Chapter 187: The confrontation between Wei and Han (3) [two in one]
"Damn Zhao Run!"
After learning about Wei Guo's reaction, Han Wangran realized that his country had been deceived by Wei Guo again, or by the treacherous King Zhao Run of Wei. Unexpectedly, that guy was not only good at playing cunning tricks when leading his army in war, even when he was fighting with the country,
In the competition between the two countries, there are also many intrigues, which makes people feel even more stressed.
One night, Han Wangran had no intention of sleeping and was still sitting in the palace, looking again at the battle reports sent back from the border front by his Korean generals Le Yi, Xu Li, Sima Shang and others - in fact, there was no such thing as that.
What kind of battle report is there? After all, the losses of troops on both sides recorded in it are actually just friction between the scouts and sentinels of the Wei and Han armies.
However, in these battle reports, the approximate number of war weapons and troop distribution in the positions of Wei and South Korea were recorded.
In the deserted palace, Han Wangran was sitting behind the royal desk, looking at the battle reports spread out on the table, gently rubbing his forehead, and comparing the general strength of the two armies of Wei and Han.
Generally speaking, the current military strength and strength of Wei and South Korea are roughly the same.
Of course, this is due to the fact that the Wei State has several elite troops, which are currently stationed in key places in the country to guard them, and have not been transferred to northern Xinjiang.
For example, Wei Wujun is currently responsible for guarding the entire Hetao area. To be honest, the Wei Wujun with only 50,000 personnel is really not enough to cover the defense of the entire Hetao area. Therefore, the troops like Shuofang, Jiuyuan, and Yunzhong in the northern part of the Hetao area are
Here, the Wei army was quickly established - here, the Wei army is currently having small-scale frictions with the Hu people and Xiongnu who have sneaked back into the northern part of Yinshan Mountain, as if they are gestating a new war to compete for the Hetao.
This is good news for South Korea.
Wei's Hedong Army, Hedong Guard, and Lintao Lord Wei Ji had not taken any action at this time. They were probably guarding against the Korean Army in Yanmen, Taiyuan and other places - mainly to guard against the success of Taiyuan. After all, Yanmen Guard Li
Mu, had long been blocked by Qin's famous general Gongsun Qi, who had blocked the passage from Yanmen to Taiyuan, the "Xihe", and had no remaining power to put pressure on Wei for the time being.
South Korea's Taiyuan military department is quite strong. Two of the generals, whether Taiyuan Shoucheng Lecheng or Yangyi Marquis Han Xu, are outstanding generals. In fact, the Taiyuan Army is currently fighting one-on-two at the same time.
Containing two Wei armies: Taiyuan successfully restrained the Northern First Army of Wei Huan Wang Zhao Xuan, while Yangyi Marquis Han Xu was stationed in Maling, guarding Wei General Jiang Bi's Shangdang Army to prevent the latter's tricks.
Repeatedly, they launched a sneak attack into the hinterland of Taiyuan County through the mountainous area in northern Taiyuan, and even went directly to the hinterland of South Korea.
As for the Shangshui Army, the most famous Wei army in the Central Plains, it has been transferred back to Shangshui County. Obviously, this is because Wei has gradually felt the pressure from Chu.
It is precisely because these Wei armies have their own defense areas and cannot be transferred to northern Xinjiang. Therefore, South Korea and Wei will be equally divided in northern Xinjiang.
"...Sad."
Thinking of this, Han Wangran sighed secretly and shook his head.
I still remember back then, when Korea was still extremely powerful, the elite troops stationed on the border did not need to be mobilized at all. The "Handan Army" and the "Shangdang Army" alone were enough to make Wei feel like it was facing a formidable enemy. But now,
The Shangdang Army was overthrown by Wei Gongzi Zhao Run, and the Handan Army was also beaten into pieces by the Wei State, reducing it to a sad existence that could only serve as a target for elite frontier troops such as the Shanggu Army, Beiyan Army, and Daijun Army.
Nowadays, the situation between the two countries is completely reversed: Wei has only dispatched three elite armies, the Hanoi Army, the Suppression Army, and the Yanling Army, which account for almost only 30% of Wei's domestic army, forcing South Korea to dispatch nearly 60%.
The army - in terms of all-out war, South Korea alone is no longer a match for Wei.
Among the "Top Ten Heroes of Beiyuan" who were once famous in Korea, Ju Xin was killed, Bao Yuan's legs were left disabled, Feng Ting surrendered to the Wei State, Lian Pi was also forced to leave the Wei State, and Ma She died of depression. Although
Sima Shang, Xu Li, Qi Jie and others were nominated as supplements, but in terms of deterrence, they are actually not as good as before.
Thinking of this, Han Wangran felt his chest tightening: since when did he feel so helpless when facing Wei?
"...No! I have to cheer up!"
After taking a long breath, Han Wangran threw all the messy thoughts in his mind to the back of his mind and concentrated on calculating the difference in strength between the Wei and Han armies on the border battlefield.
According to what he knew, the North Yan Army under the command of Han General Le Yi, which had been replenished and expanded, was no less powerful than Wei's Yanling Army or the Suppression Army. The Shanggu Army under Xu Li was also an elite force, not to mention Sima Shang.
It is no exaggeration to say that for now, if Wei and South Korea really go to war on the border, South Korea will actually have a higher chance of winning. After all, Sima Shang's 15,000 cavalry
Heavy cavalry, as long as it is used at the right time, is fully capable of annihilating troops several times your own in one fell swoop.
However, as more and more armored chariots from Wei are transported to the border front, both the heavy cavalry under Sima Shang and the Shanggu light cavalry under Xu Li will be restricted to a certain extent. Therefore,
The odds of winning will inevitably gradually decrease.
Wei's new chariots are extremely effective against cavalry.
The cavalry is limited by battlefield factors, so the main force becomes the crossbowmen of both sides. At this point, the Wei and Korean armies are almost the same. After all, the Korean crossbow is not inferior to the Wei crossbow. In addition, a large number of triangular arrowheads are put into use.
, if the Wei army attempts to attack by force, even Han Wangran, who is far away in Jicheng, is confident that it can cause heavy losses to the opponent.
As for the final infantry, it can actually be ignored for the time being, because unless the infantry is dispatched in large numbers in conjunction with the chariots, it will hardly have any impact on the battle situation.
What really worries Han Wangran is the Wei State's background.
In a word, Wei State is too rich.
The emergence of the Bolangsha Port City allowed the Wei State to replace the declining Qi State and become the economic core of the entire Central Plains. A large amount of wealth was gradually gathered in the Wei State during the circulation process. There were even many Korean merchants in Bolang.
Sha purchased a family property, so one can imagine the current influence of Bolangsha Port City in the Central Plains.
I still remember that in the war between Qi and Chu two years ago, Qi defeated Chu through its astonishing financial resources. But now, can Wei, which has financial resources close to Qi's, be able to use its wealth to defeat Chu?
To be brought down?
Rubbing his forehead, Han Wangran took a long breath.
At this time, he had realized that this time to contain the Wei State on behalf of the Chu State, it was very likely that Korea would fall into a state of eternal disaster. However, if he did not do this, the development of the Chu State would not be able to keep up with the Wei State, and there would be no hope of defeating the Wei State.
possible?
As the saying goes, if you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get tiger cubs. If South Korea is not willing to make sacrifices for Chu at this time and contain Wei for Chu in exchange for precious development opportunities for Chu, then Chu will never want to cause harm to Wei.
What is the real threat? Wei will gradually take control of the Central Plains and cast a shadow over other countries in the Central Plains.
The most critical problem is that the hero, King Zhao Run of Wei, is too young.
If Zhao Run is now over fifty years old, then Han Wangran will never contain Wei for Chu. He will quietly wait for the opportunity, waiting for Zhao Run to hand over the kingship to his son, thus causing some instability in Wei.
When the time comes, we can unite with other countries to launch a sudden attack.
But it is a pity that Wei Wang Zhao Run is only thirty-one years old this year, and he should have at least nearly twenty years of glory.
what does that mean?
This means that other countries in the Central Plains will tremble in the shadow of this Wei hero for twenty years!
Han Wangran could not imagine how powerful the Wei State would become after twenty years of expansion and development under the rule of Zhao Run, a genius like Zhao Run. It was probably hopelessly powerful.
Therefore, even if the road to be taken is full of thorns and very difficult, Han Wangran firmly believes that Wei's momentum must be interrupted here, otherwise, including him, South Korea, the Central Plains countries will never be able to make a difference.
only……
Standing up slowly, Han Wangran strolled to the window, sighing and looking at the moonlight in the night sky.
He understood all these principles, but seeing the funds in the treasury dwindling day by day, he was inevitably a little confused.
Even he doesn't know how long Korea can last.
"The so-called plan for a rainy day... it's better to negotiate with those people."
Han Wangran thought secretly in his heart.
The people he was thinking of were the major nobles and families who controlled the lifeblood of his country in Korea.
Half a month later, Duke Zhuang Han Geng was invited to meet Han Wangran.
Zhuang Gong Han Geng, like Kang Gong Han Hu, once coveted the throne, but when Han Wangran used incredible skills to eliminate the confidants of Kang Gong Han Hu and Li Hou Han Wu at the same time, after Wu An defended Zhu Man, this guy
I was so frightened that I immediately put away my thoughts.
Perhaps because Zhuang Gong Han Geng had treated him with courtesy and respect, and because Beiyan Shou Leyi was a general of the former line, King Han did not punish this distant uncle of the royal family for the sake of the overall situation.
-On the contrary, Duke Zhuang Han Geng himself was so frightened that he fled back to Beiyan. It was not until a year or two later that he did not hear that Han Wangran was going to punish him, and then he gradually appeared in the eyes of the world again.
"Your Majesty, Han Geng, pays homage to your Majesty."
When he saw Han Wangran, Duke Zhuang Han Geng bowed respectfully.
At this time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Once upon a time, Kang Gong and Han Hu thought that the young king in front of him was just a sparrow that could be easily crushed to death, but in fact, the young king was a ferocious eagle.
More than ten years later, Kang Gong and Han Hu were finally pecked to death in one bite.
"Mr. Zhuang."
Han Wangran returned the greeting with a smile, but his expression showed no trace of his unswerving devotion to Duke Zhuang Han Geng, which made the latter somewhat frightened.
After all, as far as he knew, the young monarch in front of him was extremely good at maneuvering.
After gathering his composure, Duke Zhuang Han Geng forced a smile and said: "When I learned that the king summoned the old minister, the old minister immediately came from Beiyan day and night, not daring to slack off... But I don't know why the king summoned the old minister."
Han Wangran smiled slightly, but he did not believe what Zhuang Gong Han Geng said.
Beiyan County is next to Yuyang County. If we really travel day and night and can arrive there in three to five days, how can it take half a month?
It seems that after Zhuang Gong Han Geng learned that he had summoned him, he hesitated for a long time, and asked about the general situation through his connections. It was clear that he was not deliberately trying to make money from him, so he came with peace of mind.
However, as long as Han Wangran knows this kind of thing in his own mind, there is no need to explain it.
After inviting Duke Zhuang Han Geng to sit down, Han Wangran said with a solemn expression: "Mr. Zhuang, I sent someone to invite you here just to discuss something with you."
"Your Majesty, please speak." Zhuang Gong Han Geng also said with a solemn expression.
After hearing this, Han Wangran did not mince words. He first told Duke Zhuang Han Geng the general situation of the current confrontation between Wei and South Korea, and then said: "...In order to forge weapons and build war weapons, the national treasury cannot make ends meet and may not be able to maintain it.
It has been a long time, so I hope that Duke Zhuang will donate generously for the sake of the country to help the country tide over this disaster."
"I see……"
Although these words seemed a bit surprising, there was no look of surprise or surprise on Duke Zhuang Han Geng's face. It was obvious that he had already guessed it - or in other words, he had guessed that Han Wangran's intention was just for money.
It was not just when I wanted to kill him that I had the courage to come here.
"no problem."
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Gong Han Geng patted his chest and vowed to accept the offer, expressing his willingness to contribute a sum of money to the country on the spot.
Seeing Zhuang Gong Han Geng so happy, Han Wangran was also very satisfied.
In fact, he also understood that the reason why Zhuang Gong Han Geng was so cheerful was actually conditional - according to the historical tacit understanding, Zhuang Gong Han Geng's move was called spending money to eliminate disasters. Taking his money, the relationship between him and Han Wangran was once
All grudges and grudges will be written off from now on and never mentioned again.
Han Wangran didn't mind this, after all, he wasn't a person who held grudges too much.
In the more than ten years he has been a puppet, there is only one person he hates the most, and that is Kang Gong and Han Hu, just because the latter killed his beloved bird that year - it was the sustenance of his soul and the reason why he was in the world.
The person you talk to who constantly encourages you to cheer up when you are helpless.
In addition, Han Wangran did not liquidate anyone after the incident, such as those chamberlains and maids who had laughed at him as a puppet monarch behind his back.
Of course, the fact that the chamberlains and maids were so frightened that they fled the palace had nothing to do with him.
"Dr. Zhuang serves the country righteously and is truly a model for our royal family."
Since he got the benefit, Han Wangran didn't mind saying a few words of praise. After all, he still had something to ask Duke Zhuang Han Geng for help.
No, after a few nice words, Han Wangran continued: "Gong Zhuang, in addition to asking you to donate generously to the country, I also hope that you, Duke Zhuang, will negotiate with those people in the country on my behalf. I hope they will do it out of righteousness.
Let’s work together to help the country tide over the difficulties.”
The implication is that Duke Zhuang Han Geng will represent him in negotiating with the royal families, nobles, and noble families in the country.
Duke Zhuang, Han Geng, stroked his beard and thought about it, and felt that this matter was not difficult at all.
Although crows are as black as crows in the world, no matter whether they are Chu, Wei or South Korea, as long as they are royal families and nobles, there are almost no greedy people who are not greedy for money. However, when the country is facing a crisis, these royal families and nobles are not so stupid that they will take advantage of their families.
Before the country - country, country, if there is no country, how can we have a home?
"This matter... shouldn't be difficult to handle." Zhuang Gong Han Geng said carefully, and then he asked tentatively: "I don't know how much funds the king needs?"
To be honest, Han Wangran himself didn't know exactly how much money was needed, so he thought for a moment and casually mentioned an amount.
"hiss--"
Zhuang Gong Han Geng was so frightened that he took a breath, and even his eyes widened a lot. He murmured with an embarrassed expression: "Such a huge... sum of money is only 'temporary'?"
After hearing this, Han Wangran said: "It's not that a few people are greedy for money and take advantage of the opportunity. It's really because the national treasury is short of money, so we have to do it." After saying that, he solemnly promised Zhuang Gong Han Geng: "Zhuang Gong, as long as you get through this,
In this disaster, you are all heroes of our country, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. If you violate this oath, both heaven and man will abandon you!"
Swearing to the sky is still very powerful in this era when the world is still in awe of "the sky". At least after Zhuang Gong Han Geng heard this oath, he was determined in his heart and no longer doubted whether King Han would harm him in the future.
The problem is that the amount of money Han Wangran asked for is too large. What's more terrible is that this amount is still "temporary", which means that there may be a second or third time, and no one can bear it.
Ah, after all, not everyone is the wealthy Wen Shaobo in the Wei state - besides, even Wen Shaobo may not be able to afford it.
"Old minister, do your best!"
Zhuang Gong Han Geng said solemnly.
"Mr. Zhuang is loyal and righteous, and I will keep it in my heart!"
Han Wangran said seriously.
When bidding farewell to Zhuang Gong Han Geng, Han Wangran took the former's hand and personally escorted the former out of the palace. This made Zhuang Gong Han Geng feel inexplicably satisfied.
Although Zhuang Gong Han Geng also understood that this was just Han Wangran's way of winning people's hearts, it was undeniable that he was indeed very useful.
Moreover, South Korea is indeed facing an existential crisis.
Combining these two reasons, Duke Zhuang Han Geng did not dare to slack off after leaving Jicheng. Instead of Han Wangran, he visited the royal families, nobles, and noble families in the country, imploring them to sacrifice their interests for the country and help the country tide over the difficulties.
Maybe it’s for the sake of Duke Zhuang Han Geng, or maybe it’s because those royal families, nobles, and noble families are not as ignorant as Xiong Li, Juyang Lord of Chu State. Even when the country is facing a national crisis, no one refuses to do so.
Donate money - of course, it is inevitable that they would complain and even curse Han Wangran during this period.
After all, not everyone is as far-sighted as Han Wangran. Most people cannot understand why Han Wangran would take the initiative to provoke Wei if he was not busy recuperating at this time.
But no matter what, before the winter of the seventh year of Wei Xing'an, the Jicheng court did receive a large amount of money donated by various royal families, nobles, and nobles in the country. From early autumn to the beginning of winter, a steady stream of money was transported to Jicheng.
, which greatly eased the deficit of South Korea’s national treasury.
But this incident was witnessed by the Qingya people who were placed as successors by the Wei State. They immediately wrote a secret letter and traveled day and night to send it back to the Wei State.
By the time Gao Kuo, the Zuodu Lieutenant of Tiance Mansion, received this secret letter from Jicheng, it was already December. After briefly reading the secret letter, Gao Kuo did not dare to delay and immediately went to the palace to report the matter.
A tribute to the emperor Zhao Run.
"Huh? It has been said that the nobles of Korea are more greedy and authoritarian than the nobles of the Wei Dynasty. Now look at it, they are quite righteous."
After carefully reading the letter, Wei Wang Zhao Run said with a half-smile.
"I guess those people are not that stupid." Gao Kuo smiled and then lowered his voice and said: "Your Majesty, thanks to the support of these people, Han Ran got another amount of funds. What's going on?
Is it good?"
"What are you afraid of?"
Zhao Run glanced at Gao Kuo and said lightly: "Keep spending! Anyway, I, the great Wei Dynasty, can afford it!"
"But..." Gao Kuo hesitated for a moment and then said, "If things continue like this in the long run, that's not the answer."
"You mean, those nobles will continue to support Han Ran?" Zhao Run asked.
Gao Kuo nodded and said: "Whether they are willing or not, in the face of national crisis, there are not so many people like Chu Yang Lord Xiong Li, who still want to preserve their strength in the face of national crisis..."
"Ha." Zhao Run couldn't help but chuckle.
Xiong Li, the Juyang Lord of the Chu Kingdom, is indeed a very funny guy. When the four kingdoms of Qi, Lu, Wei and Yue were attacking Chu, he delayed military flights, slacked off on military affairs, and huddled his troops in the city. He was thinking about what to do.
To protect his fief Juyang, even the Shang Shui Army under Zhao Run could do nothing to protect him.
But afterwards, Ju Yangjun Xiong Li was liquidated by his brother Xiong Xu, the old king of Chu State. Although he survived, the former's property and army were confiscated by Shou Ying. It was simply self-defeating - if Ju Yang had originally
Yang Jun Xiong Li is not so selfish. The Shang Shui army led by Zhao Run may not be able to attack Shoying so smoothly, and afterwards, the Chu king will not lose everything.
This kind of greedy and selfish person is just an exception even among nobles from all over the world.
At this time, Gao Kuo suggested from the side: "I think that the imperial court should try to attack those nobles...!"
Hearing this, Zhao Run was a little surprised. After all, based on his understanding of Gao Kuo, Gao Kuo was not the kind of person who was good at making suggestions. Gao Kuo's strength was that he was good at getting to know three religions and nine people, from the princes to the nobles.
You are a scoundrel. If you have a meal with him, you will definitely call him "Master" respectfully. I don't know what kind of ecstasy soup this guy poured into those people.
But when it comes to making plans, that's not Gao Kuo's forte.
However, Zhao Run didn't mind listening to Gao Kuo's suggestion: "Tell me and listen."
After receiving the monarch's permission, Gao Kuo immediately said: "I think that the national treasury of South Korea cannot support it for a long time, but there are still wealthy people among the royal families and nobles of South Korea. In order to prevent these people from funding Han Ran, I think that we should target those South Koreans."
A source of money for the nobles... As far as I know, Korean specialties include dates, chestnuts, wine, etc., which are sold in various countries.
Among them, I also have dates and wine in the Wei Dynasty. I suggested that if the Koreans sell them for ten yuan, I in the Wei Dynasty will sell them for eight yuan, so as to destroy the Korean business. As for chestnuts, although they are rare in the Wei Dynasty, they are not enough to use them.
This is a strategy, but it can spread rumors, saying that eating too much of this stuff will harm your health. As time goes by, no one will care about Korean chestnuts anymore..."
"..." Zhao Run looked at Gao Kuo in surprise.
"As long as the business of Korean merchants is destroyed, less and less money will flow to Korean nobles. If Han Ran continues to coerce and induce these nobles to ask for money at this time, these nobles will inevitably become alienated. At that time, I, the Great Wei, can
Send these nobles to instigate rebellion, promise them various benefits, and let them serve as our country's internal agents." Gao Kuo continued.
After hearing these words, Zhao Hongrun looked at Gao Kuo with a half-smile but not a smile: "Your plan... is a bit poisonous. It looks very much like Zhang Qigong's handiwork."
Hearing Zhao Run's teasing, Gao Kuo didn't hide it. He laughed and told the truth: "Reporting to Your Majesty is exactly the plan of Right Captain Zhang Qigong... He happened to be present when I received the secret letter today, so I casually said
He immediately came up with a countermeasure." At this point, he sincerely praised: "This person is really a great talent!"
"Hmm."
Zhao Run nodded slightly. Of course he knew that Zhang Qigong was a great talent, but his tactics were too ruthless and vicious. Sometimes, he really didn't dare to use his tactics.
But this time, the strategy proposed by Zhang Qigong was relatively pertinent, at least not as sinister as the previous times.
Thinking of this, Zhao Run nodded and decided: "Since it is Zhang Qigong's idea, let him do it... Remember, try not to implicate Korean civilians."
"yes!"
Gao Kuo clasped his fists and retreated.
After looking at Gao Kuo's leaving figure, Zhao Hongrun walked to the window with his hands behind his back and looked at the snowy scene outside the window.