Looking at Zhao Kuo's arrangements, it is not difficult to see that his purpose was not to rescue the Zhou Dynasty at all.
Otherwise, the army sent should not be only 80,000, and it would not detour to the Wei State and attack together with the Wei State.
No matter in terms of the number of troops or the marching route, this is not what an emergency rescue should look like. Even starting from Wei, it is inevitable that Han and Wei will take the lead in this battle, which further proves that Zhao Kuo is not at all interested in this rescue.
The reason is also very simple.
Whether it was out of rudeness to the Zhou Dynasty envoys at his coronation ceremony or out of consideration for Zhao's interests, the Zhou Dynasty should not continue to exist in this world.
Even if the Qin State is immortal, if the Zhao State wants to unify, the Zhou Dynasty will be a hurdle that cannot be overcome. No matter how decadent the Zhou Dynasty was, it was still the suzerainty of other countries.
Rather than letting the Zhou Dynasty die under his own sword and tarnish his reputation, it would be better to take this opportunity to let Qin take off this damn hat.
Of course, the Zhou Dynasty could be destroyed, but the rich and strategically valuable territory of Zhou Wangji could not fall into the hands of the Qin army.
To achieve this goal, Zhao Kuo, who did not have sufficient military strength, had to inspire the confidence and passion of South Korea and Wei to resist Qin. For this reason, Zhao Kuo was even prepared to not gain any benefit from Zhao in this battle.
But then again, as long as Qin returns without success, that is Zhao's greatest interest.
What's more, other countries occupied the territory of Zhou Wangji. Although there were short-term benefits, it was equivalent to blocking Qin's eastward exit and guarding the western gate for Zhao.
In this way, as long as several countries are not too weak, Zhao State can naturally bayonet inward, and after getting rid of the barbarians, it can slowly devour Yan State.
There is no need to find another reason - not sending troops to rescue the suzerain state of the Zhou Dynasty, which resulted in the destruction of the Zhou Dynasty, which is condemned by all countries!
The best thing is that the kings of all countries will swallow this poisonous fruit without hesitation.
Talented and strategists know the necessity of cutting off Qin's way out from the east, and it is imperative to join the coalition. The so-called land of the king of Zhou is just a tributary, so don't give it up in vain;
Those who are short-sighted simply cannot resist the temptation brought by the large land of Zhou Wangji. Smelling the fragrance of the land in the air, they want to join the coalition and seize more land. Especially Han and Wei, two countries that have lost too much land. Although Zhou Wangji's territory is not too big, it has an almost fatal attraction for them, and it is imperative to send troops.
Of course, although Zhao Kuo's plan was very good, the key was to win the battle with the Qin army.
It is not impossible to defeat the Qin army and advance to Hangu, but obviously the generals and soldiers of the Qin army are not easy people. This possibility can only be said to be better than nothing.
Even if we can't win a big victory, we can never lose a big one.
Zhao Kuo would accept a small victory, regardless of outcome, or even a small defeat against Qin, as long as it consumed a large amount of Qin's troops and prevented them from monopolizing the land of Zhou Wangji.
Therefore, this battle is not too difficult! Just one word: "consumption".
That's right, it's what the Qin army is best at - consumption.
Historically, the Qin army used the method of attrition in the battle of Changping, where the unification was finalized; in the battle to destroy Chu, when the final obstacle was completely cleared, the method of attrition was still used.
This method, although cumbersome, is almost unsolvable.
Soon, Zhao Kuo's instructions were passed to the hands of their respective personnel through various channels, and Zhao Kuo's young machine started instantly.
Troops, food, and envoys were running around crazily in the Zhao territory.
However, in just two or three days, the envoys to Wei had already conveyed to the Wei court the news that the Qin army had once again marched eastward and that its sword was pointed at Zhou Wangji.
As the urgent report from the border arrived, the Wei court quickly confirmed the accuracy of Zhao's news.
Regarding this news, the people in the Wei court were first surprised, then happy, and then confused.
Shock is a shock of horror. The Qin State, which was like a wolf and a tiger, finally showed its fangs again after five years of silence, which naturally frightened the Wei State, which had been bullied countless times.
Fortunately, there is no need to say more. The opponent chosen by Qin State is not himself, so it is naturally gratifying.
The final struggle was whether to rescue Zhou State, or whether to become the enemy of Qin again.
Although most of the courtiers knew the truth of the death of lips and teeth, once Zhou Wangji was lost, the Qin army and Wei State would no longer have only one Weihan channel to connect them. The long border line and Qin State had countless places where they could break through.
It can be said that once the Qin army occupied Zhou State, Wei State would completely fall into military passivity. Even more passive than Zhao Guo after losing Shangdang.
But the problem is that the Wei State is really afraid of being beaten!
Ever since the young master Xian Hexi fought against the new army of the Qin State, almost every time he fought against the Qin Army, the Wei State lost. From Hexi to Hedong, and then to Hanoi, in one defeat after another, the Wei State had lost most of its troops. land.
Even in the battle of Changping, the Qin army lost, but Wei did not win. Apart from surrendering nearly 100,000 troops, Wei gained nothing.
Today's Wei State can no longer afford to lose, and even a draw is unacceptable.
On the one hand, they had to save, but on the other hand, they couldn't afford to lose or win. It's no wonder that the courtiers of Wei State had to struggle a lot.
The envoy of the State of Zhao was naturally aware of this problem, and immediately threw the bait to the King of Wei and some of the courtiers, saying: "In the old battle of Changping, the State of Wei helped Zhao. We should have expressed a little thanks, but it was a pity that Shangdang , the land of Hanoi is the barrier of Handan, and should not be given lightly. If the Wei State is willing to rescue Zhou Guo, the Zhao State can send troops to help him. Moreover, my king promises that after this battle, the Zhao State will not take an inch of Zhou Wangji All land occupied by the participating countries will be distributed according to the size of their contribution, and we, the State of Zhao, will never interfere."
Upon hearing this, the eyes of King Wei and the courtiers suddenly lit up - is there such a good thing? !
What is Wei Guo most afraid of? Losing troops and generals, returning without success!
Obviously, the words of the envoy from the State of Zhao successfully dispelled the concerns of the Wei State court. What's even more terrible is that the Zhao State envoy inadvertently revealed King Zhao's attitude towards the Zhou Dynasty, which really satisfied King Wei.
Defeating the Zhou Dynasty and occupying its territory, not to mention Wei Guo returning to its peak, at least it would not be easy for Qin Guo to easily control itself.
Immediately, the King of Wei agreed to the request of the Zhao envoy and decided to send troops to aid Zhou.
But the choice of the man to lead the troops shocked everyone, including the envoys of the State of Zhao.
Lord Xinling!
That's right, the King of Wei chose Lord Xinling, who stole the talisman to save Zhao and lost 100,000 troops, to be the commander-in-chief of the Wei army.
The King of Wei was very aware of the talents of his younger brother. It could be said that he was unparalleled in the entire Wei Kingdom. The reason why he suppressed him was because he was afraid that his achievements would overwhelm his master. With the battle of Changping, Lord Xinling could no longer threaten him. The throne, naturally King Wei will give him greater rights and trust!
Lord Xinling did not refuse after being appointed. Lord Xinling also understood that the talent in Wei was withering, and only he could shoulder this burden.
Immediately, because the King of Zhao had spoken in advance, he was willing to fight this battle. Naturally, after Lord Xinling received the permission of the King of Wei, he quickly sent an envoy to invite all countries to join forces with King Qin to fight against Qin in the name of Wei and Zhao!
The State of Chu, which had already received the letter of credence from Zhao, was naturally the first to agree. The letter of alliance promising to send troops was delivered to the hands of King Wei and Lord Xinling in the shortest possible time. Even the day after the envoy from Wei arrived, We must follow Chu's 50,000-strong army to return to the Bishui front line. This made the envoys sent to Chu feel very unfulfilled.
That's right, in a short period of time, Chu State has mobilized 50,000 troops and horses, ready to go north to join the war at any time. Of course, this is far from the limit of Chu State. However, due to the enfeoffment system of the Chu State, and the fact that the army was far away, with an army of 50,000, it was already quite sincere.
After all, Chu State is not in danger of dying like Han, Wei, and Zhao.
Compared with the happiness of Chu State, Han Zhiguo was a little hesitant. The reason was almost exactly the same as Wei State's entanglement.
King Jike of Zhou was right next to Han Zhiguo. If the Qin army gets interested and takes care of themselves, there will really be no room for reasoning. But even so, South Korea, which has been repeatedly defeated by the Qin army, is now suffering from Qinphobia.
The King of Han said that it’s not that I don’t want to send troops to help, but I really don’t dare to send troops! It's okay not to send troops. Doesn't sending troops mean giving the Qin army an excuse to destroy themselves? If the coalition forces were defeated again, I didn't want to be stabbed for Emperor Zhou!
Fortunately, Ambassador Wei was also prepared.
Immediately, the envoy from Wei State responded:
One thing illustrates the powerful relationship: Not sending troops? Then wait to die! The emperor of Zhou and the army of Qin could attack him without any guilt, how about the country of Han? After Qin destroyed the Zhou Dynasty, it would be strange if the country of Han was not the weakest next.
The second points out the way forward: nearly 100,000 Zhao troops have joined the alliance! Your Majesty, you don’t believe in your own Han army, you don’t believe in our Wei army, and you still don’t believe in the ability of the Zhao army? Let's not talk about it. Qin State has fought back to Hangu Pass, at least the Qin army has to return without success.
After being beaten by the Wei envoy, the King of Han finally thought about it clearly, and immediately used his own wealth - an army of 50,000 to join the anti-Qin alliance.
Yan State, which had just been severely repaired by Zhao State, said: The country has a small population and weak people, and is unable to participate in the Central Plains battlefield.
Of course, the envoy of Wei never thought of bringing this younger brother of Qin to his side. He just wanted to intimidate King Yan so that he could be more at ease during the war in the Central Plains and not to stab Zhao's side.
It's just that now the King of Yan has long been intoxicated in the wine pond and the meat forest, and all military and political affairs have been entrusted to the Prime Minister Li Fu, who has been beaten by the Zhao army.
The envoy from Wei was still very satisfied with this situation.
However, the envoy from Zhao State seemed to be crazy about asking King Yan to join the coalition. In the end, when he could not be persuaded, he even said harsh words: King Yan, you will regret it.
As for the last Qi State, the King of Qi calmly said: Don’t disturb me while you are fishing!
In one sentence: As long as Qin doesn't come knocking, don't bother with anything!
Even if Wei's envoys were good at talking, Qi would not send even a symbolic soldier to support the Central Plains' cause of resisting Qin.
Not bad, everything that should come came, and nothing that shouldn't come did not come.
In just ten days, a temporary Anti-Qin Alliance Co., Ltd. was established.
Among them, the chairman: Zhao Wangkuo.
Vice Chairman: King Wei;
Directors: King Chu and King Han
CEO: Xinlingjun;
Director: Generals from all over the world!
Of course, the competition for the CEO was not very fierce. Without him, Lord Xinling brought a hundred thousand troops to join the alliance.
As a result, the Wei army accounted for the majority of the coalition forces, and even the combined strength of Han and Chu. Lian Po, the only general of the Zhao army who could compete with Wei, was ordered to have no intention of competing for the position of commander, and Han and Chu were even less able to compete.
Therefore, even though Lord Xinling was defeated by the Qin army, he still took the throne of the coalition commander without hesitation.
As a result, an army of 280,000, with Lord Xinling as its commander, composed of the three kingdoms of Wei, Zhao, Chu, and Han, launched a mighty alliance on the east bank of Bishui, and then followed the footsteps of the Qin army. Leaving Luoyang...
Some people died, but not completely...
