In the golden harvest season, the State of Zhao mourned: King Zhao died, posthumously named Huiwen! Prince Dan came to the throne. Since the prince was underage, his mother threatened the queen to take charge of the affairs. I worship Lord Pingyuan as my prime minister. But for some unknown reason, the newly enthroned King Zhao did not send envoys to report the funeral to various countries.
In September, Wei Ran, who arrived at the fiefdom, held a grand inauguration ceremony in Tao. After several months of organization, Tao's township gradually took shape. This time, all the elites within ten miles of the surrounding area were gathered and lined up. After Wei Ran offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, he held a military viewing ceremony outside the city; those who Townships that were considered to be well-trained also conducted martial arts performances in different subjects. They were yelled and killed beside the mounds or waterways. Although they were still immature, they were beginning to take shape.
The ceremony lasted three full days before it ended.
Soon it will be the Qin New Year. On the New Year's Day of this year, the King of Qin did not hold a grand banquet for the ministers. Instead, he issued an edict to establish King An as the prince. However, he exempted himself from the routine domestic celebrations and only allowed the prince to go to Yongcheng to pay homage to the late king. The prince left in a hurry and came back in a hurry. Just after the New Year, the King of Qin mourned: the Queen Mother passed away, and her posthumous title was announced!
Although all preparations were made to send troops, everything came to a halt due to the death of the Queen Mother. Qin did not send troops after the Zhongyuan Dynasty. This made countries that closely followed Qin's movements, especially Wei and South Korea, heave a sigh of relief. .
In the first month of the year, King Zhao ascended the throne. Marquis Rang announced that King Zhao had ascended the throne without mourning, and that his accession to the throne was unfair, so he announced a crusade against Zhao. Then more than 10,000 people were mobilized and headed for the border of Zhao. At the same time, King Yan conferred the title of Lord of Gaoyang on Rong Rong, a native of Song, and used the same name to attack Zhao.
The north and south sides were attacked at the same time, and Queen Wei urgently summoned the monarch and ministers for discussion.
Wei Ran entered Tao in a high profile, and after walking on the road for almost a month, Tao Yi held a grand entrance ceremony. Zhao Guo could not have known about it. However, because King Zhao was critically ill and there was no master in the court, all the ministers were undecided, but they did not give up their attention to Tao; the secret relationship between Tao and Yan was also clearly discovered by Zhao Guo. After King Zhao's funeral, Wei Ran once again held a grand enthronement ceremony, which not only offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, but also held military viewings and military exercises. Zhao's monarchs and ministers judged that General Tao had made big moves; but it was generally recognized that he was preparing to attack Qi. , around Tao, Qi's national power was the lowest compared to Zhao, Chu, and Wei, and Gang and Shou captured in the early stage were Qi's land.
However, just after the enthronement ceremony of King Zhao, Marquis Rang unexpectedly announced the attack on Zhao, catching Zhao State off guard! The late king has passed away and the coffin has not yet been buried. The whole country of Zhao is in mourning again. The attention of the border cities is focused on the political situation of Zhao. They are busy dealing with the temporary increase in taxes and duties. How can they prepare for defense? This is when defenses are at their weakest. At this time, Wei Ran and Rong Chen suddenly sent troops from the north and south at the same time. No one believed that there was no conspiracy!
According to Lian Po's opinion, he should first put aside the funeral of the late king and recruit a large army. He and Le Yi would each lead an army and attack on two fronts. Wei Ran and Rong Xian would definitely be defeated. Maybe there would be a chance to break into Tao and Yan and seize them. Several cities. But Empress Wei disagreed and said: "It is impossible to make Wang Ling uneasy with the disease of scabies. I would like to think more about it."
Pingyuan Jun said: "The princes who are on the border with Tao and Yan are all from Qi. If the king's spirit must be safe, I would like to ask Qi's master to help him."
Queen Wei immediately expressed her approval and said: "Zhao and Qi are the countries of marriage. If you beg for help, help will come." Queen Wei was the princess of Qi, and asking Qi for help was exactly what she wanted.
So he sent envoys across the river to visit Qi. It is seven or eight hundred miles from Handan to Linzi, separated by the Yellow River. The envoy sped off on his bicycle and walked for five days before arriving.
However, King Qi Fa Zhang also fell seriously ill.
When Fa Zhang was the crown prince, the Qi State suffered a calamity. Only the two cities of Ju and Jimo were left in Qi. His father, King Min, was sent by the Chu State to reinforce his general. He wailed for three days before dying. The tragedy of destroying the country, the betrayal of the Allied forces and the tragic death of his father left a psychological shadow on the young Fa Zhang. He planned to lie down and become a slave in the house of Taishi Jiao of Qi State. But Miss Taishi had a keen eye for people and had an affair with him. Finally, the people of Qi finally found the prince Fa Zhang and established him as the king of Qi, and Miss Taishi naturally became the queen. What's interesting is that Taishi Jiao was not proud of it. Instead, he believed that it would be a great shame for the family for the young lady to marry without the advice of the matchmaker, and he would not see the queen for the rest of his life.
King Fazhang of Qi, who had suffered many twists and turns, had always been in poor health and was always ailing. The political affairs of Qi were actually managed by the queen, and the people of Qi called her "Queen of the King" - the queen is actually the monarch. After nineteen years of making do with this, King Qi finally couldn't even do superficial work and couldn't afford to fall ill!
The queen invited Tian Dan to consult on relevant matters. He said that because the King of Qi was in poor health, he could not be frightened, and asked Tian Dan to deal with this problem in the calmest way: "Qi is in a terrible calamity, and the King is not in good health. He cannot confront the princes, but should make peace with them!"
Tian Dan was now in his fifties, with gray beard and hair. After hearing what the queen said, she pondered for a moment and said: "Although Qi and Zhao are married, Zhao has repeatedly attacked Qi. When Qin and Yan attack Zhao, I am willing to make a good marriage."
The queen said: "It all depends on Lord Anping's plan!"
In the afternoon, Tian Dan met with the Zhao envoy and told him that Qi and Zhao should help each other in the marriage. "However, big countries have repeatedly attacked the city, and it is difficult for the city to be safe. If you can get the Lord of Chang'an, you will be very lucky!"
The Zhao envoy bargained and said: "The Chang'an Lord is the youngest, and he is very powerful. I would like to ask for his release."
Tian Dan said: "The Lord of Chang'an is the youngest son of Empress Wei and the nephew of the King of Qi. He is the only one who can return to his mother-in-law! I would like the envoy to return early, and I will continue to send envoys to Zhao to form an alliance."
Seeing Tian Dan's resolute attitude, Ambassador Zhao did not dare to delay. He only stayed in Linzi for one day and set off back to Handan the next day. After ten days of going back and forth, the armies of Qin and Yan had already arrived at the city and began to attack. Although the official documents have not yet arrived, the rumors are already spreading!
Pingyuan Jun, Prime Minister of Zhao, received the Zhao envoy. Hearing that Qi wanted Chang'an Jun to be held hostage, he sent troops, so he hurried to the palace to see King Zhao and Queen Wei.
After hearing this, Queen Wei said: "The Lord of Chang'an is young, how can he go there? I would like to make more plans!"
Lord Pingyuan said: "I heard Lord Anping's intention is very decisive, I'm afraid it will be difficult to change it. It will not be easy for Qi to succeed."
Queen Wei said: "No!"
Prince Pingyuan said: "If we lose the help of Qi, I fear that the late king will be uneasy!"
Empress Wei was a little angry and said: "The Lord of Chang'an is in mourning and is not allowed to come back. Don't say anything more."
Lord Pingyuan became angry and surprised when he saw his power, so he had to resign. Find Master Zuo and ask him to go in and persuade him. Zuo Shi in Zhao State has the same meaning as Taishi, Taifu, etc. in other countries. He is the teacher of King Zhao and has a high status, but he does not care about specific affairs. Chulong was already old and had a close relationship with King Zhao's family. He didn't care about anything and had no conflict of interest, so Lord Pingyuan asked him to intercede.
Sure enough, there are some ways to touch the dragon. It is moved by emotion and understood by reason. The three explanations and two explanations actually make sense. According to Chulong's later introduction, the reason why Empress Wei disagreed was that she was worried that Lord Chang'an was just superficial. In fact, she was dissatisfied with her mother's family for being so cruel. Once she calmed down, she was actually reasonable.
Queen Wei agreed, and King Zhao naturally had no objection. Lord Chang'an was indeed young, only ten years old. When he heard that he was going to another country, he was so frightened that he cried. However, with the joint efforts of Zhao's monarchs and ministers, there was no room for him to resist. They used both soft and hard tactics to coax him to follow Lord Pingyuan on the road the next day. Lord Pingyuan decided not to wait for the envoys to arrive and personally escorted Lord Chang'an to Linzi in order to obtain the goods as soon as possible. Qi State aided.
It seemed that God had arranged that Lord Pingyuan and the envoy of Qi met on the bank of the Yellow River; and the envoy of Qi was not alone, and Lord Anping Tian Dan was also in the envoy. The powerful ministers of the two countries actually met in this way!
This was still the land of Zhao, so Lord Pingyuan hosted a banquet for the Qi people in a city. Mr. Pingyuan and Tian were sitting alone in the hall. Everyone else was in the hall, and a tit-for-tat negotiation began!
Lord Pingyuan said: "I dare to send Lord Chang'an back to Linzi. Unexpectedly, Lord Anping came to our town in person, which shows the affection of relatives."
Tian Dan said: "I passed by the city in the past, and it was the same place as Gaotang in the old days. I feel very sad! Qi and Zhao are allied, and I hope Zhao will return the old things!"
Lord Pingyuan didn't expect Tian Dan to have this idea, and said: "The land of Zhao was created by the efforts of scholars, and it was not stolen from other countries. I don't dare to hear Lord Anping's theory!"
Tian Dan said: "Zhao used his strength to take it, and Qi should use his strength to return it. Now that Qin and Yan have arrived, Qi is willing to help Zhao, and Zhao will give him his homeland. Is that okay?"
Pingyuan Jun said: "What are you talking about? The conquests of Qin and Yan can only be accomplished in small towns on the border, and Gaotang is a land of great wealth. How can it be gained by changing it?"
Tian Dan said: "If Qi is in trouble, it will return to Yan. All the people in our city are willing to destroy it. If Zhao returns to Qi and takes his hometown, Qi is willing to defeat Yan for Zhao."
Lord Pingyuan thought for a while and said: "If Lord Anping can help Zhao and attack Yan, it will be less than half of Gaotang's."
Tian Dan smiled and said: "I don't know that my body is half as tall as the Tang Dynasty. I am old and have not been proud of Qi. If the king of Zhao calls me, I will act like a dog and a horse!"
Mr. Pingyuan didn't expect Tian Dan to agree so happily. In the plan of Zhao's monarchs and ministers, Lord Chang'an entered Linzi as a hostage in exchange for Lord Anping entering Handan. Firstly, he would be a hostage, secondly, the talents would be available, and thirdly, he would be able to cut off one of Qi's arms. It's worth it to exchange an ignorant boy for a veteran with great achievements. I originally thought it would take some trouble, but Tian Dan agreed immediately. It seems that it was already planned before coming. Dialogue between smart people saves effort!
Next, Lord Chang'an continued to go to Linzi, accompanied by envoys Zhao and Qi. Tian Dan and Ping Pingjun stayed on the border to deal with Ranghou's invasion. Tian Dan said confidently: "Marquis Rang is an extraordinary person. But if you show him power, he will definitely go."
After capturing three cities, Marquis Rang discovered that the Qi army was mobilizing this way. Later, the envoys of the State of Qi arrived in Taoyi and apologized to the King of Qin on behalf of the King of Zhao: "The King of Zhao, the nephew of Qi, has offended a great country. I dare not have any grudges. I am willing to bear the money and silk to obey!" Seeing that the State of Qi was supporting the State of Zhao, Marquis Rang also did not hesitate. Not willing to delay the spring plowing, he agreed to Qi's mediation and returned the three captured cities. In exchange for Qi's promise that Tao would never use troops, he withdrew his troops and went back to prepare for spring plowing.
