The Zhao army had signs of retreating, packing up weapons and baggage, and even mobilizing troops more frequently. Such actions confused the Xia State side. These actions were really about to withdraw.
"Zhao's army retreated. What did they do? What time is it now? Jingxia and Jingxia are flanking each other, so they withdraw?"
He Heng could not understand King Zhao's distrust of the army at this moment. He was frightened, as if the army would surrender as soon as Queen Mother Jiang came, because King Zhao felt that his prestige was not as good as that of his mother, and he had made a big mistake.
The two sides were just about to start fighting, but the other side suddenly said that they would not fight, and they were still the stronger side. They wanted to retreat for unknown reasons.
This behavior of giving up without a fight made him look at Queen Mother Jiang, as if she wanted to seek some answer, but Queen Mother Jiang shook her head and frowned at the same time. Her beautiful eyes were lowered, thinking deeply about why Zhao Jun had so many confusions. Operation, as everyone knows, she is the biggest reason.
Such confusing behavior also made her feel more and more strange, and she felt strange to the entire Zhao Kingdom, especially to King Zhao, the child who was raised by one hand.
Whether it was the decision to fight against the Xia Kingdom in the eastern border of Chen Bing, or the decision to retreat now that they were almost at war, it was not a very rational choice. It is hard to imagine that a sane King Zhao could make it.
Empress Dowager Jiang could barely understand when she came to fight against Xia Kingdom. She was defeated, gave up, and wanted revenge. She could say that although she was crazy, she still knew what she was doing. However, Empress Dowager Jiang who later withdrew her troops was really difficult to understand.
Will personnel transfer not consume energy? Moreover, this is a suitable location for the cavalry to deploy. The vast plains stretch as far as the eye can see, and there are not many places for tactics. The only way to retreat is because Xia was forced to retreat. How could it be Zhao's turn to be timid before fighting.
"Do you want to pursue? Let's watch them retreat." It was also the first time for He Heng to face this kind of scene. He subconsciously asked whether the other party would retreat and pursue them, and whether he would watch them retreat or not conflict.
"That depends on whether it is a real retreat or a fake retreat. If you really retreat, you must pursue it. How can you let them run away so easily? Waste a good opportunity and fake a retreat..."
Li Rusi thought for a moment, frowned, thinking about the possible results, and then continued: "If they want to lure us to attack and take the opportunity to annihilate us, they have to be on guard. This may be because the other side is afraid of us and their thoughts. Come up with countermeasures.”
What Li Rusi said is not unreasonable. Taking this situation into account, the other party may be fishing and wants to solve the Xia Kingdom at the minimum cost, thus eliminating the threat to the east.
"Indeed, there is no need to risk the whole army to pursue it. What can we gain by winning, a part of the army? The loyalty is unknown, but it will be bad if we fall into the trap, and the entire power of Xia Kingdom will be destroyed by then. "
He Heng also agreed and said, let Zhao State withdraw. Anyway, as long as Xia State advances, sooner or later, it will encounter resistance. Sooner or later, there will be an army fighting against it. There is no need to be so impatient.
"The main thing is to understand why the opponent retreated. This is very important. The opponent also thinks that this position is not good for us? So he is afraid that we will not fight? Did he design a trap for us to catch?"
He Heng sighed and said, "But where can I find such information?" He looked helplessly at Zhuang Xun. It was the emperor's turn to make a decision. At the same time, he saw Empress Dowager Jiang and hesitated to speak.
Originally, he wanted to ask Empress Dowager Jiang to find out more about her, but she was Zhuang Xun's woman, so it was not his minister's turn to give instructions. Secondly, he didn't trust Empress Dowager Jiang very much.
After all, she is the queen mother of an enemy country. She can't tell which relative she is. They both have children. Who knows whether she prefers the eldest son or the younger son.
"Also..." Li Rusi also said that in this kind of war related to the country's destiny, personal feelings cannot be trusted and must be assisted by the combination of interests. However, Queen Mother Jiang also has great interests in the victory of Zhao Guo. She is really willing to help Jing Guo deal with it. Zhao State?
"Can you help me ask what happened? Zhaoyi." Zhuang Xun noticed that the two people's eyes glanced at him, and briefly stayed on Empress Dowager Jiang. Zhuang Xun felt blessed and took the initiative to ask.
"This, what's the point of asking? Do you dare to believe it?" Empress Dowager Jiang was more sensitive than Zhuang Xun. The two glanced at her and paused for a moment, then quickly shifted away. She, who was as smart as ice and snow, understood it almost instantly. The two people had concerns.
"Of course I believe you. You have given birth to a baby for me. Why don't I believe it?" Zhuang Xun said softly and thoughtfully. Regardless of whether the information is true or not, he should get the information first and then analyze it slowly.
"I am the Queen Mother of the State of Zhao. If I pass on wrong information to you, you will be doomed. You better not take this risk."
Empress Dowager Jiang snorted softly, which was a response to He and Li. This matter was not as good as persuading them to surrender. If it failed, there would be no problem. It would just increase the winning rate. If it succeeded, it would be a great thing. The most serious problem would be the loss of one of Zhuang Xun's lovers. Concubine.
If Empress Dowager Jiang had delivered false information and misjudged Xia State, losing the opportunity at worst or directly burying Xia Jun here, it would be normal for the two of them not to believe Empress Dowager Jiang credulously.
"You are also the Queen Mother of our Xia Kingdom, and you have said that Zhao Kingdom cannot do anything now. In addition, King Zhao is so seriously ill, so you should help me, so that I can protect King Zhao, right?"
Zhuang Xun persuaded, holding Empress Dowager Jiang's hand affectionately and stroking it gently, he himself was almost convinced by his own reasons.
"Queen Mother? You want to be my child too?" Empress Dowager Jiang refused to eat the cake. Zhuang Xun hinted to her that Zhuang Nianen would inherit the throne, but Empress Dowager Jiang just smiled.
"If you really believe me, I will help you investigate. As for the information I get, it's up to you whether you believe it or not."
After Queen Mother Jiang finished teasing, she changed her tone and agreed. Just as Zhuang Xun said, Zhao Guofu couldn't help him, so she naturally chose to help Zhuang Xun. If she wasn't frustrated, who would be willing to give up her hard work? Decades of foundation.
"Thank you Zhaoyi. If I really win the battle, it's not impossible to call you mother." It's not like I haven't called you before. In front of two family members, Li Rusi and He Heng, Zhuang Xun can act shameless.
"Stop being so talkative, Jiang Zhaoyi, if you can bring us key information, Nian En will be my child from now on."
Li Rusi clasped her fists and begged. The meaning was obvious. Zhuang Xun's words about "Queen Mother" were too light. She added a heavier word to try to make Xia Guo look sincere.
"Now that we are in this situation, please take action, please take action. This Xia Kingdom is also the Xia Kingdom of His Highness Nian'en. I hope that your Majesty will help you for His Highness Nian'en's sake."
He Heng also requested that the most critical battle, which was also Xia's first step out of Longtan, could not fail, just like Zhao could not fail in Shou'an Fangyu.
"Come on, it's like forcing you to establish a prince. He will go when he has to. You also said that you are grateful to his father for this country..."
Empress Dowager Jiang doesn't care whether her child can become an emperor, because there is a fight for Longzhuang Xun. Emperor is a high-risk and high-return profession. After cultivating a King Zhao, Empress Dowager Jiang herself is a little unconfident.
High hopes, focused training, great talents and strategies, insufficient control, poor decision-making, and people turning crazy. Queen Mother Jiang still hopes that she and Zhuang Xun's baby will be like his father, free and leisurely.
Now Empress Dowager Jiang has no interest in letting her child become the emperor, and just goes with the flow, but she does stand up for Zhuang Xun and her child. After all, if she doesn't fight, it will be difficult for her husband and son.
If Zhao Guo can't go on, then let Xia Guo go. Besides, Jing Guo and Zheng Guo will not be kind enough to spare King Zhao's life. This can be considered to clean up the mess for his son, and it is not a favor. This is the original surrender. Intend.
Emotions and calculations, all of which are combined together, can no longer be calculated.
Also unclear was Tai Lieutenant Ren Xusheng. It was already a few days later and he had just set off on his horse. His expression was not very happy. Relieving Wu Chengpei from his post was originally a chore.
Because he wanted to take over Wu Chengpei's position, which was a hot potato. He relied on his prestige to get Wu Chengpei to step down and retreat in accordance with the emperor's order. He encountered many difficulties. After all, generals may not understand strategy, but generals know tactics, so they all lined up. Now, call it a retreat? Many people expressed their disapproval politely.
"National Master, can the Zhao Kingdom be saved?" On the way to retreat, Ren Xusheng separated from the group and asked Xuannv alone. He wanted to gain the recognition of the military supervisor, and the prestige of the National Master could also overwhelm many people.
"If King Zhao decides to switch defenses as you said, then there may be a slight chance of survival."
Xuannv was sitting in the carriage. There was no one driving the carriage, and the horse still moved forward obediently. It seemed a bit strange, but considering Xuannv's identity, it was not very strange.
It's just that there was a 10% chance, but now half of it is gone. The state machine makes you mess around, which is a loss. It is not a simple game of numbers and war games.
"Then I can breathe a sigh of relief. If possible, we also want Zhao Guo to win, even if there is only a glimmer of hope."
Ren Xusheng let out a breath and knew some secrets. He knew that the national preceptor was basically bound to the fate of the country, and Xuan Nu had an astonishing background.
The National Preceptor is the least likely to betray the country. The National Preceptor will only highlight different importance based on the strength of his ability, but there is no National Preceptor who betrays the country.
The national master is responsible for sorting out the destiny of his country, and is most closely bound to the destiny of the country. He will also suffer the greatest damage if he breaks away. There is nothing to say about this. Even a great god like Xuannv cannot break away.
On the contrary, Empress Dowager Jiang is a native of the Zhao State. Her policy feedback has gained merit. Now that the Zhao State is destroyed, naturally, she has received the backlash of her merits, but she is not bound to the country, so she can disconnect from the Zhao State. This I have to say it's an irony.
Queen Mother Jiang dragged Xuannv into the Zhao Kingdom's pit, but Queen Mother Jiang jumped out of the trap and left, leaving Xuannv to suffer here, which was a bit outrageous.
"Is that so?" Xuannv responded coldly. Her holy face was like that of a goddess. She was noncommittal, simply saying that she knew and did not reveal her feelings.
"Perhaps, in the eyes of the Imperial Preceptor, we are just the grass on the wall, falling wherever the wind blows, but we are also biased. We also want the Zhao State to be strong and prosperous. We will follow your Majesty's footsteps and conquer the world. After all, other countries will destroy the Zhao State. , the status of our family will fall, but, Your Majesty, alas..."
The ups and downs, the endless sadness, the loyal ministers regret that the country is in decline, and the emperor has no principles. It seems that King Zhao is an eternal emperor, a generation of Jie and Zhou.
Xuannv could only sneer in her heart. King Zhao had become paranoid, and she didn't know who was responsible for it. This time it was King Zhao himself, but not the last two times. The family compared themselves to white lotus, which was simply funny.
However, these aristocratic families really hope that the Zhao Kingdom will unify the world, because in this process, the status of each aristocratic family will also rise. Who doesn't want to have greater power and dominate the Kyushu? But now it seems that it is like a dream that will disappear at the touch of a button. The power of Zhao has become an old dream that can only be recalled but cannot be touched.
"Going back this time is also a battle of life and death. Does the national master have any clever tricks?" It was Ren Xu's turn to lead the army. Knowing that he would face Jing Guo when he returned, his mind would be much clearer and he would know who to rely on.
"With 20,000 people left to cut off the rear, do you think it's enough for Xia's 70,000 troops?" Xuannv glanced at Ren Xusheng, and then made a stupid operation like dividing the troops. If you want to deal with Jingguo, then cherish every force.
"There is no way. Your Majesty is urging you urgently. The strategy of attacking Jingguo first was proposed by the national master. You also know how many people are needed. Now there is not enough time, so we can only mobilize most of the elites to fight Jingguo decisively, leaving part of Xuanzhou. Jia’s army is dealing with the Xia Kingdom.”
King Zhao's order is to change defenses between the two places, but it's not that simple. They sit back and watch you change, but they can't give in directly. If they give in to the back, if the two sides really meet outside Jinyang City, then there is no need to fight, just surrender to the city. , No, Jinyang does not have a city wall, only a human wall composed of soldiers.
"How long can we delay the 20,000 Xuanjia Army? Even if we dare to defeat the Xia Army with a hundred thousand army, how long are you going to delay with the 20,000 army now?"
Xuannv's eyes were cold. She couldn't see the use of these people staying here, except to give Zhuang Xun their heads.
"What does the Imperial Master mean?" Ren Xusheng thought for a while, how could Zhao Jun go back without a rearguard? Xia Kingdom has been harassed all the time, and Xia Kingdom must be blocked outside the Gyeonggi area.
"Defeat them. Defeat them with an army of 100,000. You don't have to kill too many. Just let them know they can't defeat them!" At this time, Xuannv's opinions were once again at odds with King Zhao.
Before going back to fight against Jing Guo, he had to teach the arrogant Xia Guo a lesson so that he would not be harassed along the way. At the same time, since it was not strangulation and most of them were left, Zheng Guo would not be in a hurry to take action, and he would benefit.
But her opinion was ignored once again. Even if Ren Xusheng came to seek advice with a shy face, he still looked surprised when he heard such words, and then declined:
"This is His Majesty's imperial edict, and I dare to violate it." He couldn't say that he was not optimistic about Xuannv's plan and said haha.
After staying away from Xuannv's carriage and returning to the army, he had already made his choice, and there was no reason to regret it. He was not the King of Zhao, and changing his order from morning to night would be very damaging to his dignity.
Xuannv looked at the gloomy sky and the wind that was blowing the flags, her eyes blank.
"well……"
(End of chapter)
