It is really strange to say that this Zhao country is really strange. In other countries, the older they are, the more they seek stability, and the younger they are, the more radical they are.
But when we arrived at Zhao State, it was just the opposite. The old Lord Pingyuan, Lian Po and even Tian Dan all wanted to solve the problem once and for all, and couldn't wait to launch a full-scale attack; while the young Li Mu, Zhou Qi and other new generation generals all want to play it safe and steady.
Of course, it is undeniable that although the two factions have different views, they are all for Zhao.
Needless to say, Li Mu, Zhou Qi and others wanted stability. Even Pingyuan Jun, Lian Po and others wanted a "quick victory" because they were afraid that Zhao would lose the historical opportunity period of Qin's power transition.
Unfortunately, as the King of Zhao, Zhao Kuo would choose the latter without any hesitation.
Although he felt a little sorry for Lord Pingyuan and Lian Po, and even the situation of unifying the world could not be seen by Lord Pingyuan and Lian Po of the previous generation, Zhao Kuo understood that these were just insignificant episodes in the process of unification.
As a king, the first thing Zhao Kuo must abandon is emotion.
Although Lord Pingyuan and Lian Po have made outstanding contributions to the rise of Zhao State and are qualified to see the day when Zhao State is unified, this is not enough reason for Zhao State to take risks!
Clearing his throat, Zhao Kuo organized his words and asked Li Mu, "Li Mu! What are the available troops of Zhao Kuo now?"
The reason why I asked Li Mu instead of General Lian Po is because since Li Mu returned from the Battle of Xinzheng, he has gradually taken over the affairs related to the army. It can be said that except for the title of General, which has not yet been passed to Li Mu, the rest of the army Li Mu takes the lead in almost all matters big and small.
Of course, this does not mean that General Lian Po has faded out of the military world. It can only be said that Lian Po will still be the strongest supporter in the hearts of Li Mu and Zhao Kuo.
After hearing Zhao Kuo's question, Li Mu immediately clasped his hands and replied: "My king, our main field army of Zhao now totals about 180,000, and there are about 100,000 troops in the field. If we use all our strength to attack, we can attack them in an instant. The number of soldiers arriving on the battlefield is about 150,000. In the second phase, without affecting the spring planting and autumn harvest, the field troops will be mobilized.
Among them, the main force of 180,000 troops was mainly stationed in the four counties of Yingchuan, Shangdang, Handan and Jibei.
Shangdang County mainly leads the front line in Kongcang, with about 50,000 troops. Yingchuan County is concentrated near Xinzheng, with 50,000 troops. Jibei Army is concentrated near Jicheng, with 30,000 troops. Handan County is stationed in Handan City with about 30,000 troops. Ten thousand troops, and the remaining counties are divided into 20,000 troops. "
Zhao Kuo nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this.
Of course, this satisfaction is for Li Mu, not for the current strength of the Zhao army.
The main force of 180,000 may seem like a lot, but you must know that this number has almost not increased since the Zheng War.
In other words, after two years of development, Zhao State has hardly increased its military strength.
This is simply unimaginable compared to the Qin State, which has begun to explode its troops and is about to break through the 300,000 mark.
Of course, the number of field troops has actually increased significantly, but the combat effectiveness of these second-line troops is incomparable to the main force.
The increase in field troops in recent years is actually nothing more than the hidden benefits brought by the addition of land in the two new counties. This also means that the increase in the number of field soldiers is even more useless.
Therefore, under the current circumstances, unless Zhao Jun immediately starts to expand its army crazily, it will never be suitable for a decisive battle with Qin.
The troops will naturally explode, but it is by no means a blind expansion under the current situation.
Although the transfer of power from Qin did give Zhao a certain opportunity, facing the powerful Qin army, it was the best way to continue to develop steadily - expand the army, expand the army and then develop.
Based on this, Zhao Kuo no longer hesitated and decisively began to give instructions to everyone, saying: "Several kings of the Qin State worked hard to govern, so they can be as prosperous as they are today. The people of Qin are tenacious, and it is not a country that can decide the world in one battle.
Facing such an opponent, as long as there is still a city in the land and a mouth of people, we should not take it lightly.
It should be noted that eight years ago, most of our troops were no match for Qin in the Battle of Changping. The past is heavy, but I still remember it vividly
.
Never underestimate Qin just because of a temporary victory! Today, although Qin's power has changed, there is a temporary emergency, but we cannot take it lightly, let alone get carried away and try to decide the state of Qin in one battle.
In particular, the current strength of our army is not enough to deal with Qin's 300,000-strong army. The only way for our army is to plan for it slowly and expand our army slowly. "
After hearing this, several people said yes one after another, and of course they understood in their hearts that this was Zhao Kuo's last choice.
Sure enough, Zhao Kuo immediately ordered: "From now on, our Zhao army will increase its troops by 20,000 to 30,000 people every year to ensure that the total strength of our army will catch up with the total strength of the Qin army within five years. Within a year, we will overtake the Qin army in strength!"
"Yes." Everyone agreed.
"In order to train the new army in time, the friction with the Qin army will continue." Zhao Kuo then continued: "The land of Shangdang is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It is restricted by the terrain. Defense should be the main focus. Huaisi, Dongjun and Jibei's army are not bordering Qin. Only Yingchuan County is a battleground for military strategists. It is also the only place that can maintain a long-term firepower confrontation with the Qin army."
"Therefore, all the new troops added every year will be transferred to Yingchuan." Zhao Kuo then said with a big hand: "The first is to train the troops, and the second is to use the method of gradual cannibalization to consume the Qin army step by step."
"Yes." Everyone agreed again.
"As for this general?" Zhao Kuo hesitated for a while, his eyes wandering around the several generals.
He naturally knew that Yingchuan seemed to be just a place for military training, but it was very likely that it would become the front line of the counterattack against Qin, and it might even become the prelude to the decisive battle between Qin and Zhao.
Therefore, Zhao Kuo must choose a general who is strong enough and loyal enough.
Obviously, if it were before, Li Mu would be the best candidate.
But as Li Mu gradually became the absolute core of Zhao Jun, it was obviously inappropriate to let him leave the town again. More importantly, the young Li Mu has already proven himself with his ability.
With so many meritorious deeds at such a young age, he is not suitable to continue leading troops on the front line. At least it's not suitable before the decisive battle.
But the new generation of generals who can control the overall situation is only Li Mu.
As a last resort, Zhao Kuo could only look at the veterans such as Lian Po and Tian Dan.
Then Zhao Kuo looked at his candidates, and saw Lian Po and Li Mu looking at him eagerly. Apparently after hearing about Yingchuan County's initiative to seek war, they couldn't wait to join in.
Looking at the expectant eyes of Lian Po and General Tian Dan, Zhao Kuo already had the answer in his heart.
"Old General Lian! Old General Tian" Zhao Kuo asked tentatively: "Can you still fight for me?"
Hearing this, Lian Po and Tian Dan, who were originally a little depressed, also looked surprised. Obviously, in their minds, Zhao Kuo was very likely to leave such an opportunity to young people, if not Li Mu, it was Zhou Qi, Zhao Wei and others.
Of course, there is no envy in this. In the first place, combat should be experienced by newcomers.
Just thinking about his old age, no one wanted to give up any opportunity to continue fighting against the Qin army.
The two people who were asked "Can we fight?" looked at each other, then they both stood up, clasped their fists, and said in unison: "I dare not invite you!"
Zhao Kuo looked at these two generals who refused to obey with a smile! Then let him!
Of course, the reason why Zhao Kuo chose Lian Po was not entirely because of his compassion.
Zhao Kuo then smiled and said: "There is no need for two generals to be stationed in Yingchuan, but this battle is a protracted battle. It is not just for one or two years. The two generals can rotate for half a year to garrison. "
"Yes." The two agreed again in unison.
Although it is only half a year, and there is still a rotation, it is of course true to be considerate of the second general, and it is also to prevent the situation where the tail cannot be lost.
However, for Lian Po and Tian Dan, they almost turned a blind eye to the latter's intentions. As long as I don't have such thoughts, what if the king is on guard?
The most important thing is to be able to fight the Qin army happily in the last moment!
The two of them knew very well that it took some courage to allow themselves, a man in his late seventies, to lead the future of Zhao to the battlefield, especially when Li Mu, who was in his prime next to him, was not inferior to them in the slightest!
There was obviously a better choice, but the king still chose the two of them. Apart from the word "trust", there is probably no other explanation.
While Lian Po and Tian Dan lamented Zhao Kuo's trustworthiness, Zhao Kuo was also lamenting their loyalty.
The two men, both with pale temples and half silver hair, had to travel thousands of miles for the State of Zhao. Zhao Kuo also sighed in his heart, and then he couldn't help but tell him: "This battle is not a decisive battle with the Qin army, so the old general will not Don't fight the Qin army until you have to. You must know that now that Zhao is in power and our national power is increasing day by day, it is only a matter of time before we crush Qin. Time is on our side, Zhao!"
"Yes. Don't worry, my king." The two men immediately bowed again and agreed.
Zhao Kuo nodded, and then continued to announce, "Pingyuan Lord, the initial 10,000 new soldiers will be expanded within one month!"
"Yes." Mr. Pingyuan agreed immediately.
"Zhao Wei, Zhou Qi." Zhao Kuo immediately ordered the general.
As Zhao Jun's strongest pioneer duo, Zhao Kuo naturally wants them to stay sharp at all times. And sending it to the battlefield would naturally be the best way.
"The general will be here." The young duo looked at each other and immediately agreed.
"When the first batch of troops enters, each of you will lead five thousand men under General Lian Po to obey orders." Zhao Kuo then ordered again.
"Yes." Zhao Wei and Zhou Qi also agreed in unison.
After completing the frontal military deployment, Zhao Kuo immediately looked at Lord Pingyuan again. Zhao Kuo, who deeply understood that "war is a continuation of politics," would certainly not let go of political and diplomatic means to continue to improve his combat effectiveness and suppress the Qin army's combat effectiveness.
