Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chapter 163 Question!

Chu Ning set goals for the next period of time.

The first is to recruit soldiers and expand one's own confidants.

The second is to capture the four cities currently occupied by the Zhao army and drive the Zhao army out completely.

Although the Zhao army still had 100,000 men at this moment, they had lost their commander and their morale was low, so they could not be a match for the Chu army.

The four occupied cities will soon be recovered!

Of course, the great victory of this battle had to be reported to the imperial court.

He is now waiting for the court to reward him.

As for going back...

There are no plans for this at the moment.

Wouldn't it be better to stay in Dingxiang City and grow up slowly? You will have to suffer if you go back.

Besides, there is a big drama going on in Kyoto City. Wouldn't it be better to go back and marry Shen Wanying after the drama is over?

The most important thing is to take complete control of Bingzhou in your own hands during this period of time when the good news is being released!

Calculating the time, the five county governors can all arrive within three days after receiving the news!

Things turned out just as Chu Ning had expected. Three days later, the governors of the five counties were shocked when they received the news of the great victory in Dingxiang City, and they all rushed over.

On this day, the quiet City Lord's Mansion welcomed guests.

Led by Liu Shouren, the five prefects came to the living room.

"Lord Liu, you and I have known each other for decades. Tell me the truth. Was it really the Prince of Penglai who commanded this battle?"

While Chu Ning had not yet appeared, a thin old man in his fifties, wearing official uniform, took the initiative to ask.

This man's name is Zhang Xuan, and he is the prefect of Xihe County.

Liu Shouren laughed: "Master Zhang, I was just like you at the beginning, I had doubts, but I saw this battle with my own eyes, how could it be fake?"

Zhang Xuan's face changed slightly, and he whispered: "I heard that the Prince of Penglai is the son left by His Majesty among the people. I wonder why the Prince of Penglai is so powerful?"

Liu Shouren raised his eyebrows at this, and a look of displeasure appeared on his face: "Master Zhang, you can't say this in front of His Highness, otherwise I can't protect you!"

With your highness's temper, he will definitely be angry if he hears this. I don't want to be punished for no reason.

Having seen how powerful Chu Ning was, Liu Shouren became extra careful in what he said and did.

But just as he finished speaking, the tall, middle-aged, bearded man on the left sneered, "Master Zhang is telling the truth. Why, can't we discuss this matter?"

After these words were spoken, Liu Shouren's face looked a little ugly.

This person is Du Yuanji, the governor of Shangjun, who is from the prince's lineage.

Now that Prince Penglai has achieved a great victory, this person is naturally resentful.

"Lord Du, we are all subordinates. It is a crime of disrespect to discuss His Highness' affairs without permission!"

Liu Shouren said gloomily: "Even if you have a good relationship with the prince, if you anger His Highness, the consequences will be unpredictable."

Du Yuanji stroked his long beard and sneered, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

It was pure luck that Chu Ning won this battle!

How could I take him seriously as just an illegitimate child?

While he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a voice coming from the side hall: "Your Highness has arrived!"

The six people bowed and saluted: "Your subordinates pay their respects to Your Highness!"

Chu Ning glanced at the six people and his gaze lingered on the five county governors for a moment.

At this time, Liu Shouren took the initiative to introduce with a smile: "Your Highness, this is the governor of Xihe County, Lord Zhang Xuan."

Zhang Xuan quickly saluted Chu Ning again.

Then, Liu Shouren pointed to a thin, elegant-looking middle-aged man and said, "This is Lord Lu Xiuwen, the governor of Wuyuan County."

Lu Xiuwen imitated Zhang Xuan's appearance and bowed to Chu Ning.

Then, Liu Shouren looked at Du Yuanji who was sitting opposite him and introduced him: "This is Lord Du Yuanji, the governor of Shangjun."

Du Yuanji glanced at Chu Ning and casually bowed as a greeting.

Chu Ning remained calm, but looked at the man carefully.

Liu Shouren once said that this person was from the prince's lineage.

Now it seems that this person is indeed resistant to me. Judging from the situation, he is likely to cause trouble today!

While thinking, Liu Shouren pointed at the other two middle-aged men and said with a smile: "These two are Yunzhong Governor Yun Jianye and Shangdang County Governor Wen Kaicheng."

Both men were over fifty years old. One had a big belly and looked wealthy, while the other had a pale face and coughed from time to time.

After Liu Shouren introduced them, the two of them bowed to Chu Ning one after another, and their attitude was quite proper.

Chu Ning took in all the actions of the five people and already had an idea in his mind.

The other four were easy to deal with, except Du Yuanji, who was the prince's man. If he wanted to completely control Bingzhou, this man would definitely be a stumbling block.

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes and immediately had an idea in his mind.

"Thank you for your hard work in coming here from afar, my five lords. Please sit down and talk. Come, bring the tea!"

As soon as Chu Ning gave an order, a maid came forward with the tea that had been brewed long ago. Instantly, the aroma of tea filled the air, making people feel relaxed and happy.

The five governors didn't know why Chu Ning asked them to come here. Seeing this, they looked at each other and could only sit down and drink tea first.

For a moment, the living room fell silent.

After a while, Liu Shouren took the lead in breaking the deadlock and said with a smile: "My five lords, your highness was extremely brave in this battle. Not only did he repel the 300,000-man army, but he also killed the enemy commander Murong Zhu!"

After a pause, Liu Shouren's face straightened and he said in a deep voice: "However, our army lost more than half of its troops in this battle, and now we only have 60,000 soldiers.

In order to prevent the enemy from making a comeback, Your Highness is preparing to recruit soldiers and horses, and at the same time transfer all the remaining soldiers from the five counties to this place for training. Please cooperate with me, my five lords."

After hearing this, everyone realized that Chu Ning was planning to take over the few county soldiers in their hands!

Du Yuanji's face darkened, and he was the first to stand up and object: "Your Highness, the five counties have contributed a lot in this battle, and most of the county soldiers have been transferred here. Your Highness, if you don't want to return them to us, why do you still need to mobilize the remaining county soldiers here?

Once there is no county soldier guarding the five counties, if there is chaos among the people below, who will suppress it and who will be responsible?

As for recruiting soldiers, the Zhao army has extorted a lot of money from the five counties during this period of time, and I am afraid that we cannot give Your Highness too much support.

There is no need to think about recruiting able-bodied men. The Zhao army killed many people during the five counties. If they recruit able-bodied men now, who will do the farming after the new year?"

As expected of someone who has been in officialdom, he exudes the aura of a superior the moment he opens his mouth.

It was as if Chu Ning was his subordinate and he was not afraid of Chu Ning's identity as Prince Chu Ning at all!

Chu Ning looked at Du Yuanji with indifference. After he finished speaking, he picked up the tea and took a sip.

At this time, Liu Shouren reprimanded Du Yuanji with a sullen face: "Master Du, how can you be rude to His Highness?"

"rude?"

Du Yuanji bowed to Chu Ning with a serious face and said, "I dare not be rude to Your Highness. I am just discussing the matter at hand. I have no intention of targeting Your Highness!"

Chu Ning raised his lips slightly, but a cold light flashed in his eyes. He looked at the other four county governors and asked calmly:

"Do the four adults think the same as Lord Du?"