Both of them knew very well that the general's words were by no means mere speculation, but were very likely to become reality, or even worse.
The reason is very simple. We can get a glimpse of what the king did when he sent an envoy to recall the general who was in battle, and what the envoy, Lord Pingyang, did after he came to Daijun.
Obviously, compared with the safety of Handan City, the king seems to be more concerned about the general, or the success or failure of the general in Daijun.
But what is frustrating is that what the king wants is not the victory of the general, at least not such a quick victory.
According to this logic, if the general only brings back 10,000 troops to Handan, I am afraid that regardless of the outcome of the battle with the Yan army, it will become another demonstration of disrespect for the king's order.
Even being imprisoned is just the general's wishful thinking.
"General, what do you think we should do?!" Zhou Qi, who understood the seriousness of the problem, asked immediately. At the same time, Li Mu also looked at Zhao Kuo. The meaning couldn't be more obvious. General, please give the order!
Seeing this situation, Zhao Kuo understood that the time had come. He immediately deduced on the sand table while explaining his strategic concept: "This is what I mean! The main force of the army quickly concealed itself and went south. Before the Yan army arrived at Yanyu City, they surrounded it. Pass through the city of Yan and go straight into Handan! With lightning speed, we quickly defeat the main force of the Yan army with the troops in Handan City, and then return to Handan City and quickly move north to relieve the siege of Yan and the city."
"In this case, the king really has no clue." Zhou Qi murmured and nodded. Without waiting for Zhou Qi to answer, Li Mu had already taken half a step, clasped his hands and bowed slightly towards Zhao Kuo, saying: "General, please feel free to go south. If the Yan army wants to destroy the palace and the city, they must step over the corpse of this general." ." When Zhou Qi heard this, he hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his fists and said: "General, it's better for you to defend the army! General Li can play a greater role by following you. General Li has the experience of crossing Jiepai Ridge, and he will definitely be able to protect Yan and the enemy. The city is safe!"
"Compared to General Zhou, the last general is more familiar with the city of Lanyu. Please ask the general to defend the city of Lanyu." Li Mu also quickly added to his strength.
"You have to think carefully. There are only three thousand soldiers in Yanyucheng. What we have to face is nearly twenty times the Yan army!" Zhao Kuo was unmoved and said to the two of them calmly: "Twenty times the Yan army." The difference is that even if the Yan army is weak in combat power, it can still kill just three thousand people with a heap of human lives!"
"Staying here will lead to a narrow escape from death!" At the end, Zhao Kuo did not forget to sigh. However, the two people who heard this did not waver at all. It was not that they did not know the dangers of this battle, nor that they had no fear of death. It was just that between life and death, there were more important things - such as righteousness. , such as Sheji!
"I can buy time for the general, die for the state of Zhao and the people of Dai, and I will have no regrets even if I die!" Li Mu replied immediately.
"Me too!" Zhou Qi, who couldn't think of so many words, replied not to be outdone.
"Hahahaha..." Zhao Kuo laughed out loud after hearing this. With these two sentences, Zhao Kuo knew that his position in the army could no longer be shaken.
Amid laughter, Zhao Kuo helped the two of them up again. Listening to Zhao Kuo's wild laughter, Generals Li Mu and Zhou Qi were naturally confused.
But Zhao Kuo continued to say: "Why, do the two generals think that this general is the kind of general who leaves all dangers to his subordinates and all the merits to himself?"
"I won't dare," the two of them replied in unison.
"Lanyucheng is the place where my father became famous in a battle, so naturally I should protect it myself!" Zhao Kuo looked at the two of them with a smile and said slowly.
"General!" The two men immediately wanted to stop him.
"General, the safety of Zhao State is at stake, so you must not take risks easily." Zhou Qi immediately continued: "If the general has bad intentions, how can I tell the general and others to explain to the people of Zhao State?"
"What General Zhou said makes sense." Li Mu immediately became anxious and continued: "It is said that a son of a thousand gold will not sit down in the hall. How can a general with a body of ten thousand gold be placed in a place of ten deaths?"
"Don't be anxious, just listen to me." Zhao Kuo said with a smile: "I will guard Yan and the city. This is necessary, but it is not necessarily very dangerous. There are three reasons. First, the Yan army came from afar. That is to say, the general is coming south to block the general. If the general does not show up for a long time, he will be suspicious. The move south to Handan has been mentioned before; secondly, the general is about to be in Yanyu City, and the Yan army knows it. Then its mission is considered completed. It should focus on siege and preserve its strength first, and may not attack by force. Even if you start to attack the city after Handan is exposed, as long as the battle of Handan can be resolved quickly, the battle between Yan and the city will be over. The siege will be relieved by itself; thirdly, if I lead my army back to Handan, I am afraid that I will not be able to leave Handan City in a short time, which will not be conducive to lifting the siege of Yan and the city." Zhao Kuo's intention to stay is of course Not only that, although the above is necessary, it is not completely irreplaceable. For example, if it is not possible to plant one's own flag in the city and quietly go south, it is not impossible to find a substitute in the city.
Zhao Kuo put himself in danger like this. Obviously, his target was not just soldiers and horses like the Yan army!
The fish he wanted to catch was a half-dead fish from Yan State. King Zhao is Zhao Kuo's biggest obstacle today, and he is also a huge stone that must be removed for the development and growth of Zhao.
The ups and downs of the Battle of Daijun have fully proved that without a stable and reliable rear, it is impossible to carry out a large-scale decisive battle, and what Zhao Kuo wanted to do was to disintegrate the Hu people.
In the battle of "mutual markets", the most feared thing is the constraints from the court. And this is almost inevitable under the current rule of King Zhao.
Therefore, Zhao Kuo needs to break up, even. . . . . . And placing yourself in Yanyucheng is the bait that Zhao Kuo put to King Zhao's lips. As long as you can't help but bite the hook, you can't blame me for completely breaking your century-old country.
Of course, Zhao Kuo's eloquent talk sounded very reasonable to Li Mu and Zhou Qi, but their minds seemed to be changing a little bit - it seemed that they could only let the general Leave?
However, in the final analysis, the danger level of staying in Yanyucheng is still too high. This basic point has not changed. No matter how much the general says, it is meaningless.
Immediately, the two of them wanted to continue to persuade. Zhao Kuo over there no longer gave the two of them a chance.
"Now that the situation is urgent, this is the best choice. You two don't need to persuade me anymore." Zhao Kuo waved his hand, interrupting what the two were about to say.
The two of them looked at each other and understood that the general's order could not be changed. They could only clasp their hands and accept the order obediently.
"The timing of your trip, the so-called secret of the march, the speed of the attack, and the intensity of the flanking attack, there is no need for me to say more." Zhao Kuo then continued to emphasize the precautions for the two of them: "But there is one thing that I must emphasize. Emphasis." The two people who heard this immediately pricked up their ears.
"After the war, you will go to the palace to see my king. However, to ensure nothing goes wrong, one of the two of you must stay in the military camp." Zhao Kuo said lightly: "Have you ever understood."
"The general's intention is that I, the king, will stay with the army and sit back and watch..." Li Mu was indeed Li Mu, and he immediately guessed Zhao Kuo's worries.
"No way!" Zhou Qi still didn't want to believe it: "The general is still in Yanyu City. If he is stranded, wouldn't it be..." Before he finished speaking, Zhou Qi had already closed his mouth, obviously , he also thought that this incredible thing was by no means impossible.
"If the people who entered the city have not come out within one day, the people outside the city will lead their troops north immediately without any delay. My life may be in this day." Zhao Kuo continued to order.
"General." After hearing this, both of their eyes turned red.
"A master with great achievements has always been the disaster of his ministers." Zhao Kuo sighed and said helplessly: "If it weren't for the fact that the Hu people in the country were not in peace, this body and appearance would be the place where my father became famous, and his fame would be added to his body. Wrapping a corpse in horse leather is a good story. Unfortunately, our country, Zhao, is facing enemies on the four sides, and our generals are honest. There is no way to die with peace of mind."
"General!" The two of them prostrated themselves in the tunnel.
"Please get up, please get up." Zhao Kuo immediately helped the two of them up, and then said with a smile: "I am just taking precautions. Maybe my king has no intention of harming him, but he is just treating the villain like a villain." It's just a matter of understanding a gentleman's heart. I just want to implicate you two and offend the king."
"Hahaha..." As he spoke, Zhao Kuo laughed heartily. But this laughter sounded so heartbreakingly lonely to General Li Mu and Zhou Qi.
The general who devoted himself to the Zhao Kingdom not only did not get the support of the court and the king, but was constantly restrained, and he tolerated the restraints. Now he is still thinking about his wealth and life. How can this not be disgusting?
Obviously, the battle of Changping and the battle of Daijun are all fought by your general, King Zhao. But despite the fight, why can't he be tolerated by the court?
The general's plan is too strong. Is this also wrong? ! Li Mu and Zhou Qi were a little puzzled. If they were defeated and punished, they would have nothing to say. How could they suffer such a disaster despite being completely victorious?
If you advance, you will die, if you retreat, you will die! How can you command the generals to control the army and direct operations? What is the use of such a court, without regard for the safety of the people, without regard for the hard work of the soldiers, and without regard for the victory or defeat of the war?
Thinking of this, the two people's faces were filled with anger. And this is exactly the result Zhao Kuo wants!
You know, anger is contagious. If King Zhao does not move, the army will naturally turn back to Yanyu City, so it is just a matter of return; if King Zhao really intends to detain the army, he will use a borrowed knife to kill himself.
Then, perhaps, from now on, the army will completely break with the Handan court! So will King Zhao move?
! Zhao Kuo believes that it will happen, even if King Zhao knows that this is an act that harms the country, and even if King Zhao knows that once Zhao Kuo dies, the blow to Zhao will not be able to be relieved in a year or two, and may even lead to the destruction of surrounding countries. siege.
King Zhao will still move, no matter the cost. . . . . .
