The time goes back to the eighth day of the ninth month, that is, the day after Li Jian and Niu Jian led their troops to this battlefield, when Gongzi Zhang convened the generals in Quliangyi to discuss the next strategy, on the side of Wang Shi, Zhao Cheng of Anpingjun and Li Dui of Fengyang also held a military meeting on the same day to discuss the strategy of dealing with the rebels.

Compared with the previous ones, Wang Shifang's important figures who participated in today's meeting, in addition to An Pingjun Zhao Cheng, Fengyangjun Li Dui, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao and others, there are several more, such as Zhao Yuan, Li Zhen, Zhao Zao, Zhao Jun and Zhao Gu.

Zhao Yuan does not need to be detailed, this person is the general who commanded the right army when "Zhao destroyed Zhongshan Kingdom", and after the fall of Zhongshan Kingdom, he was transferred to Yanmen as a county guard because of his merits, presiding over the affairs of Yanmen County.

Li Banti, this person is the brother of Fengyang Jun Li Dui, and he is also one of the participants in the "Zhao Annihilation of Zhongshan Kingdom", when Zhao's father ordered Li Bin to monitor every move of Zhongshan Kingdom.

After the Zhongshan Kingdom was destroyed by the Zhao State, Li Jian was appointed by the Zhao State as the city guard of the former Zhongshan State of Turin Shoucheng, mainly responsible for collecting the Di people in Zhongshan and implementing the policies of the Zhao State.

And Zhao Zao and Zhao Jun, the former is the internal history of Zhao State, and the latter is the city guard stationed in Wu'an, both of whom are important figures in Zhao State.

However, compared with these positions, the most heavyweight has to say Zhao Gu.

Zhao Gu was a famous general of Zhao during the period of Zhao Suhou, and was one of the direct participants in Zhao's annexation of Daijun, and after Zhao annexed Daidi and established Daijun, Zhao Gu was appointed as Daijun and was responsible for governing Daijun.

Then, during the period when Zhao's father led 200,000 troops to attack Zhongshan five times with Gongzizhang, Zhao Yuan, Xu Jun, Niu Qian, Zhao Xi and others, Zhao Gu sat in East Anyang and provided assistance for this army in the rear.

However, this time the civil strife between Zhao Wang He and Gongzi Zhang also alarmed the elderly Zhao veteran, especially when he learned that the battle situation on the part of Wang Shi was unfavorable, Zhao Gu ignored his old body and hurried to Handan, wanting to understand the situation in person.

And the most worth mentioning is that even Zhao Wang He also participated in this military discussion with the letter period he trusted.

At the beginning of the meeting, Anpingjun Zhao Cheng and Fengyangjun Li Duixian briefly recounted the "Battle of Quliang" and analyzed why Wang Shi suffered frequent defeats.

During this period, two names of the rebels were repeatedly mentioned, namely Meng Zhong and Pang Xuan.

“…… At that time, Pang Xuan garrisoned Xindu, and Meng Zhong garrisoned Qunqiu east of Quliangyi, and the two were familiar with the art of war, and frequently attacked and harassed Wang Shi......"

In the narration of Anpingjun Zhao Cheng and Fengyangjun Li Dui, Pang Xuan's use of troops is actually quite decent, most of them rely on the formation to win, in comparison, Meng Zhong's use of troops tends to be a "trick" word, with a feint, a fraudulent attack, a real attack, harassing the king of the land is annoying, it is not an exaggeration to say that the 5,000 troops under the command of Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao at that time, plus the 5,000 troops led by Fengyang Jun Li Dui and Zhao Ben when they tried to repel Meng Zhong, this total of 10,000 troops was defeated by Meng Zhong alone.

At that time, Zhao Ben and Lian Po had 10,000 available troops, while Meng Zhong only had about 6,000 rebels, but in the end, Zhao Ben and Lian Po only had about 5,000 troops left to evacuate from Quliangyi, while Meng Zhong's side suffered less than 1,000 casualties, and even captured nearly 4,000 Wang Shi's soldiers.

Compared with the two, Zhao Ben and Lian Po can be described as a fiasco.

When he said this, the faces of the people in the tent were different, Zhao Ben and Lian Po were naturally ashamed, while Zhao Cheng and Li Dui hated Meng Zhong for stirring up the situation - after all, without Meng Zhong's tired enemy plan, how could Wang Shi lose in the battle with Gongzi Zhang one after another? will not be forced to the point of abandoning the curved beam.

Compared with these people, Zhao Wanghe's mood is the most complicated.

After all, once upon a time, the late Zhao Xiang Feiyi recommended Meng Zhong in front of him, in Feiyi's words at the time, after he died of old age, Meng Zhong, who had both civil and military skills, could replace him Feiyi, assist Zhao Wang He, and guard against Zhao Cheng, Li Dui and other old aristocratic forces - as long as Meng Zhong was given the military power of the first army, plus the troops under Zhao Benqi, who would replace Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao to guard Handan in the future, Zhao Wang He could not be afraid of Zhao Cheng and Li Dui.

What's more important is that Meng Zhong is the same age as King Zhao, and he is loyal and trustworthy.

However, it is a pity that such a talent was committed to Gongzizhang's rebels and became his enemy Zhao He.

Subsequently, after telling about Pang Xuan and Meng Zhong, Fengyangjun Li Dui mentioned another person, that is, Niu Qian.

Maybe Meng Zhong didn't know Niu Qian's origin, and only knew that Niu Jian was the most trusted general of Zhao's father, but Zhao Cheng, Li Dui and others knew very well that Niu Jian was the descendant of Zhao Guoshiqing's "cattle animal" during the Zhao Liehou period, and this cattle animal, he was once regarded as a teacher by Zhao Liehou, and his status was transcendent.

Since then, the Niu clan has become stronger and stronger, so this Niu Jian can really be called a famous family.

Niu Qian, who was born in a famous family, learned martial arts since he was a child, and after being appointed as a military Sima by Zhao's father, he gradually showed his talents, followed Zhao's father to fight in the south and north, and also led the cavalry to leave the border of Zhao and fight against the Hu people.

Compared with Niu Qian's ability to command the army, what Zhao Cheng and Li Dui feared the most was undoubtedly the army under Niu Qian's command - the whole Zhao State was the only cavalry army in the Central Plains, and it still defeated Hu Cai's already formed cavalry.

As early as the period of Zhao Liehou and even Zhao Suhou, when the chariot was still generally regarded as the main force of war in the entire Central Plains, in the north of Zhao, the Zhao soldiers stationed on the border were already spontaneously imitating the combat methods of the Hu cavalry.

The reason is that the chariot troops of Zhao State are vulnerable in front of the Hu cavalry.

After Zhao's father implemented the reform of Hufu cavalry and archery, the establishment of the "cavalry" was officially established, and those soldiers who spontaneously imitated Hu cavalry were absorbed into this Zhao cavalry, so that this cavalry was extremely powerful at the beginning of its construction.

Sure enough, in the ensuing war between Zhao and the Hu people, this Zhao cavalry showed no less strength than the Hu cavalry, and they defeated the teacher they had imitated, so that the alien races in the north finally did not dare to wantonly harass the borders of the Zhao State.

It is worth mentioning that during this period, the cavalry under Niu Jian also absorbed the cavalry of the Hu people, such as a few years ago, when Zhao's father was inspecting the West River, he encountered King Lin Hu, with Zhao's personal charm and generous treatment, so that many Linhu cavalry have defected to Zhao.

Master Zhao's father handed over these alien cavalry to Niu Jian and gave them a title: Zhao Hu Cavalry!

Zhao cavalry, Zhao Hu cavalry, that is not only know how to harass the enemy's light cavalry in the distance, they are also good at rushing into battle, when Zhao attacked Zhongshan, Niu Jian had led Zhao cavalry and Zhao Hu cavalry to rush to the army of Zhongshan, in a short period of time several times chiseled through the foot soldiers of Zhongshan country, killing those foot soldiers collapsed.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the cavalry army under Niu Jian is currently the most offensive army in Zhao State, and there is no one.

It is a pity that Niu Qian, the commander of such a cavalry, turned a deaf ear to the "counterinsurgency" edict sent to him by Zhao Wanghe, and even openly garrisoned troops in the Xindu area in the past two days, with Gongzizhang and Pang Xuan as neighbors.

It can be seen that Niu Qian's position is actually very clear.

How to solve Niu Jian and how to solve Meng Zhong and Pang Xuan, that is, the main discussion matters of Anpingjun Zhao Cheng and Fengyangjun Li Dui convened everyone to discuss today.

After some discussion, Zhao Gu put forward a suggestion, suggesting that Zhao Cheng, Li Dui and others send people to negotiate with Niu Qian, after all, in this war at the moment, don't look at how Meng Zhong and Pang Xuan are beautiful, but the one who can really decide the victory or defeat of this war has to be Niu Qian, and only Niu Qian.

If Niu Jian can be persuaded to defect to Wang Shi's side, the rebels cannot be said to be vulnerable, but at least the chances of victory will be greatly reduced.

But how can you convince Niu Jian to defect?

For a while, everyone still didn't come up with any good solutions.

After the meeting that day, Zhao Wanghe summoned Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao alone, hoping that the latter could also go to lobby Meng Zhong instead of him, hoping that Meng Zhong could abandon the darkness and defect to him.

So, when he learned that Meng Zhong led the army into Feiyi, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao disguised himself and took advantage of the fat and young to come forward, and finally met Meng Zhong and put forward the meaning that Zhao Wang He hoped he would convey: I hope you will assist the widow!

When Zhao Bao conveyed Zhao Wanghe's meaning to Meng Zhong, Meng Zhong was silent, so that the tent was extremely quiet for a while.

I have to say that in fact, Meng Zhong was quite moved in his heart, because in the words conveyed by Zhao Bao, Zhao Wang He no longer blamed Meng Zhong for his ruthlessness on the day of the Dune Incident, and he even said that as long as Meng Zhong was willing to lead the army to defect to Wang Shi, everything that had ever happened would not be mentioned.

But in the end, Meng Zhong shook his head.

"Why?!"

Seeing Meng Zhong shaking his head, Fei You asked in disbelief, "Could it be related to the death of his father?" Meng Sima, although he was not in the Dune Palace at the time, he believes that his father's death has nothing to do with you...... And you never think that your father was killed because of you......"

Meng Zhong nodded, and then shook his head again.

Seeing this, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao said with a slight sneer: "Is it because of Master Zhao's father?" Boy, it is certainly a good thing to emphasize love and righteousness, but it is too much, Master Zhao's decision now is clearly harming my Zhao Guo......" Speaking of this, he glanced at Meng Zhong and said deliberately: "Or do you think that Gongzizhang has already won the victory, thinking about the glory and wealth after the fact?" ”

Of course, Meng Zhong knew that Zhao Bao was deliberately using words to provoke him, but he didn't care, and said lightly: "After this matter, I will leave Zhao State and return to Song Kingdom." ”

“……”

These words greatly surprised Zhao Bao and Fatty You, making the two of them look at each other.

"Really?" Zhao Bao's face was incredulous, and immediately, he frowned and asked: "Since you are not for utilitarianism, why do you want to assist Gongzizhang in rebellion, is it really just to repay Lord Zhao's father......

Meng Zhong thought for a moment and said, "It's just to make sure that Zhao Guo can keep the strength so far...... Only if the Zhao State is still strong can it protect the Song State. ”

Zhao Bao was stunned, and suddenly, he looked at Meng Zhong with a surprised gaze.

Because in the past, he also asked Meng Zhong a similar question, and Meng Zhong also answered like this at that time, and now, after going through so many things, Meng Zhong's answer is still the same as at the beginning, which makes Zhao Bao can't help but think of the sentence that Fei Yi used to often mention urging himself: Stick to one heart!

At this time, the fat young man on the side frowned and said, "To ensure that Zhao Guo can maintain its strength so far, do you have to assist Gongzi Zhang?" In my opinion, Gongzizhang has a violent personality and is not a candidate for a monarch at all......"

At this moment, Zhao Bao raised his hand to interrupt Fat You's words, looked at Meng Zhong and asked, "Is it because Gongzizhang supports the 'Zhao Song Alliance'?" ”

Meng Zhong nodded slightly.

I have to say that since Gongzizhang and Tian Buyu used him to trap Zhao Xiangfeiyi, Meng Zhong's favor for these two people has fallen to a low point, but even so, he still feels that Gongzizhang is more beneficial to Song to become the monarch of Zhao, after all, Gongzizhang is married to the daughter of Song Wangyan, and his cronie Tian Buyu is also a courtier of Song, and Gongzizhang himself also has a good impression of Song Wangyan and Song Guo, who still support him so far, combined with the above factors, Meng Zhong can be sure that as long as Gongzizhang can become the monarch of Zhao, The alliance between Zhao and Song can be maintained for a long time, even if Wang Yan of Song passes in the future, Dai Wu, the crown prince of Song, can continue to maintain the alliance of Zhao and Song with Gongzi Zhang.

And this is difficult for Zhao Wanghe to do, because although Zhao Wanghe said that Qi and Song had no sense of liking or dislike, Anpingjun Zhao Cheng, Fengyang Jun Li Dui and others were all good at Qi State, if Zhao's father and Gongzi Zhang were gone, Zhao State would definitely strengthen diplomatic relations with Qi State, and even sacrifice the interests of Song State in order to encircle Qi State - that is, acquiesce to Qi State to attack Song State.

At that time, Mengzhong's hometown Mengyi, naturally could not escape the war between the Song State and the Qi State, and his Meng clan, in order to defend their land in the Song State, must defend the Song State, and for this reason, he did not hesitate to send the clansmen to the battlefield one after another, so that countless Mengshi people died on the battlefield.

"Alas......"

After figuring out Meng Zhong's thoughts, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao sighed slightly: "There are some things that even the old man can't control. However, you still have a chance......"

He tried his best to persuade Meng Zhong and said: "Meng Zhong, the king's attitude towards you is very unusual, even if you ambushed the king during the Dune Incident, forcing us to only protect the king and escape into Jize, but the king still hopes that you can return to him and assist him." …… As for Zhao Cheng and Li Dui who you are worried about, the old man is already old, and he can't help you anymore, but at least he can let you gain a foothold here (Wang Shi), you have to understand the current situation, the fat minister has passed away, and no one on Handan can contain Zhao Cheng and Li Dui, but at this time, Zhao Cheng and Li Dui don't dare to do anything, if they really have any big rebellious ideas. Therefore, as long as you are willing to defect to the king, when the king speaks, the old man is by the side, even if Zhao Cheng and Li Dui are not happy in their hearts, they will never disobey the king at this time, do you understand what the old man means? ”

"I understand."

Meng Zhong nodded.

Of course, he understood what Zhao Bao wanted to express, it was nothing more than that Zhao Cheng and Li Dui faced the threat of Gongzizhang, and they must have the title given by Zhao Wanghe in order to justifiably crusade against Gongzizhang, and only in this way can he keep his rights and interests such as fiefdom and Mingjue.

Therefore, at this time, if he Meng Zhong defected to Wang Shi, and Zhao Wang He suddenly appointed Meng Zhong as the Sima of the First Army, even if Zhao Cheng, Li Dui and others were dissatisfied in their hearts, they could only endure it, and they would definitely not have a stalemate with Zhao Wang He at this time - after all, in the final analysis, it was Gongzi Zhang who was the biggest threat, and if Gongzi Zhang won, then they would definitely be doomed.

"The old man is old, plus he suffered some hardships in Jize some time ago, and I always feel powerless during this period of time, counting the age, the old man may not live for a few years......" Speaking of this, Zhao Bao looked up at Meng Zhong, and said: "Although the old man is also the 'old aristocratic faction' in your mouth with Feixiang, the old man also doesn't want Zhao Cheng, Li Dui and others to do anything rebellious, and after this matter is over, the old man will hand over everything in the Handan Army to Zhao Ben, and ask him to help the king guard against Zhao Cheng and Li Dui, but Zhao Cheng." , Li Dui and the two are powerful, even if they have the help of the letter period, the old man is also worried that Zhao Ben can't fight the two of them, if you can assist you...... There are three of you, at least Handan, and you can still be under the control of the king......"

As he spoke, he paused, looked at Meng Zhong and said, "The specific old man can't disclose, but the old man can tell you that Gongzizhang's victory is only temporary, he has a big hidden danger, and he is destined not to succeed!" ”

"Because Childe Chapter has no name, right?"

Meng Zhong chuckled, played with the wine bowl in his hand, and said melancholy: "Yang Wenjun, Brother Fat Young, the kid is very grateful to the two of you for your intentions, but there are some things that can't be turned back once they happen......" Speaking of this, he raised his head, looked at Zhao Bao and Fat You, and said: "I, Meng Zhong, did not participate in the murder of Fei Xiang, and I didn't know in advance that Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu would rebel in the sand dunes, and this matter can be seen from the sun and the moon." But it's not like I haven't done anything that harms the interests of the king, such as the night of the Dune Incident, I ambushed the army of the king, Xinqi and others......"

"Your Majesty doesn't blame you for this." Fat young hurriedly said.

Shaking his head slightly towards Fatty You, Meng Zhong looked at Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao and continued: "Yang Wenjun, the hidden danger of Gongzi Zhang you are talking about is nothing more than that Gongzi Zhang has no reputation, anyway, everyone here is in the know, and some things are okay even if they are said......" Speaking of this, he paused slightly, and then his face became slightly pale, and Zhengse said: "After the Dune Incident, when Jun Shang was trapped in Ji Ze, I made a suggestion to Master Zhao's father, I said that Gongzi Zhang has no name, and the whole country will not obey him, and besiege Ji Ze, it is better to let Master Zhao's father come forward to affirm Gongzizhang's actions and give Gongzizhang the title, so that Gongzizhang can lead the army straight to Handan and take the royal capital first......"

“……”

Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao's face changed suddenly, and he even sweated faintly in shock.

Because in his opinion, if Master Zhao had listened to Meng Zhong's advice at that time, Gongzi Zhang would have already controlled the situation, and what else would be the matter with Master Wang?

Imagine, when Zhao Wanghe fled into Jize, Gongzi Zhang went straight to Handan when Zhao's father came forward to affirm and give him a name, did Zhao Ben, who was stationed in Handan at that time, dare to stop Zhao's father?

In the case that Zhao Wang He has not yet made a sound, the order of Zhao's master's father is the national decree, if Zhao Ben dares to stop Zhao's father, Zhao's master's father can completely beat Zhao Ben as a traitor.

After dealing with Zhao Ben, Zhao's father entered Handan, and announced to the public that Zhao Cheng, Anpingjun Zhao Cheng, Fengyangjun Li Dui and others had conspired to hold Zhao Wanghe hostage with bad intentions, and Zhao Cheng and Li Dui were immediately beaten as traitors.

At that time, Zhao Cheng and Li Dui had no reputation to resist Zhao's father, and if they resisted, that is, they confirmed the status of traitors, and Zhao's father and Gongzizhang could logically eradicate Zhao Cheng and Li Dui, unless he compromised with Zhao's father and Gongzizhang.

Whether it was desperately resisting as a "traitor", and was finally eliminated by Zhao's father's army, or Zhao Cheng and Li Dui took the initiative to submit to Zhao's father's father and Gongzizhang, anyway, as long as these two are resolved, even if Zhao Wanghe escaped from Jize alive afterwards, Handan would have long been Gongzizhang's world, and Gongzizhang could have placed Zhao Wanghe under house arrest under the pretext of protecting the king, and at that time, who would dare to raise objections in Zhao? - Even Zhao Cheng and Li Dui have compromised, who else dares? Who else would?

As soon as he thought of this, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao broke out in a cold sweat, faintly having the illusion of the rest of his life after the catastrophe.

At this time, Meng Zhong continued: "Later, after the king fled back to Handan, he issued an edict declaring Gongzi Zhang to be a traitor, and at that time I also advised Zhao's father, and once again suggested that Zhao's father come forward to give Gongzi Zhang's name, as long as Zhao's father gave Gongzi Zhang's name, Zhao's army would wait and see for a while, and take advantage of this opportunity, Gongzi Zhang could go straight to Handan and defeat Wang Shi's ......."

“……”

Yang Wenjun and Zhao Bao were silent when they heard this.

In addition to being afraid of Meng Zhong's two successive plans to Lord Zhao's father, he also understood the intention of Meng Zhong's words, that is, Meng Zhong had already done many things that were unfavorable to King Zhao, and even if King Zhao did not blame, he would not be able to return to Wang Shi's side.

"Alas!"

Yang Wenjun and Zhao Bao let out a long sigh.

That night, Yang Wenjun Zhao Bao and Fei You returned to Wang Shi's camp overnight and invited Zhao Wang He.

I have to say that when he saw Zhao Bao and Fei You again, Zhao Wanghe seemed to be a little troubled.

He asked Zhao Bao: "Meng Qing...... What did he say? ”

Seeing this, Zhao Bao sighed slightly, shook his head and said: "That Meng Zhong said that although he did not participate in the murder of Fei Xiang, and he did not know in advance that Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu intended to rebel, but after the incident, he could not deny that he had done many things that were unfavorable to you...... He has no shame to return to you. ”

As he spoke, Zhao Bao briefly told Zhao Wanghe what Meng Zhong had said.

After listening to these words, King Zhao was silent for a long time.

He originally thought that Meng Zhong assisted Gongzizhang in the rebellion because Gongzizhang promised him many benefits, but he didn't expect that Meng Zhong decided to return to the Song Kingdom after this matter was over.

After all, Meng Zhong did not betray him for the sake of interests, betrayed the friendship between the two, it was just that Gongzi Zhang became the king of Zhao and was more beneficial to the Song State, so that Meng Zhong had to assist Gongzi Zhang.

And in this way, the problem is simple, as long as Gongzi Zhang dies, Meng Zhong has no reason to be his enemy again.

And......

『…… Connived at Zhao Zhang's plot to kill the fat minister and take my throne!"

Zhao Wanghe's mind came up with the face of Master Zhao's father.

Immediately, a thick hatred flashed in his eyes.