Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Seven days after the Sui army's fleet departed He Fei, they sailed downstream to Jiang Du, with Zhang Xuan leaving Du Ru Hui in charge. As they passed Jiang Ning County, Zhang Xuan reflected on the challenges of consolidating control over Jiangnan, a region rife with rebellion and recent uprisings. He decided to let rival factions exhaust themselves before intervening. The fleet anchored for the night, and Zhang Xuan reviewed a grain harvest report, noting mixed results across various regions, with Bingzhou showing unexpected bumper crops. Li Qing Ming urgently requested an audience, revealing that Jiang Nan Hui was in dire straits and had sent Shen Jian for help. The situation was critical, with Shen Fa Xing's forces surrounded and starving. Zhang Xuan expressed skepticism about intervening, citing the need to eliminate Jiang Nan Hui as a rival. Shen Jian explained Meng Hai Gong's brutal tactics and the urgency of their plight, leading to a proposal for Jiang Nan Hui to disband and submit to the Northern Sui. Zhang Xuan agreed to help but demanded a letter of submission from the major families in Jiangnan. Shen Jian left to discuss the terms, with Zhang Xuan awaiting news.

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