Pushing open the door, sunlight poured into the dusty hall.
Amidst the scattered dust and mist, a slightly slender old man was standing upright in the center of the hall. Under the sun, his wrinkled face was actually rosy.
Everyone stepped forward and took a look, it was Lin Xiangru and Lin Shangqing who were supposed to be at home due to illness.
The people behind Zhao Kuo, including Lord Pingyuan, were a little surprised. They knew about Lin Shangqing's body. He usually looked pale and weak, but why suddenly his face glowed red? Could it be...
While everyone was speculating, Zhao Kuo had already walked up to Lin Shangqing. However, before Zhao Kuo could greet him, Lin Shangqing went to Zhao Kuo first and said, "General." Chinese website
Zhao Kuo did not doubt that he was there, so he immediately greeted Lin Shangqing and said, "I have met Shangqing."
The ministers behind him also saluted Lin Shangqing and said, "I have met you, Shangqing."
Lin Xiangru nodded, and then ordered all the ministers to return to their posts in civil and military positions, and then said: "General, you have worked hard all the way, and you should have taken the lead for the general. But now, the country of Zhao is still in a precarious situation, with many major events and thousands of problems. "Xu, the general has returned today, and everyone is sorted out. It's time to figure things out, so please don't blame me, general."
"What did your Majesty say? This is where this general's responsibility lies." Zhao Kuo replied immediately.
Everyone obviously understands what the so-called major events are about. Apart from the position of King Zhao, what else requires the presence of the general to make a decision?
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but feel a little excited.
Zhao Kuo, on the other hand, was a little surprised by Lin Shangqing's eagerness, but Zhao Kuo still remained calm. Although Lin Shangqing can be regarded as his ally, he even has a tacit understanding of 70-80%. Zhao Kuo also wanted to believe that Lin Shangqing really wanted to support him.
However, in the end, Zhao Kuo was still more willing to believe in his own power.
While speaking, he glanced faintly in the direction of the civil servant opposite, and Zhao Kuo also quietly glanced at Lu Buwei while scanning.
Lu Buwei, who looked at Zhao Kuo lightly, immediately understood. Taking advantage of the presence of many big guys, Lu Buwei, who was in the middle of the queue and was unnoticed, quietly left his position quietly.
After touching the token at the entrance, Lu Buwei took three steps and two steps at a time, then quietly disappeared into the main hall and the palace.
Why Lu Buwei and not Zhao Wei?
It's simple, because Zhao Wei is a general and Lu Buwei is just a civil servant. At the same time, Lu Buwei's sense of presence is also lower. At least compared to Zhao Wei, Lu Buwei obviously has a much smaller goal.
On the other hand, Lu Buwei also knows far more and is much smarter than Zhao Wei.
With just one look, Lu Buwei could know what he wanted to do, which Zhao Wei beside him could never do.
At the same time, the task of deploying troops seems simple, but it is not that simple to do. If done roughly, it is inevitable that the truth will be revealed, so those who deal with this matter must be bold and careful.
In the end, all Zhao Wei could mobilize was the three thousand troops who returned with Zhao Kuo, but Lu Buwei, who was carrying Zhao Kuo's token, was able to mobilize almost all the troops in Handan City.
Therefore, Lu Buwei is obviously the best candidate.
In fact, Lu Buwei also did a good job. At least when it came to exiting the hall, he hardly alerted anyone around him. Unfortunately, he was still able to escape Lin Shangqing, who was facing the ministers.
However, Lin Shangqing had no intention of blocking Lu Buwei's departure, and was even a little happy in his heart - always remain suspicious and always be prepared. This may be the scheming a king should have.
After listening to Zhao Kuo's words and looking at Lu Buwei who was quietly walking away, Lin Shangqing did not continue the topic that everyone was concerned about.
Lin Shangqing then looked at Zhao Kuo and said calmly: "General, let's talk about the current situation of the Yan army."
Everyone was speechless after hearing this. Everyone was waiting for you to come up and shout, but you came to ask about the situation of Yan Jun again? What is this going to do?
Not only Lord Pingyuan and other courtiers, but also those who were rapidly thinking about what to do
Zhao Kuo, who was stalling for time, couldn't help but be stunned.
Didn't Lin Shangqing want to discuss the recommendation of the king? Why are you talking about the war situation in Yan State again, and haven't you already reported the situation on the front line to the court with urgent documents? Need to say more?
For a moment, everyone was not sure what Lin Shangqing wanted to do.
However, seeing Lin Shangqing change the topic, someone suddenly said impulsively: "Shangqing, the general has already reported this matter, so why bother the general to say it again?!"
After hearing this, Lin Shangqing smiled faintly and did not blame the person who said it. Instead, he continued to say slowly: "We know that the Yan army was defeated and retreated. It's just that the general still had an army of nearly 50,000 men at the time. Why not immediately? Pursue northward?"
"It should be noted that although the late king was injured by random arrows, the instigator was undoubtedly the Yan army. Why doesn't the general march north with all his troops, break through Jicheng and capture the King of Yan, so as to avenge our Zhao country?" Lin Shangqing continued to ask.
The ministers who heard this immediately started talking about it.
"What's wrong with your Majesty? You're suddenly targeting your general?"
"Yes, why didn't the general continue the pursuit? Didn't the Yan army say that there were only two to thirty thousand left?"
"Destroying Yan is just a matter of thought. Why did the general withdraw his troops? Could it be that he didn't want to avenge the late king?"
Obviously, the comments below included those who were confused about Lin Shangqing's behavior, those who questioned Zhao Kuo, and even...
However, when Zhao Kuo heard these discussions, he already roughly understood Lin Shangqing's intention: this was to clear away the last trace of doubt for his ascendancy.
Although his teacher's decision was correct and the best choice for Zhao Guo, such a choice was not correct in everyone's eyes. Especially in the eyes of the clan and those who covet the position of King Zhao, it is definitely the best weapon to attack oneself.
Needless to say, just one sentence of not seeking revenge against the late king was enough to lower Zhao Kuo's image in the minds of the ministers by three points.
Therefore, Lin Shangqing simply put this matter on the table and asked himself to clearly explain the causes and consequences of the withdrawal, and then make a final evaluation of this approach through official channels.
In this way, if someone wants to make a fuss about this matter, it will not be of much use.
It seems that Lin Shangqing is still one of our own!
However, what Zhao Kuo didn't know was that what Lin Shangqing did was also buying time for his confidant, Lu Buwei, so that he could mobilize his troops and control the overall situation.
Immediately, Zhao Kuo replied: "There are three reasons for retreating.
First, although our army is superior in strength, more than half of the army has been fighting for a long time and is in urgent need of rest and recuperation. Although the army that fled into the Yan Kingdom is small, it is fighting on its own land. Especially if our army attacks Jicheng, it will be trapped and fight to the death. anti. If we attack them by force, we may suffer many casualties but return in vain;
Secondly, no matter what their positions are, Qin, Wei, Han, Qi, Chu and other countries will not want us to destroy Yan. If they attack by force, they may repeat the story of the Five Kingdoms conquering Qi. Our army commander will fight for peace after the war. , it is really unable to face the attack of many countries;
Third, although our army cannot destroy the Yan State, I also ordered Li Mu to lead 20,000 troops to attack along the way, with the target being Wuyang City of the Yan State. If we can get it, the Yan State will always be under the supervision and suppression of our army. When our Zhao State recovers and recovers in the next year, we can go out and avenge our king in one fell swoop. But there is no need to rush. "
"The general's words." Lin Shangqing pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "It makes sense."
Without waiting for everyone's reaction, Lin Shangqing quickly came to a basic conclusion about Zhao Kuo's reasons, and then immediately asked: "But, I don't know what the general thinks, how will the external environment of Zhao Kuo be restored and how can we rest and recuperate?"
"The general thinks that in view of the current situation in Zhao State." Zhao Kuo immediately replied: "In terms of diplomacy, we need to join forces to resist Qin; in terms of military matters, we need to defend ourselves and wait for the right time."
"How to solve it?" Lin Shangqing continued to ask.
"Those who join forces, as we all know, unite the weak to attack one strong one." Zhao Kuo continued to answer: "The current situation is based on the words of the two strong Qin and Zhao
There is a lot of clamor, but although our army won the Changping victory, it has actually been hollowed out internally. It can be said that it is strong on the outside but strong on the inside. We must not force ourselves upon ourselves, let alone impose our arrogance on our brotherly country.
All allies should be respected as younger brothers. The alliance with Chu will contain the Qin army's way to the south; the alliance with Han and Wei will restrict the Qin army's way out to the east. The alliance will be unified to ensure the safety of the retreat.
Although our army has no strength to fight, it can contain the Qin army's combat power. As long as the Qin army's combat power is firmly contained, Han, Wei, and Chu will be able to weaken Qin in other directions. "
"That makes sense."
This time, without waiting for Lin Xiangru to speak, the ministers on the side had already nodded in agreement with Zhao Kuo's statement. Obviously, subduing the enemy's troops without fighting is still very popular among the civil servants of Zhao State.
It’s just that they obviously don’t understand: all free stuff actually has a hidden price.
Naturally, Lin Xiangru would not object, and then continued to ask: "What does it mean to keep oneself and wait for the weather?"
"The so-called self-defense means that in Dai County in the northwest, Wuyang City in the northeast, Shangdang County, and Hanoi County in the south, wherever there is contact with the enemy, all are on the defensive. When necessary, the army can be trimmed for food production. also.
The so-called timing refers to the time when the population of Zhao State is constantly multiplying, waiting for a new batch of young people to grow up, and the granaries are full.
This is the time for our country to defend and attack. At that time, it will be the time for the two powers to compete for hegemony. "Zhao Kuo also continued to answer.
Hearing this, all the ministers were obviously a little excited. Two powers fighting for hegemony! What a long-standing topic. Since King Zhao Wuling, Zhao Guo seems to have never been so close to the position of overlord! Even in the fight for hegemony, there was no chance at all.
Of course, although Lin Xiangru was also attracted by the scene described by Zhao Kuo, he knew better that what Zhao Kuo wanted was probably more than just fighting for hegemony.
What he wants, from beginning to end, is...
