Ying Zheng ordered the guards outside the Treasure Pavilion to get more charcoal and repair the underground air vents before returning to the secret room.
"Master, I got it back."
Ji Fa took the box, took out the secret book, and patiently explained it to Ying Zheng.
The overall structure of Jiuding, the composition and material of each component, the functions and functions of each mechanism, etc., are all discussed in detail.
The description in the secret book is not detailed. If you read it alone, you will definitely not understand it, especially a layman.
But once someone explains it in detail, it will be clear.
Ying Zheng looked at each component carefully and remembered them firmly in his heart.
It wasn't until evening that Ying Zheng returned to his study. Along the way, he pondered over the structure and principles of Jiuding.
After putting away the secret book, Ying Zheng began to draw the patterns of those components from memory.
Before I knew it, I had lost track of time.
——————
Luoyi City, the Prefect's Mansion.
"Brother, the recent harassment has been quite effective." Zhuge Hui said to Zhuge Teng, "Although it did not damage the Korean army's military strength, it also weakened their morale and caused them a lot of trouble."
Zhuge Teng smiled: "That's not enough. I want them to be frustrated again. It is best to force the King of Han out of Xinzheng. If he is captured directly, it will be easy to capture Xinzheng."
Zhuge Hui smiled bitterly and said: "The truth is true, but how can we lure King Han out of Xinzheng?"
Zhuge Teng said: "I have already considered it. If I want to get him to leave Xinzheng, I can only use a large army to press the border and force him to leave for refuge, and then use tricks."
"Obviously, the approach of overwhelming the army is exactly the opposite of our intention." Zhuge Hui analyzed, "From my brother's point of view, what strategy should we use?"
"Two options." Zhuge Teng said, "The first one is to make some big moves to force the King of Han to lead an army to conquer in person, but..."
"However, this situation may be feasible for other kings, but judging from King Han's personality, he does not have the courage and courage."
"What about the second type?" Zhuge Hui asked.
Zhuge Teng smiled and said: "This second type is naturally deception."
Zhuge Hui squinted his eyes and seemed to have guessed something, but still asked: "How to cheat?"
Zhuge Teng said: "We can give a secret message to King Han, saying that surrendering to Qin is a lie. Our true intention is to ask for food and grass from Qin and then donate it to Han. Moreover, with our buffer zone, Great Qin will not send troops to South Korea easily."
"Now, the State of Qin has indeed given a large amount of grain, grass and ordnance, but it is not convenient for us to directly present it to the King of Han. We need the King of Han to come to inspect it in person and discuss it with me in detail."
Zhuge Hui thought for a while and said: "This method is good, but I'm afraid that King Han will not believe it easily. We have to show some sincerity."
Zhuge Teng smiled: "Of course he won't believe it easily, so we have to use some chips and send some food, grass and weapons as evidence first, and ask you to escort him personally."
"When you get there, tell me that I have a plan to assassinate King Qin."
"What's the plan?" Zhuge Hui asked in a lowered voice.
Zhuge Teng continued: "Tell the King of Han that the King of Qin came to Luoyi a few days ago to observe the people who were harmed by the Xi Beast before, and also made a plan to worship the Nian Beast on New Year's Eve to celebrate the birth of the Nian Beast. It’s a festival, so we can take advantage of this at any time and invite King Qin here.”
"If we control the King of Qin and ask him to cede half of the city, the gap between Han and Qin will immediately change."
"This plan is top secret and must be explained clearly in person, so he is the only one who came to Luoyi."
After Zhuge Hui heard this, he praised it greatly: "This is a wonderful plan! In this way, I am not afraid that the King of Han will not be tempted."
Zhuge Teng nodded and said: "As for the current harassment, we are doing it to show the Qin Dynasty. Otherwise, how could we not hurt every soldier of the Korean army and not touch the common people."
"So, brother has already planned this?" Zhuge Hui asked in surprise.
"That's right." Zhuge Teng said, "I have been thinking about this plan for almost a year. This is why I want to ask the King of Qin for weapons and food, but I only harass Han. I can also change the direction to explain. We don’t really want to go to war.”
"Okay! Then go according to brother's plan, I will go and prepare." Zhuge Hui's temper was a little impatient, so he got up and went to prepare.
"Don't worry yet." Zhuge Teng stopped him and said, "I need to write a secret letter to King Han first, otherwise he won't believe you."
"When you get there, you must not reveal your true identity. If King Han doesn't want to come out, don't force it. Let's find another way."
"Also, once the King of Han leaves Xinzheng, I will immediately send a large army to capture Xinzheng as quickly as possible. You should watch the opportunity and find an opportunity to leave before the war begins. Don't let the King of Han catch you."
Zhuge Hui nodded solemnly.
The brothers discussed the details again, and then Zhuge Teng wrote a secret letter and sent it to Xinzheng. He also prepared ten carts of military rations and ten carts of ordnance for Zhuge Hui, and sent them to Xinzheng. Finally, he also brought the Ying Zheng conferment to Zhuge Hui. His seal was given to show his sincerity.
When everything was ready, Zhuge Hui led two hundred soldiers, dressed as a caravan, and headed for Xinzheng with supplies.
Zhuge Teng also suspended his attacks on the Korean army.
Along the way, Zhuge Hui was thinking about how he could make King Han believe it was true without revealing any flaws, how he could escape, and how he could fight back.
When they arrived at Xinzheng, a group of people moved into the post office. Zhuge Hui handed over a note and asked for an audience with the King of Han.
But I didn't want to have no news all day.
It was not until noon the next day that news came from the Han Palace, asking Zhuge Hui to visit him in the back study.
Arriving at the side entrance of the palace, Zhuge Hui handed over his sword and followed a palace steward to the inner study.
After waiting for a long time, I heard footsteps coming from outside.
The person walking in front was naturally the King of Han, and behind him was another person, Zhang Ping, the Prime Minister of Han Ting.
Zhang Ping had some friendship with Zhuge Teng. When Zhuge Teng wrote to the King of Han, he also sent someone to write a secret letter to Zhang Ping and gave him some gifts.
Thinking about it, Zhang Ping said a lot of good things to Zhuge Teng.
"I have met the king." Zhuge Hui respectfully raised his hands to greet him.
King Han glanced at him, snorted coldly, and sat down in his seat.
Zhuge Hui didn't care at all, turned around and said to Zhang Ping: "Zhang Xiangguo."
Zhang Ping smiled and nodded, and said, "How well did you conceal your visit this time?"
"Of course, carefully." Zhuge Hui said firmly, "We must not let Da Qin know about our return this time, so we all disguised ourselves as traders to hide from Da Qin's eyes and ears."
King Han looked at Zhuge Hui and said in a cold tone: "Is it to avoid the eyes and ears of the Great Qin, or are you yourself the eyes and ears of the Great Qin?"
For this situation, Zhuge Hui had already expected it and had already prepared for it. He was calm and smiled bitterly: "It is understandable that the king doubts us, but if the king stands in Luoyi's position, After seeing this, you will understand our helplessness."
"I Have a Picture Book of Ghosts and Gods"
King Han said: "I want to listen to you. What's your problem?"
Zhuge Hui cleared his throat and said in a coherent manner: "The first and most important thing is the people's support."
"In the winter of the year before last, a ferocious beast appeared in Luoyi, named Xi Beast. It harmed the people everywhere and hunted livestock. It made people panic and did not dare to go out easily. This matter is known to the world."
"At that time, many people from various countries came to Luoyi and organized to jointly encircle and suppress the eve beasts, and the King of Qin even came in person with the Meng family army. I would like to ask, why didn't the king personally lead the army to celebrate New Year's Eve like the King of Qin did? ?”
In one sentence, the question left King Han speechless.
Indeed, at that time, King Han was a little afraid of the Naxi beast, so he did not come forward publicly, but only gave a symbolic call.
It's not like Zhang Ping didn't remind King Han at that time, but King Han said: It's just a ferocious beast, no need to make a fuss.
Now it seems that he has indeed been caught.
Seeing the strange expression on King Han's face, Zhuge Hui continued: "Looking at it now, King Qin is indeed superior. He led the army to Luoyi in the name of New Year's Eve, but Master Zhuge could not refuse, and secretly coerced me. Wait until you surrender to the Qin Dynasty, otherwise Luoyi will have no bones left."
"On the other hand, he also took the opportunity to win over the people's reputation, until he personally defeated Xi Beast, which made the people in Luoyi extremely respect him."
"Your Majesty, tell me, in this situation, what other choice can we make other than pretending to surrender to Great Qin?"
Another rhetorical question attributed the responsibility to the people and the cause to the King of Qin.
Moreover, Zhuge Hui spoke with great emotion and made the lie sound like the truth, which made people have to believe it.
Moreover, it is an indisputable fact that King Qin led his army into Luoyi's territory.
King Han wanted to blame Zhuge Teng for this, but there was really no good reason.
Now that there is no reason, we can't always keep a straight face. King Han's expression softened and he said slowly: "Qin has been coveting the territory of other countries from the beginning to the end, and its methods are also various. I can't blame you. It's just Zhuge Teng. ...Are you really not sincerely loyal to Da Qin?"
Zhuge Hui did not answer him directly, but once again raised his hand and said, "My brother has made three agreements with the King of Qin. If the King of Qin does not agree, then all the people in Luoyi will never bow their heads even if they fight to the death."
"What three agreements are they?" King Han asked.
Zhuge Teng said: "The first thing is that Luoyi only became a vassal and did not pay tribute. All the taxes collected were not paid to the Qin Dynasty."
"Second, the Qin army is not allowed to enter Luoyi and cannot decide on the appointment or removal of official positions in Luoyi."
"The third point is that Qin State wants to provide Luoyi with weapons, food and grass to resist powerful foreign enemies."
King Han looked at Zhang Ping: "Prime Minister Zhang, is this really what he said?"
Zhang Ping nodded and said: "Your Majesty, these are indeed what he said. There is not a single soldier of the Qin army in Luoyi City, and no taxes have been paid to Xianyang."
Just listen to Zhuge Hui continue to say: "Wei Chen wants to ask King Han again, in this case, will Luoyi's approach be beneficial to Xinzheng, or will it be harmful?"
Seeing that the King of Han was speechless, Zhang Ping took over the conversation and said: "In my opinion, Qin did not get any advantage by taking over Luoyi, and if it wanted to make a large-scale eastward advance, it would not be able to cross Luoyi."
King Han looked at Zhang Ping: "So, the result is beneficial to us?"
Zhang Ping nodded slightly.
King Han looked at Zhuge Hui again and asked suspiciously: "Since you don't sincerely surrender to Da Qin, why didn't you explain your thoughts to me earlier?"
Zhuge Hui sighed softly and said: "As the king said just now, there must be Qin's eyes and ears in Luoyi City. If you are not careful, you will be discovered by Qin. Wouldn't that give them an excuse to start a war? "
"What's more, my brother wants to hand over all the grain, grass and ordnance to the king. Only if there is no leakage, can we continue to ask for money from Da Qin."
After hearing what Zhuge Hui said, King Han finally dispelled his doubts, looked at Zhang Ping and said, "What do you think, Prime Minister Zhang?"
Zhang Ping cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think that what Lord Zhuge said is indeed the truth. As long as we get benefits, we don't have to worry about the ownership of Luoyi."
Since when Korea originally occupied Luoyi, it was just for taxation, so now as long as it gets benefits, there is really no need to compete with Da Qin.
