As the treetops in Qingzhou started to turn yellow, the Prince of Huainan launched an attack on Xuzhou.

At the same time, after a month of rest, the Chen army began to stir in the Jianghuai area, frequently harassing the defenses along the river in Qingzhou without launching a direct assault, keeping the Chu army on high alert.

Facing the combined threat of the Chen army and the Prince of Huainan’s forces attacking from two sides, maintaining morale among the Chu soldiers was challenging.

Chu Chengji quickly adjusted the strategic layout, making Xu and Hu prefectures support each other to hold back the Prince of Huainan’s forces attacking Xuzhou.

The Lu family in Yingzhou took great risks to send Lu Ze with information, allowing them to prepare in advance.

This showed the Lu family’s firm stance.

Lu Ze was relieved from his task of dredging river silt and sent to Hu prefecture as a strategist to assist in defending Xuzhou.

For the remaining Qingzhou and Mengjun, Chu Chengji personally defended Qingzhou, while Lin Yao was sent to Mengjun to guard the granary and await orders.

Mengjun, as the granary, had to be handled separately and couldn’t be part of the mutual support strategy with Qingzhou.

The strategists suggested using Qingzhou and Yunzhou, where An Yuanqing was located, to contain the Chen army.

However, Chu Chengji didn’t comment on this and instead asked the strategists to recommend a grain transport officer.

While Mengjun was the main granary, Qingzhou’s Two Dam Mountains also stored significant amounts of grain.

Xuzhou and Hu prefecture relied on Mengjun for supplies.

Grain transportation might seem minor, but it was crucial.

Previously, Chu Chengji had seized Mengjun, cutting off the Chen army’s grain supply, which had slowed their offensive.

Song Heqing first recommended Yang Yi. “I believe General Yang is suitable for this role. Previously, when His Highness intercepted grain shipments from Mengjun intended for the Chen army, it was General Yang who led the retrieval of that grain to Qingzhou. General Yang has experience in grain transport and is more suitable than other generals.”

Yang Yi, a veteran in the camp, had previously managed grain transport and helped Qin Zheng set up the “ghost soldiers,” earning merit.

No one objected to this recommendation.

Yang Yi was already in Chu Chengji’s consideration.

Chu Chengji nodded and said, “General Yang will be in charge of escorting the grain to Hu prefecture.”

Yang Yi knelt and thanked him resolutely.

For the grain transport officer in Xuzhou, several names were suggested, but none satisfied Chu Chengji.

Compared to Hu prefecture, Xuzhou was more crucial, with more intersecting roads and a higher risk of ambush.

It needed an experienced veteran to handle the grain transport.

If it weren’t for his concerns about Mengjun, Chu Chengji would have appointed Lin Yao as the grain transport officer for Xuzhou.

Lin Yao, coming from a bandit background, was adept at understanding the terrain and had a sharp mind, making him well-suited for such tasks.

However, the grain transport officer for Xuzhou remained undecided.

In the evening, Qin Zheng mentioned this to Chu Chengji and asked, “I heard that Ah Zhao and General Dong both volunteered for the grain transport task.

Given Ah Zhao’s lack of experience in the military, it’s understandable that the soldiers might not respect her authority.

But why did you also refuse General Dong, who is skilled both in literature and martial arts, and familiar with Xuzhou since his father used to guard it?”

Chu Chengji, looking at the map on the table, his prominent nose casting a handsome shadow under the candlelight, replied, “There are few generals in our army skilled in naval warfare. Dong Cheng served in the Honghai navy.

When the Chen army launched their night raid, I tested him and found him to be a promising talent. The newly formed navy will need his management.”

The navy Chu Chengji established had just begun to take shape.

The Chen army intended to use the same tactics Chu Chengji had used to capture Qingzhou against them, frequently harassing their defenses along the river.

Unbeknownst to them, Chu Chengji used these incursions to train his navy’s swift boats and hawk ships in river combat.

With these skirmishes as practice, the navy’s training progressed rapidly, thanks to the Chen army’s unintentional assistance.

With Dong Cheng’s role settled, the appointment of the grain transport officer for Xuzhou became even more challenging.

Qin Zheng went through the recommendations provided by the advisors, but none stood out.

Seeing her frown, Chu Chengji reassured her, “If we truly can’t find anyone suitable, I can call Lin Yao back.”

Qin Zheng nodded, then opened a document related to daily affairs, specifically about how to deal with Han Xiu.

She remarked, “The Crown Prince’s actions were quite ruthless, directly divorcing the Han family’s daughter. Using Han Xiu to exchange for Wucheng is now impossible.”

Hearing “Han Xiu,” Chu Chengji paused his gaze on the map. “Han Xiu…”

Qin Zheng handed him the document, “Take a look and decide how to handle it.”

Chu Chengji reviewed the document.

Han Xiu, once a respected official, had fallen from grace due to his affiliation with the Crown Prince.

Now, his fate hung in the balance.

Chu Chengji pondered, recognizing an opportunity. “Han Xiu knows the routes and logistics well. He could be the answer to our problem in Xuzhou.”

Qin Zheng raised an eyebrow, “You mean appoint Han Xiu as the grain transport officer?”

Chu Chengji nodded, “Yes, he has the experience and knowledge of the terrain.

Despite his current disgrace, his skills are invaluable. We could offer him a chance to redeem himself.”

Qin Zheng considered this, “It might work. If he proves loyal and effective, it could benefit us greatly.”

With this new plan, Chu Chengji prepared to summon Han Xiu, offering him a path to redemption while securing the crucial task of grain transport for Xuzhou.

Chu Chengji glanced at the document and said, “The grain transportation envoy for Xuzhou has been selected.”

Qin Zheng was slightly surprised, then quickly understood. “You want to employ Han Xiu?”

Chu Chengji lightly tapped his finger on the document, his long eyelashes partially blocking the candlelight, his eyes as black as ink. “Have someone bring Han Xiu’s family here.”

He stated it so clearly that Qin Zheng instantly understood.

Seeing Han Xiu defeated and abandoned by the Crown Prince, who even divorced his daughter and blamed Han Family entirely for the military failure,

If they helped Han’s family now, it was inevitable that Han Xiu would switch sides.

Persuading those who are easily influenced, like Cai Hanchi, to act was effective.

Persuading a loyal servant like Han Xiu required someone like Song Heqing to speak directly.

Han Xiu had long anticipated an unfortunate end after the military defeat.

Detained in prison for over a month, the Chu army had not caused him much humiliation, but news of his daughter divorce from the Crown Prince deeply pained him, leaving him unable to eat for days.

Initially seeing the downfall of Chu and being offered an olive branch by the Crown Prince, he had married his daughter off, hoping for a better future, but instead, he had handed her over to a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Han Xiu regretted deeply, feeling that it was all his karma.

If not for his concern for his family back home, he would have preferred to die in prison.

At this moment, the only way out seemed to be to surrender to Chu.

But just the thought made him feel ashamed; what difference was there between him and those who sought power and position?

In this inner struggle, the door of the prison finally opened.

Seeing that it was Song Heqing who had come, Han Xiu knew his chance had come.

He had intended to pledge loyalty voluntarily, but upon hearing from Song Heqing that Chu Chengji intended to use him and had ordered his family to be brought to Qingzhou, Han Xiu, a proud man, couldn’t help but shed tears.

“I, Han Xiu… apologize to His Highness, and to the great Chu.”

He couldn’t rise from his knees in the prison cell.

Song Heqing sighed. “His Highness values talent. General Han, it’s not too late to turn back now.”

Han Xiu, his eyes reddened, declared, “From now on, my life belongs to His Highness. Through fire and water, I, Han Xiu, will not hesitate!”

Han Xiu’s allegiance not only resolved the vacancy in the grain transportation official position in Xuzhou but also dampened the morale of the Chen army.

While the situation in the south was under control, surprising both Qin Zheng and Chu Chengji was the situation in the north.

In previous years, the Northern Barbarians only launched attacks on the Chu border after the onset of winter.

But this year, they had started their offensive early, even before autumn had fully set in.

Having captured the Hexi Corridor previously, this time they launched a joint attack on Beiting from the Hexi Corridor and Qiuli Pass.

Even the renowned ten thousand iron cavalry under the command of the Marquis of Qin found it difficult to withstand.

At this moment, Li Xin was leading his troops north, under the pretext of aiding the Marquis of Qin in repelling external enemies.

Previously, the common folk had nothing but curses for Li Xin, especially with rumors circulating about his two sons desecrating the tomb of Emperor Wu.

But now, public opinion about Li Xin had shifted positively.

What was once criticism about the Marquis of Qin failing to dispatch troops to aid the four counties of Hexi, resulting in them falling to foreign tribes, had turned into praise for Li Xin’s swift action in assisting Beiting.

He was hailed as a magnanimous ruler, with some even condemning Chu Chengji and his faction for keeping Li Xin in the south, preventing him from providing support to Beiting, thus hindering his efforts.

The previous misdeeds of the Chu royal family were brought up again, but this time, the focus was more on corrupt officials and their oppression of the people.

Emperor Chu Yang had been obsessed with seeking longevity, while the people suffered from droughts and floods, with officials turning a blind eye.

The glory of Great Chu in the past was undeniable, but the hardships faced by the people, especially from the later years, were undeniable as well.

Li Xin’s approach this time was indeed impressive, highlighting the sufferings inflicted upon the people during the late stages of Great Chu, leaving no room for defense.

Qin Jian wanted to fight fire with fire, condemning Li Xin’s uprising in his poetry and articles, accusing him of allowing his soldiers to plunder the common people and commit heinous acts against women.

However, his voice was quickly drowned out by those who praised Li Xin’s noble intentions.

Some even claimed that when Li Xin’s army entered Beiting, they found the locals starving, resorting to eating tree roots and bark.

Li Xin immediately set up tents to distribute porridge, providing relief to the people.

Qin Zheng, having experienced the internet age of the future, couldn’t help but admire Li Xin’s effective counterattack in public opinion.

While the Northern Barbarians attacked the Marquis of Qin, Li Xin sent troops to assist.

Regardless of how much effort he actually exerted, as long as the intellectuals under his command propagated this, Li Xin could trample both the Marquis of Qin and Chu Chengji underfoot in public opinion.

Even if the Marquis of Qin fought bravely while Li Xin watched passively, what the people heard would be that Li Xin, without grudges, led troops to assist the Marquis of Qin, ultimately winning the battle.

As for the Chen army stationed in Jianghuai, if they were attacked and defended themselves, they would be accused of infighting and disregarding the overall situation.

Qin Jian, seething with anger for days, cursed vehemently, but failed to turn the tide of public opinion in favor of Chu Chengji and his faction.

Qin Zheng had some boxes of cooling tea leaves sent to Qin Jian.

She didn’t believe that Li Xin had been preparing for so long just to send troops to help when Beiting was attacked by the Northern Barbarians.

More likely, Li Xin wanted to weaken the Marquis of Qin’s power by letting the Northern Barbarians defeat him, then send troops to assist and subdue Beiting in the process.

If they managed to repel the Northern Barbarians, Li Xin’s halo would shine even brighter.

With his tactics, he could easily portray himself as the second Emperor Wu.

When someone is elevated, their fall is more brutal.

In this battle of public opinion, they didn’t need to do anything else to suppress Li Xin; they just needed to expose his true motives for heading north.

And the only breakthrough was to return to the loss of Liangzhou and why the Marquis of Qin didn’t receive the plea for help from Liangzhou Prefecture.

As long as there was evidence pointing to Li Xin intentionally allowing the loss of Liangzhou, causing Beiting to be sandwiched between the Northern Barbarians, all his self-proclaimed virtues of an emperor would crumble.

In the original text, the female lead found the breakthrough from her father’s deputy general, eventually discovering that it was Li Xin’s trusted general, named Li Zhong, who intentionally let Liangzhou fall.

His explanation for his actions only revealed his resentment towards the female lead’s father’s abilities.

Qin Zheng believed there were still hidden motives behind this.

She sought out Chu Chengji, intending for him to investigate these clues.

However, Chu Chengji furrowed his brow. “Liangzhou was lost, and the entire household of the Prefect of Liangzhou was slaughtered by the Northern Barbarians, not a single survivor.

The deputy general you mentioned also perished. It was Li Zhong, the main general of the Chen army that aided Beiting in this crisis.”