Chapter 15: Dingjiang Tower

"Don't doubt the people you trust, don't doubt the people you employ." Zhou Shengchen immediately replied, "This is what the military advisor once taught me."

Military advisor Xie Chong nodded in agreement, but his expression was still uncertain.

"Don't worry, military advisor." Zhou Shengchen said with a smile, "The natives value trust more than life. It's not something that the Han people who are accustomed to intrigues can predict."

Xie Chong was a little embarrassed after hearing this, but he couldn't refute anything at this time, so he could only nod and reply: "It would be a good thing if the Wang army can easily win. No matter how foolish I am, I hope so."

Putting this matter aside for the time being, Zhou Shengchen ordered the experts who grew crops with the army to teach the nearby natives to open up wasteland and cultivate fields. He also ordered scribes who were familiar with the classics to provide enlightenment and enlightenment education to the local natives, especially children.

The farmland is managed in an orderly manner, and private schools are located in every village. The vitality of civilization is vividly displayed in this primitive mountain.

Several months later, Huang Tianhe still didn't send back any definite news, and military advisor Xie Chong couldn't help but become anxious.

"Your Highness, it seems that we should not continue to stay here after the yellow leader has been gone for several months." He suggested.

Although his words did not explain it, they also hinted at the possibility that Huang Tianhe might have escaped.

Zhou Shengchen waved his hand and replied with a smile: "Anyway, there has been no war recently, so why not just wait here. Let's not talk about the yellow leader. I see that the farmers need teaching and the children need enlightenment, so I feel anxious."

Seeing his persistence, Xie Chong had no choice but to comply with this order.

Another two months passed, and seeing that the weather was getting hotter, Xie Chong couldn't help but said: "Your Highness,"

"If the military advisor mentions the matter of Huang Tou Ling, I will still have the same opinion." Zhou Shengchen said with a smile.

Xie Chong received the same words and couldn't help but urged anxiously: "Your Highness, the war in Jiangling has not stopped yet, the three newly acquired counties are not yet stable, and there are still wars in Shouyang and Zhongli."

While he was persuading, he heard someone coming to report: "The yellow leader is back!"

Xie Chong immediately stopped talking, first feeling ashamed of himself, and then thinking that Huang Tianhe might not be able to really bring those two people back, he reluctantly felt at ease.

Zhou Shengchen didn't ask any questions and walked quickly out of the tent.

Over there, Huang Tianhe had already led a group of people and quickly approached from the gate of the camp.

"Be respectful to my king!" he said and immediately fell to the ground.

The people who followed him immediately worshiped together.

Zhou Shengchen quickly extended his hand to help: "Huang Tou Ling, Shitou Ling, and Ba Tou Ling, thank you for your hard work."

After hearing his words, Huang Tianhe was surprised at first.

"Well, my king, how did you know that I came back with the two leaders?" he asked hesitantly.

After laughing, Zhou Shengchen said: "I believe in Leader Huang, and I have seen the extraordinary magnanimity of these two leaders!"

When he said this, Huang Tianhe stopped asking and quickly introduced Shi Mengyuan and Bashan Hu.

Without saying anything more, Zhou Shengchen invited a few more people to have a drink together in the big tent.

Zhou Shengchen waited patiently and finally got good results. In the king's army, from the military advisor Xie Chong, to the military commander Ma Ganhua, and to other generals, they all admired King Xiao Nanchen extremely.

During the gathering, Huang Tianhe made another promise. Shi Mengyuan and Bashanhu also heard and saw the improvement here, and were convinced to accept Zhou Shengchen's arrangement.

"My king, it's not that Huang is shameless, but you took the initiative to mention it last time." Huang Tianhe said with a smile.

"Of course I will not forget it. I have been looking forward to it for a long time." Zhou Shengchen agreed with a smile, but then changed the topic, "It's just that I have been quite upset recently and can't always settle down."

After hearing this, Huang Tianhe and others immediately asked questions in unison. After Zhou Shengchen sighed softly, he said slowly: "There has been war or peace over Jiangling for more than a year or nearly two years, and I feel uneasy about it. ."

Huang Tianhe and others looked at each other, and immediately understood what he meant by saying this.

"My king, we dare not say what Zuozhu Wangshi said, but he does have some strength. Although Nanxiao Prince Xiao Wen is domineering, we are not afraid of him." Bashanhu took the lead and said loudly.

His control area is in the southeast, with the main areas in Jiangnan. He was indeed very brave to be able to say something that dared to confront Xiao Wen.

Nodding, Zhou Shengchen immediately said: "I'm going to work with you all to stabilize the current situation!"

Without further ado, he had a drink with everyone and then summoned everyone to the big tent the next morning.

While pointing to the map, he said: "The three leaders are quite familiar with the mountains and rivers here, and I want to use your skills. There is no need to actually fight, as long as the harassment is constant, then Xiao Wen Bing will understand our power."

According to the current situation, Xiao Wen still finds it difficult to fight against the Wang Army on the north bank. If there were any more troubles in the Jiangling area in Chi Chi, how could Xiao Wen sleep?

After the plan was settled, Huang Tianhe, Shi Mengyuan, and Bashan Hu made their respective commitments and immediately arranged for natives from various places to go to the vicinity of Jiangling. When they reached the mountains there, they gathered together again to harass the nearby states and counties.

When Xiao Wen learned the news, he must have panicked immediately.

Like a fire extinguisher, he divided his troops and attacked this area. Over there, in the mountains and forests, the natives made trouble again.

After many visits, he was too busy and was feeling a headache when he received another letter from Zhou Shengchen from the North Coast.

After reading the content inside, Xiao Wen couldn't help but sigh: "If Zhou Shengchen hadn't made a strong oath, how could Emperor Beichen safely let him go out to fight? If he worked hard like this, the world would belong to him!"

In the letter, Zhou Shengchen admitted that the natives were his partners. He originally thought about becoming brothers, but he also thought that if the second prince Xiao Wen joined them, a big happy event would happen immediately in the south and north of the Yangtze River.

After thinking about it, Xiao Wen had to sort out the information on the recent envoy negotiations. After checking it, he couldn't help but nod and mutter to himself: "Everything we talk about, we are doing according to King Xiao Nanchen's wishes."

Whether in life or on the battlefield, strength is always the fundamental reason for being able to lead others.

Regardless of whether Nan Xiao thinks that this war caused by trade will benefit his side or Bei Chen's Zhou Shengchen, after all, it follows this principle.

After pondering, he wrote a memorial and ordered someone to report it to Jiankang's father.

After Xiao Xu received it, he immediately summoned the civil and military ministers to discuss the matter.

"The second prince said that the peace agreement between Nan Xiao and Bei Chen has been basically reached, and there is no need for further confrontation." Xiao Xu said, "What do you think?"

Most of the civil and military ministers from ancient times to the present have the same attitude towards political affairs. That is to ask a specific question without knowing it. The emperor immediately agreed after he had an attitude.

Everyone saw that although this question was open-ended, everyone already knew it because they already had the second prince's opinion.

The second prince Xiao Wen is the most beloved and most relied upon prince of Emperor Xiao Xu. Do all the ministers know this?

"Beichen is indeed extremely arrogant! If they are not severely punished, won't they underestimate Nan Xiao?!" A minister suddenly came out and said.

Everyone looked at Minister Kang's speech in surprise.

Xiao Xu didn't like what he heard, but he couldn't refute him face to face, so he could only say slowly: "It doesn't matter if you continue, Aiqing."

"Fortunately, the second prince has outstanding martial arts and made Beichen retreat in spite of the difficulties! Therefore, in my humble opinion, I should agree to the second prince's advice and give Beichen some kindness in addition to the power of heaven!" the minister continued.

After he finished speaking, everyone present felt relaxed and admired the minister for his resourcefulness and eloquent tongue.

"I second the proposal";

"I second the proposal";

"I second the proposal";

…

The civil and military ministers in the court spoke one after another, and then they shouted in unison, causing the huge court to buzz.

Xiao Xu looked around at the lovers and felt very satisfied.

"I'm not afraid of Beichen, but I really don't want to plunge the people on both sides into dire straits. Since King Xiao Nanchen retreated in recognition of the difficulty, I don't want to pursue him any further. Since all the ministers agree, I will immediately return to the Jiangling camp and order the second prince and Xiao Nan King Chen negotiates for peace!"

After Xiao Xu said this, he felt extremely relaxed.

When the imperial edict came to Jiangling Camp, Xiao Wen sighed with emotion at first and had to accept this fact.

After it was promulgated in the army, the whole army was surprised at first, and then burst into joy.

Seeing this, Xiao Wen was filled with emotion: How many people would really be so cruel and bring disaster to the world if they were not forced to do so? !

After the announcement, Xiao Wen immediately ordered someone to send a personal letter to Beichen Camp in Jiangbei.

After Zhou Shengchen received this letter, he confirmed that Nan Xiao agreed to the terms of the peace negotiation, and the two parties called it a truce.

This is of course a great joy - world affairs should originally be resolved through peaceful negotiation rather than the use of force.

Zhou Shengchen immediately announced this to the army, and the soldiers of Beichen also cheered.

Military strategist Xie Chong was very excited when he saw the cheerful soldiers within a few dozen miles.

"Your Highness is unparalleled in military prowess. He is truly an unparalleled talent!" Xie Chong saluted sincerely and said, "I have made many remarks that are contrary to His Highness recently. I would like to ask Your Highness to only be considerate of my painstaking efforts."

"A military advisor must not belittle oneself. Without a military advisor, how could there be such a great victory at this time?" Zhou Shengchen said, holding his arm.

Xie Chong's face turned red and he mumbled, not knowing what to say in response.

"The military advisor is Xiao He." Zhou Shengchen winked at him.

Seeing his naughty look, Xie Chong was also amused and laughed together.

Zhou Shengchen immediately wrote a reply to Xiao Wen, saying that he was willing to promise not to fight for ten years in order to ensure that the two sides could maintain a long-term peace as much as possible. And are willing to swear an oath to this end, and meet as brothers.

After Xiao Wen received this letter, he was deeply moved again: Zhou Shengchen is a hero in the world, and he actually proposed a peace negotiation and made such a promise. I even want to cross the river again and come to the south of the Yangtze River to become brothers with him...

After pondering for a long time, he wrote a reply to Zhou Shengchen, confirming: "I don't dare to work for Xiao Nanchen. Xiao will go to Jiangbei in person on the agreed date."

Zhou Shengchen received the letter and stopped arguing. He immediately ordered his sergeants to build a tall wooden building named "Dingjiang Building" near the camp.

The sergeants here were busy nervously and cheerfully, and there was laughter and laughter inside and outside the camp.

The news of the successful peace agreement flew all over the country like a bird with wings.

Several generals from Yiyang County, Ruyin County, and Huaiyang County, as well as Zhang Xiaoheng and other soldiers who were wandering outside, cheered for this together.

More than that. Even the rebels in Shouyang and Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief. Because they knew that after the victory of the king's army, they would be recalled by the imperial court.

King Xiao Nanchen, who frightened the rebels, will lead his army back to Xizhou.

The court of Beichen, the young emperor and the empress dowager in Zhongzhou (the concubine Qi Zhenzhen wiped out the Gao family of the original empress dowager and was promoted), as well as Liu Wei, Liu Yuan, Piao Guang and others were all ecstatic about this. .

With King Xiao Nanchen, who is unlikely to rebel, fighting on the battlefield, the officials and nobles in the court can continue to live happily, sing and dance. In addition, in order to enjoy more, they can continue to quarrel with each other, or even continue to kill each other.

King Xiao Nanchen won the external battle, regained three areas occupied by the rebels, and even forced the rebels in Shouyang and Zhongli not to move. This was all a happy event.

But we must also be careful not to let King Xiao Nanchen use his troops outside for too long, so as not to gain excessive prestige. Although everyone knew that he would not rebel, out of jealousy, the civil and military officials still wanted to prevent him from making too many meritorious deeds.

"Your Majesty, King Xiao Nanchen has worked hard and made great achievements. He should guard the troops at the right time and return to Xizhou to reorganize and rest." Prime Minister Liu Wei said in the court.

As soon as he opened his mouth, General Liu Yuan, Liu Changxi and other important ministers immediately seconded his opinion.

The little emperor was still hesitating, but the Queen Mother immediately agreed: "Yes."

The imperial decree was sent to Jiangling Camp. After Zhou Shengchen received the decree, he still had to complete the follow-up work.

A tall wooden building was quickly erected on the hillside near the camp.

The construction of the Dingjiang Building here was completed. After Zhou Shengchen personally inspected it, he immediately sent invitations to Xiao Wen, Huang Tianhe, Shi Mengyuan, Bashanhu and others.

In the cool winter wind, Zhou Shengchen stood by the river and welcomed Xiao Wen and others.

Xiao Wen only took a small boat, but there were only a few people rowing.

"The second prince is indeed very handsome." Zhou Shengchen praised him with a cupped hand.

"If I could bear this title in front of His Highness, wouldn't I be ashamed to death?" Xiao Wen said calmly.

Zhou Shengchen smiled and then asked again: "The second prince must have been busy with work recently, and he seems to have lost weight. Or, it should be said that he is more vigorous."

Xiao Wen looked at himself and then replied with a smile: "With King Xiao Nanchen as an example, how can I dare to be too comfortable?"

The two of them immediately chatted and laughed openly and walked into the tent.

After Xiao Wen met Huang Tianhe and others, they followed Zhou Shengchen to Dingjiang Tower.

Countless guards from the Northern Chen King's army were on both sides of the road. The five of them talked and laughed calmly and arrived at the Dingjiang downstairs.

Looking up at the tall building, Xiao Wen said with emotion: "Ten years of peace, this is what King Xiao Nanchen brought to the world."

"Eternal peace will continue to be created by us." Zhou Shengchen continued with a smile.

Entering the building, the five people stood on the highest floor, looking out at the boundless world.

The Yangtze River is like a belt, the mountains are stretching, smoke rises from everywhere, and the beacon smoke has long disappeared.

The sky is as bright as water, and water birds are flying. After the five people looked around, they smiled and greeted each other with emotion.

Sitting down in rows, several people formally signed the peace agreement. It goes without saying that Huang Tianhe, Shi Mengyuan and Bashanhu are willing to submit to the royal army. Nanxiao and Beichen decided not to engage in war for ten years.

After the ceremony was completed, Zhou Shengchen ordered people to set up the incense eucalyptus and continue with the rest of the ceremony.

There is no need to set up a statue of a god. Zhou Shengchen said seriously: "Since the cigarettes are flying, it shows the determination of heaven. Heaven has ears, eyes and gnosis, and can understand the true feelings and painstaking efforts of our brothers to worship."