Handan, Prince's Mansion.

"Babble!"

Xiao Zhao Zheng was in the arms of the nurse, and after seeing Zhao Yan walk in, his little face was suddenly full of smiles.

He opened his arms and giggled at Zhao Yan, obviously wanting to be hugged and held high by a kiss.

"Good Zheng'er, the royal father hugs!"

Zhao Yan saw his grandson like this, his face also showed joy, he reached out and hugged him, held it high above his head, and then spun around the house a few times.

"Giggle."

Xiao Zhao Zheng obviously likes his grandfather very much, even if he is lifted very high, he still has no fear.

The grandfather and grandson played for a while, and Xiao Zhao Zheng was a little sleepy, so he lay down in Zhao Yan's arms and fell asleep.

Zhao Yan hugged his grandson, as if he was holding the most precious treasure in the world, and his eyes also showed rare kindness.

"It would be nice if your father had you to make me feel free like this."

Gently stroking Xiao Zhao Zheng's face, Zhao Yan sighed slightly.

He originally thought that with the help of Lecheng, the martial artist, and his status as the crown prince, he should be able to suppress Lian Po.

Unexpectedly, Lian Po was not fighting alone, but representing the entire Zhao State's military general group.

There is no doubt that in this court battle, Zhao Yan fell into the disadvantage again.

In the final analysis, Zhao Wangren was not confused and knew how to be reasonable to Zhao Guo, so he followed Lian Po's advice.

"Lian Po has always been on good terms with me, but after my father left, Zhao Guo's military power was all taken away by him, and he had to guard against it."

The kindness in Zhao Yan's eyes disappeared, and then he became extremely cold.

"Everyone has the heart to fight, and even my father wants to do the next big thing before he dies."

"I don't think Li Mu will dare to disobey everyone's wishes."

"As long as the Xiongnu march north, troops will inevitably be transferred from the land of Shenqi, I want to see how he will deal with it."

Yanmen County, good none.

Li Mu wore armor inside and thick clothes on the outside, feeling the chill brought by the howling north wind, but his eyes were cast to the north.

"General, it seems to be particularly cold this year."

Li Qia, the commander of the guards, rubbed his frozen hands and said with a slight complaint.

Although it is not yet October, the cold wind is already howling in Taiyuan County in the north, and the soldiers and people are wearing thick clothes.

Compared with previous years, this year seems to be getting colder.

When Li Mu heard this, the corners of his mouth showed a faint smile: "Shanwu is already so cold, you said that in the north of the Saiwai, how many cattle and sheep will the Huns freeze to death this year?" ”

Li Qia said worriedly: "Every cold season, the Huns will invade the northern frontier, this year's weather is cold, I am afraid that the Huns will invade on a large scale!" ”

Although over the years, Li Mu has defended the Xiongnu very tightly, and the Huns can hardly grab anything every time they go south.

However, the four counties of Jiuyuan County, Yunzhong County, Yanmen County, and Dai County in the northern Xinjiang of Zhao State all border the Xiongnu, and Li Mu has something to take care of after all.

Especially when the Xiongnu invaded on a large scale, the damage to the houses and fields in the counties and counties was also immeasurable.

"Have the defenders of the four counties been recruited?"

Li Mu did not take Li Qia's conversation, but asked seriously.

Li Qia replied: "Over the years, although the defenders of northern Xinjiang have not fought with the Huns, they have been training tirelessly, and the generals often slaughter cattle and sheep to reward the soldiers of various counties, and the soldiers are also grateful to the generals. ”

"Therefore, the soldiers learned that the general was called, and there was no one who did not obey the order!"

"As long as the order is issued, in less than ten days, the soldiers and horses of the four counties and the baggage can gather in Yanmen County."

When Li Mu heard this, a shallow smile appeared on his face.

On the contrary, after Li Qia finished answering, there was a little worry in his eyes.

After hesitating for a while, Li Qia finally gritted his teeth and said: "Since the general has been stationed in northern Xinjiang, he has never taken the initiative to fight with the Xiongnu, even if the Huns invade the counties in northern Xinjiang, the general will only order the soldiers of each county to defend the city. ”

"The weather is unusually cold this year, the Huns will definitely invade at any cost in order to freeze to death and starve to death in winter, and the general will recruit troops and horses at this time, but he wants to fight with the Huns?"

Li Mu glanced at Li Qia and said, "The Huns are not destroyed, and the northern frontier is difficult to decide, do you think that I am really ready to stay in the northern frontier for a lifetime?" ”

When Li Qia got the answer, he didn't show enthusiasm, and the worry on his face became more and more intense.

The Huns were tough and good at fighting, and Li Qia followed Li Mu in northern Xinjiang for so many years, so he naturally knew very well.

According to tradition, the colder the winter, the more frequent the Xiongnu would invade northern Xinjiang.

Before the coldest time this year, Yanmen County was already cold like this, and Li Qia could fully predict how the Huns in the further north would be tormented by this cold weather.

In order to survive, they may even go to great lengths to invade the borders of the Zhao State.

Li Mu's decision to fight under such circumstances was definitely a very unwise decision, and the slightest carelessness could cause the entire four northern counties to fall.

"How long have you followed me?"

Li Mu seemed to see through Li Qia's thoughts, and suddenly asked out loud.

Li Qia was a little stunned at first, and then replied: "Twelve years! ”

Li Mu sighed: "Twelve years, you still haven't learned too much, and you don't know my intentions." ”

When Li Qia heard this, he immediately looked ashamed.

"Do you think that the Xiongnu are weaker or stronger than the Zhao State?"

Li Qia hesitated slightly, and immediately replied: "Whether it is population or money and grain, the Xiongnu are far inferior to Zhao. ”

Li Mu asked again: "If the two fight the whole country and go head-to-head, which one is stronger and which is weaker?" ”

Li Qia replied: "The Xiongnu are good at cavalry raids and long-distance raids, even if the number of cavalry of our Zhao State is not as good as that of the Xiongnu, if the two face each other, we can also break it with chariot formations, bows and crossbows, and spears." ”

"However, every time the Xiongnu engage in a large-scale battle with our Zhao State, they will first avoid the edge, and then harass and plunder everywhere with a speed advantage, even if our Zhao army can defeat the Xiongnu, it will be difficult to annihilate."

Li Mu continued to ask: "In this case, why didn't the king send troops out of the fortress to wipe out the Xiongnu to prevent future troubles?" ”

Li Qia shook his head and said: "Outside the country is sparsely populated, there are many grasslands, Gobi and deserts, if there are more than 10,000 soldiers, at least 50,000 people will be needed to transport grain and grass supplies, and more than 100,000 troops will need millions of people to transport grain and grass supplies." ”

"With the strength of the Huns, it is difficult to destroy 100,000 troops, and no matter how bad it is, the Huns can also escape."

"On the other hand, my Zhao country, sent troops to exhaust the national strength once, and the gains outweighed the losses, so I didn't take the initiative to go out to destroy the Huns."

Hearing this, Li Mu finally showed a smile on his face, obviously very satisfied with Li Qia's answer.

"If you can't wipe out the Huns outside the fortress, why not lure them into the northern frontier and then encircle and annihilate them?"

"The time, the place, and the people have all gathered, just wait for the prince to transfer troops to come, and we can make immortal feats!"

Li Mu's eyes showed an astonishing look, and his tone became excited, making Li Qia stunned.

"Report!"

At that moment, a messenger arrived.

"General Qiyu, the king's edict!"

Li Mu didn't dare to slack off, and after taking the edict and reading the contents, he laughed and said, "God help me!" ”