"Your Majesty, I think we should unite with the Qin State. Nowadays, all the heroes in the world are united and the princes dominate. Even if we send hundreds of thousands of troops and fight for several years, we may not be able to capture a city. But if we form an alliance with the Qin State and join forces with the powerful , it is easy to obtain large areas of land. Moreover, Wei State is located in the world, with rich land and convenient transportation. If we can annex Wei State, the strength of Zhao State will be greatly increased." As soon as Yong Rui left, Zhao Bao stood up .
Compared with Qin, the biggest shortcoming of Zhao State is population. Even after expanding so much land, Zhao's population was still not as large as Qin's. But if it can annex Wei, Zhao's population will instantly surpass Qin's and become the most populous country in the world.
As for Wei Wuji's face, it was worthless in the face of Zhao's interests.
Zhao Kuo looked at his uncle speechlessly. Compared with others, Zhao Bao's vision was still too short-sighted.
In the last battle of Changping, Zhao Bao only saw that taking over Shangdang would offend Qin, but ignored the importance of Shangdang to Zhao.
This time Zhao Bao saw the huge benefits after the alliance between Qin and Zhao, but ignored that Qin's biggest enemy was Zhao, not Han Wei. Qin's purpose was to split the Three Jin Alliance, not to help Zhao expand.
Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for two powerful countries to unite to deal with a weak country, because it is not in the interests of both parties.
Just like the Jin and Chu countries in the Spring and Autumn Period.
If we have to unite, it means that one of the countries is trying to set a trap for the other country.
For example, the previous states of Qin and Qi proclaimed each other emperor.
"If Lord Pingyang does this, Qin's plan will succeed." Lord Xinling glanced at Zhao Bao. If the other party was not Zhao Sheng's brother, and Zhao Sheng was his brother-in-law, he would have started complaining long ago.
Talking about how to destroy Wei in front of him is completely disrespecting himself.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Bao frowned, a little unhappy.
"Today, Qin's only opponent is Zhao. If Lord Pingyang were the king of Qin, would you pay a greater price to destroy South Korea and Wei, but give greater benefits to Zhao?" Wei Wuji asked in return road.
Zhao Bao was stunned. He realized something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.
"If your prediction is correct, once Zhao and Qin form an alliance, Qin will turn around and tell Wei and South Korea the news, and then unite the two countries to attack Zhao..." Wei Wuji said and suddenly stopped. He stopped, his eyes full of shock.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Sheng asked.
"We fell into the trap. The moment the Qin State sent envoys to Handan, we fell into the trap." Wei Wuji sighed and smiled bitterly.
"Do you think that if today's scene reaches the ears of the envoys from Wei and South Korea, how will the two countries react? Even if Zhao really sends troops to support Wei and South Korea, will the two countries still believe us? Will they think I am Zhao and Qin have secretly formed an alliance, but it was just a show to them. Under such circumstances, how can it be possible to defeat the Qin army."
Once the three countries cannot fight together and their military orders cannot be unified, and they face a top commander like Wu'an Jun Bai Qi and one of the most elite armies in the world, the Qin Army, defeat is almost inevitable.
Even if all the troops of Zhao State are put in, it will be the same.
No matter how powerful Zhao Guo is, he may defeat a divine opponent, but he will never be able to defeat two pig teammates.
When everyone heard this, they suddenly froze.
Before, they were still discussing whether to send troops to support, but now Qin directly helped Zhao to block one of the options.
Then, anger and frustration emerged in everyone's hearts.
Our unwillingness to send troops to support ourselves is completely different from being forced by Qin to be unable to support us.
"Perhaps before annexing Yan, we need to weaken Qin first..." Kong Bin clenched his fists and said in a deep voice.
The feeling of being plotted but unable to fight back is so frustrating.
If Zhao Guo's thoughts were not on Qin Guo, it would be Qin Guo's turn to plot against Zhao Guo.
Cai Ze remained silent and did not deny Kong Bin's words, even though he had always advocated annexing Yan State first.
"You think... is it possible that Wei and South Korea have secretly formed an alliance? When Zhao sends troops to support us, the two countries will..." Zhao Bao said hesitantly.
"Impossible." Zhao Sheng immediately waved his hand and said, "If the three countries have secretly formed an alliance, Qin State does not need to do anything extra. But...if Zhao State insists on sending troops to support, it will be difficult to say what will happen next."
Once doubt arises, it cannot be stopped.
When Wei and South Korea suspected that Zhao and Qin had secretly formed an alliance, it was not impossible for the angry Wei and South Korea to join Qin's chariot and rush towards Zhao's chariot together as long as Qin joined forces. .
Zhao Guo did not dare to bet on this possibility!
Even if Wei and South Korea did not form an alliance with Qin, the three armies that were suspicious of each other would not be able to defeat the Qin army.
It can be said that if Han, Zhao, and Wei cannot trust each other, then the combined combat effectiveness of the three Jin states is not as good as that of Zhao alone.
"This is the terrible thing about this strategy. Unless the three kingdoms of Korea, Zhao, and Wei trust each other very much, rifts are inevitable, and the alliance of Korea, Zhao, and Wei... is obviously not unbreakable." Wei Wuji picked up the teacup on the table. , raised his head and downed the drink in one gulp, and said feebly, "I don't know whether this plan came from Fan Ju or Lu Buwei. It really poses a problem for us."
"What's so difficult? Just follow the previous plan and attack the Yan State with all our strength. Anyway, our Zhao State had no intention of supporting Han and Wei. Besides, Han and Wei are not that easy to defeat. Maybe we can destroy the Yan State. After that, we can send troops to support Wei again." Lin Xiangru said nonchalantly.
Cai Ze's eyes lit up. Yes, Han and Wei were much stronger than Yan. It was impossible for Qin to annex Han and Wei before Zhao annexed Yan.
Zhao can wait until it annexes Yan before supporting Han and Wei.
Besides, there are Qi State and Chu State. Seeing that Wei State cannot support it, the two countries may not send troops to help.
"As a result, the Three Jin Alliance will break up." Zhao Sheng sighed. For Zhao State, it is still very necessary for the three countries of South Korea, Zhao Wei and Wei to keep warm.
Although Zhao is strong now, it is not so strong that it does not need allies.
"After all, allies are just allies. How can the growth of our Zhao country be more important? As long as our Zhao country is strong enough, there will naturally be countries attached to our Zhao country." Lin Xiangru said without doubt.
Back then, South Korea was an enemy of the Qin State, and they were killed in rivers of blood. In the end, they were forced to become allies by the Qin State. The Qin State's troops entered and exited South Korea at will without saying hello.
Zhao Kuo looked at Lin Xiangru speechlessly. Before, everyone was thinking about how to crack Qin's plan, but Lin Xiangru suddenly took action and brought the topic back to whether to send troops to support Wei.
The envoy from Qin is here in vain!
"It's not that our Zhao State refuses to save us, but because Qin has done this to us, our Zhao State has no way to send troops, so we can't let our soldiers die in vain." Cai Ze said helplessly, and those who didn't know thought he had been supporting him. Support Wei State.
Wei Wuji did not refute, because Cai Ze was indeed telling the truth.
In the end, the court meeting ended in vain, no one could convince anyone, everyone went back to their homes, and Zhao Kuo also walked towards the back hall.
"Master, how is the situation?" As soon as Wei Wuji returned home, Hou Ying came to greet him.
"Not too optimistic. The envoy from Qin brought us bad news... The king and most of the ministers do not agree to support Wei, but the king has not expressed his position yet. There is still a chance." Wei Wuji said what happened in the court just now After narrating the incident, I hope that the old man in front of me who has followed me for many years can help me.
"What if...the king still doesn't agree?" Hou Ying looked at Wei Wuji.
"No matter what, I cannot just watch the Kingdom of Wei perish while I live alone in the world. If it comes to that, even if I am alone, I will go to support the Kingdom of Wei." Wei Wuji said firmly.
He loved the State of Zhao because his sister married into the State of Zhao, and because of Zhao Kuo's kindness in knowing him.
But he has no reason to love Wei, and he doesn't need a reason. Wei is his mother country, the place where he was born and raised.
Even if you have to sacrifice your life, you cannot sit back and watch Wei fall.
"If it fails, the Lord will die in the Kingdom of Wei. If it succeeds, there will no longer be a place for the Lord in the Kingdom of Zhao, and the King of Wei... will not reuse the Lord." Hou Ying poured a glass of wine for Wei Wuji, and then poured it for himself He drank a glass and spoke slowly like an old friend chatting.
"As long as you have a clear conscience." Wei Wuji picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
How could he not know that he would most likely die at the hands of the Qin army? Even if he was lucky enough to successfully repel the Qin army, Zhao would be dissatisfied with him, and Brother Wang would be even more afraid of him, and he would not be able to end up in either place. good.
But, so what?
"A person's power is limited after all." Hou Ying advised, he did not want to watch Wei Wuji die.
"A person's strength is also strength." Wei Wuji said seriously.
"Alas." Hou Ying sighed, opened his mouth, and finally said nothing. He just poured the wine from the cup into his mouth.
"My lord, the envoy from the State of Wei is outside asking for an audience." At this time, a guest came in from outside.
"Let him come in." Wei Wuji hesitated for a while, but decided to meet him.
"promise."
"I've met Mr. Xinling." Zhou walked into the room and leaned down to salute.
"You and I haven't seen each other for ten years." When Wei Wuji saw Zhou, he felt a little emotional. Many ministers of the Wei Kingdom had good relations with him at the beginning, which was one of the reasons why the King of Wei was afraid of him.
"No more, it's been almost eleven years," Zhou said.
"I didn't expect to see you in the Kingdom of Zhao. I heard that Brother Wang asked you to serve as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Wei?" Wei Wuji asked. He knew that Fan Zuo had left the Wei Kingdom. Although it was a bit regretful, Fan Zuo had done his best to benevolent and righteous. , and he couldn't say anything.
Although Zhou's ability is much worse than Fan Zuo's, he is still more than capable.
Zhou nodded, "I came to visit Lord Xinling this time because I wanted to ask about the Qin envoy."
"Wei Guo... is in trouble this time." Wei Wuji sighed and recounted what happened in the court hall just now. He did not hide it, because there was no need to do so, and it would only make Wei Guo more suspicious.
"Qin is so cunning!" Zhou said angrily. He wanted to tell Wei Wuji that Wei would not doubt Zhao, but he still swallowed the words.
Because he found that he had some doubts about whether Zhao State had secretly formed an alliance with Qin State without telling Wei Wuji, let alone others.
"Then now...will Zhao Guo send troops?" Zhou's face was ashen, but he still tried to ask.
"I don't know, I'll... try my best." Wei Wuji sighed.
"Then...I'll take my leave first." Zhou said, leaving Lord Xinling's Mansion disappointed.
The next day, Zhou and Zhang Ping asked to see King Zhao, and King Zhao met them, but in the end neither of them could convince Zhao Kuo.
In the next few days, the two kept visiting Zhao's important ministers, hoping to get their help.
Accompanied by Zhao officials, Yongrui walked around Handan College or the library every day, living a very uncomfortable life.
His mission has been completed. He can leave as long as the envoys from Wei and South Korea leave.
A few days later, Zhou and Zhang Ping left Handan, and Yongrui also left.
The three of them came and left on the same day, as if they had agreed.
…
"All the envoys from the Three Kingdoms are gone?" Zhao Kuo put down the book and said with some surprise.
"Well, we walked together, one behind the other, only a few hundred meters apart." Liu Ping nodded.
"You said...will they discuss peace talks or even alliances on the way?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"This should be the reason why the Qin envoy waited until now to leave." Liu Ping said.
"Alas, I know that I shouldn't fall into Qin's scheme, but I still can't help but doubt Wei and South Korea." Zhao Kuo sighed.
"Your Majesty is the king of Zhao State, and Zhao State must come first. Moreover, even if Zhao State does not doubt it, Wei State and South Korea will." Liu Ping said.
"What have Lord Xinling been doing these two days?" Zhao Kuo asked.
“Mr. Yes." Liu Ping said.
"Let him be quiet for a while." Zhao Kuo said.
…
Zhou rushed all the way to Daliang. He didn't have time to bathe and change clothes, so he immediately went to the palace to meet King Wei.
Daliang was surrounded. King Wei was in no mood to go boating on the lake with Lord Long Yang. He sat alone by the lake with a fishing rod in his hand without even a fishing line tied to it.
"What a bullshit fish pond. There isn't even a single fish in it. It's full." While fishing, King Wei suddenly stood up, broke the fishing rod in his hand into two halves, and threw it into the lake.
"Your Majesty, I failed to invite reinforcements from the State of Zhao." At this time, Zhou came over from a distance and said with his head lowered.
This was the first thing he failed to do after becoming prime minister, which was a huge blow to him.
"The State of Zhao is still blaming what happened last year? Has he forgotten the covenant between the three countries of Han, Zhao and Wei?" King Wei said angrily.
"No, Qin State sent an envoy to Handan." Zhou recounted what happened during this period.
The King of Wei was stunned. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Then what does the Prime Minister think Wei should do now? Do you agree to Qin's conditions?"
"I am willing to send envoys to Qi and Chu to request support from the two countries." Zhou Baoquan said.
He met Yongrui on the road. To be precise, it was Yongrui who approached him and Zhang Ping.
Yongrui talked to him about the alliance between Qin and Wei, but he refused.
Even asking for support from Chu and Qi is still better than forming an alliance with Qin.
Once it forms an alliance with Qin, Wei will completely become a vassal of Qin.
