When Yu Qing sent the information from South Korea to King Zhao, Handan was in a panic.
King Zhao kicked the case in front of him and ignored the surprised looks of the guests at the banquet. He suppressed his blush and shouted: "Go and invite General Lian Po!" The guests did not understand what happened.
Whatever happened, King Zhao issued an order to expel the guests, and the banquet was interrupted. The guests immediately realized that something big must have happened. You know, even when Bai Qi was about to invade Handan, King Zhao never wanted to end his attack.
What a feast!
The most likely thing to happen is that something happened to Ma Fujun who went to South Korea.
Could it be that... Ma Fujun died in the battle??
Wei Wuji was drinking in his courtyard. He heard that the warriors came to him crying and said that Ma Fujun might have died in the battle. It was like a heavy hammer on his head and he almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Wei Wuji reacted quickly and drove hurriedly.
After rushing to the Handan Palace, Wei Wuji just walked into the Handan Palace. Wei Wuji listened to the movements in the palace with fear. When he heard that there was no crying inside, he calmed down and walked in.
In the palace, the angry King Zhao and Lian Po were talking loudly about something.
"With only 50,000 soldiers, I can lay waste to Xinzheng, capture the King of Han, and bring him to you."
"I will give you one hundred thousand soldiers. Please send me Ji Ran's head!"
Seeing Wei Wuji come in, King Zhao hurriedly asked him to sit aside, and quickly said to him: "Ji Ran actually dared to capture my master Ma Fu!" Wei Wuji was stunned, but did not speak. He sat aside and thought seriously.
He stood up, which made Lian Po a little unhappy. Lian Po said angrily: "Mr. Ma Fu regards you as a friend. Now that he is in trouble, you are so calm. Is this your attitude towards your friends?"
Wei Wuji glanced at him, then looked at King Zhao and asked, "Who told you this?"
Seeing Wei Wuji's calm appearance, King Zhao also felt something strange. He frowned and said, "Yu Qing told me this." Wei Wuji immediately sent someone to call Yu Qing, but Lian Po still looked a little angry.
, maybe in his opinion, something happened to Ma Fujun, but Wei Wuji still has to look for the source of the news here. This is simply a waste of time. As long as he is given fifty thousand, no, thirty thousand, he can trap the King of Han.
Armpit, send it to Handan quickly!
Yu Qing quickly returned to the palace, and he was not the only one who came back. Dong Chengzi, Pang Nuan, Xu Li, Zhao Hui, Lou Sui, and even Tian Dan were all the ministers who came with Yu Qing.
The news they heard was also different. Some heard that Ma Fujun was killed, and some heard that Ma Fujun was captured. Everyone sat around. Wei Wuji directly spoke and asked: "Yu Gong, where did you learn about this?"
of?"
Yu Qing said seriously: "He is a warrior under my command. He usually disguises himself as a merchant and travels between Han and Zhao." Not only Qin has its own intelligence agencies, but also all countries have them. These intelligence agencies are generally
It is in the hands of the Prime Minister, but Zhao State is different, because Zhao State has its own false system, and falsehood diverts the efforts of the Prime Minister to a certain extent, so Zhao State’s intelligence agencies are in the hands of the false state.
Wei Wuji looked helplessly at Yu Qing. Yu Qing had talent and courage, but what he lacked was some ingenuity. It's not that he wasn't smart, but that his talent was more inclined to governing the country.
, not good at dealing with the enemy's intrigues, Wei Wuji shook his head and said: "This warrior of yours must have been bribed by the Qin people. Please capture him and hand him over to Dong Chengzi for interrogation."
"How do you know?" Dong Chengzi widened his eyes and asked. Wei Wuji smiled and then said: "The King of Han has the strength to detain Ma Fujun, but he does not have the strength to eliminate the 20,000 elites of Zhao State. If this happens
It's true, these soldiers should have sent a message to Handan a long time ago... Even before the merchant came to deliver the news, no news about this matter was spread. How did the merchant know such a secret thing so quickly?
And can it be sent to Handan first?"
Dong Chengzi thought for a moment and then said: "The capture of Lord Mafu is completely fake?" Wei Wuji laughed and said: "I also have some friendship with this King of Han. I know his character, gentlemen.
You can rest assured that even if he has the idea to murder Ma Fujun, he doesn't have the strength. Don't worry, this news must have been sent by Fan Ju..."
Tian Dan stood up, turned and left.
The other ministers also discussed matters in Korea again. After Wei Wuji appeased everyone, he said to Yu Qing: "Please give the order as soon as possible to reassure the officials everywhere. Young generals like Li Mu and Sima Shang are already on friendly terms with Ma Fujun.
Well, if the people of Qin are deceived, I'm afraid they will lead the army of the county and kill Korea regardless of anything." Then Yu Qing hurriedly left the palace.
King Zhao's anger still hasn't dissipated. When he just learned that his Mafu Jun was detained by the King of Han, King Zhao was almost going to conquer Korea and capture the King of Han. Then he hurriedly called Lian Po and wanted to use the power of the whole country to destroy him.
In South Korea, if Wei Wuji comes later, he may not be able to see King Zhao. King Zhao is still a little worried at the moment. Fan Ju cannot spread this news to Zhao for no reason. Something must have happened in South Korea.
Wei Wuji took a sip of wine, looked at the flustered King Zhao in front of him, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't worry, it's better to complete Zhao's domestic supervision system earlier, wait until Ma Fujun comes back, and let him see your achievements. This is
The most important thing is..." King Zhao nodded and told Wei Wuji that this matter must be done well, and then he excused himself to go back to rest because he was tired. Wei Wuji looked a little helpless.
The wider the scope of Wei Wuji's domestic reforms, the more people want to stop him. At present, the most powerful resistance comes from the domestic clan officials, who gather around Zhao Bao.
A huge group was formed. Except for Qin, in other countries, it is normal for clan disciples to be scattered all over the country to help the king govern the country.
At the local level, perhaps nine out of ten county magistrates are nobles with the surname Zhao, not to mention the county guards, who are almost all close relatives of King Zhao. These people are all beneficiaries of the original official system.
King Zhao used these relatives to help him firmly control the counties, and these relatives of King Zhao used their own relatives to help them manage the grassroots, forming a huge aristocratic group.
Speaking of which... Ma Fujun is also a member of the Zhao aristocratic group, because he also has the surname Zhao.
First of all, Wei Wuji wanted to take away their power to appoint relatives. Although these people were angry, they could barely hold back their anger and avoid a head-on confrontation with Wei Wuji. However, they did not expect that after Wei Wuji completed the investigation of his hometown.
After the reform of the appointment and dismissal of wild officials, he set his sights on them again. He wanted to establish a supervisory system, and even wanted King Zhao to stop using his relatives and send people to supervise these distant relatives.
This is what the aristocratic group cannot tolerate. This is not to gain their power, but to take away everything they have! Therefore, not long after Ma Fujun left, a war started in the State of Zhao. This was from outside. The contest between the Prime Minister and the local aristocratic group. Wei Wuji was not alone. He also had many allies in Handan. People like Dong Chengzi, Yu Qing, and Pang Nuan were all willing to help him.
However, this also made Wei Wuji feel a little worried. Today's battle is gradually turning into a battle between Handan and the local area.
The fight between the two sides naturally requires a person who is responsible for judging. This person is the master of Zhao State and Zhao Dan on the throne. However, Zhao Dan is not a courageous person. He will not give full support like Qin Xiaogong. Shang Yang helped Shang Yang deal with his relatives and friends, and completely broke with these people. Zhao Dan is also in a dilemma now. On the one hand, it is the great sages he relies on most, and on the other hand, it is his relatives.
Wei Wuji always told him that if the country wants to become strong, it must carry out reforms. Now is the best time and there is no hesitation. He persuaded King Zhao with the reforms in various countries and the benefits they brought. However, Zhao Bao and others Tell him that the State of Zhao belongs to the Zhao family. If you want to hand over the appointment and promotion of officials to the prime minister, will you still be the master of the State of Zhao? You are willing to trust a Wei man, but you are not willing to believe it. Your relatives?
They used the fact that Shang Yang wanted to rebel after the success of his reform as their basis to persuade King Zhao.
King Zhao was in a dilemma. He agreed to Wei Wuji in the morning and was persuaded by Zhao Bao in the evening. In desperation, he had no choice but to hide in the palace, prepare his own banquet, and not interfere in the fights outside the palace. This caused The greater chaos started with the local aristocratic officials, who expelled the rural officials arranged by Wei Wuji, and even killed many people in the name of neglecting government, accepting bribes, and colluding with thieves.
Even the inspectors sent by Wei Wuji were attacked by thieves and died on the road.
This caused huge damage to Wei Wuji's reform. No one dared to participate in the assessment of local officials, and no official dared to supervise the local government. Wei Wuji naturally refused to admit defeat easily, so in a short period of time, another Several local officials with the surname Zhao were executed by Wei Wuji for the same crime. Wei Wuji recommended several people to the King of Zhao to fill this position. The two sides formally drew their swords and began a bloody war.
Wei Wuji walked out of the palace. There were more than twenty strong warriors standing outside the palace. They were all Wei Wuji's retainers. Now, Wei Wuji could not go alone. These nobles who were angered by him might be waiting for him to be alone. Well, Wei Wuji smiled and sat on the carriage. He raised his head and felt that the scorching sun was a bit dazzling. There was nothing in the blue sky, so clear and beautiful.
Just as Wei Wuji was admiring the beautiful scenery, he suddenly heard the noise coming from the front. Wei Wuji looked forward. At some point, a group of people appeared in front of him. There were knights clearing the way and warriors guarding him. Wei Wuji saw it at a glance. It can be seen that these warriors are all dressed up as Qi people. He has seen similar outfits at Tian Dan. Qi State had also said before that it would send an envoy to Zhao, but this envoy was too arrogant. Well... How dare you do this in Handan City?
Wei Wuji still ordered to make way for pedestrians in front of him. The driver parked the carriage aside, and the diners gathered around, also watching out for these knights. The knights had already seen them, and after discovering that they were the first to give way, they still felt a little bit in their hearts.
Happily, the knights nodded as they passed by them. Wei Wuji's retainers also looked at them with squinted eyes and ignored them.
Behind the knights was a carriage. On the carriage, a young man was kneeling. The young man looked at everything outside the carriage curiously. When he saw Wei Wuji, he took a few more glances. Wei Wuji
Seeing these knights surrounding the young man and rushing towards the palace, he asked with some confusion: "Who is this? Could it be that the State of Qi sent an eunuch as an envoy?"
The driver laughed and said in a low voice: "He is not an eunuch. He is the Lord of Chang'an. He is the youngest brother of the Lord. He was a hostage in Qi State..." Wei Wuji was stunned for a moment and then asked.
"How did you recognize him?" the driver said helplessly: "Back then, the Queen Mother was unwilling to let Lord Chang'an join the Qi Dynasty. Zuo Shi Chulong successfully persuaded the Queen Mother. How could you not know such a famous thing?
"
"I know about this, but how did you recognize that he is Lord Chang'an?"
"Hahaha, Handan has been talking about Lord Chang'an's return to Zhao these days. It is said that Lord Chang'an has a strange appearance, with a white face and no beard, resembling an eunuch... There are many rumors in Handan, saying that he
I had a fight with a nobleman in Qi State...I suffered some injuries...um...", the driver did not say clearly, but Wei Wuji already understood what he wanted to say. Wei Wuji nodded, squinted his eyes, and looked
The young man gradually disappeared into the distance.
"What did he call it?"
"His name is Yue, and it is said that his nickname is Qiyue. The Queen Mother doted on him very much. When he was older, she also called him by his nickname. Therefore, the people of Handan also nicknamed him Qiyue Gongzi."
"July? It turns out he is a eunuch..."
Wei Wuji's attitude towards these clans became worse and worse.
As soon as this young master came to the State of Zhao, he caused a huge sensation. It was not all because of his pale face and beard. The people of Handan believed that the fact that the State of Qi sent Lord Chang'an back to the State of Zhao showed that the State of Zhao had become something different.
Compared with the past, Qi State was afraid of the power of Zhao State. There were many rumors about Chang'an Lord in Handan. Of course, no one dared to talk about it openly. After all, he was the king's younger brother.
King Zhao was very happy to hear the news that Lord Chang'an was back. He came to greet his brother with a smile. At the same time, all the nobles in Handan came to greet the young master. Lord Chang'an looked a little shy and a little shy.
Cowardice seems to have suffered a lot in Qi State. King Zhao took his younger brother and after getting drunk, he couldn't help but cry when he recalled his deceased mother. Everyone hurriedly sent him to rest.
Zhao Bao looked at his brother, looking up and down a few times, with an inexplicable light shining in his eyes.
"Very good.", he said.
ps: Ahem, this chapter is definitely not directed at any writer, so please don’t think too much about it. But I won’t be a eunuch like someone else, so please don’t worry.