Chapter 338: Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao

Everyone was startled, not understanding what Liu Zheng meant by this.

Jiangzhou has already been occupied by the Southern Barbarians for over two months; if we don't go to rescue it now, what are we waiting for?

Even Xie Zhen's expression changed slightly.

Could it be that this Liu Zheng, in coming to Shu, truly has ulterior motives and did not come sincerely to save the common people?

Liu Zheng laughed and said, "Brother, please stay calm and composed; allow me to explain slowly."

At this moment, in front of this group of generals, was a rather large map of Chuan Shu. Liu Zheng chuckled and said, "Brother, do you think that at this time, the most critical place in Chuan Shu is Jiangzhou, is it not?"

Xie Zhen was straightforward and blunt, letting out a cold snort: "That goes without saying! My Chuan Shu people are suffering under the oppression of the Southern Barbarians; every time I think of this, I cannot sleep at night!"

Liu Zheng actually liked this personality of Xie Zhen's.

If he were to govern Chuan Shu, while he might not be called a brilliant ruler, he would certainly be a benevolent one. And a Land of Abundance with natural barriers like Chuan Shu needs such a benevolent ruler.

He chuckled and shook his head: "Has Brother ever thought that precisely because the Southern Barbarians have already occupied Jiangzhou, Jiangzhou is actually the most stable place right now?"

The group was instantly astonished.

Especially Xie Zhen, who for a moment, truly had not reacted.

Liu Zheng sighed; sure enough, these Crown Princes of Shu had lived too comfortably and were truly lacking in Strategy and devious ways, so he patiently explained: "The Southern Barbarians have occupied Jiangzhou for two months already. To put it most realistically, those who should have been slaughtered have already been slaughtered; those who should have been killed have already been killed. Whatever should have been plundered has been plundered. Therefore, the remaining common people in Jiangzhou City will not be killed by them again. Why? Because they need to keep these people to help them reinforce fortifications and work like beasts of burden. What does Brother think?"

Xie Zhen was stunned upon hearing this, and then his face turned ghastly pale.

He had to admit that what Liu Zheng said was the most consistent with the true situation.

Those Southern Barbarians were extremely cruel; the people they wanted to kill would absolutely not live past seven days... let alone two months? Therefore, the Chuan Shu people still alive in Jiangzhou City were actually safe and could continue to live. Because those Southern Barbarians had use for them!

But despite this, Xie Zhen still gritted his teeth: "But, but..."

Liu Zheng laughed aloud: "Brother, one who acts as a king must prioritize the big picture. At this time, the chaos in Shu is no longer just about one city, Jiangzhou. This younger brother believes it should be here!"

Shuzhou!

The group looked at the city Liu Zheng was pointing to.

Then, one by one, their eyes flashed with a sharp light.

But they all remained silent, waiting quietly for Liu Zheng to continue his analysis.

Liu Zheng chuckled: "Xie Yang controlling Shuzhou is the true target of public criticism in Shu. Brother, don't you think that if we can trigger conflict in Shuzhou now, we can break the stalemate?"

Xie Zhen's expression changed.

Liu Zheng continued with a smile: "Many people have already begun to suspect that this Southern Barbarian army was definitely brought here by this Xie Yang. Therefore, if conflict breaks out in Shuzhou now, this younger brother believes the siege of Jiangzhou will be resolved as a result, and furthermore, the remaining common people of Jiangzhou will be even more likely to live for a long time!"

Once this analysis was out, everyone suddenly saw the light.

That's right.

Since this Southern Barbarian army was colluded with by Xie Yang, if something were to happen to Xie Yang, the Southern Barbarian army would definitely come to his aid. Under such circumstances, Jiangzhou would inevitably be left empty. Moreover, these Southern Barbarians are not fools; with a great battle about to begin, they would not kill the captives in Jiangzhou at this time, but instead let them charge into battle and act as cannon fodder; even if they were just used to transport grain and fodder, that would be good—they wouldn't feel bad if they died anyway.

In this way, more of these Chuan Shu common people might actually survive.

"This, this, this..."

Xie Zhen was completely bewildered by this analysis from Liu Zheng.

Is this the Prefect Liu?

Is this Young Master Liu?

He had not even arrived in Chuan Shu, yet he already had such a thorough grasp of the situation in Chuan Shu. Who could believe this?

Only...

Xie Zhen took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile: "I understand what my second brother is saying. It's just that the situation in Shuzhou..."

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Does Brother think that General Qin is holding his troops back because he is truly afraid of that Miss Pei being in Shuzhou?"

Xie Zhen was stunned again.

Could it be that he isn't?

At this time, almost everyone in the Longyan Dynasty knew that Pei Yanran was being held under house arrest in Shuzhou by Xie Yang specifically to check Qin Zhangfeng. Qin Zhangfeng led fifty thousand troops and remained at Jian Ge precisely because his beloved was being held under house arrest, making him afraid to act rashly.

And now, you are saying that isn't the case?

He looked at Liu Zheng in astonishment.

Liu Zheng chuckled: "That is not the case; Brother Zhangfeng is simply waiting for my orders."

"What?"

Xie Zhen's expression changed drastically.

What kind of people are these Liangzhou Army soldiers, anyway? One must know that there are currently a full thirty thousand Imperial Guards inside Shuzhou City! The city of Shuzhou is even more magnificent and sturdy, almost impregnable. Although Qin Zhangfeng is leading fifty thousand troops, if he were to truly attack Shuzhou, he would first have to pass through Zitong before reaching the foot of Shuzhou City.

By that time, Xie Yang might have already raised his blade and slaughtered that Pei Yanran to intimidate Qin Zhangfeng.

And this Liu Zheng actually said...

It is not that Qin Zhangfeng dares not go, but that he is waiting for his orders?

Today, this sworn brother of his has brought him shock after shock.

Liu Zheng smiled slightly: "Brother, do you think that if we take Zitong in a few days, that Xie Yang would still dare to touch Pei Yanran?"

"This, this, this..."

Xie Zhen really did not know what to say at this moment.

Madmen!

This Liangzhou Army is a group of madmen!

Are they trying to gamble?

Gambling on how many days it will take to capture Zitong, and gambling that Xie Yang will ultimately be forced to keep Pei Yanran alive to save his own life?

Madmen!

These people are all madmen!

Liu Zheng chuckled, paying no mind to how Xie Zhen was reacting, and turned back to call for Jiang Xuan.

"Pass the order to Qin Zhangfeng: ignore our itinerary and march troops to Shuzhou!"

"Yes!"

Xie Zhen was startled, his whole body trembling violently, but at this moment, he could not utter a single word. He felt as if he were in a daze all day, as if living in a dream.

At this moment.

Jiange Fortress.

Qin Zhangfeng looked coldly at the banquet that took place almost every day before his eyes; with singing and dancing, the sound of strings and flutes, and the revelry of wine, those women with graceful figures incited a group of people to cheer and behave in a dissolute manner.

"General Qin, how is today's event?"

That He Chang was already dead drunk, dancing and gesticulating. Compared to the flattery and enthusiasm he had shown Qin Zhangfeng in previous days, his eyes today were filled with mockery and ridicule.

Qin Zhangfeng gave a cold smile, noncommittal, picked up a cup of wine, and drank it down.

Hmph!

He Chang laughed heartily, feeling very satisfied at this moment. What Liangzhou Army, what General Qin, what Governor Liu—weren't they all being played by the Third Crown Prince Xie Yang to the point where they didn't even dare to let out a fart?

A few days ago, this Qin Zhangfeng was still clamoring at him every day to finalize the military provisions, saying they were about to march to Jiangzhou.

But what about these past few days?

The situation in Shuzhou had undergone a drastic change, and that Pei Yanran had been placed under house arrest in Shuzhou by the Third Crown Prince. This Qin Zhangfeng was furious but dared not act.

The situation.

Had flipped in an instant.

"Hahahaha!"

"General Qin, why think about that Miss Pei? Come, aren't these Chuan Shu women delicious?"

At this time, that group of He Chang's men also burst into wild, loud laughter one after another.

"General Qin..."

At this moment.

Zhong Lin, who was sitting next to Qin Zhangfeng, was already burning with rage.

Jiangzhou had fallen, yet this group of people was here singing and feasting every night, with endless wine and meat; how could he bear to watch? However, he was only a garrison general of Jiange Fortress and could not participate in the power center of Shuzhou at all. So, regardless of who was in charge of Shuzhou at this moment, whether it was Xie Zhen or Xie Yang, as a garrison general, he could only obey orders.

Qin Zhangfeng gave a faint smile and shook his head.

He looked coldly at this group of filthy wretches, quietly sipping the rice wine that was a specialty of Chuan Shu.

Actually...

How could he not be burning with anxiety these past few days? But he was waiting... he was also waiting. He was waiting for Liu Zheng's side! Therefore, although he wished he could grow wings and fly to Shuzhou to rescue the talented woman of Shu, Pei Yanran, he still held back.

On one hand.

He was waiting for Liu Zheng.

On the other hand, he was wearing down this Zhong Lin before him!

That's right.

Wearing down.

He could tell that this Zhong Lin was a loyal and honest general, devoted to the country. Therefore, these past few days, he let him see more of the gluttonous, filthy appearance of He Chang and the others.

Slowly accumulating the anger in his heart.

After all, there were still twenty thousand garrison troops in Jiange; if the time came and Zhong Lin was willing to rise up with him, then Shuzhou would be as good as taken!

Therefore.

He was enduring.

This banquet of wine, meat, and hot dancing lasted until dawn again; that group of people was now sprawled out in disarray, lying in every direction, and filthy beyond measure...

Qin Zhangfeng had been sitting quietly the whole time.

Zhong Lin, sitting beside him, could no longer restrain the sword at his waist; he longed to draw it and chop off the heads of this group of fat pigs one by one!

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, outside the fortress, came the sounds of night owls.

Qin Zhangfeng's spirits lifted, and he stood up abruptly.

"Chiu, chiu, chiu..."

"Chiu, chiu, chiu..."

Qin Zhangfeng's eyes lit up.

Soon, Cheng Kai ran in from outside, extremely excited: "General Qin, the Young Master's military order!"

"How is it?"

Qin Zhangfeng took a deep breath, gripping the long sword at his waist tightly.

A flash of killing intent appeared in Cheng Kai's eyes: "Kill!"

Qin Zhangfeng laughed loudly: "Good, kill!"

He gave a cold smile, drew the long sword from his waist, and turned back to the banquet.

"Hehehe, General Qin..."

Qin Zhangfeng walked to He Chang's side; He Chang was bleary-eyed from drink and gave a silly laugh, but before he could say a single word, the long sword descended in a flash.

He Chang's pig head was already in Qin Zhangfeng's hand.

"This..."

Zhong Lin was instantly terrified.

Everyone in the hall who had been startled awake was also scared pale, scrambling to escape, but they were soon surrounded by the Liangzhou Army led by Cheng Kai.

Qin Zhangfeng shouted loudly: "General Zhong, the Crown Prince Xie Zhen is currently heading to Jiangzhou, ordering us to besiege Wei to rescue Zhao. I, Zhangfeng, intend to attack Zitong, enter Shu, save the people, and drive out the Southern Barbarians. Are you willing to follow me?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

The entire scene was in an uproar.

"These idiots, execute them!"

With the order given, Cheng Kai and the others began a satisfying slaughter.

Zhong Lin was also stirred to bloodlust by Qin Zhangfeng, shouting excitedly: "We are willing to follow General Qin!"

For a moment.

The entire Jiange Fortress also resounded at the same time.

"We are willing to follow General Qin!"