Everyone looked at the child in Zhao Kuo's hands with envy. They knew that from now on this child would be one of the most noble people in the entire Zhao Kingdom and no one could bully him.
"The King's benevolence!"
"The King's benevolence!"
…
Everyone prostrated themselves on the ground, their hearts full of respect for Zhao Kuo.
If possible, they are even willing to sacrifice their lives to gain this opportunity for their children.
"There is a way to win people's hearts, but it's a pity that I chose the wrong person." Li Fu stood in the small dark room, saw Zhao Kuo's actions through the crack in the door, and said disdainfully.
"If I were a soldier... I would also be willing to be bribed. As a monarch, it is already amazing to be able to do this. Other monarchs don't even bother to do it, because they look down on these soldiers from the bottom of their hearts.
." Lejian stood outside the door and said thoughtfully.
In the past, officials at all levels oppressed the people and took advantage of the people. As soon as the court took them under, they would become five or even ten. Then these officials and gentry would throw the blame on the monarch. The people hated the monarch, but they, the officials and gentry in the fish and meat countryside, had nothing to do with it.
influence, and even gained a good reputation.
Le Jian can guarantee that from now on, if anyone dares to slander Zhao Kuo and blame Zhao Kuo, these common people will not believe it and will even unite to boycott the officials and gentry.
Their trust in Zhao Kuo has far exceeded that of the officials and gentry in the fish and meat village.
Moreover, there are many happy and tragic people in the land of Yanzhao.
From now on, there will definitely be many people willing to die for Zhao Kuo.
The only regret is that in this era, ordinary people have no right to speak. It can even be said that in the eyes of the nobles, they are at best half a person.
It was extremely unwise for Zhao Kuo to choose to speak for the common people and offend the nobles.
"I hope your Majesty can find a solution."
At some point, Le Jian's title for Zhao Kuo changed from Zhao Jun to Great King.
…
"This is the news from the front line." Yu Xin handed the information to Xunzi and others.
"The king's intention is...to strictly investigate corruption and reward matters, and let other matters be bygones..." Xunzi took one look and understood what Zhao Kuo meant.
"It's feasible." After a moment, Zhao Bao nodded. Although he still felt that this was a bit excessive, this was Zhao Kuo's decision and he had no way to object.
Others didn't have any opinions.
…
After the heavy rain, the earth changed its appearance almost every day. The green grass that had just sprouted suddenly grew to calf height. Spring was everywhere in and around Lingshou County.
The floods have receded, but the ground hit by the floods has not dried up yet. Some villagers who can't wait have returned to the village one after another and begun to clean up and repair their destroyed homes.
Zhao Kuo left some money and food, and asked An Zong to lead officials from several nearby counties to resettle the affected people. He also kept all the prisoners and arranged for 20,000 soldiers to guard them.
He led the army to continue north to attack the State of Yan. This time he must leave a profound lesson to the State of Yan, so that the State of Yan would not dare to attack the State of Zhao in the short term, and buy time for the development of the State of Zhao.
"Bin has troubled Magistrate An to take care of him these days." Zhao Kuo saluted An Zong and handed the child over.
Bin is the name of the child adopted by Zhao Kuo. He has no surname and Zhao Kuo did not give him the Zhao family name.
An Zong once asked the reason, and Zhao Kuo said: "It is better to have your own surname, why should you use someone else's? Besides, he may not be able to obtain a surname on his own in the future."
The surname mainly comes from the surname, fiefdom, official position, title, etc. given by the monarch. Given Bin's age, Zhao Kuo would not be able to give him an official title, title, fiefdom, or give him a surname.
Originally, it was outrageous for Zhao Kuo to adopt him as his adopted son and raise him by his side. If he was given another surname, the ministers would definitely stop it.
Surnames were a symbol of status in this era, and even the king could not grant rewards at will.
Of course, unless the surname is Zhao, and Zhao Kuo gives his own surname, no one else can say anything except the Zhao clan.
Although the surname Zhao is the most noble surname in Zhao country, it is not the best for Bin.
The best surname is one that relies on one's own ability. Just like Zaofu, he was granted the title of Zhao City. Later generations took Zhao as their surname and called them their ancestors. This is how the Zhao family came into being.
"I hope he will not disappoint the king's expectations." An Zong said.
"Wait until I come back." Zhao Kuo lowered his head and said to Bin.
Bin looked at Zhao Kuo reluctantly, but still walked to An Zong obediently.
Although he is very young and does not even know what a king is or what family affection is, he knows who is good to him.
Zhao Kuo was the best person to him since his parents passed away.
"Miss An Ning, should she stay with me or stay in Lingshou?" Finally, Zhao Kuo looked at An Ning.
Today, An Ning resumed her female general's attire and looked heroic.
Zhao Kuo said that he was not allowed to bring women with him in the army. Many nobles went on expeditions with singers in groups. As a king, it was good for him not to bring a singer, but only a female guard.
By the way, Zhao Kuo also just found out that An Ning has martial arts skills, and they are not low, reaching the Gang Yuan realm. You know, An Ning is only seventeen years old.
When Zhao Kuo and Li Mu were seventeen years old, they could only practice Qi. Moreover, An Ning also knew how to command an army in battle!
Zhao Kuo can guarantee that if An Ning were a man, he would be a general no less than the four famous generals!
"I am willing to follow your Majesty."
An Ning cupped her fists and saluted, got on her horse, and followed Zhao Kuo.
"You can't be a female college student." An Zong glared at An Ning fiercely, but didn't say anything.
The Warring States Period was not the Song and Ming Dynasties where women were tortured by feudal ethics. In this era, women also had the right to pursue happiness.
For example, after Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, his mother Wang Dan married Jin Wangsun and gave birth to a daughter. Later she felt that she should marry better, so she divorced Jin Wangsun, and finally married the prince and became the queen.
Zhao Kuo nodded to everyone, then swung his sword and pointed the tip forward. Under the influence of the inner energy, the sound spread throughout the entire army.
"Set off."
"I respectfully see off the king and assist him in his triumphant return." All the officials bowed and saluted and watched the army leave.
…
Due to the somewhat complete surrender of the Yan army, the news could not be conveyed immediately, and heavy rain blocked the roads. It was not until a few days later when the grain and grass were transported from the rear that the front line was discovered to have been defeated.
The 150,000 troops either died in battle or surrendered, leaving no one left.
So the grain transport officer hurriedly sent soldiers to pass the news back to Jixian.
By the time King Yan received the news of the army's defeat, several days had passed. Zhao Kuo was already reorganizing his army and preparing to attack Yan.
"waste!"
"They are all a bunch of rubbish. They can't be beaten even by 150,000 or 100,000."
"I am blind to trust you so much!"
A burst of angry curses came from the hall, followed by the sound of objects being thrown, until everything that could be thrown was gone.
King Yan slumped on the ground, staring blankly ahead, "What should I do?"
Several eunuchs stood nearby with their heads lowered, not daring to move. Last time, a famous eunuch was killed on the order of King Yan because he gasped a little louder when King Yan was angry.
If the common people are still half human beings, these eunuchs who are not valued by the monarch are not even human beings. They can be killed if they want. No one will speak for a eunuch.
After a while, King Yan finally remembered that besides Le Cheng, there was another person who had stopped him from attacking Zhao - Jiang Qu.
"Go and invite the doctor immediately." King Yan quickly waved to the eunuch.
One of the eunuchs who reacted fastest seized the opportunity, picked up his legs and ran outside. By the time the other eunuchs reacted, he had already run outside the hall.
The other eunuchs cursed angrily in their hearts and could only continue to lower their heads and stay here in fear.
"Bring him to the king."
Not long after, the eunuch invited him over. He was about thirty or forty years old, with dark skin and a lean figure, and he looked very capable.
"Finally, sir, please come and take your seat." King Yan's eyes suddenly lit up when he saw Jiang Qu. As if he saw a life-saving straw, he personally walked down and helped him to the top position. He had never treated Jiang Qu like this before.
Passionate.
To this day, he knows that Li Fu is really unreliable, and the real one is Jiang Qu who has never been reused.
"Sir, why is there a hole in this clothes?" King Yan suddenly glanced at the corner of Qu's clothes and saw a hole as big as half a little fingernail, which was not even noticeable unless he looked carefully. He frowned and said unhappily.
.
"Haha, I did it accidentally. It's not a problem. Just go back and let me make up for it." Jiang Qu said nonchalantly.
"How can the doctor, as an important minister of our Yan Kingdom, wear clothes with holes in them? Come here and fetch the Luanfeng Qingxi robe that I just made and haven't had a chance to wear." King Yan said loudly.
This time, the previous eunuch took the lead again and turned around and ran towards the back hall. The other eunuchs secretly resented why they couldn't grab this guy every time. They looked at each other and saw the meaning in each other's eyes.
:Find an opportunity to transfer this guy away.
Soon, King Yan's Luanfeng Qingxi robe was brought.
"Your Majesty." The eunuch spread his hands and handed it over respectfully.
The Luanfeng Qingxi robe is indeed luxurious, using the finest silk. The robe is embroidered with a picture of a Luanfeng soaring across a stream, symbolizing that the Yan Kingdom will overcome the difficulties and soar into the sky.
But now it seems that this Luanfeng is very likely to fall into the stream.
King Yan took the robe, swung it hard with both hands, and draped it over his body. His thin body was immediately covered tightly by the wide robe, and the green and red colors of the robe made him darker.
, almost no one can be seen.
"I dare not accept this robe." Jiang Qu said in fear. He wanted to take off the robe, but King Yan held him firmly.
"In our country of Yan, only officials are worthy of this robe." King Yan looked at Jiang Qu sincerely and sighed without conscience.
In desperation, Jiang Qu had no choice but to accept his robe, bowed to King Yan, and asked, "I wonder if your Majesty has anything important to do with me?"
"I regret that I failed to listen to the doctor's words, which led to the defeat on the front line. I hope that sir can give me guidance regardless of the past grudges." King Yan held General Qu's hands.
"The Prime Minister was defeated?" Jiang Qu asked.
"The general is indeed very good at predicting events." King Yan nodded.
"It's not a big problem. I wonder how many troops Xiangguo lost?" Jiang Qu asked calmly. The defeat was something that had been expected for a long time. He was not surprised. As long as the losses were not too serious, defense would not be a problem.
"All." King Yan said.
Hearing this, even if he calmed down, the corners of his mouth could not help but twitch.
I had long expected to lose, but against all odds, I never expected that the entire army would be annihilated!
"Your Majesty, the King of Zhao will definitely retaliate, and most likely he will not give up. I suggest that you immediately notify the border to prepare for defense. In addition, please order your Majesty to have General Qing Qin lead the remaining 100,000 troops to return to guard the capital and resist the invasion of the Zhao army.
." Jiang Qu said quickly.
Although Yan State lost 150,000 troops, it still has 100,000 troops. As long as it can be withdrawn, it will not be a problem to defend for a period of time with the help of Yishui and the Great Wall.
However, Zhao State has more than one enemy, Yan State, and it is impossible to fight against Yan State all the time. As long as Yan State blocks Zhao State's attacks several times, Zhao Kuo will inevitably retreat when he sees that the attack is hopeless.
Jiang Qu told King Yan his analysis.
"Fortunately, the king's troops were divided into two groups, otherwise our country would have no troops to defend now." Jiang Qu said, King Yan finally did a good thing.
"Sir, you are a great talent." King Yan had a bitter look on his face, "It's just... Daijun... I haven't received any news for nearly ten days..."
"What? There has been no news from the front line for ten days. Didn't your Majesty send someone to investigate?" Jiang Qu stood up abruptly, completely ignoring the identity of King Yan, and scolded loudly.
This is war. Even if a pig learns that there has been no news from the front line for ten days, he should send someone to ask!
"I have sent three waves of scouts, but there is no news yet." King Yan said.
"If this happens, our country, Yan, will be in danger!" Jiang Qu cried sadly.
"Then what should we do now?" King Yan asked hurriedly.
Looking at the King of Yan, he wanted to ask, at your level, how could you dare to attack Zhao if you couldn't even tell that there was an accident on the front line. But in the end, he didn't ask, so as to save face for the King of Yan.
"Asking for peace, I hope I can still save Qing Qin's 100,000-strong army." Jiang Qu said with worry.
If the Yan State loses another hundred thousand troops from General Qu, the consequences will be unimaginable.
"Qin's request for peace resulted in the loss of nearly four counties." The Yan army said in embarrassment. Yan's country was not as strong as Qin's, and if it lost four counties, it would be gone.
"May I ask your Majesty, can the State of Yan stop the State of Zhao now? What will your Majesty do if the troops of the State of Zhao come to the city?" Jiang Qu asked.
King Yan's expression kept changing, but in the end he was still unable to say the words "Fight to the death."
Jiang Qu became even more disappointed with King Yan.
He neither wants to cede territory for peace nor has the courage to fight to the death. How can he still count on the mercy of Zhao?
"Now our country, Yan, has only two options: seek peace or hold on."
"If the king wants to ask for peace, I am willing to go to the Zhao army in person to ask for peace. If the king wants to hold on, I suggest that all men over the age of fifteen in the country be recruited to defend the city. In addition, I would like to ask for help from Qin, South Korea, Wei, and Qi.
They put pressure on Zhao State." Jiang Qu said, now it depends on the choice King Yan makes.
ps: Is it too late to wish everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival?