The reason why Lin Xiangru did not tell Lord Pingyuan about Zhao Kuo's ambitions was that, in addition to the reason that his trump card should not be revealed lightly, there was another important reason - Lord Pingyuan Zhao Sheng's surname was Zhao, and he was the uncle of the current King of Zhao. Perhaps his love for the State of Zhao is not inferior to anyone else, but after all, the State of Zhao he loves is more narrow-minded than ordinary Zhao people.
Even Lin Xiangru was not sure what decision Lord Pingyuan would make if one day he had to choose between King Zhao and the State of Zhao.
The galloping carriage roared through the streets of Handan, and Lord Pingyuan in the carriage was also very anxious. Once Zhao Kuo was persuaded, no matter which country it was, it would cause huge losses to the Zhao State, and even the army would fall apart.
Lord Pingyuan, who followed Zhao Kuo all the way, knew Zhao Kuo's position in the army better than anyone else in the court. It was an ordinary battle to select a vanguard. Just because Zhao Kuo wanted to expand his personal soldiers, several hundred generals and long-form figures did not hesitate to give up their identities and go to fight. And when he took Zhao Kuo away, the scene of tens of thousands of troops leaving each other was even more vivid in his mind.
In addition, Zhao Kuo's status in the hearts of the people of Shangdang County is unparalleled. Even Zhao Yu, the governor of Shangdang County sent by the imperial court, the first thing he did when he came to Shangdang was not to go to his own county, but to go to Jiepai. Zhao Kuo was waiting in the ridge for several days.
If Zhao Kuo really leaves Zhao State...
No, Mr. Pingyuan tried his best to suppress the uneasiness in his heart, but he couldn't suppress the feeling of heart palpitations no matter what. Could it be that Zhao Kuo had already agreed?
"Uu..."
"Your Majesty, Mafu Jun's residence has arrived."
Just as he was thinking about it, the coachman's voice outside the carriage curtain interrupted Mr. Pingyuan's thoughts. With an uneasy mood, Mr. Pingyuan got out of the carriage and looked up at the Zhao Mansion, only to see the slightly mottled gate with an upright top. A wooden sign reading "Closed Doors and Thanking Guests" hangs in the main ground.
"What's going on?" Mr. Pingyuan has obviously guessed something, but he can't believe it. After all, with such a good opportunity, even if he doesn't want to go to other countries, he can still see the envoys of other countries and force King Zhao to do so. It’s also a breath of relief for myself. At least if he were Zhao Kuo, he would definitely do this.
The attendant who hurriedly arrived at the side heard Mr. Pingyuan's question and hurried to ask passers-by. Soon, the attendants found out the whole story from passers-by and street vendors.
The news that came back after inquiring about it shocked Lord Pingyuan even more - the envoys from Qin and Wei came to Lord Mafu's house with a whole carriage of gifts, and stood stupidly in front of the door for a long time, but they didn't even get the message from the general. They didn't even see him face to face. To be precise, they didn't even let them in through the door.
After the two envoys returned angrily, a wooden sign saying "Thank you behind closed doors" was hung high on Ma Fujun's house.
"General, you are a true countryman!" Mr. Pingyuan sighed deeply in his heart. Thinking about himself, and then looking at Zhao Kuo, Mr. Pingyuan just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in. What does "the heart of a villain judge the belly of a gentleman", said It's yourself.
Mr. Pingyuan bowed deeply to the wooden sign at the door of the Zhao Mansion that said "Thank you behind closed doors."
Immediately, Mr. Pingyuan lifted up his robe and was about to get on the carriage again and go home. But at this moment, the rapid sound of horse hooves once again interrupted Pingyuan Jun's movements.
A man in splendid clothes suddenly appeared in front of the Zhao Mansion. He looked like he was a palace guard. Looking closely, isn't it the eunuch order next to King Zhao who got off his horse? Because Lord Pingyuan's carriage was not parked too close, the eunuch did not notice Lord Pingyuan's presence.
"My king suddenly woke up when he saw envoys from other countries coming to see Mr. Ma Fu?" Mr. Pingyuan was a little excited. He believed that as long as he was not a fool, how could he not guess what the envoys from various countries were thinking? If he could use this as a This opportunity made King Zhao wake up. Whether it was due to pressure or he really woke up, as long as he could put aside his past grudges and treat Zhao Kuo and other meritorious officials preferentially, it would be a blessing in disguise.
However, Mr. Pingyuan's imagination could not withstand the cruelty of reality after all.
"Bang, bang, bang..." There was a fierce banging on the door, which almost caused Mr. Pingyuan to fall down before he even got on the carriage.
That’s right, not knocking, but smashing the door! Only when evil guests come to the door will they break down the door! Obviously, these envoys sent by King Zhao are not evil.
, at least not with the intention of "putting aside all previous grudges."
Mr. Pingyuan is going crazy. King Zhao, what else do you want to do? ! Do you want to push Zhao Kuo to Qin? He immediately lowered his raised legs, turned around and headed towards the Zhao Mansion.
At this moment, the side door of the Zhao Mansion creaked open, and the concierge leaned out half of his body, clasped his hands and said, "I'm really sorry, the Lord is injured and cannot receive all the distinguished guests. Please..."
Before the porter could finish his words, he was interrupted by the palace guards: "We are here on the king's order. Please ask Zhao Kuo, Lord Ma Fu, to come quickly to receive the king's order."
"Yes, yes..." When the concierge heard this, he didn't dare to delay. He immediately agreed, retracted his body and went to the house.
The Zhao Mansion is already eye-catching, and the movement here naturally attracted the people around it. The eunuch ordered to look at the people who were gradually gathering around him, frowning slightly, and then waved his hand, and the guards moved after hearing the order. , separated out several people, and blocked the people who came to watch the excitement for more than ten steps.
Lord Pingyuan, who had just arrived, was naturally blocked by the guards. The guards at the bottom of the palace did not know that he was Lord Pingyuan, who is now the uncle of King Zhao.
Just when Mr. Pingyuan wanted to reveal his identity and organize this farce, the door of the Zhao Mansion was suddenly opened again. Zhao Kuo, dressed in plain clothes and with a pale face, slowly walked out of the doorway with the support of two soldiers.
"General!" the people present shouted excitedly.
Zhao Kuo, who listened to the people's shouts, raised his head slightly and showed a not-so-bright smile.
At this time, Zhao Kuo was speechless. After listening to the concierge's report, Zhao Kuo knew that this group of people must have come with bad intentions, but he had clearly made his attitude clear at the first opportunity, even if he was being stupid. People should also know that comfort should be the main focus at this time, right? Why doesn't it seem that the person coming here is not here to comfort me, but instead gives people the feeling of inciting an enemy to accuse him?
For the first time, Zhao Kuo was not sure about King Zhao. It's not because King Zhao's rank is too high. On the contrary, it's because his rank is too low. It's so low that he has no scruples and no bottom line. He doesn't look like a superior person at all, let alone checks and balances and the art of leadership. .
This made it impossible for Zhao Kuo to reason about his thoughts with common sense, and naturally he could not predict King Zhao's behavior.
To be on the safe side, Zhao Kuo immediately ordered all fifty soldiers stationed at his home to be on alert. This was also the reason why Zhao Kuo was helped out by soldiers instead of maids. Once things go wrong, it's important to save your life!
