Before the foreigner could finish listening to the official's briefing, a messenger came outside the door to ask the young master to set off for Wushi City. The stranger had no choice but to come out, board the car and leave the city. Li Chong stood in the car in front and loudly introduced the situation of the confrontation between Zhao and Qin. At present, the two sides are in peace, each maintaining their own realm and not interfering with each other. The stranger saw the Qin army's camp from a distance. It was heavily fortified and the weapons on the wall flashed with light from time to time. The Zhao army on the other side of the river looked much more relaxed, but judging from the mountains of stones in the city, they were also preparing for a big battle.
Wushi City, also known as Hanshi City, is the originator of Handan City. Three hundred years ago, there was only one city called Wushi in Handan, just like there was only one small city in Qifeng around Daliang. The State of Wei built the beams along the Jishui River, while the State of Zhao built the city of Handan between Fu and Ming. This Wu clan, like Qifeng, became a small town on the edge of Handan City. Due to the important position of Wu'an, the fertile land, and the large number of residents, Zhao actually had five cities in this area, forming a war system that could both support each other and fight independently, effectively guarding Handan at the foot of the mountain. Ten years ago, Hu Yang led his elite troops to suddenly come down from Yanyu and caught Zhao State by surprise. He captured two of the five cities, but was unable to continue the attack, so he ate locally. Now that Wang Hao was taking advantage of the remaining power of Changping's victory, he came down from Shangdang. Zhao State had already been prepared. After Wang Hao broke through the Pi Lao Pass and broke into Wu'an, he was restricted to a corner of Wu'an and had to eat locally.
It has been a month since Wang Hao protruded out of the valley and entered the plains. In the past month, Wang Hao and the Wu'an garrison lived in peace and harmony without disturbing each other. They also purchased a large number of iron farm tools from the iron industry in the south and shipped them to Shangdang. Wang Ling received this batch of iron tools, which greatly accelerated the progress of repairing Shangdang's countryside. Over the past month, more than a hundred pieces of ironware have been shipped to Shangdang every day, and the total number has reached more than 3,000 pieces; and the salt obtained from Shangdang has also amounted to thirty carts and seven to eight hundred stones. Around the New Year, the price of salt inside and outside Handan was stable, and more and more people were curing meat and fish, especially the people in Wu'an. They did not suffer from the war, but benefited from trade.
During this month, Pi Wan led 10,000 prisoners to build roads in Shangdang, connecting the five places of Shangdang, Changzi, Tunliu, Lucheng, Xiangyuan and Gaodu. Now these five places can drive to each other. Go horse. Wang Ling used the salt from Anyi to exchange a lot of necessary materials from Fukou. What Shangdang lacked most now was manpower. He wrote to Xianyang many times, hoping that the war with Zhao could be resolved as soon as possible and that the soldiers in the two places could return to Shangdang as soon as possible to prepare for spring plowing. There were a few light snowfalls here, nourishing this traumatized land. There were once hundreds of thousands of people in the small area of Changping, and their excrement became good fertilizer for fertile fields. When Shangjun and Beidi returned, they left behind all the sick and injured animals. Although these animals lacked strength, they were still fertile, and within a month, more than a dozen of them were pregnant.
But as spring approached, Wang Lu felt a little worried about the protracted war. He knew that he was no longer able to break into the outskirts of Handan. Over the past month, he had a clear understanding of his position. Zhao Jun currently restricted him to a corner of Wu'an. This was a clever strategy. In addition to avoiding casualties and property losses In addition, it also made the Qin army harmless, and even became a factor in promoting the economic prosperity of Zhao State. The trade route from Fukou to Shangdang became active again. But he had to wait for Xianyang's final order.
Wang Lu was very surprised to hear that the stranger had arrived in Wu'an, and he immediately sent a hundred veterans to escort him. These people were all knights in Guanzhong, and even some high officials. After the stranger arrived at Wushi, Li Chong did not let him cross the river to find Wang Lu. Instead, he sent an envoy himself to invite Wang Lu to meet him on the shore. Wang Lu simply refused and asked to see the stranger first. Li Chong seems to be a harmless young man, but for some reason, he firmly refuses Wang Lu to meet with strangers. He sent people over several times to explain, saying that the foreigners arrived only for the Qin army to retreat, and that there was no difference between living in the Wu clan and living in the Qin camp, etc., but he would not let the foreigners out; Wang Hao wanted to send people to see the foreigners. , was also rejected by Li Chong. Wang Lu felt that something was wrong, so he sent spies to inquire about the situation in the city, but found no abnormal movement in the city, and none of the 100 soldiers sent came back: If something happens to the stranger, it is impossible for all of these 100 soldiers to be killed quietly. Yes, there will always be someone who breaks out and even turns the city into chaos. Wang Hao didn't dare to act rashly, so he could only delay like this.
Five days have passed in the blink of an eye, and the first month has arrived. Li Chong sent people to bring wine, pickled meat, and pickled fish to celebrate with the Qin army, and invited the generals of the Qin army to gather in Wushi City. Wang Lu also wanted to send someone into the city to find out what was going on, so he sent a fifth doctor with several doctors and 500 soldiers into the city. Five hundred soldiers were left outside the city and entertained with good food and drink. Five doctors and several other officials were welcomed into the city. They returned late in the evening and reported that they had seen a stranger at the banquet. He looked fine and was still in his bed. After sitting at the table for a while, he expressed his condolences to them, but said nothing about the peace talks. Wang Lu felt a little relieved. He distributed the wine and meat sent by Li Chong to various cities so that the soldiers and the people could celebrate together.
The next day, an unexpected guest arrived in Wang Gang's camp: Ke Qing Meng Ao. When Wang Hao saw Meng Ao entering the camp in person, he knew that something big was going on. He hurriedly welcomed him into the tent, drove everyone away, and pulled Meng Ao away. He said, "Meng Ao is here in person, and you will definitely be able to teach me!"
After Meng Ao led the Northern Army to Shaanxi County, he was ordered to follow the King of Qin into Xianyang. After that, Meng Ao knew very well how Su Li, Zhao Hao and envoys from various countries visited Xianyang; he also participated in the deliberations of Zhang Lu and other ministers. This time, he was sent out of Xianyang again, joined Shangdang, and assisted in the withdrawal of the Qin army in Wu'an. Seeing Wang Lu asking about it, Meng Ao said: "I follow the king's teachings and listen to orders in front of the general's tent. I will return to the party."
Wang Lu said excitedly: "Wang Hejiao?"
Meng Ao said: "Zhao offered six cities for peace, and the king had no other objections. Now the young master has entered Handan with a stranger, and the Pingyuan Lord is still on the way, fearing that there will be changes. Therefore, I ordered the minister to report to the general, and the Pingyuan Lord will also enter. Hangu, we have to retreat."
Wang Lu said: "I also blame the people of Zhao. Since the young master came and a stranger came, why did he confine himself to the city of the five clans, for fear of other plots."
Meng Ao said: "I came out of Xianyang and heard that the young master came to Wu'an with a stranger. What can I do now?"
Five days later, Wang Lu sent military envoys to ask across the river to discuss the withdrawal of troops. He insisted that the young master Yiren must enter the camp before he could cross the river, and he explained everything one by one. Meng Ao said: "The general's actions are very in line with the king's wishes. The general is really wise! What is the purpose of that army?"
Wang Lu said: "I heard that yesterday was the New Year of Zhao. Zhao sent an envoy to invite us to Wushi City. I went there with five senior officials and ten senior officials. I also gave them wine and meat, and we all moved to the countryside to have fun with the people."
Meng Ao calculated in his mind and said: "It may be the first day of the first lunar month, which is the new calendar of Zhao Dynasty. His words are true."
Wang Lu said: "The five officials said that they met a stranger's son at the banquet. The master also went to the banquet to have a banquet and expressed his condolences. However, there was no word about the affairs of the two armies."
Meng Ao said: "Young Master Yiren is a very human being, so he must be affectionate. Since the general insists on inviting the young master to be a foreigner, but Zhao does not agree, he may have other plans. I would like to hold on to him, and he will wait for the return of the young master, so he can discuss it with you. . When the time comes, I am willing to obey!"
Wang Lu said: "I want your help, but I don't dare to ask you to listen! Where is Mr. Pingyuan?"
Meng Ao said: "When I came out, I heard the song coming from the other side. I had a banquet with people every day, which is not a little urgent. It has been five days and I haven't received any reward."
Wang He said: "If he insists on staying with me, it will be like Wu'an, what can I do?"
Meng Ao said: "Not yet. In the important place of Wu'an, near Handan on the left, if there is a change, the ancestral temple will be uneasy. They will want to leave quickly. However, those who are slow may have other plans."
Wang He said: "What's the plan?"
Meng Ao said: "The prime minister's office also has no way of knowing. What's scary is that he secretly recruited a large army to trap all our troops in order to avenge Changping's hatred. However, the city of Handan was quiet as usual, and there was no sign of a gathering of troops. Maybe you want to know. Offering six cities and keeping them secret is not what a big country would do, so what is the benefit? My benefit lies in running the Shangdang. If we win Zhao and do not offend the Shangdang, Handan will definitely be defeated in three years!"
Wang Lu was interested, so he sent people to the area around Fukou behind the mountain to find out where Lord Pingyuan had gone. By night, the spies had found out that Mr. Pingyuan had entered Luoyang about two days ago. Meng Ao judged that in just these two days, Li Chong might let someone come over, because Lord Pingyuan was about to enter Hangu Pass. Wang Hao had serious discussions with Meng Ao on some negotiation details. Because the six cities that Zhao wanted to donate included Wu'an's cities, Meng Ao suggested that Wang Luo ask Zhao for Wu'an's cities, such as Pi Lao.
Sure enough, two days later, Li Chong sent an envoy to report that General Zhao sent the young master Yiren across the river to meet Wang Lu. Wang Hao and Li Chong made an appointment to take over at noon.
Wang Hao immediately called the five officials and arranged for 500 people to come out of the camp and form a formation to welcome him. At the same time, he was prepared to deal with unexpected changes, and he also wanted to make sure that Zhao Jun would not see anything unusual from the outside. The fifth doctor first ordered one battalion to form a formation on the river bank, and then ordered the second battalion to form a formation behind the barrier. The remaining battalions entered the houses, prepared for battle, and waited for the order to rush out together.
The arrangements were made, and the drums were already beating over there. Wang Hao immediately straightened his clothes and stood under the gate. The five officials and ministers stood beside him, while Meng Ao shadowed behind the soldiers.
After the three drums were played, a battalion of soldiers emerged from the city gate and formed an array on the river bank. Although it was not hostile, they still held strings and halberds. After the Zhao army came out of the city and formed their formation, the figures of Young Master Yiren, Li Chong and Li Ji appeared at the city gate, followed by Yiren's entourage and a hundred veterans. The three of them came to the shore. Li Chong cupped his hands and said to the other side: "I have long admired the young master, and wish we could get together day and night. But the general asked me repeatedly, but I couldn't get my wish."
Wang Lu said: "I dare not forget the virtues of the Wu'an Order. I hope it will be remembered in the future!"
Li Chong laughed, bowed and asked the stranger to get into the car. The best man led the horse and waded through the water carefully. One hundred veterans and entourage were all around to protect them, and they also waded through the water. Finally, the carriage was also pulled across the river, and the straw on the carriage had already been replaced with new ones. As soon as the chariot entered the gate, Wang Hao immediately withdrew his troops, closed the gate, and the three battalions in formation immediately put out warnings. At the same time, the five senior officials issued orders, the alarm was lifted, and all soldiers returned to their camps.
