Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The Qin army's small-scale fighting did not trigger a large-scale attack by the Chu army.

The Chu army even sent troops to respond in turns, as if they wanted to help the Qin army train their new recruits.

For several days, there were no signs of a large-scale attack from either side.

This made Ying Zheng very puzzled.

On this day, Ying Zheng was staring at the cold wind and brought his generals to the city wall to inspect the Chu-Zhou coalition camp outside the city.

The cold wind blew, making the Qin flags on the city wall flutter.

Ying, wearing a purple cloak, stood under the big flag, his eyes as cold as ice, staring at the Chu-Zhou coalition camp outside the city.

Zhang Han took the opportunity to introduce: "Your Majesty, the Chu army has been sending troops to fight with our army in turns in the past few days, and it seems that they have seen through our army's intentions."

"So what if you see through it?"

Ying Zheng said calmly: "Even if he knew that our army wanted to consume their food and wait for Chu Ning's death, they can't change the current situation."

Food was the Achilles' heel of the Chu-Zhou coalition.

Chu Ning’s injury will be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back for the Chu-Zhou coalition forces.

Although the Qin army did not have much food at the moment, they had seized a lot from the Jin army, so they could barely sustain themselves for a while.

In addition, Prime Minister Baili Xi is still borrowing grain from a number of aristocratic families in the country, so food is not too tight at the moment.

And because there was no major war, the soldiers' food supply was reduced by half, and some of it could be stored to prepare for subsequent major wars.

But Li Si on the side said with some concern: "Your Majesty, Chu Ning has always been cunning. It is surprising that they did not take advantage of the opportunity to attack the city when they gained the advantage this time."

"I am worried that Chu Ning may have other plans. His purpose of confronting our army here is to contain us."

As soon as these words were spoken, Ying Zheng's expression changed slightly.

Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew Chu Ning very well.

If you remain silent when you have gained an advantage, you must be plotting for greater results.

His eyes narrowed, and he said coldly: "With Lord Li, what can Chu Ning do at this moment?"

Li Si hesitated for a moment, and finally said what he thought: "Our army has withheld some food from the Jin army recently. I am worried that Chu Ning will sow discord among them."

"If the Jin army has complaints against our army, they will probably not obey orders on the battlefield in the future, and may even leave without permission."

The Qin-Jin coalition had about 340,000 troops, but once the Jin troops left, the Qin army was only left with about 280,000 troops, including some new recruits.

As a result, they did not have much advantage in terms of the number of troops.

This is the only strategy Li Si can think of to defeat the enemy at the moment.

Their alliance with the State of Jin was unstable, and Chu Ning wanted to interfere.

But Ying Zheng smiled contemptuously when he heard this: "The new emperor of Jin, Ji Yingjie, has always been dissatisfied with Chu Ning. How could he be provoked by Chu Ning?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thin man in black clothes came forward to report: "Your Majesty, the Emperor of Jin has received a letter from Chu Ning."

"In addition, a few days ago, General Xian Zhen of Jin State also wrote a letter to the Emperor of Jin, accusing our army of withholding food and fodder."

"When the Jin Emperor learned about this, he cursed loudly, and after receiving Chu Ning's letter, he fell into deep thought and locked himself in the palace. No one knew what he was thinking."

These words made Ying Zheng, who had originally had a calm expression, change his expression drastically, and his pupils suddenly shrank.

If the Emperor of Jin is really persuaded by Chu Ning, he will lose the support of tens of thousands of Jin troops.

Now, it seems that the only option is to find a way to save this alliance that is about to fall apart.

Thinking of this, Ying Zheng snorted coldly: "I have never been threatened by anyone. Since Ji Yingjie is hesitant, I will help him make a decision!"

"Send a message to Xian Zhen, telling him that I want to discuss sending troops with him, and ask him to come immediately."

After saying that, he turned to look at Zhang Han and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhang Han was shocked when he heard this, and a look of surprise appeared on his face: "Your Majesty, this...will this method be known to the State of Jin?"

"offend?"

Ying Zheng sneered: "My dynasty paid the price of ten cities in exchange for their sending troops, is it just for him to watch the show here?"

"Just do it. Once this succeeds, our army will completely gain the upper hand."

"Yes!" Zhang Han had no choice but to bow and go down to make arrangements.

The messenger arrived at the Jin army camp three quarters of an hour later.

"General Xian Zhen, our emperor asks you to come to the city immediately to discuss the dispatch of troops!"

In the handsome tent.

Xian Zhen was gradually analyzing the current motives of the Chu army. When he heard Ying Zheng calling him, he didn't think much about it and turned to look at a general behind him:

"General Hu, I'll leave the affairs of the camp to you."

The elegant-looking general bowed and saluted: "General, please rest assured. I will definitely defend the camp!"

"However, our army is running low on food. This time when we go to meet the Emperor of Qin, I would like to ask the general to get some food for the soldiers."

Xian Zhen looked a little unhappy, but he still nodded and agreed: "I will discuss this matter with the Emperor of Qin!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the tent, taking the cavalry with him and following the messenger, he headed straight for Julu City.

Inside the city, towering mansions stand tall.

Xian Zhen came riding over with a worried look on his face. When he dismounted at the door, the guards stretched out their spears to block his way.

"General, please put down your weapons!" the Qin army guard said coldly.

The guards behind Xian Zhen were furious when they heard this: "How dare you speak to our great general like that!"

But the Qin Army guards looked very businesslike and said, "You cannot bring weapons when meeting His Majesty. Moreover, this is a private audience with His Majesty, so weapons cannot be brought in. Please put down your sword first, General Zhen!"

His tough attitude caused dissatisfaction among Xian Zhen's personal soldiers, and they all stepped forward.

At this moment, Xian Zhen stretched out his hand to signal everyone to leave, and took off his sword and handed it to the Qin guard: "Since this is a private audience with the Emperor of Qin, there is absolutely no reason to bring weapons."

The Qin Army guard took the sword and put down the weapon: "General, please come in!"

Led by a eunuch, Xianzhen walked through the front hall and came to a room in the backyard.

Ying Zheng was the only one in the room, with his hands behind his back and facing him.

Xian Zhen did not dare to neglect and stepped forward to salute: "Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of Qin!"

Ying Zheng turned around, staring at Xian Zhen with eagle-like eyes, and said in a cold voice: "I heard that General Xian Zhen wrote a letter to the emperor, saying that I withheld your military pay. Is this true?"

There was a hint of murderous intent in those cold words.

Xianzhen was slightly stunned.

Didn't they say they were here to discuss sending out troops? Why did Ying Zheng not say a word about this, but instead mentioned the fact that he had written a letter?

With a bit of doubt, Xian Zhen said in a deep voice: "It is true. Our army is short of food and grass, and the brothers below are complaining. As a general, I will naturally report this to His Majesty."

"Oh?"

Ying Zheng sneered: "Since you feel that the food and grass are insufficient, then you probably don't want to stay here any longer!"

"In this case, why not have a decisive battle with the Chu-Zhou coalition forces in advance!"

"How about this? Your Jin army will launch an attack from the east tonight and kill the enemy camp at all costs. How do you think?"

This is to use the Jin army as cannon fodder!