Chapter 695 Hangu Pass

Chang'an City, Prime Minister's Mansion.

The main hall, which was not large, was now packed with people.

All major affairs of the empire are under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office.

In addition to Zhao Shuang's own ministers and generals, there were also civil servants and generals from the empire who also participated in the meeting in this mansion.

Sanchuan Guard Li Yulai reported that Zhang Chu's rebels suddenly began to gather in large numbers. Apparently, the target was Xingyang.

A war is about to break out, and the Prime Minister's Office urgently needs to make a decision. How to mobilize troops and distribute food and grass?

Zhao Shuang came slowly, and everyone who had been waiting in the hall bowed their hands.

"I've met the Prime Minister!"

"No need to be polite."

Hundreds of thousands of troops headed towards Xingyang, intending to invade Guanzhong. Everyone thought that Zhao Shuang was still very anxious, but now all he could see on his face was a smile.

Zhao Shuang seemed very happy to hear that Zhang Chu's rebels were heading towards Xingyang?

For a time, both Zhao Shuang's deployment and the empire's generals were confused. Only Zhang Liang and a few others understood what Zhao Shuang was thinking at this moment, but they all kept their mouths shut and did not say much.

Most of the Qin officials in the mansion were capable generals in the army, such as Yang Xiong, Su Jiao, Feng Jing and other generals, all of whom came from aristocratic families. Of course, they were not the first-class generals among the original Qin army.

In fact, even generals such as Zhang Han, Wang Li, Meng Yi, and Li You who are now commanding heavy troops outside are considered juniors among the Qin army.

When facing Zhao Shuang on weekdays, these generals instinctively respect him because of his prestige and qualifications.

But now, it's strange.

Yang Xiong came out, first bowed his hands and saluted, and then asked.

"Previously, Zhang Chu's rebels captured the city, and the rebel Chen Sheng declared himself king, assigned officials, and was busy appeasing the local Guizhou leaders. When there was no rebellion, the Prime Minister never laughed. Why is the Prime Minister laughing now when hundreds of thousands of rebels are attacking?"

After all, it is not that everyone present does not understand the dilemma they are facing at this time.

The Beihe Army is still garrisoned in the north, and Guanzhong has imported a large amount of grain and grass to Jiuyuan, limiting the number of troops that can be mobilized now.

The Yulin Army has just expanded its army, and the troops that can be used in Guanzhong are only 30,000 heavy armor, 10,000 tiger soldiers, and the lieutenant army originally trained by Zhao Gao and Hu Hai.

The troops trained by Zhao Gao were adequate for maintaining law and order, but they were unable to fight a war. The training had to be reorganized and was temporarily useless.

The heavy armored army and the Huben army were both elite, but the numerical gap between them and Zhang Chu's army was too big.

Li You's Sanchuan Army was still somewhat inadequate in defending the city. If reinforcements were not provided, even if the rebels could not capture big cities such as Xingyang and Luoyang, they would definitely go deep into Sanchuan County and attack Hangu.

Zhao Shuang looked at everyone, waved his robe, and smiled even brighter.

"If they can stabilize the country, appease the head of Guizhou, and calm people's hearts, it will be a long-term strategy, and I am worried about it. Now Chen Sheng has only been king for a few months, but he intends to send troops to the west. His plans are nothing more than food, grass, money, silk, and women. I No worries."

Zhao Shuang's words made all the frowning people in the mansion feel relieved. But the problem is, even if this is the case, the problem is still there. There is still a problem when the imperial army wants to reinforce.

The quantity is insufficient and the quality varies.

The army within the empire is now going through a period of adjustment. It will take time to complete the rectification.

"Yang Xiong!"

"The general is here!"

"You lead 30,000 heavy armor to garrison Hangu. Remember, you only defend but don't attack."

"I will obey your orders!"

"Most of Zhang Chu's rebels are grassroots bandits, and they all have different intentions. The rebels will not be able to capture the strategically important place in Guanzhong for a long time. I predict that the rebels will defeat themselves in less than three months."

Zhao Shuang did not order reinforcements to Sanchuan, but instead sent troops to Hangu. It seems that he only intends to be defensive. Although this was a proper arrangement, in the end, everyone was still skeptical about Zhao Shuang's words that the rebels would defeat themselves.

…

Late at night, Zhao Shuang stood in the courtyard, wearing single clothes, but did not return immediately.

In the darkness, a graceful figure slowly walked out.

Zhao Shuang looked at the figure approaching him and smiled slightly.

"How's it going?"

"I have given him the Tiger Talisman. It won't be long before his army reaches Sanchuan."

Mrs. Mingzhu walked out of the darkness, and the years did not leave many traces on her body, just like she did back then. She walked to Zhao Shuang's side and leaned down.

Zhao Shuang's hand touched her fair and charming face.

"This apprentice of yours has given me a big problem. What do you think she meant by what she said in front of Chen Sheng?"

"Although Tian Yan is my disciple, he was given the teaching by the Lord. Did she see that Zhang Chu's rebels did not have a deep foundation, and if they were defeated, the birds and beasts would be scattered, or did she think that the troops in Guanzhong were uneven at this time, and wanted to It’s hard to tell if you want to take advantage of the situation and stab the master!"

Zhao Shuang's caress made Mrs. Mingzhu happy, and there was a trace of obsession on her face. However, after all, Mrs. Mingzhu was not an ordinary person and had a strong will.

"Maybe it's both. My lord, you should be careful. Maybe this girl has other tricks up her sleeve."

"Any other tricks?"

Mrs. Mingzhu bit her lightly, bringing Zhao Shuang out of his thoughts.

The moonlight spread lightly, the courtyard was quiet, illuminating a man and a woman, and the sound of insects began to chirp.

…

"Uncle Zhu, are you planning to leave?"

Tian Yan looked at the Zhu family with something strange in his expression.

Chendi is prosperous, but the Zhu family has no intention of lingering.

He sighed, a little frustrated.

"Nowadays, some people and some things change too fast. Instead of enjoying the glory and wealth here, it is better to wander around the world and enjoy the mountains and forests."

"Uncle Zhu is not happy that he killed his old friend because of Uncle Chen Sheng?"

Tian Yan asked tentatively, but the Zhu family's heart was colder than just that.

"Originally, our brothers all wanted to resist the tyranny of the empire and restore peace to the world. But now, they have captured a large area of ​​land, but they have long forgotten their original intention. They became kings and princes and preyed on the people. They are more resentful than the imperial officials we hated back then. It goes too far. Although the Qin law is harsh, the Qin officials still abide by the law, but they act wantonly."

"Then where is Uncle Zhu going?"

"It is helpless to say that many of the good friends I made in the martial arts world are now under Zhao Shuang. If I want to talk to them, I can't. I want to leave, but there is no good place to go."

"Uncle Zhu is the master of the Shennong Hall and has tens of thousands of brothers under his command. Uncle Chen Sheng will definitely not be willing to leave like this. It is better to ask for orders to garrison in Kunyang on the grounds of defending against the Qin army in Nanyang."

"Kunyang?"

Zhu Jia murmured, looking at Tian Yan's face, he seemed to have deep meaning.

"Ayan, are you..."

Before Zhu Jia finished speaking, Tian Yan interrupted him.

"Now all the brothers want to invade Guanzhong and obtain the treasures there. Uncle Zhu is upright and upright and is willing to take the initiative to garrison Kunyang. Uncle Chen Sheng will definitely agree."

The Zhu family looked at Tian Yan for a long time and finally agreed.

"I will obey the order of the leader of the army."