Lin Xiangru finished giving a gift, and after politely speaking, he went straight to the point: "Dao you ask Mr. Tang, when will your country owes me the 230,000 stone of grain to be returned?"

"Give it to you... Of course I will give it to you what I promised. I will order Jian Yong to prepare food, and no less than 230,000 stones!"

Fang Li laughed and invited Lin Xiangru into the hall, and ordered Jian Yong to prepare the food. Lin Xiangru's expression then smiled.

Haha, Fang Li was still in pain. He had no intention of paying back the bad debt. Anyway, promises in troubled times were all empty talk. However, Zhao Yong was not broad-minded. Instead of making him hate him and forming a grudge with Zhao, it would be more cost-effective to give this amount of food.

Otherwise, if you are a little unbearable, you will make a big plan. Moreover, you did agree to Zhao Yong's request for 500,000 s of grain. Since someone came to collect debts, you should not be a deadbeat.

Fortunately, Fang Li just bought Zhai and Ji and the two countries, and Liang State was almost stable and could collect taxes soon. Otherwise, these 230,000 stones would really put some pressure on the Tang Dynasty's economy.

Asking for food is just a way to go. The real purpose of Zhao Yong's sending Lin Xiangru over was actually to get a share of the pie in the battle against Jin. Zhao and Jin are enemies. Not long ago, there was a big battle, and each paid a considerable price. If you don't take advantage of the situation, the whole country of Zhao would not agree, let alone the talented and wise King Wuling of Zhao.

Lin Xiangru asked for the food, then changed into a smile. He was straightforward to the point that Zhao State planned to join forces with Tang and Yan to destroy Jin. Finally, he asked with a smile: "I wonder what Mr. Tang wants to do?"

Fang Li had long guessed the purpose of Lin Xiang's actions. Zhao wanted to get a piece of the pie. Yan and Tang also needed to rely on Zhao's military strength. Otherwise, if they wanted to annex the powerful Jin State, Tang and Yan State alone might not be able to do it.

"Mr. Zhao plans to join forces with Tang and Yan to destroy Jin. Of course I welcome you. I believe that Mr. Yan will be very happy after learning the news."

Lin Xiangru politely said a few words and put forward another purpose: "Daughter of Tang, the three families of Tang, Yan and Zhao have formed an alliance to attack Jin. Should we choose a leader of the alliance so that it can be uploaded and issued, and the orders are prohibited?"

Su Qin had long expected Zhao Yong's conditions, but what's wrong with just a leader of the alliance? Being able to truly gain benefits from the three families and expanding their strength is the king.

Fang Li nodded decisively: "That's natural. I will propose to Mr. Yan as soon as possible that Mr. Zhao will be the leader of the alliance."'

Yan State has lived in the north for a long time, and this time the attack on Jin was to open up a channel to point to the Central Plains. It is pragmatic and Su Qin mediated it. I believe that I would not care too much about the title of this leader.

After receiving Fang Li's affirmative reply, Lin Xiang achieved his goal of doing so, he bid farewell to the Tang monarch and ministers and left Xingyang and returned.

Fang Li admired Lin Xiangru very much, but unfortunately Lin Xiangru's loyalty to Zhao State was deeply rooted, otherwise Fang Li would have really wanted to poach a corner. The Tang State now has a strong army and a strong horse and talent, and what he lacks is this kind of diplomatic talent.

Just as Fang Li was planning to destroy Jin, the edict of Ji Zheng to enthrone Xiong Lu as King of Chu was sent to Yingdu by Deng Zhi.

After receiving the reward, Xiong Lu was overjoyed and praised Fang Li for his civil and military officials in the court as a brother, and he was worthy of being the brotherly ally of his Xiong Lu. He didn't expect that his wish to be the king would finally come true, which is really gratifying!

Although everyone has little respect for the Zhou royal family, the imperial edicts issued by the Zhou emperor are sufficiently valuable.

Xiong Lu ordered people to prepare incense tables according to the ceremony, respectfully took the edict from Deng Zhi, and announced to the civil and military officials in the court with a smile: "From now on, I will be the King of Chu!"

After reading the edict, Xiong Lu summoned all officials to hold a grand ceremony to proclaim kings at the altar, comforting ancestors of all generations. From the Southern Barbarians who were in a corner on the first day of the Zhou Dynasty, the Chu State was finally crowned as kings after the struggle of the monarchs of all generations.

Moreover, he was the only king after Emperor Zhou King Ji Zheng, even Qin and Qi and other two strong men could only look up to him.

The bear couple was full of confidence and pointed his sword at the world. Naturally, the ministers would not wipe out the King of Chu's prosperity at this time, and they all bowed to him: "I am congratulating the king on ascending the throne, and the Great Chu has no boundaries for thousands of years!"

Baili Xi was also among the ministers who were bowing to the head, looking at the proud face of King Xiong Lun of Chu, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

It seems that the Baili family was still fulfilling their duties and loyalty to the State of Yu, but now, the State of Yu has disappeared. The rebellious disciple in his heart has formed an alliance with the lord he is now loyal to, and he helped Xiong Lu to the throne of King Chu.

However, if Fang Li was sincere to Xiong Mun, Baili Xi could not convince himself that he still remembered the loyalty to the people of Yu when Fang Li was just a small disciple. He was a person who regarded acting as a common occurrence.

In the midst of joy, the doctor Qu Yuan's calm expression seemed extra conspicuous. The Xiong Mu couldn't help asking: "I am not happy to be the king?"

"I am naturally happy."

Qu Yuan gave a deep tribute and said solemnly, "However, whether you are a king or a title, it is nothing more than just a false reputation. Our Great Chu army is still confronting the Qin army. The battle is not good, and the tigers and wolves are looking around. I just want to remind the king that you must not forget it. Moreover, the lord's title of king will inevitably become the target of public criticism. It is particularly clear whether it is a disaster or a blessing now!"

Although what he said was not unreasonable, it was still too disappointing. The bear couple lowered their faces and waved their hand to signal Qu Yuan to retreat, feeling that most of the fun was swept away.

"Since Luoyang is in the hands of Duke Tang, I will feel at ease for the time being."

The bear couple couldn't let go of the imperial edict, and laughed at Deng Zhi who came to read the edict, "That Ji Zheng'er, who relied on the support of Qin, ignored me. Now it's good. It's over to my brothers. Let's see what tricks he can do."

After the joy, Xiong Lu ordered Xiang Yan and others on the front line to find an opportunity to put pressure on the Qin army. Although he was not very interested in attacking Jin, since Fang Li was loyal and the Qin army was defeated by Hangu, the morale of the morale was weakened. At this time, the attack was killing two birds with one stone. Why not do it?

In addition to the original Yu and Guo, the Tang Kingdom has also obtained the land around Liang, Luoyang, and the newly established Yanzhou. The strength has been expanded several times, the people have tended to be four million, and the troops have also expanded to more than 350,000.

Except for Zhou Yu's army that should not be moved lightly on the front line of Qin and Chu, Fang Li ordered Cao Cao to leave 10,000 troops to station Liang State, lead 40,000 troops, and re-destruct the 10,000 prisoners of Ji State after being incorporated, a total of 50,000 troops, claiming to be 100,000 to set out from Shaoliang City, and use Zhang Liao as the vanguard to cross the Yellow River from west to east, and take down Qingyuan Zhiquwo.

The Xusheng Huanggai naval army entered the Fen River through the Yellow River, firmly curbed the necessary path for the Taiyuan reinforcements and divided the entire Jin State into two.

Fang Li led the newly recruited 30,000 new troops, equipped with newly built 500 catapults and 3,000 yuan garrison crossbows, with Lu Bu and Ma Chao as the vanguard. After a brief rest through Chi Yang, he went north to join Cao Cao's army.

At the same time, Zhao Yong appointed veteran Lian Po as the commander, and ordered Pang Yuan, Le Sheng and other military generals to assist him, leading 100,000 elite troops from Handan, crossing the mountains and ridges to point at Jincheng.

The Yan State took Le Yi as its commander and led 100,000 elite soldiers to Jinzhong and Taiyuan to form a four-sided encirclement against Jin State, intending to take the entire northern part of Jin State.

For a time, Jin State was surrounded by enemies, and enemy troops were invaded by the east, west, south and north. Qin State was entangled by the Chu army and could not move. Wei State watched the fire from the other side of the river and did not help anyone. Gui Zhu was so anxious that he was worried, asking around for advice but didn't know what to do.

It was not until this time that Gui Zhu thought of Chong'erlai who was driven away by him. His son was both civil and military, and he was always resourceful. If he were there, Jin would not have fallen into such a crisis.

Let’s talk about Fang Li’s route first. After Chiyang took a break, Fang Li led his army north to enter the territory of Jin State, and his troops were at the southern part of the capital Quwo, under the city of Anyi.

Although Ju Yi, who was guarding Chi Yang, repeatedly asked to join the army that destroyed Jin, he was still pushed back by Fang Li with kind words. No, Chi Yang and Jiang Pass are the gateways of the Tang Kingdom, and there must be reliable people guarding them to prevent the Jin army from jumping over the wall and trying to bring the Tang Kingdom into a defeat.

Anyi is the only place to go north to attack Quwo. Once it is broken, it will be unobstructed to the north. Therefore, there are heavy troops there. The guardian of Anyi is named Jia Hua, and he is the proud disciple of the great general Xian Zhen. He has a steady personality and is good at defending the city. He is trusted and highly valued by Guiju.

After Jia Hua took office, he put a lot of effort into the city defense of Anyi. First, he raised the city wall, with the outer wall as high as nine feet high. The wall was cast by the best craftsmen in Jin State with blue bricks, and it was almost impossible to climb. There were urns for defense outside the four gates in the east, west, south and north. When the enemy invaded, the urns were closed and the fragile city gates were not exposed.

In addition, Jia Hua selected 5,000 powerful soldiers, and everyone could pull a 100-pound bow. The siege often had more than half of the damage before hitting the city wall and was unable to fight again.

With such a complete defense system, Gui Zhu was very relieved about Anyi and transferred most of his troops to the east and west sides to resist Cao Cao's army and the Zhao army of the world-famous enemy.

When Fang Li and others arrived at the city of Anyi, they saw this impeccable city defense.

After losing thousands of people in an tentative attack, Fang Li ordered people to camp on the spot and summoned Lu Bu, Ma Chao and others to discuss countermeasures.

Ma Chao had just retreated from the battlefield, and at this time he still felt scared when talking about the 5,000-pound large bow of the Anyi defender: "Lord, it's not that I, Ma Chao, is it that I am afraid of fighting. If I don't find a way to curb the enemy's archers, our army will not be able to get close to the city wall at all."
Chapter completed!