Kansai, Fengxiang.

Unlike the Jiedu envoys in the Central Plains, who were able to stabilize the war situation, protect the city, and even counterattack from time to time in the past two years, Fengxiang's Jiedu envoy Wei Wuxian's life in the past two years has become increasingly difficult day by day.

The Beihu army under Meng Ge launched at least two waves of large-scale attacks every year. The battle line had advanced from Liangzhou in the 13th year of Qianfu's reign to the western border of Guanzhong.

If it weren't for the Longshan Mountain in Guanxi as a screen with overlapping mountains, the Qi army would have been unable to hold on. But even so, nowadays, the Longshan defense line is no longer tight and is often crossed by Beihu's elite troops.

Brother Meng's Jingqi even approached Fengxiang at one point. If Wei Wuxian hadn't planned the strategy and counterattacked well, plus the small number of Jingqi, Fengxiang would have been in danger.

Since the loss of Hexi, the defense line in western Guanzhong has been adjusted. The Longyou Army is now divided into four towns, and there is no Longyou Army designation.

Lingzhou in the north is currently the residence of Shuofang Jiedushi, and is relatively far away. The three towns in the south are close to each other and rely on Longshan for fortification, namely Fengxiang, Jingyuan, and Yingning.

The latter three towns are the most intense fighting areas between the Qi army and the Beihu army today.

Fengxiang's position is very important. Once Fengxiang is not protected, Beihu's army can follow the Weishui River and kill directly to the Chang'an City of Xijing. There will no longer be a maze along the way, and Guanzhong will be in danger.

In recent days, Wei Wuxian has received reports one after another. Brother Meng is mobilizing troops and generals and is about to launch another offensive. The focus this time is the Fengxiang defense line they broke through last time.

"When we fought last autumn, Brother Meng's cultivation strength had been fully restored. This spring I got news that his cultivation level has improved quite a lot. If he comes back this time, I'm afraid he won't be far from the late stage of the King's Realm."

In the Commander's Mansion, the head of the Wei family, Wei Chongshan, was discussing the military situation with Wei Wuxian and others. He is now the deputy general manager of the Kansai Defense Line and is mainly responsible for coordinating the military operations in various towns.

As for the general manager of the camp in the west of Guanzhong, the commander of the troops and horses of the four towns in Guanxi, he was a poor general.

Speaking of this, Wei Chongshan looked at Wei Wuxian:

"Although it has been a long time since you reached the middle stage of Wangji Realm, there is still a long way to go before the late stage of Wangji Realm. During this period, in addition to military affairs, you must also hurry up on your cultivation. If you can't stop Brother Meng, this battle will be over.

It’s dangerous.”

Wei Chongshan's talent is limited and he is only at the early stage of the King's Realm.

Wei Wuxian nodded, accepted the task, and then said: "Some time ago, two new Wangji realm practitioners were added to the army. At present, the number of our top practitioners is two more than that of Meng Ge.

Not a big problem.

"The soldiers of the four towns are all battle-hardened and brave, so there is no need to worry too much. However, there is not much food in the army at the moment, and the damaged armor weapons have not been fully replenished, especially the talisman arrows, which have long been insufficient.

"

Wei Chongshan waved his hand, "The new armored weapons will arrive soon, which can solve the urgent need. The only problem is that the food is transported from a long way from the south of the Yangtze River. There is too much wear and tear from people eating and chewing horses on the way, which is a big problem."

Wei Wuxian remained silent.

The local prefectures and counties were barren, suffered from frequent droughts, and produced little grain. Most of the military rations had to be transported by the imperial court from the south of the Yangtze River and central Sichuan.

After a moment, he solemnly said: "After years of fierce fighting, there is no time to breathe. The soldiers and horses in various towns in Guanxi have suffered heavy casualties. Too many young people in Guanzhong and Shuzhong have been recruited, and there are fewer people farming.

The county is in decline, and if this war continues for another two years, we ourselves will not be able to sustain it."

The situation in Kansai is different from that in Hedong and the Central Plains.

Compared with the Hedong Army, although the soldiers and horses in the four towns of Guanxi have experienced wars in the Western Regions, they do not have as high combat power as many practitioners. The casualties have been too heavy in recent years.

There are too many casualties and not enough veterans, so the combat capability cannot be increased, and the source of new recruits is also a problem.

Compared with the Central Plains, the soldiers and horses of the four towns in Guanxi have to fight alone against the more than 200,000 troops under Meng Ge. Unlike the Central Plains army, they only have to deal with the 100,000 troops under Bo Shu's command southward and the follow-up Dadan soldiers.

Moreover, neither the previous Longyou Army nor the current Guanxi Four Towns had as many soldiers and horses as the Central Plains Army.

Meng Ge's soldiers and horses, because of their strong combat power and limited casualties, only need a short rest before they can fight again, but the four towns in Guanxi cannot. They urgently need to take a breath. If they can't take this breath, they really won't be able to last two years.

.

Wei Chongshan sighed:

"The war is difficult, and the national affairs are also difficult. I heard that the military envoys in Jianghuai and the southeast were exploiting and lining their own pockets while raising food and money. The people were in dire straits, resentment was growing, and many civil commotions occurred...

..

"If this continues, in a few years, Daqi's Jiangshan Sheji, I really don't know what will happen. Even if we can hold on on the battlefield, I'm afraid we will eventually end up defeated without a fight...

..

"The current situation is like this, what can we do?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the room fell silent.

Fortunately, these are all members of the Wei clan and close confidants, so they are not afraid of these words being spread.

Wei Wuxian suddenly said: "We urgently need a turning point, and it has to be a big turning point. As long as this turning point appears, maybe everything can be solved!"

Wei Chongshan was startled: "What's the turning point?"

Wei Wuxian said: "A great victory in the Central Plains! As long as the entire Central Plains can be recovered and the Central Plains army is temporarily out of action, a large amount of military supplies can be shipped to us. If there is still a Central Plains army coming to help, why should we worry about not being able to defend Longshan?"

Wei Chongshan shook his head: "Easier said than done?"

"Father, the Yanzhou War has started not long ago. If Brother Ning can annihilate the main force under Bo Shu's command, it will be easy to regain the entire Central Plains!"

"I know the Yanzhou War has begun, but is Yanzhou City so easy to conquer? Is the main force of Borshu so easy to annihilate? Ning is good, but you may not have too much confidence in him."

"Father, I believe Brother Ning!"

"What's the use of believing? I still believe that we will win the national war!"

"Father, you don't know Brother Ning. I played with him as a kid and fought in Yunzhou before. You know clearly that since the battle of Yanzhou has started, he must be quite confident!"

Wei Chongshan snorted, "You are just daydreaming. Instead of placing your hopes on others, you should think more about how to work hard yourself..."

As he finished speaking, a shout suddenly came from outside the house: "Military report, urgent!"

Wei Wuxian and Wei Chongshan turned to look outside the house at the same time: "Come in!"

"Reporting to the commander-in-chief, the imperial court forwarded the report to the Yanzhou army. General Manager Zhao has captured Yanzhou a few days ago, killing more than 60,000 enemies, and killed King Boshu of Zuoxian of Northern Hu!"

Upon hearing the report, everyone in the hall stood up in shock. Wei Wuxian and Wei Chongshan were both stunned.

After a moment, Wei Wuxian burst out laughing, indescribably cheerful and heroic, which shocked everyone again: "The great turning point is coming at a moment's notice, who can say that Brother Ning is not trustworthy?!"

After saying this, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Wei Chongshan: "Father, I now believe that the national war will be won!"

Wei Chongshan didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he coughed pretending to be indifferent: "As a father, I have always believed that I will win the Great Qi War."

Wei Wuxian curled his lips: "Didn't Father just say..."

"What did I say, father? What I said was that Mr. Ning is very good. Facts have proved that he is indeed good. Well, this boy has a great future!" Wei Chongshan said with a face that was red with embarrassment.

After saying a few words, he flicked his sleeves and left the scene in a majestic manner.

Then the whole hall burst into laughter, and the gloom in the room was swept away, and it was instantly filled with a happy atmosphere.

With this great victory, they are full of hope for the future, and they are also more optimistic and confident about the upcoming war.

...

Jinling.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Ning conquered Yanzhou in just over a month. Does the imperial court really want to crown him king?" After Song Zhi had almost calmed down and sat back at the court, Gao Furui hurriedly talked about this practical issue.

It can be seen from his disgusted expression that he was opposed to this matter from the bottom of his heart, but he couldn't directly persuade the emperor to break his promise, so he found a reason:

"Zhao Ning let go of thousands of Beihu's cavalry, which does not count as annihilating the main force of Bo Shu. Since he failed to achieve his goal, shall we..."

How much weight can a few thousand cavalry have compared to 80,000 soldiers and horses? Gao Furui is thick-skinned and has no bottom line. Can the emperor Song Zhi be the same as him? If this statement is put out, it will be difficult to convince the public. If you don't say it, I'm afraid it will make people laugh.

Big teeth.

But Song Zhi really never thought about making Zhao Ning a king.

If that’s not disgusting yourself, what is it?

But when things come to a close, how can he not keep his word?

Song Zhi was extremely depressed and entangled to the extreme, so much so that even a good thing like the Yanzhou victory could not make him feel much happy.

At this moment, Feiyuwei sent a secret envelope, which was given by Song Ming. The envelope mainly talked about one thing: what he said to Zhao Ning in public before the battle of Borshu.

After reading Song Ming's secret book, Song Zhi fell into deep contemplation.

If he was on the first level, then with Bo Shu's words, he would now have to be afraid of people's fear, and he would not be able to suppress Zhao Ning and the Zhao family immediately.

If he is on the second level, then he should resolutely implement the established strategy and deal with the problem of Zhao Ning and Zhao family thunderously, not giving Zhao Ning and Zhao family a chance to prepare, and use iron-blooded means to avoid future troubles.

If he is on the fifth floor, then he should show kindness on the surface and show that he is definitely not afraid of the Zhao family and the family as Borshu said, and secretly step up his plans to give the opponent a fatal blow.

.

If he was in the atmosphere, then he should use a lot of tricks to set a trap for Zhao Ning and the Zhao family, so that they can go to a dead end, take the initiative to attack, follow the truth, and then stand on the moral high ground and deal with it in one fell swoop.

If he has transcended all levels, then he should be like a real hero, not suspicious of any ministers, not wanting to be cooked by cunning rabbits and dead lackeys, acting according to the rules, and firmly believing that he can control everything.

"His Majesty......."

Seeing that Song Zhi had been silent for too long, Gao Furui was a little anxious.

"The imperial edict was issued to grant Zhao Ning the title of Prince of Tangzhou, with a settlement of 5,000 households. He returned to Beijing to receive the title.

"The Yunzhou Army and the Pinglu Army have fought hard for a long time. We ordered them to return to their respective stations to rest and recuperate. They will also be rewarded based on their merits.

"Order, your concubine will lead the troops to recover all the states and counties in the Central Plains!"

After Song Zhi said this with a sword-like look on his face, he waved his hand and signaled the palm eunuch and Bingbi eunuch to do the work.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Gao Furui never expected that Song Zhi would grant Zhao Ning the title of king so simply.

Song Zhi looked at Gao Furui: "After the military merit books of the Yunzhou Army and Pinglu Army are reported, it will be reviewed by you. Remember, do not deduct any of the military merits you deserve.

"The key is that all the meritorious generals who should be promoted must be transferred to serve under other military governors! You must also quickly draft the candidates to replace these people's positions in the Yunzhou Army and Pinglu Army."

Gao Furui was surprised and doubtful: "Can he agree to transfer Zhao Ning's general?"

Song Zhi said calmly: "Then it depends on whether he wants this prince or not."
Chapter completed!