After the failed raid on Silver Valley by the Grey Robe Army, which was short of supplies and suffered heavy casualties, the Southern Zhou army had no choice but to withdraw from Yunjing County.
The four-month-long Battle of Yunjing came to an end. Yang Qingzhi, who had taken the initiative, suffered a crushing defeat in the decisive battle of Yunjing and returned to Southern Zhou with regret and shame.
On the contrary, Zhao Cheng's prestige in Dongjing reached its peak, even surpassing that of his father, Zhao Huan.
Zhao Cheng did not rush back to enjoy the glory, but personally led his troops to deploy defenses in Yunjing City and Yunshui City, rebuilding the southern border that was guarded by the Zhennan Border Army in the past.
With Yang Qingzhi already deposed, Zhou Jinghuan will inevitably take his place, seizing military and political power in Southern Zhou and becoming the new Grand Commander.
But Zhao Cheng was unaware of Zhou Jinghuan's attitude.
Although Zhou Jinghuan once attended the Da Jing state banquet as an envoy and was a clear member of the alliance, it is possible that now that he has taken power, he might target Dong Jing to gain political capital for himself.
Zhao Cheng had no choice but to personally build the southern defense line and decided to let Tuo Tie Wuhua replace Feng Jing as the commander-in-chief of the southern border.
That afternoon, the weather became increasingly hot.
Zhao Cheng, Zhao Yan, Tuo Tie Wu Hua, and others walked out of the camp and gazed at the Southern Zhou on the opposite bank of the river.
Zhao Yan said, "The Southern Zhou's defenses are in disarray, far worse than when Yang Zhanbei was in power. Brother, why don't we stay here and take this opportunity to storm into Southern Zhou?"
Tuo Tie Wu Hua also said, "Southern Zhou has always been the one to take the initiative to attack us. This time it is really a good opportunity to attack them."
Zhao Hu drew his broken sword and shouted, "I'm willing to be the vanguard!"
Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Hu and said, "I've told you for years, don't draw your sword at the drop of a hat... I ask you, when I was about to march south to reclaim Yun Jing County, He Yin said that I was wasting resources and manpower, only caring about the interests and prestige of my Zhao family, and ignoring the suffering of the common people. Do you think that statement was right or wrong?"
Seeing that everyone was stunned for a moment, Zhao Cheng sneered, "You all think what he said is right, right? Even if it's wrong, it's not entirely wrong, is it?"
The crowd remained silent, but this was tacit agreement.
Since Zhao Huan purged the court of corrupt officials, the Great Jing Dynasty has entered a state of war.
After the establishment of Dongjing, it fought against Xijing and Nanzhou at the same time. Later, Yang Qingzhi launched a northern expedition, which led to continuous warfare.
The people of Dongjing have endured more than two years of war.
The people of Yunjing County, in particular, suffered terribly.
This was indeed something that everyone present tacitly agreed upon.
Zhao Cheng gazed at the opposite bank and said, "It's not just the common people who can't bear it, the soldiers can't either. If we launch an attack on Southern Zhou at this time, we can indeed take the opportunity to capture Hechong County and Jinjiang County, but that's all. Because by then, Southern Zhou will inevitably unite against us and hold out against us to the bitter end under the walls of Kangye City. If we don't have absolute certainty of destroying Southern Zhou, then launching an attack is meaningless."
"The reason why Xijing chose to advance westward instead of attacking us is for the same reason. Because Wen Tai and Wen Hu know that they do not have the strength to destroy Dongjing at present. If they launch an attack rashly, it will only allow Nanzhou to reap the benefits."
"That's one point."
Zhao Cheng said seriously, "Secondly, Zhou Jinghuan is now in power. I don't know his attitude, and he doesn't know mine. If I attack now, it would be to tell him that Dongjing and Nanzhou are now at odds, which would force him to fight me to the death."
"Dongjing needs time to recover, which is why I've come to rebuild the southern defenses."
“The General is right.” Cheng Xu waved his feather fan and said, “Although we do not know Zhou Jinghuan’s attitude, judging from the situation, he should not want to antagonize Dongjing at this time.”
Zhao Cheng said, "Strategist, tell me your thoughts."
Cheng Xu nodded and said, "First, in order to bring down the Yang family, Zhou Jinghuan chose to oppose Yang Qingzhi from the outset, and he opposed the Northern Expedition. Now that Yang Qingzhi's Northern Expedition has failed, if he were to continue the Northern Expedition, wouldn't he be slapping himself in the face?"
Upon hearing this first person's name, everyone subconsciously nodded.
Cheng Xu continued, "Secondly, He Yin said that the General was wasting manpower and resources, but isn't Yang Qingzhi doing the same? Dongjing needs time to recuperate, and so does Nanzhou."
"Third, Zhou Jinghuan has just taken control of the military and political power of Southern Zhou. Although he is a prince of Southern Zhou, his power is still not as great as that of the deeply rooted Yang family. At least in the military, he does not have the same influence as Yang Zhanbei. At this time, he does not dare to make any big moves. Instead, he needs to conserve his strength and gradually erode the power of the Yang family. This will take time to digest."
"Therefore, I believe that Zhou Jinghuan will not only not antagonize Dong Jing, but may even take the initiative to show goodwill to the General."
Zhao Yan asked doubtfully, "So many days have passed, if Zhou Jinghuan wanted to take the initiative to make amends, why didn't he send us any message?"
Cheng Xu smiled and said, "Because it's not the right time yet. Yang Qingzhi's responsibility has not been determined yet, and everything is still in the midst of a struggle. If Zhou Jinghuan tries to curry favor with the General at this time, it will easily give others a handle to use against him. If the Yang family turns around and says that the reason why the Northern Expedition failed was because Zhou Jinghuan was secretly colluding with the General, then Zhou Jinghuan's efforts will be in vain."
"I see."
Zhao Yan rubbed his temples and said, "Strategist, you're thinking really far ahead. I'm curious, don't you and my elder brother, who use our brains so much, get headaches every day?"
Zhao Cheng said, "Being brainless is easy, but it's easy to lose your life."
"It's all thanks to the General's excellent teaching; he understands people's hearts and can assess the situation," Cheng Xu flattered.
Zhao Cheng said, "The strategist's meaning is also my meaning: rein in your warlike mentality."
"yes!!!"
Zhao Cheng looked at Tuo Tie Wu Hua and said, "General Tuo Tie, the southern border will be entrusted to you from now on."
"This subordinate obeys the order, but..."
General Tuo Tie raised his head and asked in confusion, "If I can personally guard Yun Jing City, then who should be sent to Yun Shui City?"
Zhao Cheng smiled and said, "I will send you a deputy commander."
General Tuo Tie said, "It seems that the General already has someone in mind. May I ask who this person is?"
Zhao Cheng said, "This man is an old acquaintance of mine. He has been through thick and thin with me and even saved my life in Jiangyang County. He has always been a military officer and has led troops for many years..."
Tuo Tiewu exclaimed in alarm, "General, this is unacceptable! During the last southern expedition, General Xiao was my commander, and I was his deputy commander. If this is reversed, how can I face him?!"
Did I say it was Xiao Luofeng?
Zhao Cheng put his hands on his hips, took a step toward the riverbank, and said, "This man was the inspector of Yanchuan City many years ago. Later, he was promoted to the position of Commandant of Jiangyang County. After his father cleansed the court of corrupt officials, although he was still serving in Jiangyang County, he had already been granted the title of general."
Cheng Xu said, "The General is referring to firewood, the Commandant of Chai County."
“Exactly. I’ve wanted to use him for a long time, but Yun Jing County was in Yang Qingzhi’s hands, and I needed him to help my father-in-law defend Jiang Yang County. Now that Yun Jing County has been recovered, it’s just right to send him here.”
Zhao Cheng patted Tuo Tiewuhua's arm and said, "General Tuo Tiewuhua, from now on, the southern border will be in your hands. Don't let me down."
"promise!"
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