Winter in Pengcheng.

It was cold and dry, and the cold current that went south from the northern grasslands was fierce. After sweeping across the northern counties, it rushed towards Chu.

When the black-coated horse saw the arrival of its owner, the horse's hooves kicked the ground hard, and neighed with excitement. Xiang Yu pulled the reins of the war horse, and his body jumped up quickly. The red cloak immediately danced.

The Chu Palace, located on the northeast corner of Pengcheng, is located high above, like a bright light guiding the direction. The black-cone horse is heading towards the brightly lit palace buildings.

Under the escort of Xiang Zhuang, Xiang Yu walked forward towards the brightly lit palace buildings. In front of his cousin who was only seven or eight years older, Xiang Zhuang seemed very calm and did not look like he had before.

"How much does this kid finally look?" Xiang Yu's double pupils flashed, and his face showed a look of relief. The Xiang family could not rely on him alone. The ability of Xiangzhuang to grow up is very important to maintain the strength of Western Chu State.

After losing generals such as Long Jue, Ying Bu, Zhonglimei, Xiang Yu needed to train a group of young generals to supplement the army. Xiang Zhuang was one, and Huan Chu, who was seriously injured in Luoyang, was also one.

In the confrontation with Li Yuan, the young people in the Chu army began to learn to stand up and be a real man in the face of setbacks.

Palace gate.

In the quiet night, the lamp emits "puff" fire from time to time

While Xiang Yu was rushing to the Chu Palace, Yu Ji was also paced around the palace gate. The maid next to her had been urged to run outside the palace again and again to inquire if there were any cars and horses coming.

This night was the most important moment in her life. Although she had already handed over to this man wholeheartedly, she still cared whether she would occupy an important position in his heart.

One circle, another circle.

Yu Ji wrung a veil in her uneasy hands, trying to calm her emotions. Today is her happy day, for this day. She has been looking forward to it for a long time and praying in her heart for a long time.

"Madam, here, king, he-!" The maid ran away and was out of breath. When she came to Yu Ji, she stepped on the air and hit the bluestone steps straight on her forehead. A big bag immediately swelled up.

"What's wrong with him, the king?" Yu Ji was startled by the maid and quickly ordered someone to carry the reckless maid up.

"Master, he is not drunk, he is here on horseback." The maid didn't bother to wipe the dust, and showed her tiger teeth at Yu Ji, and smiled knowingly.

"You little girl. Who asked you to inquire about this?" Yu Ji's shameful face turned red. The little maid had a slight understanding of the relationship between men and women. After Yu Ji's instructions, she said it rashly. Fortunately, there were no outsiders around her.

While talking, Xiang Yu's car had already entered the palace gate and saw Yu Ji in front of the door. Xiang Yu's burly body jumped down from the black cone horse.

"Madam, the night cold is heavy, why not wait in the palace?" Xiang Yu showed pity in his double pupils. Although the woman in front of him was only one of the beauties selected from all over the Chu State, she had a gentle temperament and a weak utilitarian mind, which was different from those who were determined to climb up.

"How dare I sleep first before the king returns?" Yu Ji bowed and said.

"Well, I've been waiting for a long time. The guy Zhang Er in the front hall was a lobbyist for Liu Ji and encouraged me to send troops to attack Qin again. I really don't know how to live or die." Xiang Yu sneered and said.

The Changshan King of Zhang Er was originally granted by Xiang Yu. He thought Zhang Er would be grateful, but he didn't expect that it was not the case at all. Zhang Er is obviously considering the problem from Liu Bang's perspective.

Xiang Yu now understands Liu Bang's plan.

Being expelled from Hanzhong by the Qin army all the way was a great humiliation for Liu Bang. It was a pity that the Han army was not strong enough to compete with the Qin army. If the Chu army could fight against the Qin army, both sides would be injured, the Han army, as a third-party force, would be able to benefit.

Together with Qin, if it were a year ago, Xiang Yu would agree without hesitation. At that time, he was concerned about the reputation of the princes. Now, Xiang Yu, who has gradually calmed down, has regarded Li Yuan as the most important opponent in the future, and the result of the Hulao Pass is even more vigilant.

In the face of the powerful Qin Dynasty, any negligence may cause unpredictable disasters.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I have advised you that in this world, if you are kind to others, it may not necessarily be nice to you. If you do something for others, it does not mean that others will definitely be grateful for your efforts." Yu Ji said with a faint expression.

"Madam, this is reasonable. I won't talk about it anymore. Today, the moon and stars are sparse. Let's go to bed early." Xiang Yu hugged Yu Ji and said softly.

"Um!"

Yu Ji whined, and two red clouds appeared on her delicate face. The lights in the dormitory waved on Xiang Yu's sleeve, and only flashed a few times before they were extinguished.

That night, Pengcheng was immersed in a joyful atmosphere. Xiang Yu's wedding was also a day worth celebrating for the people of Chu.

Not long ago, Prime Minister Xiang Tuo had issued a notice that the 30% reduction in grain tax this year was a great news. For the people of Chu who were struggling to survive under heavy taxes, tax cuts were as difficult as the stars in the sky. Xiang Tuo's order suddenly made Yu Ji a well-known figure in Chu.

"If you can live this year, you must thank the king and his wife for their grace." The people in Chu ran around and told each other, overjoyed. After a year of turmoil, a small force in Western Chu was strongly wiped out by Xiang Yu. Now the reduction of taxes has given them a little more hope for their lives.

——.

Even if Chu has three households, if Qin is destroyed, Chu will be destroyed.

Xiang Yu was naturally not a mentally retarded person to be able to make such bold statements when he was a teenager. He was just too proud and dared not bow down and bend over and let himself go.

The appearance of Li Yuan made Xiang Yu find a new goal in a confused look at his opponent.

Chu and Qin.

This old opponent from the Warring States Period continued to move along the path of confrontation.

Compared with the past, the territory of Qin State had not changed much except for occupying the Three Jins, while Western Chu was overturned. After abandoning the Jianghan Plain in Yingdu, the sphere of influence of Western Chu is now mainly in the eastern part of the Chu State, Kuaiji County and Qilu, while Pengcheng is the capital. It is located in the center of each county.

Compared with the Qin State, which is vast and sparsely populated, the places occupied by Western Chu are densely populated. According to the plans of Shusun Tong, Liu Jing and other advisers, the Chu State does not have to be too anxious to confront Qin State directly, but should step by step relying on the population advantage to widen the gap with Qin State bit by bit.

The princes of Kanto tried to unite and resist Qin.

But with their own selfish desires, there are many difficulties and people's desires are always endless. Although the Qin State under Li Yuan showed an aggressive momentum, it could not allow all the princes to work together.

Sima Mao's fall.

In the eyes of all the princes, the more the reason was that he had perished himself. Under the rule of Sima Mao, the people of Hedong County lived in poverty and the refugees were scattered. Fortunately, such a cruel guy was destroyed by Qin. If the Qin army did not fight, the direction of the Hedong army's attack would be very likely to turn to other surrounding princes.

Thinking of this, Wei Bao, Chen Yu, Zhao Xie and other princes were all in a different mood. Unlike Liu Bang and Xiang Yu who were thinking about the world, they cared about their vested interests and the rise of Qin. Will the Qin State sweep over Guandong again like the First Emperor? This question is too broad for the little princes who only want to survive safely every day.

——.

Pengcheng is performing a good show of fighting among the princes.

As the object of being plotted, Li Yuan did not have time to pay attention to the intrigues of various forces in Kanto. His attention was focused on improving the technological advantages of Qin as soon as possible.

Time is endless.

In this snowy winter, Li Yuan's footprints began to step into the Sanjin land that had just been occupied from Guanzhong. Compared with Guanzhong, which was relatively scarce, the most commendable area of ​​Hedong County is the large area of ​​coal resources suitable for simple mining.

Coal was also called black gold in this era.

As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, this black stone was picked up by the Dingling people in Yunzhong County as fuel for heating. Its high ignition point and its easy-to-carry advantage made it quickly regarded by the Dingling people as a precious sacred object given by God.

After the Qin army occupied Hedong County and Yunzhong County, the Dingling people, who were so scared that they were killed, sent envoys to send black gold to express their sincerity in subjugation.

There are very few open-pit mines in the coal field in Shangjun, Guanzhong. Due to the simple mining technology of this era, Li Yuan's previous demands for coal could only be kept in his heart. This time, Ding Ling's envoy not only sent high-quality coal stones, but also said that these things were picked up on a mountain where they lived.

Open-pit mine.

Li Yuan was ecstatic. Compared with underground mining, the mining conditions of open-pit mines were much easier. If enough coal stone could be mined, the problem of low melting point of charcoal craft that had troubled the military for a long time could be solved. Previously, after the mine of Jushui iron ore, due to the ignition point of charcoal, the iron tools made by Qin military forces could only be used as agricultural tools.

After achieving the pinnacle of bronze smelting technology, Qin's military operations have now fallen into a difficult period of technological transformation. If the Qin people, who started one step late in iron smelting technology, had to start the use and attempt of coal, a new energy source.

This time, in addition to Cao Xin and Li Zhongxiang and other personal generals, there were also soldiers who made Sima Yin to go with him.

Hedong is the family of Sima Yin. After the power of King Sima Mao of Yin was uprooted by the Qin army, the Sima family in Hedong quickly changed their shaken position and increased their support for Qin. Sima Yin's return to the east this time was a true return home in the brocade and return home with glory.

Su Jiao, a border general of the Qin army who made great achievements in this war to go south, has been appointed as the governor of Hedong County by Li Yuan. This powerful general who has always been inferior to Wang Li, finally has the opportunity to display his ambitions and preside over the side.

After receiving the news that Li Yuan came to Hedong in person to inspect, Su Jiao rushed to the Puban Ferry to greet him, in order to show his loyalty.

Seeing Su Jiao so tactful, Li Yuan also praised it greatly. The faster the border army integrates, the more effective the Qin army's combat effectiveness can be improved in a short period of time. For Qin, which is about to face the attack of the princes of Guandong, unity and work together are crucial.
Chapter completed!