Ma Fujun's mansion.
"Sir, it's not good. News came from the front line that our army's food route was cut off and 400,000 troops were trapped in Changping." A servant rushed in from the outside in panic.
"Is the news true?" Zhao Mu asked hurriedly.
"The whole court is talking about it."
"Immediately issue an order prohibiting everyone in the house from discussing this matter. If anyone dares to spread this matter to mother's ears, he will be killed with a stick." Zhao Mu said sternly.
"promise."
"Prepare the car, I'm going to visit Mr. Xu."
…
Xu Mansion.
"Mu pays homage to Father Zhong."
Seeing Xu Li, Zhao Mu quickly leaned over and saluted.
Xu Li once helped Zhao She defeat the Qin army in a battle at Que. The two had a good personal relationship, so both Zhao Kuo brothers called him Zhongfu.
After the battle with Que, Zhao She was granted the title of Lord of Ma Fu, and Xu Li was also awarded the official position of Taiwei. Later, for unknown reasons, he was removed by the King of Zhao, and he stayed at home.
"Sit down, your Majesty has sent Lou Chang to Qi State to borrow food." Xu Li said directly, as if he had already guessed the reason why Zhao Mu came to visit.
"That's good, that's good." Zhao Mu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he borrowed food, Zhao Jun in Changping would still be saved.
"What's so good? I can't borrow this food." Xu Li shook his head.
"Why did Father Zhong say that?" Zhao Mu was a little confused.
"Lou Chang is a villain who stirs up trouble and sows discord between the emperor and his ministers." Xu Li said.
"Then I'll kill him." Zhao Mu immediately stood up and rushed outside.
"Stop." Xu Li shouted.
Zhao Mu turned to look at Xu Li.
"Do you think the remaining dead soldiers in your house can kill a famous person?" Xu Li said disdainfully.
"Then what does Father Zhong say we should do?" Zhao Mu asked respectfully.
In this era, almost every noble had a dead soldier or a retainer who served in death, and Ma Fujun's Mansion was no exception. However, most of the people were taken to Changping by Zhao Kuo, and the rest were relatively weak. It was indeed difficult to Assassinate Lou Chang.
"Don't panic when something happens. The matter is not at the last step yet. I just got the news that Yewang has been occupied by our army, and the Qin army's food route has also been cut off. As long as our country can unite any two countries, South Korea, Wei and Chu, we can hope to defeat Qin." Xu Li said.
"Does Father Zhong want me to go on a mission to the Three Kingdoms?" Zhao Mu asked.
"This matter needs to be consulted by the king first, and... your identity is not enough." Xu Li glanced at Zhao Mu, "Pingyuan Jun's wife is the sister of King Wei and the sister of Xinling Jun's mother."
"I'm going to see Mr. Pingyuan right now." Zhao Mu said immediately.
Xu Li didn't stop him this time.
…
Lou Chang traveled all the way to Linzi of Qi State. He did not go to see the King of Qi immediately. Instead, he stayed in the official residence of Qi State that received envoys from various countries, burned incense, bathed, and had a good sleep.
It wasn't until the next day that I handed in my greeting card.
In the main hall, Lou Chang met Qi Wangjian.
Qi Wangjian was very young, about the same age as King Zhao, but he did not have the ambition of King Zhao. He sat on his knees in the main hall, with a beautiful maid on each side waiting on him. His eyes wandered around, and finally fell on Lou Chang.
"The envoy of Zhao State, Lou Chang, paid homage to King Qi." Lou Chang bowed deeply.
"I wonder why the envoy came to Qi?" Qi Wangjian said coldly.
He didn't like Zhao Guo at all. To be precise, he has no favorable impressions of the six kingdoms of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qin. Qi's decline from its position as the world's hegemon to where it is today is all thanks to these countries.
"I sincerely ask your Majesty to help our country, Zhao, to tide over the difficulties." Lou Chang paid his respects.
"Oh? I wonder if Zhao Guo can help me?" Qi Wangjian asked with interest.
Lou Chang explained the matter again, and finally said: "Now that our Zhao State's 400,000 troops are trapped in Changping, and the country is full of mourners, we really can't get enough food and grass. I beg the King of Qi to lend me some food and grass from Zhao State. After the Qin State is defeated, I will definitely repay you twice as much.”
Wang Jian of Qi laughed loudly when he heard this: "Your Zhao country is also here today! Hahaha. Last time your Zhao country asked for help, you sent Lord Chang'an to our Qi country as a hostage. I wonder who you plan to send this time?"
"We, the State of Zhao, are willing to cede Wucheng and six other cities to King Tang Mu." Lou Chang said.
"Six cities? Hahaha, my country of Qi stretches thousands of miles and has hundreds of thousands of armors. I am short of six cities of yours? How about this? I heard that your King Zhao gave birth to a son last year. As long as you send him to my country of Qi, The country is pledged, and I will immediately lend you one hundred thousand stones of grain and grass. Don’t worry, I will definitely teach your future monarch of Zhao well and will not let him be wronged in the slightest." King Qi said with a smile.
Lou Chang slowly stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and said in a deep voice: "If the king is not willing to help, he can refuse, so why insult our country of Zhao. Has your Majesty ever heard that a scholar cannot be killed but cannot be humiliated? Our country of Zhao cannot be humiliated. Humiliation, today you humiliate our Zhao State, in the future our Zhao State’s soldiers will surely attack Qi State and lay waste to Linzi.”
After speaking, Lou Chang turned around and walked out of the palace without looking back.
"The king is confused. To Qi, Zhao is like a barrier blocking the threat of Qin. If Zhao is destroyed today, disaster will befall Qi tomorrow. Now Zhao's 400,000-strong army is trapped in Changchun. Ping, the food route has been cut off, and we are in urgent need of support. At this time, we lend a helping hand. This is a noble and moral act. If it can make Qin withdraw its troops and make its reputation known, why should we be stingy with some food."
An old man in Confucian robes below beat his chest and said.
"What Zhouzi said is wrong. Qin is thousands of miles away from Qi to the east and west. No matter how powerful it is, it is just a scabies to Qi, but Zhao is right next to Qi. You can attack our country at any time. If we give food to such a country, isn't it equivalent to giving it to our enemies?" Hou Sheng stood up and said.
"What my uncle said is true." Qi Wangjian nodded.
In his opinion, there is no good thing between Qin and Zhao. No matter who hits the other, it's just a dog bite. As long as you don't hit me, why bother?
"Your Majesty, the ambitions of the Qin State are well known to the world. How can it be just a scabies disease? Although the State of Zhao is adjacent to our State of Qi, it is the place where the Four Wars are fought. And compared to the State of Qin, the State of Zhao is weaker and more threatening. Far inferior to Qin." Zhou Zi said.
"Zhou Zi is probably old and has a poor memory. Twenty years ago, Zhao Ren Leyi led the armies of the five countries to attack our Qi State. If it were not for the protection of our ancestors, our Qi State would almost be destroyed. Zhou Zi Why is it said that the threat of Zhao is much smaller than that of Qin? Could it be that Zhou Zi is the real lobbyist of Zhao?" Hou Sheng said in a deep voice.
"You..." Zhou Zi pointed at Hou Sheng, his fingers trembling, his beard trembling, his face turning white and blue, and he was speechless.
"Your Majesty, I think Zhou Zi is getting old. Why don't we just let him retire and return to his hometown to enjoy his old age in peace." Hou Sheng cupped his hands and said.
"Your Majesty, no, Zhou Zi has been working hard for our country all his life, and his hard work has made great achievements." Immediately, a minister below stood up to admonish.
However, in this court, there were still more supporters of Hou Sheng as the uncle of King Qi.
"Your Majesty, I agree with what the Duke said."
"Your Majesty, I also agree."
…
"You traitorous ministers will surely lead our Qi country into the abyss in the future." Zhou Zi pointed at Hou Sheng and other ministers and cursed angrily.
Hou Sheng and others lowered their eyebrows and allowed Zhou Zi to curse.
Finally, Zhou Zi looked at King Qi, who turned his head and said nothing.
Zhou Zi's eyes were full of disappointment, he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
"There's no way to make a fool of yourself!"
