In mid-September of the second year of Xing'an, Wei envoys "Tang Ju" and "Fan Ying" finally arrived at Jicheng, the current new capital of South Korea, after traveling for more than two months.
"Two distinguished envoys, ahead is Jicheng."
When they arrived at Jicheng, among the Korean army of more than 200 people who had been guarding Tang Ju, Fan Ying and others along the way, the leader came forward and pointed to the capital city just around the corner and spoke to the first two.
When he said this, the captain's eyes seemed to be glaring fiercely at Tang Ju and Fan Ying, but strangely, he did not make any rude move, as if he dared not speak out in anger.
Seeing that the leader's attitude was very bad, after he led the Korean soldiers away, Tang Ju asked Fan Ying in a low voice: "Brother Fan, did we offend those Korean soldiers?"
"Yes!" Fan Ying raised his head and looked at the new capital of South Korea, which was just around the corner, and replied casually.
Seeing this, a trace of confusion flashed across Tang Ju's face, and he said in surprise: "It's strange, I didn't offend those Korean soldiers along the way..."
"Because we are from Wei."
Glancing at Tang Ju, Fan Yingshu said with a smile: "Don't forget, South Korea was defeated by our country just last year, and its old capital is still under the control of Wei Dynasty..."
"oh oh."
Tang Ju nodded in realization, then shook his head with a wry smile and said, "That's it... I thought I accidentally did something to make the other party unhappy along the way."
"Hey!"
Fan Ying smiled and said in a half-serious joke: "Does Brother Xian still plan to make friends with those Korean soldiers?"
After that, he glanced at the direction in which the Korean soldiers were leaving, snorted and said calmly: "Even so, they still have to escort you and me here. If we lose a single hair, this group of Korean soldiers will never survive!"
"
After hearing this, Tang Ju also nodded.
In unison, both of them puffed up their chests subconsciously, with inexplicable pride and satisfaction in their hearts - behind them, there was a powerful Wei State as their backing!
Not long after, the entourage who had gone to negotiate with the Jicheng city guards came to the two of them and said to Tang Ju and Fan Ying: "My lords, the guard chief of the city gate has checked our official documents.
Allow me to wait until I enter the city."
"Hmm."
Tang Ju and Fan Ying nodded, and in the complex eyes of the Korean soldiers at the city gate that were mixed with fear and hatred, they walked into the city with their heads held high, and several Korean soldiers at the city gate led the way.
Guide to the posthouse in the city.
On the way to the post house, Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at Jicheng carefully, and information about Jicheng suddenly emerged in their minds.
Jicheng was originally an important border defense city guarded by Han general Yuyang and Qin Kai. However, because South Korea was defeated in the war with Wei from the year before last to last year, and was forced to cede its old capital Handan in exchange for Wei's anger, it had no choice but to move the capital here.
Compared with the old capital Handan, the prosperity of Jicheng is far inferior. At least in the eyes of Tang Ju and Fan Ying, the current capital of South Korea is at best the "Zhengcheng", "Shanyang" and "Anyi" of the Wei State.
Although it can be called a big city, it is still far from the first-class prosperous cities such as Daliang, Shangxian, Chuanluo and Bogang.
"Hey, after the Battle of Shangdang, the Koreans probably never thought that they would be reduced to this situation one day, right?"
Looking at the buildings in the city, Fan Ying spoke to Tang Ju in private with a somewhat gloating tone.
"Brother Fan, be careful what you say."
Tang Ju reminded him in a low voice, but he couldn't deny that he still agreed with Fan Ying's words in his heart.
"The Battle of Shangdang between Wei and Han" was a war that took place in Tang Ju and Fan Ying's father's generation, and even their grandfather's generation. After that war, the Wei people could never hold their heads high in front of the Koreans, but now
Well, the situation is changing, and this feeling of elation makes both Tang Ju and Fan Ying feel very happy.
About half an hour later, under the guidance of several Korean soldiers, Tang Ju and Fan Ying arrived at the post house in the city.
It was a posthouse that was obviously renovated from an ordinary mansion, and it looked half-new, probably because it was casually renovated on the basis of the original mansion in order to reduce expenses.
"Two distinguished envoys, please come inside."
Upon learning that Wei's envoy had arrived, the Han officials in the posthouse immediately greeted him. Although his attitude was not very enthusiastic, at least he was not rude.
It's just that this inn made Fan Ying and Tang Ju not very satisfied. They smiled happily in front of others, but after the outsiders left, they couldn't help but complain in the room - what a broken place!
"This place cannot be compared with Shouying..."
Tang Ju walked around the room, shook his head and said.
The Chu State has always had the illusion of being "backward and poor" in the Central Plains, but in fact, the Chu State is not poor. In fact, the nobles of the Chu State are richer than the nobles of the Wei State.
When Tang Ju was sent as an envoy to Shouying, the capital of the Chu Kingdom, he experienced it personally: in the Chu Kingdom's capital, Shouying, he received living conditions as good as those of the great beams of the Wei Kingdom.
"..."
Fan Ying glanced at Tang Ju, and then said intentionally or unintentionally: "...it can't be compared with Xianyang."
Similar to the situation of Chu State, while Qin State was gradually being recognized by the Central Plains, it was inevitably labeled as poor and backward. However, in fact, when the "Wei State-Xianyang" trade was opened, it greatly stimulated
The market in Xianyang has led to the rapid development of this city.
It is precisely for this reason that the nobles of the Qin State who originally wanted to seize wealth through war are now looking for mineral veins everywhere just like Lord Lantian was relegated.
Maybe those Qin nobles were still laughing secretly behind their backs: Those Central Plains people were so stupid that they were willing to exchange money for the stones (jade) that they could see everywhere in Qin.
Under this general trend, except for a few royal families such as King Qin Hui and Qin Shaojun, those who are still thinking about opening up new territories for the country are probably the only pure generals who command the army, such as Wuxinhou Gongsunqi and Changxinhou Wangjian.
Now - the nobles of the Qin State are busy making money from transactions with the Wei State.
Therefore, regardless of other counties, at least Xianyang was developing very rapidly, so it did not disappoint Fan Ying, the Wei envoy who was originally sent to Qin.
"Zhiqua——"
The door was pushed open, and an attendant of the mission walked into the house and reported to Tang Ju and Fan Ying: "Two adults, according to the people in the post, they have already reported the arrival of the two adults.
Report to the King of Han, will you... two adults?"
Halfway through, the attendant felt that the atmosphere in the room was a little strange. The two adults, Tang Ju and Fan Ying, stood on one side of the room, looking at each other with indescribable eyes, as if they were arguing silently.
What are you wearing?
"If you think about it carefully, Brother Fan has never been to other places except Xianyang, the State of Qin..."
"Hehehe, it sounds like my dear brother has been to places other than Shoying of Chu State..."
"..."
"..."
Under the puzzled gaze of the attendant, Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other. After a while, they sighed in unison: Yes, when it comes to envoys, they are still immatures. When can they
How about traveling to various countries in the world on behalf of Wei?
Looking at Tang Ju and Fan Ying who were sighing, the attendant opened his mouth, but after a moment he chose to turn around and leave secretly.
At the same time, in the palace in the north of the city, Han Wangran also learned the news that "Wei envoys Tang Ju and Fan Ying arrived in Jicheng", and he frowned and wondered about the purpose of these two Wei envoys.
After all, behind these two Wei envoys is Wei Gongzi Run - oh, no, now he should be called Wei Wang Zhao Run.
"...It's all good, so why did Zhao Run suddenly send two envoys to visit us in Korea?"
Han Wangran paced in the study worriedly.
He had to treat it with caution. After all, South Korea was still at war with Qin. If Wei broke its promise and intervened in this war, the situation in South Korea would become extremely bad - although he did not believe that Su Laiyan in his heart.
Zhao Run, who is determined to practice, will do something treacherous.
After much deliberation, Han Wangran summoned Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo, and asked these three people to be responsible for bringing the two Wei envoys, Tang Ju and Fan Ying, to the palace tomorrow.
The next day, Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo took a carriage to the post house in the city. After Tang Ju and Fan Ying took a bath and changed clothes, they picked him up in the carriage and headed to the palace.
During the carriage ride, Tang Ju was chatting with Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo, while Fan Ying, as the deputy envoy, sat by the window, lifting the curtain from time to time to look at the street outside the carriage.
Seeing this, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo looked at each other, already having some guesses in their minds.
Because Fan Ying's actions were obviously to spy on the development of the city. How could he hide this from Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo? They also did the same thing when they visited Wei.
In a sense, in this era, envoys from other countries also work part-time as secret agents, but this status is legal.
About an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the palace gate in the city.
After getting off the carriage, Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked around.
In their eyes, the palace in front of them seems to be newly built, but it may be because the construction time is relatively hasty, so that it is not perfect in many places, such as the palace wall connecting the palace gate, which is really just a wall.
There is no trace of relief at all - logically speaking, in order to reflect the palace, the outside of the palace wall should be carefully carved by craftsmen, just like the Hanwang Palace in Handan.
Seemingly sensing the thoughts of Tang Ju and Fan Ying, Han Chao, the Korean ritual officer, coughed and explained slightly awkwardly: "In fact, the construction of this palace only started in March this year, so some places are not yet ready for construction."
Perfect, it made you two laugh."
Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other and felt very happy in their hearts, but of course they couldn't say this: "Where can such a palace be built in such a short period of time? The craftsmen of your country are really great.
"
"Hehe...please."
"please."
It has to be said that from March of this year to September now, trying to build a palace in just six months is sheer fantasy. No, after Tang Ju and Fan Ying entered the palace, they discovered
, it turns out that the palace is currently just an empty shell: the garden that was supposed to be filled with vegetation is now just a mess of land, and most of the buildings in the palace have just been built.
Even when Tang Ju and Fan Ying came to the palace, there were many Korean craftsmen working there.
At this time, the only thing completed in the palace was the main palace in the center. According to Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo, Han Wangran currently lives here - the front hall declares government, the back hall lives, and the side hall handles government affairs.
For a dignified Korean king, he seems a bit shabby.
Not long after, Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo led Tang Ju and Fan Ying to the side hall, which was Han Wangran's current study and the place where government affairs were handled.
When entering this side hall, Tang Ju and Fan Ying noticed that there were many eunuchs and minor officials coming in and out carrying memorials and other objects, and they felt a slight shiver in their hearts.
In fact, before this trip, the new king, Zhao Run, had already revealed when he summoned them that King Han was a very diligent king. When they met today, it turned out to be true.
"Your Majesty, the two Wei envoys have arrived."
For the time being, Tang Ju and Fan Ying are invited to stay outside the palace, while Ma Kuo takes the lead and goes into the palace to report.
It can be seen that after reviewing the memorial for a long time, Han Wangran looked quite tired. After rubbing his forehead and temples with his fingers, he nodded and said, "Please invite the two Wei envoys into the palace."
"yes!"
Ma Kuo clasped his fists and retreated. After exiting the palace, he said to Tang Ju and Fan Ying: "Two distinguished envoys, please!"
Tang Ju and Fan Ying nodded. After looking at each other, they straightened their clothes and walked into the hall one after another. They raised their hands to greet Han Wangran in the hall: "Wei ministers Tang Ju and Fan Ying, pay your respects to Han Wangran."
His Majesty the King!"
"You two envoys are very polite." Han Wangran smiled slightly and raised his hand to invite Tang Ju. Fan Ying took a seat on the east side of the hall.
Ma Kuo, Han Chao, and Zhao Zhuo went to the seats on the west side and sat down on their own.
After they sat down with each other, Han Wangran asked with a smile: "As far as I know, in late August last year, your country's Young Master Run inherited the orthodoxy. Unfortunately, I only learned about it in the middle of this year and couldn't send you a congratulatory gift in time. I hope you can
It’s better that the new king doesn’t look strange.”
"His Majesty the King of Han is serious."
Tang Ju and Fan Ying smiled and said.
It is strange to say that although Wei and Han have fought life and death over the years, Han Wangran and Wei Wang Zhao Run have no sign of any life-and-death hatred at all. Even Han Chao, Zhao Zhuo, Ma Kuo and others
, and can also chat and laugh happily with Tang Ju and Fan Ying.
Even Han Wangran openly told his ministers that he respected "King Zhao Run of Wei" in front of his ministers, and made him his lifelong confidant. Tang Ju and Fan Ying were secretly dumbfounded: they had never imagined that Han Wangran would be the same as their Wei king.
A new king actually has such a deep friendship.
"Speaking of which, after taking the throne, the new monarch will be extremely busy every day, right?"
Han Wangran asked casually with a bit of self-mockery.
"..."
Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other calmly, and then the latter said with a smile: "Isn't that right? I, the contemporary king of the Wei Dynasty, can be said to be the most diligent monarch in the history. The cock crows every day.
When you get up, the moon disappears, and you are dedicated to government affairs, you will make the national power of Wei Dynasty stronger day by day."
"..."
Han Wangran opened his mouth, and a dignified look gradually appeared in his originally indifferent eyes.
After a while, he smiled and said, "I never expected that my dear friend is so diligent..."
He was forcing a smile, but he was worried at the moment.
He originally hoped that Zhao Run would be proud and complacent after defeating South Korea, so that South Korea would have a chance to catch up. However, according to the two Wei envoys Tang Ju and Fan Ying, Zhao Run was actually so diligent and not proud at all.
mean.
Unconsciously, Han Wangran's ears seemed to echo the latter's words when he and Zhao Run parted ways: I won't give you a chance!
At this time, Tang Ju also secretly paid attention to Han Wangran's face. Seeing that the latter's face was a little ugly, he added: "Our Majesty once said that the wiseness of the king is closely related to the country. If the king is idle, the country will rise or fall; if the king is idle, the country will rise or fall.
If you are ignorant, the country will be destroyed... Our Majesty tries to take this as a warning and does not dare to slack off, after all..."
He glanced around the hall and suddenly stopped speaking, but he believed everyone present could understand what he meant.
It has to be said that the words of Tang Ju and Fan Ying aroused violent emotions among Han Wangran, Ma Kuo, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo.
However, compared to Han Wangran's seriousness, Han Chao and Zhao Zhuo were a little confused.
Because based on their understanding of Wei Wang Zhao Run, the latter does not seem to be such a diligent person - the image of Wei Wang Zhao Run in their minds is more like the kind of overlord who gives orders to the king. They cannot imagine that image.
The scene of Zhao Run immersed in government affairs every day.
"This is a great thing to say, and you are worthy of being my best friend."
Han Wangran forced out a smile, and praised with a dry smile: "With such a wise and heroic leader, I believe that no one in the Central Plains can shake your country... It is gratifying."
Having said this, he rolled his eyes slightly and asked tentatively: "I wonder what your country is doing this year?"
"this……"
Tang Ju and Fan Ying looked at each other, smiled and said, "It's not a big deal."
"Oh?" Ma Kuo interrupted with a smile: "Moving the capital to Sanchuan Luocheng is not a big deal? Laying track carriages across the country is not a big deal?"
"As expected, South Korea has sent many agents to watch every move of Wei Wei..."
After looking at each other, Tang Ju and Fan Ying deliberately showed some ugly expressions.
Seeing this, Han Wangran immediately scolded Ma Kuo calmly: "General Ma Kuo is too reckless."
In fact, through the detailed operations and spies lurking in Wei State, Han Wangran also learned about some of Wei State's actions early on, and was secretly relieved about it.
After all, no matter whether the Wei State decides to move the capital to Luocheng or lays rail carriages across the country, this is a long-term and large-scale project. The more manpower and material resources the Wei State invests in this area, the more it proves that they will not intervene at will.
The war between Korea and Qin - this is enough!
But at this time, Fan Ying frowned and stared at Ma Kuo reluctantly and asked: "General, how did you know about the "rail carriage"? Could it be that your country actually sent a spy to the Wei Dynasty?"
"
"That's absolutely not the case!"
Han Chao immediately defended himself and said: "This matter was reported back to the country by our merchants. According to those merchants, your country's rail carriages are quite convenient... The king of our country is the master of the Holy Ming. How can he be like Han Hu and Han Wu?"
Are you going to destroy the current harmony between Han and Wei?"
From the side, Zhao Zhuo also immediately answered the conversation, praising the convenience of the rail carriage, intending to change the subject, and finally put the matter aside.
After chatting for a while, Han Wangran finally asked Tang Ju and Fan Ying about the purpose of their visit.
"...I wonder why the two distinguished envoys came here today?"
After hearing this, Tang Ju glanced at Fan Ying, raised his hands and said, "Reporting to His Majesty the King of Han, I am here to form an alliance."
The so-called alliance, which is a meeting between kings or representatives of various countries, is usually an alliance of several weak countries to resist the invasion of big powers, but sometimes it is also used by big powers to coerce other countries, as a means of showing off their strength and status.
"... Wei Guo, can't you wait to exercise your power as the "Hegemon of the Central Plains"?"
Han Wangran frowned slightly.
The so-called "Hegemon of the Central Plains" is by no means just a false name. Under normal circumstances, as long as other Central Plains countries respond to the overlord's call, the overlord can attack a certain country at a very small cost.
For example, if Zhao Run is dissatisfied with South Korea, he can use any excuse to call on other countries in the Central Plains to attack South Korea. If a country is unwilling to follow Wei, it will immediately be included in South Korea's team.
For now, Qin, Chu, and Wei will basically respond to Wei's call, and Qi and Lu may not dare to disobey Wei. Therefore, if Wei attacks South Korea in the name of the overlord of the Central Plains, South Korea
There is really no way to resist, and I can only taste defeat again.
Of course, this refers to normal circumstances, and in fact, the countries in the Central Plains may not necessarily work together.
"I wonder which country your country wants to attack?"
Han Wangran asked nervously: "Could it be Qi?"
After hearing this, Tang Ju immediately explained: "His Majesty the King of Han has misunderstood. We, the Wei Dynasty, do not intend to conquer any country. In fact, our Majesty feels that this melee that has affected the entire Central Plains has continued into the third year.
It has caused great trouble to the people all over the world. Therefore, our Majesty hopes to call on all countries to restrain each other and end this war..."
"..."
Han Wangran opened his mouth, and then secretly despised Zhao Run in his heart: This guy is so shameless!
However, this does not conflict with his interests in South Korea, and is even beneficial.
After thinking about it, Han Wangran asked with a smile: "I wonder if your country can deal with it and persuade Qin to stop the war with our country?"
Tang Ju shook his head and said, "I can't decide on this matter. When the time comes, your envoys will have to negotiate with the Qin envoys themselves."
Han Wangran was stunned for a moment, and finally realized: Wei State only provided an opportunity for their envoys to communicate and negotiate with each other.
Thinking about it more carefully, Han Wangran immediately understood Zhao Run's real purpose: this guy just wanted to use this matter to completely confirm the fact that Wei State was the overlord of the Central Plains.
Well, if all the countries in the world responded to Wei's so-called call and sent important ministers to Wei, wouldn't this be a disguised confirmation of Wei's status as the overlord of the Central Plains?
In Han Wangran's view, Zhao Run was just showing off his strength and intimidating other countries, and any other appeals or appeals were all nonsense!
But even though he knew this, the situation was stronger than the person, and it was not tolerated that King Han would not bow his head.
"Good!...I am willing to send people to Daliang to form an alliance."
That night, Han Wangran could not sleep. The words of Tang Ju and Fan Ying praising Zhao Run's diligence repeatedly echoed in his mind.
"... Zhao Run is so diligent, wouldn't it mean that I, Korea, will always take revenge? No! I have to cheer up! ... Since Zhao Run is diligent and solid, then I must be even more diligent than him!"
Thinking of this, Han Wangran, who had no intention of sleeping, simply turned over and sat up, put on his clothes and robes and walked to the side hall to continue handling government affairs.