Linzi City.

Perhaps because of a war last year, or because of the fact that winter has just passed, although there are still people in Linzi City, the prosperity has obviously declined a lot.

After the fiasco in the Battle of Gaotang last year, there began to be many complaints against Qi Wang Jian and Hou Sheng in Linzi City, and this criticism did not subside because of the passage of time, but became slowly rising.

For some inexplicable reasons, the people of Qi are very sensitive to defeat.

If you lose, it's better not to fight.

In the Linzi Palace City, Hou Sheng said to Qi Wangjian with some concern: "Great King, the disloyal remarks in various parts of the country have been increasing recently, which is not a good thing. ”

Qi Wangjian sighed, his face was a little ugly, but he didn't say anything.

What can he say? Do you want Qi Wangjian to declare the people, saying that the last war against Zhao was not Qi Wangjian's original intention, but was started under the strong leadership of the Queen Mother?

Not to mention whether the people of Qi will believe it, let's just say that Tian's Qi State has always admired "loyalty and filial piety", and it is necessary to be loyal to the monarch externally and filial piety internally.

If Qi Wangjian threw the black pot on his mother, wouldn't it be tantamount to admitting that he was unfilial?

So depressed is depressed, Qi Wangjian also knows very well in his heart that his black cauldron is really determined.

"Houqing, in your opinion, what should we do now?"

Hou Sheng's eyes flickered, and he spoke after a while: "Great King, Su Dai, the envoy of Zhao State, has arrived in Linzi, hoping to ask to see the king. ”

"What?" Qi Wangjian's eyes widened, and after a long time, he said, "What are the plans of this Zhao people?" ”

Hou Sheng shook his head and signaled that he didn't know: "King, in the opinion of the minister, you might as well meet with this envoy of Zhao State." ”

Qi Wangjian frowned, stared at Hou Sheng up and down, and said slowly: "Hou Qing, don't you accept the generous gift of the Zhao people again?" ”

Regarding the fact that Hou Sheng often accepts gifts from other countries, Qi Wangjian is actually very clear.

But Qi Wangjian knew more clearly that most of the gifts and money received by Hou Sheng were not hidden, but offered in various ways, so that Qi Wangjian could enjoy them.

The problem is that Zhao State had just taken away a large piece of land from Qi State a year ago, and now Hou Sheng actually got together with Zhao Guoren, which obviously made Qi Wangjian very unhappy.

If it weren't for Hou Sheng's identity as both Xiangbang and uncle, then Qi Wangjian would have opened his mouth and reprimanded him fiercely.

Hou Sheng didn't feel much panic in the face of Qi Wangjian's questioning, but showed a smile and said, "The king doesn't know, this time the Zhao people sent Nahe Shibi back." ”

Qi Wangjian's eyes widened again, and there was a joy in his eyes that couldn't be concealed: "He's back again?" ”

For the treasure of He's Bi, Qi Wangjian loves it from the bottom of his heart.

Last year, in order to make peace with Zhao Guo, he had to let Hou Sheng take He's Bi to Handan, Qi Wangjian was distressed for a long time.

Unexpectedly, it has only been less than a year, and He's Bi has actually returned.

Thinking of this, King Qi Jianjian waved his hand: "Come on, and go and summon the envoy of Zhao State!" ”

For the sake of He's face, Qi Wangjian decided to meet this envoy of Zhao State.

Soon, Su Dai appeared in the main hall.

"I've seen the king!"

Qi Wangjian nodded and said, "Envoy, please take a seat, I don't know what is the matter with this visit?" ”

Qi Wangjian looked very calm and cold.

Since the people of Zhao Guo came to give gifts, then they must have asked for something from Qi Guo, and since they have asked for something, then Qi Wangjian naturally did not panic.

Su Dai smiled at Qi Wangjian and said, "The king, the minister is here to send a piece of fertile land to the king. ”

King Qi paused for a moment and said, "Where did this thousand miles of fertile soil come from?" ”

Su Dai smiled: "From Huaibei." ”

"Huaibei?" Qi Wangjian and Hou Sheng Junchen showed a look of surprise on their faces at the same time.

Huaibei land, generally speaking, refers to the place north of the Huai River. A large area of land including Pi, Tan, Lanling, Pengcheng, and Xueyi.

In the previous heyday of the Qi State, this area was completely owned by the Qi State.

However, after the Five Kingdoms invaded Qi, the State of Chu took the opportunity to go north and took the Huaibei Land from the hands of the State of Qi.

To this day, the Qi State has not been able to recover this land.

Therefore, after hearing Su Dai's suggestion, Qi Wangjian's face moved, and said: "The envoy's intention, could it be that King Zhao wants to unite the widows to attack Chu together?" ”

Su Dai nodded very affirmatively and said, "Exactly." ”

Qi Wangjian and Hou Sheng glanced at each other, and they both saw the trace of joy hidden in each other's eyes.

If there is Zhao Guo's help, then it is indeed possible to recover Huaibei.

But Qi Wangjian was not carried away by Su Dai's words, but after thinking about it, he said to Su Dai: "How does the widow know that King Zhao is not deceiving the widow?" That Chu State is an ally of Zhao State, why did King Zhao suddenly want to attack Chu? ”

After all, there was only one fight last year, and the current Qi State's trust in the Zhao State is quite low.

So after the surprise, Qi Wangjian's first reaction was to doubt Zhao Guoren's motives.

Regarding Qi Wangjian's doubts, Su Dai obviously expected it, and said to Qi Wangjian in no hurry at the moment: "The king doesn't know, although the Chu State is still an ally of the Zhao State on the surface, it is actually secretly allied with the Qin State and wants to be the enemy of the Zhao State. ”

After hearing these words, Qi Wangjian fell into a deep groan, and after a long while, he said: "So King Zhao is planning to gather the alliance of the Three Jins, plus the strength of the outnumbered Qi State to crusade against the Chu State together?" ”

Su Dai nodded and said, "Exactly." ”

Qi Wangjian stared at Su Dai with blazing eyes, and said, "This King Zhao is so kind that he wants to help the widow recover the lost land?" ”

Su Dai smiled and said: "Back to the king, my king is naturally conditional. ”

"What are the conditions for King Zhao?"

Su Dai said: "First of all, the rules of this battle of Huachu are very simple, which country occupies the land that belongs to which country. Then, no matter who occupies Qufu, all the former places of the Lu State, including Qufu, must be owned by the Zhao State. ”

Qi Wangjian touched his mouth a little, and he tasted some taste.

As the leader of the entire war, Zhao State also has the original land guarantee of Lu State in the worst case.

As for the rest, everyone has their own ability, and whoever wins more land will be able to obtain greater benefits.

Sounds like a good solution.

Qi Wangjian pondered for a moment and said, "When does King Zhao plan to attack?" ”

Su Dai said: "Ten days at the earliest, within a month at the latest." ”

Qi Wangjian and Hou Sheng exchanged a look, and then made a decision, saying: "Since this is the case, then please ask the envoy to reply to King Zhao, as long as the Three Jin Coalition Army enters the territory of Chu, then the widow will immediately send troops to attack Chu!" ”