These people scolded them, but in the end they followed Zhao Jun obediently. On the one hand, they really had no way to resist, and on the other hand, it was also because their life in Qi State was not good.
In the past, when the State of Qi was strong and prosperous, the government was clean and the people were prosperous. People from the nearby states of Zhao and Yan rushed to flee to Qi, forcing Zhao and Yan to strictly guard their borders to prevent population loss.
Now that the king of Qi is fatuous and the officials are corrupt, middle-level officials like Meng Wu and Li Bo are not willing to stay in Qi, let alone the civilians at the lowest level.
Even after the news spread, the nearby people rushed over with their families and asked to follow Zhao Jun to the Kingdom of Zhao.
General Zhao Kuo sent out all his chariots and extra horses to help the Qi people move.
Qi State became anxious after seeing it. Even the faint king knew the importance of population.
No matter how big the territory is, it is all fake. Population is the strength.
If the State of Zhao were allowed to move all its population, the State of Qi would exist in name only!
Originally, Qi wanted to delay for a few more days, but now it couldn't sit still at all, and immediately arranged for Zhou Zi to go on an envoy again.
…
On the other side, Lian Po finally led his army to the outside of Linzi City.
"Lian Po pays homage to the king." Lian Po jumped down from the chariot, walked up to Zhao Kuo, knelt down on one knee, cupped his fists and saluted.
"Meet your Majesty." The Zhao troops behind him saluted in unison. The sound was deafening and spread to Linzi City several miles away. It frightened the soldiers of Qi and almost lost their grip on the guns in their hands.
"Thank you for your hard work, general. Please." Zhao Kuo was very happy to see Lian Po. He helped Lian Po up, patted his shoulders hard, and made a gesture of invitation.
The only people who came with him to greet Lian Po were Liu Ping and Ben. Pang Nuan, Li Mu and others were still busy moving the people of Qi.
Zhao Kuo held Lian Po's generous and rough palm tightly and did not let go. He helped him to sit on the chariot, then boarded the chariot himself and stood in the position of the driver.
"Your Majesty, no." Lian Po said in panic. He originally thought that Zhao Kuo was inviting him to ride in a chariot, and he was very moved. However, he did not expect that Zhao Kuo would personally hold the whip for him.
"This star really wants to retire"
During the Warring States Period, although the custom of courtesy to virtuous and corporal officials was prevalent, it was very rare for a true monarch to hold a whip for his ministers.
"General, just sit back and relax." Zhao Kuo said, whipped his horse whip, and drove towards the camp.
Lian Po was originally worried that if he killed Lord Chang'an privately, Zhao Kuo would punish him in order to appease Lord Pingyang and Lord Pingyuan. Now he was finally relieved and his eyes became firmer.
"General, the Qi envoy is here." As soon as Zhao Kuo and Lian Po returned to the camp, a guard reported.
"Finally I can't sit still anymore! Let him come in." Zhao Kuo laughed.
Zhouzi entered the camp and was stunned when he saw Lian Po.
He knew Lian Po. When Le Yi conquered Qi, Lian Po followed and took advantage. At that time, Jixi was basically occupied by Zhao.
The arrival of Lian Po made Zhou Zi feel the urgency. If the peace talks were not settled, there might be 200,000 Zhao troops waiting for Qi!
"Let's talk about the results of Qi's discussion." Zhao Kuo said directly.
Zhou Zi took a breath, with some humiliation on his face, and bowed his head and said: "We, the State of Qi, are willing to cede all the land west of Jishui to the State of Zhao, and compensate the State of Zhao for four million grains and grass. Moreover, the foreign ministers are also willing to join the State of Zhao."
Although the Queen Mother of Qi did not agree, King Jian of Qi's actions had already made Zhou Zi feel despair. Even if the State of Zhao did not invite him, he would leave the State of Qi.
"In addition, the king of our country has a sister who is still in his boudoir. She is the most beautiful girl in the country and is well-educated and well-educated. She is willing to marry the king of Zhao to bring good relations between the two countries. Furthermore, our country of Qi is willing to form an alliance with the country of Zhao and regard Zhao as the leader of the alliance."
Zhao Kuo frowned slightly. He did not reject the so-called marriage. In this era, it would be difficult for a monarch to completely reject the marriage, but he was somewhat opposed to marrying a woman he had never met before, even if she might be very good-looking.
"Your Majesty, this is a good thing." Liu Ping whispered.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this matter is of great benefit and no harm." Lian Po also reminded.
The external environment of Zhao State is very bad. The surrounding countries have been beaten by him, and almost no country has good relations with it.
This time the Five Kingdoms attacked Zhao. The main reason why Zhao was able to successfully defeat the Five Kingdoms was because the overlord Qin had just been defeated by the Three Jins. It exhausted its national power and could not provide many troops.
If we wait for Qin to recover and then unite other countries to attack Zhao, no matter how many famous generals there are, it will be difficult for Zhao to resist.
But if it can win over Qi and repair relations with Han and Wei, Zhao will be able to suppress Qin in the west and Chu in the south.
"The king agreed. But in addition, I also want the two cities of Fuyang and Zhongyi." Zhao Kuo pondered for a moment and nodded.
This matter was not a loss for him no matter what, and he had no reason to refuse.
"Okay." Zhou Zi nodded. There are mostly tidal flats in Jibei and the lower reaches of the river, and Fuyang and Zhongyi are just two small cities, which are not of great value to Qi State. So much land has been ceded, including two small cities.
The reason why Zhao Kuo took a fancy to these two cities was because their geographical location was very important, containing the river's entrance to the sea. With these two cities, Zhao Guo would have an outlet to the sea, where he could develop his navy and enjoy the fish and salt industry. profit.
Soon, the contents of the peace treaty were drawn up. After Zhao Kuo signed it, he handed it to Zhou Zi and took it back to Linzi, where it was signed by King Jian of Qi.
"The king is not happy with Ji Xi, but I am happy with Mr. Zhao." Zhao Kuo put down his pen, held Zhou Zi's hands tightly and said sincerely.
"Your Majesty, thank you." After seeing Qi Wang Jian's indifference and feeling Zhao Kuo's sincerity, Zhou Zi couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart, "Please wait a moment, your Majesty, and wait for the foreign ministers to return the peace treaty to Linzi, and then return to Zhao Kingdom with your Majesty. "
"Okay. I am waiting for you here."
Zhao Kuo sent Zhou Zi out of the camp and watched Zhou Zi enter Linzi City before turning around.
"Send an order to Handan to establish Jixi County west of Jishui and east of the river, with Gaotang as the county government, and order...Zhou Zi to be the governor of Jixi County, and also be responsible for the handover with Qi State." Zhao Kuo ordered.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid..." Lian Po said worriedly.
"Don't doubt those who are suspicious, but don't doubt those who are employed." Zhao Kuo waved his hand.
Although there were many villains during the Warring States Period, the character of the vast majority of celebrities was guaranteed. Zhao Kuo was not worried that Zhou Zi would betray him.
Moreover, Zhao Kuo had a way to make Qi State not dare to accept Zhou Zi when he brought Jixi to join the capital of Qi State.
Lian Po had no choice but to stop admonishing.
Zhou Zi did not stay in Linzi. He had nothing to miss in this city. He handed the peace treaty to Qi Wangjian to sign, bid farewell to the Queen Mother, and returned to Zhao State with his family and the peace treaty belonging to Zhao State. camp.
Zhao Kuo personally held a banquet to welcome him and wash away his dust.
"The king wants to establish Jixi County, and I will make you the governor of Jixi County, and you will also be responsible for the handover with Qi State. I wonder if you can give in?" Zhao Kuo said to Zhou Zi during the banquet.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Zhou Zi leaned over and bowed.
Although the post of county governor is not as big as his official position in Qi State, it is real power, not to mention being responsible for the handover with Qi State. The trust contained in it is completely incomparable in Qi State.
It can be guessed that when the handover is completed and Jixi stabilizes, he will definitely be transferred back to Handan and be reused.
"With your talents, you are more than enough to serve as prime minister. However, the Zhao State is now in dire straits and is short of manpower, so I have no choice but to aggrieve you." Zhao Kuo said apologetically.
Zhou Zilian said he didn't dare.
