"Today's battle will definitely go down in history!"
When nearly 300,000 Wei troops were returning to Daliang City, the minister of the inner dynasty, Jie Zigui, rode his horse beside the king's chariot and said excitedly.
In fact, not only him, but also all the 300,000 Wei troops were in high spirits and had smiles on their faces.
It's no wonder, after all, they defeated the coalition forces of millions of people - although the victory was indeed a bit inexplicable, it was still a victory.
After hearing what Jie Ziyu said, Wei Wang Zhao Run smiled slightly.
In Zhao Run's opinion, being able to defeat the coalition forces of millions of countries today is really a very lucky thing. If the coalition forces of various countries had not retreated on their own, how could millions of people be defeated by three people in just one hour?
How about defeating a hundred thousand Wei troops? In fact, if they really wanted to fight to the death, the strength of both sides could not be determined even if they fought for a day and a night.
I have to say that Xiang Mo, the general of the Chu State, was right. In today's battle, the allied forces of the various countries were defeated not so much by the 300,000 Wei troops, but by the king of Wei, Zhao Run. Regardless of whether Zhao Run encouraged the soldiers before the battle,
His speech, or Zhao Run's actions of taking the lead in the king's chariot during the pursuit, greatly inspired the 300,000 Wei army, allowing the latter to exert a higher combat effectiveness than usual, so that the allied forces of the other countries were retreating steadily.
But Zhao Run also understood that for the millions of coalition forces, today's defeat was only a small defeat at best. Compared with the casualties of the soldiers, the morale of the soldiers of the coalition had the greatest impact after this battle -
- He estimated that it would take at least a few days for the allied forces of the various countries to restore the morale of their soldiers, and this gave the Wei army sufficient time to build a camp outside Daliang City.
When he thought of the word morale, Wei Wang Zhao Run couldn't help but frown slightly.
Because he clearly felt that something seemed to be wrong with the morale of the coalition forces - in short, the fighting spirit and morale of the coalition soldiers were not very high.
"Could it be..."
Recalling the corpses of allied soldiers he saw everywhere outside Daliang City when he first arrived in Daliang City, Zhao Run's heart seemed to be shrouded in a layer of gloom. Even though he had taken the opportunity to defeat the allied forces of various countries,
But I couldn't be happy either.
The reason is very simple. If the millions of coalition forces from various countries were really frustrated in Daliang City, resulting in low morale and low fighting spirit among their soldiers, then obviously, the war that broke out in Daliang City in the past few days must have been unusually intense.
And this also means that Daliang City must have suffered heavy losses.
Zhao Run's heart sank to the bottom when he thought of this possibility.
As the sun set and the sky gradually dimmed, nearly 300,000 Wei troops returned to Daliang City amid joy and laughter.
In the distance, I heard bursts of cheers from Daliang City. It turned out that the soldiers and civilians in the city had swarmed up the city wall, waiting for the victory of the army.
"Coming!"
"The army led by His Majesty himself has returned victorious!"
"Quickly, dig out the mud and rocks at the city gate and open the city gate to welcome His Majesty."
Above and below the city, the soldiers and civilians of Daliang cheered and couldn't help themselves with excitement.
Who allowed Zhao Run, the monarch of Wei State, to give a blow to the coalition forces of millions of countries and severely defeat the other side on the day they arrived at Daliang with 300,000 reinforcements?
The Wei army of 300,000 people who had traveled a long distance actually defeated more than a million enemy troops who were waiting for work. This is simply unprecedented and has never been seen before. It can be called a miracle that is rare to see in a hundred years.
Finally, the royal chariot of Wei King Zhao Run arrived at the south gate of Daliang City.
At this time, the south gate of Daliang City has been opened. Chu Shuli of the Daliang Mansion is leading the city generals Jin Ju, Zhou Ji, Li Lin, Shangliang Hou Shizi Zhao Shu and others, accompanied by the heads of various families in the city and countless people in the city.
The people were waiting for the king outside the city gate.
"Your Majesty, Chu Shuli, brings the entire army and people of Daliang City to pay homage to Your Majesty."
Chu Shuli, full of excitement, bowed his hands to Wang Jia.
Under the gaze of countless pairs of eyes, Wei Wang Zhao Run stepped down from the king's chariot, helped Chu Shuli, who was kneeling in front of him, up, and said with inexplicable emotion: "Thank you for your hard work, Daliang."
Chu Shuli was so excited that he was speechless. When he heard the word "hard work" uttered by the monarch in front of him, he suddenly felt that the suffering and sacrifices he had endured in Daliang City these days were all worth it.
.
At this time, Zhao Run had already helped Jin Ju, the presidential leader of the Daliang Guards, and said seriously: "Jin Ju, thank you for your hard work."
Even though it was dark now, Zhao Run could still clearly see Jin Ju's armor covered with weapon scratches, as well as the injuries on his face and arms, even with the help of the torches in the hands of the surrounding Daliang soldiers and civilians.
"His Majesty……"
Jin Ju held Wei Wang Zhao Run's hand tightly, forced his weak body to stand up, exhaled with relief, and said: "Your Majesty, you will fulfill your mission."
"Ugh!"
Zhao Run nodded solemnly and reached out to pat Jin Ju's arm.
Immediately, Zhao Run helped the rest of the people up one after another. After everyone on the left and right was helped up by the former, Chu Shuli, the chief minister of Daliang Mansion, said at the side: "Your Majesty, today you have defeated the coalition forces. I must congratulate you. I have ordered people to prepare in the city.
Drinks…”
Zhao Run nodded and asked: "Is there any food and drink in the city that would allow me to congratulate the soldiers and people of Daliang together?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Li Chang and other heads of several aristocratic families in the city rushing to take over the matter.
Seeing this, Zhao Run waved his hand and said: "Everyone, we will enter the city to celebrate!"
For a time, cheers came and went.
During this period, Zhao Run summoned Wei Jiao, the commander of Luoyang Imperial Guard, and asked the latter to take charge of the Anza camp outside the city. He also ordered rewards for the three armies to celebrate today's victory.
After he arranged for the generals to perform their respective duties, Zhao Run did not return to the king's carriage, but took Chu Shuli, Jin Ju, Zhou Ji and other people into the city together.
At this time, in the city, there were also countless people cheering in the streets, making the crowd loud and clear.
Faced with the welcome from the people in Daliang City, Zhao Run waved in response from time to time.
Suddenly, Zhao Run was slightly startled, because he found that among the welcoming people in the city, most of them were old and weak, women and children, and there were not many young and strong men in sight. His heart suddenly thumped.
In fact, before entering the city, he had made a guess. He felt that Daliang City was still able to defend the city under the fierce attack of millions of coalition forces from various countries. It must have paid a heavy price. But now, the scene he saw with his own eyes confirmed that
made his guess.
But because the time was not right at this moment, he refrained from asking.
However, at this moment, I heard a thud behind me, as if someone fell to the ground.
Zhao Run subconsciously turned around and realized that it was Jin Ju, the president of the Daliang Guards. The latter somehow fell to the ground and stopped moving.
"Jin Ju?"
"General Jin?"
The people around Jin Ju quickly turned Jin Ju over so that he could lie flat on the ground.
"Jin Ju?"
Zhao Run walked over in a few steps and squatted next to Jin Ju. Only then did he notice that Jin Ju's face was pale and he was sweating profusely on his forehead. At first glance, he looked extremely weak.
"Jin Ju? Jin Ju?"
The frightened Zhao Run gently patted Jin Ju's face with his hand, trying to wake the latter up.
After a while, Jin Ju woke up faintly and saw that His Majesty, the monarch of the Wei Kingdom, was supporting him, and was greatly frightened.
"Your Majesty, I...how can I..."
He struggled to stand up, but his body was too weak to move.
There is even another feeling, as if the power in the body is rapidly draining away.
On the side, Zhao Shu, the prince of Shangliang Marquis, was shocked when he saw this. His eyes were slightly red. He walked to Zhao Run and whispered: "Your Majesty, please don't blame General Jin for being rude. General Jin was seriously injured the day before yesterday. Even in the city,
Doctors have diagnosed that General Jin is dying soon...it is...not easy for General Jin to survive until His Majesty arrives."
"..." Zhao Run looked at Jin Ju in surprise and saw that Jin Ju was as angry as a thread.
Obviously, Jin Ju had been holding on for the past two days with just one breath, but now that he saw Zhao Run leading an army of 300,000 to come to the rescue and defeating the coalition forces of various countries outside the city, he felt relaxed and relieved.
Can't hold on any longer.
"Jin Ju..."
Zhao Run held Jin Ju's hand, with a bit of unbearable expression on his face.
You must know that when Zhao Run was still the prince in the palace, Jin Ju was the imperial guard guarding the palace. The two sides had many contacts. Counting the days, it has been more than twenty years ago.
"His Majesty……"
Perhaps realizing that he was about to die soon, Jin Ju smiled bitterly and said with shame: "I thought I could hold on for a while, at least I wouldn't make a fool of myself in front of His Majesty and the people of other countries..." After that, he raised his head.
Looking at Zhao Run, he said apologetically: "Your Majesty, the general may have to be absent from today's celebration feast..."
Hearing this, Zhao Run endured the sadness in his heart and laughed and cursed: "You bastard! How dare you be absent from my banquet?"
After that, he saw that Jin Ju's complexion was getting worse and worse, and the forced smile on his face could no longer hold on. After a moment of silence, he whispered: "I... allow you to be absent."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
Jin Ju laughed twice when he heard the words, then looked deeply at Zhao Run, raised his hands with difficulty and clasped his fists, although he was breathless, he still said in a firm tone: "Your Majesty, I would like to wish you... this...
The battle flag is raised to victory, the coalition forces are defeated, and the power of our great Wei..."
"Ugh!"
Zhao Run grabbed Jin Ju's hands with both hands, nodded heavily, and then asked: "Do you have anything... to say to your wife and children?"
Jin Ju shook his head and said with a chuckle: "The general has already... told his family about the matters behind his death yesterday. There is no more... no worries anymore, but... this armor on his body..." He turned his head
He looked at Chu Shuli, the principal of the Daliang Mansion, and entrusted him: "Master Chu, after Jin leaves, please give the armor on Jin's body to that... that boy. This is what I promised... I promised
.”
"Hmm." Chu Shuli nodded silently.
Seeing this, Jin Ju, who was lying on the ground, took a deep breath, and then, using his last strength, he raised his arms and shouted: "The Wei Dynasty——! We must win——!"
Although this shout was not loud, it was extremely firm.
Immediately, Jin Ju's raised fist suddenly fell down, and his eyes became dim.
There was silence all around, and the soldiers and civilians of Wei who were originally filled with joy were extremely quiet at this moment.
At the banquet that night, Zhao Run had a very unpleasant taste.
Whether it was the sacrifice of many men in Daliang City or the death of an old acquaintance, General Jin Ju of the Imperial Guard, Zhao Run felt endless sadness.
Along with sadness is anger.
He has never been so angry.
Therefore, he did not stay at the banquet for long, and took Chu Heng back to the Ganlu Hall in Daliang Palace on the pretext that he was tired from the journey and too drunk.
Seeing King Zhao Run of Wei leave the table, Jie Zizi's heart moved slightly. He turned to Chu Shuli, the chief minister of Daliang Mansion, and said, "Master Chu, please take a step to speak."
Chu Shuli didn't know what was going on, but he still nodded and followed Jie Ziyu out of the banquet on an excuse.
Late that night, while King Zhao Run of Wei was sitting alone in his study in the Manlu Hall, deep in thought, the internal minister Jie Ziguo walked into the hall, bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty."
Zhao Run raised his head and glanced at Jie Zizi, forced out a smile, and asked: "Jie Zi, you are not at the banquet, why did you come to my place? Could it be that you are too drunk?"
"No." Jie Ziyu shook his head and said pointedly: "I just feel that the wine at today's banquet is sweet but astringent. I'm afraid it's not time to drink freely..."
"Oh?" Zhao Run raised his eyebrows and asked, "When can I have a drink?"
Jie Ziwei smiled slightly: "Of course we are waiting to defeat the coalition forces of other countries and show off the power of the Wei Dynasty!"
"Well said!"
Zhao Run nodded in approval.
At this time, Jie Ziyu approached the desk, took out a roster from his arms, and handed it over with both hands.
"What is this?" A trace of confusion flashed in Zhao Run's eyes.
I saw Jie Ziyu secretly watching the face of the monarch in front of him, and said in a deep voice: "This is the casualty list of Daliang City in recent days."
Zhao Run was shocked when he heard this. The hand he originally stretched out seemed to have been pricked by a needle. He immediately retracted it and looked at the roster with an uncertain expression.
But after a while, he still took the roster and opened it to look at it carefully.
On the side, Jie Ziziu said slowly: "In this battle, Daliang City, a total of 76,456 men in the city were killed, of which 14,861 were killed by the Daliang Imperial Guards...
…”
"..."
Zhao Run's face twitched, he raised his eyes and looked at Jie Zizi coldly, and asked in a faintly angry tone: "Jie Zi, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"
Seeing Zhao Run's gloomy expression, Jie Ziyu felt a little weak, so he quickly raised his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry, I just have some things that I don't like to say from the bottom of my heart."
Zhao Run took a deep look at Jie Zizi. After taking a deep breath, he calmed down the anger in his heart and said calmly: "Say."
I saw Jie Zizi arching his hands and saying seriously: "I dare to ask Your Majesty, how to deal with the coalition forces of all countries?"
Zhao Run looked gloomy and uncertain. After taking a look at the casualty list in his hand, he asked in a deep voice: "What do you want to say?"
"Your Majesty, I secretly believe that it is precisely because of the many countries and the chaos in the Central Plains that Daliang is in today's disaster." Looking at Zhao Run, Jie Zizi said sternly: "Over the years, our Wei Dynasty has become stronger and stronger, and the countries in the Central Plains have become more and more powerful.
, but do not hope
Seeing that the Wei Dynasty is strong, we unite privately, and this time we form a coalition of countries to besiege the Wei Dynasty... I would like to ask, even if we, the Wei Dynasty, defeat the coalition forces of various countries, can we make them give up fighting against us?
Do you think Wei is an enemy?"
"..."
"I heard that tigers are harmless to people, but tigers are capable of hurting others. Your Majesty has never refused to fight unjustly, but the countries in the Central Plains are aggressive. Even if you defeat millions of coalition forces from all countries this time, I'm afraid it will happen again in the future.
Come back. For example, Chu State... Since the decline of Qi and Han, Chu State has become increasingly prosperous and wants to compete with Wei Dynasty for supremacy. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two.
There will eventually be a battle between tigers, Wei and Chu. If Your Majesty tolerates it, it will be like a farmer who saves a snake and will eventually be killed by it..." At this point, Jie Zigui took a deep breath and lowered his voice and said: "Since it is destined to be impossible
If we want to coexist together, why doesn’t Your Majesty conquer all the countries with troops? When all the countries in the world are Wei, how can there be any more disasters like the coalition forces of all countries attacking our great Wei?"
"..." Zhao Run looked deeply at Jie Zizi, with a somewhat unpredictable expression on his face: "Jie Zi, I'm afraid this is the purpose of your personal expedition with me, right?"
I remember that before the imperial commander's personal expedition, Jie Zizi, as a civil servant, actually asked to accompany him on the expedition. At that time, Zhao Run felt that the courtier's purpose was impure. Now that he saw it, it was indeed the case: Jie Ziu's purpose was nothing more than to seize the opportunity at the right time.
, proposed to him the "grand unification" proposal of "conquering all the countries with troops".
"Step back, I don't want to hear this."
Zhao Run said lightly.
After hearing this, Jie Zizi didn't say any more, he cupped his hands knowingly and exited the hall.
He is not in a hurry.
He believed that because he knew that there was endless anger suppressed in the heart of that monarch. Although today's suggestions did not seem to be effective, in fact, they took root in his majesty's heart and would eventually bear fruit.
One day.
Moreover, this day will not last long.
"..."
Watching Jie Zizi leave, Zhao Run shook his head slightly.
He once again focused his attention on the Daliang City casualty list in his hand, looking at the extremely dazzling numbers on it.
In fact, before entering the city, he also predicted that the number of casualties in the city would be very serious, but he still did not expect that Daliang City actually lost 76,456 people in this battle, even if about 15,000 were eliminated
There are more than 61,000 Imperial Guards.
There are more than 60,000 Liang men, which is close to 80% of the young men in Daliang City. Although it is still far from ten houses and nine empty houses, according to this number, it is obvious that every household in Daliang City has suffered casualties, and even
There will also be tragedies where fathers and sons die in battle, and brothers all die in battle, leaving behind a group of orphans and widowed mothers.
"call--"
Taking a long breath, Zhao Run closed his eyes and thought.
At this moment, he was feeling extremely depressed. He was blaming himself and angry at the other countries in the Central Plains.
As Jie Ziu said, everyone in the world said that the king of Wei, Zhao Run, was very militaristic, but in fact, Zhao Run almost never took the initiative to go to war. Even though the territory of Wei had more than doubled compared to thirty years ago, in fact, Sanchuan
The county was originally the territory of his Wei State. Similarly, Song County and Shangdang were also the same. Zhao Run only regained the territory that his Wei State had lost before.
In all the wars with other countries in the Central Plains over the years, which one was not started by South Korea?
Including this time, Wei State took the lead in sending Shaohu's Wei Wujun to attack Qi State. This was also because Qi State secretly colluded with Chu State and South Korea and prepared to join forces to attack Wei State, and this battle was inevitable - to put it bluntly,
He just got a head start.
But what about other than that?
Has there ever been an unjust army in Wei?
Never!
The only exception is probably the Loop.
But at least for the countries in the Central Plains, the Wei State has never raised unjust troops and took the initiative to attack other countries for the sake of territory and interests.
But even so, the countries in the Central Plains still targeted Wei. The reason was simply that Wei was too powerful. As Jie Ziu said, a tiger's heart is harmless to people, but a tiger can hurt others. The power of Wei caused a stir in the Central Plains.
The countries are terrified.
"Use force to stop the war and make the world surrender. No one dares to attack Wei..."
Muttering to himself, Zhao Run sat in the hall and meditated.
But just as Jie Ziu guessed, although Zhao Run repelled Jie Ziu, the idea of "stopping war with force" and "conquering the countries with troops" took root in the mind of the Wei monarch.
.
And, under the irrigation of hatred and anger, it quickly thrives.