Take the city to the Warring States

Chapter 164
Numerous materials were transported from Xindu to Handan, and groups of Wei troops left like tides after receiving the materials.Under the leadership of the generals, a soldier of the Forbidden Army and the Handan garrison walked into Handan.The flag of the State of Wei has long since disappeared, and the banner of the State of Zhao has been reinserted on the city wall.

At the north gate of Handan, the last tens of thousands of soldiers of the princes were waiting in full battle. Zhao Zhong led all the civil and military officials to see off Lord Xingping and other princes.

Bottles of wine were handed out by the servants. Zhao Zhong held up the wine bottle and respected them: "Last year, the country was in crisis. Fortunately, all the lords rushed to the country to protect Zhao from being bullied by Wei. Now that the crisis is over, You are about to return to the fief, and I don’t know when we will meet again. I can’t bear it in my heart, so I only have a bottle of wine to see you off.”

"Thank you, the king, for giving me the wine, and wish me prosperity in Zhao and the country, and prosperity in martial arts. The king is in good health."All the princes and lords raised their wine bottles and bowed to bless them.

Zhao Zhong looked around at the dozens of princes and princes in front of him, and drank all the wine in the wine bottle.Seeing this, all the lords also drank the wine in the bottle.

"Nephew Zhao Yu hereby wishes all uncles and elders a smooth journey."Before Zhao Yu could speak, Zhao Yu spoke first.

Lord Xingping and other lords frowned slightly: "Thank you, Second Young Master, for your kind words."

"Nephew Zhao Yu also wishes all uncles and elders a smooth journey again."Seeing that Zhao Yu was the first to speak out, Zhao Yu was a little displeased, but he endured it.

All the lords bowed to Zhao Yu: "Thank you for your words."

"Your Majesty has four sons. Apart from the third son guarding Daijun, there should be another son. But why didn't the old minister see him?"An old prince of the public clan looked around and asked Zhao Zhong.

As soon as this remark came out, all the lords looked at Zhao Zhong, and the atmosphere was a little strange for a while.

Zhao Zhong didn't seem to notice the change in the atmosphere at all, and smiled at the lords: "Thank you, I am concerned about the youngest son of the widow. Today, the widow ordered the youngest son to come, but he was not feeling well, so he couldn't come. Seeing you off here, I also invite you to seal the king Haihan."

"It turned out to be sick. I wonder if the king asked the imperial physician to diagnose it?"Hearing that Zhao Wuming was ill, all the lords talked about it as if nothing happened.

"This is the last relative of Mr. Anyang in this world in the past. We can't let him die like this."

"Last year, I thought I could see the Fourth Young Master, but the Fourth Young Master left instead."

"Now he is not in good health, I didn't expect to see him at this time."

"After leaving this time, I am afraid that I will never see that child again in this life."

"If under the Nine Springs, Lord Anyang asked about this matter, how should we answer?"

Hearing the heated discussions, Zhao Zhong's face gradually turned pale.After all, having been a king for many years, he knew that he couldn't show such a face at this time, and then his expression gradually turned flat.Sure enough, this son can no longer stay, only by cutting the mess with a sharp knife can we avoid future troubles.

Although Zhao Zhong's complexion changed quickly, he was still keenly captured by Lord Xingping, and his eyes looked around at all the lords.The voice of discussion fell silent for a moment: "Everyone, it's time to go back now."

"Mr. Xingping, but we haven't seen the Fourth Young Master this time, so going back like this..."An old feudal monarch asked Xingping Lord unwillingly.

As soon as the words fell, the rest of the lords wanted to speak.Mr. Xingping raised his head to look at the sky, and said a pun to them: "Go back early and feel at ease, the fourth son is the son of the king. As long as he is alive, it doesn't matter if he sees or not?".

"What Mr. Xingping said is reasonable, I am the one who is persistent."All the lords reacted and nodded immediately.As long as that child is alive, the rest doesn't matter.

Seeing their recollection, Mr. Xingping bowed to Zhao Zhong: "Let's go now. At our age, it's hard to see each other, but I hope your majesty will take care of you."

"Hope Your Majesty Take Care".All the lords bowed and bid farewell to Zhao Zhong.

Zhao Zhong led all the civil and military officials to bow in return, and all the salutes were over.

Lord Xingping turned around with all the lords, and then the army turned and walked slowly forward.

Watching them go further and further away, Zhao Zhong heaved a sigh of relief.Thinking of Zhao Wuming, he turned around and looked at the civil and military officials: "I have been busy redeeming Handan during this period, and the defenders in Handan are the most exhausted. Where is the captain of the country?"

"The old minister is here".Guowei Xue Li took a step forward and bowed to Zhao Zhong.

Zhao Zhong told Guowei: "I want to reward the guards in Handan and pass on my will. I ordered the captain to organize a banquet outside Handan, and the generals in Handan must participate. At the same time, the guards in Handan can go back to the barracks for vacation. one day".

"King...".Xue Li felt that something was wrong, so he spoke to Zhao Zhong.

Zhao Zhong immediately interrupted Xue Li's words: "The widow is not an ignorant person. He redeemed Handan to transport supplies and hand over the defense. The army was repaired for one day, and the soldiers of the forbidden army took over the defense for the Handan defenders, and they will return after tomorrow. I hope that the national lieutenant will not refuse."

"Follow the order".Seeing Zhao Zhong's firm tone, Xue Li thought that the guards in Handan were really tired during this period of time.Also no objection.

Seeing that Xue Li was no longer objecting, Zhao Zhong was determined, and looked at Zhao Yu: "I'm not feeling well, so I'll let you reward the soldiers of the Handan garrison on my behalf."

"Father?..."Zhao Yu sensed something was wrong, but couldn't say it.The king is here, even if the forbidden army takes over the defense of the Handan defenders, it should not be able to cause much trouble.

Zhao Zhong looked at Zhao Yu with displeasure: "Does the prince have any objections?".

"Father and king are clearly rewarded and punished, and sons and ministers obey the order."Zhao Yu bowed and quickly accepted the order.

Seeing that both of them had complied with the order, Zhao Zhong smiled. He looked around at the ministers and finally set his sights on Zhao Yu: "Zhou'er will return to the city immediately and order the imperial army to take over the defense. Today, I will punish you severely. to them".

"Children follow orders".Zhao Yu took the order and walked towards a carriage not far away. The driver flicked his whip and galloped away to Handan City.

Seeing Zhao Yu go away, Zhao Zhong suddenly felt a sense of joy in his heart: "Go back to the palace".

"Follow the order".All civil and military officials received orders one after another, surrounded Zhao Zhong and walked towards the city.

Zhao Yu watched Zhao Zhong lead the group of officials away, and couldn't help but frowned, no matter how he thought about it, he always felt strange at this time.I couldn't help but subconsciously asked myself in a low voice: "Why did the father let the 15 Handan defenders take vacations? Let Gu come here to reward them? Is it really for the sake of distinguishing rewards and punishments."

"What is the prince thinking? I wonder if I can tell the old minister."Xue Li heard Zhao Yu talking to himself and questioned him.

Xue Qian also looked at Zhao Yu when he heard his father's words: "The prince has something on his mind?".

"Mr. Gu felt that this matter was strange. Why did he hold a banquet outside the city to reward the generals of the Handan garrison? Why did he order 15 Handan garrison soldiers to return to the camp for repairs? In this way, this Handan is not full of forbidden troops."Zhao Yu didn't hide anything from Xue Qian and Xue Li and his son, and asked them a series of questions.

Xue Li thought of the time when Zhao Zhong sent off the princes and princes just now, and immediately understood the reason in his heart, and looked at Zhao Yu: "Dare to ask the prince and the king, whether these forbidden troops dare to do such treasonous things."

"Absolutely dare not do this."Zhao Yu shook his head and vetoed without thinking.

Xue Li then asked: "Since the imperial guards dare not commit treason and immorality, what do the rest of the matter have to do with us?"

"The rest? Did you think of anything, Lieutenant Guo?"Zhao Yu was taken aback, and asked Xue Li why.

Xue Li deliberately shook his head slightly: "The old minister doesn't know, but since these are the king's intentions, the ministers should follow suit."

"Father, is the king intentionally transferring us and the Handan defenders?"Xue Qian asked Xue Li.

Xue Li looked at Xue Qian, showing a hint of a smile: "It doesn't matter if it's transferred or not? How can we stop what the king wants to do?"

"Father Wang is so painstaking, what will he do?"Zhao Yu heard Xue Li's meaning, and there was a feeling of ominousness in his heart.

Xue Li moved his lips, looked at Zhao Yu, and decided to say after a long while: "The Fourth Young Master has not arrived today."

"Fourth, fourth brother".In an instant, Zhao Yu suddenly realized, and immediately understood Zhao Zhongcai's arrangement, and felt anxious.

Seeing that Zhao Yu was in a hurry to think for a while, Xue Li persuaded him: "The old minister suggests that the prince should not get involved in this matter."

"Why?"Zhao Yu looked at Xue Li, not understanding what he meant.

Xue Qian also looked over, Xue Li pondered for a moment, weighed in his heart and analyzed to Zhao Yu: "It will be beneficial and not harmful for the prince to kill the fourth son."

"If Guowei is just for this reason, I'm afraid Guowei won't be able to convince Gu."Zhao Yu shook his head slightly, as if he was about to walk into Handan City.

Seeing this, Xue Li quickly stopped him: "Prince, wait a minute, even if the prince wants to save the fourth son, he must not rush into Handan and the palace."

"If you don't enter Handan, if you don't go to the palace, how can you save the fourth brother?"Zhao Yu stopped and looked at Xue Li with suspicion.

Xue Li was not in a hurry to answer, but instead explained to Zhao Yu: "When the old minister finishes speaking, why do you suggest that the prince should ignore it? It will be beneficial and not harmful to the prince. I am letting the prince decide."

"Guowei, please tell me."Seeing Xue Li speak so solemnly, Zhao Yu asked him immediately.At this time, Handan City is changing defenses, even if the father wants to kill the fourth brother, it will take time.

Seeing that Zhao Yu was not going forward, Xue Li explained the reason to him: "The prince knows what happened to Lord Anyang in the past."

"Lone knows naturally".

"Since the crown prince still remembers, we can understand why the king has been dismembering the power of the public clan for more than ten years."

"In the past ten years, I have only seen this matter in my eyes."

"I don't know the prince, why the king insists on dismembering the power of the public clan."

"That's because the public clan is so powerful."

"That's the superficial reason. I don't know the real reason."

"I don't know".

"In the past when the great king came to the throne, Zhao Sheng rebelled with the support of King Wu of Wei. It was the great king who persuaded Anyang Jun at that time to abandon the family and not participate in the prince's ancestral training to send troops to suppress the rebellion. So far, in the heart of the king, there is no hope for the king. Wei and Zhao turned against each other, and Lou Fan and Lin Hu joined hands to go south. I, Zhao Guogang, had already experienced a severe rebellion, and my sons from the Gong clan went to the north to form an army to stop the Hu people, so the Gong clan became bigger. The king is against Anyang Jun gradually began to feel jealous, but the public family has become a big tree in the sky and can only wait for the right time. King Wu of Wei died, and the king and the king of Han joined forces to send troops to Wei. Jun Anyang did not approve of sending troops at first, but the king insisted on doing so. Able to attack the State of Wei. The State of Wei was caught off guard by surprise attacks from the two countries and almost perished, but for some reason the King and the King of Han talked about collapse, and the two countries withdrew their troops. Just as he was returning home, Lord Anyang passed away suddenly. There were rumors that Lord Anyang In fact, it was killed by the king. The 60 male army almost mutinied that day, and it was the Xingping army who rescued the king and appeased those princes. Therefore, the king has been weakening the power of the male clan for these years."

"What does this have to do with Gujiu Fourth Brother?"

"Dare to ask the prince, does the fourth son have a foundation."

"No".

"Dare to ask the prince, but the Gong clan is determined to follow the fourth prince."

"It is rumored that those princes of the public clan were all those who fought side by side with Lord Anyang in the past. The reason why they protect the fourth brother is because of the life-and-death friendship between Lord Anyang and them. But their next generation will not support the fourth brother. ".

"Since it is a life-and-death relationship, is it possible that they will mutiny and save the life of the fourth son?"

"mutiny?".

"If the mutiny is successful, will the fourth son be able to control the situation when he ascends the throne?"

"Without a foundation, they can only become puppets, but will they mutiny?".

"Based on the veteran's understanding of their temperament, if the king kills the fourth son, they will definitely mutiny, if the king does not kill the fourth son, they will not."

"Since Guowei knew that the fourth brother was killed by his father, it would lead to a great chaos, so why didn't Guowei stop it?"

"Because your majesty and those princes are old, if your majesty is fast enough, once the fourth son is killed. When it's done, the princes will have no reason to rebel. If the crown prince wants to protect the fourth son, he only needs to send someone to those princes. You can just send the letter. But the old minister has to remind the prince that if the fourth son is alive, he may be used by the ambitious people in the public clan. Once the king dies, the ambitious people in the public clan will connect with each other and support him. The four sons launched a mutiny, and the power of the royal family will be lost, and there will be no redemption.”

"If Lord Xingping and others are alive, the ambitious people in the public clan will not be able to make waves."

"So it seems that the prince wants to gamble once? Betting that Mr. Xingping will live long enough."

"good".

Xue Li thought for a while, then Zhao Yu nodded slowly, "Since the crown prince made the decision, I will give Mr. Xingping a favor. If he lives long enough, then these princes will be the support of the crown prince."

"Thank you Guowei Chengquan."Seeing that Xue Li agreed, Zhao Yu bowed to him.

Xue Li looked in the direction of Handan: "Since this is the case, the old minister will help the prince, hold a banquet here, and take advantage of the opportunity to occupy this north gate. When Lord Xingping and others arrive, they will be guarded by the Handan defenders. Let's see who dares to stop."

"Qian'er, you still have some friendship with Mr. Xingping's two grandsons, why not let you deliver the letter."Before Zhao Yu could speak, Xue Li gave Xue Qian instructions.

Xue Qian saluted: "I would like to obey my father's order."

"Prince, we will hold a banquet here, and at the same time wait for the arrival of Lord Xingping and others. Once the situation in the city is critical, immediately escort the princes into the palace, and the fourth son will be safe."Xue Li proposed to Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu saw that Xue Li's arrangements were so thorough, and nodded immediately: "Just follow Guowei's words."

Seeing that Xue Li and Zhao Yu had reached an agreement, Xue Qian thought about the situation he was about to face, so he quickly found a war horse.Then he got on the horse, slapped the horse's back heavily, and galloped towards Xing Pingjun and the others in the direction they left.

(End of this chapter)