If the general trend of the country goes away, it will decline. If the general trend of people goes away, they will perish.
The Wei State stopped declining because of its victory, and the Qin State did not perish even though it was defeated. This was due to the general trend.
As for the Yan State, which made frequent mistakes, had wrong political positions, and had conflicts in its geographical structure, its general trend was over, and the only thing that would follow was its decline.
...The spring breeze is so proud that the horse's hooves are so fast that I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day.
The high-spirited young man was sitting in a luxurious carriage, wearing a royal robe and a crown, looking sideways at the rolling river outside the window.
Different from the uneasy mood when they first met last year, the young man at this time was completely immersed in the surging momentum.
The journey home is always the best scenery, and if coupled with the atmosphere of returning victoriously, the feeling becomes even more wonderful.
However, this wonderful state was interrupted before it lasted long.
The convoy of brightly dressed and angry horses had just left Korea and was about to cross the Yellow River north. Suddenly, from the end of the smooth road, several fast horses and knights with feathers on their heads rushed straight towards King Zhao Luan.
Su Qin, who was guarding the rear team, hurriedly rode up to follow Luan Jia, lightly pressed the side window and reported to King Zhao inside.
"Your Majesty, there is news from Daliang."
"Daliang?" Zhao Yong retracted his reverie and thought to himself.
At this time, they should not have left Wei State yet...
"What happened?" Zhao Yong asked.
Su Qin whispered: "The King of Wei has passed away!"
Although he tried to lower his voice as much as possible, these four words were still like a thunderbolt, hitting the hearts of the people in the car.
Wei Ying is dead? That stubborn old man is dead?
Compared with King Wei of Qi, Wei Ying's death had an obviously greater impact on Zhao.
Zhao Yong's mood was a little complicated at the moment, and he was certainly excited and happy. After all, the culprit who threatened Zhao and captured Handan was dead.
But somehow, along with it comes a sense of despair.
Zhao Yong said to the outside of the car with some confusion: "Stop."
"Stop!"
"Stop..."
The mighty team suddenly stopped moving forward.
Zhao Yong walked down the chariot slowly. The wind on the river bank made his sleeves and robes whistle. He turned back and glanced at the willow branches floating in the spring breeze on the bank.
After being stunned for a moment, he asked Su Qin beside him: "Where is this place?"
Su Qin followed him and replied truthfully: "Guiling."
Guiling...
Zhao Yong shook his head and said: "Time is also destiny."
He turned and bowed solemnly in the direction of Daliang City in the south.
Wei Ying died, and the era belonging to Wei State passed.
The world will also usher in a new pattern.
After thinking about it, Zhao Yong immediately turned around and walked towards Chengyu. "Cross the river!"
…
…
Yan State, Jidu.
The winter in the North is long and cold, and there is not even a hint of green on the withered branches of the trees. The entire city is full of houses, and everything you see is a gray color.
King Yan Ji Shuo was lying on the king's couch in the palace with a haggard expression, the corners of her bloodless mouth were constantly moving, and the color of her face was the same as the environment outside the palace.
fo
A large circle of people gathered under the king's couch, including the royal family, courtiers, historians, and doctors.
But King Yan's attention was not on them.
Ji Shuo turned sideways at this time, listening to Yan Xiang Jusheng's report on the battle situation in front of Hangu. When Ju Shengyan arrived at the Qin State and was attacked by the Zhao army in Hexi, Ji Shuo's gray cheeks suddenly twitched.
"The State of Qin has signed an armistice agreement with the Three Jin Dynasties, ceding eight cities outside the river to the State of Wei, and Shangjun to the State of Zhao..."
Ji Shuo's breathing became rapid again, and her face turned red from holding back. The imperial doctor on the side saw this and hurriedly stepped forward.
Ji Shuo suddenly sat up from the king's couch, his eyes fixed on the prince Ji Kuai below.
He shouted angrily: "You traitor! The Yan Kingdom will perish at your hands!"
He seemed to have used up all his strength to say this. Just after saying this, Ji Shuo's body was like a deflated rubber ball, hitting the king's couch heavily!
Everyone seemed to be shocked by what King Yan just said, and they didn't react for a moment.
After just a moment, Yan Xiang Jusheng suddenly shouted loudly and sadly: "Your Majesty!"
For a moment, everyone started shouting sadly: "Your Majesty..."
Only Ji Kuai was still kneeling on the spot in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking at this time.
"Prince! At this time, we need to condemn the envoys to Zhao as soon as possible and explain to Zhao the reason for betraying the alliance!" Zizhi knelt behind Ji Kuai and said in a deep voice.
Ji Kuai suddenly turned his head, stared at the other party, and murmured: "Yes, yes! I will never become a sinner of Yan State!"
…
…
The sun is in the sky and there are no clouds in the sky. Flags are flying at the city entrance on the north bank of Zhangshui River. On the river bank, birds are singing on the green branches. Their voices are getting louder and louder, as if they are welcoming the tourists returning from the expedition. .
"Back!" A voice suddenly sounded from the top of the city tower: "Chengyu has arrived."
The city entrance suddenly became noisy, and people stood up and looked into the distance.
What they saw slowly appearing at the end of the horizon was the caravan they had been waiting for for a long time.
At the time of the morning, the sun slowly crossed to the opposite side of the city gate. The sunlight at the city entrance was very bright, and the sky and the earth seemed to suddenly become brighter. The voices of people gradually drowned out the chirping of birds, adding a lively and festive atmosphere to the place again.
The motorcade looked close, but in fact it was still some distance away. By the time Luan drove across the bridge, everyone's faces were already sweating slightly from the scorching sun. The daughters stood in a conspicuous place at the city gate, surrounded by eunuchs and palace officials.
Yao Lan is not among the women. She was following behind her father Wu Guang. Looking at Fang Luanjia, Yao Lan only felt that the place was unusually stuffy. Perhaps it was because she was wearing thicker clothes and her chest was stretched tighter. It seemed that only in this way could she tightly cover her trembling heart. .
Luan Jia took the lead in crossing Zhangshui, driving towards the crowd under the city gate, and slowly stopped in front of them.
The crowd had stopped making noise long ago, and even the sound of breathing shrank intentionally or unintentionally.
The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and placed the step stool on the red carpet. Lifting the curtain, I saw that he was wearing a majestic royal robe, and under that solemn crown was that familiar face. He seemed to be a lot darker, but his figure still looked taller, as if he had grown taller.
Yao Lan didn't know what he had been through in the past six months, but she just wanted to see him urgently. Before he walked in, she saw his kind eyes, and she suddenly seemed to smell the familiar temperature and feel the intimate touch.
People knelt down on both sides of the spacious corridor and saluted him.
Yao Lan knelt at the back. She quietly raised her head and smiled at him. Little did she know that Zhao Yong had noticed her and looked back. Yao Lan quickly kept her smile and lowered her cheeks. If the ministers present discovered her disrespectful behavior, she would be embarrassed.
In the middle of the city gate, in front of Zhao Yong, there was only the queen standing in gorgeous and dignified palace clothes. The sun shone freely on her face, making it look even more bright and charming.
"Congratulations to the king on your great victory in the Western Expedition." The queen called softly.
"Congratulations to the king on your great victory in the Western Expedition." Everyone agreed.
Although the queen's voice was immediately covered, Yao Lan still heard the abnormality of her voice. She looked over from the side and behind, and found that there were tears in the queen's eyes. But she was able to maintain a steady etiquette and bowed dignifiedly to Zhao Yong.
Yao Lan suddenly envied Ji Yao.
Zhao Yong bowed in return to Ji Yao, then quietly reached into her sleeves and tightly grasped the delicate hands in her sleeves.
Ji Yao's bowing posture seemed to be about to throw herself into Zhao Yong's arms. However, although she was brave, she still did not behave in such a disgraceful manner under the watchful eyes of all the officials.
It's just that the two of them bowed to each other for a little longer.
Slowly letting go of the queen's slender hand, Zhao Yong personally helped up the five concubines beside him: Luo Haihan, Meng Rou, Si Yue, Ji Rui, and Ji Rong.
Tears welled up in the eyes of the concubines, but there were smiles on their faces.
Zhao Yong also smiled at them.
"In this battle with Qin, my country, Zhao, has been blessed by heaven and ancestors and returned with a great victory. But I believe that without the efforts of all the ministers, victory would not have been easy!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty..."
After crossing the Zhang River, we were only fifty miles away from Handan.
On the way back, Zhao Yong asked Ji Yao to ride with him.
Looking at that bright smile, those bright curved eyes, and the fluttering eyelashes, it is simply the most beautiful and comfortable incarnation in the world! Her face is pure in color and full of vitality. Wherever her eyes go, spring flowers bloom immediately.
The two looked at each other for a moment, you looked at me and I looked at you.
Looking at the beauty in front of him, Zhao Yong's mind suddenly buzzed. He hadn't touched a woman in several months. Besides, the fairy in front of him was really hard to control.
There were so many people just now, but he had actually been trying to restrain himself.
But now that he was in Chengyu and had a cover, he no longer had any scruples. He suddenly hugged Ji Yao's waist. Her figure had not changed much, she was still as tall and graceful, but she held up her buttocks behind the skirt. It seems to be rounder.
Ji Yao immediately held her tongue and uttered: "Your Majesty, I think about the day when I will meet your Majesty again every day..."
"Well..." Zhao Yong immediately blocked her mouth and drank in the fragrance in her mouth.
Ji Yao took the time to breathe and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be so anxious now. When you return to Handan... I will give it to you..."
The two of them had not taken off their clothes at this time, and their bodies were in a mess. Zhao Yong's crown, which symbolized supreme power, had long been thrown in the corner.
Ji Yao's toes tightened suddenly and she bit the cloth in her mouth...
By the time we returned to Handan, it was completely dark.
But at this time, the lights in King Zhao's palace were brightly lit.
Zhao Yong stroked his crown and stepped out of the chariot with a refreshed look on his face. Ji Yao, who was behind her, hesitated for a long time, and then walked out of Chengyu with her jade legs tightly clamped under the strange gaze of the palace maid Xiao He.
Returning to Zhao Palace, Zhao Yong was greeted by the complicated rituals of offering sacrifices and asking questions about his ancestors.
After the ceremony was completed and we walked out of the ancestral temple, the moon had already risen in the sky.
After returning to the palace, Zhao Yong walked towards the bath hall on one side. Hot water had been prepared in the pool, and it was still emitting thick steam.
Zhao Yong opened his arms and ordered the palace servant behind him: "Change my clothes."
"Here."
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Yong couldn't help but turn his head. As expected, I saw that Ji Rui and Ji Rong had already timidly stepped forward.
Looking at the two chicks in front of him who were as young as chicks, he couldn't help but swallow hard.
…
Zhao Yong rested well in Longtai Palace for two days without leaving the palace gate, and exchanged heart-to-hearts with his concubines.
It was not until the third day, the day of court, that Zhao Yong walked out of the palace gate after a long absence.
When approaching the court, the sun had just risen, just like the rising state of Zhao in the red sun.
All the ministers bowed their heads as usual and shouted long life.
Although Zhao Yong had not left the palace in the past two days, he had already learned about the return of the army in front of Hangu Pass.
Qin did not choose to continue playing tricks this time. After all, even Hangu Pass cannot be defended. If we don't obey, it will only increase casualties.
The territory of the fifteen counties of Shangjun has been included in the territory of Zhao State.
Although it was obtained with the blood of tens of thousands of soldiers, Zhao Yong couldn't hide the joy on his face when he saw that the territory suddenly expanded to one-sixth.
After that, Zhao Bao began to report on the political and state affairs of the past six months.
Perhaps because he rushed to the morning of the morning, Zhao Bao's tone was always intermittent, and there was an obvious sound of breathing between his words.
Zhao Yong looked at the old man with all gray hair in front of him, and suddenly realized that he was seventy-two years old this year. It’s only been half a year since I last saw him, and the spots on the old man’s face have increased a lot, and his energy and physical strength have also begun to decline significantly.
But he just looked at the other person with concern and didn't say anything.
But it was obvious that Zhao Bao's body was no longer capable of handling troublesome and cumbersome political affairs.
The change of phases seems inevitable.
The state affairs of Zhao State revolved around three geographical areas: Daidi with Daiwang City as the center, Hedong with Jinyang as the center (Zhao State had not yet established Taiyuan County at this time), and the Hebei Plain with Handan as the center.
The three places were against the nomadic Hu people and the Yan State; the Qin State and the Wei State; and Zhongshan and the Qi State.
Lou Fan was defeated, and Lin Hu was beaten as usual and fled back to the grassland. Zhongshan Kingdom has been honest in the past six months, neither sending troops to harass Zhao Kingdom's border areas, nor making any small moves behind the scenes.
There was no movement in Qi State, but Zhao Yong knew that Qi State's eyes should be fixed on Yan State at this time.
"Your Majesty, the State of Yan has brought a lot of gold to Handan. In addition, the King of Yan passed away, and the five kingdoms of Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Wei, and Qin have all sent envoys to Jidu to express their condolences. Do we, the State of Zhao, come with us?" Leopard asked.
His own father was about to die, but he still sent a large gift to the State of Zhao. This Prince Yan seemed to be a wonderful person. I guess he was afraid that Zhao State would settle accounts with Yan State.
Ji Shuo's death was not unexpected, but he didn't expect it to be so sudden.
Zhao Yong glanced at Su Qin subconsciously.
There was no emotion on the face of King Yan's 'fake father' at this time.
"Accept the gift from the State of Yan and go to Yan with the envoys to carry the tribute." Zhao Yong replied.
As soon as these words came out, His Highness's ministers suddenly had different expressions.
Zhao Cheng moved his lower lip, paused and then suppressed his words.
Su Qin still looked as usual, making it difficult to tell the difference.
