Chapter 570 Stunned
When Qin Zhao saw Sun Congyi, he knew that the Sun family army had returned to Pingzhou. Their governor had really taken the Sun family army into his own hands.
They expressed their welcome immediately.
Then, Qin Zhao and Guo Chong both looked at Lin Shan, and Lin Shan did not hide his ugly expression at all.
"Deputy Gang Leader Lin, what happened?" Qin Zhao asked with concern.
"My adoptive father, Wang Juntao, was detained by Xie Zhan in Juzhang County, Kuaiji."
When these words were spoken, everyone present was surprised.
Qin Zhao and Guo Chong looked at each other.
Lin Shan sighed and told them, "Due to the strong interference of the imperial court, our Cao Gang will no longer be able to transport any goods for your Pingzhou, including food and fodder."
This was also the reason why he specially got off the boat to see Qin Zhao. He had to inform them and let them make preparations early.
Qin Zhao waved his hand, "These are all trivial matters."
Then, he asked with concern, "Is Master Wang all right?"
Lin Shan felt warm in his heart, "If we follow Commander Xie's request, our lives will be safe."
"That's good, that's good."
Then, Lin Shan seemed to have made up his mind. "If you need it, I can ask someone else to help you transport some food and fodder, but the amount cannot be too large."
In Lin Shan's opinion, the supply of food and fodder is crucial for Qin Zhao's expeditionary force in Pingzhou.
Now that Sun Congyi's group of soldiers have been sent over, the food and grass supply will probably be even tighter.
Qin Zhao shook his head, "Let's solve this matter ourselves, there's no need to involve others." And Xie Zhan would definitely not leave them any loopholes to exploit.
Guo Chong, standing by, agreed with Qin Zhao's refusal. Lin Shan might have been helping out of kindness, but he couldn't blame them for being cautious. They simply hadn't worked with anyone else before, so they couldn't trust them. They were worried Xie Zhan might be planning something to steal their supplies.
After talking about this, Lin Shan said goodbye. He really didn't feel like staying any longer.
After Lin Shan left, Qin Zhao asked Sun Congyi how many soldiers were left before the Sun family army switched to Pingzhou.
After hearing the number told by Sun Congyi, Qin Zhao nodded. There were still 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers and horses, so the situation was not the worst.
Qin Zhao asked some more questions, because the Sun family army had only been in Pingzhou for a short time and they didn't know much.
So, after understanding the recent situation in Pingzhou, they then talked about the news that Lin Shan had just brought.
Guo Chong laughed and said, "General Xie is trying to cut off our food supply. He's catching the turtle in the jar."
Qin Zhao snorted, "This is just like a louse on a monk's head—isn't it obvious? The abacus beads are hitting me in the face. But Xie Zhan wants to swallow up our expeditionary force? He's not afraid of breaking his teeth!"
Sun Congyi, who was standing by, had been listening to their conversation with his ears perked up. He had just heard that the Cao Gang was unable to help them transport food and grass, and now he didn't see them discussing a solution, which made him feel nervous.
Sun Congyi thought, we have only had a few days of good times, are they going to tighten their belts again?
So he asked tentatively, "Brother Qin San, do we have enough food and fodder for our expeditionary army? If not, what should we do?"
"Why? Are you worried about being hungry?" Qin Zhao asked with a smile.
"Of course I'm worried." Sun Congyi said frankly.
Qin Zhao raised his eyebrows and smiled like a fox, "Don't worry, I won't let you and your soldiers go hungry."
"We have food and fodder. Whether you can get it depends on your ability."
Sun Congyi rolled up his sleeves, with an expression that said, "If we keep talking about this, I won't be sleepy anymore."
"Brother Qin, just go ahead and make your move."
What a joke! When it comes to fighting, the Sun family army has never been afraid of anyone. The people he brought out this time are all good fighters.
Seeing his defiant look, Qin Zhao thought that it was good that he could still maintain his youthful spirit after going through so many hardships.
"By the way, the governor asked me to bring a letter before I left." Sun Congyi suddenly remembered this, so he took it out and handed it to Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao and Guo Chong finished reading the letter one after another, and when they looked at each other, they both noticed incredible expressions on each other's faces.
"Is it still possible?"
"The governor said it's okay, so it should be okay, right?"
"Then let's adjust our combat strategy."
At this moment, the guard at the city gate came to report, "General, Military Advisor, there is a man outside the city gate. He claims to be Bai Xingzhi, one of the officers under the command of the Prince of Jin, and he wants to see you."
Bai Xingzhi? Isn't that the Jin King's advisor? What's he doing here?
Qin Zhao didn't understand.
Guo Chong seemed to be thinking about something.
"Please ask him to come in." Qin Zhao thought that he could first listen to the other party's purpose.
When Bai Xingzhi was invited in, only Qin Zhao and Guo Chong were left in the meeting room. Yue Shu had gone to inspect the barracks, while Sun Congyi had gone to deploy his troops after their garrison was designated.
After Bai Xingzhi came in, he glanced at the two of them inconspicuously.
After a brief greeting, Bai Xingzhi went straight to the point and told Qin Zhao that their King Jin was willing to make friends with Pingzhou and, to show his sincerity, was willing to give Qutao to Pingzhou.
Qin Zhao and Guo Chong looked at each other. The meat that had been hanging in front of their mouths for so long was actually running into their mouths.
They had previously analyzed that the King of Jin, with only 50,000 soldiers left, could not defend the four counties of Donghai, and would eventually have to shrink the front line either actively or passively.
It now seems that Prince Jin is planning to actively shrink the front line.
Smart move.
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "Mr. Bai, since the King of Jin is so sincere in offering us this gift, we cannot refuse it. On behalf of our governor, I would like to express my sincere gratitude."
Bai Xingzhi paused holding the tea. He had already prepared to thank and decline three times, but now there was no need for that.
"General Qin Zhao, you're too polite."
"Mr. Bai, does King Jin often get upset about Xie Zhan and others?" Qin Zhao asked.
"That's definitely upsetting."
"Mr. Bai, we in Pingzhou have sensed the King of Jin's sincerity and have no way to repay him. If the King of Jin is upset about Xie Zhan, we can send troops to teach him a lesson!"
Bai Xingzhi couldn't help but twitch his lips. Is Pingzhou so rude? The Pingzhou expeditionary force is currently located north of the East China Sea, while Xie Zhan is currently in Kuaiji, south of the East China Sea. The territory between them belongs to the King of Jin.
In other words, if the Pingzhou expeditionary force wanted to attack Xie Zhan, it would have to pass through another route or take over the adjacent territory.
"Let's take a look at this later." Bai Xingzhi laughed.
Qin Zhao nodded, knowing that the King of Jin was probably reluctant to give them so many cities in Pingzhou for free.
Next, Bai Xingzhi ordered the King of Jin's men to withdraw from Qutao and hand it over to Pingzhou.
When Bai Xingzhi saw the Pingzhou soldiers planting a large flag with the word "Ping" written on it on the top of the city wall, he sighed in his heart.
After the matter was settled, Bai Xingzhi took away the troops that had withdrawn from Qutao.
Before leaving, Qin Zhao and Bai Xingzhi said, "Mr. Bai, we in Pingzhou have accepted your gifts. Go back and tell Prince Jin that you will be our good friends in Pingzhou from now on. We in Pingzhou are usually very generous to our friends. You can look forward to it."
Later, when Sun Congyi learned the news, he was stunned.
He never expected that in just one meal's time, they in Pingzhou captured a city without any soldiers?
Why did the battle in Pingzhou go so smoothly?
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