The early spring in Handan seems to be much colder than the cold winter in the twelfth lunar month. The first lunar month is about to pass, and the weather in Handan is ushering in several days of gloomy morning rain.
Compared to the pattering freezing rain, Zhao Yong still prefers the swirling goose feather snow...
Today's ministers' dynasty has just passed. Zhao Yong then summoned a few more important ministers and headed towards another meeting hall in the outer palace.
The maid standing in the palace waited for everyone to walk past, then she immediately knelt on the ground and wiped away the footprints on the floor with a clean cloth.
"Go down first and clean up later." Zhao Yong said to the little palace maid.
The palace maid responded coincidentally: "Here." Then she quickly got up from the ground, lowered her head and retreated out of the palace.
Su Qin turned around and smiled at everyone: "It was still snowing two days ago. Unexpectedly, it started raining again before the snow melted. It was sleet and mud everywhere."
After he said that, he took off his boots with the rest of his colleagues, walked into the hall and sat down on his knees around the heater at the bottom.
Zhao Yong stepped forward and sat on the table, reaching for the charcoal stove wrapped in silk on the table in front of him.
He complained casually: "It's really cold today."
"Your Majesty, you still need to take care of your health." The gray-haired Fei Yi immediately spoke and asked with concern.
Zhao Yong waved his hand. Then with a hint of helplessness in the corner of his mouth, he said to several people: "What do you think, do you think our State of Zhao should send troops to Hangu together with the State of Wei?"
He had handed over the refined salt plan a few days ago to people from the Neishi Division. According to the previous strategy, refined salt is a monopoly operation. When luxury goods are sold to the powerful people of various Chinese countries, the profits will definitely be considerable. In recent years, Zhao State has been fighting wars with other countries and building the tombs of its ancestors, and its treasury has almost reached its bottom.
Zhao State's commerce was prosperous, and the refined salt trade for grain, copper and iron coins, silk fabrics and other important materials filled the national treasury, which might speed up his recovery plan. Regarding the salt production matter, he originally wanted to personally take charge of the matter behind the scenes, but he had no choice but to face troubles in national affairs.
After hearing these words, all the ministers looked at each other in confusion, and the last few of them focused their attention on Lord Wu An.
The meaning is obvious, you take off your pants and you come to wipe your butt.
Su Qin coughed lightly and said without changing his expression: "What Qin did was indeed beyond my expectations. However, I believe that our country, Zhao, should continue to pursue its established national policy. It would not be appropriate to start a war against Qin at this time."
Of course, although Su Qin said this, he had already scolded Zhang Yi in his heart.
Hearing his answer, Zhao Yong couldn't help but shook his head.
Two days ago, Sun Yan, Prime Minister of Wei, went to Handan in person to raise the issue of joint attack on Qin with Zhao. At first, Zhao Yong was very puzzled. Didn't he just agree last year to take a break before fighting? It hasn't even been two months, and my marriage hasn't even been finalized yet, so why did I change my mind?
All the reasons start with the Qin State's reneging on its promises and breaking its promises.
Qin was defeated in Jinyang and agreed to return Shaanxi to Wei and the Lu family in South Korea. But after Zhang Yi returned to the country, Qin immediately changed his mind. Not only did he tear up the alliance letter and deny it, but he also directly condemned the envoys to make it clear to South Korea and Wei that they would retreat? You don't even have a door, you rebelled against the enemy and still want the land?
If you want it, then send troops to seize it.
This is good news. The Qin State's actions made the "talented and rough-minded" Wei Wang Ying so angry that he couldn't afford to fall ill. The prince Wei Si and the prime minister Gongsun Yan immediately wanted to take advantage of the situation and join forces to attack Qin!
If it were normal, Zhao Guo would stand aside and watch immediately when they beat them.
But after all, this matter started because of the Zhao State. If the Zhao State treated it passively as soon as it came up, Wei and Han might turn their attention to the Zhao State.
Zhao Yong estimated that the Qin State was basically broken. However, people seem to have the capital.
Ma De, thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse Ying Si in his heart. When you did this, did you consider the middleman Zhao Guo?
And Su Qin... it was all caused by your good junior brother. If he had been killed at that time, nothing would have happened. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at the other party with resentful eyes.
But now that the matter has come to this, there is no point in complaining. Even he didn't expect that Qin would dare to do this and openly break its trust with the princes of the world!
"Your Majesty, our Zhao State's new army has not yet been formed, and the results of our field operations have not yet been harvested. It may not be appropriate to start a war with Qin State at this time..." Zhao Bao said worriedly.
Zhao Yong was still very pleased with the glimmer of self-knowledge that the ministers still had in their hearts.
"It's not as good as the Qin State..."
"No."
Before Zhao Cheng finished speaking, he interrupted Fei Yi and said, "What Mr. Anping said is wrong. Being in harmony with Qin is tantamount to seeking the skin of a tiger."
Wu Guang also echoed: "Qin is a barbarian state and is treacherous. Today it can bully Wei and Han, and tomorrow it can bully our country Zhao."
Although the third uncle's proposal is good, Zhao State does not have the same size as Qin State now.
Qin may be able to fight, but if Zhao attracts attacks from other countries, it will really be over.
Avoiding a fight may seem like a good idea, but it actually contains murderous intent.
"What do you think, Mr. Wu An?" Zhao Yong asked Su Qin again.
Su Qin has actually been thinking carefully since yesterday, and it seems that the king's intention now is to renew the alliance.
"It's better to accept Wei's request first and see what the attitude of other countries is."
Zhao Yong nodded calmly. "What do you think, sir?"
"My lord, I agree with what Lord Wu An said." Fei Yi immediately expressed his stance.
"My lord, just as Lord Wu An said..."
Wu Guang and Zhao Cheng followed suit, but Zhao Bao knelt down and remained silent.
"If Prime Minister has a different opinion? You can speak out." Zhao Yong said.
He always chose to listen to the old prime minister's suggestions.
Zhao Bao shook his head and said, "Old minister, I just feel a sense of fear in my heart."
metaphysics?
"Don't worry about it, I will ask a fortune teller later..."
... Early in the morning, Gongsun Yan took the silk book with the national seal of Zhao in his hand and left Handan City in a carriage with satisfaction.
Prepare to go to the next destination, Yingdu, Chu State.
The war between the Chu State and the Yue State came to an end for the time being. The Yue State lost its troops and generals in the Battle of Jiujiang and was no longer able to withstand the Chu State's military front. King Wujiang of Yue assessed the situation, ceded territory, sacrificed his daughter, and presented a letter of credence to the King of Chu to "beg for surrender."
After all, the Yue Kingdom still had some background, and the King of Chu did not want to push too hard. Regarding the attitude of the Yue State, the Chu kings of all dynasties adopted the method of slow encroachment.
In this battle, several cities were gained and some advantages were obtained, and the two countries temporarily reached a reconciliation.
Without the constraints of the Yue State, the huge Chu State once again set its sights on the Central Plains...
Looking at the pedestrians passing by in a hurry on the spacious straight road, Gongsun Yan's mind couldn't help but recall the conversation with Zhao Yong.
"The Sword Comes"
He found that he could not see through this young King Zhao more and more. It is obvious that the other person is just a young man who is just above average, but every time he talks to him, there is always a sense of ambiguity. It's like going back to the old days in Xianyang...
He had also heard about Zhao Guo's new law for a long time. Along the way, he still felt novel and surprised when he saw these Zhao people who were dressed very differently from himself.
He is a person who can discern. Although he cannot fully see the impact of Hu Fu's method on future generations, he can still feel the changes Hu Fu has made on Zhao.
…
…
Xianyang Palace, the capital of Qin, lived outside the Zhengdian Palace.
The three monarchs and ministers of the Qin State stood in front of a huge map and analyzed it secretly.
"The young master is disabled today, all because of Zhang Yi. Yi is willing to cut off one of his arms to make amends for the young master!" Zhang Yi said to Ying Ji with sincere eyes.
Zhang Yi sincerely apologized for Yingji's disability. It was he who had betrayed this man of his trust.
Ying Ji shook his head with a wry smile and replied: "A wise man will make a mistake even if he thinks a lot. The defeat of Jinyang is God's will. We dare not let Zhang Zi pay for it."
King Qin Yingsi waved his hands to the two of them: "Okay, a dead person cannot be resurrected, and a broken arm cannot be regrown. The matter has reached this point, and there is no use in mourning."
"Master, please accept Zhang Yi's bow!" Zhang Yi turned around and bowed deeply to Ying Ji.
Ying Si stared at the map of Kantu in front of him and asked with a sad look on his face: "Today in the great dynasty, I listened to your advice and refused to return the cities promised to Wei and Han. The courtiers have many criticisms now. Now Wei and Han The country invites Yan, Zhao, and Chu again, and they want to join forces and attack our Qin country in the name of injustice. How do you think we should respond?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Cutting off territory is like feeding a tiger. I am originally a ruined settlement in Daliang City, so I will bear the unjust name. As for the alliance of the countries to attack Qin, Your Majesty, please see..." Zhang Yi said The general pointed at the map, and then continued: "The five-nation alliance initiated by Wei this time is basically the same as last time, with three Jin plus one Yan and one Chu. And the only country that can fight is Qi. outside.
The new king of Qi State has just succeeded to the throne. This new king of Qi seems to be unwilling to follow the idea of unity, or he is suspected of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger, and the fisherman is benefiting. But this is also in line with our Qin country’s wishes. Your Majesty, if the five kingdoms unite, they can attack Qin in the west and Qi in the east. Such a move may put the whole country of Qi in danger.
Gu, I am willing to send an envoy to Qi to persuade the king of Qi, so that Qi can unite with Qin and resist the three Jins. "
"I'm afraid that the Qi State will not completely comply with the wishes of the Qin State..." the one-armed Ying Ji whispered.
Zhang Yi comforted him with a smile: "Young Master, you are too worried. Today, the King of Qi is a suspicious leader. When the ancestor of Qi was alive, he had a lot of trouble with the Three Jin Dynasties because of the issue of Zhongshan Kingship. Now the merger led by the Three Jin Dynasties may be possible. If we attack Qin, we may be able to attack Qi, how can the King of Qi not worry?"
"If it's true as you said, then I'm sorry for the rhinoceros head. It takes a lot of trouble to run from east to west." Ying Si's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The State of Qi comes out to disrupt the situation, and the alliance is facing collapse. I, the State of Qin, will have no worries." Zhang Yi bowed and bowed.
Ying Si said casually: "Do you really think that our Qin country can sit back and relax?"
Zhang Yi said categorically: "Of course, we still need armor and halberd..."
…
Xianyang, the capital of Qin, is the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Living in the Prime Minister's Mansion, the burly Qin Xiang Lechi was sitting on the seat at this time.
He held a black piece between his three fingers and rubbed it back and forth, looking carefully and seriously at the chess game in front of him.
Compared with the leisurely demeanor of the orchestra, his eldest son Leliang seemed less stable.
Leliang stood up suddenly, and the tugging of his robe broke the silence in the room.
"Father, why aren't you anxious at this time?" Leliang asked puzzledly.
Lechi glanced at his son and replied in a casual tone: "Why are you anxious?"
"In today's court meeting, the king listened to Zhang Yi's family and refused to return the cities promised to Wei and Han. Isn't this a disservice to the princes of the world?" Leliang said.
Lechi's eyes were still fixed on the chessboard and said: "My father also agrees with what Zhang Yi said. You must remember that the peace gained by ceding land will always be temporary. Such behavior is tantamount to cutting meat to feed the tiger. If it opens today With the precedent of ceding territory, how much meat will Qin have to share with the tigers and wolves in Guandong in the future?"
Having said this, Lechi threw away the chess pieces in his hand, turned around and said to his son: "Is this all you worry about?"
Leliang gritted his teeth and said: "Father, the King of Qin used to appoint you as the Prime Minister of Qin. From Yi'er's point of view, it was just the sight of the Hu Nong Kingdoms. Now that Zhang Yi has returned to Qin, my father's position as Prime Minister of Qin may be..."
"You can still teach me." Lechi was very satisfied with his son's answer.
With the support of his father's words, Leliang continued: "Father, the King of Qin has betrayed his trust and repeated his good deeds. In the past, Daliang created Gongsun Yan and turned his back on Qin and returned to Wei. It may not be without reason."
"The King of Qin has been repeated, so why are all the princes in the world not like this? In the past, I was the ancestor of Leyang. He would rather eat his children than rebel against Wei. As a result, he was demoted to his hometown of Zhongshan." Lechi shook his head.
Leliang opened his mouth and was about to say something.
Then I heard my father continue: "However, looking at Qin's journey today, it is not the place where I will live forever..."
…
…
Jicheng, the capital of Yan, and the palace of the King of Yan.
The spring rain is mixed with snowflakes, falling from the sky to the world. Compared with Handan, Yan State in northern Xinjiang is obviously colder during this season.
In the past year, King Yan Ji Shuo's health has obviously deteriorated a lot. When the weather gets cold, my waist and abdomen become sore. Especially in recent days, even my face has lost much color.
Ji Shuo was currently kneeling on the warm couch, reviewing memorials from various places.
"Your Majesty, the prime minister and the young master are all outside the palace asking for an audience." The eunuch's voice came from outside the palace.
What are they doing here now? Haven't Ju Sheng and his dissatisfied brother always been at odds?
Ji Shuo squinted her eyes and whispered to the outside of the hall: "See you."
In less than a moment, two people hurriedly walked in from outside the hall.
Ji Shuo raised her head and glanced at the two of them, then turned her eyes back to the bamboo slips in her hands, and asked herself, "Why did you two dear ladies come to the palace at this time?"
Prime Minister Yan Jusheng first bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, I think that our country, Yan, should not go to war against Qin at this time."
"Why?" Ji Shuo asked without raising her head.
"Your Majesty, Yan and Qin are related by marriage, so what benefit does it bring to our country, Yan, to fight Qin? Moreover, after this battle, how will the Yan country explain to the Qin country?" Young Master Jie said.
Ji Shuo didn't even pay attention to his younger brother who was devoted to Qin. Account to Qin? Will there still be Qin after this battle? Even if the Qin State cannot be destroyed, will the Qin State after the war still be the domineering and powerful Qin State of the past?
What he wanted to hear at this time was just why Ju Sheng suddenly changed his mind.
During the court meeting the day before yesterday, the other party still raised their hands in favor of the alliance.
"Your Majesty, I have just received a report from the border army. In recent days, several Qi spies have been captured on the border between Yan and Qi." Ju Sheng said truthfully.
