The next day, Xiang Zheng asked someone to set up a large tent with transparent sides outside the north gate of Linzi City. The two alliances of Lianheng officially began negotiations.

Zhou Yafu, Bai Yan and Han Ju respectively represented the Han State, Zhao State and South Korea, Xiang Zheng represented the Chu State, and the other two members of the Union Alliance, Yan State and Bei Diao State, were both "represented" by Xiang Zheng. As for the host Qi State, they were divided into countries and naturally they were not qualified to attend the meeting.

The atmosphere at the meeting was pretty good at the beginning, after all, Xiang Zhuang had just taken the initiative to return Bai Yan and Han Ju.

However, as the issue deepened and began to involve the interests of their respective countries, the atmosphere began to become tense, and fierce quarrels began between the two alliances.

"The captured Korean army can be released by the Zhao army, but in exchange, all the soldiers of the Qi army who are willing to go with our Chu army, the people of Qi and the noble families, and the alliances must not be left with any reason!" Xiang Zheng's tone was plain, but his words were unquestionable and determined.

"This is impossible." Zhou Yafu said coldly, "More than two thousand Korean troops, the Zhao army must be released. In exchange, your Chu army can leave safely, but the Qi army soldiers, the people of Qi and the noble families in Linzi City must be kept. This is our bottom line, and there is nothing to discuss."

Although Zhou Yafu was young, he also knew the importance of population resources.

If Xiang Zheng was allowed to take away all the powerful Qi army, civilians and powerful families in Linzi City, then wouldn’t it be an empty city left for the Lianheng Alliance? If there were no people, even if Linzi County was seized from the Chu army, it would be just a barren land. What’s the point? Chu State’s plan was quite good.

Xiang Zheng smiled and said, "General Zhou's bottom line is too much, so I'm sorry to accept it."

If Zhou Yafu had this tough attitude, it would be difficult to continue the negotiations, because in addition to taking away the military and powerful people in Linzi, Chu also had a territorial demand for Jibei County. It is obvious that the Lianheng Alliance could not have only this demand, and there would definitely be additional conditions.

"Since that's the case, there's no need to talk anymore." Zhou Yafu said and stood up and left.

Bai Yan, Han Ju looked at each other, stood up and complained to Xiang Zheng, and followed him. In terms of personal emotions, Bai Yan and Han Ju were very grateful to Xiang Zheng for releasing them, but from the perspective of national interests, they must be consistent with Zhou Yafu, even if there will be quarrels between countries, but that will be the next thing.

The first negotiations ended unhappily and no substantial progress was made.

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Back at the tent, Zhou Yafu was still angry and smashed his punch on the desk, saying in a dark voice: "This Prince Chu really dares to speak nonsense, and I don't know where he got his confidence? Just because the strength of Chu is stronger than ours? He didn't think about it. Now the Chu army is trapped in the lonely city, but not our coalition, hum."

Bai Yan and Han Ju looked at each other and said, "Crown Prince Chu's request is too much, but this is just a sky-high price, a negotiation strategy. General, you shouldn't be too dead."

"That's it." Han Ju also said, "If there are differences in opinions, let's talk slowly."

"What are you talking about? What's the attitude of Prince Chu? What's the point of talking about?" Zhou Yafu was cold.

"But it's not a big deal to drag on like this." Bai Yan spread his hands and said angrily, "Linzi City Defense is strong. If the Chu army and Qi army are determined to defend, we will not be able to conquer at all. Instead of dragging money and food like this, it is better to make some concessions and end this embarrassing situation early."

Zhou Yafu waved his hand and said coldly: "We can't afford to consume it, and the Chu army can't afford to consume it even more."

"Not necessarily?" Bai Yan said disapprovingly, "Zhao Xi and Lou Jing's surrender to Chu will inevitably have an impact on Shen Tu Jia. If there is a mistake over there, the coalition forces will probably not be able to maintain the current situation."

Han Ju said worriedly: "What General Bai Yan said is very reasonable. Since Shen Tu Jia can surrender to Han, he may not have surrendered to Chu. If he is really a villain, maybe our retreat will be intercepted by the Chu army, then it will be a big trouble."

"Don't worry, the two generals are certainly not like this." Zhou Guanfu shook his head and said decisively, "Shen Tu Jia and the late Qi military advisor Zhao Yan are the same type of people. They are both gentlemen who commit suicide and trust their respects."

"Gentleman?" Bai Yan sneered and said disapprovingly, "In the end, I surrendered to the Han Dynasty?"

"That's different." Zhou Yafu said, "Shen Tu Jia surrendered to the Han Dynasty not for himself, but for saving the lives of tens of thousands of Jibei Gengzhang under his command." When talking about this, Zhou Yafu was quite content.

Seeing that Zhou Yafu trusted Shen Tu Jia so much, Han Ju didn't agree with it, but he was too lazy to refute it anymore. No matter what, Zhou Yafu was also considering the interests of the coalition forces. Although Prince Chu was kind to them, as a member of the coalition forces, their butts could not sit on the side of Chu.

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Lou Jing did not return to his prime minister's mansion, but followed Xiang Zheng to the temporary headquarters of the Chu army.

"Prince, Zhou Yafu's attitude is so tough, it is rare for the negotiation to continue." Lou Jing said in contemplation, "Do you think you are making some appropriate concessions?"

Xiang Zheng nodded gently and said, "It is inevitable to make concessions, but now it is not the time."

Lou Jing thoughtfully and asked, "Crown Prince, have you been confident for a long time?"

"I can't tell you how to be confident, let's try it out." Xiang Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Let's see if we can open the gap from Shen Tu Jia, the defender of Lixia."

"Shen Tu Jia?" Lou Jing shook his head, "Although this person's ability is average, he is very confident. It is a must for him to surrender to the Han Dynasty before. I am afraid that it is impossible for him to rebel against the Han Dynasty and surrender to the Chu Dynasty again."

Xiang Zheng smiled and said, "It is naturally not easy to instigate Shen Tujia, but burying a thorn between Shen Tujia and Zhou Yafu, the relationship between the two is not difficult, especially Shen Tujia is still an open and honest gentleman, and he has a saying that a gentleman can deceive him, but Zhou Yafu is still younger after all, so it is not difficult to operate this matter."

Lou Jing's heart moved slightly, and he vaguely guessed Xiang Zheng's plan.

Then he suddenly realized that Lou Jing glanced at Xiang Zheng deeply again. Prince Chu was so scheming, but he didn't look like a young man who was young.

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That night, a carrier pigeon was released from Linzi and flew to Lu County early the next morning. Then, a fast horse rushed out of the city of Lu County and headed straight for Lixia.

The next day, Shen Tu Jia, the governor of the Lixia, received a letter from the general Gao Lang.

"Is there any important matter to discuss at Sanli Pavilion in the east of the city?" Tian Hao frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "It's simply nonsense. What important matter can he discuss with you?"

"Who knows?" Shen Tu Jia smiled, turned around and left.

Tian Hao hurriedly said, "General, where are you going?"

"Go to the Sanli Pavilion in the east of the city." Shentu Jia said as he walked, "I will go and see the rising talents of Chu."

"What?" Tian Hao's face changed slightly and he said anxiously, "General, you can't go, Gao Lang's child is afraid he is not at ease."

"So what if I don't have a good intention?" Shen Tu Jia said calmly, "If I don't go, wouldn't I be afraid of him? Besides, Sanli Pavilion in the east of the city have a wide view and cannot ambush the troops at all, and I am not afraid of him having any wrong thoughts."

"Then you can't go." Tian Hao said again, "Otherwise, General Zhou will not be able to explain clearly."

"What's there to be unclear?" Shen Tu Jia said disapprovingly, "I am an open-minded general and has a clear conscience. I don't need to explain to anyone."

Tian Hao was speechless and could only watch Shentu Jiayang leave.

Besides, when Shen Tu Jia took a small team of cavalry to Sanli Pavilion in the east of the city, he saw that there was only one person in the pavilion, a handsome young man sitting on the ground, and it was Gao Lang.

Two tables were placed on the table in the pavilion, two jars of wine and a few cold dishes were placed on it.

Seeing Shen Tu Jia and his party, the young man knelt down and stood up and bowed, "This must be General Shen Tu."

"You are Gao Lang?" Shen Tu Jia replied and said lightly, "Young man is very brave. He dares to come to the appointment alone. Are you not afraid that this general will turn against you on the spot and capture you?"

Gao Lang smiled and said, "The general is a wise man today. How could he do such a villain?"

Youdao is to wear everything but not flatter you. Gao Lang's words about the current national sage still make Shen Tu Jia quite useful. He walked to the pavilion and sat down, saying, "Young man, you can say something."

Gao Lang smiled and said, "Actually, it's nothing. I've admired the general's reputation for a long time, but I've been squandering one side. This time I've been lucky enough to meet with the general in Lixia, so I want to ask for advice on military strategies in person, and I hope the general will give me some advice."

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The news of drinking and having fun in Sanliting, Lixia East City quickly reached Zhou Yafu's ears. Bai Yan and Han Ju both advised Zhou Yafu to be prepared early, but Zhou Yafu didn't care at all. He even brought out the theory of "doubt people don't use them, don't use them" to scold the two, and they only made a boring thing.

Zhou Yafu didn't say it, he really didn't feel at ease with this matter.

However, the next day, news came again, saying that Shen Tu Jia had made an appointment with Gao Lang to hunt, and Zhou Yafu was a little disliked. If Shen Tu Jia was so arrogant, you had to pay attention to your identity, right? No matter what, you are a Han general now, and you are a general of Chu who drinks and chats with him. What's the matter with inviting him to hunt?

Things that Zhou Yafu didn't expect were not over yet.

In the next few days, news came from the calendar, saying that Gao Lang and Shentu Jiadu had letters. Gao Lang even sent Shentu Jia dozens of jars of good wine and a collection of collector's edition of "Forty-Three Volumes of Wei Liaozi", and Shentu Jia also gave Gao Lang two large jars of meat and thirteen volumes of "Taigong Art of War".

Shen Tu Jia never wrote to Zhou Yafu to explain, and Zhou Yafu gradually became suspicious. Shen Tu Jia and Gao Lang were so entangled, wouldn't something really happen? (To be continued)
Chapter completed!