Chapter 180: Plotting to Seize Hanzhong

"Sir, this..."

Liu Zheng was startled.

He had never imagined that Qingyang Shuo's strategy would be like this.

Seize Hanzhong?

He was a Western Regions Commissioner; what did he have to do with Hanzhong?

But looking at Qingyang Shuo's smiling expression, he suddenly had a flash of insight and said, "Sir, are you asking me to have Yinzhou demonstrate its combat power to pose a difficult problem for the Emperor?"

Qingyang Shuo laughed, "Young Master, there is no better time than now to seize Hanzhong!"

Liu Zheng took a deep breath, and his muddled mind suddenly became clear.

That's right.

Since you, Emperor, have given me, Yinzhou, a great problem, then I, Liu Zheng, will return that great problem to you!

If it is truly as Qingyang Shuo says, that the Emperor intends to use the Yinzhou army to "expand the territory," then does he actually prefer for Yinzhou to have combat power, or not?

This is likely a choice that leaves the Emperor very conflicted.

If, at this time, Liu Zheng finds an excuse to seize Hanzhong, should the Emperor be angry, or should he not be?

He should be angry, because Liu Zheng is launching a war without cause, and this time, the target is not some County Marquis, but the Prince of Yong in Hanzhong! This is a proper, legitimate prince. Although this prince's title has been hereditary for several generations and the rank has dropped to the lowest level, a prince is still a prince, one rank higher than a Duke.

You launch a war against a prince and swallow his territory; who would allow that?

But then?

If Yinzhou can truly seize Hanzhong, that proves another point from a different angle... the Yinzhou army is very strong! Such an army is highly capable of expanding the territory for the Emperor!

With such an army, wouldn't trampling the Western Regions be as easy as reaching out to grab something?

Then you should be angry!

Or should you not be angry!

Should you punish, or should you not punish!

This problem is thrown directly to the old Emperor!

Do you care more about a declining prince who is one in several thousand of the Longyan Dynasty, or do you care more about an army that can help you trample the Western Regions?

Is it caring about a carefree prince whose name you can't even recall?

Or the Yinzhou army that builds achievements for you?

You choose.

How will you choose?

Liu Zheng was incredibly excited and took a deep breath: "Sir, this aligns with our previous strategy: move west and head south!"

Qingyang Shuo chuckled, "Young Master, Hanzhong claims to have two hundred thousand regular troops; are you truly not afraid at all?"

Liu Zheng smiled and replied, "I only fear not having a reason to start the war, so that the world may know the strength of my Yinzhou army!"

"Good!"

Qingyang Shuo smiled dashingly: "Young Master, to plot the seizure of Hanzhong, there is the way of wisdom and the way of force. Which does the Young Master prefer?"

"Ah?"

Liu Zheng was stunned: "How do they differ?"

Hanzhong.

A place that has been a must-contest for military strategists since ancient times.

To the north is the Qinling, the high and steep mountain range that serves as the boundary between north and south in Huaxia, and to the south are the thick and long Bashan mountains.

To the northwest lies Liangzhou.

Because of Hanzhong's geography, it is narrow from north to south and long from east to west, like a corridor spanning east and west.

In terms of Hanzhong's geographical location, the north-south axis is an important hub and gateway for the Longyan Dynasty, and Hanzhong's Waterway is also quite developed! The Han River, which originates within Hanzhong, is the largest tributary of the Yangtze River.

This makes Hanzhong the "throat of Qin and Ba, the collar of Long and the belt of Shu," and its geographical location is of extreme strategic significance.

Hanzhong not only has natural geographical and transportation advantages, but also possesses advantages in climate and produce, which many strategic locations do not have.

Hanzhong is situated south of the north and north of the south, with distinct four seasons and two harvests of rice and wheat per year.

The Han River and Jialing River flow through it, forming a rich river system. The land is fertile, beautiful, and rich, long having the reputation of being a "small Jiangnan of the Northwest" and a "land of fish and rice."

These are favorable conditions for Hanzhong to become an agricultural base, to nourish the people, to station troops, and to support military efforts.

To be honest.

When Liu Zheng first transmigrated to the Longyan Dynasty, he was still complaining and very resentful, wondering why he was born in the barren Liangzhou instead of a place like Hanzhong.

He had been coveting Hanzhong for a long time.

Ever since Liubang founded the Han Dynasty, there has been the saying, "He who gains Hanzhong gains the world."

If he could truly seize Hanzhong and head south into Bashu, even if it were flat as a plain, and if development went smoothly, it would be equivalent to occupying almost half of the Longyan Dynasty!

It's just that.

He never dared to think about it.

He thought that the arrival of this day would still be a long way off.

At the very least, it should wait until the old Emperor died.

He did not expect that the old Emperor's poisonous scheme would instead give Liu Zheng and Yinzhou an opportunity.

In reality.

Liu Zheng had no ill will toward the Prince of Yong in Hanzhong.

Therefore.

If he were to initiate the war himself, he still could not bring himself to do it.

Furthermore, in this era, war requires a justification.

Wars between territorial lords, as long as the old Emperor is not dead, cannot end in the annexation of territory; most are fought for the sake of dignity.

Therefore.

He decisively chose to win through strategy.

And the strategy of Qingyang Shuo was very simple.

Since ancient times, the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Shu in Shu have been enemies who see red the moment they meet, with constant friction at their borders.

Shu is a Land of Abundance, and Hanzhong is equally wealthy.

Neither is willing to submit to the other.

Crucially, both are provinces with large populations, easily numbering in the millions, with strong troops and sturdy horses, ample military funds, and the hearts of the people.

Neither is willing to submit to the other.

So they just fight for fun every day.

Of course, these are only small-scale, localized battles and do not affect the overall war situation.

Qingyang Shuo suggested that at this time, one should light a fire between these two princes.

Yintan City.

Qingyang Shuo, Liu Zheng, Jiang Xuan, and Qin Zhangfeng, these military commanders, had already gathered together to discuss this matter.

Upon hearing of the plan to seize Hanzhong, Jiang Xuan and Qin Zhangfeng were both very excited, feeling somewhat eager to get started.

"Sir, how shall we light this fire?"

Jiang Xuan asked.

Qingyang Shuo looked leisurely at Liu Zheng, his eyes carrying a smile: "Right now, there is a very good opportunity, but given the Young Master's personality, he certainly will not agree."

Liu Zheng looked puzzled.

Only then did Qingyang Shuo laugh and take out a pile of red letters from behind his back.

"What is this?"

Liu Zheng had an absurd premonition in his heart.

"Marriage proposals!"

Qingyang Shuo could no longer hold back and laughed loudly: "Does the Young Master know that you are now the most sought-after young talent in the Longyan Dynasty? In the imperial court and among the local Feudatory Kings, those coming to propose marriage are countless."

"Ah? There is such a thing?"

Liu Zheng did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Qingyang Shuo said: "These are just the previous ones; in a few more days, I fear it will be even livelier. The title of Western Regions Commissioner has settled in Yinzhou; the capital, Jinghua, must have already exploded."

"I fear that in a few days, even those County Princesses and Princesses might come to propose!"

The few of them teased and laughed together.

Liu Zheng made a bitter face: "Sir, do not tease me..."

However, as he listened, he suddenly felt something was wrong, and his eyes widened: "Does Sir mean..."

Could it be that this fellow Qingyang Shuo intends to make an issue out of his own marriage?