These people scolded them, but in the end they followed Zhao Jun obediently. On the one hand, they really had no way to resist, and on the other hand, it was also because their life in Qi was not good.
In the past, when the Qi State was strong and prosperous, the government was clean and the people were prosperous. The people of the nearby Zhao State and Yan State were rushing to flee to Qi State, forcing Zhao and Yan to strictly guard their borders to prevent population loss.
Now the king of Qi is fatuous, the officials are corrupt, and middle-level officials like Meng Wu and Li Bo are unwilling to stay in Qi, let alone the common people at the lowest level.
Even after the news spread, the nearby people rushed over with their families and asked to follow Zhao Jun to the Kingdom of Zhao.
General Zhao Kuo sent out all his chariots and extra horses to help the Qi people move.
The State of Qi immediately became anxious after seeing it. Even the faint king knew the importance of population.
No matter how big the territory is, it is all fake. Population is the strength.
If the State of Zhao were allowed to move all its population, the State of Qi would exist in name only!
Originally, Qi wanted to delay for a few more days, but now it could no longer sit still and immediately arranged for Zhou Zi to go on an envoy again.
…
On the other side, Lian Po finally led his army to the outside of Linzi City.
"Lian Po pays homage to your Majesty." Lian Po jumped down from the chariot, walked up to Zhao Kuo with dragon and tiger steps, knelt down on one knee, cupped his fists and saluted.
"Meet the King." The Zhao troops behind them saluted in unison. The sound was deafening and spread to Linzi City several miles away. It frightened the soldiers of Qi and almost made them unable to hold the guns in their hands.
"Thank you for your hard work, general. Please." Zhao Kuo was very happy to see Lian Po. He helped Lian Po up, patted his shoulder vigorously, and made a gesture of invitation.
The only people who came with him to welcome Lian Po were Liu Ping, Ben, Pang Nuan, Li Mu and others who were still busy moving the people of Qi.
Zhao Kuo held Lian Po's generous and rough palm tightly and did not let go. He helped him get into the chariot and sit down, then boarded the chariot himself and stood in the position of the driver.
"Your Majesty, no." Lian Po said in panic. He originally thought that Zhao Kuo was inviting him to ride in a chariot, and he was very moved. However, he did not expect that Zhao Kuo would personally hold the whip for him.
During the Warring States Period, although the custom of paying homage to virtuous ministers was prevalent, it was very rare for a true monarch to hold a whip for his ministers.
"General, just sit back and relax." Zhao Kuo said, whipped his horse whip, and drove towards the camp.
Lian Po was originally worried that if he killed Lord Chang'an privately, Zhao Kuo would punish him in order to appease Lord Pingyang and Lord Pingyuan. Now he was finally relieved and his eyes became firm.
"General, the Qi envoy is here." As soon as Zhao Kuo and Lian Po returned to the camp, a guard reported.
"Finally I can't sit still anymore! Let him come in." Zhao Kuo laughed.
Zhouzi entered the camp and was stunned when he saw Lian Po.
He knew Lian Po. When Le Yi conquered Qi, Lian Po followed and took advantage. At that time, Jixi was basically occupied by Zhao.
The arrival of Lian Po made Zhou Zi feel the urgency. If the peace talks were not settled, there might be 200,000 Zhao troops waiting for Qi!
"Let's talk about the results of Qi's discussion." Zhao Kuo said directly.
Zhou Zi took a breath, with some humiliation on his face, and bowed his head and said: "We, the State of Qi, are willing to cede all the land west of Jishui to the State of Zhao, and compensate the State of Zhao for four million grains and grass. Moreover, the foreign ministers are also willing to join the State of Zhao."
Although the Queen Mother of Qi did not agree, King Jian of Qi's actions had already made Zhou Zi feel despair. Even if the State of Zhao did not invite him, he would leave the State of Qi.
"In addition, the king of our country has a sister who is still in his boudoir. She is the most beautiful girl in the country. She is well-educated and well-educated. She is willing to marry the king of Zhao to bring good relations between the two countries. Furthermore, our country of Qi is willing to form an alliance with the country of Zhao and regard Zhao as the leader of the alliance."
Zhao Kuo frowned slightly. He did not object to the so-called marriage. In this era, it would be very difficult for a monarch to completely reject the marriage. However, he was somewhat opposed to marrying a woman he had never met before, even though she might be very good-looking.
"Your Majesty, this is a good thing." Liu Ping whispered.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this matter is of great benefit and no harm." Lian Po also reminded.
The external environment of Zhao State is very bad. The surrounding countries have been beaten by him, and almost no country has good relations with it.
This time the Five Kingdoms attacked Zhao. The main reason why the Zhao Kingdom was able to successfully defeat the Five Kingdoms was because the Qin Kingdom, as the overlord, had just been defeated by the Three Jin Dynasties. It exhausted its national power and could not provide many troops.
If we wait for Qin to recover and then unite other countries to attack Zhao, no matter how many famous generals there are, it will be difficult for Zhao to resist.
But if it can win over Qi and repair relations with Han and Wei, Zhao will be able to suppress Qin to the west and Chu to the south.
"The king agreed. But in addition, I also want the two cities of Fuyang and Zhongyi." Zhao Kuo pondered for a moment and nodded.
This matter is not a loss for him no matter what, and he has no reason to refuse.
"Okay." Zhou Zi nodded. There are mostly tidal flats in Jibei and the lower reaches of the river, and Fuyang and Zhongyi are just two small cities, which are not of much value to Qi State. So much land has been ceded, and there are still two small cities.
The reason why Zhao Kuo took a fancy to these two cities was because their geographical location was very important, containing the river's entrance to the sea. With these two cities, Zhao Guo would have an outlet to the sea, where he could develop his navy and enjoy the fish and salt industry.
profit.
Soon, the contents of the peace treaty were drawn up. After Zhao Kuo signed it, he gave it to Zhou Zi and took it back to Linzi, where it was handed over to King Jian of Qi to sign.
"I am not happy to have Ji Xi, but I am happy to have Mr. Zhao." Zhao Kuo put down his pen, held Zhou Zi's hands tightly and said with utmost sincerity.
"Your Majesty, thank you very much." After seeing Qi Wang Jian's indifference, and then feeling Zhao Kuo's sincerity, Zhou Zi couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart, "Please wait a moment, your Majesty, and wait for the foreign ministers to return the peace treaty to Linzi, and then return to Zhao Kingdom with your Majesty.
"
"Okay. I am waiting for you here."
Zhao Kuo sent Zhou Zi out of the camp, watched Zhou Zi enter Linzi City, and then turned around.
"Send an order to Handan to establish Jixi County west of Jishui and east of the river, with Gaotang as the county government, and order...Zhou Zi to be the governor of Jixi County, and also be responsible for the handover with Qi State." Zhao Kuo ordered.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid..." Lian Po said worriedly.
"Don't use doubters, don't doubt people when you employ them." Zhao Kuo waved his hand.
Although there were many villains during the Warring States Period, the character of most celebrities was guaranteed. Zhao Kuo was not worried that Zhou Zi would betray him.
Moreover, Zhao Kuo had a way to make Qi State not dare to accept Zhou Zi when he brought Ji Xi to join the capital of Qi State.
Lian Po had no choice but to stop admonishing.
Zhou Zi did not stay in Linzi. He had nothing to miss in this city. He handed the peace treaty to Qi Wangjian to sign, bid farewell to the Queen Mother, and returned to Zhao State with his family and the peace treaty belonging to Zhao State.
camp.
Zhao Kuo personally held a banquet to welcome him and wash away his dust.
"The king wants to establish Jixi County, and I will make you the governor of Jixi County, and you will also be responsible for the handover with Qi State. I wonder if you can give in?" Zhao Kuo said to Zhou Zi during the banquet.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Zhou Zi leaned over and bowed.
Although the post of county governor is not as big as his official position in Qi State, it is real power, not to mention being responsible for the handover with Qi State. The trust contained in it is completely incomparable in Qi State.
It can be guessed that when the handover is completed and Jixi stabilizes, he will definitely be transferred back to Handan and be reused.
"With your talents, you are more than enough to serve as prime minister. However, the Zhao State is now in dire straits and there is a shortage of manpower, so I have no choice but to aggrieve you." Zhao Kuo said apologetically.