On the occasion of rebirth Zhou Sui

Chapter 598: The Governor of Nanjun
Zhang Xutuo led the Xiangyang naval force after hard work and finally arrived at Jiangling on foot, waiting for the captain of the city gate to give him permission.

Zhou Fashang, the governor of Nanjun, was overjoyed when he heard the news. He said excitedly:

"Quickly lead the way, I want to greet them personally!"

Zhou Fashang already knew the news about the fall of Xiangyang and Cui Che's blockade of the Han River. He thought that Zhang Xutuo and his navy had become a turtle in the urn, but he never expected that they actually escaped.

After Cui Che captured Xiangyang, his next target was undoubtedly Nanjun. With the Xiangyang navy joining him at this time, Zhou Fashang would be more confident in defending Jiangling.

However, Zhou Fashang soon discovered that he was happy too early.

Things were slightly different from what he expected. The visitor did not lead him to the water gate, but brought him to the north city gate.

Zhou Fashang looked at the Xiangyang Navy outside the city, who looked like victims of a disaster, and was disappointed.

However, Zhang Xutuo was still welcomed into Jiangling City. When he learned that Zhang Xutuo had broken his wrist, scuttled the warship, and came on foot, Zhou Fashang also knew that he could not ask him to do more.

Zhou Fashang had also heard about Cui Che's arrangements in the Xiangyang River. Under such circumstances, it would be a fantasy if a certain number of warships could be retained to break through the Yan army's blockade. Otherwise, Zhou Fashang would not have done this before. Excited.

Zhou Fashang comforted himself in his heart and said:
'At least the worst-case scenario didn't happen. '

If Zhang Xutuo was really greedy for wealth and fearful of accusations, and led the Xiangyang Navy to surrender to Cui Che, that would be the real bad news.

Zhou Fashang placed all the Xiangyang Navy officers and soldiers in Jiangling, but Zhang Xutuo was sent to Jiankang and handed over to the imperial court.

Zhang Xutuo had also been mentally prepared for this. He had told the generals before that if there was any guilt, he would bear all the blame.

Zhou Fashang also heard that Zhang Xutuo decisively killed the general who proposed to surrender, forcing everyone to unite with him.

Zhou Fashang admired Zhang Xutuo's behavior very much, and also mentioned this matter in his memorial to Yang Guang.

When Zhang Xutuo left, Zhou Fashang specially came to see him off. Seeing Zhang Xutuo's sad face, Zhou Fashang comforted him and said:
"The emperor loves loyal people most. You can scuttle warships and lead the Xiangyang navy back on foot. You are meritorious and innocent. Zhang Juncheng does not need to worry about being punished."

Zhang Xutuo sighed:

"Zhang doesn't know what Mr. Zhou Fu said.

"What I'm worried about is not the fear of being punished by the emperor, but the fear of losing my master and losing my land. I feel guilty and feel that I have no face to see the emperor."

Zhou Fashang thought Zhang Xutuo wanted to speak softly, so he shouted sharply:

"Now is the time when the country's survival is at stake. What Zhang Juncheng should do is serve the court instead of lamenting over previous failures!"

Zhang Xutuo regained his composure after hearing this, and no longer looked sad. He said seriously:

"Mr. Zhou's words awakened Zhang. The country is in misfortune and the traitors are trying to be cruel. It is the time for us to serve the court. A temporary failure is not enough to discourage people. The one who laughs in the end is the real husband!"

After that, Zhang Xutuo bowed farewell to Zhou Fashang, and under his farewell, boarded the ship bound for Jiankang.

After sending Zhang Xutuo away, Zhou Fashang also urgently contacted reinforcements from Jingnan and Shu.

Since Cui Che deployed heavy troops in Xuzhou, Huainan's military strength had been contained. Yang Guang, who had already learned that Cui Che was attacking Jingxiang, did not dare to easily mobilize the troops stationed in Huainan.

After all, who knows whether this is Cui Che's attempt to make trouble.

Today's Xuzhou not only has the [-] elite cavalry under Cui Che, but also the [-] infantry cavalry selected by Cui Qiji from the [-] Qingzhou soldiers, and the remaining [-] navy troops, all of which have been left in Xuzhou.It also includes the original soldiers from Xuzhou, as well as soldiers from Qingzhou and other places who can go south at any time. Even if Cui Che is in Jingxiang, Huainan still faces huge military pressure.

Of course, it was precisely because heavy troops were deployed in Xuzhou, and enough troops had to be left to defend the north. Cui Che's troops in this southern expedition were far less than those in his previous western expedition to Guanlong.

Although Yang Guang was unable to send troops from Jiangdong to assist Jiangling, he still sent envoys to Jingnan and Bashu.

Especially for Bashu, Yang Guang ordered Yi Governor Shi Zhangheng to personally lead the army to rescue Jiangling.

Zhou Fashang is now sending someone to contact them, wanting to know when the reinforcements will arrive.

Of course, Zhou Fashang also knew that once Zhang Heng led the Bashu army, he would have to obey his orders.

Whether it is official title or personal relationship with Yang Guang, Zhang Heng is far better than himself.

And Zhang Heng was not a civil servant with no military knowledge. During the Kaihuang period, he served as the commander-in-chief of the march, commanding [-] cavalry to quell the rebellion in Xizhou (governing Huaining County, now Qianshan County, Anhui).

Zhou Fashang was originally a general of Nanchen. Because he was at odds with Chen Shujian, the king of Changsha, he was framed by him. In order to save his life, he had no choice but to lead his army to betray Nanchen and defect to the Sui Dynasty.

Having experienced betrayal, Yang Guang naturally did not dare to let him lead the reinforcements gathered in Jiangling after the fall of Xiangyang.

Zhou Fashang was also self-aware of this. He once lamented to his confidants:
"The fact that the emperor still keeps me in Jiangling is the greatest trust."

At the same time, Shi Zhangheng, the governor of Yizhou, had led [-] Shu soldiers to leave Chengdu and go to rescue Jiangling.

In this army, King Yang Jian of Qi sent a confidant to accompany him, Yu Wenshiji, who was deeply trusted by the reporter and joined the army.

Cui Che had known for a long time that his attack on Jingxiang would be supported by Shu soldiers, so he instructed Yu Wenshiji in advance that once Yang Jian sent troops, he would try his best to request that he accompany the army.

When Wei Chijiong rebelled, Wei Xiaokuan lightly dispatched supervisory troops to the court. As a result, Yang Jian found Liu Fang and Zheng Yi. They were afraid of the dangers on the front line and refused, so Gao Jiong came to the fore.

Now, regardless of his own safety, Yu Wenshiji volunteered to join the army and secretly monitored Zhang Heng. Yang Jian was so happy that he could not refuse.

Yu Wenshi and Yingfeng stood on the deck of the ship. The ship was going down the river, and the cries of apes on both sides of the river could be heard one after another.

At this time, he didn't know that Xiangyang had fallen, otherwise he would have been even more happy about his original decision.

"The river wind is cold in the morning, so Yuwen joins the army and isn't he afraid of getting cold?"

Zhang Heng walked onto the deck and laughed loudly.

Because Yu Wenshi and his office clerk joined the army, they were called Yu Wen joined the army.

How could Zhang Heng not know what the purpose of Qi King Yang Jian was in placing Yu Wenshiji next to him?

Zhang Heng did not reject Yuwen Shiji's joining. At least the two had a good relationship, which was better than Yang Jian sending a difficult person to work with him.

Moreover, Yuwen Shiji was the most intelligent person among the three sons of Yuwen Shu.

Yu Wenji, who is far superior to his brother, is known as a frivolous young man.

In Zhang Heng's eyes, at least Yu Wenshiji would not cause trouble or hold him back.

　no more today
　　
　
(End of this chapter)