Jiankang.

It was not yet completely dark, but deep cries could already be heard outside the gate.

The crying sound became louder and louder, gradually sweeping through the entire street.

The door of the mansion was gently pushed open, and the two soldiers at the door immediately turned around.

The person who opened the door was a young man who was obviously dressed differently from these southerners. He looked around curiously, "What's going on?"

The two soldiers looked at each other and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Please go back and rest."

The young man smiled and nodded, looked thoughtfully for a few times, closed the door, and quickly returned to the inner room.

He walked all the way into the innermost study and knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in."

When the young man walked into the house, he saw an extraordinary-looking young official sitting in front of the case, holding a book in his hand and looking at something.

The young man sat aside carefully and said, "Little Grandmaster, there were cries on the streets. I went out to watch and found that many people in the city were crying in mourning."

The official immediately put down the book in his hand and his face became slightly solemn.

"Could it be that the Southerners have been defeated?"

The young man shook his head and did not dare to give an accurate answer.

"If you send someone to inform the Southern Emperor again, just say that I want to see him as soon as possible."

"only!!"

The young man turned around and left, leaving only the young official in the room.

This young man was called Yuwen Xiaobo.

He was born in a clan and was born on the same month and day as Emperor Yu Wenyong. Yu Wentai was very surprised, so he took him over and raised him personally, so that he could grow up with Yu Wenyong.

Therefore, his relationship with the emperor was closer than that of a real brother. After the two grew up, their relationship became extremely close. When Yuwen Hu was in power, Yuwen Xiaobo helped the emperor complete liaison work many times because of his special status.

.

Now that Yu Wenyong is in power, he has become one of the emperor's most loyal confidants.

Yuwen Xiaobo slowly took out the document and read it again.

This was given to him by the emperor before he went on a mission to the Southern Kingdom.

Yu Wenyong talked to him a lot and wrote some things to him to guide him on how to complete his mission.

Yuwen Xiaobo came here this time to form an alliance with the Chen people.

When Yuwen Yong vaguely learned that the Southerners were about to go on an expedition, he sent Yuwen Xiaobo as envoy to Chen Guo.

The think tanks under Yu Wenyong unanimously believed that it would be impossible for the Chen people to accomplish their goals with Liu Taozi south of the river.

Liu Taozi would not watch the Chen people take advantage of the situation and occupy Henan.

As for the military strength of the Southerners, how can I put it? They are really good at defensive warfare, but they are much worse at offensive warfare, especially when they take the initiative to attack the Northerners.

His think tanks all felt that they could join forces with the Chen people. The Chen people had their advantages and the Zhou people had the advantages of the Zhou people. The two sides reached an agreement to attack Liu Taozi together. They would first suppress this suddenly powerful enemy to death, and then

Let's all decide whether to live or die.

After Yuwen Xiaobo arrived, Emperor Chen Xu was not in a hurry to see him.

And if the Southerners had been defeated, then he might meet with him.

Yuwen Xiaobo began to make preparations to enter the palace to pay homage to Lord Chen.

They waited from morning to night, and when it was almost dark, a soldier suddenly came to the door and asked them to go to the palace.

This is not in line with etiquette and law at all. No king of any country would receive foreign ministers at this time.

Everyone who went with him on the mission was a little angry, thinking that this was a slight against them, but Yuwen Xiaobo was not angry. He calmed down the people under his command, and then followed the soldiers to the palace.

Walking on the road to Jiankang, Yuwen Xiaobo secretly looked outside.

There are countless people crying and mourning outside.

Almost every household was crying and mourning.

The white flags hanging high at the door are frightening.

There were some mourning groups in the distance. Yuwen Xiaobo ordered people to avoid them and not to collide with them.

When they arrived at the entrance of the palace, Yuwen Xiaobo vaguely smelled the smell of blood.

The soldiers in the distance looked around with vigilance as if they were facing a powerful enemy.

Their group went through six interrogations before they were able to enter the palace.

Inside the palace, it was also a bit depressing.

Yuwen Xiaobo looked at all this and was almost certain in his heart that the Southerners were defeated, and they were defeated miserably.

They met Emperor Chen Xu in Taiji Hall.

Chen Xu was sitting in the upper seat, his face was ashen, and the anger in his eyes had not dissipated. Even when he saw these distinguished guests from other countries, he could not squeeze out a smile on his face.

Yuwen Xiaobo hurriedly bowed to see him and sat on the left hand side of the emperor.

Recalling Yuwen Yong's explanation, Yuwen Xiaobo immediately asked: "Your Majesty, what is happening outside?"

Chen Xu was silent for a moment, "It's just a matter of victory and defeat in the war. It doesn't matter."

Uncle Yuwen Xiao shook his head and sighed, "When Liu Taozi attacked Chang'an, Chang'an was also in the same situation. Every household wore mourning and cried constantly. The streets were full of people offering sacrifices. Even His Majesty issued an edict to offer sacrifices to these warriors.

Dead soldiers."

Hearing Liu Taozi's name, Chen Xu's expression turned even worse and he was about to drive away the guests.

Yuwen Xiaobo hurriedly took out his emperor's letter and respectfully asked the eunuch to hand it to Chen Xu.

Chen Xu received the letter and was a little surprised, "You have been in Jiankang for many days. How come your Lord's letter was only handed in today?"

Yuwen Xiaobo said: "If His Majesty has not seen our thoughts, then there is no use in submitting the letter."

Chen Xu opened the letter and read it.

Yu Wenyong's letters were mostly pleasantries without much content, just to build relationships.

He put down the letter and then looked at Yuwen Xiaobo, "You are here because of the Northern Expedition, right?"

The Zhou people were of course opposed to the Chen people's Northern Expedition. They were also afraid that the Chen people would get the Lianghuai area. The main reason was that the Lianghuai area could raise horses and train cavalry. If the Southerners were allowed to get this area, then

The situation in the world immediately changed.

There are ships in the south and horses in the north. If the people from the south have both ships and horses, what will the people from the north do?

When the Zhou people came to Chen State, Chen Xu and others guessed the other party's intentions. They all felt that the other party was here to dissuade them from the Northern Expedition, so they did not pay attention.

But the Zhou people did not leave even after they came. They just stayed in their own territory and sent a petition today to ask for an audience.

Chen Xu then came up with the idea of ​​meeting the other party.

When Yuwen Xiaobo heard this, he immediately shook his head, "That's not the case."

"Whether the Northern Expedition or not is a matter for Chen State, what does it have to do with us?"

"oh?"

Chen Xu was a little surprised. He looked at Yuwen Xiaobo and said, "Does your emperor really think so?"

Yuwen Xiaobo said seriously: "Of course my emperor thinks so. Not only does he have no intention to dissuade him, he also wants to help Chen Guolai complete the Northern Expedition."

"oh??"

Chen Xu was even more surprised, "How can I help?"

"Your Majesty, the world has been suffering from bitter peaches for a long time!!"

Yuwen Xiaobo's face immediately became excited, and he said angrily: "Liu Taozi is the biggest criminal in the world!"

"This is an unfaithful, unfilial, unkind and unjust thief!"

"He is a cruel person by nature. He kills my generals and slaughters my people. He is his own emperor. Now he is being ignored in Jinyang. It can be said that he is endangering the world without any benefit!"

"My Majesty wanted to kill him a long time ago to eliminate harm to the world. However, the Zhou Dynasty has not been able to recover from its previous defeat. There is a lack of food and grass, and the people are tired and unable to fight anymore!"

"Before I set off, Your Majesty told me that Liu Taozi is greedy by nature. If the Southern Kingdom wants to take the Huaihe River, he will definitely send troops to attack. This thief is powerful and he is afraid that the Southerners will not be defeated. I hope that the two families can join forces and work together.

Crusade."

"The Southern Kingdom is short of horses and the Great Zhou Dynasty will be sufficient. The Great Zhou Dynasty is short of food, and the Southern Kingdom is sufficient. If the two join forces, the Great Zhou Dynasty will use cavalry, and the Great Chen will use chariots and ships. Why worry about Liu Taozi not being destroyed?"

After listening to what the other party said, Chen Xu's face showed some emotion. He looked at the eunuch beside him and said, "Let the envoy sit closer. Don't be so rude!"

The eunuch hurriedly changed his seat for Yuwen Xiaobo, and Yuwen Xiaobo sat next to Chen Xu, sitting very close to express his trust.

Chen Xu frowned and said seriously: "My failure this time was also because of Liu Taozi, a thief."

"This thief is ferocious. I want to attack him, but I don't have the strength. I wonder what the Lord Zhou has planned?"

Yuwen Xiaobo immediately replied: "My lord believes that Liu Taozi's current foundation is still weak, and his subordinates cannot be used more than the army of the three states."

"The number is less than 40,000."

"However, he is now aggressively militarizing and building military headquarters in various states. If he has trained these new armies, it will not be easy to destroy him."

"My Lord hopes to meet with His Majesty in the south, and both parties will make an oath to attack Liu Taozi together."
To be continued...