Whale Falls and Becomes a God

Chapter 68 King of Jianghuai
With the rebels leaving the city and the queen's return, the Sui army's takeover and control of Jiangdu City, including the four city gates, was quite smooth.

Now the army in Jiangdu City has reached a huge number of 550,000, of which 270,000 are regular troops, 130,000 are reserve troops, and 150,000 are the former Jiangdu troops who were persuaded to surrender.

Normally, 550,000 troops are enough to guard, suppress and patrol Jiangdu.

However, Xiao Ying knew very well that the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty had just begun. In addition to the three rebel kings who would arrive and attack one after another, there were still countless battles to be fought. Although these 550,000 seemed like a lot, they could not withstand the consumption and could not sustain a few battles.

Now, with the influence of major events such as the expulsion of the rebels, the return of the queen, and the recovery of Jiangdu, the people are on the side of the army and its prestige is on the rise. We can take the opportunity to recruit more excellent soldiers, train them early and form them into shape, and the longer the training, the more elite they will be.

The Sui army now has enough food and supplies, but it is short of weapons, armor, war horses, etc., so it can only take it step by step!
"Your Highness! The Empress has issued an order to change the Prince of Shu's Palace to the Prince of Jingwu's Palace!"

After Xiao Ying understood everything, she was about to leave the palace to visit the various military camps for herself when a palace maid came to report.

King Yang Xiu of Shu was the fourth son of the previous Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, and the younger brother of Emperor Yang Guang of Sui. He was the largest branch of the Sui royal family in Jiangdu.

The Shu King's Mansion was home to Shu King Yang Xiu and his seventh son Yang Xiao, Yang Ming and many other people. The mansion was naturally large, luxurious and magnificent. It was also among the top few in Jiangdu and was quite famous. This time, the Shu King's lineage was slaughtered by the rebels, which was a good thing for Xiao Ying.

"understand!"

Xiao Ying responded and arranged for people to go ahead to clean up, tidy up, and equip personnel and items.

Xiao Ying's original body basically lived in the Forbidden Palace, nominally to facilitate his duties. Because his original body was unknown, just a small deputy commander of the Queen's Guards, he was at home anywhere, and there were not many people paying attention to him, so there was no reason to complain!
In addition, Xiao Ying had a close relationship with Empress Xiao, so no one would make a fuss about his residence.

Now Xiao Ying has become famous and powerful, and he has many personal maids, bodyguards, and personal guards around him. Naturally, he can no longer live in the Forbidden Palace, and his original residence can no longer accommodate them.

In this regard, Empress Xiao had made careful arrangements and was quite thoughtful and meticulous, which Xiao Ying himself had not thought of.

……

A moment later, Xiao Ying, accompanied by only four maids and twenty-two monk guards, prepared to go to the major military camps for inspection and familiarization.

At this time, Jiangdu was basically calm. More people were taking to the streets, and even stalls and shops had reopened. It was rapidly recovering its original prosperity.

"Ok?"

Xiao Ying and others just passed by a restaurant and felt a sharp gaze, so they couldn't help but look over.

I saw a strong and handsome middle-aged man in a tight suit, looking at me from the window...

A closer look revealed that the man was wearing a tall hat and robe, had thick eyebrows and bright eyes, and his facial features were carved. His attire was more like that of a gangster.

More importantly, the aura of this person was exactly the same as that of the powerful man that Xiao Ying had sensed when he passed by with Empress Xiao. He was surrounded by powerful men and had a very majestic aura. He was guessed to be a person of extraordinary identity!
Seeing Xiao Ying looking back, the middle-aged man in tight clothes raised his glass and smiled, as if he was trying to make friends over a drink and invite him to a gathering.

"..."

Xiao Ying pondered for a moment, then led everyone into the restaurant.

Artists are bold!
Not to mention that Xiao Ying himself is already a rare strong man, with four maids and monk guards around, Xiao Ying has nothing to worry about in Jiangdu!

This restaurant is about nine stories high, with each floor about three or four meters high. It covers a vast area and is quite well-known in Jiangdu, doing good business.

"Prince Jingwu!"

"I've met the prince!"

"I've seen the general!"

... Xiao Ying led the group up the stairs, and many people along the way greeted him and saluted him. This was mainly because he had been by Empress Xiao's side before, so he was a familiar face to everyone!

Now that Prince Jingwu is famous and powerful in Jiangdu, naturally many people want to make friends with him, just to get to know him.

The middle-aged man in tight clothes was on the sixth floor. There were twenty or thirty tables in the hall, and more than half of them were occupied!
"Greetings, Prince Jingwu!"

When Xiao Ying appeared, the man greeted him again with a smile, but still sat still.

The people at three nearby tables all stared, their guard and scrutiny evident. Judging by the waiters, their postures, and their reactions, it was clear they were a group, perhaps twenty or thirty people, occupying four tables.

At the fourth table sat a middle-aged man in tight clothes, two burly and strong men, and an old man in green clothes.

"Arrange..."

Xiao Ying turned his head and gave an instruction to the shopkeeper who was receiving him warmly and respectfully, then started walking towards the table.

The three people at the same table stood up consciously and stood behind the middle-aged man in tight clothes. Their attitudes of vigilance and scrutiny remained unchanged, obviously preventing Xiao Ying from suddenly attacking!

"My name is Du Yao, known as the River-Flipping Dragon in the martial arts world!"

The middle-aged man in tight clothes still sat as steady as a mountain, but he smiled and bowed in a friendly and amiable manner, and then quickly invited him to sit down and praised him:
"The name of King Jingwu has been heard everywhere lately! I'm honored to have been invited to meet you!"

"Du Yao, the River-Flipping Dragon?!"

Xiao Ying frowned slightly, thinking secretly in his heart, and readily took a seat as invited. The four maids consciously stood behind Xiao Ying, corresponding to the three people who stood up!
Xiao Ying came from the Forbidden Palace and had a very high starting point. He had seen many masters and powerful people, even a few of the Supreme Celestial Beings, and now he had two Celestial Star Souls.

The other party didn't make a move, so it was hard to estimate his cultivation level. However, ordinary powerful people didn't have the energy to pretend to be middle-aged, with all the dignity and confidence, and dared to sit still and greet him.

Before, when walking up the stairs, the person who greeted you basically stood up respectfully!

"The King of Jianghuai... Du Fuwei?!"

An idea suddenly came to Xiao Ying's mind, and he blurted out, with a question in his voice, but it was obvious that he was sure!
"Prince Jingwu actually recognized me?"

Du Fuwei asked in obvious surprise. The expressions of the twenty or thirty people around him instantly became tense and their auras became agitated. The four maids and the monk guards also began to move their auras!
A tense atmosphere suddenly arose...

Xiao Ying waved her hand, signaling the four maids and the monk guards to relax.

Du Fuwei also waved his hand, smiling amiably, and said, "I dare not claim the title of King of Jianghuai! I, a commoner, have been given the honor of being the Governor of Jianghuai!"

In fact, Du Fuwei also proclaimed himself "King of Wu", but it was not appropriate to use this title to embarrass himself in front of the orthodox prince Xiao Ying!

"Why not? As long as Senior is willing, I will guarantee it and report it to the Heavenly Emperor for a formal decree!"

Xiao Ying herself was also surprised and astonished, and said sincerely with a smile.

According to later historical records and comments, Du Fuwei was a seriously underestimated hero of the late Sui Dynasty. He was known as the most powerful man in the late Sui Dynasty and was even rated as the strongest opponent of the Tang Dynasty. He was a true grassroots counterattack and his life was quite legendary and brilliant!
The most important point is that Du Fuwei is a very loyal person, known for his righteousness and generosity, and his style of doing things is completely different from other rebels!

If possible, Xiao Ying really wanted to win over Du Fuwei and approve of his way of dealing with people.

Although the possibility of successfully winning over is very low at present, how do you know if you don’t try?

As expected, Du Fuwei's presence here clearly indicates his interest in Jiangdu. However, his primary goal is to form an alliance with Fengming Prince Li Zitong to destroy Shangliang Prince Shen Faxing and seize Jiangdu, ultimately wiping out the remnants of the Sui Dynasty.
(End of this chapter)