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Chapter 457: 232: The Final Conquest of Hanzhong

Upon hearing Bai Mengyang’s words, Lu Yuan’s mind was instantly filled with this thought, and he was immediately filled with joy.

But he didn’t let it show on his face; he simply looked at the other person, his expression serious, “This is what should be expected. If I’m unable to take over and retain the various prefectures of Hanzhong, it would be pointless to seek Jihui and Qiao Family Head to demand the three eastern prefectures of Xichuan.”

The prerequisite for negotiation is that I have three prefectures to exchange for another three prefectures.

If I don’t even have such a territory, how am I going to negotiate for a territory swap?

Therefore, bringing up this condition by Jihui and Qiao Kangquan basically meant they acknowledged the deal.

Hearing this, Bai Mengyang’s heart twitched, deeply sighed.

In the past few days, he had sent a messenger to Wushan Prefecture in hopes of making one last effort to win over Jihui and Qiao Kangquan.

However, the outcome was not satisfactory.

Although Jihui and Qiao Kangquan promised in words that even after the fiefdom, they would respect the court and follow its orders, they subtly indicated that the devastated and impoverished Xichuan was not a good place to establish a country.

They then sent back a letter saying the Hanzhong Prefecture was prosperous with a large population.

If they could take over the place, not only would their strength increase, they could also gather more taxes, recruit more troops, and then serve the court.

Therefore, they essentially agreed to the proposal of the King of Changsha and asked the Wuan Marquis to convey this.

Yes, faced with the tempting proposal from Lu Yuan, Jihui and Qiao Kangquan unhesitatingly chose the most practical benefit between the court and Lu Yuan.

People always choose to side with their own interest rather than friendship.

Emotions always seem vulnerable in the face of interest.

The Wuan Marquis and the court deeply experienced this point at this moment.

Suppressing the helplessness in his heart, Wuan Marquis looked at the high-spirited Lu Yuan in front of him, focusing on the matter at hand, and then said, “Since Monk Jihui and Qiao Family Head agree to exchange the territories, is your expedition also decided?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan happily replied, “As my terms have been met, there is naturally no problem with the expedition.”

“Good, then this matter is settled as such.”

Bai Mengyang nodded, then said seriously, “This expedition is a surprise attack. Especially with a change of battlefield thousands of miles away, it requires day and night rushing, light travel, without rest en route.”

Therefore, the military forces for the expedition should be small in number, not large.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s appropriate to bring thirty to fifty thousand soldiers on this trip.

Moreover, in the past few days, the Zhou People have been increasing their troops. In just five to six days, there are over ten thousand more troops in Xiangyang City.

Even according to the scouts’ reports, there are already a hundred thousand Forbidden Army in the capital of the Zhou Country heading towards Xiangyang. Furthermore, the garrison soldiers of Henan, Nanyang, and Guannei Prefectures in Zhou Country have also started to gather in preparation for moving south.

As for the three regions of Hexi, Longxi, and Shuofang in Zhou Country, due to the great distance, there is uncertainty about their movements.

But even if they do not make a move, just based on the three garrisons that have already started to rally, another hundred thousand troops can be easily formed.

With the arrival of these two hundred thousand troops, not to mention, the hundred thousand troops in Xiangyang prefecture, the Zhou People would have an army of three hundred thousand.

Furthermore, the Zhou Country has three more Grand Generals, and it is unknown whether there will be additional reinforcements this time.

Considering all these factors, within a month or so, they will all arrive beneath Xiangyang City.

On our side, excluding the Changsha King’s main force, the whole army has only fifty thousand troops left, Southsea has forty thousand, and Ninghai has less than fifty thousand, totaling only one hundred and forty thousand.

Fighting three hundred thousand with one hundred and forty thousand, especially as our army is not entirely elite with a considerable number of civilian workers present.”

At this point, Bai Mengyang turned to look at Yan Wangqiu and Su Xuange, both of whom wore awkward expressions.

Helpless.

For this expedition, Lu Yuan and the court brought seasoned elites. Unlike the two of them, who brought a mix of everything that can’t really battle.

Feelings of shame in his heart, Yan Wangqiu just wanted to end this big battle quickly and then return to his own country so he wouldn’t have to deal with such a mess.

However, Su Xuange secretly made up his mind that the twenty thousand elite Zhou troops he had won over in Dangyang City earlier had to be properly managed and trained.

In this chaotic world, even if one is a king with a noble status, without a capable and brave army, it’s hard to speak authoritatively.

Just look at Lu Yuan, the Wuan Marquis speaks to him nicely, even negotiates terms, and is able to make various requests.

But with the two of them, he would mock them from time to time, and when they needed to exert themselves, they were simply ordered without any discussion.

The difference in treatment is uncomfortable once experienced.

Not to mention, they are both kings, commanding a nation.

Giving Yan Wangqiu and Su Xuange a light tap, Bai Mengyang didn’t spend too much effort on them, but continued, “Facing the three hundred thousand strong of the Zhou People with our disparate fourteen thousand-strong army is still challenging.”

“Although this battle is not impossible to fight, if it truly happens, it would undoubtedly be a strenuous defense, with no strength left for an assault.”

“Therefore, for this expedition, I am unable to spare additional troops and generals for the King of Changsha.”

“King of Changsha, you will have to bring your own troops, execute this plan, and rush towards Xichuan.”