Sangdang County, South Korea. Shangdang County has 17 cities under the jurisdiction of the eldest son, Changping, Tunliu, and Yan He (it should have been said in the previous article that Yan He belonged to Zhao State, and later the author consulted the following historical materials, and now it still belongs to South Korea, so correct it here) and other 17 cities, with 150,000 households, and its easternmost Sheyi is only 200 miles away from Handan. If the army marches quickly, it will be there in two days.

It was based on this consideration that Zhao also set up a county named Shangdang to the east of Huanshui, and stationed heavy troops to guard Handan. It is north to Yangyi, south to Zhongmu, and has seven towns under its jurisdiction. Coincidentally, the Wei state also set up Shangdang County in the border area close to Han and Zhao, which stretched from Gaodu in the west to Fanyang in the east, with a total of nine yi. The role is to prevent the main force of Zhao from going south. As a result, around the Shangdang region, the three kingdoms of Han, Zhao, and Wei have been competing for hegemony for more than 100 years, until today.

Earlier, Wei had an absolute advantage, and its power once expanded to Changping and Feiyi, which were only a few tens of miles away from Handan. This also means that Zhao's every move is under the nose of Wei. Stimulated, Zhao worked hard decades later and finally drove Wei to Anyang. In order to prevent the Wei state from completely falling to the Qin state, the Zhao state stopped here and began to build the Great Wall to prevent the Wei state from moving north.

The forces of the three countries are intertwined in the Shangdang region, forming a delicate balance. Yeyi, the northernmost part of Wei, and Shiyi, the easternmost part of Korea, are about two hundred miles away from Handan, so although Zhao is strong, it does not dare to act rashly. In the same way, the distance between Xinzheng and Daliang is also about two hundred miles, and Korea and Wei are also afraid of each other, so they are more cooperative than confrontational.

This is how geopolitics determines the relationship between the three countries. When Wei had an absolute advantage, he could safely attack Han and Zhao and expand his territory, just like Wei Wenhou did. Zhao State occupies an absolute advantage. can only patiently encroach on the territory of Han and Wei, and dare not act a little bigger so as not to cause a backlash, just like King Zhao Wuling did. As for South Korea, it has never been really strong before this, and can only carefully survive in the cracks.

Now. Korea gradually rose, but it was only on a par with Zhao, and did not have the absolute advantage of Wei at the beginning, so Wei could cooperate with South Korea with confidence. What's more, considering the enclaves of Hedong and Hanguguan, as well as the irreparable relationship with the Qin State, Korea behind him became the last reliance. This is also the geopolitical zhì that once again determines the attitude of the Wei state.

Since the peace between Zhao and Qin, Korea and Wei have quietly increased the number of soldiers on the border with Zhao, and the original garrison of Shiyi has increased from 2,000 to 5,000. Among them, 3,000 are the elite of the tigers, and Yeyi has increased from the original 3,000 garrisons to 5,000 people, and the other cities are taking advantage of the idle farmers to continuously strengthen the city defense and repair the roads.

Such an action naturally could not be concealed from the scouts of Zhao who were interested in reconnaissance, and after some deliberation by the monarchs and ministers of Zhao State, they also ordered to increase the garrisons on the border with Han and Wei. Among them, especially Zhongmu has increased the largest number of garrisons, counting the original garrison. Now Zhongmu has an army of 10,000. Considering that Zhongmu is located at the junction of Han and Wei, both to the east and south. can divide the party of Wei into two; If it goes west, it can cut off the party in South Korea, and the signal released by Zhao Guo couldn't be more obvious - that is, needle-to-point,-for-tat.

Many soldiers of the three countries knew each other, and when they patrolled the border, they would even talk a little and chat a little. Let's talk about the shortcomings of parents. It's just that the atmosphere of intimacy at the beginning is no longer there, although the two sides deliberately want to create this atmosphere, but the faint fear in their eyes betrays each other's hearts. The only difference was that the relationship between the soldiers of Han and Wei was closer.

Qi Guo is about to move near Gao Tang stupidly. Obviously, Zhao is still angry about Zhao Guo's capture of Gaotang five years ago. Yan Zhou, who stayed behind, naturally sent a message back to Handan for 800 miles, but Handan's reply to this was extremely simple - he couldn't bear it. Unless the Qi army attacked Gaotang, the Zhao army could not take the initiative to attack. Fortunately, after Qi State vigorously requisitioned and mobilized the army, it only strengthened the garrison of the cities on the border with Zhao State, and did not do anything out of the ordinary, which made Zhao State panic.

Xinzheng, in the palace of King Han, Lamei has been opened. The fire in the pavilion dispelled the chill of the moon, a pot of wine, three wine bottles, and the cold plum blossoms bloomed all around.

Han Wangran's face was already a little flushed, but he still held the hand of Fan Sui, the imperial historian, and said with a smile: "Wenxinghou, you lost this game again, you should be fined three glasses of wine!" ”

"Yes! Wenxinghou! You can't be fooled before the king! Prime Minister Zhang Ping on the side quipped.

Fan Sui smiled helplessly and said, "Changxin Hou! When will Sui be repaid? I'll just drink it! After speaking, Chao Han Wang Ran looked beggingly, "Your Majesty! Can you have one drink first, and owe the remaining two first? ”

Han Wangran sneered, but he pretended not to hear it, and looked at the plum blossoms outside intently. Zhang Ping looked at Fan Sui with an embarrassed face with some pride, looking like a villain. Fan Sui saw that he couldn't hide, so he drank two more cups. It's okay to be punished for drinking, it's a big loss of face.

In the cold winter of the lunar month, heavy snow covers the mountains. Every family is used to hibernation at home, and there are really not many things in the court. People like Storm Kite, Li Mu, and Meng Fu can still use the excuse of winter training to inspect the drills of the new army, and Wenchen like Zhang Ping and Fan Sui can only be dragged by Han Wangran to the palace to drink and have fun. However, if Kong Shang, the sacrificial wine of Yingchuan Academy, knew that he was at the same table with Han Wangran, he would have to be "impeached". However, now Kong Saijiu should be busy compiling a history book and have no time to separate.

Thinking that Fan Sui would still live as "Zhang Lu" on weekdays, Zhang Ping said with the strength of wine: "Your Majesty! It has been four and a half years since Wenxinghou came to Xinzheng, and now I am thriving in South Korea, changing the law smoothly, and Wenxinghou has contributed a lot. At the beginning, the Wei State needed to rely on my Korean snort, could it be possible to send an envoy to bring Wei Qi back? So that Wen Xinghou can take revenge! It also shows the daimy! ”

Now Wei State still doesn't know that the unrivaled Imperial Doctor in Korea is Fan Sui who they humiliated at the beginning. Wei Qi was the former prime minister of Wei and a former prime minister who was not treated well by the king of Wei, but Korea was a staunch ally of Wei. If Han Wangran sent an envoy to detain Wei Qi, it is thought that the King of Wei would not risk offending Korea to protect Wei Qi. What's more, wealth does not return to the hometown, like brocade clothes at night. Fan Sui is a Wei person after all, and he can't return to his hometown with his real name. It's always a flaw. If Han Wangran avenged Fan Sui, Fan Sui would definitely be grateful to Dade and repay Han Wangran well.

Han Wangran didn't answer immediately after hearing this, but put down the wine glass in his hand, glanced at Fan Sui, and said, "Wenxinghou." What do you think? ”

Fan Sui stood up and made a gesture and said, "If there is no king, I am afraid that the ministers are still hiding in Daliang now, and they dare not see people in the daytime." Admiral Wang brought his ministers to Xinzheng and entrusted them with important tasks, and the ministers were already very grateful. Don't mention revenge! ”

Han Wangran smiled in his heart, and now he united with Wei to fight against Qin and Zhao, and even made a promise to let Chu pass through Bashu. Fan Sui will always have some opinions in his heart! After all, when he was talking at night in Daliang, he could build yì and go directly south through the Chu State. Now South Korea has a posture of not going through Chu State in the short term, which makes Fan Sui feel very bottomless. As for giving up revenge, think about the history of Fan Sui forcing Wei Qi to have a home and commit suicide to apologize, you know that Fan Sui is insincere.

"Marquis Wenxing, the widow had a ten-year appointment with you in Daliang. It still works! Han Wangran said lightly.

Fan Sui raised his head abruptly and looked at Han Wangran with some emotion. After a long time, he spoke: "Zhao State cannot be defeated in three or five years, and the king should not delay the time to pacify the world for the revenge of his ministers." Wei is an important ally of my South Korea at the moment, if Wei is forced to surrender to Zhao, it will be unfavorable to my South Korea! ”

"The widow knows it! There will be great changes in Zhao Guo within three or five years! Wen Xinghou waited patiently! Once the Zhao State is in turmoil, the time has come to go south to attack Chu! It won't be long before the widow can avenge Wenxinghou! Han Wangran said confidently.

Zhang Ping said with some doubts: "Your Majesty! What will happen to Zhao Guosan in five years? Could it be the Northern Frontier? ”

Zhao's Yunzhong, Yanmen, and Daijun have been repeatedly invaded by the Xiongnu over the years. The power of the Xiongnu is increasing year by year, and it has become a constraint for the Zhao State. If this is the case, Zhang Ping will definitely do his best to stop it! If it is not of my race, its heart will be different! This kind of reputation-damaging move. It's absolutely unacceptable!

Han Wangran nodded, shook his head again, and said with a smile: "Yes and no!" This time the Xiongnu invaded Yunzhong, and the losses of Zhao State can be described as heavy! From the perspective of the widows, with the rise of the Xiongnu in the northern grasslands, the troubles of the Zhao State have just begun! It's just a big hassle, though. The real trouble lies in Handan! Marquis Wenxing, do you still remember that more than a month ago, the widow told you that King Zhao's health was getting worse! The prime minister is also here now, the widow might as well say it clearly, just a few days ago, King Zhao vomited blood! ”

"King Zhao vomited blood? Is this true? Zhang Ping immediately asked, and then found that his tone was too rude, and said apologetically: "The king has atoned for his sins!" The minister is abrupt! ”

Han Wangran waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's okay! A widow is not a tyrant! Regarding the matter of King Zhao vomiting blood, it is indeed true, and this is also what the widow's secret agent finally got from King Zhao's palace! Therefore, the widow asserts that Zhao Guo will inevitably change greatly in three or five years! ”

Zhang Ping's face was happy, and the importance of a wise king to the country was self-evident. Compared with the pioneering spirit of King Zhao Wuling, King Zhao is the king of success, but his crown prince is a person who is eager to achieve success. A king and a courtier, if Lin Xiangru and a virtuous minister are left out in the cold, how long can the strength of Zhao last!

Fan Sui finally understood Han Wangran's words, for South Korea, Zhao Guo is undoubtedly a boulder pressed on the bottom of his heart. If Zhao collapsed on its own, the pressure on the north of Korea would be gone. Don't forget, when King Qi was here, the national strength of Qi was no less powerful than that of Qin, but as a result, it caused anger and resentment, and the six countries successively attacked Qi, and Qi fell sharply. If King Zhao is mediocre and has no virtuous ministers to assist, as long as South Korea uses some clever tricks, it will naturally make Zhao State end up in the same fate as Qi State.

"Your Majesty! This time the Xiongnu knocked on the border, although the Zhao State lost more than 10,000 people and 10,000 stones of grain and grass, but the Xiongnu also lost a lot! According to the ministers, the Xiongnu are afraid that they will also suffer heavy losses, and they will not pose much threat to Zhao next year! Fan Sui asked.

Han Wangran nodded and explained: "Marquis Wen Xing thinks this way because he doesn't understand the situation of the Huns. The Xiongnu were divided into more than a dozen tribes, and each tribe sometimes cooperated and sometimes competed for hegemony, just like the country of our Central Plains. Their leader, Shan Yu, was nominally the leader of the tribal alliance, but in reality he was only the leader of the strongest tribe. Most of the other tribes' orders to Shan Yu were yang and yin. Because there was no concerted effort, the Xiongnu were bullied by Donghu and Yue. They believe in force and worship the strong. Don't look at them this time they suffered heavy losses, but they got precious grain and grass! What's more, the Huns have always had the habit of plundering other tribes, as long as they sweep other tribes, the losses will soon be made up! Wen Xinghou, do you think the Huns will give up lightly after tasting the sweetness of knocking? ”

"Got it!" Fan Sui nodded, if you are yourself, you can strengthen yourself and train your troops when you invade Zhao State, why not! If Zhao is strong on the border and can't eat it himself, then win over the tribes that have a better relationship with him, call a few more tribes, and you can always get the benefits you want! (To be continued......)