Linzi City was called Qiyi in ancient times, and later changed to Yingqiu. In the twenty-fourth year of King Li of Zhou, Duke Hu of Qi moved the capital from Yingqiu to Bogu, but his younger brother Lu Shan was dissatisfied with Duke Hu's move, and led his henchmen to attack and kill Duke Hu, expelled Duke Hu's sons, and established himself as the king of Qi, called Duke Xian of Qi.

Qi Xiangong moved the capital back to Yingqiu and built the city, because the new city was close to Zishui, so the new city was called Linzi. Since then, through the efforts of many Qi kings, it has become such a scale.

Linzi City is divided into two cities, large and small, the big city is the residence of the officials and the people, and the small city is the palace city of the royal family. Different from Handan, the two cities of Linzi are connected together, the so-called three-mile city, seven-mile Guo, build the city to defend the monarch, build Guo to the people. The city is nine miles from north to south, seven miles from east to west, eight city gates, and seven trunk roads; The small city is four miles from north to south, three miles from east to west, five city gates, and three main roads; There are a number of other handicraft traders, and the drainage channels are actually orderly, connected to Zishui, and there are about 70,000 residents, which are a hundred times stronger than Handan in terms of scale and prosperity.

Le Yi and the three of them followed the pawn officials into the royal city, and while walking, they watched it, admiring the prosperity of Linzi, and lamenting the backwardness of Handan, and faintly envious in their hearts. When he entered the side hall, he saw a young man sitting on the top of the main hall. On both sides of the main hall, Tian Ying and Tian Pan sat in the first place, and Captain Kuang Zhang sat under the two respectively. Sure enough, there is no King of Qi.

Zhao Yong's admiration for King Qi, Le Yi is very clear.

Zhao Yong once said that if there was no vision of the current King of Qi, I am afraid that there would be no such atmosphere in the Qi country. The inscription that the King of Qi once set for his father once said: Emperor Yang Kao Zhaotong, Gaozu Yellow Emperor, and the heir Huanwen. He appointed Zou Ji as the prime minister, reformed the maladministration of the Qi country, ruled by law and discipline, selected talents and talents, learned from the "Guanzi", enriched the country and strengthened the army, and finally became the largest and powerful country in the East. It can be regarded as his practice of the oath of "Yang Huang Kao Zhaotong, Gaozu Yellow Emperor, and Huan Wen".

The reason why Zhao Yong admired the king of Qi was that he hoped to take the king of Qi as an example and promote the reform of the Zhao state. At that time, the State of Qi had great talents such as Zou Ji, Sun Bin, and Tian Ji who supported the reform of King Qi, while the State of Zhao could only rely on Zhao Yong to promote it. And Fei Yi and others, although they are also right-hand men, are still a little worse than Zou Ji and other ministers with innovative ideas.

However, King Qi's reform was not very successful, at least in the issue of restricting the rights of the clan, King Qi did a very bad job. At this point, looking at Tian Ying, you know that if King Qi restricts the rights of the clan, there will never be a situation like Tian Ying forming a party now, and even making Tian Biyi, the prince, restless.

At this point, Zhao Yong is a little smarter than King Qi.

The more Le Yi thought about it, the more fascinated he became, and he forgot that this was on top of the main hall, so that when he saluted, he was a little slow, but fortunately he kept up in time and made no mistakes.

Even so, it was also seen by Tian Bibi, who was sitting at the top.

"This envoy, but you can't adapt to the water and soil of my Qi country?"

Le Yi saw that Tian Bibi was looking at himself, and knew that he had lost his mind for a moment just now, so he could see the clue, but he could only bite the bullet and say: "Please Gongzi Junjian, Ren sees the prosperity of Linzi, compared to Handan, it is extremely rich, so it is a little gaffe, and I hope that Gongzi Haihan." ”

"In that case, it doesn't hurt." Although Tian Bibi has been replacing King Bingzheng of Qi for a while, it is the first time to see an envoy from a country, and he is quite excited in his heart. Le Yi's sycophants were right in the middle, and it also made him feel a lot better for Zhao Guo and the three of them.

"The envoy of Zhao wants to see the king of my family, but the monarch's father is unwell, and he has a slight cold, so it is really not suitable to go out to meet guests, so he has to come forward by this son, and I hope that the three of them will not be surprised."

The news of King Qi's serious illness spread widely, but the high-level officials of Qi were secretive and unwilling to say more. It is to avoid the important and light.

"In this way, I hope that Gongzi will convey the condolences of the king of my family." Zhao Jue, as the envoy, naturally had to come forward to respond.

After the greetings, it was time to get to the point, and both sides cheered up and prepared to engage in a war of words.

"Zhao envoy came from afar, there must be something important to discuss, but it doesn't hurt to say it."

"A certain came from Handan, but it was for a big thing."

"I don't know why Zhao Envoy came?"

"It's for Qi and Zhao to break Zhongshan together." Zhao Jue paused, "The day before yesterday, the Qi State sent a messenger to invite me to jointly send troops to attack Zhongshan, I don't know if Gongzi knows." Zhao Jue said, looking at the sergeant sitting on the side. The sergeant got up and said to Tian Biyi: "Exactly, this is an envoy sent according to the order of the king, and the prince should know about this matter." ”

"Hmm." Tian Bibi nodded and said to Zhao Jue: "Of course I know about this matter. This is a strategy set by the monarch's father when he was not seriously ill, hoping to sweep away the Hulu in Zhongshan and determine my north. The monarch's father knew that Zhao and Zhongshan were feuding, so he invited Zhao to discuss the matter of sending troops. However, it seems that your country has no intention of cooperating with our actions. ”

"So that Childe knows. Since my death, I have always regarded it as a confidant, and there was also the shame of Handan being besieged back then. Since my king ascended the throne, every time he talks about it, he is also full of emotion, and he is proud of the soldiers surrounding Lingshou and slaughtering his country. Therefore, he prepared three years of grain and grass, sent troops to the north, exterminated more than 10,000 Zhongshan soldiers, recovered several cities, drove the Zhongshan people to the north of the Hutuo River, and signed an alliance under the city, so that they did not dare to go south to release horses and not dare to go north to herd sheep. ”

"In this case, it is time for the two countries to join forces, set foot in Zhongshan, and completely destroy their country. Why is it that your country refuses to send troops in all its ways? Don't you have ulterior motives! Tian Bibi said, already a little dissatisfied in his words.

"Qi is a big country in the East, and it is also the prince of my Great Zhou, separated from Zhao by a big river, although there are many misunderstandings, and there have been wars to meet each other, but the two countries are still friendly neighbors separated by a water. And the people of Zhongshan are the Xianbei Hu people, not the people of the Central Plains, nor the princes of our Great Zhou, but relying on the advantages of the terrain and entrenched on both sides of the Hutuo River. Raided Zhao Qi's land several times. It is the common enemy of the two countries. Zhao Jue continued to analyze, "However, not long ago, Zhao Guo used the strength of the whole country to raid Zhongshan, although the results were quite fruitful, but the losses were also extremely heavy, and he urgently needed to recuperate. At this time, I have no food for the soldiers in Handan, and I don't have a battalion of soldiers. If you send troops this time, you will definitely be defeated. Childe, the husband is the victor without a fight, and he has to count a lot; The temple is not victorious without a fight, and it is considered to be less. More wins, less wins, Childe thinks, how should I deal with myself? ”

This is the negotiation strategy set by Le Yi and Zhao Jue at the beginning, which is to show weakness. The first indication of weakness and putting himself in a weak position shows that it is not that Zhao is unwilling to send troops, but that he is really unable to send troops. Then look at the reaction of the people and respond accordingly.

"This ......" Tian Biqi heard it, Zhao Jue's words were also said in the past, after the war, it was indeed unreasonable to work the expedition.

"The messenger is not right." Tian Pan saw that Tian Biqi couldn't answer, so he took over the conversation and said, "This time, my Qi country will act as the vanguard, and the Zhao army can only be used as a backup, and there is no need to travel far away." Specifically, as long as Zhao Guo made preparations to cross the river on both sides of the Hutuo River and contain the Zhongshan troops heading east, our army could be like a bamboo, and directly take Lingshou. In this way, presumably the money spent by Zhao Jun and the army used should not be too much. I don't know if Zhao Envoy thinks so? ”

"Even so, with the defeat of my remnants, the rout of the army in Zhongshan is like the battle of the trapped beast, the so-called mourning soldiers will win, and I am afraid that our army will not only be unable to hold the defense line of the Hutuo River, but also the Qi army will suffer heavy losses. Such a gain outweighs the loss, and Zhao Guo really can't afford it. ”

"If this is the case, our army can also cover for the Zhao army, the two armies attack Zhongshan from both sides, with the combat strength of our Qi army, we will be able to overcome thorns and thorns, invincible, this can also solve the crisis of the Zhao army, King Zhao can rest assured."

"But ......"

"Zhao Envoy blindly prevaricated, isn't he unwilling to form an alliance with my Qi army and plot the hinterland of Zhongshan? If this is the case, then the Qi State should find another country, but when the time comes, if there is any damage to the land of the Zhao State, please ask the King of Zhao to take more responsibility. ”

Tian Pan was born in the army, so he is naturally much more familiar with military affairs, and he is a sharp counterattack against Zhao Jue's words, without showing any mercy. In addition, this old man is a little short-tempered, and there is already some threat between his words.

Le Yi glanced at Zhao Jue, knowing that this gentleman was really not an expert in the matter of marching and fighting, so naturally he had no way to refute Tian Panzhiyu, after thinking about it, he took over and said: "The general is worthy of being a person in the army, Xiaochang is military, and he is quite insightful in the matter of marching and fighting, although Le Ren is not well-known in Zhao State, he has admired Mr. for a long time. When I saw it today, under the fame, there was no vanity. ”

"I conceded." Tian Pan glanced at Le Yi and knew that although this son was not the official envoy of Zhao Guo, Kuang Zhang respected him very much. Therefore, you can't underestimate it, and deal with it carefully.

"In particular, the general once led his troops, lured the enemy deep in the land of Sanqiu, dragged my General Han Ju's soldiers and horses into the dead, and won a battle, and a certain person was even more admired."

Tian Pan didn't know what medicine was sold in Le Yi's gourd, so he didn't agree anymore, just looked at Le Yi and let him continue.

"In fact, the city of Pingyi, located between two rivers, its land is soft, it is not a place to build a city, if it is not for its fertile soil, and it has a natural danger and important road, otherwise it will not become a place where soldiers must fight. Here, the general judged the situation and did not attack the city, but lengthened the battle line of our army and dragged our army into a dead place before counterattacking, which shows that the general has a very thorough view of the situation. ”

"I wonder what this messenger wants to say?" Tian Ying couldn't help but scold. He listened to this circle, as if Le Yi had been praising Tian Pan, although the two were standing on a united front at the moment, he didn't want to hear anyone praise his opponent.

"So according to the general's vision, do you think that the city of Zhongshan is a strong attack? Or is it a no-take? ”

"This... The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, how can it be foreseen? Tian Pan said cautiously.

"You might as well listen to the kid's analysis, and the general can comment on it." Le Yi said, walked to the center of the main hall, and said loudly: "If you want to destroy the country of Zhongshan, you must destroy the city of Zhongshan, and if you want to destroy the city of Zhongshan, you must cross the west of the Hutuo River." However, here, although there is a flat river, it is surrounded by mountains in front and blocked by a large river in the back. It is the place where the great river meanders, and where the mountains dwell. The Zhongshan people built the city, and most of them relied on the mountains, and after being destroyed by the Wei people, Gayin fled back to the mountains to restore the country. It was the kings of the later generations who built the city, and they all entrusted the mountain to seek a way back. The cities of Zhongshan are all fortified cities, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Compared to ordinary cities, it is more difficult to attack. This is one of them. ”

"Second. The plain where Zhongshan is located, to the north is the bank of Yishui, to the south is the city of Zhao Guo, and between the big river and Jishui, it is the land of Qi State, and it is also the place where Qi soldiers must pass through Zhongshan. In this way, if Yan Guo took advantage of the time when Qi went west to Zhongshan, he only needed to send an elite team to invade the territory of Qi and cut off the back route of the army to the west. At this time, Zhongshan didn't even need a single soldier to defeat the Qi army from afar under the city, so it was impossible to attack Zhongshan Erye. ”

Everyone in the hall listened to Le Yi's words, fell into deep thought, and did not dare to interject for a moment. Seeing this, Le Yi was about to continue, but he heard someone say:

"Wait, what Mr. said, I don't dare to agree."

(End of chapter)