The change of seasons is really fast, as if in an instant, the branches of the trees that were dead last night are sprouting new buds of spring today.
In a blink of an eye, it was another reincarnation. During most of the days when she lived in seclusion in Handan, Mi Bazi felt that time in the world seemed to be standing still. Although Zhao Guo did not restrict her movements, after the initial freshness faded away, she really didn't bother to even bother to open the courtyard door. Going out, because there was no point, she preferred to stay in the house and watch the sunrise and sunset in the distance. For her now, today, yesterday and tomorrow are the only things left in this world.
Being in a daze became her normal state, and sometimes she would be silent for several hours. She thought about the circumstances of the first twenty years of her life, and the days kept going back in her fantasy. In the more than a year since she came to Zhao State, she may have thought and worried more than she had in the previous twenty years combined. Yet nothing seems to change.
The hatred, shame, anger, and humiliation in her memories constantly tortured her. Sometimes she thought too much and for too long, and she would always have nightmares at night.
In order not to let herself live in memories for a long time, in addition to teaching Ying Ji to read and recite rituals, she spent these days tending flowers and planting trees.
The former became her motivation to live, and the latter may be her last hope for life.
Looking at the boy carrying buckets of water in the distance. The five or six-year-old baby is growing really fast. She has already started to tie her hair up since the beginning of the new year. Looking at the baby who was once crying for food, she has become a half-grown kid overnight. Mi Bazi’s I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief in my heart.
Every day, mother and son wait for the trees in the yard, which is what Mi Bazi is most willing to do. Observing their slow growth and decay, she could at least sense the flow of days.
The house that Zhao Guo arranged for Proton was indeed large enough. In addition to the seven or eight locust trees originally planted in the courtyard, two ginkgo trees were newly transplanted from Zhaowang Palace. The leaves of the ginkgo are very beautiful. Although a touch of new green has just appeared at this time, when the leaves turn yellow in autumn, she will be the only one. , then I realized how beautiful it is. During autumn and winter, Mi Bazi always collects all the fallen leaves.
At this time, Mi Bazi squatted on the ground with a wooden hoe and hoeed away the weeds near the trees. He also loosened the soil for them so that it would be easier to soak the soil when watering. Ying Ji carried the small wooden bucket and poured water next to the tree pit one by one, without even noticing the mess he made.
She looked at the lively boy, smelled the fragrance of the spring soil, and the faint scent of the leaves. She no longer thought about anything at this moment. This was the best time to live.
The past silk and bamboo orchestras, grand banquets, and gorgeous palaces never seemed to belong to her. Nowadays, Mi Bazi no longer has any restraints of etiquette, and she seems to have no expectations in her heart, and everything has returned to plainness and boredom.
She had long since faded away from the gorgeous silk palace attire of the past, and now she was only wearing a simple gray and white cotton skirt. At first glance, she looked no different from a commoner young woman working in the farmland. However, if you observe carefully, the skin exposed behind the broken hair on the young woman's neck is unusually white and soft, and there is a charming aura that is always present in the young woman's facial features.
If not, how could he be so fascinated by the king of Qin? Apart from being a member of the royal family of Chu, his qualifications are certainly not bad.
It's hard to be calm when one's heart has been calmed down. After all, she is not an ordinary woman.
At this moment, the courtyard door was quietly opened, Qiuyue walked in quickly, and closed the courtyard door silently.
Mi Bazi glanced back when he heard the movement, and then continued busy with the chores in his hands. It was a rare sunny day today, and she wanted to take the opportunity to clear away all the weeds.
Qiuyue saluted Mi Bazi and Ying Ji, turned around, walked to the courtyard wall and took a hoe, then squatted next to Mi Bazi and started working together.
Qiuyue glanced at the courtyard gate, and while digging weeds, she whispered: "Madam, I have heard some news. King Yan Ji Xie was in trouble during the battle at Dukang, and the Qi army also captured Linle and In Fangcheng, the State of Zhao has sent more troops to the border of Yan and Qi. Now outside Handan City, there are all troops, and the State of Zhao... seems to be going to conquer the State of Yan. "
Mi Bazi moved her red lips, wanting to say something but didn't say anything. After a moment, she nodded.
She no longer paid much attention to the affairs of the Qin State. Over the past year, she felt more and more that the chance of Hunjun being able to recall their mother and son was slim.
Zhao State destroyed Lin Hu and Lou Fan, and Zhao State's national power became stronger and stronger. On the other hand, in the Qin State, there were endless civil strife and wars. How could the Hunjun give up trying to please Zhao State and let their mother and son go back?
Mi Bazi stood up, lifted up the broken hair hanging around her ears, relaxed her slender waist, and whispered to the busy boy beside her: "It's time for Ji'er to study."
…
The sun is shining, the days are warm, and spring is in full bloom. The pavilions and towers of Longtai Palace are bathed in the sun and are full of colors. Flowers and plants are beginning to appear, and little new ideas are decorated in them. The scenery is beautiful.
Since Queen Ji Yao was diagnosed with pregnancy, Zhao Yong would come to the Greenhouse Palace to accompany her after handling political affairs.
At this time, Ji Yao was lying on her back on the bedside table and reading the slips. When she saw Zhao Yong coming in, she quickly stood up and saluted: "Why did the king come so early today?"
Zhao Yong took two steps forward, supported Ji Yao's forearm, pointed outside and said with a smile: "The weather is good today. I heard that sunbathing is good for pregnant women." As he said that, he took another look at Ji Yao's face. Lower abdomen, just after a winter, her belly has undergone obvious changes, and her lower abdomen has begun to bulge slightly. "I will accompany the queen for a walk in the garden."
Ji Yao nodded obediently.
The back garden of Longtai Palace is very close to the Greenhouse Palace, and you can reach it just by walking through a corridor. Many novel flowers, plants and trees were transplanted in the garden, most of which were planted by Meng Rou. At this time, greenery has begun to appear on various tree branches in the garden, but the flower buds have not yet fully unfolded.
There were several paths paved with square stones in the middle of the garden. Zhao Yong accompanied Ji Yao as he walked slowly among the sparse woods. A group of eunuchs and maidens followed behind, about ten steps away, holding kettles and gourds of melons. Fruit and various other things.
Zhao Yong looked at Ji Yao's belly from time to time, and she accidentally discovered it.
Ji Yao's cheeks were slightly red and she whispered angrily: "What is the king looking at?"
The sound is delicate and crisp, just like the call of a bluebird in the forest.
Zhao Yong held her delicate hands and smiled: "I am wondering whether there is a girl or a boy in Yao'er's belly."
"What do you think, Your Majesty?" Ji Yao asked shyly.
"Hahahahaha." Zhao Yong smiled heartily. Although the woman was about to become a mother, her temperament was still the same as before, and she was a little playful from time to time.
"The king hasn't answered my concubine yet." Ji Yao raised her head and asked.
Zhao Yong suddenly leaned in her ear and whispered softly: "If it is a daughter, she will be the eldest princess of the widow. If it is a boy, he will be the prince of Zhao."
Although he said this, Zhao Yong still hoped that it would be a son. Anyway, his child would not be troubled by a mortgage.
If Ji Yao gives birth to a prince, he will be the legitimate son and the eldest son, and the future successor of the Zhao Kingdom will be secure. As long as he doesn't act like a monster, there won't be any ridiculous things about fighting for the throne. He doesn't want to be stabbed in the back by his son because of the issue of establishing an heir.
"Your Majesty is so kind to me." Ji Yao turned to look at him and said, "Before I came to Zhao Kingdom, I kept thinking about whether your Majesty is a serious person."
"If I don't treat you well, who will I treat well? With you by my side, it's hard for me to speak righteously and harshly." Zhao Yong said with a smile.
Ji Yao leaned on Zhao Yong's chest and said softly: "It would be great if the king could stay with me forever..."
Zhao Yong was silent for a long time and said: "Of course I will always be by Yao'er's side."
"I made a mistake." Ji Yao came back to her senses, propped herself up, looked up at Zhao Yong and said, "I feel that God is also telling us that Zhao will use foreign troops this time."
"Oh? How come you can see that?" Zhao Yong said suspiciously. He was a little surprised at how quickly Ji Yao's demeanor changed.
Ji Yao said seriously with a small face: "Zhongshan's betrayal of trust is unjust, and Zhongshan's usurpation of Yan is unethical. Now the king raises a righteous army to attack the unruly country of Zhongshan. He should follow the destiny and support the will of the people."
"Haha." Zhao Yong laughed twice. He doesn't believe in this anyway, he doesn't know whether God blesses or not. But when it comes to justice... Zhao Guo may not be very just. He, Zhao Yong, is not Lu Xiaobai. If it is not justice linked to interests, he will not be too lazy to act and follow it.
However, Ji Yao seems to be a positive young woman. Besides, there is nothing wrong with her statement in the eyes of the public, not to mention that it is auspicious words. On the eve of the personal expedition, to wish Zhao Guo a victory, what could Zhao Yong say? If you don't agree with this statement, you can only laugh.
After all, he is a king, and he must maintain his royal demeanor in front of his woman, and he must establish a decent impression in front of his people.
Ji Yao was very considerate and soon noticed the disapproval in Zhao Yong's smile, so she continued: "In the past, the Qin State borrowed troops to make Sheng Sheng strong and used unscrupulous troops to attack our three Jins. But what happened? If you don’t help Qin, Qin will be blamed by God. Looking at the difficulties of Yan today, it is precisely because the King of Yan repeatedly committed unjust acts that the country is in trouble today."
Zhao Yong sincerely praised her. She was indeed a Korean princess who was influenced by poetry, books, etiquette and music. It is hard to imagine that such insights came from a woman.
Although Zhao Yong disagrees. But Ji Yao's remarks could not help but make Zhao Yong realize again: Although this is a great era of conquest and chaos, the idea of 'human rights are given by God' is still deeply rooted in the ruling class such as the princes of various countries, and even the intellectual groups with a little knowledge. of.
The princes of all countries are not ignorant, because people all over the world do not know common sense such as "the earth is round". If you want to win over the people and make the country strong, you need a 'world view' that more people agree with. You need to make the people believe that what they are doing is correct, can be successful, and is meaningful.
That 'justice' is a good framework.
When it comes to such an in-depth topic, Zhao Yong was unable to convince Ji Yao for a while. However, he did not agree with her. Zhao Yong could only nodded seriously and said: "Then I have to work hard and continue to satisfy God."
Ji Yao smiled and said: "As early as when I was in the mountains, I heard the words of the king and my father. From then on, I believed that the king is a wise monarch blessed by God."
"Jieshan?" Zhao Yong was stunned.
"It was the time when my father invited the king to the District Rat." Ji Yao said with a guilty conscience. After saying that, she turned around and looked behind her, only to see the maids ten steps away, so she continued with an angry look on her face: "Then The second concubine pretended to be a palace servant, and when she returned, my father reprimanded me and punished me by not leaving the palace for three months."
Zhao Yong's expression changed. He overlapped the image of the beauty in his mind with that of Ji Yao now, and a different charm suddenly appeared on her body.
Zhao Yong's eyes suddenly became a little fiery and he said, "Yao'er must be tired. Let's go back to the palace to rest first."
…
The breeze is swaying, and the sun is setting in the west.
Returning to Longtai Hall, it was too early to see the weather, so Zhao Yong continued to turn on the office mode.
Although the expedition was about to begin, he was in a good mood and not at all anxious. Maybe it's because the weather has been nice recently and the climate affects my mood. At the same time, Ji Yao's words today also made him feel comfortable, "God approves of this crusade." Moreover, Zhao Yong also had a clear conscience. At least for Zhao State itself, the battle against Zhongshan was still a just battle.
After the cabinet got on track, Zhao Yong felt a lot more relaxed. Nowadays, most of the briefs are sent to him, and he no longer has to approve them every day. However, state affairs and political affairs related to this crusade against Zhongshan will still be sent directly to him.
Although the generals at all levels for this battle have not yet been decided, the allocation of ordnance and supplies of food and supplies is already in full swing.
According to the briefing given by the Ministry of War, since the Battle of Hangu, the military strength has more than doubled in the past year or so. The standing army now reaches 50,000, including chariot corps and armored infantry.
And the cavalry brigade has grown exponentially, to 50,000!
This number can be described as an exaggeration, but Zhao Yong thought it was probably not a false report.
Because it clearly states that one of the capitals is Loufan, the other is Linhu, and the three capitals are Daidai. Each capital has ten thousand.
Human nature is driven by profit. As long as the interests are appropriate, even if you are facing an enemy who has just attacked and destroyed your country, you can serve him in an instant.
Moreover, it is still a barbarian country that is already loose and has little faith.
Of course, Zhao Yong believes that the main reason is because of the policies promulgated by Zhao State. The new law stipulates: As long as you are willing to survive under the rule of Zhao, are willing to abide by Zhao's laws, and recognize that you are a Zhao person, you can continue to live on your pasture.
The State of Zhao did not immediately deprive the large and small tribes of the Hu tribes of their autonomy, but instead promised them generous supplies. There is only one requirement: admit that you are from Zhao.
This is the cultural war of Zhao State. As the saying goes: Those who destroy their country must first destroy its history.
To truly eliminate a country, it is absolutely impossible to rely solely on killing.
If you really want to destroy a nation, you need to destroy its language, writing, and history. If these are artificially eliminated, and then another set of rules by the rulers is applied, then the original country and nation will have been culturally and spiritually destroyed, or it will be transformed and assimilated.
