To be fair, between Chu and Qi, Zhao Hongrun naturally favored Qi.
After all, he has no friendship with the Chu State. Even his friendship with Chu Yangcheng Lord Xiong Tuo is only because of Mi Jiang. I believe this is the same for Xiong Tuo.
In comparison, Qi is the country that really has no conflict of interest with Wei.
Well, to be precise, there should be no direct conflict of interest, because Song County, which now belongs to the territory of the Wei Dynasty, still has certain territorial disputes with the State of Lu. After all, as early as before the Song State was destroyed, Song and Lu had some disputes over border disputes. Fortunately, they were both younger brothers of Qi, so with Qi's mediation, the two countries would not lead to war.
However, as the Song State was reduced to Song County of the Wei State, the territorial disputes and conflicts between the Lu State and Song County gradually became acute.
Fortunately, the ruler of Song County, General Nangong of the Suiyang Army, did not dare to offend the State of Lu and tacitly handed over the disputed territories to the State of Lu early. Otherwise, the State of Lu could defeat the Chu army with his help. The powerful mechanism technique is very likely to make Wei Guo disgraced.
Of course, Zhao Hongrun was a little uncomfortable with this, but he also understood that the Wei Dynasty was not yet ready to take back those controversial cities from the Lu State, which had powerful mechanism skills.
But it is undeniable that once the Smelting Bureau develops a new military technology that can rival or even surpass Lu's machine skills, Zhao Hongrun will not hesitate to ask Lu to vomit out those embezzled cities!
Another day passed like this, and on this day, Zhao Hongrun received news that his sixth brother Zhao Hongzhao was preparing to return to Qi State with his newlywed wife, Concubine, and Tian Dan, the general of Qi State.
Yes, he is returning to Qi.
Because after this, the State of Qi will replace the State of Wei as the sixth brother's new home and the object of his allegiance.
Zhao Hongzhao specially sent his Zongwei to convey this news to Zhao Hongrun. After deliberately avoiding Zhao Hongrun for several days, Zhao Hongzhao only planned to meet Zhao Hongrun before leaving.
The meaning is self-evident.
After Zhao Hongrun learned the news, he led several clan guards on horseback to Shiliting Pavilion in the east of the city.
There, Zhao Hongrun finally saw his sixth brother Zhao Hongzhao waiting for him in the pavilion again.
It has to be said that Zhao Hongrun's mood was a bit complicated. He was very angry that Zhao Hongzhao abandoned his country and went to serve Qi State. Although he also understood that the reason why Zhao Hongzhao did this was to hope that the Wei Dynasty would get a strong and stable person. ally.
Handing the horse rein to Zong Wei, Zhao Hongrun walked straight into the pavilion.
At this time, Zhao Hongzhao had already ordered his Zongwei to prepare some simple wine and food on the stone table in the pavilion. It seemed that he planned to have a few drinks with Zhao Hongrun here before heading to Qi State.
Zhao Hongrun sat opposite Zhao Hongzhao without saying a word and glanced at a carriage not far outside the pavilion.
Maybe he guessed something, Zhao Hongzhao personally poured a glass of wine for the eighth brother, and said with a smile: "There are only my brother's clan guards and concubines here. General Tian Dan is waiting for my brother in the distance, Hongrun." If you have anything to say, just say it."
"..." Zhao Hongzhao raised his head and glanced at Zhao Hongzhao for a few times, and said in a deep voice: "Is Sixth Brother really so sure that the Lu family of Qi will become a solid ally of our great Wei Dynasty?"
"The Lu family of Qi..." Zhao Hongzhao muttered these words and said to Zhao Hongrun with a smile: "It seems that my father has revealed something to you, Hongrun." After that, he also poured himself a glass of wine. , said slowly: "Actually, Brother Wei is very surprised. Brother Wei originally thought that the Chu envoys would walk away with anger after seeing General Tian Dan, but he didn't expect... Oh, who is Huang Er?" He is more calm than Xiong Tuo, the Lord of Yangcheng, and Xiong Wu, the Lord of Guling."
"..." Zhao Hongrun hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but did not hide anything and said truthfully: "This person is a descendant of the Ji Lian family of the Chu State. The Ji Lian family is the brother of the first king of the Chu State... Huang Zu is a very good person. A steady Chu man."
"That's it." Zhao Hongzhao touched his chin, which already had a thin beard, and nodded in relief. But then, he smiled and shook his head: "It doesn't matter, as long as the Qi State is as stable as Mount Tai, the Ministry of Rites and the Chu State secretly signed The agreement will have no effect."
…
Zhao Hongrun drank a glass of wine in silence. He was not surprised that the sixth brother would guess what agreement the Ministry of Rites and the State of Chu signed privately. After all, the other party was the most talented member of the royal family among the children of their Ji family. He was full of knowledge, but not People like him, Zhao Hongrun, who rely on talent to make ends meet can be compared to lazy guys.
"Sixth Brother is so sure that even if King Xi of Qi dies, he can still support the huge Qi State?" Zhao Hongrun asked unceremoniously.
To be fair, Qi is indeed the best alliance partner for Wei, but the premise is that it is an internally stable Qi, such as the current Qi under the rule of King Xi of Qi.
But the problem is that although King Xi of Qi is a sage king, his fate is not long. Once he dies, God knows what kind of civil strife the Qi State will fall into because of the rebellion? And once the Qi State falls into civil strife because of the rebellion, If it falls into civil strife, then the agreement signed between Wei and Qi will most likely become a burden to Wei.
How can an ally that cannot bring the slightest help to Wei in terms of offensive and defensive alliances be of any use?!
In this regard, Zhao Hongzhao's attitude was still very calm: "I am afraid that my father exaggerated the power of the Tian family... To be precise, he miscalculated the power of the Tian family who coveted the throne of the Lu family. In fact, Even among the Tian family nobles, there are quite a few people who swear loyalty to King Qi to the death."
"For example, that Tian Dan?" Zhao Hongrun's face looked a little better.
"That's right!" Zhao Hongzhao nodded and said truthfully: "In addition to General Tian Dan, there are also Lord Tian Bao and many other members of the Tian family's nobility. They all support King Qi... The Tian family is not monolithic."
"What about the left prime minister?" Zhao Hongrun asked: "Sixth brother is the right prime minister, so what is the attitude of the left prime minister?"
"This..." Zhao Hongzhao seemed a little worried.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Hongrun understood in his heart and had no interest in asking further questions. He just asked casually: "Is Sixth Brother sure?"
"It all depends on people." Zhao Hongzhao took a breath and said calmly: "As long as brother Wei goes well, Qi will be the most solid ally of Wei."
"The premise is that the State of Qi has to survive the most difficult days after the death of King Qi Xi." Zhao Hongrun bluntly pointed out the most prone to deviation in the beautiful idea of the sixth brother Zhao Hongzhao: "If the State of Qi is stolen by the Tian family, , or perhaps because of being harassed by the young master, if the young master Gao succeeds to the throne of Qi King, I’m afraid it will be difficult for Sixth Brother’s idea to be realized, right?”
"I believe that Mr. Tian Tao and Mr. Tian Dan will stand by my brother."
"Even so, there is no guarantee that the Qi State will not fall into civil strife...Tian Ba, Tian Dan supports Brother Wang, or supports Young Master Luan, but I believe that the other two Young Masters Jiu and Young Master Gao will also have their own supporters.
Not to mention that the Tian family is watching covetously, how can Sixth Brother ensure that Qi can maintain stability and become a solid ally of our great Wei Dynasty?"
"..." Zhao Hongzhao smiled bitterly and shook his head when he heard this, and then said seriously: "No matter what, do your best for the brotherhood and give me, Wei, an internally stable ally."
"Is it possible?" Zhao Hongrun glanced at Zhao Hongzhao and whispered: "There is no doubt that once King Xi of Qi dies, when the prince Jiu and the prince Gao compete for the throne, the Chu State will definitely raise troops to attack the Qi State.
...Sixth Brother is really able to stabilize the situation with internal and external troubles?"
Hearing this, Zhao Hongzhao raised his head, looked at Zhao Hongrun and said with a chuckle: "If before this, Brother Wei was only 20% sure, then now that we are back in Daliang, Brother Wei is already 50% sure!"
What's the meaning?
Zhao Hongrun looked at this sixth brother in confusion.
Zhao Hongzhao looked at Zhao Hongrun and said with deep meaning: "From what my father said, Hongrun seems to be secretly supporting Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng. If Hongrun can cause Chu State to fall into civil strife, my brother will naturally do it."
Much more relaxed.”
Why is your father so talkative?!
Zhao Hongrun secretly scolded his father for being too talkative, and looked a little unhappy.
Indeed, the purpose of his decision to secretly support Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, was to cause the Chu State to fall into civil strife as the prince seized the throne. After all, Xiong Tuo, Lord of Yangcheng, and Xiong Sheng, Lord of Liyang, in his view, were simply incompatible.
Tuo had an unforgettable hatred for Xiong Sheng, who once persuaded his uncle, Runan Lord Xiong Hao, to commit suicide in his house. This hatred was much stronger than his disdain and disgust for Guling Lord Xiong Wu.
Even in comparison, even the Emperor of Wei, whom Xiong Tuo deeply hated, could only be ranked behind Xiong Sheng, Lord of Liyang.
Therefore, it is not difficult to guess that once Xiong Tuo rises again, there will definitely be a fight between him and Xiong Sheng, the king of Liyang, who is becoming more and more powerful in Chu State. By then, Wei State will be able to usher in a period of valuable development.
The time of national strength.
And now it seems that this period of time is obviously equally crucial to Qi State.
"Is Hongrun talking about your father's talkativeness?" Zhao Hongzhao asked with a smile.
"..." Zhao Hongrun glanced at this sixth brother and said nothing.
In fact, he never took any advantage in front of this sixth brother.
"Whatever you like." Zhao Hongrun poured himself a drink with some depression, and finally gave up trying to persuade the sixth brother in front of him. After all, he really couldn't think of anything to say to convince him.
Listening to Zhao Hongrun's self-destructive words, Zhao Hongzhao smiled slightly, then looked deeply at his eighth brother and said solemnly: "Hongrun, while my brother is away in Daliang, I, the great father of Wei Dynasty, will leave it to you.
.......Also, as a brother..."
"I will take care of Concubine Wu Gui for you." Zhao Hongrun, still a little emotional, interrupted Zhao Hongzhao.
It’s really Hongrun!
When Zhao Hongzhao heard this, a relieved and slightly bitter smile appeared on his face. He always believed that the king's brother in front of him was the most talented and virtuous among the children of the Ji family, but it was a pity that he was lazy.
some.
Suddenly, Zhao Hongzhao lowered his voice and asked: "Hongrun, do you really not plan to sit in that seat?... If Hongrun has this intention, maybe Wei and Qi can divide the world equally."
"Not interested." Zhao Hongzhao curled his lips.
As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to have thought of something, and added full of malice: "If I become the king of Wei by mistake, hey, I will raise an army to attack Han, Chu, Ba, Qi and other countries, and dominate the world.
, unify the world!...By then, Sixth Brother and I will be enemies!"
"..." Zhao Hongzhao was stunned when he heard this, and looked at Zhao Hongrun in astonishment.
Looking at Zhao Hongzhao who was stunned, Zhao Hongrun said angrily: "Just kidding, Brother Wang, isn't that right?" After saying that, he poured a glass of wine for Zhao Hongzhao and himself, then raised the wine bottle and said solemnly:
"Hongrun, I wish my sixth brother all the best in his trip to Qi!"
"Thank you Hongrun!" Zhao Hongzhao glanced at the wine bottle in front of him and drank a glass with Zhao Hongrun.
Immediately, he stood up, boarded the carriage under the watch of Zhao Hongrun, and slowly headed east accompanied by his clan guards.
"Husband, what's wrong with you?...Did you not have a pleasant conversation with that Prince Su?"
In the carriage, Ji Ji saw that her newlywed husband was a little distracted and asked doubtfully.
"No." Zhao Hongzhao shook his head and murmured: "It's just... I heard an incredible statement."
"What an outrageous statement?" Kui Ji looked at Zhao Hongzhao doubtfully.
Zhao Hongzhao, however, had no interest in explaining. He lifted up the curtains of the carriage and looked out the window at the pavilion of Shili Pavilion, looking at his eighth brother who was still standing there watching him off.
In a daze, a picture seemed to appear in Zhao Hongzhao's mind: He was standing on the city of Linzi, the capital of King Qi, helplessly looking at the countless well-armed enemy troops outside the city, as well as the countless enemy troops fluttering in the wind.
Flag with the word Wei!
"Ah, that's quite an outrageous statement!" (To be continued.)