After all, Shen Yinshu is the great-grandson of King Zhuang of Chu, a descendant of the Miao people of the Chu State, and a famous general with outstanding military achievements. He is quite famous in the Chu State and has a very good relationship with people!
In addition, Shen Zhuliang himself was a young man who became famous at a young age and was a talented person who was highly regarded by the people of Chu.
So Meng Ying thought about it over and over, and after weighing the pros and cons, she still decided not to hold Shen Zhuliang accountable, and not to pursue the crime of Shen Yinsu for the loss of troops and humiliation of the country!
The coffin containing Shen Yinshu's body, which was sent by the people of Wu, had also been hastily buried outside the capital.
"Shen Zhuliang requested to send reinforcements to Qianyi in order to defeat the invading Wu army. Do you agree?"
Meng Ying did not choose to make the decision on her own, but instead asked a group of ministers and officials to discuss the matter together.
Upon hearing this, the ministers under the throne began to whisper to each other.
Soon, Ling Yin Nang Wa was the first to step forward and said, "Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I think we should not start a war any more. We should reinforce Qianyi. Qianyi has several thousand soldiers and horses, and they are well-trained and well-fed. They are enough to defend Qianyi!"
"And Shen Zhuliang proposed to increase the number of troops. In such a short time, how many troops can Chu have to reinforce Qianyi?"
"The Wu army is brutal and cannot be defeated for the time being. His father Shen Yinshu led 80,000 people but was defeated in Wu territory. What about Shen Zhuliang? It is not easy for him to hold on to Qianyi. Why is he so greedy for merit and rushing forward?"
After a pause, Nang Wa continued, "Besides, the Wu army failed to capture Qianyi, so they must be exhausted and weak, and retreat on their own. Why should our Chu State lose soldiers and generals and add mourning clothes ?"
"Does Ling Yin want Chu to give up Shudi and the cities along the river?"
Zi Xi was very dissatisfied with Nang Wa's proposal.
"That's not the case."
Nang Wa shook his head and said, "I just think that the State of Chu must not be too eager for quick success! The Wu army has been attacking Qianyi for a long time and has been unable to capture it. When they are at their wits' end, they will collapse without a fight. How can they gain a foothold in Shudi?"
"When the time is right, our Chu State will gather a large army, defeat the Wu army in one fell swoop, and recover the lost territory. Isn't that wonderful?"
Upon hearing this, the ministers and officials in the court could not help but nod their heads slightly to show their agreement.
It would be best if you could defeat the enemy without fighting!
It would be great if it could minimize the casualties of the Chu army and reduce the losses of the Chu state in the war!
After all, whenever the State of Chu went to war, feudal lords from all over the country would dispatch troops, food, fodder and supplies to respond to the call of the King of Chu.
Everyone can contribute money, and some can contribute people!
If they win, it will be fine. But if they lose, the feudal lords’ troops, horses, money and food will be wasted, and they will not get any benefit at all.
How can they do such a thankless task?
"What Ling Yin said is a big mistake!"
Zi Xi glared and scolded: "Don't you know that speed is of the essence in war? The opportunity for war is fleeting! If we don't take advantage of the moment when the Wu army is at its weakest, we should wipe out the invading enemy in one fell swoop."
"If Wu sends more reinforcements in the future, Chu and Wu will fight to the death. How will Chu cope with the situation?"
"Mr. Shen, what you said is wrong!"
Nang Wa sneered and said, "Chu is a big country, a hegemonic country. Even if it lost 80,000 soldiers, how can it be compared with the mere Wu State?"
"The Wu army that is attacking Chu is only weak, but still full of fighting spirit. But Lord Shen is instigating the king and Queen Mother to mobilize all the troops in the country to fight , causing the soldiers to bleed and die in vain. What's the reason?"
"you!"
Zi Xi said bitterly, "Ling Yin, the national strength of Chu and Wu is naturally incomparable. However, the Wu army is fierce and has fought against our Chu army for many years. They often defeat the larger force with a smaller force, and win more than they lose. How can we not be concerned?"
"Your Majesty, Queen Mother!"
Zi Xi turned around again and bowed to Xiong Zhen and Meng Ying on the steps, saying: "I have already found out that the Wu army that attacked Chu has only 20,000 soldiers. Our Chu State, with all its strength, can mobilize at least 100,000 more soldiers and horses!"
"Of course, we don't need 100,000. I believe that with Shen Zhuliang's ability, sending more than 10,000 people can also delay the Wu army, and even defeat the Wu army and turn defeat into victory!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Ying couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Compared to Ling Yin Nang Wa, Meng Ying actually prefers to trust Zi Xi!
It’s because Yinxi is a true gentleman and a famous official with the virtuous spirit of ancient times!
Zixi was the illegitimate son of the late King Ping of Chu and the elder brother of Xiong Zhen.
After King Ping of Chu passed away, the Chu ministers led by Nang Wa wanted to support the older Zixi as the King of Chu, but Zixi sternly refused!
Just because he didn't want there to be any more unrest in the State of Chu!
Zi Xi, such a noble and upright person, was undoubtedly extremely prestigious in the eyes of the Chu people.
Therefore, Meng Ying was quite grateful to Zi Xi, and appointed him as Zhuguo and Zuotu, and put him on a par with Lingyin Nang Wa to manage state affairs together.
"snort!"
Nang Wa snorted coldly, stared at Zi Xi and said, "Master Shen, as you said, it is not difficult to send more than 10,000 soldiers to Qianyi. But how can you guarantee that Shen Zhuliang will not be defeated by the Wu army and repeat the mistakes of his father Shen Yinshu?"
"Or, how can you guarantee that Wu will not send more troops?"
Hearing this, Zixi smiled calmly and said, "I believe in Shen Zhuliang's ability. I am willing to vouch for him with my life and property! If Shen Zhuliang fails, I, Xiong Shen, am willing to die to atone for my sin!"
"As for Wu's reinforcements? Absolutely impossible!"
Zi Xi said in a resounding voice: "The Wu army has fought many battles, and the people's livelihood has been devastated. The country's strength has long been drained! Even if King Qingji of Wu is stupid, he can't ignore everything and send more troops to attack Chu!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the ministers and officials nodded their heads.
Nang Wa was also made to stammer and speechless by Zi Xi.
Seeing this, Queen Mother Meng Ying immediately made a decision: "In this case, we will recruit soldiers from the neighboring cities of Juchao, Jifu, and Yingshi to reinforce Qianyi as soon as possible. All the food and supplies consumed in the war will be provided by the government!"
"Kuota is wise!"
Seeing that Meng Ying had made the decision, the ministers immediately expressed their agreement.
At the same time, Qingji, who was far away in Wudu, also received the memorial submitted by Sun Ping, and felt hesitant.
Sun Ping had previously only asked Qingji to send more troops, but now he believed that the Wu army was no longer able to fight, and asked Qingji to withdraw his troops and negotiate peace with the State of Chu!
At this moment, it was really hard for Qingji to accept it.
He locked himself in the Zide Hall for a whole half day, but still could not make up his mind.
As a last resort, Qingji could only summon his three trusted ministers, Ji Zha, Sun Wu and Bo Yan, to the Zide Hall to discuss the matter!
"Your Majesty, withdraw your troops and negotiate peace with the State of Chu!"
Ji Zha sighed and said, "Your Majesty, it is wrong to seek the Chu land west of the Yangtze River at this time. Like Shu, it sometimes sides with Wu and sometimes sides with Chu, wavering. The feudal lords of the land are a group of people who are good at changing their stance according to the situation and are indecisive!"
"If we see the Wu army suffer a defeat, we are afraid that they will turn the tables and attack us, putting us in a difficult situation where we will be attacked from both sides."
"Your Majesty, think twice!"
Ji Zha had always been a peace advocate, so Qingji was not surprised by his proposal.