"The State of Qin sent an envoy here at this time, I'm afraid it has bad intentions." Yu Xin said with a smile.
The Qin envoy could wait until he entered the city before visiting Zhao Kuo. But he handed in the invitation outside the city, obviously hoping that the whole world would know that Qin State sent an envoy to Handan.
If there was no conspiracy, Yu Xin would be the first to not believe it.
"Just as the envoys from South Korea and Wei arrived, the envoys from Qin followed them. What a coincidence. I want to see what tricks Qin is planning to use." Wei Wuji snorted coldly.
"Has the Qin envoy entered the city?" Lin Xiangru looked at the guards.
"Not yet." The guard said.
"It seems that Ambassador Qin wants us to pick him up." Lin Xiangru said with a smile.
"Since he is free, let him wait there. When it gets dark, Tai often sends someone to pick him up." Zhao Kuo said, he is not a broad-minded monarch, it is his character to retaliate.
…
Outside Handan City, Yong Rui sat calmly on the side of the road, looking around casually. He hid his right hand behind his back and secretly tapped the cement pavement twice with his fingernails. He gave up after finding that it could not be damaged.
"This cement is really magical. No wonder those craftsmen failed to imitate it after several years of research. When I came to Handan this time, I couldn't enter the cement factory and paper factory. Zhao Guo is very strict about these two places. If If you have the chance, you can go to Handan Academy and the Library Pavilion, which is the real holy place for scholars. I heard that everyone in Zhao can go in and borrow books. If you talk to Zhao, it shouldn't be difficult."
Even though he was from Qin, Yongrui still had a lot of respect for the academy and the library in his heart, and even had a good impression of Zhao Kuo.
However, this good impression cannot change his position.
Several servants stood in front of the carriage, looking anxiously into the city.
"Master, Zhao Guo has not sent anyone to pick us up yet." A servant said.
"There's no rush, our arrival must have exceeded Zhao Guo's expectation, and we are discussing countermeasures. We will also have enough time to let Zhao people see our identity."
Yong Rui said nonchalantly, continuing to talk to passers-by to learn about the development of Zhao State over the years, and at the same time show his identity as the envoy of Qin State.
These passers-by are all ordinary farmers or businessmen with low cultural level and limited knowledge. However, they have the most say in what happens to the State of Zhao and the King of Zhao.
They are the group of people who can feel the changes in Zhao State the most.
"It turns out that the State of Zhao has changed so fast in recent years. How did King Zhao do it?" Yongrui was a little puzzled. He could do so many things at the same time without delaying agricultural production.
The most difficult thing is that not only do the people have no complaints, but everyone praises them.
This is completely impossible.
In the Qin State, if corvees were frequently recruited to build roads and water conservancy projects, the people would definitely complain.
"It seems that someone said that the government would give money to build roads and water conservancy projects in Zhao. Where did Zhao get so much money?" Yongrui had another question.
"The old man just said that King Zhao has a mountain of money, and he brings hundreds of carts of money to Handan every day. Many people have seen it." A servant said.
"You can believe this lie," another servant said.
"Then where do you think Zhao Guo got so much money?" the servant in front asked.
"..." The servant behind him was speechless.
Yong Rui did not dwell on this matter, but kept it in mind and prepared to go back and report to the King of Qin and the Prime Minister, so that they could worry.
After an hour, Yongrui felt that he understood almost everything he could understand, and he was a little tired. Seeing that Zhao Guo had not sent anyone to pick him up, he returned to the car and closed his eyes to rest.
After another hour, Yongrui opened his eyes, "Hasn't Zhao Guo sent someone over yet?"
"Master, no." The servant's voice came from outside the car.
"I'll go ask." Yongrui couldn't wait any longer. It had already been two hours, and it was time for Zhao Guo to crawl.
"Two little brothers, have you reported it?" Yongrui walked to the city gate and said pleasantly.
"It has been reported. The king said that he would come to greet the envoy in person after he is done with his work," the guard said.
"King Zhao came to greet the foreign minister in person? Then the foreign minister will wait a moment." Yong Rui was a little happy. Zhao Kuo went out of the city to greet him in person. This matter would inevitably reach the ears of the Korean envoys and the Wei envoys, and the Prime Minister's plan would be successful. Most of it.
More than an hour later, Yongrui looked at the sun that was gradually turning to the west, wondering whether Zhao Kuo would come to pick him up or whether the city gate guard had deceived him.
Yongrui decided not to wait, but to go to the city first and then meet with King Zhao.
"Envoy Qin will wait for a moment. He will come to pick you up after the king is done with his work." The city gate guard clasped his fists and said when he saw Yong Rui.
"There is no need to bother King Zhao with such a small matter. Foreign ministers can just enter the city by themselves." Yongrui tried his best to smile.
"Your Majesty has an order. Qin is a powerful country in the world. Qin and Zhao have been friends for generations, and your husband is a talented person in the world. He should go out of the city to welcome you. I dare not disobey him. The envoy of Qin should wait a little longer, otherwise the king will come here to find you." Without the envoy of Qin, I really can't explain it," said the city gate guard.
'The King of Zhao really must retaliate for his anger. As soon as the Prime Minister plotted against the Zhao State, the Zhao State gave him a disastrous attack. Yong Rui shook his head with a wry smile.
At this time, even if Yongrui reacted slowly, he realized that he had been deceived by King Zhao.
Why did he come to greet him after he was busy? He clearly made himself wait outside the city for such a long time on purpose.
Judging from the attitude of the city gate guards, he knew that he would not be able to enter the city unless the imperial court sent someone over.
"Master?" The servant looked at Yongrui.
"Forget it, just wait." Yongrui waved his hand helplessly.
Zhao Guo wouldn't let him enter the city, so he couldn't force his way in.
Moreover, it was Qin who plotted against Zhao first, so it was natural for King Zhao to fight back.
No matter who came to Zhao as an envoy, he would always receive the same treatment, but he was overtaken by him.
Like this, until the sun sets, night covers the earth, and the city gate is about to close.
A carriage drove slowly from the city.
"Is this the envoy from Qin in front of you?" Han Fei got off the carriage and leaned down to salute.
"Exactly." Yongrui breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, King Zhao did not let him spend the night outside the city.
"The king was originally going to greet the envoy in person, but there have been so many things in the past few days that he really couldn't spare the time, so he had to send a small minister to greet the envoy. I hope the envoy of Qin will forgive me." Han Fei said apologetically.
"The foreign minister came in a hurry and didn't notify your country in advance. I don't blame King Zhao." Yongrui said quickly.
Those who know the current affairs are heroes. Even if he is angry, Yongrui will never lose his temper in Zhao Kingdom.
Although the two countries were at war without killing envoys, there were also many envoys who died inexplicably.
There is no need for people to have trouble with themselves.
Now he just wants to complete Fan Ju's mission and then return to Qin safely.
"Envoy please." Han Fei stretched out his hand to signal Yong Rui to go first.
"Please." Yongrui said.
The two entered Handan City together.
…
In Guanyi, South Korean envoy Zhang Ping and Wei envoy Zhou sat face to face.
Neither of them looked very good-looking.
It can be seen from King Zhao's attitude today that Zhao is not willing to support South Korea and Wei.
Moreover, they had just received news that the Qin State had sent an envoy, and they had just arrived at Guanyi.
"We arrived on the front foot, and the envoy of the State of Qin arrived on the back foot. Does Wei Xiang think it is a coincidence, or is it a threat given to us by the State of Zhao?" Zhang Ping asked in a deep voice.
"It's a bit of an exaggeration to say it's a coincidence, but it's impossible for Zhao State to give us power at this time. It's not good for them." Zhou shook his head.
"King Zhao will receive the Qin envoy tomorrow. What should we do?" Zhang Ping asked.
"When King Zhao finishes meeting with the Qin envoy tomorrow, I will visit Lord Xinling and inquire about the situation." Zhou said.
Originally, he was confident in his mission to the State of Zhao, but today Zhao Kuo's attitude and the arrival of the envoy from the State of Qin made him feel unsure.
The princes of the world may be united horizontally or vertically. What is an alliance today may be broken tomorrow.
No one knows what the relationship between Zhao and Qin is.
"What do you think... Qin State sent envoys to Zhao State? Will their two countries... form an alliance?" Zhang Ping had a bad feeling in his heart. If Qin State and Zhao State formed an alliance, South Korea and Wei State would really be hopeless. .
"It's unlikely... Once Qin and Zhao form an alliance, we, Han and Wei, can only fight against us by forming an alliance with the three kingdoms of Yan, Qi, and Chu. At this time, as long as Qin returns to Hangu Pass, Zhao will face our five kingdoms alone, becoming Qin's shield. Qi has already made this mistake once. If Zhao is not stupid, he will not make it a second time." Zhou said.
Zhang Ping is still full of worries. There are too many fools these days and not enough liars.
No one can guarantee whether King Zhao will suddenly have a brain twitch.
"Don't think so much, we'll talk about it tomorrow." Zhou said.
…
The next day, Zhao Kuo did not come to the front hall until noon. Qin envoy Yongrui waited outside the hall all morning. Seeing Zhao Kuo, he quickly stepped forward and saluted, "The foreign minister pays homage to King Zhao."
"Sit down." Zhao Kuo glanced at Yong Rui and remembered his appearance in his heart.
He was able to endure being teased twice. His endurance alone was extraordinary.
"The foreign minister came to the Kingdom of Zhao this time to tell King Zhao some good news." Yongrui leaned over and said.
"Good news? King Qin is dead? When did it happen?" Zhao Kuo sat up suddenly and asked with a look of surprise on his face.
"Pfft!" The ministers of Zhao State never expected that Zhao Kuo would say this. They couldn't control themselves and laughed out loud. Then they realized that the situation was wrong and quickly suppressed their laughter.
"Please pay attention to your words, King Zhao. My king is in very good health." Yongrui said in a deep voice.
"What good news can there be?" Zhao Kuo said pretending to be bored.
Yong Rui glared at Zhao Kuo angrily, wishing he could flick his sleeves, turn around and leave, but for the sake of Qin's plan, he must persist even if he was insulted.
"The foreign minister originally thought that King Zhao was wise and mighty, and could swallow up mountains and rivers with anger. He didn't expect that he would be so naive and only use his words. He really disappointed the foreign minister." Yong Rui said loudly.
"You, the State of Qin, should know best whether I can only use my words." Zhao Kuo said with a smile.
Just as Yong Rui was about to say something, he suddenly realized that he had been led astray by Zhao Kuo unknowingly. If this continued, he would not have the chance to say what he needed to say until dark.
"Foreign minister, I heard that Wei and South Korea sent envoys to Zhao for help?" Yongrui took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
"The news from Qin State is quite good." Zhao Kuo said.
"May I ask if King Zhao plans to support South Korea and Wei?" Yongrui asked.
"We, the Three Jins, are allies. If Han and Wei are in trouble, Zhao will naturally help." Zhao Kuo said proudly.
"The foreign minister has better suggestions." Yongrui did not dare to pause for fear that Zhao Kuo would interrupt him and change the topic elsewhere, and continued.
"Qin and Zhao are powerful countries in the world. If two strong countries fight, one of them will be injured. But the other five countries will benefit. Instead of being benefited by other countries, it is better for Zhao and Qin to unite and carve up South Korea and Wei. Now our Qin State has surrounded Daliang, the capital of Wei, but the city wall of Daliang is so tall that even our Qin army cannot attack it for a while. As long as the Zhao army sends troops to pretend to support the Wei state and take the opportunity to attack the Wei army when the two armies are fighting, We will definitely be able to defeat the Wei army and break through Daliang in one fell swoop. At that time, our Qin State will only have South Korea and Wei State's Hedong, and the rest of the land will belong to Zhao State."
I have to say that this plan is very tempting.
Compared with supporting South Korea and Wei, in the end nothing was gained.
This plan has more than 80% chance of acquiring most of Wei's land.
It can be seen from everyone's eyes that many people are moved.
"Fifty years ago, Chu and Qi formed an alliance. Qin sent Zhang Yi as envoy to Chu. Zhang Yi promised the king of Chu that as long as he cut off all contact with Qi and dissolved the alliance, Qin would dedicate Shangyu's six hundred miles of land to Chu. In the end, the Chu State not only lost the ally of Qi State, but also lost the two lands of Hanzhong and Danyang. Back then, Zhang Yi used the land of Qin State as a bargaining chip, but now he uses the land of Han and Wei as a bargaining chip. Compared with Zhang Yi, Mr. It’s even better.”
Wei Wuji said with a smile.
"Mr. Xinling's words are wrong. The foreign minister really represents Qin's sincere desire to form an alliance with Zhao. For both Qin and Zhao, unity will lead to two sides, and division will cause two harms. Moreover, with the strength of Zhao State, , our Qin State cannot deceive the State of Zhao. Lord Xinling is now the Prime Minister of the State of Zhao, so why bother struggling for the State of Wei. Did the State of Zhao help the State of Wei before? Not only did the State of Wei not be grateful to the State of Zhao, but instead wanted to Fighting for Zhao's Jiuding, and detaining Zhao's soldiers. Are these things done by allies? Even if Zhao sends troops to support Wei this time, how can Wei be grateful to Zhao?"
Yongrui leaned over and said.
"Is the Qin State grateful to the Zhao State?" Wei Wuji became a little angry.
"Qin will not be grateful to Zhao, but Zhao can get a large area of land. But by helping Wei, Zhao will get nothing." Yongrui said.
"Sir, you are indeed very eloquent. What you said has moved everyone's heart. I wonder if you would like to stay in the Kingdom of Zhao, and I would like to treat you as a minister." Zhao Kuo walked up to Yong Rui and bowed down.
"Foreign minister, I would like to thank King Zhao for his kindness, but the king treats the foreign minister very well, and the foreign minister cannot bear to betray the king." Yongrui bowed.
"In this case, the envoy should go back and rest first. I will discuss it with the ministers. After making a decision, I will send someone to inform the envoy." Zhao Kuo waved his hand and said.
"The foreign minister is waiting for your Majesty's good news in the post." Yongrui turned and left the hall.
