked pale and at a loss.
Shangguan Wenruo shook his head secretly.
Jia You sighed secretly.
The smile on Xiao Yuan's face did not diminish and he said: "Since Sir, you have a good strategy to defeat the enemy, can you tell me about it?"
"Oh? Your Majesty, are you inviting me?" Cui Ji looked happy.
"Of course, come on, let's talk in the house."
"That's it, Wei Chen obeys the order." Cui Ji raised his head slightly and cupped his hands, but the wine bottle in his hand was not lost.
When he was about to leave the city defense, he saw the soldiers around him looking at him with big eyes and small eyes. He even sneered and said, "What are you looking at! Didn't you see that the king treats me with great courtesy! Without me, Cui Ji , Qin’s war cannot be won!”
The soldiers on the city defense did not dare to say anything.
Xiao Yuan smiled, pulled the reins slightly, and left.
Xu Hu glared at the city head, snorted heavily, then pulled the reins, followed Xiao Yuan, and said angrily: "Your Majesty! That fellow Cui Ji is uttering arrogant words! How dare you ignore your Majesty and kill him?" See, you should be beheaded in public!"
"Forget it." Xiao Yuan sighed softly and said: "Xiangyang was indeed conquered by someone else's suggestion. He was drunk and complained."
"But your Majesty!" Xu Hu couldn't bear it.
Xiao Yuan smiled again, reached out and patted his shoulder, "It doesn't matter, these are all small things."
As a monarch, it goes without saying that he has a big heart.
The other party had the merit of crossing the river to offer advice. If he was killed because of his drunkenness, it would inevitably appear to be narrow-minded. Furthermore, Xiao Yuan really wanted to hear Cui Jiyan's suggestion of a way to break spirits.
That afternoon, in Xiangyang Mansion, he actually had a long talk with Cui Jicheng.
To be honest, if Cui Ji is of great use to attacking spirits, Xiao Yuan will never care about it.
It's a pity that his strategy is not outstanding. Any counselor under Xiao Yuan's command will be no worse than him.
Therefore, after talking for a long time, Xiao Yuan lost interest and randomly arranged a civilian position for him in the army.
But with this arrangement, Cui Ji immediately raised his tail as if it was flying to the sky. Not only was he more arrogant than before, but he also ordered the sergeant to do this and that just like last time.
In the military camp, he wandered around, and when he saw something he didn't like, he would call the soldiers and give instructions for the arrangements, with great style.
Since he is a civilian official in the military, people can only obey orders and follow him.
Forget it, but he kept saying that King Qin couldn't survive without him. If he wanted to defeat the Ling Army, he had to offer his own advice.
Seeing him like this, Jia You, who was acquainted with him, couldn't help but pull him in private, and said with worry: "Brother Cui, you have read poetry and books and have good plans. You should be a good student to assist the king. Why are you like this?"
"Brother Jia, what are you talking about? Could it be that you are dissatisfied when the king has a long conversation with me?" Cui Ji was unhappy and thought he was jealous.
But Jia You didn't have that kind of thought. He was really worried and said sincerely: "Brother Cui, why did you say this? I just wanted to remind you that as a minister, the king's authority cannot be violated."
"Brother Jia's words are serious." Cui Ji didn't take it seriously. In his opinion, King Qin couldn't do it without him.
