"Your Majesty, it seems that you have already anticipated my arrival?" Lord Xinling finally asked the question that was at the beginning of his heart.
"Of course." Mr. Pingyuan replied nonchalantly.
This answer really shocked Lord Xinling. If Zhao Guo had already known about his arrival in advance, would Zhao Guo already know the purpose of his trip?
It should be said that Lord Xinling's worries are not unreasonable.
The most likely way to know his itinerary is that there is someone beside him. Although he has not revealed the purpose of his trip to those around him, where is the king?
Will the king tell the people around him that he will take the land of Zhou Wangji on this trip?
And could the people around the king also be the work of Zhao Guo?
After a second thought, Lord Xinling felt that something was wrong. No one knew about his departure from the mission in advance. Even now, apart from the deputy envoy, only the two warriors who followed him knew about it.
The deputy envoy is far away in the mission, and it is impossible to know the speed of his travel. Even if he informs him, Lord Pingyuan cannot know his arrival so accurately;
Not to mention the warriors, he didn't even tell them the destination of their trip. The two of them were always under his nose, and there was no time or space to convey the message.
Just when Lord Xinling was confused, Lord Pingyuan laughed out loud and said, "Stop guessing. You can only blame Qin for this matter."
"Qin?" Lord Xinling was even more confused. What does this matter have to do with Qin? Qin is still licking its wounds in the pass! Who will take care of the affairs between Zhao and Wei?
Seemingly seeing Lord Xinling's doubts, Lord Pingyuan immediately explained again: "Back then, my king went north to Daijun for some reason and passed through the city of Yanyu. He caused the Qin State General Sima to lead his sharp soldiers to intercept and kill him. Your Majesty. Do you know?"
"I have heard a little bit that this was not King Zhao's plan. Didn't hundreds of warriors from the Qin army all fall to death?" Lord Xinling frowned and continued to ask.
"It's just for the sake of face that it's my king's plan. You can't say that the Qin army's warriors in our Kingdom of Zhao are like being in a deserted territory." Lord Pingyuan shook his head and said: "And these Qin army's warriors are attacking In the name of an envoy, you can enter our Zhao territory and cross our city without anyone knowing about it."
"What do you mean by your Majesty?" Lord Xinling seemed to understand.
"Of course." Mr. Pingyuan nodded and said, "From then on, envoys from various countries who enter our Zhao territory will be closely monitored."
"Of course, we are not trying to restrict the freedom of envoys, such as purchases, meetings, etc. Scouts cannot take care of everything in detail. However, the number of envoys is the subject of strict inspection." Mr. Pingyuan Then he looked at Lord Xinling with a smile and said, "Your Majesty left the mission without authorization. On that day, my detailed work was discovered and reported to me."
There is no need to say more about what follows. Lord Xinling came for state affairs and hurried to Handan without his troops. He must have wanted to recruit a few more courtiers to help before meeting King Zhao. As Lord Xinling's brother-in-law, Lord Pingyuan, Lord Xinling Of course you won't miss it.
Naturally, Lord Pingyuan was waiting for Lord Xinling to arrive at home.
"That's it." Lord Xinling smiled helplessly when he heard this.
I originally thought that I had traveled a long distance and acted unnoticed, but I didn't expect that I had just deceived my own family. Zhao Guo had already mastered his every move.
However, this also made Lord Xinling breathe a sigh of relief. After all, as long as it was not done carefully, it would not be a big problem.
Lord Xinling, who was a little relieved, immediately followed Lord Pingyuan to the back hall for dinner. When the sister and brother met, they inevitably sighed again. It was not until evening that the meal was successfully finished.
At this time, the concierge reported that the king sent someone to tell him that after Lord Xinling had eaten, he would go to the palace with Lord Pingyuan to have an audience.
"Your Majesty, let's go together." Lord Pingyuan said to Lord Xinling with a smile.
"That's fine." Lord Xinling nodded silently and agreed.
Obviously, regardless of whether Lord Pingyuan had negotiated with King Zhao or not, Zhao Kuo's operation had completely blocked Lord Xinling's other paths.
died. Now Lord Xinling has no choice but to enter the palace to meet King Zhao.
The purpose of Zhao Kuo's doing this is also obvious. First, he wants to control Wei's problems to the minimum range, and second, he is also protecting his courtiers.
The human heart is the least able thing to withstand the test.
If, under the temptation of Lord Xinling, one of his courtiers makes a different choice than his own, this will obviously be a loss for Zhao.
Soon, Lord Pingyuan and Lord Xinling rushed to the palace of King Zhao.
Under the leadership of the eunuch, the two people quickly arrived at the political hall.
As a familiar person, Lord Pingyuan immediately walked in with Lord Xinling.
In the huge palace, Zhao Kuo was sitting on the main seat. The seat on his right hand was still empty, obviously reserved for Lord Pingyuan. Lian Po was also among them, sitting on the seat under Zhao Kuo's left hand, talking to Zhao Kuo. Kuo drank the wine.
It seemed that Lian Po and Zhao Kuo were having a very happy conversation.
Seeing this, Lord Xinling couldn't help but feel a little excited. If Lian Po who brought the message did not offend King Zhao, does it mean that his trip may be successful? !
However, what Lord Xinling didn't know was that Lian Po didn't need to bring any words at all, everything had already been planned by Zhao Kuo. Even the current meeting was obviously held intentionally.
"I have met my king."
"Foreign minister, I have met King Zhao."
No matter what, Lord Pingyuan and Lord Xinling still clasped their fists and nodded in greeting.
"Please get up." Zhao Kuoxu gave him a hand and then said, "Take a seat."
"Thank you my king."
"Thank you, King Zhao."
Immediately, the two of them sat on Zhao Kuo's right side.
After they were seated, the eunuchs on the side immediately brought meat and wine, and then slowly retreated with the eunuchs.
Seeing that there were no more idle people in the palace, Zhao Kuo looked at Lord Xinling and said straight to the point: "Old General Lian Po has informed me of the whole matter."
Hearing this, Lord Xinling suddenly became nervous.
He was also a little surprised. King Zhao actually put the matter on the table from the beginning. Shouldn't he just say a few words first?
While Lord Xinling was concentrating on waiting for Zhao Kuo's offer, Zhao Kuo changed the subject, and the pleasantries that Lord Xinling had expected arrived.
"Ignore everything else." Zhao Kuo picked up the wine baron beside him, then saluted Lord Xinling and said, "On behalf of the 400,000 Zhao soldiers on the Changping battlefield, I would like to thank Lord Xinling."
As he spoke, he picked up the wine and drank it in one gulp.
Upon seeing this, Lord Pingyuan and Lian Po on the side immediately picked up the wine jue in front of them, faced Lord Xinling, raised it high, and said, "Thank you, Lord Xinling."
The three giants of the Zhao Kingdom, the only two most powerful countries today, toasted. What else can be said? Lord Xinling immediately picked up the wine and drank it all in one gulp.
Putting down the wine prince, Lord Xinling hurriedly said humbly: "It's a small effort, but it's nothing to mention. Thank you, King Zhao, for still remembering the friendship back then."
"Of course I must remember it." Zhao Kuo immediately put down the wine prince and said slowly: "In the battle that year, if Lord Xinling hadn't intervened and personally brought troops to rescue me, I would have died long ago. It's a pity that I was killed that year. The matter in Changping is urgent, and I was guilty of a crime back then, so I couldn't say thank you to Lord Xinling, so I deeply regret it."
"King Zhao is so complimentary." Lord Xinling was obviously a little dazed by the high hat.
Obviously, he didn't realize what King Zhao was doing.
But Zhao Kuo's words soon sounded again: "Come, Lord Xinling, win the battle of Changping!"
As he said this, he hurriedly drank another cup of wine.
Having no other choice, King Zhao toasted, and the three people present immediately added drinks and drank them all in one gulp.
After two glasses of wine, Lord Xinling's face immediately turned a little flushed, and even his head felt a little hot.
This may not just be the relationship between two turbid wines. As the saying goes, everyone will get drunk without being drunk. To be received by King Zhao with such high standards, I am afraid that Lord Xinling is the only one in the world.
Not to mention other envoys, even if King Wei comes in person, King Zhao may not continue to toast.
However, King Zhao's enthusiasm was a little too enthusiastic.
After putting down the wine prince, Zhao Kuo spoke again and said: "The friendship between Lord Xinling and our Zhao Kingdom will always be remembered. No matter what Zhao Wei's situation is in the future, Lord Xinling will always be the most distinguished guest of our Zhao Kingdom. Come here." , Drink and win."
Hearing this, Lord Xinling was immediately startled. The heat caused by the two cups of turbid wine dissipated in an instant, and was replaced by a frightening chill.
How to say?
Personal friendship lasts forever, but what about the friendship between Zhao and Wei? !
Immediately, Lord Xinling, who reacted quickly, rewarded himself with a title and responded to Zhao Kuo: "King Zhao is too polite. Zhao and Wei share the same origin. If I save Zhao, I will save Wei. This is the duty you should fulfill."
Lord Xinling's meaning is very clear. There is only friendship between our countries. It was me, Lord Xinling, who rescued the State of Zhao. But in the final analysis, it was the State of Wei that saved the State of Zhao.
If Zhao Guo recognizes this friendship, then it must be recognized by Wei Guo!
With that said, Lord Xinling drank it all immediately, without giving Zhao Kuo time to object.
Zhao Kuo naturally understood the meaning of Lord Xinling's words, but Zhao Kuo was not annoyed at all. This was just a game, just a ladder.
After three drinks, Zhao Kuo knew it was time to get down to business.
Immediately, Zhao Kuo put down the wine prince, looked at Lord Xinling again, and then said: "In that case, let's talk about what King Wei has invited now.".z.
Hearing this, Lord Xinling's eyes suddenly lit up, and he immediately stepped forward to explain in detail the reasons why Wei wanted land.
When Zhao Kuo saw this, he waved his hand gently and said, "I already know what the King of Wei asked for, and I can guess 70% of what the general is going to say. It's really useless to say more."
"This." Lord Xinling became a little anxious when he heard this. How could he convince King Zhao if he was not allowed to speak? Lord Xinling immediately looked at General Lian Po opposite.
But Lian Po looked calm, as if he had nothing to do with him at this time.
Facing Lord Xinling's probing gaze, Lian Po made no expression, and didn't even mean to look at Lord Xinling.
Helpless, Lord Xinling looked at Lord Pingyuan again. At this moment, Zhao Kuo spoke calmly and said: "It is not that the land of King Zhou cannot be given to Wei."
Hearing this, Lord Xinling raised his head and looked at Zhao Kuo in surprise again.
He knew that as long as Zhao Kuo could relent, all that was left was just a matter of price. As for the price, Lord Xinling believes that King Wei can relax for the sake of the land of Zhou Wangji - it is just grain and fodder, and the people will have to suffer in the coming year.
It's a pity that just as King Wei loved this land deeply, Zhao Kuo, as a descendant, was obsessed with the land!
Zhao Kuo wanted far more than Lord Xinling imagined.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuo immediately continued: "However, I also need to explain to my subjects of the State of Zhao. After all, the land of Zhou Wangji was killed by our Zhao army with swords and swords. Even I can't insult it lightly." It is Lord Xinling who came here in person, if it had been anyone else, I would have sent him away long ago."
Zhao Kuo once again found a step for himself, and then he finally saw the way...
