At this time, Zhao Kuo did not know that Qin had sent envoys to the five countries to discuss attacking Zhao. Even if he knew, he would not be surprised. After all, it had been expected before.
If soldiers come to block it and water comes to cover it, Zhao will have nothing to fear.
"Your Majesty, all the rewards for the soldiers have been approved." Zhao Sheng walked in from outside, followed by two people, each holding a large stack of bamboo slips in his arms. "This is the reward list for those with more than a thousand generals."
"Thank you for your hard work, uncle." Zhao Kuo flipped through it and found no omissions. "Are you ready with all the money?"
"There is still a gap of 30%, and we still need to keep some money and food to prepare for war, and we can only distribute 50% at most. So after discussing with General Lian Po and General Jin Bo, I thought that we should distribute some of the rewards first, and wait for the remaining rewards after the autumn harvest. Then distribute it." Zhao Sheng said.
This is also what countries do most of the time, although sometimes it is delayed and abandoned.
"It's still two months before spring plowing. You want to wait until after the autumn harvest?" Zhao Kuo was a little unhappy.
"But now neither the internal history nor the Shaofu have any extra money or food, unless they stop providing work-for-relief and free up food and grass." Zhao Sheng said.
Zhao Kuo frowned. The use of work-for-relief programs must not be stopped. Zhao's rapid development now relies entirely on work-for-relief programs. If the use of work-for-relief programs were to stop, the people would fall into famine again.
"What do the soldiers think?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"The soldiers don't have any objections to the reward, but they are all clamoring to go home. Among the soldiers, those who have participated in the war the longest have not returned home for more than three years, and even the last soldier who participated in the war has been away from home for more than half a year. "Originally, everyone thought that they could go home after returning to Handan, but now... everyone is homesick. If they don't go home for a long time, they will go crazy." Zhao Sheng sighed.
"Gene Era"
From the fourth year of Zhao Wangdan, when Feng Ting dedicated Shangdang to the Zhao State, Zhao Wangdan sent Lian Po to lead the army to garrison in Changping, Zhao State has been recruiting troops. Until now, the earliest batch of soldiers have left home for more than three years.
Zhao Kuo also knew that the soldiers were homesick, but there was no way. Now the six countries might attack Zhao at any time. He could not send the soldiers back at this time and gather them again when the six countries attacked Zhao.
"Is there any movement in the Six Kingdoms recently?" Zhao Kuo looked at Liu Ping.
"There has been some movement on the Wei border recently, and the King of Wei seems to be training his troops. There has been no movement from Qi, Yan, and South Korea, and the news from Qin has not been transmitted yet," Liu Ping said.
"Let us reward the fields and titles that should be rewarded first. Half of the money and grain will be given to those who need to be sent to their homes. The court will send the rewards to their homes. Tell the soldiers to persist and they will be allowed to return within two months at the latest. Home." Zhao Kuo said.
"No." Zhao Sheng leaned over and said.
"Liu Ping, send someone to keep an eye on anyone who dares to embezzle the rewards given to the soldiers, even if it is just a grain of grain or a coin, behead them and confiscate their homes." Zhao Kuo said with murderous intent.
When Zhao Sheng heard this, his heart suddenly trembled, and he thought that he must warn those guys when he went back.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, my subordinates will definitely send someone to keep an eye on it." Liu Ping said with his fists clasped.
"Okay, everything has finally been taken care of. Let's go, I'll treat my uncle to mutton hot pot. It just so happens that the two generals Yanzhou and Lecheng have just returned from northern Xinjiang, so I should take care of them. Well, I should also practice it for my uncle. "Zhao Kuo stood up and stretched, grinning, and said happily.
He now has complete control over the State of Zhao. As long as he persists until this autumn harvest, the State of Zhao will enter an era of rapid development. In the future, he may even replace the State of Qin and dominate the world!
You know, in this era, no country except Qin wants to dominate the world!
"Practice? Where haven't I been going recently?" Zhao Sheng was a little surprised. Why didn't I know that I was going out?
"Feng Ting said that the Shangdang affairs have been too much recently, and he is a little overwhelmed. I thought about asking my uncle to help him. After all, my uncle is the white jade pillar that holds the sky and the purple golden beam that bridges the sea. This kind of important task is beyond my reach. Who. Besides, Shangdang is the barrier and gateway to the southwest of our Zhao Kingdom. I wouldn’t trust it if it were handed over to others."
Zhao Kuo said with a smile, pushing Zhao Sheng out without giving Zhao Sheng a chance to refuse.
Finally, he found an opportunity to send Zhao Sheng away. At least before establishing a queen, he had no intention of bringing Zhao Sheng back.
Zhao Sheng was so confused that he was pushed to the side hall by Zhao Kuo.
Lin Xiangru, Chulong, Yuxin, Xunzi, Wei Qi, Zhao Bao, Gongsunlong, Leyi, Tian Dan, Lianpo, Pang Nuan, Jinmao, Yanju, Yanxiong, Yanzhou, Lecheng...
Except for Li Mu, Meng Ao, and Feng Ting, all the top leaders of Zhao State are here!
As for the three people who are not here, except for Meng Ao, whose life is slightly better, the remaining two are miserable. Feng Ting is busy every day without touching the ground, and Li Mu is blowing in the cold wind in northern Xinjiang.
As for Xunzi... yes, he stayed in the end. On the one hand, he could not withstand the temptation that Zhao Kuo drew for him: the temptation of Handan Academy. On the other hand, it was also because some people in Qi State slandered him and he did not want to continue. After returning to Jixia Academy, I happened to stay and study "Spring and Autumn" with Yu Xin every day.
Seeing Zhao Kuo and Zhao Sheng come in, everyone stood up and bowed and sat down. In informal settings, everyone was more casual. After getting along for a while, everyone knew that Zhao Kuo was very easy to talk to.
Yanzhou and Lecheng looked very reserved. This was the first time for them to see Zhao Kuo. After saluting, they stood there, embarrassed to sit down casually like the others.
Especially for Yan Zhou, Le Cheng is a member of the Le Yi tribe after all. Everyone knows that Le Yi and Zhao Kuo have a very good relationship. For Le Yi's sake, they won't do anything to Le Cheng.
However, Yanzhou was alone in his family and had no backers in the court. He had been working as a general at the Great Wall, but now his military power was suddenly surrendered and he was transferred to Handan. He didn't know the new monarch at all, so he was very worried.
At that time, his subordinates advised him not to come, and at worst, he would surrender to Yan State. However, Yan Zhou thought twice and decided to obey the order. He did not believe that Zhao Kuo, who could lead the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces to defeat Qin State, would not be able to tolerate him as Yan Zhou.
"Come, sit down, eat and drink when it's time, don't worry about me." Zhao Kuo waved and said, even the king was spared.
Since Yanzhou and Lecheng are here, they believe in Zhao Kuo. In this case, Zhao Kuo will also choose to believe in them.
"No." Yan Zhou and Le Cheng gradually relaxed when they saw Zhao Kuo's attitude.
The servants here have prepared wine and food, and a bronze cauldron is placed in front of everyone, cooking.
To be honest, Zhao Kuo doesn't like cooking with copper tripods because eating too much copper can cause copper poisoning.
But there is no way. In this era, the bronze tripod is a symbol of status and cannot be used by non-royals and generals, so there is a saying that the bell rings and the tripod is eaten.
On important occasions, or when treating important guests, the monarch would carry out the bronze tripod to show respect. Usually at this time, the guests or courtiers would be very moved.
If the tripod is not used, the guests or ministers will feel that the monarch does not respect them enough, and may even walk away.
Although Zhao Kuo had no feelings about this at all, in order to gain the loyalty of his courtiers, he had no choice but to follow the local customs.
As for the iron tripod, although it exists, it is not at the same level as the bronze tripod in terms of quality.
In addition to the bronze tripod, there are also several fire pots placed in the hall. It is early spring, but the weather is still very cold. The generals are not affected at all, but the weak civil servants are not, especially Lin Xiangru, who is seriously ill.
Of course, except for a certain civil servant who was full of tendons and was stronger than Zhao Kuo.
After three rounds of drinking, everyone relaxed completely, and the generals started to pick up wine jars to fight with others.
"Come on, drink, I have to pour you down today." Le Yi slammed the wine jar on the table in front of his old rival Tian Dan.
"Am I still afraid of you?" Tian Dan said firmly.
"Don't use your inner energy to force alcohol out," Le Yi said.
"That's for sure. If you use force to get out the alcohol, what's the point of drinking?" Tian Dan raised his head and said "gudugudu" and drank a jar of wine.
He forgot that this was the Kingdom of Zhao. Soon, Lian Po, who had been unhappy with Tian Dan, came over with Yan Xiong...
Zhao Kuo walked up to Yan Zhou, gestured for a drink, then sat next to Yan Zhou and asked, "How many years has General Yan Zhou guarded Northern Xinjiang?"
"Your Majesty, since ten years ago, Zhou has been ordered to guard the northern border." Yan Zhou stood up quickly and said.
"In informal situations, generals don't need to be so polite." Zhao Kuo pressed him down on his seat, "General, have you seen the current cavalry?"
"See, they are all equipped with saddles and stirrups. With these two treasures, the strength of Zhao's cavalry will be greatly improved." Yan Zhou said excitedly.
"How many cavalry do you think are needed to defeat the Huns? I'm talking about taking the initiative." Zhao Kuo said.
The current Huns are just scum to China.
However, Zhao Kuo knew that in a few decades, the Xiongnu would become China's formidable enemy.
Yan Zhou lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, it is easy to defeat the Huns. But the main enemy on the grassland is not the Huns, but the terrain and climate. Although I am not a famous general, I have defeated five times the number of In the end, our own Xiongnu did not dare to go deep into the grassland to pursue us, allowing the defeated Xiongnu army to escape."
"Once lost on the grassland, even the most elite army will be wiped out. Moreover, the climate in the north is too cold. Even if we defeat the Huns, we will not be able to occupy the land there. After we retreat, other nomadic tribes will occupy it again. Land, we are equivalent to working for other tribes, but we do not get any benefits, so King Wuling attacked the Huns twice and drove the Huns to the north of Yinshan Mountain, so he ordered the construction of the Great Wall for defense."
During the Warring States Period, the Chinese countries all crushed the foreign nations in terms of population, economy, culture, science and technology, military, politics and other fields. Even the weakest countries among the Seven Kingdoms, Yan and South Korea, were far more powerful than the Xiongnu and Han Dynasty. Donghu and other foreign races, even when Zhao was at its weakest, could still press the surrounding foreign races to the ground and rub them.
But friction is friction, and Zhao State has never been able to occupy the territory north of Yinshan Mountain. Even if it occasionally attacks outside, it will eventually have to retreat.
Historically, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty fought all the way to Longcheng of the Xiongnu. In the end, because they could not occupy the territory of the Xiongnu, they had to withdraw, giving Xianbei an advantage in vain.
The main reason is that the climate there is not suitable for Han people to live. Many people freeze to death every winter in the Central Plains, let alone the grasslands.
"Therefore, I suggest that we should focus on defense." Yan Zhou said. He was worried that Zhao Kuo had just come to power and would attack the Xiongnu no matter what in order to show his military strategy.
"Don't worry, I won't attack the Huns for the time being." Zhao Kuo said with relief.
Now is indeed not the time to attack the Xiongnu, but after integrating Zhao's strength, he will definitely attack the Xiongnu.
"Speaking of which, spiritual energy has shown signs of recovery recently. I'm afraid the world will undergo great changes." Yu Xin said with some worry.
"I discovered it too." Xunzi nodded.
"Revival of spiritual energy?" Zhao Kuo felt that he had only heard this word in China, and when it came from Yu Xin's mouth, it felt inexplicably inconsistent.
"Yes. According to historical records, more than five hundred years ago, around the time King You of Zhou was killed and the Zhou Dynasty moved its capital to Luoyang, the phenomenon of spiritual energy revival first appeared in the world."
"At the beginning, people did not know the function of Reiki. Later, as time went by, the sages gradually discovered the function of Reiki and created the three paths of Jing, Qi and Shen. Talent also appeared for the first time."
"The emergence of spiritual energy this time caused countless talents to suddenly emerge in the world that had been peaceful for hundreds of years: Guan Zhong, Zichan, Laozi, Confucius, Wu Zixu, Sima Rangju, Sun Wu... The world seemed to have changed overnight. , there has never been so many talents emerging in any era before this.”
After hearing this, everyone stopped silently. Even Tian Dan evaporated the alcohol and stared at Yu Xin drunkenly. This kind of thing is confidential. Except for a few family members, the inheritance has been passed down for hundreds of years without any interruption. In addition, other nobles who have just risen recently, or who have had a gap in the middle, are not accessible at all, let alone the nobles and common people who have declined.
Even Lin Xiangru, Zhao Sheng, Le Yi and Tian Dan didn't know about it. Only Yu Xin and Xunzi understood what happened hundreds of years ago through Confucian inheritance.
Seeing everyone gathered together, Yu Xin originally wanted to talk briefly, but now he had to talk in detail.
"At that time, everyone thought this was the most splendid era in history. However, after Han, Zhao, and Wei destroyed the Zhi family and the three families were divided into the Jin Dynasty, the world experienced a revival of spiritual energy for the second time. Immediately afterwards, more great sages spewed out. : Mozi, Yang Zi, Xu Xing, Li Kui, Shen Buhai, Sun Bin, Wu Qi, Bai Qi, Mencius, Zou Zi, Bian Que, Su Qin, Zhang Yi, etc. There were even people like King Wu of Qin who achieved extraordinary results at the age of eighteen. As a warrior, if he hadn't encountered the backlash of luck, he would have become the most powerful person in the world."
"Including everyone who is working on it, they are also the essence of heaven and earth. In the past hundreds of years, one may not appear, but now they appear in large numbers. In the past, only a few people were able to awaken their talents, but now most of you here have Have talent.”
"I don't know if you have noticed that in the past few hundred years, our culture, military, science and technology, and ideas have progressed faster than in the past thousands or tens of thousands of years."
"I have observed in the past few days that there seems to be new changes in the aura of heaven and earth. I specifically asked the astrologer Yin Gao. According to Yin Gao, the sky has been chaotic recently and it is impossible to discern the secrets of the heavens. This is a sign that a great change is coming." Yu Xin said.
