"King Xiang is a king, the widow is also a king, Zhao and Chu are two equal countries, and King Zhao and King Xiang are two kings of equal status, which is the premise of cooperation between the two countries. Let the widow admit his mistake to King Xiang? No way. ”

Zhao Xie replied in an affirmative tone, every sentence was sonorous and powerful, and every word was loud.

Of course, he knew that he had a better chance of winning against Liu Bang in conjunction with Xiang Yu. If Zhao Guo fought alone against the army led by the "Soldier Immortal" Han Xin, even if he went all out, he would not dare to say lightly that he would not be defeated. But if he had to pay for humiliation in exchange for a better chance of winning, he would rather not.

King Zhao's reaction, from the ministers, down to the palace's chamberlains, guards, and Wu She, were all shocked. No one would have expected that King Zhao would dare to be on an equal footing with Xiang Yu.

Li Zuoche was deeply shocked. Emotionally, he was happy for the straight-waisted monarch in front of him; But intellectually speaking, King Zhao's move not only cut off the possibility of alliance with Chu State, but also may annoy Xiang Yu, and the situation of Zhao State will be even more severe in the future.

There are many courtiers whose thoughts are similar to Li Zuoche's, happy and worried.

"King, I hope you think twice!"

Li Zuoche took reason as the starting point to advise.

Zhao Xie said loudly: "What the widow just said, there is no possibility of change. The widow, King Xiang, and King Han are all kings of equal status, and any future negotiations must be based on this premise. ”

Wu Shi said heavily: "King Zhao, you have to think about the consequences!" ”

Zhao Xie further said: "You go back and tell King Xiang: This is the principle of Zhao State, and there is no room for negotiation on the issue of principle. ”

Wu Shi said: "King Zhao's words, I will definitely bring them, and say goodbye!" ”

King Zhao's bones were so hard that he was amazed.

Wu Shi left the main hall, and the scene was quiet again.

The imperial history recorded the negotiation process between King Zhao and Wu in a timely manner.

Chen Yu looked at King Zhao on His Majesty, and the Zhao Xie in front of him made him feel very unfamiliar, and the weakness he had in front of him before was probably pretended.

Zhao Xie sat a little tired, got up from his seat, and walked slowly in the open space between the courtiers on the left and right.

"The widow personally handles the government affairs, whether it is political affairs, military affairs, or foreign affairs, it will be different from before, and the widow wants to make the Zhao State strong quickly."

King Zhao's huge changes, coupled with his current words, gave hope to the originally unambitious courtiers.

Cao Wan came out again and said: "Give my king, the minister has something to play!" ”

Zhao Xie made a gesture of permission.

Cao Wan said: "Human nature is inherently evil, and it needs to be governed by strict punishment and strict law. The existing laws of Zhao were too lenient, and many wicked people went unpunished. The prince suggested to the king that the existing law should be revised. ”

In an age of contention, factions expect their rulers to adopt their own political ideas.

During the reign of Chen Yu, Yang Bing was mainly assisted in handling government affairs, and the state of Zhao was governed according to Taoist inaction.

Yang Bing immediately came out and said: "If the law is too strict, it will interfere with the people too much, and ruling by doing nothing is the way to govern the country." ”

He belonged to Taoism, admired the doctrine of Huang Lao, and opposed all claims that did not conform to it.

"Stop fighting!" Zhao Xie immediately stopped it and said to Cao Wan: "Your proposal, the widow will consider it at his discretion, but you have to do what the widow asks you to do first, and let me see your ability to do things first." ”

"Please rest assured that my king will do a good job!"

The monarch did not refuse, so that Cao Wan saw hope, and he had to do things well.

Zhao Xie walked back to his seat and sat down, and said, "Now my Zhao country, whether it is in the army or in the DPRK, is short of talents. The widow decided to re-sort out the past achievements in the army and the combat exploits of generals at all levels, and if there were meritorious personnel who had made meritorious contributions but had not been reasonably promoted, they would be promoted as appropriate; In addition, a major skill contest will be held in the army on a selective basis, and the officers and soldiers with strong ability will be appropriately promoted.

Those who occupy military posts but do nothing should be demoted or dismissed. Xiao Ping and Yao Long should be innocent, released first, and if it is found that Xiang Guo is really framed, they will be arrested and punished. In this regard, Guangwujun is in charge. ”

"No!" Li Zuoche respectfully received the order.

If it continues in this way, the Zhao army will be reshuffled and will inject fresh blood into the army.

Among the generals at the scene, some were happy and some were worried. What worries me is that Chen Yu's cronies and those who were promoted by pulling connections or even bribery. Those who are truly capable and loyal to the Zhao State agree with King Zhao's approach very much, and call me Wang Yingming in their hearts.

Chen Yu always sat and didn't say a word, he didn't agree with King Zhao's approach, but now King Zhao's will is extremely firm, he is too lazy to speak out, the key is to deal with Lu Tian and Gong Zhi.

Zhao Xie continued: "In the DPRK and China, there is a shortage of talents, and this situation must be changed as soon as possible. The widow decided to promote from among the existing officials. Each official can recommend himself, show his ability and what he is good at, and then appoint the widow as appropriate. ”

As soon as this statement came out, it was like a shock.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the officials of the vassal states were basically nobles. In the Warring States Period, the situation changed a lot, although most of the ministers at that time were still nobles, but many people from civilian backgrounds, due to their talents, rose to the rank of scholars, and some even reached the high position of the prime minister.

From the Warring States period to the emergence of the imperial examination system, the source of talent was mainly the recommendation system, and the recommendation of useful talents belonged to meritorious performance.

If there are no corresponding influential people willing to recommend, it is difficult for civilians to be useful.

Zhao Xie's decision is undoubtedly a complete overthrow of the original recommendation system.

At this time, the Zhao State had been restored for less than a year, and there had not yet been a very large number of vested interests, and the nobles of the Zhao State had died at the end of the Qin Dynasty, so Zhao Xie dared to reform quickly. Like the Shang Dynasty and Wu Qi Reform during the Warring States Period, there were strong vested interests to obstruct it, and the reform was full of hardships.

Lieutenant Volun felt that something was wrong, and immediately came out and said: "Give it to my king, the ministers will do their best to recommend talents, and implore our king to take back his order." ”

The position of lieutenant is equivalent to the later secretary of the ministry.

Yang Bingdao: "The minister is willing to recommend talents!" I hope that my king will take back his fate. ”

Li Zuoche did not object, and when Zhao Xie said it, he felt that this was a good way. This decision, King Zhao had not mentioned to him before.

In all dynasties, there will be varying degrees of resistance to overthrow the original system, even if the newly restored Zhao State is inevitable.

"The two Aiqing can recommend talents, and of course the widow welcomes them. Eclectic talents, as long as they can be useful to Zhao State, the widow does not stick to his source. ”

From the last dynasty to the present, the court meeting has been completely dominated by Zhao Xie, showing the posture of a strong monarch.