Chapter 569 Unexpected
"At this time, we need to take the initiative to attack, otherwise we will be surrounded by enemies on all sides." King Jin reiterated the necessity of attacking the Pingzhou expeditionary force.
Bai Xingzhi, the advisor to the Prince of Jin, quickly said, "Your Highness, this is impossible. The imperial court is now so aggressive. If we provoke Pingzhou again, we will be attacked from both sides."
"And Pingzhou is definitely not to be trifled with."
Bai Xingzhi's evaluation was completely opposite to what King Jin had just said.
Prince Jin was stunned. He still had great faith in the abilities of his think tank. He immediately asked, "Why do you say that, Mr. Bai?"
"Your Highness, think about it. Pingzhou snatched Dai County, which they had fought so hard for, from the Xianbei. How could the Xianbei not be angry? The Xianbei certainly fought a battle with Pingzhou, but to date, there has been no news of the Xianbei taking Dai County back."
"In other words, Pingzhou still holds Daijun firmly in its hands. What does this mean? It means that even the Xianbei haven't gotten the upper hand at Pingzhou's hands. How can they be easily provoked?"
"So, don't underestimate the Pingzhou Expeditionary Force stationed in Dongtai and Jiangdu counties. They seem to be mediocre. That's just a tiger that doesn't show its might."
After military advisor Bai Xingzhi's analysis, King Jin's heated mind finally calmed down.
Another aide, Kong Huai, disagreed. "Has the military advisor overestimated the Pingzhou army? This will only embolden others and undermine your own prestige. Wouldn't that be detrimental to the morale of the army?"
"The prince wants to attack the Pingzhou expeditionary force in order to open a new avenue. As the saying goes, one strike is enough to prevent a thousand blows. This battle may serve to intimidate the imperial court."
Bai Xingzhi straightened his drooping hatband. "Your Highness's idea isn't wrong. If the Pingzhou army is truly as weak and vulnerable as Your Highness thinks, then I'm afraid this punch won't achieve the desired effect, and instead just provoke another enemy."
"There is another reason why Bai does not agree to attack the Pingzhou expeditionary force."
"What's the reason?"
"I've been wondering lately what the solution is for Donghai. Judging from the current situation, the imperial court is determined to put down the rebellion in Donghai."
Upon hearing this, King Jin's face turned dark. Song Mo didn't want to leave him any chance of survival!
"But the imperial court also has a weakness, and that is the problem of insufficient military strength. The Xianbei are wreaking havoc in the north, and the imperial court will definitely find ways to send more troops to the north as soon as possible. So even though the imperial court's current attack on us is very fierce, it will definitely not be sustainable. It is impossible to continuously gather so many troops to attack Donghai."
"Your Highness, what we need to do now is to narrow the battle line and withstand this wave of attacks."
"Even if we win the attack on Pingzhou, we will still lose troops. What's most important to us in the East China Sea right now isn't the size of our territory, but the number of soldiers and generals. Therefore, considering all aspects, it would be unwise to confront the Pingzhou expeditionary force at this time."
Everyone present understood, and after thinking about it carefully, they realized that it was indeed true.
After Bai Xingzhi's analysis, they started a discussion.
"In that case, it would be better to make friends with Pingzhou."
"But if that's the case, won't that invite a wolf into the house?"
The King of Jin snorted, "Yes, I am weak now, and any dog would come and bully me. It would be strange if Pingzhou didn't take advantage of the situation to rob me."
Bai Xingzhi said, "Your Highness, at least they haven't attacked us yet, right?"
"As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Pingzhou used to be an ally of the Southland, but later Xie Zhan and the Emperor secretly joined forces. The Emperor deceived the prince, and Xie Zhan also deceived Lu Songli. We can strive to make Pingzhou our ally."
"How to fight for it?" asked King Jin.
"Show your sincerity!" Pingzhou is not their parents, how can he treat them well unconditionally?
In Bai Xingzhi's opinion, since they had to shrink the front line anyway, they might as well give Qutao and other places to the Pingzhou Expeditionary Force.
When Bai Xingzhi said this, everyone present couldn't help but gasp. Qutao City was going to be ceded just like that? And judging by Bai Xingzhi's attitude, he might even give up more than just Pingzhou.
Their reaction is normal. The Han people have an inexplicable obsession with land in their bones.
"Mr. Bai, if I hadn't confirmed that you are a member of our team, I would have suspected that you were bribed by Pingzhou." Kong Huai joked.
Bai Xingzhi glanced at Kong Huai indifferently, then he bowed to King Jin and said, "Your Highness, between two evils, choose the lesser one. Giving Qutao and other places to Pingzhou is better than handing over the territory to the imperial court, right?" Giving the land that was destined to be difficult to defend to Pingzhou was just a waste of waste.
Bai Xingzhi had considered the Pingzhou Expeditionary Force and speculated about why they stopped expanding their territory after initially occupying Dongtai and Jiangdu. Perhaps it was because Pingzhou was too far from the East China Sea, so the Pingzhou Expeditionary Force was not very active in conquering territory. In any case, the Pingzhou Expeditionary Force gave people the impression that they were ready to retreat at any time.
Bai Xingzhi decided to artificially increase their territory. Once their territory in the East China Sea increased and the benefits they reaped were substantial enough, the Pingzhou expeditionary force would be reluctant to retreat. Pingzhou could either increase its manpower deployment in the East China Sea or actively send troops south to quickly capture key territories in Qingzhou and Xuzhou, thereby opening a route south to the East China Sea.
If the Xianbei continued to move south, or Pingzhou moved south, it would be possible to force the imperial court to send troops to resist. In this way, their pressure on the East China Sea would be relieved.
Everyone in the Song family is pretty crazy.
King Jin's reaction was as expected.
"Okay, I'll do as you say, Military Advisor! If Song Mo won't give me a chance to live, don't blame me for causing him trouble!"
He and Bai Xingzhi really are the ones who dare to advise and listen.
"I'll trouble you to facilitate this matter."
"That is what I wish for, but I dare not ask you."
Xuzhou, Guangling County, Dongtai County
Qin Zhao, Guo Chong and others who were studying maps and battle strategies at this time did not know that a pie in the sky was about to fall.
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "As the saying goes, you finish your performance and I take the stage. Now it's our turn to show our performance." The overall situation in Pingzhou has been determined, and the established goals have been completed as planned.
Guo Chong nodded slightly.
Qin Zhao stretched and thought, after resting for so long, it was almost time for them to get back to work.
Dongtai County Wharf
Sun Congyi was the first to jump off the boat.
The young officer guarding the dock immediately stepped forward and asked, "Who is it?"
"We are one family." Sun Congyi said quickly, then took out their governor's warrant from his arms and handed it over.
"Wait a moment." The young general took the warrant and went to find their general.
The general stationed at the dock was Yue Shu. After checking the situation, he immediately ordered people to clear out a space and then signaled the soldiers on the ship that they could disembark.
Everyone began to disembark in an orderly manner, and lined up in formation with their heads held high.
The Sun family army has changed its appearance, with a row of new clothes distributed by Pingzhou, which are layered and warm.
At the same time, Manager Bi, who had been waiting here for two days, hurried to the boat to meet Lin Shan.
When Lin Shan got off the boat, he looked very ugly.
Yue Shu was planning to take Sun Congyi and others to meet General Qin Zhao and Military Advisor Guo Chong.
Lin Shan followed, "General Yue, let's go, I'll go see General Qin Zhao too."
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