Qin Guo's victory as the heir not only stimulated Zhao Houyong's nerves, but also made this young man passionate and yearning. From that day on, Zhao Yong swore to heaven and earth and did his best to revitalize the Zhao State with the rest of his life. A good man is like this, so that he can not miss his youth. At the same time, the Qin State acted on the royal road and did not respect Zhou etiquette, which also stimulated a person. This person is the monarch of the Northern Yan Kingdom.

Yan country is divided into Ji surname North Yan country, and Yao surname South Yan country. Nanyan is a small country, the first feudal monarch is a descendant of Xuanyuan Yellow Emperor, born on the bank of the Junshui River. The Northern Yan Kingdom is a vassal state surnamed Ji Zhou sub-sealed. After the death of King Wu of Zhou, Zhao Gong stayed in Haojing, assisted Cheng Wang, and let his eldest son Ke be sealed. Because Yan is located in the northern frontier of Ji Zhou, it belongs to the bitter cold land, and there is the danger of fighting the enemy. After the Yan State was established, it dealt with the enemy with all its energy, and had little interaction with the vassal states of the Central Plains. During the reign of Yan Huan, Shan Rong went south to attack Yan, and Yan was forced to move the capital to Linyi. During the reign of Yanzhuang, he almost perished under the invasion of Shanrong. It was only with the help of the Duke of Qi that he was able to preserve the country, and then developed and became one of the twelve princes of the Spring and Autumn Period. The so-called twelve princes refer to the twelve princely states of Lu, Qi, Jin, Qin, Chu, Song, Wei, Chen, Cai, Cao, Zheng and Yan in the Spring and Autumn Period.

King Ji of Zhou Wu sent a merchant to replace him. During his three-year reign, he divided the princes in a big way. There are hundreds of princely states, and there are many people with the surname Ji. The Kingdom of Jin, the State of Qi, the State of Lu, the State of Yan, the State of Wei, and the State of Zheng are the six roots of Ji Liugen Optimus Prime, and strive to ensure that Ji Zhou Tianxia will never die. However, a hundred years have passed, the Jin State has been established by Han Zhao Wei, Jiang Qi is also surnamed Tian, Lu State, Wei Guo, and the small princes have become a problem. Zheng Guo, known as the little overlord of the Spring and Autumn Period, even lost the country.

Although the Yan State did not do much after the founding of the country, it almost perished under the attack of the enemy. But with the help of the Qi State, the Yan State not only did not decline, but became the country of Wansheng and became one of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States. The Yan Gong of the past dynasties saw that the foundation of their ancestors had fallen to this, and they were all heartbroken. Although he has the heart to change the world, he lacks strength.

King Wu of Zhou took the position of Duke and Viscount and divided the princes. Dukes, only the state of Qin, the state of Yan and the defeated state of Lu. Although the three families of Han, Zhao and Wei divided the Jin land, they were also marquises. The State of Qi, replaced by the Tian clan, was also a marquis.

At present, as marquises, the Wei and Qi kingdoms have established themselves as kings. Even the state of Qin, which had a shorter history than the Yan state, also pursued the royal road. As the Yan Kingdom of Ji Zhou's vein, how can he be willing to live in the queen.

So, Duke Yan told his subordinates his thoughts.

When His Majesty heard this, he felt that Yan Guo and Ji Zhou were in the same vein and established themselves as kings. Fei Dan did not violate the law of his ancestors, but did it according to the sky. However, Duke Yan thought that he had set himself up as a king, and that was not the same as Wei Qiqin, who had become a rebellious minister and thief. Wei and Qi are kings, which is a lesson in blood.

Yan State, is it capable of dealing with the vassal states?

The courtiers all persuaded him, saying that after hundreds of years, the Yan State had resisted the enemy and Beihu with the strength of one country. If it weren't for the strength of Yan to resist the southward movement of Beihu and the princes of the Central Plains, they would be able to enjoy a peaceful and peaceful life. After hearing this, Yan Gong felt reasonable, and felt a little comforted in his heart. However, it is time to show your strength! The Yan State resisted the Shanrong and Hu people, and the ministers of the Yan State felt very strong. The vassal states of the Central Plains would not approve of him.

The ministers of the Yan State suggested sending troops to the Zhao State. First, they felt that the name was justified, and attacking Zhao was equivalent to supporting the right path. Jin Yan has the same ancestry, and the three families of Han, Zhao and Wei seized the world of the Jin Kingdom. Han Wei is too far away from Yan State, so he can only ravage Zhao State and show his strength.

Second, Zhao Guo's implementation of the new policy requires a stable space for development. Zhao Guo is in peace with foreign countries, and Yan Guo has an opportunity to take advantage of it.

Ministers, said that Yan Gong was moved. Duke Yan, summoned the ministers, and asked, "Attack Zhao, how many days is feasible." ”

The prince of Yan Guo sighed, and said: "As long as it takes a month, you can take the land of Zhao Guodai." Yan Gong nodded, so he took the prince as the supervisor and Zizhi as the general, and ordered 50,000 troops to attack Zhao State.

Now, several months have passed since the attack on Zhao. The Yan Kingdom achieved very little success, and the 50,000 Yan army was blocked by a small city and could not advance half a step. Prince Yan and the general Zizhi stood on the high mound, staring at this impregnable city. Ji Hao looked at Pingcheng, looked up at the night sky again, and said angrily: "Little Pingcheng, blocking my army of 50,000. General Zizhi, we have lost the face of the Yan people. ”

Zizhi glanced at the prince beside him, his eyes were looking ahead, and his tone was steady, "Prince, don't be angry." Although the castle is small, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack. But it's not unbreakable. ”

Hearing this, Ji Hao must have a clever plan to attack the city, and hurriedly said: "This city can be broken, please say it to the general." ”

Zizhi's eyes bloomed with confidence, as if he had conquered the city in front of him, and he was already in control, "A strong fortress is often broken from the inside. ”

When Ji Hao heard this, she was a little discouraged. A strong fortress is often breached from the inside, and in other words, how to break through the enemy's fortress from the inside is the key. Ji Hao asked, "The general's words are reasonable." Inside the fortress, how to break it. ”

Zizhi pointed to the city in front of him, and said in a dialect: "The prince only needs to wait and see what happens, and he can get the city tonight." ”

Ji Hao saw that his tone was easy-going, but his words were unquestionable. After being silent for a long time, Ji Hao couldn't help but ask: "Before sending troops, the general said that Zhao Guo would be able to get it in January." Today, it has been almost two months since the attack on Zhao. We have not made much progress except for the destruction of a few small cities in Zhao State. Recently, my father sent a letter urging us to wait for the results to be achieved as soon as possible. How should I reply to my father's letter, and ask the general for advice. ”

Zizhi said lightly: "Prince, just tell the truth." ”

"The general of the son, you don't know the character of the monarch's father. Do I dare to tell the truth? Ji Xu, pondering for a moment, spit out a breath of warmth, and said, "Zhao Guojiu can't take it, let's withdraw our troops!" ”

Seeing that Zizhi didn't speak, Ji Hao tacitly assumed that the other party accepted his suggestion, and continued: "This attack on Zhao is unfavorable, and the responsibility is all on me, and it has nothing to do with the general." After returning to China, the monarch's father punished the crime, and the general could put the fault on me. I am the son of my father, and when my father is angry, he will not do anything to me. ”

The corners of the son's lips moved slightly, the prince's thoughts were too simple. This attack on Zhao was unfavorable, and the people punished by the monarch were not only the prince, but also his own general. Zizhi was angry again, "In the eyes of the prince, am I lacking a person to take responsibility?" ”

Seeing that he misunderstood what he meant, Ji Hao hurriedly said, "Don't misunderstand, general, I didn't mean that." ”

"I understand what the prince means." Zizhi, staring at the other party's flustered look, said word by word: "Prince, we are in the same boat, advancing and retreating together." Now, do you think we have a way out? ”

Ji Hao calmed down, thinking about the hidden meaning behind this sentence.

"The 50,000-strong army attacked Zhao, not to mention the loss of labor and money, and withdrew the troops to return to China without achieving any achievements. Just ask you, what will the king think of you? And how will the people think of you? What will I do to you, my lords? ”

Ji Hao said coldly: "I am the prince of Yan Kingdom, why do I need to look at other people's faces." ”

Zizhi shook his head, the prince in front of him was too presumptuous, "Just because you are the crown prince, you need the attitude of the monarch and the officials more." It is not good to attack Zhao, once you return to China, the prince, everything you have, all of them are gone. ”

Ji Hao said in surprise: "General, what do you mean by your words." ”

Zizhi said unhurriedly: "Now above the court of Yan Kingdom, there is a battle between open and secret. The prince attacked Zhao and returned in vain. Those who oppose the crown prince will make a big fuss about it. The monarch is angry, and your position is in danger, prince. ”

When Ji Hao heard this, he was not worried at all. He is the eldest son of the monarch of Yan and his son-in-law. Father, no matter how old he is, he will not make a foolish decision. The patriarchal system of the Yan Kingdom is based on the rites of Ji Zhou. When he moved back to China, he was scolded by his father at most. As a son, he was safe when he heard it. How can his position be in danger?

Zizhi saw through his thoughts, and said: "Those who are worried about the position of the prince, in addition to the promotion of the prince, there is also the position of the young son." ”

"Impossible." Ji Hao beckoned and said, "The younger brother is young and doesn't know how to do government affairs. I am not interested in the state affairs of Yan State. General, you're too careful. ”

"Even if you are a young man, you have no intention of competing with you for the throne. But the people around him, you can vouch for it. Zizhi, seeing that his face was moved, he obviously listened to what he said, "The young prince has the support of the Qin State behind him. If the Qin State supports the young prince, put pressure on the monarch. Those who oppose you speak ill of you in front of the king, and speak of the good of the young son. Prince, do you think your position is still secure? ”

Ji Xu thought about it, and was shocked into a cold sweat behind his back. There is no truth in the words of the Son. In recent years, the monarch's father has been quite indifferent to his mother, and he has been very fond of the women from the Qin Kingdom, and he has treated the young sons born by Qin Guo with special attention. If not, the young prince is young and has not made mistakes in government affairs, so he can preserve the position of the crown prince. One childe promotion is enough to give him a headache, and there is another potential competitor, childe. Reminiscing about Zi's words, he began to panic a little when he thought of the ambiguous attitude of the Minister of the Yan Palace, "General, what should I do." ”

Zizhi understood a little bit when he saw it, and it was not hopeless, "So far, we have no way out." Only compete with Zhao Guo. Victory, and your position will be strengthened. Whether it is Gongzi Sheng, or the Qin State behind the Qin girl, it is not enough to shake your position. ”

Ji Hao paused, looked up at the sky, and sighed: "If I lose, I will lose completely." ”

"From the moment we sent our troops, we were defeated."

Ji Hao glared at him angrily, "Since the defeat is decided, why do you want me to send troops to the monarch's father." You've hurt me. ”

"Prince, your father, you don't know his character yet. I don't say that Zhao Guo is useless, will the monarch still attack Zhao? Zizhi, in response to the other party's slightly angry eyes, "Only if it is easy to say that the general will attack Zhao, the monarch will order troops, and let you be the supervisor of the army, and I will be the commander." In this way, the power is in your hands. We have military power in our hands, who dares to touch you. ”

Ji Hao instantly understood his intentions and was no longer angry, "I blamed the general for being wrong." ”

"Prince, it's good to understand my hard work."

Ji Hao pondered, the current situation made it difficult for him to ride a tiger. If you don't fight and retreat, your position will not be guaranteed. The battle is over, and there is no chance of victory.

"Prince." Zizhi said coldly: "We want to withdraw our troops, and the order should be given by the monarch." ”

Ji Xu, looking up at him, said suspiciously: "Father Jun, I will order the withdrawal of the army." ”

"A king is a man who cherishes his honor." Zizhi raised his head and said: "It is not good to cut down Zhao, and the Yan Kingdom has been damaged too much." If the monarch thinks of it, he will order us to withdraw our troops. Now, what we have to do is to lead 50,000 soldiers and wait for the opportunity to fight a decisive battle with Zhao State. Even if the king does not let us retreat, he will send soldiers to help us. ”

"Tell the prince and the general." A cold voice sounded in the night.

Zizhi, with his back to the visitor, said, "You're back!" Brought back some useful news to General Ben. ”

The man, coming out of the night, "General, the plan is going well. If nothing else, Pingcheng can be obtained tonight. ”

"Okay." Zizhi waved his hand, and the man disappeared into the night again.

Ji Xu, staring at Zizhi's side face, exclaimed, "It turns out that you have already arranged it." ”

Zizhi, looking at Pingcheng, said coldly: "Prince, the show has begun." ”