Chapter 197 Shocking News
".General, don't you remember the stories of Peng Yue and Han Xin?"

Peng Yue and Han Xin were both meritorious officials who made great contributions to Emperor Gaozu of Han's conquest of the world, and both were granted the title of kings of different surnames.

The final outcome is "When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden; when the rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked." This is a very famous good bow and running dog.

Zhang Hongping's few words seemed to remind Li Yuanhui of the necessity of keeping the enemy at bay.

If Li Yuanhui recovered Jiangdong and eliminated Cao Yuanjing of the Eastern Wei, the Luoyang court would most likely find ways to strip him of his military power and transfer him back to Luoyang, as Zhang Hongping said.

However, with the current strength of the Jianghuai Army, it is still not enough to defeat the Eastern Wei in one go. Both of them understood that Zhang Hongping's words were nothing more than to cause some panic to Li Yuanhui, so that the Jianghuai side could stand aside and not make trouble when they sent troops to Yuzhang.

Li Yuanhui was guarding Ruxukou, and the Chaohu navy could send troops to block the river at any time to cut off the logistics transportation lines of the Eastern Wei.

Of course, the Eastern Wei could also choose to transport supplies by land, but this would greatly increase consumption, require the conscription of a large number of civilians, and might even affect agricultural production.

Therefore, Zhang Hongping felt that it would be best if he could persuade Li Yuanhui to sit on the sidelines and not cause trouble on the Eastern Wei's grain supply lines.

Li Yuanhui remained silent for a long while, with a smile on his face.

Zhang Hongping also sat there, silently waiting for Li Yuanhui's opinion.

After a long while, he finally said, "Mr. Zhang, you are overestimating me, Li. If I had the ability of Han Xin, would Cao Yuanjing be able to sleep peacefully?"

Zhang Hongping smiled after hearing this.

Li Yuanhui continued, "Mr. Zhang just talked about the dangers of sending troops. If I don't send troops, what benefits will there be?"

Zhang Hongping said: "If the general does not send troops, he can accumulate strength and wait and see the success or failure of the two Wei states, and perhaps reap the benefits."

"But if Cao Yuanjing defeats Cao Xuan in one go and seizes Jingzhou, won't I be attacked from both sides if I occupy Jianghuai?"

Li Yuanhui's rhetorical question was actually the issue he was most worried about.

It is safe to watch the fire from the other side of the river or the fight between tigers from the mountain. However, if the strength of the two tigers is too disparate, one is a real tiger and the other is a paper tiger, then things will be bad.

Of course, Li Yuanhui didn’t think that Cao Yuanjing would definitely gain the upper hand. The Western Wei Dynasty was able to sweep across the Jingchu area in a short period of time because it had capable people.

But some things need to be considered carefully and we have to be on guard.

Zhang Hongping said, "Even if my lord enters Jingzhou, why should the general worry? Lord Tang has already occupied Bashu, and the general and his son are both outstanding people of the time. Why should they continue to work for Murong Yan? If our Great Wei occupies Jingzhou, the emperor can drive directly to Wanluo, the general can lead the army out of Yingyin, and Lord Tang can lead the army into Guanzhong. Our Great Wei and the general and his son can divide the world equally, wouldn't everyone be happy?"

Li Yuanhui sneered, "Mr. Zhang, my father and I are both loyal subjects of Great Yan. Are you trying to sow discord by saying this? Since you are a guest from afar, I will not bother with you today. Come, please ask Mr. Zhang to go down and have a rest."

Zhang Hongping was not panicked when he heard this. He stood up with a smile, saluted Li Yuanhui, and then followed the personal soldiers outside the account to make arrangements.

After everyone left, Li Yuanhui stood up and stood in front of the map, muttering to himself: "Zhang Hongping never asked me to send troops, but he reminded me of the importance of Jingzhou. If I take advantage of their attack on Yuzhang to send troops to Jingzhou, I will not have the energy to harass Jiangdong. Secondly, Cao Xuan will definitely return to rescue me when he finds out that I am going to attack Jingzhou. In this way, there will be a big battle between me and Western Wei, and Cao Yuanjing of Eastern Wei can sit on the mountain and watch the fight between the tigers, and benefit from it."

"What a calculation."

While he was hesitating, a personal guard outside the tent came in to report that a merchant from Bashu wanted to see the general. When Li Yuanhui heard about Bashu, he thought it was really strange that so many guests came today, and then the personal guard went down to lead the person into the big tent.

When the visitor saw Li Yuanhui, he bowed and said, "Silang."

When Li Yuanhui saw the person coming, he was stunned for a moment, then he said in surprise: "It's you, hahahaha, Old Yuan, hahahaha, why are you here? Come on, come on, sit down."

The man who came was a man in his thirties, rough and strong. He looked like a wealthy businessman in a Sichuan brocade robe.

This man's name is Yuan Geng. He is a close confidant of his father, Duke Tang Li Yuan. He is both civil and military. He serves as an aide in the palace and as a guard when traveling. He is one of Li Yuan's most trusted confidants.

Yuan Geng said, "Lord Tang asked me to deliver a letter to you, Silang. Do you know that the lady was in Nanzhong to suppress the rebellion last year?"

Li Yuanhui smiled and said, "How could I not know? Sister is truly a heroine, as capable as any man."

Yuan Geng also laughed and said, "Hahaha, then Si Lang may not know what happened next."

Li Yuanhui said: "Good old Yuan, don't keep me in suspense. Tell me what the good news is."

Yuan Geng took out the envelope from his arms, handed it to Li Yuanhui, and continued: "Last year, Lord Tang led his army to attack Longyou. Before our army arrived in Longyou, Erlang sent 5,000 cavalrymen to bypass the north bank of the Yellow River and invade the hinterland of Liangzhou, forcing Liangzhou Governor Xiao Juan to divide his troops. Then he led 3,000 cavalrymen to the west of Taoshui, fought against 20,000 elite soldiers of Liangzhou, defeated them, and then pursued them all the way, forcing more than 10,000 people to surrender. Later, these elite soldiers of Liangzhou were subdued. Erlang led 3,000 soldiers and more than 10,000 surrendered soldiers all the way to Liangzhou. The Liangzhou army surrendered, and Wuwei also opened the gates and offered the city. Now Hexi and Longyou are all occupied by Lord Tang!"

Li Yuanhui was stunned when he heard this, and then he immediately opened the envelope and read his father's handwritten letter, which contained not only the details of the war but also instructions for him to be cautious.
There wasn't much useful information in the letter, but Yuan Geng's words were enough to shock him.

With Liangzhou, Longyou and Yizhou connected together, it is no longer a dream to capture Guanzhong.

Then he came to the map again, took a look at it, then turned to look at Yuan Geng again: "Old Yuan, is there something important that my father asked you to come over?"

Yuan Geng smiled and said, "Silang's guess is correct. Lord Tang asked me to ask Silang, can Jianghuai send troops to attack Cao Xuan of Jingzhou together with Yizhou?"

Li Yuanhui raised his eyebrows when he heard this, looked at the map again, began to think carefully, and was silent for a long time.

Yuan Geng stood half a body length behind him and asked, "Is Si Lang in trouble?"

Li Yuanhui shook his head, and then told Yuan Geng about the current complex situation of the three powers of Jiangdong, Jingchu and Jianghuai.

Then he continued, "The current tripartite situation is difficult to break. Aye has taken Longyou and Liangzhou, and his strength has increased greatly. The court will not allow me to continue to occupy Jianghuai, unless there is a war in Jianghuai and we attack Jingzhou from both sides. Is this Aye's way of dealing with it?"

Yuan Geng nodded: "That is indeed what Lord Tang ordered, but as for the specific actions, Lord Tang asked you to adapt to the situation and make decisions based on the circumstances."

As the military commander of Yangzhou and the envoy, Li Yuanhui had the authority to start a war, and during the war, the court could not replace the commander. Li Yuan's plan was to attack Jingzhou with Li Yuanhui. If they succeeded, the prefectures and counties occupied by the Li family would be connected into one large area, and their strength would increase dramatically. They would no longer have to look at the face of the Luoyang court.

Even if he failed to capture Jingzhou, he could temporarily keep Li Yuanhui's position as governor of Yangzhou and delay the situation for a year or two.

It takes time to digest this territory.

(End of this chapter)