Zhao Kuo walked up to the group of concubines, glanced at them, picked one of them, and asked, "What's your name?"
"I am the Wei family." Wei family quickly saluted.
The other concubines all looked at the Wei family with envy. Being favored by Zhao Kuo meant that at least their lives were saved, unlike them who had to worry about it.
"You stay, send all the others out of the palace, and let them return to their parents' homes." Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said.
It was normal to remarry during the Warring States Period, and these women could start a new life after returning.
Zhao Kuo suddenly thought of something and added: "If you are interested, you can stay."
No one said anything, they all wanted to save face. Even if they really fell in love with her, they would secretly find her at her home afterwards and then come to propose marriage.
The concubines glanced at Zhao Kuo with disappointment and walked out of the hall under the leadership of the soldiers.
"Okay, you go down first." Zhao Kuo said to Wei.
"No." Wei did not dare to say anything more, bowed and retreated.
"You, get out and stand." Zhao Kuo pointed at Yanxiong and said.
"No." Yan Xiong reluctantly walked to stand outside the hall.
Not long after, Yan Xiong walked in again, "Commander, all the ministers are outside asking for a meeting."
"Let them come in." Zhao Kuo said.
Not long after, Yu Xin, Pingyang Lord Zhao Bao, Chu Long, Zheng Zhu, Zhao Hao and others came in and bowed to Zhao Kuo.
Zhao Kuo returned the gift.
He understood that since a few people were willing to come, it meant that they recognized him as King Zhao.
Zhao Kuo walked to the throne, touched the armrests on both sides, and then slowly sat down.
"I pay my respects to the king." Everyone immediately bowed and saluted.
With this gift, everyone recognized Zhao Kuo as the King of Zhao.
Of course, there will be a coronation ceremony and an appeal to the ancestral temple before Zhao Kuo can officially become King Zhao.
In the past, it would have been necessary to go through the canonization of King Zhou, but now no one takes King Zhou seriously, so this step is omitted.
Looking at the ministers bowing down below, Zhao Kuo didn't know why, but there was no joy in his heart, but a kind of indifferent sadness.
"Everyone, please take a seat." Zhao Kuo stretched out his hand and said.
The ministers walked to both sides and sat down in order.
During the Warring States Period, there was no clear distinction between civil servants and generals. Like Tian Dan, although he is a military general, he still holds the position of Prime Minister of the State of Zhao, although he does nothing.
Although Lin Xiangru was a civil servant, he also fought on the battlefield, opened up territory and expanded the territory of Zhao State, and built a city.
Zhao Kuo sat on it and cursed in his heart: "It's really uncomfortable to kneel down. I have to have someone change it to a chair in the future. Otherwise, if I sit on my knees every day, my legs will become useless!"
"What's the situation in the city now?" Zhao Kuo asked after everyone took their seats.
Zhao Wangdan has been in power for seven years. Although he cannot be said to have won the hearts of the people, the people have long been accustomed to this monarch. No matter what banner or name Zhao Kuo used, it was still a rebellion in the hearts of the people and would cause panic among the people.
Fortunately, this is not the first time that this has happened in Zhao State, and the war has been going on for hundreds of years. Handan was the place of the Four War, and the people have long been accustomed to this kind of life.
In addition, Zhao Kuo's reputation is still very good in Handan, so there are not many voices against Zhao Kuo.
Most people responded silently. If Zhao Kuo can lead the people to prosperity and the Zhao country to strength in the future, these people will naturally become Zhao Kuo's strong backing. Today's scene will also turn into the story of the young master Kuo who has endured for many years and endured hardships, and finally became a father. Take revenge and become the king of Zhao.
If Zhao Kuo failed to lead the people to prosperity, or failed to satisfy the group of literati who controlled the pen, then he was a rebellious and cowardly king.
"Your Majesty, except for Zhao Feiqi, the other soldiers have withdrawn from Handan in an orderly manner. Although the people in Handan are a little panicked, our army and the nobles in the city are calming them down. There is a force that took the opportunity to cause chaos. It has been captured and has not caused any harm. Casualties." Yan Ju said, clasping his fists.
Zhao Kuo nodded to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Bao. He knew that these two people were helping him appease the people.
"Interrogate those caught carefully and find out who is behind the scenes." Zhao Kuo ordered.
"No." Yan Ju cupped his hands and said.
"In addition, immediately spread the message to various places. If there is anyone who refuses to obey, General Pang Nuan will lead an army to conquer." Zhao Kuo ordered.
He had a hunch that the Six Nations would never let go of this opportunity to weaken the State of Zhao. He must stabilize the State of Zhao in a short time, even if it was only on the surface.
"Your Majesty, you can first send some of your soldiers to serve in local areas or return home. This can improve your control over the local area. After all, the soldiers have great support for your Majesty in their hearts." Lin Xiangru said.
Zhao Jun's 300,000 soldiers came from every township and li in the Zhao Kingdom. As long as all the soldiers returned, Zhao Kuo's dominance over the Zhao Kingdom would instantly increase by several levels.
"Don't worry, let's take a look at what's going on in the six countries." Zhao Kuo shook his head.
Lin Xiangru immediately understood Zhao Kuo's plan and sat back in his seat.
"The third thing is about the rewards for the soldiers. All things can be postponed, but this matter cannot be postponed. General Lianpo, General Jinbo and Lord Pingyuan are responsible for it, and they must be done within a month. Check it out and make it accurate for every soldier." Zhao Kuo said solemnly.
He originally planned to only give half a month, but considering that there were more than 300,000 troops, and if the dead were included in the battle, it would be a full 450,000, he decided to give it a month.
Mr. Pingyuan still has three thousand disciples under his command, which is not enough.
"No." Lian Po and Jin Yao said immediately.
Now that King Zhao is dead and committed suicide, although Lian Po still has some resentment towards Zhao Kuo in his heart, it is not deep, and he also knows that Zhao Kuo is wiser than Zhao Wangdan. As long as he still wants to lead troops in Zhao, You must follow Zhao Kuo.
As for Jin Mao, although he defected to the State of Zhao, it was only a choice made out of desperation. He did not have deep feelings for the State of Zhao, let alone King Zhao, whom he had never met before. Naturally, he chose to follow the more powerful Zhao State. The promising Zhao Kuo.
"Your Majesty, there is a shortage of money and food in the internal history, and I'm afraid it won't be enough to support the reward." Zhao Sheng leaned over and said.
"What if we add the Shaofu?" Zhao Kuo asked.
The financial organization of Zhao State is similar to that of Qin State, divided into internal history and Shaofu.
Internal history mainly collects land tax, mainly grain, for government expenses and official salaries.
The Shaofu is responsible for collecting population tax, handicraft industry, commercial tax, tax on developing mountains and rivers, and the profits of salt and iron for the enjoyment of the monarch and the clan.
The Shaofu also had industrial officers and workshops responsible for manufacturing weapons, tools, utensils, and luxuries needed by the monarch and the clan.
For example, most of the weapons, armor, etc. in the hands of the soldiers were made by the Shaofu.
Therefore, the Shaofu's money is not less than that of the internal historian.
"Even if we include the young master's money, there is still a big gap, and some soldiers will also be rewarded with titles and farmland," Zhao Sheng said.
"I also brought back a lot of money and food this time, which can be rewarded to the soldiers. You can count it first, and then see how much the difference is. Even if the reward cannot be given in full, at least part of the reward must be distributed. Then distribute them one after another." Zhao Kuo waved his hand.
Originally, this mess belonged to King Zhao, but now it is on Zhao Kuo's head.
But Zhao Kuo could not escape no matter what. He knew that his most powerful supporters were not the ministers in front of him, but the 300,000 soldiers behind him.
"I obey the order." Zhao Sheng leaned over and accepted the order.
"The fourth thing is to strictly investigate the spies of various countries, especially the spies of Qin. I don't want rumors about Qin to appear in Zhao in the future. Let Wang Zhujun and Yu Qing handle this matter. If necessary, You can use the army." Zhao Kuo said to Le Yi and Yu Xin.
"I obey the order." Le Yi and Yu Xin accepted the order.
"The army outside the city will be handed over to Lord Duping." Zhao Kuo looked at Tian Dan.
In addition to Zhao Kuo, Lian Po, and Le Yi, the only person in Zhao who has the ability to command an army of 300,000 is Tian Dan, and Li Mu is still a little behind.
Now Zhao Kuo, Lian Po, and Le Yi are busy, so they can only leave it to Tian Dan.
"I accept your order." Tian Dan took a step forward, leaned over and said.
"The fifth thing is to select 3,000 personal guards from the 300,000-strong army. Ben is responsible for this, and Lord Duping will assist." Zhao Kuo said.
Now that he has become King Zhao, he will naturally set up a personal guard army. The previous personal guards of several hundred people are no longer enough.
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"No." Ben and Tian Dan said.
"In the recent period, we have been keeping an eye on the six countries, especially Qin. If there are not enough manpower, we will directly recruit them from the army, especially on the borders. We must spread scouts widely." Zhao Kuo finally said to Liu Ping.
The most trouble-making among the seven countries is Qin. Although Qin suffered heavy losses in the Shangdang battle, Qin is still the leader of the seven countries in terms of overall strength. If Qin united with the other five countries to attack Zhao, it would be very difficult for Zhao. It's a disaster.
"My subordinates will do their best." Liu Ping leaned over and said.
"Do you have anything else to do?" Zhao Kuo looked at the people below.
"Your Majesty, three days is a good day. Why not hold the enthronement ceremony three days later." Gongsun Long stood up, took a step forward and said.
In terms of etiquette, as long as Zhao Kuo does not ascend the throne, he will no longer be the king of Zhao.
As a minister who wanted to be a subordinate to the dragon, Gongsun Long naturally couldn't tolerate it.
"What's your opinion?"
"Three days are indeed good." Chulong nodded.
"Then leave this matter to Mr. Zibing and Master Zuo." Zhao Kuo said.
"I obey the decree." Gongsun Long and Chu Long leaned over and said.
"If nothing happens, everyone can go back." Zhao Kuo waved his hand.
Everyone bowed and saluted, then gave Zhao Kuo a look that every man could understand, and exited the hall.
Zhao Kuo was too lazy to explain.
However, he did not rush to the harem to find the Wei family as everyone thought. Instead, he left the palace and strode towards Ma Fujun's mansion.
Compared to the palace, that was his home.
…
"Mother, why don't you move to the palace to live." Zhao Kuo supported his mother and said.
Yan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but I have to stay in this house. I will come back and take a look when I have nothing to do."
Mrs. Yan doesn't like living in the palace. Even though it is bigger and more spacious, she still likes her own Mafu Jun Mansion.
But now her son needs her support. If she still lives in Ma Fujun's mansion, the world will think that mother and son are not getting along, or that Zhao Kuo is unfilial, which will have an impact on Zhao Kuo's reputation.
So she could only move into the palace and occasionally go back to Ma Fujun's mansion for two days.
"Brother, can we also live in the palace?" Zhao Mu and Zhao Tong said excitedly.
They were quite interested in it.
"Of course you can. Leave a few cleaning servants and move the others to the palace. It will be convenient for your own people." Zhao Kuo said.
