Looking back at Ezhou City, Xu Fu couldn't help but sigh heavily. He said, "Kong Yanzhou is so domineering and rude, where is anyone like a minister? Most of the gifts Wang Xiaolie paid to the court were stolen. Only then did he realize that it was really rare for a general like Wang Xiaolie."

Gao Shize nodded: "The advice is right. Compared with Kong Yanzhou, Wang Xiaoli is very appropriate."

The two of them sighed and set off together, heading down the river. They went ashore at Chizhou and rushed back to Yuezhou.

As soon as the two entered the city, Yue Gu ordered them to go to the palace to report immediately.

After entering the hall, he performed the ceremony as usual, and Zhao Gou ordered to give him a seat.

Xu Fu and Gao Shize had just sat down and didn't even take a sip of tea. Zhao Gou asked, "How? When will Wang Xiaoli go to the palace?"

Xu Wu held the scepter and said, "Report to Your Majesty, Wang Xiaoli refused to be busy with military affairs and could not get out of here. He did not say when he would come. He just said that when the military affairs were free, he would find a way. Seeing his appearance, I am afraid it was just an excuse."

After hearing this, Zhao Gou suddenly raised his head and looked at him with a flash of light. He quickly returned to his usual appearance. He asked lightly: "You have been in Xiangyang for some days. In your opinion, what about Xiangyang?"

Xu Wu hesitated for a moment. He said, "Your Majesty, I have been an official for many years and have traveled to many places. No other place can be compared to Xiangyang. When Gao Ducheng and I were in Xiangyang, I have traveled everywhere and seen everything. In Xiangyang City, there are many merchants and people, and even if they are small families, they have no shortage of food and clothing. According to the officials in Xiangyang, a city in Xiangyang has nearly one million chunks of commercial taxes a year, which is far higher than Kaifeng Prefecture in the past. Nowadays, no place can compare to Xiangyang's wealth."

Zhao Gou nodded slightly and said, "It seems that Wang Xiaoli is a good general on the battlefield and has many means to govern the place. Such a person cannot be used by the court, and it is not a blessing for the world."

Xu Feng said, "Looking at Wang Xiaoli's appearance, although he cherishes his feathers and refuses to leave the fundamental place. However, he is respectful and has no dissatisfaction with the court. He does not look like a rebellious person. Instead, we passed by Ezhou and were made difficult by Kong Yanzhou. This person is domineering and seeks everything with his army, and even robs him. When we come back this time, Wang Xiaoli's tribute gifts were originally over 15,000 guan. Who would have thought that if he passed by Ezhou, at least 10,000 guan was robbed by Kong Yanzhou. Alas, Kong Yanzhou is afraid that this person is unreliable."

Zhao Gou said: "Kong Yanzhou was a man who committed a death sentence. He joined the army and accumulated merits to this day. He was already a rogue. How could he be content with a large army? This is expected, and it is not surprising. A few days ago, the priest discussed that he was afraid that Kong Yanzhou would occupy a wealthy land like Ezhou, and he would be even more difficult to control in the future. He was appointed as the Qihuang Punishment envoy. However, there was no large army around him, and he occupied Ezhou and did not leave."

Xu Feng said: "Li Cheng joined the pseudo-Qi period a few months ago, and I heard that he was highly valued. Kong Yanzhou told us clearly that he would build a festival and seal the land along the way like Wang Xiao hunting. Otherwise, he would go north to Liu Yu."

After hearing this, Zhao Gou closed his eyes and thought for a while, saying, "Kong Yanzhou claimed to have 200,000 troops, but how could there be so many people? When the court pulled out his hand, he ordered Zhang Jun to go north and wipe it out. In comparison, such as Kong Yanzhou, such as the one who is just a trauma of moss, Wang Xiaoli is a big problem!"

Xu Feng said, "I believe that Wang Xiaoli did not have the intention of rebellion. I think he started his rebel army and suffered a lot around Kaifeng. He went south to Xiangyang and had a population of 100,000 for two or three years, so he was too cautious. As long as the court was good at comforting him, he could protect Xiang Deng Wuyu."

Zhao Gou nodded gently: "What you said makes sense. I know. This time I came to Xiangyang, I will tell me what you heard and saw in detail."

Xu Fu and Gao Shize cheered up and told Zhao Gou everything he had when he arrived in Xiangyang how Wang Xiaoliu was treated to Zhao Gou.

When Xiangyang established the envoy's yamen, Wang Ruohai told Wang Xiaoliu who came in: "Look at the end of July, it's autumn. This year, the Jin army did not withdraw from Guanzhong, and has been watching the Sichuan and Shu area. Now Wu Shu led a hundred thousand troops in Fengxiang, Wu Jie and others to a great pressure. Zhang Shumi came to the official document and asked us to advance north from Shangzhou in August, to sway the Jin army to restrain Wu Shu."

Wang Xiaoli said: "Wu Jie was in danger and defended, and there was pressure. But we advanced north from Shangzhou. If the troops were less, the Jin army would not care at all. If the troops were too much, we would be unable to bear it. This matter was difficult to handle. Well, let's order Shao Ling to Shangzhou in a few days and look for opportunities to act."

Wang Ruohai said: "Jiang Zheng, Shangzhou is advancing north, not far from Jingzhao Prefecture, the Jin army cannot ignore it. As long as there are one or two thousand people, they can attract the Jin army to support Wu Jie's army near Dasan Pass."

Wang Xiaoliu said: "The road to the north of Shangzhou is rugged and cannot move forward. You can only be a surprise soldier. The so-called "righteous cooperation" and "strange victory" is not of great use if there is no direct battlefield cooperation. Wu Jie's army has only more than 10,000 people, which does not put enough pressure on the Jin army. That is to say, even if we send thousands of troops from Shangzhou, we cannot affect the front battlefield."

Speaking of this, Wang Xiaoli walked to the sand table on the table and said, "The road to Shangzhou should play a role. Either in the west, Zhang Shumi had tens of thousands of troops who could confront the Jin army. Or in the east, we went north to Luoyang and attracted the main force of the Jin army from Guanzhong. At this time, thousands of troops went north from Shangzhou, and the Jin army was passive. Now in Fengxiang, Wu Jie could defend but could not attack. We went north to attract thousands of Jin army. What is the use of the overall situation? To put it bluntly, it was just a waste of money and food. Zhang Shumi was not heartbroken for our money and food."

Wang Ruohai nodded: "What Jishuai said makes sense."

Wang Xiaoliu said: "Since the Jin army captured Kaifeng Prefecture, this dynasty has never had a unified strategy for the Jin army. Either they are busy dealing with the Jin army's southern invasion, or they think that one thing is one thing. This is not possible. We do not have our own strategy, and this 100,000 army will be dragged down sooner or later."

Wang Ruohai said: "What should we do according to the meaning of the commander-in-law?"

Wang Xiaoliu said: "We stationed troops in Xiang Deng. The most suitable directions for going north are two directions. One is Luoyang and the other is Kaifeng. Going north to Luoyang will inevitably affect Guanzhong and Hedong. Going north to Kaifeng will face the Jin army from Hebei and Jingdong. It is impossible to make a conclusion on which route is suitable. You must pay attention to the two places at all times and kill your subordinates to formulate combat plans. Within one or two years, we may not be able to make the Northern Expedition, but the plan must be done first. I estimate that in two years, our army will be reorganized and we should take action."

Wang Ruohai pondered for a while and said, "Although Kaifeng is a capital city, after the Jin army looting, the people fled, which was no longer as good as before. In addition, Du Chong broke into the Yellow River, and the surrounding prefectures and counties were all harmed. For a while, it was afraid that there would be no war there."

Wang Xiaoliu said: "There is the capital city there, and its status is different in the hearts of the people in the world. If the Central Plains can be restored, the officials will still be in Kaifeng Prefecture by then, and they will definitely be able to boost morale. The Jin army is also very clear about this."
Chapter completed!