On July 16, Ying Ying returned to Luoyang, the capital of the King of Wei, by boat.
After returning to the palace, she didn't even bother to send someone to notify her husband, and went straight back to Youzhi Palace, hoping to reunite with her son Zhao Xing and daughter Zhao An.
Later, when she learned that her son and daughter were with Empress Dowager Shen while she was away from Wei, she went straight to Fuyan Palace. One can imagine how much she missed her children during this period.
Empress Dowager Shen didn't pay much attention to worldly affairs, so she naturally didn't know that Ying Ying was under house arrest in Xianyang Palace by her father, King Qin. Therefore, when she saw her daughter-in-law, the always kind Empress Dowager Shen couldn't help but blame her and said: "Ying'er Ah, after you return to Qin to visit your father and queen mother, I understand, but you can't leave Xing'er behind. An'er has been gone for more than half a year, right? There's not even a message..."
Ying Ying didn't want to explain that she was under house arrest by her father, so she only admitted her mistake.
Fortunately, brother and sister Zhao Xing and Zhao An saw their mother at this time and happily rushed towards her. Empress Dowager Shen did not want to scold her too much in front of her grandson and granddaughter, so she stopped.
Not long after, Wei King Zhao Run, who received the news that "Concubine Qin returned to the palace", brought Chu Heng, the general of the Imperial Guard, and Gao He, the eunuch, to Fuyan Palace.
After the family chatted and laughed happily for a while, Zhao Run winked at Ying Ying and motioned for the latter to follow him to the garden outside the palace.
A moment later, in the small garden of Fuyan Palace, Zhao Run sat on a stone bench and asked Ying Ying: "Are you under house arrest by your father?"
"Um."
Ying Ying, who was still dressed in men's clothing, sat down on another stone bench next to the stone table at Zhao Run's signal, and said with a wry smile: "Since I was a child, some people have said that my father and I are quite similar in words and deeds. This time... I deceived my father, and he also deceived me... Fortunately, you saw through my father's intentions."
"Hehehe."
Zhao Run chuckled twice and did not want to continue this topic. After all, the person they were talking about was Ying Ying's father, King Qin Hui.
He changed the topic and asked: "This time your father returns you to the country, is there any message for you to convey?"
"Um."
Ying Ying was not surprised that her wise husband could guess this. She nodded and said truthfully: "My father hopes to make peace with Wei."
"Yanhe? Humph."
Zhao Run snorted softly. Although the snort was not very deliberate, one could hear his disdain for the matter.
Seeing this, Ying Ying shook her head and explained: "It's not the kind of peace you imagined... My father also understands that it is extremely difficult to restore the previous relationship between Qin and Wei. Therefore, he asked me to Let me give you a suggestion: temporarily reconcile while still maintaining hostility... My father said that the Wei Dynasty should devote itself to attacking Qi and Chu to further expand the results of this war, rather than continuing to fight Qin. "
"..." Zhao Run was slightly startled.
He originally thought that King Qin's return was asking for peace, which was why he showed disdain just now. Unexpectedly, the so-called peace that King Qin returned was just a temporary truce between the two countries.
This means that Qin and Wei are still hostile parties, and Wei still has the right to counterattack Qin. As long as Wei is ready, war can start again at any time.
To be honest, this is very beneficial to Wei State.
You must know that although the current Wei State has defeated South Korea and the coalition forces of various countries, its national strength has also declined a lot. More importantly, military pay, military rations, pensions, and rewards are a series of burdens and expenses caused by the war. , the pressure has already made Wei Guo somewhat breathless.
At this time, Qin proposed a temporary truce, which undoubtedly gave Wei a chance to breathe. It would only take one to two years for Wei to recover the national strength lost due to this battle and regain its former strength.
Even more so, given that Wei currently controls South Korea and has a guard, Lu and Lu have returned to Wei's camp, making Wei more powerful in a year or two.
Therefore, Zhao Run didn't understand why King Qin Hui gave Wei a chance to breathe.
Is it just a simple "draining trouble to the east" strategy, hoping that Wei will be defeated by Qin when it attacks Qi and Chu in the future? Or should it be said that it will be restrained by the latter?
Touching his chin, Zhao Run said with a half-smile: "It seems that I have no reason to refuse such a negotiation that is completely based on the interests of Wei Wei... Tsk, but I don't believe my father-in-law. , so kind-hearted.”
Ying Ying rolled her eyes at Zhao Run when she heard this, but she still nodded in agreement: "My father must have his own plans... He hopes that I will persuade you to temporarily suspend the truce between the two countries, and he keeps saying that Wei should follow the trend of the war. By annexing Qi and Chu, he must be planning to do something when our army in Wei conquers Qi and Chu... He is not even worried that our army in Wei will attack Qin after annexing Qi and Chu, so he probably has some support."
With that said, she asked Zhao Run: "What do you think? Do you accept it?"
Zhao Run touched the beard on his chin, frowning in thought.
To be honest, in order to continue the war with Qin, he had already mobilized several more troops to go to the battlefield of Qin and Wei. However, the "temporary truce" negotiation proposed by King Qin was more beneficial to Wei, which made him hesitate.
"I'll think about it," he said solemnly.
Ying Ying nodded slightly, that was all she could do for her husband.
After a while, Zhao Run returned to the Ganlu Hall and told the eunuch Gao He: "Send someone to summon Yang Yi and Zhai Huang... Yes, ask Yang Yi to bring the accounting books of the household department's expenses for the past year. "
"According to the decree."
The great eunuch Gao He left in response and sent someone to summon Yang Yi and Zhai Huang.
After about one stick of incense, Yang Yi and Zhai Huang arrived at the Manlu Hall.
Yang Yinai was the Minister of Household Affairs of the imperial court, while Zhai Huang was a general in charge of Tiance Mansion.
"Your Majesty, Yang Yi (Zhai Huang), pays homage to your Majesty."
After some greetings, Yang Yi, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, took the lead and respectfully handed Zhao Run his account book of expenditures in recent years - of course, it was just an account book that simply recorded the revenue and expenditure of the treasury. After all, if it were a detailed account book, it would probably be necessary. Calculated by baskets, how could Zhao Run have such free time?
"My dear friends, please sit down for a while, make peace, and serve tea."
Zhao Run gave an order and immediately took the thick account book and began to read it roughly.
From the side, the eunuch Gao He was ordered by Zhao Run to immediately send someone to serve tea, which flattered Yang Yi and Zhai Huang.
After a while, Zhao Run held the account book with his left hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with his right hand, which he used to turn the pages, looking a little tired.
The reason is that the current inventory of the national treasury is not optimistic - for this war, the Wei State has almost spent all its ten-year savings during the "Xing'an Period". Regardless of the figures representing money and food on the account books, it is still relatively optimistic. , but don’t forget that the Wei State has not yet issued pensions and rewards.
For example, the imperial court has not yet issued pensions to the 15,000 Daliang Imperial Guard soldiers who died in the Battle of Daliang.
It's not that the imperial court had any intention of throwing away the money, it was just that after the war between Wei, South Korea, and the coalition forces of other countries, they really had little money. However, there was also the threat of Qin, which caused the imperial court to temporarily withhold pensions and rewards.
, to avoid any changes in the Qin and Wei wars.
"Crack."
Zhao Run threw the account book in his hand on the table and said to Yang Yi: "Yang Yi, in your opinion, how long can the money and food last for the war between Wei and Qin?"
After hearing the monarch's inquiry, Yang Yi immediately stood up, cupped his hands and replied: "To answer your Majesty's question, if we can temporarily suppress the pensions and rewards, it is roughly estimated that it can still last for more than half a year. If we distribute pensions and rewards..." He said somewhat cautiously.
Licking his lips, he whispered: "I'm afraid the country will have no spare money or food to support the war..."
Zhao Run nodded and said, "I understand, please step back first."
With that said, he asked the eunuch Gao He to return the account book to Yang Yi.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yang Yi took the account book and walked away.
Seeing this, Zhai Huang subconsciously sat up straight because he knew that the monarch in front of him was about to talk to him.
Sure enough, after Yang Yi, the Minister of Household Affairs, left, Zhao Run turned to Zhai Huang and said, "Today Concubine Qin returned to the palace and brought the words of King Qin... She hopes to have a temporary truce with me, the Wei Dynasty."
"Temporary truce? Isn't it peace of mind?"
Zhai Huang was also a little surprised when he heard this, and said incomprehensibly: "What if the Qin State used troops to prevent the Wei Dynasty from becoming dominant and destroying the still balanced situation in the Central Plains... Now, Qin State has
The country should not have a temporary truce with the Wei Dynasty. If the Wei Dynasty is allowed to recover its strength, Qin's original move to start a war against the Wei Dynasty will become meaningless."
"Perhaps King Qin was a little frightened when he learned that South Korea surrendered and all the countries were defeated." Zhao Run said half-jokingly.
In fact, even he couldn't convince himself of this statement. After all, his father-in-law, King Qin Hui, was also a wise and far-sighted king. That's why, in the informant letter from the Han general Li Mu, he learned that at that time
When the Wei State had gained an advantage, instead of showing favor to the other Wei State, it broke the relationship between the two countries and sent troops to attack the Wei State.
Because King Qin knew very well that Wei had broken the original balance of the Central Plains. If Wei's momentum could not be curbed, all the countries in the Central Plains would be annexed by Wei one by one in the future, including his own Qin State. - If it were like King Fei of Wei.
As for the goods, he was probably only thinking about how to please the Wei State at that time.
"I suspect there may be fraud..."
Zhai Huang said without confidence, because he couldn't think of any fraud for a while.
After thinking for a while, he held up his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that you immediately send the Green Crows to Qin to inquire about the news and see Qin's true intentions. If Qin has no tricks, I suggest that you might as well temporarily make a truce with Qin...
After all, we, the Wei Dynasty, will challenge South Korea and the alliance of other countries at the same time in this battle.
The army, the national power is consumed hugely, and it is too reluctant to start a full-scale war with Qin at this time. It is best to cultivate for a year or two and accumulate enough money and food... As long as I, the Wei Dynasty, have enough money and food, no matter what Qin's plot is
No trick can withstand my Wei army!"
"Hmm."
Zhao Runshen nodded in agreement, and then, after thinking for a moment, he ordered the eunuch Gao He: "Gao He, call those two bastards Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao over for me from the east city gate!"
As soon as he heard the names of Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao, the eunuch Gao He wanted to laugh. He held back his laughter and asked: "Your Majesty, do you need two adults to take a bath and change clothes before coming to see your Majesty?"
The so-called bathing and changing clothes are purely polite words. What Gao He really wants to ask is whether Gao Kuo needs to be asked to change clothes. After all, these two have now been demoted to the East City Gate. As guards on duty,
It was embarrassing for these two adults to enter the palace wearing the armor of a small soldier and meet many soldiers of the Imperial Guard along the way.
However, after hearing this, Zhao Run snorted coldly and said, "Do you still want me to wait for them to take a bath and change clothes?... Tell them to come here immediately!"
"Yes." The eunuch Gao He responded and left.
About half an hour later, when Zhao Run and Zhai Huang were discussing the matter of "garrisoning troops in Lu County", Yan Shun, the commander of the Huben Imperial Guard, announced from outside the palace, obviously suppressing a smile: "Uh.
… Gao Kuo, a soldier at the city gate, prepared his moves and was summoned to come to see him.”
Even Zhao Run couldn't help but smile after hearing these words.
A moment later, under the gaze of Zhao Run, Gao He, Chu Heng, Zhai Huang and several young eunuchs in the palace, Gao Kuo, the left captain of the former Tian Ce Mansion, and Wei Cheng Zhongzhao looked embarrassed and panic-stricken.
Stepping into the hall, they saw two wooden plaques standing upright behind their necks that made people laugh.
Especially Chu Heng, this arrogant man looked at Gao Kuo, feeling embarrassed and laughing non-stop.
To be honest, if it hadn't been for Gao Kuo, neither of them would have been able to defeat such a reckless man. Moreover, in front of the monarch, I'm afraid the two of them would have rushed over and beaten him up - although it was very likely that they were beaten.
Chu Heng was beaten violently.
"My lord... no, little Gao Kuo (Zhongzhao), pays homage to Your Majesty."
The two of them bowed and saluted.
In the quiet study room of the Manlu Hall, Zhao Run looked Gao Kuo up and down with a straight face, then asked the two of them slowly, "Have you realized your mistake?"
"I understand, I understand."
As if realizing that they were about to be forgiven, Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao nodded in succession and said vowedly: "Your Majesty, we will never dare to do it again, never again..."
Seeing the eager expressions of these two men, General Zhai Huang of the Tiance Mansion subconsciously lowered his head because he was afraid that he would not be able to help but laugh out loud.
Having said that, regardless of whether Gao Kuo and Zhong Zhao will make similar mistakes in the future, at least this lesson is enough to make them unforgettable.
This is the consensus of everyone present at this moment.
Thinking about it, Zuo Duwei and Wei Cheng of Tiance Mansion, who were powerful enough to rank among the top three in the Wei army, were demoted to the East Gate and were on duty like little pawns, which was even more embarrassing.
Yes, because those two pieces
Because of the wooden sign, and because of a certain scheming Zongwei, most of the passers-by pointed at Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao, and asked about their background in private - this was simply embarrassing.
I have spent my whole life showing my face.
To be fair, Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao were even more embarrassed than Zhang Qigong a while ago.
But it's no wonder, after all, the faults of these two people are much more serious than Zhang Qigong. If these two people were not Zongwei, whom Zhao Run had been with for more than 20 years, and were loyal, if it were anyone else, even if Zhao Run didn't kill him, he would definitely
There is no way to escape the court.
Seeing Gao Kuo, Zhongzhao and Zhongzhao looked at him pretending to be pitiful. Zhao Run snorted and said slowly: "Next time, I won't forgive you two so easily... Do you understand?"
"I understand, I understand."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, there will never be a next time."
Seeing that they had been forgiven, Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao immediately changed their pretense of pity and laughed cooperatively, making Di Huang, the counselor of Tiance Mansion who was nearby, have the illusion of getting to know these two people again.
.
After the joke, Zhao Run slowly put away his smile and said seriously: "Gao Kuo, I have something for you to do."
Upon hearing this, Gao Kuo immediately put away his deliberately flattering smile and said with a serious face: "Please give me your Majesty's orders."
Zhao Run pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Young Jun returned to the palace and brought a message from the King of Qin, hoping to have a temporary truce with the Wei Dynasty... I suspect that there is something fishy in it, so I ordered you and me to send the Blue Crows there immediately.
The Qin State secretly inquires, I want to know, the Qin State is deliberately trying to turn the attention of the Wei Dynasty to Qi Chu, and what is his intention."
"As you command!"
Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao both immediately clasped their fists and responded.
Zhao Run nodded, and when he saw Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao's funny outfit, he couldn't help but laugh again, waved his hand and said: "Back off... Remember, it won't be so easy next time."
Already."
"Yes, yes..."
Gao Kuo and Zhongzhao retreated reluctantly.
Although it is not yet clear what Qin is playing, considering that a "temporary truce" would be more beneficial to Wei, Zhao Run finally agreed to King Qin's proposal and asked Ying Ying to write a letter in person to send
The person was sent to the State of Qin and returned to the hands of the King of Qin, who asked the latter to send an envoy to reach a written agreement with the Ministry of Rites of the State of Wei.
After receiving his daughter's letter, King Qin immediately sent Lantian Junying as an envoy to Wei to sign an armistice agreement.
Looking at the entire Qin State, apart from Ying Ying, it was Lantian Lord who was relegated to the Wei State and had the best relationship with Wei King Zhao Run. Moreover, this Yijun was also one of the few Qin rulers who defeated Qin and Wei in the war.
The least concerned about it - at the same time, like Ying Ying, he least wanted Qin and Wei to go to war.
The reason is very simple, because he is Ying Ying's uncle and has a close personal relationship with Wei King Zhao Run. Even if Wei wins, as long as he surrenders to Wei, he can continue to enjoy wealth as a Wei minister - no doubt, with
Considering his greedy and fearful character, he will definitely join Wei State when the time comes.
Because of this, the King of Qin sent him back to Wei to sign an armistice agreement. After all, Zhao Run would not harm Lord Lantian and win his banishment.
The process of signing the armistice agreement went very smoothly. When both Qin and Wei did not want to continue the war, Lantian Jun Ying, who was relegated, and Zhu Jin, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites of the Wei State, quickly reached an agreement and signed a 20-year agreement.
A four-month armistice agreement means two years.
After all, a contract like the armistice agreement is meaningless if it is too short, and there is no need if it is too long. Two years is just right.
In two years, Wei can not only regain the capital to fight another war, but also basically see Qin's actions clearly, so that Wei can take corresponding precautions.
After signing the armistice agreement, Lord Lantian returned to Qin after being relegated and handed the agreement to the King of Qin for return.
Not long after the incident, the Qin army withdrew troops in large numbers from Hedong, Hexi, Sanchuan and other places in the Wei state to prepare for the war against Bashu.
Of course, a war mobilization of the level of attacking Bashu could not be hidden from the eyes of the Qingya people. These craftsmen of the Wei State immediately sent the news back to the country in the form of a secret letter and handed it to Gao Kuo, the Zuodu Lieutenant of Tiance Mansion.
After receiving these secret letters, Gao Kuo was shocked. Even he did not expect that the Qin State, which had an armistice with his Wei State, would immediately want to use troops against Bashu. He immediately went to the palace and reported the matter to Wei King Zhao Run.
Compared with Gao Kuo's surprise, Wei King Zhao Run was only slightly surprised after learning about this, but not too surprised.
Because he knew the state structure of Qin very well and knew that it was a country that was extremely capable of external expansion, but would collapse from within once it stopped its external campaigns or suffered successive defeats. Although Qin State had grown stronger with the help of Wei over the years,
, which has enhanced national strength, but this essence has not changed.
"He actually used troops against Bashu..."
In the study room of Ganlu Hall, Zhao Run squinted his eyes and thought for a moment, and suddenly realized: "So, Qin is going to seize Bashu as a granary!"
Regardless of the fact that this time Wei State also chose a temporary truce with Qin because its domestic grain and grass reserves could no longer support the war, Wei State has a very strong agricultural foundation and can accumulate considerable grain reserves in just one or two years.
War was launched again, but Qin did not meet this condition. To be more precise, Qin's agricultural level was still weaker than Wei's.
But if the Qin State obtains the grain-rich land of Bashu, then the Qin State will truly have the ability to fight a protracted war with the Wei State - in terms of military strength and food supply, it will not be much inferior to the Wei State.
That is to say, the equipment of the army is slightly inferior, but the bravery of the Qin people is entirely possible to make up for the gap in armaments between the two armies.
"So this was the plan..."
Zhao Run murmured as he tapped his fingers on the table.
Of course, even if he learns Qin's true intentions, Zhao Run will not regret signing the armistice agreement with Qin. After all, the two-year opportunity to recuperate is what Wei needs most at the moment.
What's more, if the Qin State sends troops to attack Bashu, will it definitely be able to defeat Bashu?
Leaving aside the fact that Bashu will resist on its own, the Wei side will not remain indifferent either - in view of the armistice agreement, our Wei army will not attack your Qin State, but I can always cause trouble when you attack Bashu, right?
Of course, there is no rush in this matter, after all, Qin has just prepared to attack Bashu.
In late August, Wei King Zhao Run received a letter from South Korea sent by Zhang Qigong.
Zhang Qigong reported in the letter that, except for Bao Yuan, Korean generals such as Qin Kai, Le Yi, Yan Kui, Sima Shang, Xu Li, etc. have all agreed to serve the Wei State, and he is preparing to take these Korean generals with him.
General, come to Luoyang by boat.
After learning about this, Zhao Run was greatly surprised.
At this time, Zhao Run was extremely lucky that the Korean general Li Mu was deliberately planning to counterattack Jicheng at that time, because if Li Mu had not counterattacked Jicheng, this respectable Korean general would not have been boycotted by all walks of life in Korea.
Being forced to commit suicide, naturally, generals like Qin Kai, Yan Kui, Sima Shang, Xu Li, Le Yi, etc. would not completely lose hope in this country because of this, and would be persuaded by Zhang Qigong to serve the Wei State.
This is in line with the saying, misfortune lies on the back of blessing, and misfortune lies on the back of blessing. One peck and one drink are all predestined.
"It might be a good idea to send Zhang Qigong to Bashu to create some trouble for Qin who is attacking Bashu."
While overjoyed, Zhao Run thought to himself.
Anyway, in his opinion, the Qin State is an enemy, and the Ba people are even more enemies of the Wei people. He doesn't mind releasing ruthless poisoners like Zhang Qigong to turn the land of Bashu upside down.