"Your Majesty, Zhang Qigong, pays homage to your Majesty."
In the study room of Ganlu Palace in Daliang Palace, Zhang Qigong knelt down and paid homage to Zhao Runxing, the monarch of Wei State.
"I love you for your life."
Zhao Run, who was swiping a brush, lost the brush in his hand and walked towards Zhang Qigong, giving a gesture of help to Zhang Qigong to get up.
Zhao Run was also surprised to see Zhang Qigong today, because Zhang Qigong did not delay after returning to Daliang and went straight to the palace. Therefore, Zhao Run did not know the news in advance.
After seeing Zhang Qigong stand up, Zhao Run praised: "Ai Qing took the most credit for what happened in Korea this time."
Zhao Run was telling the truth, because when he looked at the battle reports of Zhao Jiang, Shao Hu, Pang Huan and others, he knew that Zhang Qigong played a vital role in the attack on South Korea: First, Zhang Qigong planned to rebel against the Yuan Dynasty Han Pu, the Marquis of Yi, made Han Pu the internal agent of the Wei State. Not only did Han Ran and Han Wu's Jicheng regime suffer, it also allowed the Wei army to avoid being hostile to the Korean people. Instead, it was regarded as a benevolent and righteous army that "helped overthrow tyranny"; Second, Zhang Qigong designed to drive a wedge between Lihou Hanwu and Beiyan Shou Leyi, so that Lihou Hanwu finally decided to depose Leyi and ask Qijie to replace the latter, thus allowing the Wei army to capture Shanggu County, Korea's last line of defense, in one fell swoop.
Although Zhang Qigong is not good at using troops and has no military exploits to speak of this time, his Wei State defeated South Korea and successfully made South Korea surrender. Zhang Qigong took the greatest credit, and his contribution far exceeded that of Zhao Jiang, Shao Hu, and Pang Huan and several other generals leading the army.
Although Zhang Qigong was happy when he heard this, he still said humbly: "This is because your Majesty adheres to the destiny and is protected by the virtuous monarchs of the Wei Dynasty. In fact, the situation is like this, and I dare not take credit."
"Hahaha."
Zhao Run laughed loudly when he heard this, patted Zhang Qigong's arm to show his favor, and said with a smile: "There is no need to say more about such meaningless flattery. I have always rewarded my merits and blamed me for my mistakes... You have indeed accomplished something this time, and it is a great achievement. Tell me, what reward do you want?"
Zhang Qigong raised his hand and said: "I have nothing to ask for, I am only willing to use all my life knowledge to assist Your Majesty in achieving hegemony!"
Zhao Run heard this and patted Zhang Qigong's arm again. He knew that Zhang Qigong spoke from the bottom of his heart.
Based on his understanding of Zhang Qigong, this minister did not care about wealth or sex, and only wanted to assist the monarch to realize his ambitions. He could be said to be a rare and wise minister.
The only regret is that this person is vicious and mean by nature, so he cannot be allowed to hold power alone, otherwise, there will definitely be widespread resentment in the country.
This is why Zhao Run deliberately asked Zuo Duwei Gao Kuo to "suppress" Zhang Qigong, but turned a blind eye to the cultivation of meson owl in the inner court.
Jie Zizi is a gentleman, and a gentleman pays attention to everything he does, while Zhang Qigong is a ruthless official, and he pays attention to all means to achieve the goal.
The former does not need supervision, but the latter does to avoid making mistakes.
"Beigong Yu didn't go back to China with you this time?"
Zhao Run asked while signaling Chu Heng to move a stool for Zhang Qigong to sit down and answer.
"Thank you, Your Majesty...In response to Your Majesty's words, I will leave Beigong Jade in Jicheng to prevent the Koreans from repeating it." Zhang Qigong replied.
Zhao Run nodded, and then asked again: "My Lord received your letter. You once said that you would return to China in mid-October last year, but you only arrived in March this year. What happened during that period? What happened? Or did you encounter any obstacles along the way?"
"No no."
Zhang Qigong shook his head repeatedly and said: "Just because I was considering that winter was about to come and I was afraid of encountering wind and snow on the way, I did not return home by land, but chose the waterway... I took a boat from Tianjin Port and went straight to the waters of Qi State.
Then go up the river..." At this point, he paused and explained: "At that time, I wanted to stop by the Qi State to have a look, because at that time the Huling navy had arrived in the Qi State's waters and was planning to attack Qi State.
.”
"oh oh."
Zhao Run suddenly understood and asked after scoffing: "What was the situation in Qi when you arrived?"
Of course, Zhang Qigong could hear the joyful meaning in Zhao Run's words. Hearing this, he chuckled and said, "The whole country is terrified and people are uneasy."
"snort!"
Zhao Run snorted with satisfaction.
Seeing this, Zhang Qigong, who was secretly looking at Zhao Run's expression, suddenly fell to his knees with a thud and said, "Your Majesty, I deserve death for daring to privately open the letter written by Han Ran to Your Majesty."
"..."
Zhao Run looked at Zhang Qigong who was prostrating on the ground with some surprise. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head slightly and said, "Get up."
After that, he asked again: "Han Ran has a letter left for me?"
"Yes." Zhang Qigong took out Han Ran's letter from his arms and handed it to Zhao Run respectfully.
Zhao Run took a look at the letter and found signs that the envelope had been opened.
This made him feel a little surprised, because based on his understanding of Zhang Qigong, the latter did not look like someone who would do such a thing at all - as a minister, who would dare to open the letters of his monarch privately?
Obviously, there is something hidden in this.
"Tell me the reason and I will decide how to deal with you." Zhao Run said calmly.
After hearing this, Zhang Qigong told the story of the letter, as well as the story of Han Ran's wife and children Zhou, Han Ji and Han Fei brothers, which made Zhao Run frown.
When he was praising Zhang Qigong in his mind, he just thought that Zhang Qigong was a cruel official who could delegate power but could not authorize him to have exclusive power. However, this Zhang Qigong made him see what it meant to be ruthless.
Shaking his head slightly, Zhao Run opened the letter and read the contents carefully.
I saw the letter written: "My country, Korea, has declined because of you, and I wish I could give birth to your flesh... However, if there is an afterlife, I would like to still be friends with you. I only hope that by the time you and I are no longer burdened by the country,
.”
"..."
Zhao Run remained silent and repeatedly read this letter, which was only a few dozen words long, filled with emotions.
Among the people he knew, Han Wangran was a comrade with similar status, similar age, and similar life ambitions. If it were in other eras, they would have become close friends, but it is a pity that in this era, he is Wei Jun.
He is Han Jun, and he is destined to be unable to become a true confidant.
This world is too small to accommodate two heroes with grand plans and strategies: for the long-term prosperity of Wei, Zhao Run must destroy South Korea; conversely, the same is true for Han Ran.
Glancing at Zhang Qigong who was kneeling on the ground, Zhao Run asked expressionlessly: "Zhang Qing, if I guessed correctly, the reason why you opened the contents of this letter privately is probably to see if the letter is safe enough.
If the lives of Han Ran's wife and children...are not enough to make me soften my heart, you will kill the Zhou family first, as well as Han Ji and Han Ran's brothers, right?"
"My lord... his crime deserves death."
Zhang Qigong bowed his head and pleaded guilty without any excuses, because the facts were just as Zhao Run said.
"Where are the brothers Zhou, Han Ji, and Han Fei?" Zhao Run asked with a stern face.
Zhang Qigong quickly replied: "Wei Chen has brought him back to Daliang and is waiting outside the palace at the moment."
"snort!"
Zhao Run snorted angrily.
Although he knew very well that the reason why Zhang Qigong wanted to kill Han Ji and the Han Fei brothers was to avoid future troubles, which could be said to be for the benefit of his country of Wei, Zhao Run was still very dissatisfied with Zhang Qigong's approach of killing first and then reporting later.
Thanks to the good fortune of Han Ran's wife and son, Han Ran left a letter before his death, hoping to save the lives of his mother and son, and the person who later pursued them was Han Pu, the Marquis of Yuanyi, who had surrendered to his Wei state.
, and not Zhang Qigong himself. Otherwise, I am afraid that the Zhou family, Han Ji, Han Fei, mother and son have long since disappeared from the world, and the letter that Han Ran left for him before his death may not be delivered to Zhao Run.
This made Zhao Run secretly grateful for his foresight: a ruthless official like Zhang Qigong cannot be allowed to have arbitrary power and must be restrained, otherwise, he may do something.
Thinking of this, Zhao Run said with some anger: "You took the greatest credit for the attack on Korea, and the court will reward you heavily in the future; but you tried to deceive me, and tried to kill Zhou without my permission.
Brothers Han Ji and Han Fei, if you commit the crime of deceiving the emperor like this, I will punish you severely!"
Speaking of this, Zhao Run narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Jie Zizi is currently in Daliang City to appease the army and the people. He is short of a few followers and minor officials. It is up to you to assist him... I, the Great Wei
When will this battle be won and when will you be reinstated?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Qigong's face suddenly turned earthy, and he secretly complained in his heart.
You must know that Jie Zizi is a new leader supported by Confucianism and the face of Confucianism in the court, and Zhang Qigong is also a new leader supported by Legalism. Now, the majesty in front of him actually wants Zhang Qigong to give
That meson owl doing odd jobs was simply...even more unbearable than killing Zhang Qigong.
It is not difficult to guess that once this matter spreads, the Confucian disciples will undoubtedly laugh out loud, while his Legalist disciples may not even be able to raise their heads.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this and this..."
Zhang Qigong raised his head with a pleading look on his face.
It's a pity that Zhao Run has made up his mind and is determined to teach Zhang Qigong a lesson. Seeing this, he said coldly: "I have made up my mind, please step back."
"yes……"
Zhang Qigong walked out of the Manna Hall with a gray face, looking a little confused.
Seeing this, Chu Heng from the side praised him sincerely: "Your Majesty, in terms of ruthlessness, Mr. Zhang is not as good as one of your Majesty's ten thousand... Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk."
"..."
Zhao Run glared at Chu Heng and said angrily: "Talk too much!... Go out of the palace and invite brothers Zhou, Han Ji, and Han Fei to the palace. Remember not to scare them."
"yes!"
Chu Heng clasped his fists and retreated.
However, not long after, Chu Heng returned to Ganlu Hall.
Seeing this, Zhao Run was very surprised: "So fast?"
Unexpectedly, Chu Heng shook his head and said: "No, Your Majesty, I haven't gone yet... When I was halfway there, a guard handed me a letter, saying it was sent by someone from His Highness King Huan."
"Xiao Xuan?"
Zhao Run was stunned for a moment, then took the letter from Chu Heng's hand and opened it. After reading it, he muttered: "This handwriting doesn't seem like Xiao Xuan..."
As soon as he said this, he had already seen the key content of the letter, his face suddenly became solemn, and he murmured: "Li Mu...it turns out that you are causing trouble."
Zhao Run said lightly, and soon, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chu Heng bending down, stretching his head in front of him, and curiously looking at the letter in his hand.
After staring at Chu Heng for a long time, Zhao Run suddenly felt angry for no reason. He pushed Chu Heng's head away with one hand and cursed angrily: "Why do you care so much? I didn't ask you to pick up Zhou and Han Ji.
Brother Han Fei? Go quickly!"
"Your Majesty, didn't you let me see it myself?"
Chu Heng, who was over nine feet tall, scratched his hair in confusion, wondering where he had gone wrong again.
Looking at Chu Heng's leaving figure, Zhao Run snorted lightly and immediately turned his eyes to the letter in his hand again.
"You have embarked on a road of no return, General Li Mu..."
Standing at the window, Zhao Run clasped his hands behind his back and thought to himself.
He did not intend to take any countermeasures against Li Mu's actions, because he knew that as long as his country Wei won the battle, the Koreans themselves would kill Li Mu without the need for his country Wei to do anything.