"Your father also said that he didn't go to war, so he never fought against these bandits..."
"Just because we didn't go to war doesn't mean we didn't send people to investigate." Shen Qingyun shook his head, "Otherwise, my father wouldn't have made such a judgment."
Su Chengwang nodded and said, "You are right. According to you, there is a problem with these bandits?"
"The probability is nine out of ten."
Shen Qingyun thought for a while and said: "I remember that Zhuxi City is now jointly controlled by officials sent by the Chu State and the Yan State. It is used as a hub for trade between the two countries, right?"
"indeed so."
"Besides, neither country has sent troops, right?"
"Except for defense, neither country has troops stationed. This was agreed from the beginning."
"If, I mean if, it's just my personal conjecture..."
Shen Qingyun folded his armor first.
"What if this group of bandits suddenly attacks this fragile city?"
"If that's the case, that would be great." Su Chengwang said with a smile: "Zhuxi City is very close to Lu'an. If these bandits are really so short-sighted, then we have a reason to send troops. The Chu State will definitely be able to Rush to the front of Yan State and station in Zhuxi City. After driving away the bandits, you can stay in Zhuxi permanently in the name of guard..."
As Su Chengwang spoke, the smile on his face disappeared, and finally his expression froze.
Shen Qingyun pursed his lips and signaled Su Chengwang to continue.
"This...can't be such a coincidence, right?" Su Chengwang was a little in disbelief, "Could it be that you are too worried?"
Shen Qingyun shook his head and said: "The appearance of this group of bandits is unusual. This is the border between the two countries. It is really difficult for people not to be worried. Besides, is it pale to explain this kind of thing by coincidence? If it is really a coincidence, then why Have you ever heard of how many merchants from the Yan Kingdom were robbed?"
In fact, this is the biggest doubt.
The hundred-mile radius of Zhuxi City serves as a buffer zone between the two countries. Although no troops are stationed there, there are many scouts and spies coming and going, so it is usually difficult to breed bandits.
Of course, this is not absolute. What if someone is really brave enough to risk his life?
But if he is really a desperado, the merchants of Yan State should bear the brunt.
Secondly, there are horses.
A good horse is more valuable than a human being. The horse that can make Shen Xiong even be called a good horse must be a good horse.
Bandit... will there be a good horse?
This possibility is too small.
Based on these two points alone, Shen Qingyun can make an eight-point conclusion.
Su Chengwang's face darkened, "Both countries Yan and Chu want to bring Zhuxi City back into their territory, but they can't quarrel. If these bandits are really deliberately cultivated by Yan State, then Sheng Yuanbai must have arranged for an army to be stationed in Zhuxi It’s not far outside the city, ready to take the lead at any time.”
"Qibu Chazi is not a free man. If Sheng Yuanbai really arranged his manpower near Zhuxi City in advance, there is no way we wouldn't have discovered it..." Shen Qingyun said, his face suddenly changed, and he said: " I see..."
"What do you understand?" Su Chengwang asked.
Shen Qingyun smiled bitterly and said: "If Sheng Yuanbai would not take any action before, it is different now. The fifth prince has already gone to find Tong Yong. If Tong Yong will mobilize his troops to leave, the Lu An people's gestures will not be enough. If things really follow As we expected, Sheng Yuanbai will never let go of this opportunity."
"Then I will send people to chase the fifth prince back immediately..."
Shen Qingyun stopped Su Chengwang and said, "No need."
Su Chengwang asked in confusion: "Why?"
Shen Qingyun smiled, "What I just said is just my guess. The truth may not be like this."
Su Chengwang said in a deep voice: "But if there is such a possibility, I would rather believe that it exists than believe that it does not exist. This kind of thing cannot be gambled on."
"This is natural." Shen Qingyun nodded and said: "But, is there no way to solve this problem?"
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Su Chengwang felt that the matter was not difficult to solve. No matter whether Shen Qingyun's guess was true or not, as long as he sent someone to pay close attention to the movements of Yan Jun in Jiayuguan Pass, it would be enough to take precautions.
If the Yan army easily leaves the border without legitimate reasons, the Chu State can completely define it as a provocation, which will effectively affect the fragile alliance between the two countries.
This is also the reason why Sheng Yuanbai spent so much time.
But after hearing what Shen Qingyun said, Su Chengwang also wanted to hear Shen Qingyun's opinion.
Shen Qingyun smiled and said: "Since Sheng Yuanbai wants to attack Zhuxi City, then we can definitely use it to his advantage."
"What's the best way to take advantage of the situation?"
Shen Qingyun said in a deep voice: "Although Jin Yiwei Sheng Lingyun escaped with serious injuries, he must still be in the territory of Chu. Although the news that the fifth prince came to Liangzhou to supervise the work has not spread, it has not been deliberately hidden. Jin Yiwei is sure will know this.
If it were just normal, Jin Yiwei probably wouldn't be particularly concerned about it, but sending a prince here just to open and expand the flood discharge channel is uncharacteristic, so Jin Yiwei may pay special attention to the fifth prince because of this, and maybe the fifth prince's movements are happening. Under the surveillance of Jin Yiwei. "
Su Chengwang nodded, "The fifth prince is guarded by Feng Lin who owns Shen Yuan's jade, and there are people from the Seven Divisions monitoring him in the dark. I'm not afraid that the Jinyi Guards will do anything bad to him."
"However, they will soon know the purpose of the fifth prince to find Tong Yong. The Jin Yiwei will know, and Sheng Yuanbai will also know." Shen Qingyun shook his head and said: "As long as Tong Yong takes away most of the defenders in the south, if I are Sheng Yuanbai will definitely not miss this God-given opportunity, and he will only need to send thousands of light cavalry to capture Zhuxi City easily."
The closest city to Zhuxi City is Lu'an City, which has a total of 10,000 defenders. To the east are Shangxing, Shiyang and other cities, plus large and small pass posts, and the entire southern border defense line has nearly 100,000 soldiers.
Here in Xiang Ling, at least 40,000 to 50,000 people are needed to complete the construction of several cities within two to three months, including travel. It is impossible to mobilize all the soldiers in each border city and pass, and people must be retained. Yes, even if they are all transferred, people will have to be transferred from other places.
Lu'an City has the most manpower, and accordingly, the most people should be transferred.
At that time, Shen Xiong did not have many available people. Even if Shen Xiong could arrive at Zhuxi City before Yan's army, it would be difficult to catch all the bandits in one fell swoop.
As long as the two sides are entangled for enough time, as long as Sheng Yuanbai's troops arrive and clear out the banditry, Sheng Yuanbai can forcefully enter Zhuxi and stay there permanently in the name of the Chu army's incompetence.
This will not be more troublesome than the Yan army arriving at Zhuxi before the Chu army. Lu'an City is closest. Sheng Yuanbai only needs to ensure that he is faster than the Chu army in Lu'an City. Once Shen Xiong's troops are insufficient, the time will be given to Sheng Yuanbai A lot of leeway.
To achieve this situation, two conditions are needed.
First, there is a time difference. Because of the distance, the Yan army must get the news before the Chu army. However, because the bandits were originally disguised by Sheng Yuanbai, if it were not for the fear that the Qibu would discover that the Yan army was stationed outside Zhuxi City in advance, , Sheng Yuanbai had already taken action, and this was Sheng Yuanbai's method.
Second, there is the issue of military strength.
There can't be too many people pretending to be bandits. More than a thousand is the limit. If there are more, even if Tong Yong doesn't want to, they must be eliminated.
Therefore, Sheng Yuanbai must ensure that he can hold back the Chu army supported by Lu'an City, so Sheng Yuanbai must find out how many people are stationed in Lu'an City, and then make corresponding plans.
Now, both conditions seem to have been slowly achieved.
"So, what do you want to do?" Su Chengwang asked.
Shen Qingyun laughed when he heard this and said: "The Yan people think they have a plan, but they don't know that you have already figured it out..."
"Stop flattering and talking nonsense." Su Chengwang frowned.
Shen Qingyun pursed his lips and said: "Now the two of us are the only ones who can get a glimpse of their conspiracy. We are working in secret, while the Yan people are working in the light. There are actually many ways to crush the Yan people's conspiracy. Keep more troops in Lu'an. Let Cha Zi locate the whereabouts of the bandits and pay close attention to the movements of the Yan army...etc., whether it is to make the matter a big deal or to let both sides settle, the important thing is how to do it so that the Chu State can seize greater benefits. "
Su Chengwang's eyebrows moved slightly when he heard this, "Did the greater benefit you mentioned mean Zhuxi City?"
"Of course." Shen Qingyun nodded slightly, "Just pointing out the sinister purpose of the Yan people, or just preventing their actions, for us, there is only no loss, but there is no benefit.
Since they are unkind, of course we can also be unjust. As long as the alliance between the two countries still exists, these petty quarrels can be put under the table. "
Similar battles have already begun, and they don’t only exist in Zhuxi City.
"You said that you want to control Zhuxi City completely?" Su Chengwang said in a deep voice: "As long as the Yan people's hidden hand in Zhuxi City can be cut off, it will be difficult for the Yan Kingdom's Jinyi Guards to sneak into the Chu Kingdom easily. If you really If you can do it, it is a great achievement, and I will ask for credit for you."
Shen Qingyun felt happy when he heard this.
Whether it's merit or not, it really doesn't matter now.
Shen Qingyun looked serious and asked Su Chengwang: "Can you take charge of this matter?"
Su Chengwang has become an official and now has no official position or position. Perhaps his influence is great, but his power is very small.
"Do you need me to make the decision on this matter?"
Su Chengwang smiled and said: "Your father is Uncle Sinan, and he is guarding Lu'an City. When Tong Yong and the fifth prince leave, won't he have the final say in the southern border? Do you still want me to give orders?"
Shen Qingyun was stunned when he heard this, "Ah this..."
Su Chengwang said leisurely: "If you do things beautifully, you cannot share the credit with others, do you understand?"
Shen Qingyun's expression moved slightly, but he was confused: "If there is no cooperation from the Marquis of Zhennan in this matter, then my father may not be able to survive alone."
"What you are worried about is just the lack of manpower. Don't worry, I will hire another team of people to help you."
Recruiting another team?
Shen Qingyun's eyebrows moved slightly when he heard this, and he had already expected it in his heart.
The only one who could come to Lu An in time to help... was Yuecheng of Qingyan Pass.
If Su Chengwang is willing to write a letter to Yue Cheng, Yue Cheng will definitely be willing to help.
And as Shen Qingyun is now the prospective son-in-law of the British government, Yue Cheng seems to have no reason to refuse as long as he asks.
"I will write a letter and send someone to catch up with my father. As for you, there is no need to worry for the time being. After all, none of us are sure now. It would be too embarrassing for you if we find out that it is just an unfounded guess. .”
