The anxious war situation of all the Chinese countries and the emergence of new war situations did not seem to affect the rare tranquility of Zhao State.
The political innovation and the formation of the cabinet went extremely smoothly, and the new political system operated as usual. This major change was rare without bloodshed.
Zhao Yong felt that the fundamental reason for the success of the reform, in addition to his personal prestige, was the proper distribution of old rights.
In fact, compared with the Hufu Order and the Tuntian Order, this reform of the old system did not involve the middle and lower classes of Zhao State: ordinary people, common people, and those new rural households. On the contrary, the improvement of the system also provides guarantees for the daily production and life of the soldiers and civilians at the bottom.
What the new law deprives is only the 'some' rights of those top nobles, such as the nobles and aristocratic families represented by Anping Lord Zhao Cheng.
After Zhao Bao's sudden death, the one who has the best chance of taking the position should be Zhao Cheng. But now not only is the phase at his fingertips gone, but the original criminal law officer is also gone.
Although the newly appointed Situ's position and his status as Pavilion Elder are no different from the former Prime Minister in the eyes of outsiders. But the actual rights vary widely.
However, there was nothing they could do. To put it bluntly, the reform of the old system was not aimed at one of them, but at a group of people. But in comparison, what they faced was not just the royal power represented by Zhao Yong, but also another group of people with vested interests.
If the State of Zhao is compared to a piece of pastry, the royal power is the same as the person holding the sword. Although the share given to the "old nobles" is less, more people are getting a much larger share than before.
Those rights that were obtained were divided among those that originally belonged to the old nobles.
There is no strong opposition, and of course there is another point, the hearts of the people.
The old aristocratic system headed by Zhao was not an ignorant person. As an uncle of the Zhao family, although he could not fully understand the benefits of the new system to the Zhao State, he could also feel some of the benefits the new system had brought to the Zhao State. Change.
Although he is greedy for power, he also has righteousness at heart.
Power is not unlimited. Zhao Yong just broke the inherent vessel in advance and let the trapped desires flow freely.
If you want to fight for more rights, then fight, fight, and farm!
Hope is the foundation, the driving force, and the key to a country's prosperity.
In fact, depriving the people at the bottom may achieve more significant results, and the results will come faster.
But Zhao Yong knew that if he did that, it would be like drinking poison to quench his thirst.
Looking at it now, his idea was correct and successful.
This is all Zhao Yong can do now. In this farming era, when knowledge has not yet become widespread, the royal power can only rely on these aristocratic families, because only these aristocratic families can provide talents for the country and maintain the normalcy of the country. operation.
The demise of the old aristocratic family will definitely be accompanied by the rise of the new aristocratic family. Zhao Yong never expects any eternal achievements...
The military reforms and political reforms he implemented were all preparations for territory expansion.
Next, Zhao Guo's goal is very clear, which is to expand the army, prepare for war, and recharge his batteries to wait for the emergence of fighters!
…
…
Yingdu, outside the main hall of the Chu Palace.
Zhang Yi frowned and glanced at the palace on the high platform from time to time. His current mood can be described as very uneasy, and even the trace of calmness on his face is fake.
If it weren't for the soldiers of the Qin army who sacrificed their lives and defended the front line of Wuguan; if it hadn't been for bribing the important officials of the Chu court with huge sums of money; if it hadn't been for the chess piece that was laid out many years ago. I'm afraid he won't even have a chance to come to Yingdu.
Thinking of what that man said to himself... Zhang Yi knew that this was his last chance. If things failed, he would have no choice but to commit suicide in Chu State to save his wife and children in Xianyang.
Suddenly, the moment he raised his head again, he faintly saw a vague figure walking out of the King Chu's hall.
Then the long-awaited 'sound of nature' rang in my ears.
"Xuan, Qin Prime Minister Zhang Yi, comes to the palace to see you."
"Prime Minister Qin, please." The eunuch beside him said forward.
Zhang Yi took a long breath, turned to the eunuch, cupped her hands and said, "Please say hello to the princess, you've got me." After saying that, Zhang Yi ignored the eunuch's reaction and turned towards the main hall on the high platform.
When he entered the palace, Zhang Yi glanced at the Chu ministers on both sides and saw that Qu Yuan, his left disciple, was not present. He was immediately overjoyed that the news was true. Qu Yuan is still on the front line.
Zhang Yi recovered her mind and respectfully bowed to the King of Chu who was standing above him: "Zhang Yi pays homage to your Majesty."
"I haven't seen you for several years. Is Mr. Qin okay?" Xiong Huai said with a smile.
"Thanks to the great king, everything is fine for the foreign minister." Zhang Yi replied with a smile.
Xiong Huai nodded and looked at Zhang Yi who looked calm below him. He really couldn't figure out the reality of Qin State for a while.
This is why he is willing to see the other party.
Chu sent one hundred thousand troops to take advantage of Qin's weakness and destroy Qin in one battle.
But the originally thought of a smooth march to Xianyang did not happen, but a stalemate in front of Wuguan lasted for three months.
Every time he heard the battle reports from the front line, Xiong Huai felt worried.
The Chu army's frontline battle was not going well, and coupled with the memorials from his ministers and his beloved concubine, he finally decided to wait and see what tricks Qin Xiang could come up with.
"How can Prime Minister Qin come to our country of Chu at this time?"
Zhang Yi hurriedly came to Chu and said, "I don't dare to teach you. This is for the sake of diplomatic relations between Qin and Chu. Foreign ministers come to Chu just to make peace with Chu."
"Oh? Make peace with Chu?" Xiong Huai suddenly laughed and said: "Hahahahaha, Qin State is really lucky to have you as a minister who has made peace with Chu for Qin and Chu... Since Qin Xiang said that he would make peace with Chu, I will Let’s hear what new insights Qin has on repairing.”
Zhang Yi bowed respectfully and said: "My king once told the foreign minister that there is no person he respects more than the King of Chu in his life, and no country he respects more than the State of Chu. However, the foreign minister's first choice for serving as an official country is also the State of Chu, but fate does not come to pass. Foreign ministers served in the Qin Dynasty for many years, and often spoke of the good things of Qin and Chu to the King of Qin. They visited Chu many times, and they all vowed to make peace. In the past ten years, Qin and Chu have never had a war or animosity. Qin's biggest troubles are the three Jins and the Yan Qi once tried to conquer Qi in the east and attack Zhao in the north, but he had no choice but to return in vain."
"Old grudges have not disappeared, and new grudges have been added. In the Battle of Hangu, other countries attacked Qin. Although Qin was defeated, the King of Qin still missed the Chu Kingdom and was grateful that the king did not have the intention to fight. Looking at the strength of the Three Jin Dynasties, the Western Attack on Qin The country is in chaos in the north, and the foreign ministers are afraid... that they will think of the Chu Kingdom in the south in the future."
"The foreign ministers wrote to the King of Qin at the beginning of the year, hoping that Qin could cede the city to Chu and form an alliance with Chu to fight against the three Jins. What the ministers did not expect was that the king was actually challenged by the three Jins and went to war with Qin."
What Zhang Yi said was true. Although Xiong Huai's face remained calm, he was indeed a little embarrassed in his heart.
Before the King of Chu could speak, Zhang Yi added: "Your Majesty must have been forced by the Three Jins to start a war with Qin. There is no harm in the Chu State taking these captured cities, and the Qin State will have no complaints. But the foreign ministers are afraid... of the Three Jin Dynasties. Make money out of this. After defeating Qin and then damaging Chu, can the three Jin Dynasties sit back and relax?"
"Nonsense! Wei and Han have signed an alliance with me, Chu. How can there be any ill intentions?" Zhao Sui, the doctor on the side, immediately retorted.
"Hahahahaha, nonsense? More than ten cities in Cai and Chen are still occupied by the Chu State. Wei and Han have been waiting for opportunities to capture..."
Zhao Sui said: "Humph, if Wei and Han could take possession of him, he would have taken it long ago..."
Zhang Yi was speechless for a moment. He ignored Zhao Sui and turned to face the King of Chu.
Xiong Huai thought carefully for a moment and said in a sonorous tone: "I understand what Prime Minister Qin means. It is true that Wei and Han covet Chu State, but I think that Chu State's biggest concern is still Qin State!"
Xiong Huai already had an insight into Qin's little thoughts. How could it be so easy for the Qin State to divert disaster to the east?
Zhang Yi's heart trembled, but her face deliberately showed a look of surprise: "Your Majesty, do you really think so?"
"What does Prime Minister Qin think?" Xiong Huai said disdainfully.
Zhang Yi pretended to be stupid and said: "If the king is really like this, then Qin and Chu will not be far away from each other. If the two countries go to war, both Qin and Chu will suffer losses. By then, there will be hunger and death all over the land. If you are alone and widowed, the three Jins and Qi will be the ones who will benefit. Please think again, your Majesty!"
Xiong Huai's eyes narrowed slightly, and Zhao Sui reminded him: "I'm afraid Prime Minister Qin has forgotten that Qin and Chu are currently at war."
Zhang Yi suddenly showed a look of surprise and bowed to Zhao Sui. Then he turned to Zhao Sui again and said doubtfully: "The foreign minister is confused, why did Chu attack Qin?"
"Hahahahaha!" Xiong Huai laughed suddenly: "Why attack? This is coming from Prime Minister Qin's mouth. Why do you think this is so funny?"
Xiong Huai's expression suddenly changed, and he said in a cold tone: "In a time of great strife, do I still need to ask the King of Qin if he agrees before starting a war?"
Zhang Yi said without fear at this time: "In times of great strife, wars have always caused chaos, or wars have to be fought to preserve the country. However, foreign ministers believe that Chu State does not have to be like this, and Qin State does not have to be like this..."
"Prime Minister Qin, don't continue to talk too much. Do you still think that you can retreat our Chu army with just a sharp tongue?" Xiong Huai said.
"Your Majesty, do you really think you can destroy Qin?" Zhang Yi said.
"Why can't our Chu State's 200,000-strong army be destroyed?" Xiong Huai said.
"Yes, Chu has a strong military and is rare among other countries. However, there was a battle at Hangu earlier. Although Qin was defeated, the country was not worried. Does the king think it can be compared with the three Jins?" Zhang Yi said.
Xiong Huai suddenly became speechless. He didn't know how to answer such words.
Zhang Yi followed the trend and said: "Although the Chu army was strong, it suffered heavy losses before Wuguan and was struggling. Chu wanted to fight, but Qin was not afraid, but Qin was still willing to surrender to Shang in both places, and only wanted to reunite with Chu. , good alliance."
"What did you say?" Xiong Huai suddenly sat up in shock.
Chu Chen on both sides also stared at Zhang Yi in surprise. They all knew that although the Chu State was trying to destroy the country, they were actually fighting for Shang Yu's homeland.
But now the Qin State has stopped fighting and just gave away the land?
"The State of Qin is willing to cede the Shang Dynasty to the State of Chu for six hundred miles between the two places." Zhang Yi repeated word by word.
Xiong Huai coughed twice and said: "Shang Yu was originally the hometown of the Chu State. How could it be said that it was ceded and returned?"
"Whether it is ceded or returned, in short, the Qin army no longer holds on, and the Chu army can take it without spending a single soldier." Zhang Yi said.
"Is Prime Minister Qin's statement true?" Xiong Huai asked doubtfully. He is not so stupid that he will believe whatever others say.
You must know that Shang Yu is the southern gate of Qin. If Qin has it, Chu will not dare to attack Qin wantonly and must send heavy troops to defend it.
"Foreign ministers come all the way to Chu, so they certainly don't want to make the king happy." Zhang Yi said as he took out the simplified covenant he had prepared and handed it to the eunuch beside him.
Xiong Huai swallowed, took the alliance letter from the eunuch's hand, and read it carefully. We must know that it has been more than a hundred years since the two places of Shang and Yu were seceded in gratitude to the Qin State for sending troops to retreat from Wu during the reign of the late King Zhao. All the kings of Chu in the past dynasties were thinking about their old land, but Qin would not spit it out easily.
Now that Shang Yu is about to return to Chu again, how can he not be excited? As long as he regains his homeland, his name Xiong Huai will be praised by the people of Chu even a hundred years later.
However, when he saw the second half of the alliance letter, Xiong Huai frowned: "Qin wants me to sever the alliance with the three Jins?"
Zhao Sui suddenly sneered, and he knew that Zhang Yi had no good intentions: "Your Majesty, now that Wuguan is under the offensive of our Chu army, it is only a matter of time before Wuguan falls. Otherwise, how could Qin do this? And Qin has never Keeping faith, Qin State was defeated by the Three Jins in the past and promised to return the city to Han and Wei. However, after Zhang Yi returned to the country, he turned around and refused to return the troops. I am worried that after our Chu State breaks off diplomatic relations with the Three Jin States, if the Qin State If there is a change, our country, Chu, will regret it too late. Your Majesty, please think twice!"
Chen Zhen, who was on the side, glanced at Zhang Yi, then at Jin Shang beside him, and then said: "Although Wei and Han have an alliance with Chu State, Wei State has always been annoyed by Chu State's relationship with the Valley. Wartime strategy. So far, Chu has not used the road to attack Qin, which has forced Chu to attack Qin from Wuguan Road, causing heavy losses to Chu's troops. This behavior of Wei State clearly shows that the three Jin Dynasties are betraying Chu."
Jin Shang also echoed: "We, Chu's army of tens of thousands, have been wasting in front of Wuguan Road for several months and have not made any progress yet. Now that Qin has surrendered, why does the king still hesitate?"
Zhang Yi's expression remained unchanged, but her heart was already filled with joy. It seemed that her money was not in vain.
Xiong Huai thought carefully for a moment and said to Zhao Sui: "I am very relieved that you are worried about me, but the Qin State takes the initiative to return to the country, and I have no reason to refuse. If the Qin State dares to go back on its words, we, the Chu State, will send troops to attack like the three Jin Dynasties." Just go back."
Zhao Sui said anxiously from the side: "Your Majesty, the State of Qin has taken the initiative to return the land and repair it, and we, the State of Chu, can accept it. But I think we need to discuss the retreat with Ling Yin and Zuo Tu at the front."
After hearing Zhao Sui's words, the King of Chu, who was at the top, suddenly showed a look of displeasure on his face.
Zhang Yi took the opportunity to add jealousy and said, "Oh!" She raised her forehead and said, "Had I known this, the foreign minister would have gone to Wuguan first and discussed with Ling Yin and Zuo Tu before coming to Yingdu..."
"Are you trying to sow discord between the kings and ministers of Chu Ting?" Zhao Sui glared at Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi snorted coldly: "The Qin State is already like this, but the Chu State is still acting like this."
"Your Majesty, you can get it easily but don't want it. Do you have to shed a river of blood to do it?"
