What shocked Ji Bo was not King Zhao's greed, but his generosity.
Although there are many good horses, they are far higher than the bottom line in his heart.
Moreover, the cities of Sangqian had already been taken away by the State of Zhao...
This... Tears of gratitude suddenly appeared in Ji Bo's eyes.
Zhao Yong waved his hand. He didn't want to see this old guy's drama, and continued: "I have nothing to ask for, and trade between the two countries can continue as usual. But I want your Majesty to remember that the pasture of your country, Loufan, is located , the land east of Hedong and the land of Dai are all the territory of our Zhao Kingdom! I didn’t set up counties or commanderies in Loufan Kingdom, that’s a sign of trust in the king! You can graze, but you must not be reckless!"
Ji Bo was suddenly startled and solemnly replied: "As long as Ji Bo is alive, the Loufan Kingdom will definitely respect the Zhao Kingdom and will never let down King Zhao's good wishes!"
Zhao Yong glanced at him without trace and said: "Please don't break your promise, Your Majesty."
"Don't dare!"
Ji Bo immediately stood up, held his chest with one hand, and lowered his proud head.
***
September 17th, the dew is thick, so it is good to go.
The war in northern Xinjiang came to an end, and the Zhao army withdrew from Ningwuguan in an orderly manner in three batches and returned to Daiwang City.
In this campaign, Zhao State invested a total of more than 42,000 troops of various types, but Loufan had less than 30,000 troops.
However, Zhao's battle losses were not small. After the war, the troops lost more than 500 chariots, more than 1,000 horses, and more than 3,000 infantrymen, not counting the wounded.
With the national power of the Zhao State at this time, it was obviously beyond its capabilities to completely destroy Lou Fan.
Since you can't completely eliminate it, let's turn it from an enemy into a friend, albeit temporarily...temporarily...
The new army's cavalry brigade did not suffer much damage. It had new equipment and a full set of armor and stomach blessings. In the first battle, dozens of people were killed in the charge. In the night attack, except for a few unlucky ones who were shot in the vital parts by Lou Fan's army, the rest were killed. More than a thousand rides with almost no major damage.
Of course, compared with the tragic battle losses, the gains were also obvious. From the south of Ningwuguan to Yunzhong, the pastures of Loufan were now all occupied by the Zhao State, including Matuo City (Shuozhou).
Without the control of the west, Shanwu City (Youyu County) in the north was also abandoned by King Loufan, captured by Niu Zan, and returned to the State of Zhao.
With Lin Hu's withdrawal, the two cities of Wuzhou and Yundong were regained by the Zhao State again. However, except for the general outer city framework of the two cities, the interiors of the two cities had been burned to ruins by fire, and Lin Hu had plundered all the people and livestock. .
Qiu Zhaoguo has remembered this!
But this is not the time to fall out.
Lin Hu's army has retreated to the Hetao area, obviously not wanting to tangle with Zhao Jun anymore.
Winter is approaching, and if Zhao Yong desperately goes deep into the hinterland of Linhu, it will become increasingly difficult for the Zhao army to provide follow-up supplies. Once the Zhao army is trapped in Lingxiao in northern Xinjiang, there is no guarantee that Loufan and Zhongshan will not produce more supplies. variables.
Moreover, an emergency has been reported from Jinyang!
This era has been in chaos, and the Zhou rituals of the past can no longer suppress the hearts of people who are ready to move.
If a country does not have strong military support, any sophistical diplomacy and alliances will be a joke and empty talk.
In today's era of law of the jungle, no matter how strong a country's economic strength is, if it does not have a correspondingly strong military strength to support it, no matter how good its economy is, it can only become a lamb to be slaughtered by the hegemonic country.
A strong country must have a strong army!
…
…
On the west bank of Fen River, outside Gengyang City (Qingxu, Shanxi).
The Qin army formed a formation outside the city, and it was completely dark.
Ying Ji stood in the middle of the army with his sword in hand, squinting at the red-green military flag with the big word "Zhao" on the city wall not far away, and let out a long breath.
As long as the last flag is pulled out, the Qin army will have an unobstructed view of the front.
But this time, it was obviously not as easy as conquering Zhongyang City earlier.
The city of Gengyang is strong, its walls are about one to five feet high, and the entire city is made of rammed earth.
Gengyang's army was strong. At this time, the city was already crowded with people, and the Zhao army all held their bows and looked at it.
Thinking of this, Yingji glanced at Sima Cuo beside him without leaving a trace, and said: "This Lieutenant of Gengyang is called Tang Hui. He is famous for his good defense in various countries. I heard that he is the disciple of the Mohist giant in the past. I don't know if he is the right concubine." Do you know each other?"
Sima Cuo's face did not change, and he bowed his head and said: "Tang Huizhen is from the same sect as Pu. In the past, he was under the same sect of the Mohist giant. But now, Pu and his servants in the two countries have not been in contact with each other for many years. And based on Pu's understanding of him, ...It’s not easy to persuade him to surrender!”
Ying Ji waved his hand and said, "You are too worried..."
Before he finished speaking, several horses suddenly came running from a distance. They stirred up the loess in the sky and rushed straight towards the Qin army's formation.
As the scout approached, he dismounted and reported: "Chief Zuo, the combined forces of Wei and Han have conquered Qiyi and are heading towards Yuci."
So fast!
Ying Ji was suddenly shocked.
According to the original plan, after the Qin army bypassed Lishi City, they headed east, along the west bank of Fen River, and north, sweeping across the three cities of Zhongyang, Daling, and Gengyang in Zhao State.
The combined forces of Wei and Han were responsible for capturing Zhao's four cities on the east bank of the Fen River: Pingzhou, Zhongdu, Qiyi, and Yuci. Finally, the three kingdoms reunited under Jinyang City.
YY
Now it seems...
Wei and Han did not have two opposing sides, and their speed of attacking cities and territories was not much slower than that of the Qin army.
Ying Ji couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.
He didn't think there was anything wrong with this matter, and even the many lieutenants on the side didn't notice anything was wrong. After all, there was Zhang Yi among the Wei army who was always keeping an eye on the movements of the two countries.
"Is there any news from Daidi?" Yingji continued to ask.
"The King of Zhao personally led the army to fight against Lou Fan's army in Yunzhong Mountain. Lin Hu's army has captured Zhao's Yundong and Wuzhou fortresses..." the scout replied truthfully.
"Is there any news from Yan State and Zhongshan State?" Ying Ji asked again.
"The Zhongshan State has stationed troops at Hongshang Pass, but has not yet gone north. The Yan State is fighting Donghu in Yuyang." The scout said.
After hearing this, Ying Ji nodded slightly and smiled at Sima Cuo beside him: "Now it seems that the Zhao Kingdom is doomed."
Sima Cuo seemed to be lowering his head at this time, not knowing what he was thinking.
Hearing Ying Ji's words, he suddenly raised his head, gritted his teeth and said, "The King of Zhao is debauched and immoral, and the Kingdom of Zhao will surely perish!"
? ? ? ? ? The generals of the Qin army were immediately confused. They didn't know whether Zhao Guo was dead or not, but where did Zhao Wangyong's debauchery and immorality begin? In their opinion, the new king of Zhao Guo had the courage to conquer personally at a young age. The battlefield is still worthy of admiration.
Yingji, who knew a little bit about the inside story, coughed and interrupted the topic.
"Okay, now that Wei and Han have reached Yuci City, how can we, the Qin soldiers, be inferior to others!" Ying Ji glanced at the high wall made of rammed earth in front of him, and then ordered loudly: "Attack city!"
"Siege the city!"
"Kill!" There was a sudden chorus of shouts from the people of Gengyang City. The soldiers of the Qin Army launched their final charge amidst the high-pitched horn sounds, and the black mass spread toward the towering city wall in front of them.
In front of Jinyang City, now there is only this, the last bridgehead left in front of us.
***
The full moon was shining high and the mist was thick.
There was a sound of galloping horse hooves, bringing up a wisp of dust and heading towards the densely packed military tents in the distance.
On the bank of the Fenshui River, the Wei army camp.
Zhongjun, main account.
"Thank you for your hard work, Prime Minister, coming all the way. Please take a seat." Zhu Wei quickly stepped forward and greeted him personally.
Zhang Yi bowed to Zhu Wei, the leader of the Wei army, and said, "Servant, I'm sorry for disturbing you."
"please."
The two sat at separate tables, with Zhu Wei sitting in the upper seat. He was an old man in his sixties. I heard that he had joined the army during the period of Wei Wuhou. It could be said that he had witnessed with his own eyes the transition from prosperity to decline of the entire Wei state. For such an old man to be the leader of the Wei Kingdom, he must be very experienced and knowledgeable.
But this is what worries Zhang Yi.
Zhu Wei twirled his gray beard and asked with a smile: "Why does Xiangbang insist on personally supervising the army and watching the battle with the army? And now he has come all the way from Daliang."
Zhang Yi faced the veteran general on the battlefield and bowed his head and said: "I heard that the old general was supervising the army. Zhang Yi had never been on the battlefield and was curious. He came here to see the brave figure of the old general."
Zhu Wei suddenly laughed and said: "Hahahahaha, I am old. I am lucky that the king does not dislike me and will not abandon me. I am so complimentary to you."
After Zhu Wei finished speaking, he took a sip of the sake in the wine glass and played with the taste: "The king will still have to rely on the support of the prime minister in the future."
"Don't dare, don't dare." Zhang Yi bowed back.
Zhu Wei put down his wine glass, and his expression suddenly changed: "I want to hear how Xiangbang supervises the army?"
Zhang Yi waved his hand and replied with an unchanging expression: "I don't know anything about using troops, so how can I dare to doubt what the general is doing. It's just that although I am a layman, I still want to ask the general why he divided his army in Daling."
This is the purpose of his visit this time.
After the Qin army captured Gengyang City, the combined armies of Wei and Han suddenly stopped marching, and at the same time divided their armies, crossed the Fen River, and stationed themselves in Dalingyi, the rear of the Qin State, while blocking news from the outside world.
If Zhang Yi's spy in the Wei army hadn't revealed it to him, he might still have been kept in the dark at this time.
In order to prevent the situation from changing, someone had been sent to notify Ying Ji on his way here.
Zhu Wei glanced at Zhang Yi and said quietly: "The Prime Minister is overly worried. Now Qin, Wei, and Han have penetrated deep into the hinterland of Zhao State, and their servants have ambushed an army in Daling, and responded in time, just to cut off Zhao State's reinforcements, leaving them head and tail. Just take it.”
Zhang Yi paused, then suddenly said with a serious look on his face: "I would like to remind the old general that this battle is not related to the overall situation. If something happens behind the scenes, I'm afraid... Qin will be held accountable in the future!"
"Hahahahahaha..." After hearing this, Zhu Wei suddenly lowered his head and laughed.
Zhang Yi was stunned and didn't know what this old guy meant.
"You are now the prime minister of Wei, but you always think about Qin. It's really... admirable!" Zhu Wei turned around and said sarcastically.
Zhu Wei continued: "In the battle against Zhao, the Prime Minister and I have different views. I think that if Zhao loses in this battle, Wei will suffer endless consequences!"
The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became tense.
Zhang Yi said calmly: "General, why do you need to be alarmist!"
Zhu Wei sneered: "Are you alarmist? Wei and Han were forced to bend their knees under the pressure of Qin and had no choice but to follow Qin to attack Zhao. Other countries saw this and did not dare to provoke Qin. If the Qin army wins this battle, in the future, we will Will the Wei State become the next Zhao State?"
"Qin and Wei are related by marriage and have an alliance, so how can they attack Wei?" Zhang Yi argued.
After hearing this, Zhu Wei suddenly looked at Zhang Yi like a monster.
"I didn't expect that these words could be said from the mouth of Xiangbang. It is really... the most ridiculous thing in the world." Then Zhu Wei suddenly turned his head, stared at Zhang Yi, and said in a playful tone: "Could it be that Zhao Guohe Doesn’t Qin have an alliance? I clearly remember that Qin just gave Zhao 50,000 shi of food not long ago.”
Zhang Yi raised her eyes slightly and opened her mouth to defend herself.
Zhu Wei waved his hand to interrupt him and continued: "If the Qin army wins this battle, there will be endless troubles. Of course, if the Qin army loses, the grand plan of joint control will definitely be able to unite again!"
Zhang Yi sneered: "General, do you want Qin to be defeated?"
Zhu Wei said firmly: "Qin will be defeated!"
Zhang Yi's eyes flashed: "General, do you dare to make a bet with your servant?"
Zhu Wei shook his head: "No need to bet, I divided the Wei army into Daling just to intercept the Qin army!"
Zhang Yi was suddenly shocked. Although he had vaguely guessed it, the nature of it coming out of the mouth of Zhu Wei, an old man, was completely different. Broken face.
But he remained calm on his face and said: "Does South Korea dare to do what the general did and ambush the Qin army together?"
Before Zhu Wei could reply, a guard's report came from outside the tent: "General, the leader of the Korean army wants to see you."
"please!"
Zhu Wei immediately took a few steps forward and greeted him personally.
When Zhang Yi opened the curtain and saw the person coming, there was indescribable surprise on his face... because the person coming was none other than Gongsun Yan.
After Gongsun Yan received his account, he first bowed to Zhu Wei and then bowed to Zhang Yi and said, "Looking at Zhang Zi's expression, he must not have expected that the King of Han would change his generals before the battle."
Regardless of his faction, Gongsun Yan is still a respectable opponent.
Zhang Yi stood up and bowed back to Gongsun Yan: "Xi Shou is fine."
Gongsun Yan bowed back and said, "Thanks to Zhang Zi for taking care of me, everything is fine."
Zhang Yi stopped replying, turned to look at Zhu Wei and said, "Aren't you afraid that the King of Wei will blame you for this?"
Zhu Wei shook his head and said nothing.
Gongsun Yan burst out laughing suddenly, and then said slowly: "Zhang Zi, Zhang Zi... Everyone in the world thinks that you rely on your own strength and the power of your words... You are wrong. The great thing about Zhang Zi is that you follow the trend, It changes at any time. Zhang Zilian used the road to conquer Qi and was defeated by Wei and Han, so he secretly wooed Song and Yue, sowed relations between the countries, openly used Qin generals to question him, and the Qin king was unhappy, and then resorted to bitter and counter-intuitive tactics to secede from Qin. .
Coincidentally, the servant was trying to use his strength, so there was the abdicated Gongsun Yan and the foolish King Wei. The whole Wei court was so united that they wanted to lure Zhang Zi into the game. "
"What kind of situation are you getting into?" Zhang Yi sneered.
"Did Zhang Zi ask questions knowingly? This is the situation of the Three Kingdoms' attack on Zhao."
"Natural disasters struck me unexpectedly. Seeing that the unity of the five kingdoms was about to break up, and Wei did not want to be controlled by Qin, it had to ask for help. After Wei and Han were defeated, I thought the situation was over, but Qin was greedy and With the heart of a tiger and wolf, he actually wanted to continue to invade Zhao from the north, so he had no choice but to take advantage of the situation. Later, as Zhang Zi saw, Qin sent troops, and later, Qin, Wei, and South Korea had an affair. In this way, Zhang Do you still think that Qin should not be defeated?" Gongsun Yan replied.
"Does Xishou think that Wei and Han alone can defeat the Qin army?" Zhang Yi struggled.
"I'm afraid Zhang Zi has forgotten where we are now!"
