Qin Wangzhu and the ministers of the court were still waiting anxiously in the palace, hoping that good news would be brought in the mid-term.
However, their wishes were doomed to fail.
An hour later, Zhong returned to the main hall and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I have a great responsibility, but I failed to persuade King Zhao to withdraw his troops."
Qin Wangzhu's face froze for a moment. After a while, he asked Zhong Zhong to stand up and asked, "Ai Qing... please tell me in detail what happened."
In the middle period, he started talking about it when he saw Zhao Kuo. Apart from describing Zhao Kuo as extremely arrogant, he didn't add anything special. Even so, Qin Wangzhu's angry forehead showed veins.
"Do you have any other ways to make Zhao State retreat?" Qin Wangzhu looked at each one one by one. Whenever his eyes fell on the ministers, the ministers lowered their heads. Qin Wangzhu's face became increasingly ugly.
"Your Majesty, the only plan for now is to unite with Chu to fight against Zhao." Lu Buwei said, cupping his fists.
Qin Wangji's expression finally softened. Regardless of whether the method is good or bad, having a method is better than having no method at all.
"Will Chu State... agree? I heard that Chu State and Zhao State have always been in alliance." Qin Wangji had some doubts.
Although Qin and Chu have been married for generations and have a decent relationship, in the past few decades, what Qin has done to Chu is really unreasonable. It does not regard Chu as its in-laws at all and keeps trying to get rid of Chu.
The clay figurine is still very angry, let alone the Chu State who disobeyed Zhou hundreds of years ago.
On the other hand, although Zhao State had some minor quarrels with Chu State, due to geographical relations, the two countries had never had a major conflict and their relations had always been stable.
When Zhao Kuo got married, Chu King Wan and Prime Minister Huang Xie even went to Handan in person to celebrate.
"The State of Zhao looks down upon Nanjun and Qianzhong County, but the State of Chu will not look down upon it. Since the Battle of Yanying, the Chu people have all dreamed of taking back Nanjun and Qianzhong County, and they will not give up this opportunity. Moreover, Chu The country may not want to see Zhao Guo strong..." Lu Buwei said.
The Zhao State was not the first to become the overlord of the world. Let’s not talk about the division of the three dynasties into the Jin Dynasty. After the three dynasties were divided into the Jin Dynasty, Wei, Qi, Chu, and Qin successively became the overlords of the world, but in the end they were all targeted by various countries. Downward towards decline.
Zhao Guo will not be an exception.
If Zhao State had not chosen the right time to annex Yan State last year, South Korea and Wei would have needed to hold on to Zhao State's thighs, but other countries could not free their hands, and might have formed a coalition.
"Sir, are you willing to go to Chu as an envoy?" Qin Wangzhu asked.
"I am willing to go." Lu Buwei said.
"Before your husband returns, I will definitely guard Xianyang. I, the Qin State, leave it to you, sir." Qin Wangzhu walked up to Lu Buwei, leaned down and saluted, and said solemnly.
"Without further delay, I will go back and prepare now. We will set off early tomorrow morning." Lu Buwei returned the salute and turned to leave the hall.
"General Wang Jian." Qin Wangzhu looked at Wang Jian.
"I have no one else to rely on, so the defense of Xianyang City depends on the general." Qin Wangzhu walked up to Wang Jian and bowed again.
There were once many famous generals in the Qin State, but now there are not many who died in battle and those who surrendered.
"The king's words are serious, I will do my best." Wang Jian quickly helped Qin Wangzhu. Read the book
Qin Wangzhu walked up to Fan Ju again, leaned down and saluted: "I have just ascended the throne, and I am not familiar with the affairs of the court. I will have to rely on the prime minister in the future."
"I...will do my best." Fan Ju leaned over and said.
In the next few days, Zhao Jun was busy surveying the terrain, digging ditches, and building siege equipment.
The State of Qin was busy mobilizing the people of the city. All men over the age of fourteen were recruited into the army, and even healthy women had to participate in training to prepare for emergencies.
The gold, silver, jewelry, jades, spices, etc. in the palace were all taken out by Qin Wangzhu and sold to merchants and nobles, and were exchanged for food and grass. Even the silk on the princess was replaced by coarse cloth and Geyi, and she worked with everyone.
Many nobles donated money and food, and sent their servants to guard the city.
There were also some nobles who realized that the Qin ship was probably going to sink. They wanted to change ships as soon as possible and secretly sent people to contact the Zhao army outside the city, but they were caught by the Qin army.
Afterwards, they were all executed in public and their bodies were thrown into the market for everyone to see as a warning.
At the same time, the DPRK was constantly in contact with other counties, hoping to send some people and food, but gave up after trying several times.
The Zhao cavalry patrolled back and forth around Xianyang, and the news could be secretly sent out, but if food was to be sent in, it would definitely be intercepted by the Zhao army.
"Your Majesty, I have done statistics and there will be no problem with the food and grass in the city in a short time." Fan Ju said happily.
Although the Qin State was poor and the people were hungry, in order to cope with the war on the front line, it never stopped requisitioning grain and grass from various places.
All the grain and grass recently collected are stored in Xianyang City, and with the donations from various nobles, it is not a problem to save a little and last for more than half a year.
According to Fan Ju's estimation, even if Lu Buwei's mission to Chu fails, Zhao will only be able to hold on until winter at most, and then it will retreat because there is no food and grass to continue.
"With the Prime Minister, I can rest assured." Qin Wangzhu said with a smile. This was the only good news he had received during this period.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report." At this time, Lord Yangquan suddenly walked in from outside in a hurry, clasping his fists and saying.
"Mr. Yangquan, please speak." Qin Wangzhu said.
Yang Quanjun glanced at Fan Ju but said nothing.
"The Prime Minister is my humerus. He has made great contributions to the country of Qin. You don't have to hide anything from the Prime Minister." Qin Wangzhu said.
Yangquan Jun gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "I have received news that the official Wang Ji colluded with the State of Zhao and leaked the secrets of the State of Qin to the State of Zhao, resulting in the disastrous defeat of hundreds of thousands of Qin's troops and the death of the late king in battle. The crime cannot be pardoned. .”
boom!
Yang Quanjun's words were like a thunderbolt exploding in the hall.
Whether it was King Qin or Fan Ju, their expressions changed drastically in an instant.
Wang Ji is not only the current minister of the dynasty, but also recommended by Fan Ju.
Fan Ju has been the prime minister for so many years and has recommended two people: Zheng Anping and Wang Ji.
Zheng Anping surrendered to the State of Zhao not long ago. If Wang Ji colludes with the State of Zhao again, even if the King of Qin favors him again, he will have no choice but to resign.
"Is this...serious?" Qin Wangzhu couldn't help clenching his fists.
"The evidence is conclusive." Yang Quanjun said.
"Send someone to bring Wang Ji here." Qin Wangzhu said through gritted teeth.
"No." Mr. Yangquan led the people out of the palace.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty." Fan Ju knelt on the ground.
"Prime Minister, get up quickly. The matter has not been investigated yet. Maybe Wang Ji was wrongly accused. Even if Wang Ji really collaborates with the enemy, it has nothing to do with Prime Minister." Qin Wangzhu said quickly.
Fan Ju stepped aside and stopped talking. His face was gloomy, and the hall fell into terrible silence.
Half an hour later, Lord Yangquan led Wang Ji into the hall.
"Your Majesty, I am wronged. I am loyal to Qin and will never betray Qin. Prime Minister, Prime Minister, please say something to me. You know that I cannot collude with Zhao." As soon as Wang Jigang entered the hall, Then he knelt down on the ground and said loudly.
Fan Ju slowly closed his eyes and felt a burst of sadness in his heart. Based on his understanding of Wang Ji, if Wang Ji really did not collude with the Zhao State, he would definitely not kneel on the ground and beg for mercy now, but stand up and scold Mr. Yangquan.
"There are large armies outside, and there are female ministers causing trouble inside. Is the Qin Dynasty, which has lasted for hundreds of years, really coming to an end?" Your Majesty, Fan Ju is sorry for you. " Fan Ju recalled Qin Wangji standing in front of the two armies and sighed deeply. He regretted why he didn't make up his mind to go with Qin Wangji.
"Yangquan Jun, where is the evidence you mentioned?" King Qin looked at Yangquan Jun.
"Your Majesty, the evidence is outside." Yang Quanjun said.
"Bring it in." Qin Wangzhu said.
"No." Mr. Yangquan clapped his hands twice toward the outside of the hall. After a moment, two guards escorted a man dressed as a servant in.
When Wang Ji saw the man, his expression suddenly changed, and returned to normal in an instant. However, in this short second, Fan Ju had already seen it in his eyes, which made him even more convinced.
speculation in.
"Wang Ji, do you know this person?" Yang Quanjun pointed at the man and asked coldly.
"I don't know you." Wang Ji glanced at him, then turned his head and said coldly. Read the book
"Haha, it doesn't matter if you don't admit it." Yang Quanjun sneered, took a piece of paper from the guard and sent it to Qin Wangzhu.
"Please see, Your Majesty, this is what was found on him. It is a letter sent by Wang Ji to King Zhao, recording the discussions in the court over the past few days. Even our Qin State sent envoys to Chu State to tell King Zhao. Later, He also asked King Zhao to give him a thousand gold coins in exchange. I have to say, Doctor Wang has such a good appetite that he dares to speak even if he has a thousand gold coins. Haha."
Qin Wangzhu took it and took a look. He was completely angry. He slapped his palm on the desk and said in a deep voice: "Wang Aiqing is fast enough. King Zhao's army has just arrived outside Xianyang City, and you sent the news out." , He is truly a good minister of our Qin State."
Yangquan Jun said that Wang Ji caused the defeat of the Qin army and the death of the late king in battle. It might be a bit unfair. Wang Ji was just a man who did not have such great ability, but it was definitely not unfair to say that he had an affair with Zhao.
This crime alone is enough to put the whole family to death.
"Your Majesty, I am wronged. I really don't know this person." Wang Ji said quickly. Seeing that Qin Wangzhu didn't believe him, Wang Ji looked at Fan Ju and kept kowtowing, "Prime Minister, please speak to me."
"You know best whether you have had an affair with Zhao or not. If you confess now, I can plead with the king and let your family go." After a while, Fan Ju said.
He didn't want to worry about Wang Ji.
He was Wang Ji's leader. Wang Ji's collusion with Zhao even though he knew it would implicate him was actually a betrayal of him.
But Wang Ji had been kind to him, and he had always been clear about grudges and grudges, so he really couldn't say a word.
"I... confess, I am guilty, Your Majesty, I am guilty." After Wang Ji heard this, he immediately understood that he could not escape, and immediately confessed, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing.
"Your Majesty." Yang Quanjun looked at Qin Wangzhu.
Qin Wangzhu frowned, struggling in his heart.
On the one hand, Wang Ji must be executed for collaborating with the enemy, but on the other hand, Fan Ju cannot be implicated.
At this time, Qin was worried about domestic and foreign affairs, and he had just ascended the throne, so he had to rely on Fan Ju to support the overall situation.
But Fan Ju was Wang Ji's candidate. Fan Ju had already been pardoned once when Zheng Anping surrendered a few days ago. If he were to be pardoned again this time, it would have a serious impact on his prestige.
Fan Ju sighed. He knew that King Qin was struggling, but he couldn't do anything. If he did anything at this time, not only would he not be able to help King Qin, but he would also be suspected of forcing the king into the palace.
"Pull them out, behead them, and hang their corpses at the city gate. Search your home. As for your family members, if they have no collusion with the Zhao State, let it go for the sake of the Prime Minister. If they have collusion with the Zhao State, all of them will be beheaded." After a moment, Qin Wangzhu said. .
"The guilty minister kowtows to thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Ji kowtowed.
In Zhao Jun's camp, Zhao Kuo was discussing with the generals how to attack Xianyang. At this time, a soldier suddenly walked in, came to Liu Ping's side, and said something in his ear.
"What happened?" Zhao Kuo asked.
If a soldier comes in during a meeting, something big must have happened.
"Your Majesty, our Zhao State's spy who was bribed by the State of Qin was killed by the State of Qin, and is now hanging on the city gate." Liu Ping's face looked a little unsightly. Wang Ji had a big appetite, and he spent a lot of money to bribe him. Wang Ji had to pay extra for every piece of information he sent. As a result, Wang Ji was killed by the Qin State before this was effective a few times. It was a huge loss.
The eyes of Le Yi and others changed slightly. They knew that Zhao State had internal support in Qin State. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Zhao State to receive news as soon as Qin State sent troops. They would even know who the general was and the number of the army.
But they don't know who the culprit is.
As for some of the generals below, they basically didn't even know that Zhao had internal contacts in Qin.
This kind of thing has always been extremely confidential, and only two people in the entire Zhao Kingdom, Zhao Kuo and Liu Ping, knew Wang Ji's identity.
In fact, Zhao State's intelligence personnel generally use codes to transmit messages. Without a code book, even if the enemy intercepts them, they will not know.
What does Tao mean.
If Wang Ji uses a code to deliver a message, even if he is caught and refuses to admit it, Qin will not be able to find anything.
But Wang Ji is a "non-staff member". He always comes to Zhao State to sell information for money, and the price is extremely high. This makes Liu Ping very unhappy, and he is also worried that Wang Ji will be discovered by Qin State one day. He leaked the method to Qin State, so he did not teach Wang Ji this method.
Wang Ji was immediately caught without a chance to defend himself.
"Your Majesty, the catapult is almost ready. We can take the opportunity to launch an attack and demoralize the Qin army." Li Si said.
"Okay. General Lecheng, you will be responsible for the next siege." Zhao Kuo looked around below and finally focused on Lecheng.
In fact, it doesn't matter who is responsible. At this time, it is just a feint attack, using catapults to disgust the Qin State. The real attack will have to wait until the canal is dug. .
"Jun Duping, the matter of the aqueduct will be left to General Lianpo for the time being. You will be responsible for leading the Shesheng Battalion and the strong crossbowmen to shoot at Xianyang." Zhao Kuo said to Tian Dan again.
The Shengsheng Battalion and the Strong Crossbowmen are just ordinary crossbow corps. Only with Tian Dan's blessing can they have the strength of the military soul corps.
"No." Tian Dan said, cupping his fists.
"In the next period of time, pay close attention to the movements of Chu State." Zhao Kuo suddenly thought of it and said to Liu Ping.
"I understand." Liu Ping nodded.
"Report!" At this time, another soldier came in from outside, "Your Majesty, General Lejian is reporting urgently."
"A letter from General Lejian?" Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo quickly took it and opened it with a smile on his face, "A letter from General Lejian. Zi Chu has withdrawn from Longxi after receiving the news that our army has reached Xianyang. General Lejian sent someone to inquire about the next battle plan."
