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

Sima Yi decided to send troops to contain the Chu army, but Liu Che was hesitant.

Han Dynasty, Imperial Palace.

The twelve ice mirrors in the Weiyang Palace exhaled freezing air, but they could not suppress the heat emanating from Liu Che's entire body.

The cinnabar color of the Suzaku seal on Li Shiming's letter paper stung the corners of his eyes, and those beautiful words of "four countries united as one" were twisted into mocking grimaces in the mist of the ice mirror.

"What a great Tang Emperor!"

Liu Che suddenly slammed the letter on the gilded table, and the tassels of his crown swept across the luminous cup that was tribute from the Western Regions.

"The Tang Dynasty is hiding behind and not sending troops, but wants me to take advantage of the situation? Humph, this is clearly an attempt to consume our military strength!"

The grape wine in the ice-cracked porcelain cup was spilled on the green bricks, just like the winding Yellow River on the map.

Prime Minister Chen Pin stepped out on the dripping water stains of the ice mirror, and the cloud goose patch on his purple official robe passed by the cold light of the bronze lamp tree:

"Your Majesty, the focus of the Chu army is on Cangjiang River."

He said with a serious face: "Our army is sending troops to Maple Leaf City now. We only need to delay the Chu army. There is no need to fight to the death with the Chu army."

Minister of War Wang Zhang's rhinoceros horn tablet made a "clicking" sound, and he took the initiative to step forward and said in a deep voice:

"If our army does not send troops if the Four-Nation Alliance succeeds, it would be unacceptable."

"Besides, our army is only delaying the Chu army, there is no need to start a war!"

The Minister of Rites also stepped forward to persuade him: "Your Highness, the Emperor of Tang has already stated in the letter that if Wei sends troops, it will support Sima Yi's enthronement."

"Sima Yi has always been ambitious, how could he miss such an opportunity? He will definitely send troops!"

"If Sima Yi sends troops and our dynasty does not, our Han dynasty will become the target of public criticism in the Four-Nation Alliance."

The Minister of Finance then stepped out of the line, his face solemn: "Your Majesty, now is not the time to act rashly!"

"Jin and Chu are going to fight to decide the outcome. If our army doesn't hold back the Chu army, and Jin can't stop them, the Chu army's next target will be Wei and us!"

"Why not take this opportunity to delay the Chu army and create opportunities for Jin to kill more Chu soldiers."

The other ministers also stood up and echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty, we cannot stand idly by in this battle."

"We must be on guard against the lessons learned from the past of Zhao, Yan and Qin."

"This dispatch is just to delay and confront, not to really fight with the Chu army."

"Your Majesty, we cannot hesitate, otherwise we will be looked down upon by other dynasties."

The voices of the ministers were so harsh that Liu Che frowned.

The dripping sound of the ice jar suddenly became deafening.

Liu Che looked at the sundial outside the hall. The shadow of the sundial needle was pointing to three quarters past three in the morning - this was the time when he reviewed military reports every day.

He knew that he had to make a decision. This matter was of great importance. If he made the wrong decision, it would affect the fate of the Han Dynasty.

When the ministers saw that the emperor didn't speak, the discussions gradually stopped.

At this moment, Liu Che suddenly narrowed his eyes, and a cold light flashed across his eyes:

"Since all the gentlemen are willing to send troops to contain the Chu army, I will naturally not object."

"But we must make it clear to the Protector of the Country that this is just a standoff and containment, we cannot start a war!"

Prime Minister Chen Pin breathed a sigh of relief: "Your Majesty is wise! I will definitely explain this matter to the Duke of the Protectorate."

They all knew the character of Duke Protector of the Country Huo Quji. If they sent troops, there would be a fight.

But his purpose this time was not to start a fight, but to contain the enemy. If he started a fight, it would mean that the Han Dynasty and the State of Chu would go to war.

This is not what they want!

Therefore, this matter must be made clear to Huo Quji.

At the same time, Chu Ning, who was rushing to Cangjiang, set up camp in an open area.

The setting sun was as red as blood, and several egrets were startled from the reed marsh in Jiuqu Bay.

This place is close to Cangjiang River and can be resisted in a few days.

Even so, there are many lakes and swamps around this place.

When Chu Ning opened the cowhide curtain, a breeze from the river brought in with a fishy smell. The candlelight on the desk suddenly became half an inch lower, making the four words "Iron Chain" on Feng Anguo's letter flicker.

At this time, Jia Yu came hurriedly.

"Your Highness, the 50,000 Northern Army soldiers of Wei State have arrived a hundred miles away from Yanzhou."

Jia Yu looked solemn, bowed and said in a deep voice: "The vanguard of the Han army of 30,000 crossed the Zhuozhang River two days ago. Judging from the flag, it was led by the Duke of the Han Dynasty, Huo Quji, who was in charge personally."

Chu Ning's fingertips stroked the wave pattern embroidered on the edge of the letter paper. It was Feng Anguo's unique secret mark.

The candle inside the tent suddenly burst into flames, illuminating the sneer on his face: "Sima Yi has scheduled the coronation ceremony for a month later."

"That's right. Envoys from various countries are rushing to Qingzhou."

When Jia Yu looked up, the hair on his forehead was still stained with grass debris from the night walk. "Lord Deng from the Ministry of Rites asked what gift we should send?"

Suddenly, a horse neighed outside the tent, and Chu Ning casually put Feng Anguo's letter close to the candlelight.

The cocoon paper curled up into ashes in the flames. He raised his foot to crush the ashes and said nonchalantly:

"Send the pair of bronze and gold-inlaid Boshan incense that we seized last year. Remember to fill the incense chambers with agarwood from southern Xinjiang."

The relationship between the two countries is not good, so there is no need for him to send expensive gifts.

Jia Yu was not surprised by this.

But giving just these little gifts would seem petty.

The Chu State at this moment is no longer the Chu State of the past and cannot be so stingy.

Jia Yu smiled bitterly and advised: "Your Highness, our Chu State now has a vast territory. If we give people the impression that we are stingy, how can we conquer the world and win the hearts of the people in the future?"

"I think that this time our dynasty should present a great gift to show the great power of Chu."

"This way, the State of Wei will have no reason to complain."

Chu Ning thought about it and felt that this was indeed the case.

The Chu State now occupies surrounding areas. If such a small gift is sent to congratulate an emperor on his accession to the throne, not only will people laugh at it, but it will also leave a bad impression.

He is determined to conquer the world, so how can he get entangled in such trivial matters?

"Master Jia is right!"

Chu Ning nodded slightly and said with a smile: "It is I who am persistent."

"How about this, let Deng Hongwen select some expensive gifts according to normal etiquette and send them over."

If I give them to Sima Yi now, and when he conquers Wei in the future, these things will still be his, so I won't feel sorry for them.

Jia Yu heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, and quickly nodded and agreed: "I will reply to the Ministry of Rites immediately."

After a pause, he was a little worried about the situation at the front line, frowned and said:

"But we don't have many troops in Yanzhou and Maple Leaf City. If the Han and Wei armies join forces, I'm afraid we won't be able to resist."

"Tell Zhao Kuang that it's time to dust off the rockfall formation at Qingyan Pass."

Chu Ning raised his eyebrows and said, "Inform Xun Yu and have him install the newly made crossbows on the battlements. The three shifts must hold torches every night to prevent the Han army from attacking."

Since he was going to have a decisive battle with the Jin navy, he certainly couldn't be without a backup plan.

After a pause, he looked toward the horizon and said in a deep voice: "Notify the Queen of Great Zhou to have the Zhou army press toward the border of Zhao State and put pressure on Zhao State!"

"We must make it clear that they should not go to war with Zhao State. Just put pressure on them."

"Also, pass the order down, have a good rest tonight, because I will resist the Cangjiang camp tomorrow!"

"Yes!" Jia Yu responded and went downstairs to make arrangements immediately.

The preliminary arrangements are completed, and the next step is a decisive battle with the Jin navy!