"You all go back," Zhao Kuo followed Li Si's advice and put all the women back.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ladies and concubines said gratefully, fearing that Zhao Kuo would regret it, so they hurriedly fled outside.
"Put away Fan Ju's head and sacrifice it to me, the Zhao people, when you return." Zhao Kuo opened the box, glanced at Fan Ju's head, and then closed it, "The King of Qin is so ruthless. If the Prime Minister of a country says to kill him, he will kill him.
At that time, King Wei gave Wei Qi a chance to escape, but King Qin didn't even give him a chance to escape."
"I'm afraid Fan Ju never thought that he would die in the hands of Qin in the end." Gongsun Long said with emotion.
"Send an order to Li Mu to return to the army. Although Jingyang belongs to the State of Zhao, I, Zhao Kuo, am not a stingy person. It is okay to lend it to the State of Qin for a few days." Zhao Kuo ordered.
"This battle is finally over!" Xunzi sighed.
Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief.
This battle was the first battle involving the whole country after the Zhao State's reform and reform. Everyone in the country, whether they were soldiers on the front line or farmers in the rear, were paying for this battle.
In order to support this war, the treasury of Zhao State that had been accumulated for several years was completely emptied. Everyone donated money and food one after another, so that they can support it until now.
However, Zhao's gains were also huge.
The first gain was the annexation of the Yan State, and the second gain was the annexation of half of Guanzhong, which completely weakened the Qin State and caused the Qin State to fall down the ranks of powerful countries and become a third-rate country. It also had to pay off the debts of Zhao and Qi.
Although Qin State still holds the land of Bashu, it cannot recover its vitality within twenty years, and even if it recovers its vitality, it will not be able to compare with its peak period and will no longer pose a threat to Zhao State.
The third gain is to open up the Hexi Corridor, which is of great significance to Zhao State, no less than weakening Qin State.
Although Zhao State also has the Juyan Ancient Road that can communicate with the Western Regions, it is completely incomparable with the Hexi Corridor. It is just because Zhao State does not have the Hexi Corridor, so it was a choice made out of desperation.
Now that Zhao has the Hexi Corridor and has signed a treaty with Qin that allows free entry and exit of caravans and exempts them from tariffs, Zhao's business will usher in a qualitative leap.
The next period of time will be the handover of cities between Qin and Zhao.
Qin did not play any tricks in this process, and King Qin did not dare to anger Zhao at this time. After all, Zhao's army of more than 200,000 had not yet left Guanzhong.
If something goes wrong, Zhao Jun may rush over at any time to suppress it.
As for the grain and Shu brocade, as long as they can be delivered to Zhao before the end of this year, Zhao will not be afraid of Qin's default.
Until Qin regains a certain level of national strength and is ready to break up with Zhao, it is impossible for Qin to default on its debts.
Unless the King of Qin and the civil and military ministers in the court are all stupid.
Since the capital of Xianyang and the previous capital of Yueyang were both occupied by Zhao, Qin moved its capital back to its hometown of Yongcheng.
Zhao Kuo divided the Guanzhong area occupied by Zhao into Xianyang County, Fengyi County and Hexi County. Qin State's Shangjun and Zhao State's Hexi County merged into Shangjun.
Feng Quji was appointed as the Sheriff of Xianyang County, Meng Wu was appointed as the Sheriff of Xianyang County, Huang Shigong was appointed as the Sheriff of Feng Yi County, Qingshe was appointed as the Sheriff of Feng Yi County, and Han Fei was appointed as the Sheriff of Hexi County.
Xianyang County, Fengyi County, Hexi County, half of Shang County, Longxi County and Zhangye County are exempt from taxes for three years.
At the end of July, Zhao Kuo's class teacher returned to China.
"All the food compensated by the Qin State does not need to be transported to Handan, and it will all be used for the construction of the counties in Guanzhong. I want you to appease the people everywhere and restore order as soon as possible. Abolish the harsh government and laws of the Qin State, popularize the laws of the Zhao State, and build colleges and book collections.
Pavilion, pave the road." Before leaving, Zhao Kuo called Feng Quji, Meng Wu, Huang Shigong, Qing She and Han Fei to his side and warned him.
Guanzhong is different from Hetao and Yandi. Hetao is a wasteland, and people from Zhao State moved there to cultivate it. These people naturally identify with Zhao State.
The State of Yan was planned step by step by the State of Zhao several years ago. Coupled with the corruption of the court, the monarch was unpopular. After the State of Zhao reduced taxes, it was easy to win the hearts and minds of the local people.
Although the Qin State had harsh governance and severe punishments, it did not completely lose the support of the people, and many people still supported the Qin State in their hearts.
If you want them to recognize Zhao Guo again, it will be a great test of the ability of Zhao Guo and Zhao Guo officials.
However, Zhao Kuo still believed in the abilities of Feng Quji, Huang Shigong, Han Fei and others.
"It may take some time for grassroots officials to make all arrangements, and you will have to work harder during this period," Zhao Kuo said.
Zhao wanted to firmly hold Guanzhong in its hands and ensure the smooth flow of government orders. At least one-third of the officials in Qin should be abolished, one-third of the officials should be transferred to other areas, and then officials from Zhao should be transferred to fill the three-thirds.
The second vacancy.
The problem is that Zhao State annexed Yan State last year, which vacated a large number of official positions, and it was difficult to fill them all. There are still many unfilled official positions in the country, and this year five and a half counties have been created.
Zhao State has a serious shortage of officials!
"It seems that I have to take the civil service examination as soon as possible after I return." Zhao Kuo thought to himself.
"I will never let down your Majesty's trust." Feng Quji and the other five said solemnly.
…
On the other side, the Wei army and the Han army retreated into the country and launched several tentative attacks with the Chu army outside Daliang and Xinzheng respectively. Neither side took advantage.
After several days of stalemate, the Chu army withdrew back home after receiving news that Qin and Zhao had negotiated peace.
The Chu State sent troops just to support the Qin State and see if they could get some advantages. They had no intention of directly going to war with the Three Jins.
As for Shangyu, Nanyang, and part of Nanjun occupied by Han and Wei, although Chu was unhappy, it did not choose to send troops.
Apart from Zhao, the country that gained the most from this war was Chu. It was not appropriate to start a war before Nanjun, central Guizhou, and Badong were completely digested.
Since then, this war that lasted for nearly two years and affected all the major countries in the world has finally come to an end.
The State of Zhao was at its peak and unstoppable. The State of Chu rose again, regained all its homeland, and became the only great country in the south. The State of Qin completely fell from the altar and became a third-rate country. Although the three kingdoms of Qi, Han, and Wei have not changed much, they are sandwiched between the two great kingdoms of Zhao and Chu.
During this period, the situation became even more difficult. The states of Yan and Lu completely became history.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Oh, there is also a Weiguo who has never appeared since the beginning and is silently invisible on the side.
…
In August, Zhao Jun returned to Handan.
All the people in the city came out to greet him. People stood on both sides of the road, and the crowds were swarming.
In addition to the common people joining in the fun, there were also nobles or wealthy businessmen who came with a purpose. They scanned the team with vicious eyes. Once they saw a suitable person, they asked their followers to note it down, and then asked their connections to inquire in the army.
The improvement of the military merit system led to the rise of a large number of military nobles in Zhao Guoxin, such as Lian Po and Li Mu.
Of course, this level of nobles is no longer something that old nobles or wealthy businessmen can fawn over.
Their targets are those soldiers who come from the lowest level and have climbed to the middle level by relying on military merit. Such people have experienced hundreds of battles and are strong enough. They don't have to worry about suddenly dying on the battlefield. They also have little background and culture, so they are most suitable for marriage.
Moreover, these poor boys have basically never seen much of the world, and they will easily be taken over by ladies trained by 'big families' like them.
The old aristocrats and wealthy businessmen have either been abandoned by the times, or they only have money but no status. Although these new generation aristocrats have sufficient status, they have no cultural heritage and money.
Therefore, the old nobles and wealthy businessmen immediately focused on them.
If Zhao Kuo knew about it, he would probably not know whether to laugh or cry. He tried to catch his son-in-law under the official list, but was tricked by Zhao Guo into catching his son-in-law on the side of the road.
The soldiers lined up in long lines, with their heads held high and their faces full of glory.
The State of Zhao is full of martial virtue and everyone is warlike. There is nothing more worthy of pride than military merit.
Zhao Kuo specially arranged for a general with a loud voice to stand next to the roll call. Whenever a soldier came over, he would read out the soldier's merits loudly.
Whether it was actual treatment or reputation and honor, Zhao Kuo fully rewarded his soldiers.
The military virtues of the Zhao State are already abundant, but he wants to make the martial virtues of the Zhao State even more abundant, and to make everyone in the Zhao State good at fighting and willing to fight.
Of course, Zhao Jun has more than 200,000 troops, and it is impossible to name everyone.
There are only 200 places in total, which are given to the 200 soldiers who have made the most meritorious service.
"Hurry up and pick me up, let me see the king." A little boy about ten years old stretched his neck and looked forward, but couldn't see anything and shouted anxiously.
"You're so fat, I can't hold you." Fan Zeng glanced at Zhang Cang with feigned disgust.
Even though Zhang Cang is only ten years old now, he is as white and fat as a white gourd. His weight is almost catching up with that of Fan Zeng, and he will overtake him in at most one year.
"What do you know? The teacher said this is called being rich. Only rich people can grow so fat." Zhang Cang retorted.
"Did your teacher tell you that when you are on the battlefield, if others are hit by one arrow, you will be hit by two arrows?" Fan Zeng glanced at Zhang Cang.
"It's okay if I don't go to the battlefield." Zhang Cang tilted his face, "Will you hug me or not?"
"I'll do it." Wei Liao on the side couldn't stand these two guys anymore and picked up Zhang Cang.
"Let me see, let me see. Why don't you see the king's chariot?" Zhang Cang shouted. He came out this time just to see Zhao Kuo, but the soldiers came first.
"The king has just sent someone over to say that the victory of this battle is all due to the achievements of the soldiers, so the officers and soldiers are allowed to go first. Those who are at the front are those who have made the most merits among the soldiers, but now they only talk about the general merits. The specifics are
We don't know how much merit he has accomplished, we will only announce it when he is commended by the military," Fan Zeng said.
"What are the boxes the soldiers are holding?" Zhang Cang asked.
"They are the ashes of the soldiers who died in the war of our Zhao Kingdom." said a one-armed man next to him.
"Who are you?" Fan Zeng said, cupping his fists.
"Just a veteran," the one-armed man said.
"Disrespected." Fan Zeng bowed slightly.
"I really envy the State of Zhao. If our State of Wei could be half as good as the State of Zhao, we would not have lost Hedong, let alone the defeats of Yique and Huayang." Wei Liao said.
"The kings of Wei are inferior to each other." Fan Zeng snorted coldly.
Next to Fan Zeng and others, several followers quickly recorded their names.
Zhao Kuo stood at the back and looked at everything in front of him with a smile. He didn't know yet that because of his decision, from now on, when all the generals of Zhao State returned from victory, they would all let their soldiers go in front.
"Everyone is very enthusiastic. It seems that our Zhao soldiers are very popular among the people." Zhao Kuo said with a smile. The army and the people have been one family since ancient times. If the people of a country are afraid of their own country's army, it means that the country has become
enemies of the people.
"My king doesn't know, but everyone is very envious of the treatment of soldiers. Every time soldiers are recruited, everyone signs up one after another. This is impossible in other countries." Li Si said with a smile.
"I plan to hold the Meritorious Commendation Ceremony directly outside Handan City. What do you think?" Zhao Kuo said suddenly.
Every time Zhao Guo finished a war, he would tally up the merits, distribute the relevant titles and rewards, and then go back to each family. Among them, those who performed more outstandingly would be commended in front of the entire army.
But this time Zhao Kuo planned to hold the merit commendation ceremony directly outside the city for all the people in the city to see.
I have always said that the soldiers of Zhao State are well treated, but no matter how much I say it, it is not as convincing as seeing it with my own eyes.
Moreover, there is nothing shameful about the Meritorious Service Commendation Ceremony. Going into battle to kill the enemy is something to be proud of for a lifetime.
Especially the recognition of meritorious service after a great victory is much more of a deterrent than any military parade.
It can not only promote the country's prestige, but also stimulate the Zhao people's desire for martial arts, and it can also earn face for the entire army, so why not do it.
Only when Zhao Kuo earns enough face for his soldiers can the soldiers earn enough face for Zhao Kuo on the battlefield.
"I think it's feasible, but it's best to fix the number of places and not have too many," Xunzi said.
"I think that in addition to personal military merit, we should also add team military merit, or even the entire army's military merit." Li Si suggested.
Zhao Guo planned to reform the military merit system again last year, from first-level military merit as the main focus to team military merit as the main focus, first-level military merit as a supplement, but it has not been implemented until now.
After this war is over, if nothing else happens, reforms will begin in the military.
"Leave this matter to Lord Wangzhu, Lord Xinling, and Li Si. After the plan is finalized, just show it to me," Zhao Kuo said.
"Nuo." Le Yi, Wei Wuji, and Li Si leaned over and said.
It was not until evening that all the more than 200,000 Zhao troops crossed the Fu River.
"Your Majesty, it's our turn." Xunzi said with a smile.
"Let's go," Zhao Kuo said.
Seeing Zhao Kuo's driving, cheers resounding from both sides of the road instantly broke out.
"A few hours have passed, and everyone is still so energetic." Zhao Kuo said with a smile.
"That's the king. If it had been anyone else, don't be so enthusiastic, I'm afraid they would have dispersed long ago. Of course, if it had been anyone else, whether it was a king or a general, they wouldn't have been able to let the soldiers go to the front. Only the king
Such a kind monarch would do this." Li Si said with a smile.
Zhao Kuo laughed loudly. No wonder Qin Shihuang always liked to take Li Si with him when he went on tours in history. His words were nice and truthful.
In contrast, although Huang Shigong, Han Fei and others were no less intelligent than Li Si, their speech was far less comfortable than Li Si's.
"Li Si is like this, if it were Zhao Gao, wouldn't he have to take off!" Zhao Kuo thought in his heart.