As the carriage moved forward, the people of Zhao State were kneeling on the roadside, lamenting the injustice of God.
Looking at the people kneeling down, an idea quickly formed in Mr. Pingyuan's mind.
In the dark night, by the campfire. The guards and eunuchs of the palace have been driven aside by Pingyuan Lord. The only people sitting around them are Zhao Kuo, Pingyuan Lord and the close followers brought by Pingyuan Lord himself.
"Return to Handan quickly and make the news of my king's liberation and the general's return to Handan known to the public. This will definitely arouse public opinion."
"With my order, I order my family elders to contact the ministers in the order, bring public opinion, and jointly request my king to take back the order."
In the flames, Mr. Pingyuan explained the opportunities to his cronies one by one. Obviously, the scene of the people returning home during the day inspired Lord Pingyuan. Faced with a situation where the enemy was strong and we were weak, Lord Pingyuan was prepared to use fierce public opinion to enhance his own combat power and increase his chances of persuading King Zhao.
It has to be said that Lord Pingyuan's method is a good one in times of adversity. King Zhao may not care about the raging public opinion, but the courtiers will be more or less affected. Once someone from Lord Pingyuan starts, Coupled with the cooperation of the military forces, fierce public opinion will surge in the court, and this is an issue that King Zhao has to consider.
However, Zhao Kuo was not interested in this. Zhao Kuo did not think that Lord Pingyuan's plan could succeed. Because Lord Pingyuan is not King Zhao, he cannot understand what King Zhao cares about most.
What is King Zhao most concerned about? It must be the State of Zhao, but there is an attributive that needs to be added in front of the State of Zhao, that is, the State of Zhao of which King Zhao Xiaocheng was king.
He naturally hopes for the stability and prosperity of Zhao State, but if the price is that Zhao State will no longer be his Zhao State, then he would rather this Zhao State be fragmented.
The idea of "better to foreigners than domestic slaves" was never just the idea of the old woman in the Qing Dynasty.
Compared with the turbulent public opinion of the people and even the excitement of the officials, to King Zhao, it was just a scabies disease. Even if it broke out, the worst possible outcome would be that the development of Zhao State would stagnate.
But what about Zhao Kuo? He holds the power of the army, and after defeating Qin, he is also responsible for the hope of the whole country. He has already achieved great success and shocked the master. He is already in a situation of "if you want to rebel, you can". In addition, he has always refused to obey the king's orders. Beating him to death with a stick is the right thing to do to prevent him. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to serious trouble. You must know that Zhao Kuo, but his surname is Zhao, and he can be regarded as a member of the royal family of King Zhao.
When weighing the two, you are King Zhao, what would you choose?
What would King Zhao, who was already worried about Zhao Kuo, think when he saw all the officials turning to Zhao Kuo? Now, winning just one battle is enough to intimidate the king. If he continues to make achievements, or stays in the center for a few years, wouldn't it mean that the people of the country only ask Zhao Kuo's name and don't know where the king is?
This is what King Zhao never wants to see. For this reason, King Zhao will never care even if he destroys himself.
This cannot be said to be wrong. After all, the example of the Three Kingdoms dividing the Jin Dynasty is right in front of us, and the Yin Jian of the Tian family on behalf of Qi is not far away. But, obviously, King Zhao's method was not very clever.
King Zhao really had too many other ways to avoid Zhao Kuo's possible dangers, whether it was to seize Zhao Kuo's military power openly or covertly, or to promote Lian Po and other generals to share Zhao Kuo's credit and military power. Can dig up Zhao Kuo's foundation quietly. After all, no matter how great Zhao Kuo's contribution was, it was just that he had just won a battle as a general.
But King Zhao chose the simplest, direct, yet most violent and unacceptable method - to capture Zhao Kuo directly, when Zhao Kuo had just won the battle of Shangdang.
It can only be said that what King Zhao did is understandable, but completely unacceptable. This is from the perspective of a bystander. From the perspective of the ministers, workers and people of Zhao State, this approach of King Zhao is undoubtedly completely unacceptable. After all, it is unacceptable for a normal person to think that he has worked hard for the country, but the country backhanded him and sent him to prison.
In the final analysis, it is still King Zhao's own problem. He is not ambitious enough, the city is not enough, and he has not even mastered the tactics.
Of course, Lou Chang's instigation was indispensable, and what was indispensable was Zhao Kuo's deliberately pretended disrespect for the royal power.
Because of disrespect, King Zhao was angry.
Because of his anger, he rushed to deal with Zhao Kuo, and also made such a move that chilled the courtiers and people.
King Zhao, who was blinded by anger, would not pay attention to the normal thoughts and demands of the courtiers and people. All he could see was Zhao Kuo's huge influence, which further intensified the resentment in his heart and became more and more determined to deal with Zhao Kuo.
It can be said that Lord Pingyuan's move may not only fail to help Zhao Kuo, but may even push Zhao Kuo into danger.
Of course Zhao Kuo understood the danger, but he did not stop Pingyuan Jun's actions. Without him, Zhao Kuo needs the connection of Lord Pingyuan to promote his achievements and improve his status among the people and officials. Only in this way can he have the possibility of making a comeback.
As for some possible dangers, Zhao Kuo could only make a bet. The bet was that although King Zhao wanted to deal with him, with the Qin State on his side and the people and courtiers included, even King Zhao could not easily execute him.
Of course, Zhao Kuo would not place all his hopes on the kindness of his enemies. If things really get to the point of no return, the five hundred soldiers behind him and the three thousand cavalry who were secretly mobilized will be the trump card for General Zhao Kuo to make a final comeback.
However, in this case, even if Zhao Kuo wins in the end, he may have to experience internal and external difficulties. Therefore, Zhao Kuo would not do anything like this unless it was absolutely necessary.
Faced with the current situation, Zhao Kuo will naturally not let King Zhao fall. If he is really relieved of his military duties, it will be difficult to pick up the long sword again. After all, Zhao Kuo really has no shortage of talents. A general who fights a great war.
With Bai Qi gone, Lian Po is enough to take over the situation, and when Lian Po gets old, Le Cheng will still be there. Although Le Cheng is weak, Li Mu will soon be on the stage of history. Once Li Mu comes out, does King Zhao really still need him?
Therefore, Zhao Kuo must show his indispensability. At the same time, you also need to find a ladder for yourself and King Zhao so that King Zhao can get down safely.
As for this ladder, Zhao Kuo has obviously already found it. Especially after a long all-night conversation with the newly appointed Shangdang County Governor Zhao Yu, Zhao Kuo became more and more convinced of his thoughts.
"Pingyuan Jun." General Pingyuan Jun finally finished his arrangements, and his cronies quietly left the brigade with their tasks. Zhao Kuo, who was still in the prison car, slowly said to Pingyuan Jun beside him: "Go back to Handan. ..."
