"Why are you following me? Didn't the Duke give you other tasks?" Zhuo Bailing asked.

"Quartz sent a message that the Duke asked me to accompany you. After taking Yuanling, I will return to the Chinese army." Zhuo Baiqing responded with a sad smile on his face.

Seeing his brother's expression, Zhuo Bailing knew what Meng Yan meant, and comforted him: "Erlang, I know you want to get rid of the title of traitor of the Zhuo family, but do you know why I rejected Zhuo Tianya's kindness?"

"I just couldn't figure it out, so I wanted to ask my eldest brother for clarification. I thought it was because the Duke was unwilling, so I went to see the Duke privately. However, the Duke didn't see me and asked Quartz to send me a message. Only then did I know it was the eldest brother.

Rejected." Zhuo Baiqing's eyes were full of confusion and anxiety.

"This matter really has nothing to do with the Duke. The fall of the Zhuo family is inevitable. Do you think Zhuo Dingfeng has taken refuge with King Yuzhang? There is still a chance for him to succeed? How many Nanchen disciples died in Zhuo during the battle in Luling that day?

In the hands of Dingfeng, King Yuzhang only agreed to his affiliation because Zhuo Tianya chose Princess Chenyang. As for Zhuo Tianya, he wanted our brothers to return to the Zhuo family because of our status in Zhengxi Mansion. Without this

Who among the entire Zhuo family can think highly of us?" Zhuo Bailing elaborated on the reason for his refusal. He did not want to have any grudge against Zhuo Baiqing because of this matter.

"Brother, I don't mean to blame you. I just feel uncomfortable. Although we won't see each other much in the future, after all, we are officials in the same dynasty and everyone knows that you and I are from the Zhuo family. Isn't it embarrassing?" Zhuo Baiqing said goodbye.

Such thoughts.

Zhuo Bailing was alert and realized that his younger brother was no longer someone he could control at will. He almost forgot that Zhuo Baiqing was the commander of the military court, so he asked coldly: "Erlang, what do you want to do after you have spared me for so long?"

say what?"

Zhuo Baiqing rubbed his face, his expression immediately became energetic, his eyes were shining, and he said with a smile: "It's still not home. Brother has exposed it so quickly. I mean, since the Zhuo family has been separated,

Two parts, why can’t we brothers be the third part?”

Zhuo Bailing looked at Zhuo Baiqing meaningfully, struggled and hesitated for a long time before saying: "You can do whatever you want. You can go back to Baoqing today. I don't need your help here."

Looking at Zhuo Bailing's indifferent expression, Zhuo Baiqing didn't care. His goal was achieved. He believed that in the hands of their brothers, the Baoqing Zhuo family would go further than the old Zhuo family. He knew what his eldest brother had in mind.

Confused, but that doesn’t matter.

At the same time, Gu Xing, the head of the Gu family in Xingzhou City, became bald overnight. In less than three years, half of the twelve states in Xingtan were lost. Two of the three heroes of the Gu family who relied on them for glory defected to Nanchen, and one was killed.

The prisoners were missing, and before Nanchen could catch his breath, Zhengxi Mansion began a new round of dispatching troops.

Since the fall of Hengyang, everyone in the clan has fallen into panic. The imperial court is unreliable. Shaoling is an example. In order to limit the development of Xiao Huli, Shaoling was given to the imperial court in vain. No one thought about it and did not resist the whole Shaoling.

He gave it up, originally thinking that an alliance with the Zhuo family could at least survive this year. Now the Zhuo family's surrender makes Gu Xing feel exhausted. It's not that Gu Xing has never thought about going north to Yunmeng, but most of the people in the clan no longer have confidence in themselves.

In other words, they were scared of being beaten by Meng Yan, and even worse, they scolded the previous generation of the family head. They believed that it was the things he caused that led to Meng Yan's revenge.

"Master! It's not good! Nanchen's expedition to Xifu Zhuo Bailing is approaching Yuanling!" A servant came to report in a hurry, looking horrified.

At this moment, Gu Xing had calmed down. What should come will always come. But fortunately, Meng Yan chose Yuanling. At least there will be no serious problems for the time being. He sighed and said: "Let's open a ancestral hall."

Yuanling's defense was ineffective, and they only surrendered after a few symbolic resistances. The defenders in the city had no fighting spirit. They knew in their hearts that the resistance was pointless. As long as the Gu family's children in the city escaped from the city, their mission would be completed.

, besides, everyone knows that Zhengxi Mansion’s policy of benefiting the people is very good, so why not do it.

On the day Zhuo Bailing's army entered the city, Yu Geng and others secretly left the city in batches. After Zhuo Bailing sent the last batch of people, he began to feel anxious. According to the news sent by Mingjian Division, there was no action in the direction of Xingzhou, and even

He seemed to be giving up on his own initiative, and Cao Li of Hezhou was even more closed-door and had an attitude of not caring about his own affairs, which made Zhuo Bailing feel very frustrated.

For three consecutive days, all parties were as peaceful as if nothing had happened. Zhuo Bailing even assumed an attack posture against Hezhou. Cao Li, the clinker, still kept the city gates closed. Just when Zhuo Bailing was helpless, Chen Zhiqing came.

Already.

"Mr. Three, you're finally here. I'm almost worried to death." Zhuo Bailing was more willing to deal with Chen Zhiqing than Ye Bohuai. The reason is very simple. Chen Zhiqing doesn't talk nonsense and is very serious about things.

"Zhuo Shuai, don't worry, it takes time to make people believe it, right?" Chen Zhiqing comforted Zhuo Bailing. In fact, he was also worried. All kinds of false news and intelligence had been leaked. He and Su Qing discussed and judged.

Many times, it was enough to confuse the fake with the real one, but Cao Li seemed determined not to show his face.

"Mr. Third, it's not that Zhuo is in a hurry. General Yu's troops have probably almost completed their assembly. If there is no movement from our side, it will be difficult for Ye Shuai to start."

Chen Zhiqing looked into the distance and suddenly said: "Since Cao Li didn't fall for it, let's not be polite. Zhuo Shuai, tomorrow we will raise the flag of the Duke. Tomorrow we will divide our troops into two. I will go south to Luxi, and you will go north to Mingxi. I don't believe them.

Don’t take the bait.”

Zhuo Bailing was shocked when he heard this, and immediately stopped him and said: "No, we don't have many troops here. The Yuanling troops and horses that just surrendered are not available. If you and I both leave the city, the gain will outweigh the losses."

"I brought three thousand right guards here. Zhuo Shuai doesn't need to divide his troops with me. If you go north to Mingxi to threaten Wuling, the Gu family will definitely not be able to sit still. You have time to return to defense. Even if I can't take Luxi here, I can go to Luxi.

Withdraw eastward to Xupu, Commander Zhuo, you must understand that Yuanling's gains and losses are not important, what is important is that we will be beaten."

Zhuo Bailing did not agree immediately, turned around and walked quickly to the map, pointed and drew on it, and after a while he made up his mind and said: "Mr. Three makes sense, but things on the battlefield are changing rapidly, so if you want to do it, do it more realistically.

Yuanling has 8,000 men left to guard the city. I will personally lead the army north to Wuling. Not only will I capture Mingxi, I will also fight to the outside of Wuling City. As for Mr. Three, I am afraid Zhuo will not be able to take care of him."

"Don't worry, Commander Zhuo. If you want to catch me, it depends on whether Cao Li has the ability." Chen Zhiqing squinted his eyes with murderous intent.

Zhengxi Mansion's actions caused a series of chain reactions. The first reaction was Yuan Changli, "What does Nanchen want to do? We have given them enough face to retreat to Hezhou, why do they still want to take over the entire Xiaoxiang?" Yuan said

Changli was furious.

"The Fourteen Prefectures of Xiaoxiang were originally dominated by the Gu family. In order to restrict Xiao Huli from getting bigger, the Gu family reluctantly gave up Shaoling to the imperial court. Originally, Shaoling, Hezhou, and Jingzhou were connected in a line to control Dongchuan.

There is a buffer with the Qiandong area. It seems that Meng Yan wants to swallow the entire Xiaoxiang in one breath, so isn't he afraid of dying?" Xu Shaoting also couldn't understand Meng Yan's operation.

"Mr. Xu, how was the discussion at Chongqi?" Yuan Changli suddenly asked.

Xu Shaoting was stunned for a moment and quickly replied: "Chongqi's attitude is very ambiguous. He has been using the Zhu Mu family and Nanyue as an excuse. I'm afraid it will be difficult to place hope on him."

"Chongqi is too cunning. He doesn't want to offend either Nanchen or us. Isn't Jingzhou's temptation enough?" Yuan Changli said angrily.

"Your Highness, I think the temptation of Jingzhou is not big enough. The Dark Night Guard came to report that Nanyue has indeed been restraining Chongqi. Moreover, Zhu Mu has a very good relationship with Zhuge now, and I am afraid that he may also be interested in entering Yonggui.

"Xu Shaoting analyzed.

"Okay, we don't care about Chongqi now. What do you think about the Hezhou matter? The Feige Newspaper said that Luxi was lost. Cao Li and the others can no longer hold back." Yuan Changli had a lawsuit on his forehead.

"Your Highness, is the Gu family's envoy still in the city? How about we agree to join forces with them?" Xu Shaoting gritted his teeth and said.

"Can Gu Xing still control the Gu family as he pleases now? I keep hanging on to him because the Gu family is no longer valuable. Why should we turn against Xiao Huli for the Gu family?" Yuan Changli is still unwilling to cooperate with the Gu family, okay?

It is easy to stabilize the Dahe and Sanjin areas. It is not worthwhile to conflict with Nanchen at this time.

"If we lose Hezhou, Jingzhou will be handed over to Meng Yan. If Zhuge and Nanchen join forces, Dongchuan and eastern Guizhou will be in danger." Xu Shaoting tried to comfort him.

"Zhuge Hui and Nan Chen join forces?!" Yuan Changli asked.

"Your Highness, nothing is impossible. We can join forces with Nanchen, why can't Zhuge!" Xu Shaoting was not willing to lose his newly acquired chief assistant like this.

Yuan Changli was stunned, and then decided: "Mr. Xu, go and tell Gu Xing's envoy that the imperial court is willing to join forces with them, send a letter to Cao Li, and kill the invading enemies for me."

Gu Xing's beard turned white in anxiety. When he finally waited for Yuan Changli's reply, he was so happy that he didn't care much and directly asked someone to open the ancestral hall.

In less than a stick of incense, the seven elders of the Gu family slowly sat down. Gu Xing said slightly excitedly: "The imperial court is willing to help me, the Gu family. General Cao of Hezhou has already sent troops, and we can't wait any longer.

, Zhuo Bailing has almost reached Wuling City."

After some muttering, several old men elected a representative and said: "Master, our Gu family has always been divided and combined with the imperial court. The old men thought that they could send troops, but they could not touch the soldiers and horses of Yuezhou Wuling. Who knew?

Will Dongchuan go back on its word and bite us?"

Gu Xing was anxious. How long had this been? He still wanted to guard against the imperial court. Even if Yuan Changli had this intention, he would not touch Wuling in a short time. However, his prestige was not as good as before, and he did not dare to disobey the elders easily.

After thinking about it for a while, he said: "There is also a strong force in Anhua County, commanded by my son Xifeng. It was originally to guard against Ye Bohuai of Zhaoling, but now it is closest to Yuanling."

Several old men discussed in a low voice without respect, and then said: "The 50,000 elites in Anhua County are one of the only three remaining elites of our Gu family. It's not that we don't believe in Xifeng, it's just that Meng Yan is here

Warlord Yuanling, is he capable of solving it?"

"Dear clan elders, Meng Yan claimed that a hundred thousand troops came out of Shaoling. Now they are going all the way north and all the way south. The two sides are fighting. Yuanling is at its weakest now. I believe Xifeng will seize the opportunity." Gu Xing almost begged.

said.

The seven old men looked at each other and then said: "Master, I want you to make a promise. We have no problem with the fifty thousand people in Anhua County being commanded by Xifeng, but you must hand over the military talismans of Changsha and Liling to the ancestral hall for safekeeping.

"

Gu Xing suddenly felt a sweetness in his throat. They were going to put him under house arrest. It was so sad that all members of the Gu clan had come to this point. As the head of the Gu clan, he asked himself that he had never slacked off at all. Now that he has reached this point, he admits that he

After losing, for the sake of Xifeng's future, Gu Xing swallowed hard the blood that was about to spurt out, but he couldn't finish swallowing it. The blood flowed out from the corner of his mouth, with a ferocious face, and said in a dull voice: "I'll just follow the clan elders.

I mean!" After saying that, he threw out the military talisman in his arms.

When several old men saw Gu Xing taking out the military talisman, they didn't care about Gu Xing's life or death, but it was always bad to force the head of the house to do this. One of the old men said: "The head of the house is not in good health. I think it's better to take a good rest.

If you are healthy and healthy, Mrs. Gu still needs you to take charge of the overall situation."
Chapter completed!