Pingjiang Prefecture.

The Seminary Hall of the King of the Eastern Wu.

After occupying the wealthy land in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Zhang Shicheng became increasingly arrogant and luxurious. He paid great attention to both the construction of mansions, food, clothing, housing and transportation.

In his words, we have been suffering for half a lifetime, and now we are rich and we must strive to enjoy what the emperor can enjoy. This person is in a hurry for a lifetime, not bringing it in life or death. He bleeds when he should bleed, and must not delay when he should enjoy it.

Because of his practice as an example, all the generals and officials under his command made money and had fun. Zhang Shicheng has always been generous and tolerant of his subordinates, so a large number of loyal people gathered under his tent.

The soldiers and officials still like such leaders very much. In their hearts, no matter who they do with, wouldn’t they just seek wealth and freedom?

The King of Eastern Wu is very good, it's not bad to follow him.

Zhang Shicheng originally wanted to consolidate his territory well, but he was free and free, but Chen Youliang was ambitious. Although he did not confront him head-on, he was always thinking about his territory.

Zhang Shicheng understood that his soldiers knew it, but they would never agree to Chen Youliang to touch Zhang Shicheng, because without the King of Eastern Wu, their wealth and freedom would be no guarantee.

Chen Youliang never regards Zhang Shicheng as an opponent, so his appearance is pretty good, and the two families are in an alliance.

This time, Chen Youliang attacked Zhu Yuanzhang and invited Zhang Shicheng to join and divide the land in the south of the Yangtze River. Zhang Shicheng agreed on the surface, but secretly stopped moving.

Seeing Chen Youliang's momentum grows, Zhang Shicheng's concerns are naturally getting worse. What he hopes most is that Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng are both in the loss, so that he can rest assured. As long as Chen Youliang breaks a wing, he will no longer be afraid that Chen Youliang will swallow himself in the future.

When the news of Chen Youliang's defeat in Poyang Lake came, Zhang Shicheng was really shocked, because in his heart, Chen Youliang had many powerful soldiers and generals, and even if he was defeated, he would not be very miserable.

Since Chen Youliang was destroyed by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang will definitely attack him Zhang Shicheng next. Everyone knows that Zhu Yuanzhang has great ambitions, and he will never allow Zhang Shicheng to become king in Jiangnan, let alone sitting on a pile of gold, silver and treasures that everyone is jealous of.

Now the question is, if Zhu Yuanzhang attacks him, Zhang Shicheng, will he surrender or will he fight resolutely?

There are two roads in front of him. How should we do the best?

Although there are two choices, as leaders, their choice is difficult, because dependence means humiliation and unknown death, and struggle may not necessarily lead to the final fruit of victory.

It is said that it is better to be a chicken head than a phoenix tail. If you are used to being a local emperor, then you will eat lunch in others. No one can accept this gap.

His third brother Zhang Shide was strong and conspiring, but unfortunately he was captured and executed by Zhu Yuanzhang in the Battle of Changzhou. For this reason, Zhang Shicheng was heartbroken and vowed to be incompatible with Zhu.

Just before Zhang Shide's death, he secretly brought a letter to Zhang Shicheng and said that Zhu Yuanzhang was approachable on the surface, but was vicious on the inside, and he must not be with him. Zhang Shicheng always remembered the last words of his brother.

Now that Zhu Yuanzhang defeated Chen Youliang, it will take no time for him to clear Chen Youliang's remnants of power, and then send troops to Pingjiang to ask for Zhang Shicheng's wealth and women.

What should I do? Zhang Shicheng looked at his brothers and confidant generals around him, hoping that they would plan a best plan for him.

Everyone looked down at the wine glasses on the table.

This matter is very serious, so serious that no one dares to speak easily.

As Zhang Shixin, the brother of Zhang Shicheng, no matter whether he is speaking incorrectly, he will express his opinions first. After all, he is a brother. If he says the wrong one, he will not do anything to him.

Zhang Shixin looked at Zhang Shicheng and said hatefully: "Zhu Yuanzhang, the thief, this time he won, he will definitely be arrogant and domineering, and he will not take his elder brother seriously. We must step up the training of our troops and fight against the thief. Is this a matter of saying?"

Li Bosheng said worriedly: "Zhu Yuanzhang is now in a strong morale and has many soldiers and generals, so it is difficult for us to fight."

Zhang Shicheng sighed and said, "If I had followed Chen Youliang's advice and sent troops to cooperate, it might be another situation now."

Lu Zhen said: "That's right, but didn't we agree to it at the beginning because we were concerned about Chen Youliang. If Chen Youliang had won a great victory, wouldn't we also face the worries we are now?"

Zhang Shicheng said: "General Lu said, the result we hope is that both of them will be defeated, but things in the world will never go as they wish."

Lu Zhen said: "What is the King of Wu meant to make?"

Zhang Shicheng said: "Aren't I discussing with you?"

Zhang Shiyi said: "Didn't the third brother give instructions to the eldest brother before he died?"

Zhang Shicheng said: "What do you mean is to ask me to submit to the Yuan Dynasty and continue to pay tribute to those foreigners?"

Zhang Shiyi said: "Since we and Zhu Yuanzhang have the same power, there is no second way except to continue to have a good relationship with the Yuan Dynasty. If we fight alone, we may lose more than win less."

Zhang Shicheng was silent for a long time and said, "What do you guys think?"

Everyone nodded. This seemed to be the only feasible solution.

Zhang Shicheng sighed, "I have to do this. In this way, the people will suffer grievances. Hundreds of thousands of stones of grain and silver a year are quite large."

He looked at Prime Minister Li Xingsu and said, "Sir, can you go to Dadu and show the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty that we are willing to surrender to the thief?"

Li Xingsu stepped forward and said, "Since the King of Wu has this intention, I will go there. I believe that the Emperor of the Yuan Dynasty is looking forward to us sending them food and money."

Zhang Shicheng said: "As the general trend today, I believe that the emperor will not make things difficult for us. After all, our strength is not enough to make them afraid. Zhu Yuanzhang's victory this time was the biggest enemy of the Yuan Dynasty."

Li Xingsu said: "The King of Wu said very well. Then I will write a book and leave for Yuan Dadu tomorrow."

Zhang Shicheng waved his hand dejectedly and said, "I will be much more worried if I have the Prime Minister to do everything."

Zhang Shicheng was about to order his subordinates to disperse, but suddenly a messenger rushed in and said, "King of Wu, urgent news comes from Jiangzhou City!"

Zhang Shicheng was stunned. Zhu Yuanzhang had sent troops to Jiangzhou. Could it be that Zhang Dingbian was also killed in battle?

He hurriedly opened the letter and saw it, and was stunned.

After a while, he slapped the case several times and shouted, "It's done."

Zhang Shiyi asked curiously: "Brother, what's the matter?"

Zhang Shicheng laughed loudly and said with a chorus, "Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang, I didn't expect you to be defeated by an idiot. I'll see how you deal with it this time."

Lu Zhen said: "King of Wu, what did you make you so happy?"

Zhang Shicheng waved the letter in his hand and laughed and said, "Zhu Yuanzhang's vanguard's 80,000 troops were wiped out by Zhang Dingbian within one day outside Jiangzhou City. Do you think this is great news?"
Chapter completed!