Nanhai, Jiaozhou.
At this time, the five Nanhai kings and Ruan He, the leader of the Haiyue people, were all sitting in the main hall. The matters discussed are naturally related to the objects of alliance.
Except for Zhao Di and King Hezhou, everyone else is leaning towards Dongling. After all, no matter how you look at it now, Dongling seems to be more powerful. Even if Xishu and Donglai join forces, they still won't be able to get any benefits on the Kezhou front line.
In addition, from the geographical point of view, Nanhai happens to be behind Chuzhou, and there are official routes to and from it. It will be very convenient for rushing aid or transporting grain in the future.
From a human perspective, the Haiyue people are separated from the Shanyue people by a strip of water. Although there is some friction now, the relationship between Yue people will gradually integrate in the future.
"Brother Zhao, the situation is like this. Joining forces with Dongling is the best choice." The speaker was Deng Yu, who was originally the brother of the King of Zhuzhou. After the attack on Cangzhou and the death of the King of Zhuzhou, he succeeded to the throne.
Deng Yu's words quickly received echoes.
The only people present were Zhao Di and Hezhou Wang Wu Zheng, who were silent for a while. Compared to other people, the two of them can see farther.
But now, Dongling's advantage is too great. Recently, it has received help from the Grain King, and it vaguely has the strength to aspire to the Central Plains.
"Brother Zhao is silent. Please make a decision quickly. King Zuo has sent six groups of envoys. If we delay any longer, King Zuo will be angry." Deng Yu continued to speak, looking sincere. .
"Furthermore, the way of Xishu has always been disliked by aristocratic families. But Brother Zhao and Brother Wu, please think about it. Throughout the ages, such mud-legged regimes have almost been lost in history."
"Only those like King Zuo are more like the orthodox of the new dynasty."
Zhao Di sneered in his heart, he hasn't decided yet, he has already said "King of the Left". If the previous King of Zhuzhou was still alive, he would definitely support Xishu, which is a pity.
"King Zhao." After Deng Yu finished speaking, Ruan He, the leader of the Haiyue people, also opened his eyes and spoke lightly.
"King Zhao, we, the Haiyue people, will not interfere with other matters. But King Zhao needs to know that this alliance with Dongling is the best opportunity for us, the Haiyue people, to return to our homeland. If King Zhao insists on surrendering to Xishu, then, I'm afraid there will be another war in the five states of the South China Sea."
Compared to Deng Yu, Ruan He in front of him was already a naked threat.
Zhao Di had no expression on his face. He is not someone to be intimidated by being the leader of the South China Sea Alliance. After thinking about it, he was about to speak, but at this moment, Wu Zheng stood up carefully and tugged at his robe.
Zhao Di understood immediately.
"Everyone, we will discuss this matter tomorrow. Please rest assured that the five states in the South China Sea are connected together and will definitely make the wisest choice."
Although the other state kings present, including Ruan He, were dissatisfied, due to Zhao Di's status as alliance leader, they could only nod and accept the order.
…
"Brother Wu, are you saying that the envoy from Western Shu is here?" Zhao Di looked overjoyed as he walked to a remote corner.
Wu Zheng nodded, "Exactly, I just got the news. The envoys from Western Shu have arrived in Jiaozhou. I was worried that Deng Yu's people would cause trouble, but I didn't say anything clearly."
"Brother Wu has a great idea." Zhao Di nodded. Because of the decision, the South China Sea Alliance now seems to be divided into camps. Zhao Di didn't want to see this situation.
Compared with other separatist regimes in the Central Plains, the South China Sea Alliance is weaker. But no matter what, it is precisely because the five states are united that they can form a force that cannot be underestimated.
"Brother Zhao, you and I will go together to meet the envoy from Xishu. I heard that this envoy is a bit serious. He was worried that the Dongling spies would find out, so he took only less than ten guards with him and raided the area outside the Nanlin Mountains. The trail leads us through mountains and rivers."
"That's quite a talent."
Without saying another word, Zhao Di and Wu Zheng, led by their guards, carefully took a shortcut to a remote posthouse outside Jiaozhou City.
…
Sitting in the room of the post house, Li Tao didn't look anxious at all. He closed his eyes and waited quietly. He knew how important this mission to the South China Sea Alliance was to the entire Western Shu.
If it cannot be persuaded, stop the momentum of the South China Sea Alliance to invest in Dongling. So in the future, Xi Shu's strategy of unifying the south of the Yangtze River will become more difficult and far-fetched.
"Sir, someone is here." At this time, the accompanying guard outside the door spoke in a low voice.
"Understood."
Li Tao opened her eyes, straightened her robe, and then walked out gracefully. It was already dark at this time, and Li Tao only saw people entering the post house, and Li Tao steadily greeted them.
"Is this the envoy from Western Shu?"
"That's right, Li Tao of Western Shu, pays homage to King Zhao and King Wu." Li Tao bowed and saluted. Although he is not very old, he will be over fifty. Even after traveling long distances, he still does not forget his duty as an envoy.
Wu Zheng was a little curious, "You actually recognize me."
Li Tao smiled and said, "When King Zhao and King Wu came to Chengdu, the streets in Western Shu were empty of people. It was as festive as the New Year. I happened to be on duty in Chengdu, so I naturally saw him."
These words made Zhao Di and Wu Zheng look a little happy.
"I heard that your journey... from the trails in the Nanlin Mountains, through mountains and rivers, was extremely hard. Unfortunately, due to the current situation, I cannot prepare a banquet for you. If you don't mind, I can have someone prepare a banquet for you. , it’s time for the three of us to get together.”
"It's easy to say." Li Tao nodded, "This trip is not considered difficult. I also proposed the trail in the Nanlin Mountains to the lord. The purpose is to open up the passage between Xishu and Nanhai in the future, and the two families We can come and go frequently.”
"The passage thing turned out to be Mr.'s plan. I admire him." Zhao Di looked surprised and became a little warmer towards Li Tao's attitude.
On the Kezhou front line, there is still fighting. At first glance, Dongling seemed unstoppable, and was actually able to overwhelm the coalition forces of Xishu and Donglai.
But Zhao Di always believed that the King Xu Shu he knew would not be a simple person. Sooner or later, this war will turn around.
Whether it's the right location, or the people and people... these things can be seen through at once. To really look far, we should look at the general trend of the world.
He once asked himself, if he had started out as a brewer, could he have conquered six and a half states like Xu Buyi.
He found that it simply couldn't be done. Even if he had 50,000 soldiers and horses at the beginning, he would not be able to achieve justice in the world. However, King Xu Shu did it.
This is something worth thinking about.
"Sir, please." Zhao Di exhaled, made enough gestures, and welcomed Li Tao into the house. Probably to reassure Li Tao, Zhao Di, in a rare display of domineering behavior, added another sentence.
"Sir, don't worry. Among the five states in the South China Sea, I, Zhao Di, am the most powerful alliance leader. If anyone dares to do harm to you, my long sword will be a weapon to kill thieves!"
