"Your Majesty, why not take this opportunity to order General Pang Nuan to withdraw his troops from Qi? Not only can it ease the relationship with Qi, but it can also strengthen our army. After all, Qin is our Zhao State's biggest enemy." Yu Xin took the opportunity to say.
Not to mention that Zhao Guo had not obtained any benefits from Qi State at this time. Even if he could get it, in Yu Xin's view, it was far less important than weakening Qin State.
"I second the proposal." Lu Zhonglian also said.
He himself was from the Qi State, and he did not want a war between Zhao and Qi. It was just that Zhao's attack on Qi was the general trend before, and he could not stop it. Now that the wind direction had changed, Lu Zhonglian immediately stood up.
"Wait until Qi State can prove that I, the Zhao people, were not massacred by them." Zhao Kuo said in a deep voice.
Yu Xin and Lin Xiangru looked at each other, nodded slightly, and already had plans in mind.
War is not something one can give an order to and then go out to fight there.
The Yan troops captured by Li Mu were previously in Wuyang, but now they have been assigned to work in the counties of Yan. Recruiting and selecting 10,000 soldiers also takes time, as well as recruiting civilians, transporting grain and grass, etc., which can take more than half a month at the fastest.
If Zhao State can unite with Qi State, more than half a month will be enough to investigate the matter.
The reason why there was no progress before was simply that neither party sent anyone to investigate.
"Your Majesty, I suggest that while fighting head-on, we send a general from Helan County south to attack the Qin State in Longxi, so that the Qin State will be attacked from both sides." Yu Xin suggested again.
"According to Yu Qing's clever plan, he sent an order to make Helan County Shou Lejian the general, recruit 10,000 soldiers from various counties in Hetao, and go south to attack Qin. This can be done easily." Zhao Kuo said.
"Your Majesty, the envoy has arrived outside the palace." A guard came in from outside and said with clasped fists.
"Let him come in." Zhao Kuo said.
Soon, Chen Gong, the envoy of Qi, entered the main hall and saw King Zhao sitting on it. He couldn't help but think of King Qi in his own family. He sighed deeply in his heart. They are both kings, so why are they so different? "Foreign Minister Chen Gong Respectfully pay your respects to King Zhao."
"Give the envoy of Qi a seat," Zhao Kuo said.
Chen Gong breathed a sigh of relief. King Zhao did not kick him out and gave him a seat. It seemed that there was hope for success.
"To the King of Zhao, this is a gift from the King and the Queen Mother to the King of Zhao and the Queen. The King and the Queen Mother said that they have always missed the King of Zhao, the Queen, and their grandson. The Kingdom of Zhao and the Kingdom of Qi are one family. If the King and the Queen have time, , you can take the prince to Qi to spend a few days." Chen Gong leaned over and said.
At this time, various countries went around and invited their kings to play together. Hunting was very common, but Qi had no other hidden intentions.
"When the world is at peace, I will definitely take the queen to visit Qi." Zhao Kuo said.
"After the foreign minister returns, he will definitely report it to the King and the Queen Mother." Chen Gong said, "The foreign minister has one more thing to do when he comes this time."
"I don't know what's going on?" Zhao Kuo asked knowingly.
"Previously, the people of Zhao State were killed, and they mistakenly thought it was our Qi State, so they raised troops to attack our Qi State. The foreign minister came this time to clarify the matter and avoid Zhao State's misunderstanding of our Qi State. This matter is not The Queen Mother of Qi State was extremely angry when she learned about it. She has ordered the entire Qi State to investigate the matter thoroughly and will definitely give an explanation to Zhao State." Chen Gong said.
"How long has it been since this happened, and Qi Guo just now thought of giving Zhao Guo an explanation?" Zhao Kuo asked in a deep voice.
"Prince Zhao, our Qi State has been investigating this matter, but there was no progress before. Now that the Queen Mother has sent additional manpower, I believe we will get the news soon." Chen Gong felt extremely humiliated in his heart, but had to obey. According to Zhao Kuo's words.
Weak countries have no dignity in front of strong ones. If Qi is strong and Zhao is weak, how dare Zhao directly raise troops to attack Qi without saying a word, and why does Qi need to prove its innocence?
"In this case, envoy Qi, please go back first and come back to see me when there is news." Zhao Kuo waved his hand.
"The foreign minister resigns." Chen Gong said helplessly.
Back in the palace, Zhao Kuo handed the gift from Qi to Tian Shu.
Zhao Kuo treated all women equally, at least in terms of material things. Whatever one daughter-in-law had, other wives also had it.
But this was given by the Empress Dowager Qi to her daughter, so that's another matter.
The Empress Dowager Qi loved her daughter very much. She gave a lot of fine mink furs and Shu brocade, as well as some rouge and other things, and a letter. Zhao Kuo did not open it and read it.
"Give some of these rouges to the older sisters and younger sisters, as well as Shu brocade, and give one to each older sister and younger sister. There is only one mink skin, so I will keep it for myself." Tian Shu said to the maid.
"This is given to you by the Empress Dowager Qi, you can keep it for yourself." Zhao Kuo said.
"I don't lack these things. Besides, when the harem is stable, the king can focus on national affairs, right?" Tian Shu said.
"You are still so sensible." Zhao Kuo said.
In the harem, the most sensible sisters are Tian Shu and Tian Yi. The aristocratic education they received since childhood and the things they have experienced have made them more precocious and know what should and should not be fought over.
"What did the Empress Dowager Qi tell you?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"My mother asked me if I was used to living in Zhao State. If I have time, I can take An'er to Qi State to spend a few days. Also, let me persuade the king to withdraw his troops," Tian Shu said.
"Then why don't you persuade me?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"Your Majesty has made his own decision in this kind of national matter. How can I have any say in it?" Tian Shu lowered her head and said.
"Actually... you don't have to be so cautious. I prefer you to say anything. Although I am the king of Zhao, I am also your husband." Zhao Kuo sighed.
With An Ning and Zhao Ji, he felt that his identity was a husband, but with Tian Shu, he felt that his identity was always a monarch. Tian Shu was not a wife, but a minister.
"No." Tian Shu said.
"I still have some things to deal with. I'll come back to you later." Zhao Kuo hugged Tian Shu gently.
…
A few days later, news came from Li Mu that Sima Shang and Yuan Hua had captured Prince Dan in Liaodong. Ju Wu fled to Liaodong with Prince Dan on his back, intending to use Prince Dan's identity to gain the support of local officials and people and publicly fight against Zhao.
As a result, Sima Shang and Yuan Hua caught him red-handed.
"If we take the sea route, we should be almost there." Zhao Kuo thought in his mind.
The sea route is much faster than the land route, and the news is sent from Liaodong to Jicheng and then to Handan. The people were sent directly from Liaodong to Handan.
However, Zhao Kuo didn't pay too much attention to it. After all, the Yan Kingdom was gone, and no matter how powerful Prince Dan was, he couldn't change his destiny.
"When Prince Dan arrives, just send him to King Yan. By the way, aren't King Yan's concubines also captured? Send all the concubines and children who have children with King Yan to King Yan's mansion. . People are husband and wife, and they have to live together. But I, the State of Zhao, cannot raise them in vain. Give King Yan a few acres of land and let him grow some food, and then send some looms over and let them weave cloth. Make some money. As for the concubines and palace maids who have no children with King Yan, tell Li Mu to give them as wives to the meritorious soldiers in the army." Zhao Kuo said.
"I will arrange it," Lin Xiangru said.
"How are the soldiers doing?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"Your Majesty, there are many people who signed up. After the registration time ends, General Meng Ao will select 10,000 soldiers from all the applicants." Lin Xiangru said.
Zhao's military conscription was different from that of other countries. Other countries generally conscripted troops on a household basis, with several households sending one soldier. If there was a war, each household might have to send troops.
This kind of conscription is mandatory, and you can't escape it unless you go to the mountains and become a gangster.
Zhao State's recruitment is voluntary, not because Zhao State is more noble than other countries, but because everyone knows the high welfare of soldiers. Every time there is a recruitment, everyone rushes to sign up, so there is no need to force it.
And not all those who signed up could be soldiers. Zhao Guoguo eliminated those who were unqualified in terms of height and physical fitness and selected the top ones.
If there are 10,000 soldiers drafted, then 10,000 will be selected.
If 20,000 men are drafted, then 20,000 men are selected.
The advantage is that the soldiers selected by the Zhao State are more elite, and it is impossible to have the situation in the Korean Army where some soldiers' thighs are not as thick as others' arms.
The disadvantage is that it takes a long time.
If other countries recruit troops from just one county, they will be assembled in less than ten days. Zhao Guo has just started the selection.
"By the way, Your Majesty. Li Mu said that although there are experts in Yandi who are good at water conservancy, but when they learned that Zhao wanted to govern the entire Liaohe Plain, no one dared to take on the important task. Li Mu requested that Zheng be allowed to go to Yandi to survey the Liaohe River." Cai Ze handed a memorial to Zhao Kuo.
"What's the current situation in the Hetao? Can Zheng Guo be able to walk away?" Zhao Kuo asked.
"Governor Lifu wrote a letter a few months ago saying that everything has been planned, but it will take about five years to complete the construction. There are many water conservancy masters in the Hetao, and it doesn't hurt to transfer a few to Yandi," Cai Ze said.
He is originally from Yan, so he naturally hopes to build a better place in Yan. This kind of thing is just about opening your mouth. If you can fight for your hometown, you still have to fight for your hometown.
Although his hometown is not in the Liaohe Plain, and he has never even seen the Liaohe River.
"Then transfer Zheng Guo to Yan." Zhao Kuo said while signing the transfer order.
On the other side, Chen Gong, the envoy of Qi State, found Yu Xin and Lu Zhonglian.
"This is the evidence that our country of Qi has found so far. Although it cannot completely prove that this matter was not done by our country of Qi, it is enough to prove that there is a shadow of the state of Qin in it. Most of the money used to bribe the gangsters is Qin's yuan. , only a small part of them are the sword coins of our Qi State." Chen Gong handed the information sent by the Qi State to Yu Xin and Lu Zhonglian.
A few days ago, when Chen Gong left the palace, Yu Xin and Lu Zhonglian secretly found Chen Gong.
The two of them have only one purpose, to help Qi State wash away its grievances and resolve the contradiction between Zhao and Qi. Only in this way can Zhao State concentrate all its forces to deal with Qin State.
In their opinion, Zhao Kuo was acting out of impulse by not retreating at this time.
The people of a township are far less important than the interests of Zhao State. As a king, you should focus on the overall situation.
Moreover, not many people know about this matter, so it will be covered up by suppressing it.
But Zhao Kuo is the king, and they can't persuade him, so they can only start from other aspects.
As long as they can prove that the Zhao people were not killed by Qi, and they can persuade Zhao Kuo from the side, it will not be difficult for Zhao Kuo to retreat.
Zhao State has many forces in Qi State, especially the Zhao State Chamber of Commerce, which has unknowingly covered most areas of Qi State.
Moreover, after the group of bandits fled into Qi State, they were protected by local officials. The bandits could escape, but the officials could not escape, plus the wisdom of Yu Xin and Lu Zhonglian.
It didn't take long for Qi State to discover the traces left by Qin State with the help of the two men.
"Have you found the gangsters bribed by Qin?" Yu Xin asked.
"I found part of it. After you told me, I immediately wrote to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother immediately sent troops to arrest the officials who had taken over the gangsters. Some of the gangsters were also arrested at the same time." Chen Gong said.
"Some of these officials must have been bribed by Qin." Yu Xin said.
"How does Sikou know?" Chen Gong said in surprise.
"How could you take such a big risk to accept this group of bandits without being bribed by the Qin State, unless the bandits themselves are officials pretending to be officials." Yu Xin said.
"I can guarantee that the gangsters are definitely not officials from Qi State pretending to be officials of Qi State." Chen Gong said quickly.
Qi Guo finally managed to wash away the dirty water on his body, but he must not be splashed with dirty water again.
"Some of these gangsters must have connections with the Qin State. You send people to arrest all these gangsters and send them to our country, Zhao, together with the officials. I think it should not be difficult for the Qi State to catch a mere gangster." Yu Xin said.
"It's not difficult." Chen Gong said quickly, but he cursed in his heart. Some of these gangsters have disappeared long ago. It is not certain whether they are in Qi State or not. Where can they find them?
"The State of Qin massacred a whole village of our State of Zhao, but blamed it on Qi State, which is a heinous crime. We, the State of Zhao, have decided to use all our troops to attack the State of Qin and seek justice for the people of our State of Zhao." Yu Xin suddenly said righteously.
"We, the State of Qi, wish Zhao Guoguo a victory." Chen Gong said with cupped hands.
"As the largest country in the east, Qi State can tolerate this insult?" Yu Xin asked again when he saw that Chen Gong was not on the road.
"..." Chen Gong finally understood what Yu Xin meant, and together they planned to unite Qi and fight against Qin...
If it were before, Qi would definitely not agree, but now Zhao Jun and Chu Jun are still outside Linzi City...
"The lower official cannot make the decision on this matter. Please allow me to report to the Queen Mother." Chen Gong leaned over and said.
"Then I, the State of Zhao, will be waiting for the good news from the State of Qi. By the way, at this time, the armies of the three countries of Zhao, Wei and Han are confronting the Qin army in Nanyang. The Qin army is strong. If the coalition forces cannot attack for a long time, it is difficult to say that they will not capture the land from other places. After all, the army With so much consumption, we must make up for it and give some explanations to the court." Yu Xin's tone was full of threats.
"I understand, I will tell the truth to the Queen Mother." Chen Gong wiped the non-existent sweat on his forehead. Zhao and Chu attacked Qi, but Qi could still rely on Linzi to hold on. If the armies of Zhao, Wei and Han all turned around and attacked Qi, Linzi would be useless.
If Linzi is captured this time, there may not be another Tiandan from Qi State who will step forward.
"Then I will wait in Zhao State for good news from Qi State." Yu Xin stood up and said.
