Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 142: Struggle among Countries [Second update, please subscribe]

The autumn of the eleventh year of King Zhaoxiang was a relatively peaceful autumn. The state of Chu betrayed the covenant of the six countries and united with the state of Qin.

They also agreed to non-aggression, for which the Chu State paid some cities.

But both the King of Chu and the feudal lords in Chu felt that this deal was a good deal. After all, only Qin had a share in attacking them, so how could they have a share in attacking Qin?

Qin's reputation for benevolence and righteousness is now prosperous, and the world's wise men and women also come to Qin because of this reputation for benevolence and righteousness.

Will Qin lose its reputation of "benevolence and righteousness" by attacking itself?

Even if it is to be lost, I am afraid that it will have to wait until all five countries in the Central Plains are destroyed by Qin before Qin will tear up the alliance and attack Chu.

Of course, all this is on the premise that Ying Ji does not die. After all, the covenant was signed while Ying Ji was alive.

The princes of Chu and the king of Chu have never been so eager to hope that the king of another country can live as long as they are now.

When Qin and Chu entered the honeymoon period, the dormant Chu ministers in Qin also showed up one after another. After all, now that Qin and Chu have this covenant, there should be no war, and the King of Qin should also like it. Relying on the ministers of Chu State.

After all, the Chu people are never ambiguous when it comes to their strategies for attacking other countries.

The reactions of the other five countries to this were also very subtle. It was as if Zhao had not seen it. It just focused on development and reused Lian Po in the military. Chen Bing seemed to be at the border between Zhao and Yan, and even with Han. It's like launching an attack.

Yan and Han did not sit still and wait for death, and the two countries united together.

King Yan Zhao even more valued Le Yi, and his civil and martial arts were rapidly improved. Le Yi, the famous general of Yan State, seemed to have the appearance of Chen Ye, the "King of An Guo" of Qin State. He was good at both literary and military skills and was good at everything. .

He can govern the country and is a famous general.

Gradually, some people in the world said that Le Yi was the "King of Xiao'an". However, King Yan Zhao was not afraid that Le Yi would infringe the power of the Yan State. Instead, he was very proud and praised Le Yi's talents on many public occasions.

He also improved Le Yi's status and appointed him as prime minister.

In the Yan State, there are no such positions as the so-called "Three Masters" and "Three Dukes". There is only one Prime Minister, and he is the highest-status person besides the king.

Even if the prince saw him, he would be polite.

This is one person below and above ten thousand people.

The autumn of King Zhaoxiang's eleventh year passed quickly, and winter came as promised amidst everyone's hatred.

No matter how much people hate winter, hate this season that cannot revive "all things", or even be too cold to go out, winter will still come on time every year, not late, but occasionally it will come early.

Zhangtai Palace

The fire dragon was already burning. Ying Ji was sitting behind the desk, his face slightly red from the cold. He had just returned from outside.

When the temperature inside the room gradually warmed up, he took off his cloak.

Chen Zhan was sitting opposite him, with a slightly tired look on his face. Ying Ji smiled and said, "Wu An Jun has free time to come to my place today."

He looked at Chen Zhan and said, "Is there something going on?"

Chen Zhan said nothing, hesitating in his heart. Should he say what he wanted?

It is true that he did not meet Ying Ji often. Ever since Chen Shen left Xianyang City in the tenth year of King Zhaoxiang, he would either report illness at home, or go to court without saying a word and rest silently with his eyes closed.

It was as if the official position of "Taiwei" did not exist in him.

Ying Ji did not urge him, because he could see Chen Zhan's hesitation from Chen Zhan's eyes. It must not be a trivial matter to make this general who never hesitated hesitate.

He had nothing to do, so he just waited for Chen Zhan to think it over.

After a while, Chen Zhan couldn't hold it back anymore, and he sighed and said, "Your Majesty, please attack the Xiongnu next year."

"I would like to ask you, my general, to guard the border for your Majesty! I also ask for Your Majesty's permission."

Guarding the border? Defeat the Huns?

Ying Ji paused in his heart. He never expected that Chen Zhan's request would be this. He hesitated, but it was not because he doubted Chen Zhan, but because he was guessing the reason why Chen Zhan did what he did.

"Wu Anjun, what's wrong with you?"

"what happened?"

Chen Zhan knew that he couldn't hide it from Ying Ji, so he could only sigh and said: "My body is already a little weak and is declining day by day. A few days ago, the imperial doctor came to take my pulse. I'm afraid I only have two or three years left." ”

He looked at Ying Ji with a pleading look on his face: "As a military general, the best outcome is to die on the battlefield and return wrapped in horse leather, rather than die of illness on the bed!"

"So, please attack the Xiongnu!"

"Da Qin must have more profound ambitions in the future, such as sweeping across Liuhe and unifying the world!"

"If this is the case, then the Huns must be an obstacle to the new empire and Qin's unification of the world!"

There was a bright light in Chen Zhan's eyes: "Now, scare the Xiongnu first. When Qin is busy with the war in the Central Plains in the future, they will not dare to intervene!"

Ying Ji sat there with a thoughtful look on his face. He felt that what Chen Zhan said made sense.

Of course, it's not just because what Chen Zhan said makes sense.

He sighed faintly, and then said: "Brother, is your body really unable to hold on anymore?"

Yes, in terms of seniority, Chen Zhan should be regarded as Ying Ji's elder brother.

After all, Chen Zhan's mother, Princess Youning, was the sister of King Huiwen.

Chen Zhan felt a little dazed for a moment when he heard this title that he had not heard from Ying Ji for a long time, as if he had returned to the time when his mother was still there.

He shook his head and looked at Ying Ji, and said seriously: "It is true that I can't hold on any longer."

The corner of Chen Zhan's mouth raised with a helpless smile: "I won't do this if I have some way."

"I don't know what's going on with my body, but I don't want to be a general lying on the bed in his old age. That way of dying is too ordinary."

Chen Zhan said: "If I die, I will be like a bright star in the sky! Even if I fall, I will leave a bright trace in the sky."

"Please give me your permission, Your Majesty."

Ying Ji looked at Chen Zhan. This time, he didn't hesitate at all and said immediately: "Okay!"

"In the summer of next year, I will personally recruit troops for my brother!"

He said earnestly: "It's just this winter, please hold on, brother!"

Chen Zhan stood up and saluted slightly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Chen Zhan knew exactly what Ying Ji was thinking.

He is not actually stupid, but lazy.

When Chen Shen and Chen Zhao were there before, he always acted like he didn't understand anything because someone would analyze it for him, but now, the person who would analyze it for him has left Xianyang City.

If he doesn't learn this by himself, he may die without knowing how.

官渡

Chen Shen was half-lying in the courtyard, with a lounge chair underneath him.

He remembered this thing when he saw Chen Ye lying comfortably in the "Peach Blossom Spring". After waking up from the dream, he found a skilled craftsman, drew the drawing of this thing, and then asked them to study and build it.

It wasn't until some time ago that this "reclining chair" was actually built, allowing people to lie down and enjoy it. Of course, Chen Shen sent the first deck chair to Xianyang City to Ying Ji.

Ying Ji may not like it, or he may not use it, but he cannot not give it away.

The chair swayed and creaked, making it look very leisurely.

The wind in the courtyard was blowing gently. When Chen Jing walked in from the outside, he saw Chen Shen lying there leisurely. He held his forehead helplessly and sighed: "Brother, why are you so leisurely?"

He sighed and said, "I have already ordered you to build the private school that you asked me to build a few days ago."

"It's just that you should also know about the naughty boys in the clan. Who can suppress them?"

Chen Shen blinked, sat up, pointed at his nose and said with a smile, "Of course it's me."

He stood up and stretched: "And I told you, don't say anything about "private school", it doesn't sound good."

"When my father was alive, I once heard a name from his mouth. I thought it was very suitable. Let's call it 'school'."

Chen Shen looked into the distance and said softly: "Not only are we recruiting students from Guandu, we are also recruiting students from other places. As long as they are interested in learning, I will accept them."

He closed his eyes slightly and felt the wind around him: "My father never recruited many disciples during his lifetime, nor did he write any books or biographies. I want to complete all these things that my father has not completed."

"Why is Confucius so famous now? Isn't it because he has so many disciples?"

"With more than three thousand disciples, there will always be something to live up to."

Chen Shen said with a smile: "I want my father to be as great as Confucius, Laozi, and Mozi, or even greater than them! His reputation will spread far and wide!"

This is Chen Shen's ambition, and it is also what Chen Shen found for himself after leaving the court.

Chen Jing smacked his lips: "Okay then, brothers, just go and do these things, and I will take good care of Guandu and the things in the fields."

He chuckled: "A few days ago, people from the farmers came to Guandu to ask me for advice. In fact, how can I know how to take care of the crops?"

"When I was young, I just learned to write for a while from my father who liked to grow vegetables in the yard and tend the fields."

Chen Jing said with emotion: "The more time goes by, the more I can discover how powerful my father is."

"In those days, every little detail in life, even the things we did inadvertently, if we take them out and study them carefully, we can find the philosophy contained in them. They are all a kind of knowledge!"

"But a father like this has never been famous."

"It wasn't until you and I pretended to be my father's disciples and wrote "Chen Zi's Quotations" that my father's reputation became so great."

Chen Shen stood there, holding half a fan in his hand, with a hint of melancholy on his face: "How can we guess what our father is thinking?"

"But the reason why "Chen Zi Quotations" came out in the first place is probably because my father didn't want to stop you and me."

"Looking at the original plan now, it's really not that rigorous."

"It's strange that my father can't see it."

The two lay there, reminiscing about their childhood.

They feel that that is the happiest time.

Instead of now, dealing with the people of the world, dealing with the kings of the six countries, and even dealing with the King of Qin who is far away in Xianyang City.

Chen Jing smiled silently: "Now that I have become a father, I can understand my father's mood."

"But haven't you persuaded Fifth Brother Cheng?"

Chen Shen sighed quietly: "I wrote to my fifth brother a few days ago, telling him that my fourth legitimate son was born. This time, no matter how much he objects, he still needs to go back to Guandu. I want to give him this The child will be adopted to him."

"We are determined not to let him die."

Chen Jing was a little silent, and he whispered: "When my fifth brother came back last year, I once looked at his face, and it didn't seem to be good."

"I have studied with "Bian Que" for a period of time, and I know a little bit about pharmacology."

"I'm afraid"

Chen Shen waved his hand and closed his eyes without saying anything.

He was a little tired.

"Fifth brother naturally has his own ideas. This is his life. Neither you nor I can decide for him."

"Do you still remember what your father said back then?"

Chen Jing looked solemn: "Of course I remember."

"People of the Chen family do not seek great wealth or power, but only seek to be worthy of heaven, to be worthy of the earth, and to have a conscience worthy of oneself."

"If this is the case, even if the world is turned upside down, even if my body is lost, I will never regret it."

Chen Shen nodded slightly: "Not bad."

"Fifth brother has a clear conscience, is worthy of heaven and earth, and has chosen to do this, so you and I can just respect him."

"I just hope that such a day comes later."

Later

Zhao State has its capital at Handan.

Lin Xiangru stood in the main hall of the palace, his expression a little calm. Even though he has not yet become the "Prime Minister" of Zhao State, he is still calm.

The ministers discussed joining forces with the other four countries to attack Qin, but Lin Xiangru did not want to hear this.

He didn't know why, he just wanted to sigh.

The Qin State has become so powerful that even if the six countries join forces, they may not be able to fight against it. But today, the six countries still have their own thoughts. The Chu State even signed an alliance with the Qin State and withdrew from the Six Nations Alliance.

Do they really have a chance to continue to persevere under Qin's sword?

Capital of Yan State

King Yan Zhao looked at Le Yi nervously: "Le Qing, do you have an idea in mind?"

Le Yi sat there with a solemn expression.

In fact, what ideas could he have?

"Since Zhao has proposed an alliance and is preparing to attack Qin, then we just need to be prepared."

"Qin is too powerful."

He smiled slightly: "Moreover, didn't the spies in Qin send news that Chen Zhan is planning to attack the Xiongnu next year?"

"Maybe, this is an opportunity!"

(End of this chapter)