I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

It was the fifth day since the Yan army captured Jiankang City.

The streets are already bustling with people.

After being in fear for several days, the people of Jiankang City finally accepted the reality.

The soldiers of the Yan army moved through the crowd, constantly patrolling the dark corners of the streets to see if there were any remnants of the Chen State's resistance forces hiding.

Since the Yan army occupied Jiankang City, there have been dozens of assassination attempts on Yan army generals or soldiers.

Even though the Crown Prince of Chen and other important officials of Chen surrendered to Yan, there were still some people who were unwilling to be ruled by the Yan army and were thinking of resisting everywhere.

But the fact is that no matter how they resist, they can hardly resist the tens of thousands of Yan troops.

At the same time, after hearing that Jiankang City had fallen, many of the besieged Chen army soldiers on the front line surrendered to the State of Yan.

In just a few months, the State of Yan recovered most of the three states in the east of the lake and occupied the capital area of ​​the State of Chen.

At this moment, Jiang Zuo was standing on the city wall that was torn to pieces by cannon fire, overlooking the entire Jiankang City.

Looking at the people coming and going below, Jiang Zuo felt an inexplicable sense of comfort.

It has been several months since we took on the mission of the Southern Expedition, and today we finally achieved the final results.

After occupying Jiankang City, Jiang Zuo directly brought the model of governing Guangning City to the entire Jiankang City.

Those middle and lower-level officials were directly reinstated to govern the entire Jiankang City on behalf of the State of Yan.

The Yan army had just occupied Jiankang City not long ago and its foundation was not yet stable. There were still many old forces of the Chen State who were trying to cause trouble in Jiankang City.

"Have those letters been sent out? We need to do it as soon as possible and have the court send someone to take over Jiankang City."

Jiang Zuo asked his close associates.

After these days of hard fighting, he was exhausted physically and mentally, and just wanted to return to Yan State as soon as possible. After occupying Jiankang City, he had written several letters asking His Majesty to transfer him back to Yan State.

"Sir, the letter was sent yesterday. It has been a few days since the first letter was sent, but there is still no reply."

"Then let's wait... On the other side of the border, the Chen army has surrendered, right?"

"Since we released the news of the occupation of Jiankang City, many defenders have given up resistance and surrendered to our army. Now there are still many Chen troops in the west, and our Yan troops have gradually recovered the three states in the east of the lake."

At present, the military progress is still under the control of the Yan army.

As they were talking, the Ninth Prince Chen Xiu came to Jiang Zuo and brought a message: "The Chen army in Changzhou City finally surrendered."

The Chen army stationed in Changzhou City is the main elite force of their border army. The fall of Changzhou City into the hands of the Yan Army means that the war on the border has basically ended.

Jiang Zuo said calmly: "That's good, we can finally take a break."

"It's not time to rest yet. Our mission is not yet complete. According to the spies' report, there is a force of nearly 100,000 approaching Jiankang City."

Chen Xiu's expression was still tense. Compared to the joy on the faces of other soldiers, he always maintained a cautious mentality. He would never let down his guard until he was completely successful.

After all, in the southwest of the Chen State, there are still many troops of the Chen State's vassal kings, as well as some local troops that have not yet surrendered. Their combined strength is as much as more than 100,000. Although they are not the main force of the Chen army, it is not an easy task to deal with them.

Jiang Zuo said, "But they are at the end of their rope. As long as they cannot capture Jiankang City, the morale of the Chen army will always be lower than that of our Yan army."

After all, even the capital was occupied by the State of Yan, so the soldiers of the Chen army naturally had no intention of fighting. What's more, the first person to surrender to the Yan army was actually the crown prince of Chen. As a result, the others had even less will to resist.

The story of the Yan army treating the surrendered soldiers well has already spread throughout the State of Chen. Jiangzuo will not only gain benefits on the battlefield, but their Yan army will also not be at a disadvantage in the field of public opinion.

The former members of the State of Chen who surrendered to the State of Yan were basically not treated unfairly.

At this moment in Jiankang City, everything seems to have returned to normal.

Chen Xiu said calmly: "Although we are in an advantageous position now, we still cannot take everything too lightly."

"So the next battle will require you to take full command."

Jiang Zuo suddenly said.

"Why?"

Chen Xiu frowned.

Jiang Zuo said: "I have already reported to His Majesty that the State of Chen has been basically destroyed now, and there is no need for me to stay and command. It is enough to have you here, Master Jiu. I have to go back to Jiangzhou to deal with some important matters first."

As for what this important matter was, it was of course a major plan that Jiang Zuo had already planned before.

"Why don't you stay for another month until the situation is completely stabilized?"

Chen Xiu tried to persuade him to stay. After all, he had witnessed Jiang Zuo's talent with his own eyes and he respected him very much.

During the few months they have been with him, they have achieved such great achievements, mostly thanks to Jiang Zuo's key command and the advanced weapons of his Anding Army.

If Jiang Zuo really left, I'm afraid the strength of the Yan army would be greatly reduced.

Chen Xiu was very clear about this. He was wholeheartedly working for the emperor. He could tell who was truly serving the court, so he respected Jiang Zuo very much and followed Jiang Zuo's opinions in almost everything.

Jiang Zuo thought for a moment and said, "Wait for your Majesty's instructions. I still have to go back to Jiangzhou City first."

"What about the soldiers of the Anding Army?"

Chen Xiu asked. After all, the strength of the Anding Army and the weapons in their hands were far stronger than those of ordinary armies. If they left, the Yan Army's attack would not be as sharp as before.

Jiang Zuo said: "Don't worry, they will stay and follow your command."

Jiang Zuo also trusts the Ninth Prince's military ability. If he is in charge of commanding the next war and with the assistance of the Anding Army, the entire Chen Kingdom will surely be completely destroyed.

Chen Xiu nodded slightly and looked towards the distance outside the city.

Now the war to conquer Chen in the south has come to an end.

A moment later, a soldier came and said, "Master Jiang, the Qin family replied, saying they are willing to negotiate with our Yan State."

Jiang Zuo felt satisfied when he heard the news.

Now there are various forces, big and small, in the State of Chen. It would be very troublesome to deal with them.

As for the original aristocratic forces of the Chen State, Jiang Zuo did not intend to confront them. Only cooperation could lead to a win-win situation.

Now that their Yan army has invaded Jiankang City and destroyed other forces of the Chen State, it is only a matter of time. At this time, their Yan State will have to discuss with other forces of the Chen State to divide up the power of the Chen State.

Of course, all of the former territories of the State of Chen must nominally be under the rule of the State of Yan, but in those places where the power of the local aristocratic families is strong, Jiang Zuo still suggested to the empress that these aristocratic families should be allowed to govern themselves and not rush to annex the entire State of Chen.

The three states in the east of the lake and the capital area of ​​Jiankang City are enough for the State of Yan to digest for a period of time.

The chaos in the State of Chen has gradually subsided, but in the dark, many people are still ready to make a move...