"The wind blows for a long time, and it is difficult to return to Yanshan... I have to wake up from the long dream, it will end in its own time." Ji Kuai whispered softly at the corner of his mouth. His heart now is disappointed, desperate, and regretful. He closed his eyes and let the wind and snow blow. After a long time, he suddenly smiled sadly.
"Am I really a sinner of Yan State?"
Yan Kuai seems to be wandering back and forth in his dream, and seems to be asking the sky.
The ministers behind him all looked hesitant and frightened when they heard this.
"Your Majesty! You must not say such depressing words!" Zizhi lowered his head and said unwillingly.
"We, the Yan people, would rather die than surrender to Qi. Our Jidu has enough food and fodder to support the army and the people for several years. Our Jidu has a high city and strong walls! Your Majesty, our Yan country has not been defeated yet!"
"The Great Wall and Dukang are both lost, how can we maintain the lonely city for a long time?" Ji Kuai smiled bitterly and shook his head.
All the ministers were speechless.
The long silence was replaced by a sigh. Ji Kuai looked into the distance south of the city. From under the billowing dust and mist, he seemed to see thousands of troops of Qi State.
"The Kingdom of Yan will perish..."
"Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty!"
"There is no chance... Qi State has a vast territory." Ji Kuai lamented: "This is a huge country that prides itself on being faithful and valuing Confucianism, but it really has the heart of a tiger or a wolf!"
Su Dai, who had been walking at the end, stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty may temporarily enter Zhao land to wait for the opportunity to restore the country."
"It's nonsense. If the State of Zhao does not dare to face Qi directly, how can it sincerely help our State of Yan?" Guo Wei, the middle doctor, immediately refuted.
Su Dai did not quarrel with Guo Wei, but turned to Ji Kuai and said, "Your Majesty, the Zhao soldiers are not coming out, not because they are afraid of Qi, but because they are worried about themselves. Lord Wu'an has written to the minister, Zhao Jun We have already wiped out the two kingdoms of Linhu and Loufan. I hope that the king can avoid the Qi army and temporarily enter the Zhao territory. Wait for the Zhao king to unite with the Wei king and the Han king to regain our Yan country."
As soon as this statement came out, all the kings and ministers of Yan State were shocked.
This news was as shocking as the Three Jins' attack on Hangu Pass.
Ji Kuai even forgot about the Qi army a hundred miles away.
"The State of Zhao actually defeated the Erhu?" Guo Wei said in surprise.
There is no need to doubt the authenticity of the news. Everyone present knows that this doctor Su Dai is the biological brother of Wu'an Lord Su Qin.
Su Dai's words made Ji Kuai hesitate for a moment.
Guo Wei recovered from the shock and hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty! You must not leave the country of Yan. If the king leaves the country, the people of Yan will be without an owner, and the king will have no roots. How can we talk about restoring the country!"
"If the king is injured, how can we restore the country?" Su Dai said disdainfully.
"Your Majesty, please think twice. If Your Majesty leaves the land of Yan, our Kingdom of Yan will really perish!" Guo Wei did not argue with Su Dai and kept trying to persuade the King of Yan.
"Bold! How dare you say such cryptic words." Zizhi couldn't help it anymore and scolded.
Zizhi's mood is very conflicted now. Although he is an ambitious man, he does not want Yan to be completely controlled by Zhao. Although he is close to Zhao, he is now afraid of following in Ji Xie's footsteps.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Guo Wei kowtowed heavily.
Ji Kuai frowned deeply.
After pondering for a moment, he sighed again: "Okay! I will not leave the country of Yan."
"Huh?" Su Dai and Zizhi were stunned at the same time.
"Your Majesty, you must not put yourself in danger." Su Dai said.
Ji Kuai let out a long breath: "How can a country be without a king for a day? The current turmoil in the Yan Kingdom is all caused by a few people. How can a few people ignore the people of the Yan Kingdom and run for their lives alone?"
Ji Kuai shook his head and said: "I can't do that. If I leave, the late king's last words will come true."
"Kings!"
Ji Kuai raised his hand to stop his words of admonishment. He looked around at the ministers and said solemnly: "I will live and die with the Yan State."
"However, for the sake of the Yan State, I now declare that I will make Prince Ping the crown prince."
"I will obey the king's orders, and I will live and die with the Yan Kingdom." The ministers said solemnly.
Ji Kuai nodded happily. After giving his final words, he suddenly looked at Su Dai: "I will entrust the prince to you. I hope that you can take the prince to the Kingdom of Zhao safely."
Su Dai nodded with complicated eyes and said, "I will definitely live up to the king's orders."
…
The offensive and defensive battle of Fangcheng has come to an end. This high-walled military town and the last barrier of Jidu only defended the enemy for two days before it was completely broken.
The city gate, which was more than ten feet high, suddenly opened, and the "righteous" masters of Qi State walked in with their halberds and spears raised high.
The people of Yan State in the city did not feel the slightest fear of the arrival of the invaders and the Qi army.
They stood in front of the ruins of the broken wall that had just been ravaged by the war, and they even bowed to welcome the invaders.
Kuang Zhang looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but murmured in his heart: "The people's support can be used."
The success of Qi's just battle exceeded everyone's expectations.
After traveling in the Yan Kingdom for more than seventy days, he captured all the cities except Jidu. Now in the Yan Kingdom, the only city left is Jidu.
Just as Kuang Zhang was sighing, a scout suddenly came running from a distance.
The scout approached and reported: "General, Zhao has sent additional troops to Wusui (Wuqiang County, Hebei Province) and Guanjin (Wuyi County, Hebei Province)."
Kuang Zhang frowned when he heard this, and Tian Pan beside him said with disdain: "The Zhao people must not dare to attack our Qi State at this time. The additional troops in Hejian this time are probably also to prevent our Qi army from taking over the Yan State." Later, he turned to attack Zhao."
Kuang Zhang nodded slightly and did not object. At this time, it is indeed unlikely that other countries will assist Yan.
Because nominally speaking, Qi State has already taken the lead in Dayi, because they came to Yan State to fight in order to "uphold justice."
Justice sounds mysterious, but in fact it is related to the 'legitimacy' of this war. In this era of "Zunyi salutes", all Chinese countries often have to talk first before going to war, in order to strive to become the righteous party. (Barbarians don’t matter)
For example, this time, when Qi State carried out a "just war", the common people of Yan State showed great cooperation. Because they thought Qi was coming to save their country.
If the Qi army came up and burned, killed and looted, the Yan people would definitely not cooperate. Not to mention taking over the Yan country in seventy days, even seventy years would be wishful thinking.
However, the real purpose is probably only known by the Justice Messenger himself.
"It is still important not to be careless. Although the Zhao State has just destroyed Erhu, its national power is not the same as before. There must be no changes at this time."
Although Kuang Zhang had not fought with the Zhao army, he could deduce from the Zhao army's several attacks in the past two years that the current Zhao army might be more terrifying than the Qin army in the past.
After thinking about it for a moment, he turned to Tian Pan and ordered: "In the battle formation, we will strive to make sure that no one is lost. You will immediately divide your troops into 20,000 troops and add Wu Huan."
Although Tian Pan didn't think that Zhao dared to fight at this time, the general's words were indeed reasonable. If the Zhao army was really allowed to cross Yishui, the Qi army on the plain would probably no longer have superior troops.
Kuang Zhang further instructed: "If the Zhao army attacks our Qi city, General Tian Pan must remember to only defend but not attack, waiting for support."
Tian Pan bowed solemnly and said: "General, don't worry, Wu Huan will never lose you if I stay with you for a day."
Kuang Zhang nodded, bowed his hands and said, "Cherish it."
"Cherish it." Tian Pan bowed in return and then rode back.
Kuang Zhang watched Tian Pan's figure exit the city gate, turned around and ordered the marching Sima: "Send the order to Qian Fu to launch a general attack on Jidu immediately."
"Here!" Marching Sima responded.
…
"You mean... Kuang Zhang has a disloyal heart?" Tian Bijiang put down the brief note in his hand and turned to Tian Ying with a look of displeasure in his expression.
It's not because of Tian Ying's advice, but because of what Jian Jian just mentioned.
The State of Qi spent a lot of money on Tuyan, including high tolls and supplies for the war that would overwhelm the country.
However, the war in Yan State went smoothly, but the Qi court continued to slander the general Kuang Zhang.
fo
Now the Song State next door took the opportunity to cause trouble again. Seeing that the Qi State had no other concerns, it actually raised a large army to annex the Teng State.
As one of the only three remaining kingdoms in Sishang, Teng State has gone through many hardships. Although it only has one capital city under its jurisdiction now, Teng State exists as a vassal state of Qi after all. If he had to watch the Teng Kingdom be destroyed, where would the Qi Kingdom's Central Plains overlord lose his face?
Qi State gathered together from east to west and temporarily gathered 10,000 soldiers. However, before they reached Tengjing, they were ambushed by the Song army and made dumplings.
These days, Tian Bijiang is really exhausted mentally and physically. He has not listened to his favorite yusheng ensemble for more than ten days.
"My brother, that is not what I meant." Tian Ying touched the sweat on his forehead, paused and said, "Most of the Yan land is in the hands of our Qi army, and now the people of Yan praise our Qi army as a righteous army. What my brother is afraid of is... if Kuang Zhang conquers Jidu again, as a general, he may be more successful than his commander, and now that he has the support of the people of Yan, I'm afraid..."
Tian Bijiang immediately interrupted him and said displeasedly: "I have read Kuang Zhang's memorial, so there is no need to say anything more to the Prime Minister."
"But... the general has his own troops, and the king has no choice but to be on guard." Tian Ying said.
"If I were to guard against him, why would I use him?" Tian Bijiang said.
"Your Majesty! Kuang Zhang had already surrendered to the country countless times before joining the Qi Dynasty, but he was not able to serve the country for long. If the late king had not appointed him as a general, he would still be a lost dog now." Tian Ying said solemnly.
"Nonsense!" Tian Bijiang scolded: "How can you describe me, General Qi, like this?"
"Brother Chen made a mistake." Tian Ying seemed to have noticed the inappropriate choice of words.
Tian Bijiang was unwilling to expose the little thoughts in the mind of this powerful king's brother. He then said slowly: "In the past, the Qin State used the road to attack our Qi State. The late king used Kuang Zhang to lead the army to resist the enemy. He also had the same You, ordinary minister, have spoken of Kuang Zhang's disobedience, but I don't think I need to say much about the consequences. In the past, Kuang Zhang's mother died because of contradicting his father and was buried under the stable. The late king once said to her: "Make meritorious service." , then his mother can be buried in a mausoleum.' Do you know how Kuang Zhang replied to the late king?"
Tian Ying could only shake his head.
"Kuang Zhang said: 'I dare not rebury my mother's grave without my father's orders.'" Tian Bijiang glanced at Tian Ying: "As a son, I dare not disobey my dead father. How can I dare to disobey a living king? What do courtiers have to do? You can let them talk about their suspicions. However, as the prime minister, you must not say anything at will!"
Tian Ying pondered for a moment, bowed his head and said, "My dear brother, I understand."
Tian Bijiang nodded with satisfaction. He said so much without any intention of blaming the other party. It is precisely because of such sincerely jealous ministers that he can rest assured about government affairs.
However, as the king of a country, he must consider everything he thinks and considers. He can know some truths himself, but he must not let his ministers know them.
It is indeed possible for Kuang Zhang to support his troops and respect himself. But Tian Bijiang already had countermeasures. It's just inconvenient for my colleagues to say.
Then he changed the subject and continued to ask: "How does the Prime Minister view the war between Song and Yue?"
Tian Ying thought carefully for a long time this time, and then said: "My brother thinks that our Qi State no longer needs to expend a lot of effort in the battle between Song and Teng. The Song State must have colluded with the Lu State, so that our Qi army was defeated in Sibei." Now that the main force of our Qi army is in Yan, there is no need to stalemate with the Song State again at this time. But when our Qi State is successful and the main force returns, we might as well compete with the Song and Lu Qiu queens.
As for the stalemate between the Yue State and Judi, in addition to the strength of the Chu army, the biggest reason was that the local Ju people were unwilling to surrender to the Yue people. The Ju people have always been on good terms with my Qi people in ancient times. Although the Ju land now belongs to Chu, Ju and my Qi people are even closer. I think that at this time our Qi state can take advantage of the situation to insert itself into the competition between Chu and Yue, and take advantage of the fact that the Chu state has no intention of looking eastward and merge Judi into our Qi state again. "
Wait for Tian Ying to speak.
Tian Bijiang stroked his palm and said happily: "The Prime Minister's views are the same as those of me. There is no danger of abandoning the small land of Teng State. However, the Yishu River Valley where Ju Tu is located is a fertile land. It would not be in line with God's will to not take it at this time. However, this After all, the main force of our Qi army is in the north at that time, and there are not many adjustable troops in the country. We still need a good general to achieve success."
After Tian Bijiang finished speaking, he turned to Tian Ying and said, "Is there anyone you can recommend to the prime minister?"
Tian Ying was silent for a moment and said: "If we fight for Ju territory, our Qi State's diplomacy with Chu and Yue will definitely break down, and then we will inevitably succeed in a battle. At this time, Tian Pan and Qian Fu are both in Yan Territory, and there are probably very few people who can be entrusted with important responsibilities. So. Why not adjust the fields and wait for the general to return to the country?"
Tian Bijiang shook his head: "I have just received an urgent report from the border. The State of Zhao has sent more troops to Wu Sui. What it wants is still unclear. The general has asked Tian Pan to guard Wu Huan. In order to defend against the State of Zhao, I am afraid that I will not be able to mobilize Tian Pan cuts Ju."
"How is Tian Xiao?" Tian Ying asked again.
"Xiaozi is already in his seventies, and I'm afraid he won't be able to carry out an expedition." Tian Bijiang said.
Tian Ying remained silent.
Tian Bijiang smiled and said: "I have a candidate who may be able to take on this important task."
"Oh? My brother is stupid, please let me know." Tian Ying said suspiciously.
Tian Bijiang's eyes narrowed slightly: "What does Xiangbang think of Tian Ji?"
"Tian Ji?" It's such a long-lost name. Tian Ying still recognizes the abilities of his clan brother, but...
Just listen to the King of Qi continue: "In the past, Chenghou (Zou Ji) was at odds with Tian Ji, and he falsely accused Tian Ji of admonition. Tian Ji was afraid of him, so he ran away to Chu. However, although the state of Chu was richer than Tian Ji, he was granted the title of Jiangnan (Hubei). Gong'an County), but Tian Ji's heart has never forgotten his motherland. I have called him back to his country a few days ago, and he should be on his way back now."
