Pingyuanjun went all the way non-stop, going back and forth between Handan and Xinzheng. By the time he returned to Handan, it was late March.

"What? King Han wants Chang'an Jun as a hostage? As soon as Empress Dowager Zhao heard the news, she was furious. Chang'an Jun is only twelve years old, and the Empress Dowager Zhao, who loves her son, naturally does not want her young son to take risks.

Pingyuanjun also knows that this is the most difficult point among the three conditions put forward by South Korea, but now that the situation is critical, South Korea has made it clear that Chang'anjun will not be hostage, and South Korea will not send reinforcements.

"Queen Mother, now that Shaoliang has no news, most of them have been lost. The Taiyuan County Guard reported that the army of the Qin State had entered Taiyuan County, south of Puyang, and would no longer belong to our Zhao State. Although General Lian could compete with the Bai Qi army, the casualties were bound to be huge. The Yan State and the Qi State were vain and unkind to us, and they refused to express their position, presumably to see the war situation between Qin and Zhao. As long as we fall behind the wind a little, we will inevitably rise up! For the sake of Zhao Guoji, the minister asked the Queen Mother to promise to send Chang Anjun as a hostage! Pingyuanjun persuaded bitterly.

"The state affairs are difficult, and the minister asks the Queen Mother to take the country's plan as the priority and send An Anjun as a hostage!" Shangqing Lin Xiangru, Pingyang Jun and others were all deeply pleaded.

The young King Zhao looked at the Empress Dowager Zhao as if asking for help. Bai Qi's movements were so fast that no one expected that before Lian Po's reinforcements arrived, the Qin army would take half of Taiyuan County. Fortunately, the population of the cities occupied by the Qin army is not large, and the main cities and populations of Taiyuan County are concentrated in the central part, otherwise the losses will be really large. There is no doubt that the place where Qin and Zhao fought next must be the most prosperous place in Taiyuan County, and now it is the spring ploughing season, if Zhao State can't end this battle as much as possible, Taiyuan County is afraid that there will be a famine.

Empress Dowager Zhao didn't look at King Zhao, and wept: "How long has it been since the first king died?" You're going to bully me, old woman! If there is a reply to Chang'anjun as a hostage, the old woman will spit on her face. "Finished. glanced angrily at Pingyuanjun, Lin Xiangru, and Pingyangjun, who were kneeling on the ground and begging for their lives, and left without looking back.

The four monarchs and ministers looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Because King Zhao is young, the current Zhao State is the queen mother. King Zhao's jade seal and seal are all in the hands of the Empress Dowager Zhao, if the Empress Dowager Zhao makes up her mind, Chang'an Jun really can't go to Xinzheng as a hostage. If it's usual. Junchen can still grind hard bubbles, but the problem at the moment is that Zhao Guo's time really can't wait. Chang'anjun must set off for Xinzheng as much as possible, otherwise, Zhao's losses will be great.

"Ladies and gentlemen! How's it going to be right now? King Zhao was anxious and said uncertainly: "Why don't you send someone to steal the jade seal out and secretly send Chang'anjun to Xinzheng?" ”

Lin Xiangru shook his head again and again, and objected: "The Queen Mother has a strong temperament, if this is the case." There must be three long and two short. When the time comes, how can the king endure it? Those of us who are courtiers will die without redemption! ”

"But the Queen Mother can't listen to persuasion now, on the side of Yan State, the king later wrote that if the widow can't repel the Qin army, Yan State is afraid that it will invade our Zhao State." King Zhao sighed.

Pingyangjun nodded and said, "The atmosphere in Jicheng is very weird. The minister also discovered the lobbyist of the Qin State, although the King of Yan did not express his intention to crusade against our Zhao State. But there was no offer to help us. From the perspective of the minister, the Yan Kingdom is waiting for the situation to change, once our Zhao Kingdom is not supported, I am afraid that there will be a big disaster! ”

"When the minister went to Linzi, he waited for two days to see the king of Qi. The minister mentioned the rebuilding of the old friendship between the two countries, and the king of Qi said. As long as we are willing to cede two hundred miles of land, the Qi State will never take advantage of the danger of others, but will support us on the contrary. Lin Xiangru also said the shape of Qi State.

King Zhao's heart sank, knowing that now was not the time to hesitate, and said, "If it really doesn't work." The widow gave up the throne to Chang'anjun, and the widow went to Xinzheng as a hostage. ”

Although the three of Pingyuan Jun knew that this was King Zhao's angry words, they couldn't help but be terrified, the lord humiliated the ministers to death, if they couldn't even solve this problem, the three of them should die of shame. What's more, the Empress Dowager Zhao is a soft and not hard character, and King Zhao is so persecuted, even if the Empress Dowager Zhao finally agrees, the Liangzi of the mother and son can be regarded as concluded.

"Perhaps, only Master Zuo can convince the Queen Mother right now." Pingyuan-kun thought for a moment and said softly.

The next day, the old and old Zuo Shi Touch the Dragon tremblingly met with the Empress Dowager Zhao, who thought that the Touch Dragon was here to persuade herself to let Chang'an Jun as a hostage, so she naturally didn't give any good face, just waiting for the Touch Dragon to open her mouth to lobby, and ordered someone to blast the Touch Dragon out.

Who knows, the dragon trembled and made a move, and came up to ask for sin: "The old minister's legs and feet are not dexterous, and he can no longer walk quickly, when the first king died, he reluctantly participated in the funeral of the first king, and he went home to raise him for a long time before he could get out of bed." Forgive myself in private, but I haven't visited the Queen Mother for a long time, and I am afraid that the Queen Mother will not be able to control her grief, so I came to greet the Queen Mother. ”

Empress Dowager Zhao's face softened slightly, and her heart turned out to be loyal to her ministers. If I'm not mistaken, Touch Dragon is already in his sixties! He has served King Zhao Wuling and the first king, and now he is serving his eldest son, he is really a veteran of the three dynasties! Unlike the two brothers Pingyuanjun and Pingyangjun who are similar to that Lin Xiang, as soon as the first king died, he forced himself to send his young son to Xinzheng as a proton. As an old woman, her health has always been bad, where are she still a few years to live, and she even has to deprive herself of the last family happiness, and she is not a son of man.

"The old woman travels by car." Empress Dowager Zhao said.

Touching the dragon nodded slowly and said, "The daily diet hasn't been reduced, right?" ”

Empress Dowager Zhao felt more at ease, and said honestly: "It's just to eat some porridge." ”

Touching the dragon sighed and said, "The old minister can't do it, he is old and has no appetite at all." The princes didn't let the old minister worry, and the old minister couldn't rest assured, so he barely insisted on walking three or four miles every day, hoping to increase his appetite a little, which was good for his body. ”

Empress Dowager Zhao felt that in order to take care of several children, Touchlong was so persistent, pitiful of parents all over the world! I couldn't help but sigh: "The old woman can't do it." ”

Touching the dragon smiled bitterly, showed an embarrassed look, bent down, and said: "Shu Qi, the son of the old minister, is the youngest, and he doesn't let the old minister worry about it the most, but the old minister favors him the most." I hope that the Queen Mother can respond and let him enter the king's black-clothed guards to serve the king and find a way out. The minister was old, and risked his life to make this reluctant request to the Queen Mother. ”

Empress Dowager Zhao didn't expect that the dragon trembling and begging to see her. It's for this purpose. The black-clothed guards are King Zhao's personal guards, and they are rarely in distress, so idlers dare not despise them, but they can buy peace. Touching the dragon really loves his young son!

"The old woman is approved, let Aiqing pack up and enter the palace after she goes back! How old is he, though? "Empress Dowager Zhao sold Touchlong a face. Asked curiously.

"Just fourteen years old, although he is still young, but the old minister has not lived for a few years, while the old minister is not dead, I hope that he can be entrusted to the queen mother first."

Empress Dowager Zhao was moved and said, "Does a father also love his young son so much?" ”

Touching the dragon was happy in his heart, but his face was silent, and he said: "I love more than a mother!" ”

Empress Dowager Zhao smiled rarely, shook her head and said, "It should be a mother's love!" ”

Touching the dragon said: "The old minister thinks." The Empress Dowager's preference for Chang'anjun was far less than her love for her daughter Empress Yan (Empress Dowager Zhao's daughter was Queen Yan at this time). ”

"Aiqing is bad! The old woman prefers Chang'anjun! ”

Touching the dragon took the opportunity to say: "If parents love their children, they must plan for the long-term for their children. When the Queen Mother sent Empress Yan to get married, she hugged Empress Yan's heels and burst into tears, because she thought that Empress Yan was going to marry far away, and it would be difficult for the mother and daughter to reunite in the future. When Empress Yan marries into the Kingdom of Yan, the Queen Mother doesn't want Empress Yan to sacrifice every time. will secretly pray for Queen Yan, hoping that she will not come back. Don't you want the descendants of Queen Yan to be kings and kings in Yan from generation to generation? ”

Empress Dowager Zhao was stunned. Since Empress Yan married into the Kingdom of Yan, of course she wants her to be safe and secure and favored by King Yan, so that the descendants of Empress Yan will indeed be the king and the king on behalf of her, and keep her wealth and dignity.

"The state of Zhao has been established since the founding of the Liehou. Until now, the descendants of King Zhao are kings and marquises, can their children and grandchildren inherit the title? Is this the case not only for Zhao, but also for other vassal states? ”

Empress Dowager Zhao thought about it carefully and said, "Nothing! ”

Only then did Touch the Dragon throw out his true intentions. Said: "Those who are near will be harmed, and those who are far away will be harmed." Isn't it good to be the son and grandson of a king? Dignity but no merit, dedication but no work, how many gold and jade jewelry? ! Now the Queen Mother gave Chang'anjun a high position and a generous salary, divided the most plastered land of Zhao to Chang'anjun, and rewarded him with countless treasures, but she never thought about whether Chang'anjun had contributed to the country. Once the Queen Mother dies and Chang'an Jun loses his support, what will he do to gain a foothold in Zhao State? Therefore, the old minister thought that the queen mother's consideration for Chang'anjun was too short-sighted, far less than her preference for Empress Yan. ”

Empress Dowager Zhao couldn't cry or laugh, and after talking for a long time, she still advised herself to send Chang'anjun to Xinzheng as a hostage. It's hard for him, dragging the sick body of the dying old man, running for the great plan of Zhao State. I do dote on Chang Anjun a little, and I don't have a long-term plan for Chang Anjun. South Korea is known for its benevolence and righteousness, and Xinzheng is not a land of tigers and wolves like Xianyang, so let Chang'anjun be the hostage!

Empress Dowager Zhao took a deep look and said, "But the old woman is shallow, let Aiqing arrange Chang'anjun's whereabouts!" ”

Zuo Shi was relieved and thanked him: "The Queen Mother Shengming! ”

After Empress Dowager Zhao agreed to send Chang'an Jun as a hostage, Zhao Guojun and his ministers were overjoyed. In order to avoid long nights and dreams, the Empress Dowager Zhao repented and immediately arranged a hundred carriages to escort Chang'anjun to Xinzheng overnight. Out of the west gate of Handan, through Wu'an, into South Korea's Shangdang County, so far, the overall situation has been decided.

After receiving the news that Chang'an Jun and his entourage had entered the Shangdang, South Korea did not lose its word, with the violent kite as the main general and Li Mu as the deputy general, sending 100,000 troops to the Shangdang, intending to use the Shangdang to enter Taiyuan County and support Zhao State. At the same time, the king of Han sent an envoy to Handan, promising that in a month, the kings of Han and Zhao would meet in Luoyang.

Wei State, Great Liang.

The king of Wei was in a dilemma at the moment, because the king of Han sent Zhang Ping, the prime minister, as an envoy to visit Daliang. For the great war between Qin and Zhao in Taiyuan County, Wei was not interested in the slightest. Taking advantage of Korea's hesitation, the Wei State made a fortune and had already captured the Chu land of Juyang and Fuli in a circle of 200 miles north of Fulisai.

The Huai River valley is the essence of the Chu State, the land is fertile, the population is dense, the Chu State saw that the Zhao State could not ask for help, and in anger and shame, gathered 200,000 troops, only to stop the momentum of the Wei army to continue to move south. Naturally, Wei was not willing to give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it also continued to increase its troops, intending to drive the forces of Chu to the south of the Huai River. The two countries have waged a protracted and fierce war, and neither of them will take a step back.

The reason why Chu did not retreat was because if it lost the north of the Huai River, Chu would be hit hard and completely reduced to a second-rate country, unable to touch the Central Plains. Wei did not retreat because he wanted to make a big move to strengthen his national strength and strive for more say in the Central Plains.

But Zhang Ping brought the advice of the king of Han, hoping that Wei could stop the army. Together with Han and Zhao, counterattack Qin. Of course, South Korea will not dictate the affairs of Wei, and South Korea relies on the name of Zhou Tianzi. Although no one takes Zhou Tianzi seriously, when South Korea is under the banner of Zhou Tianzi, it is a different matter.

King Wei politely sent Zhang Ping out of the palace. It is served with good wine and meat. In private, he urgently summoned the ministers and wanted to plan a way out. South Korea has already pointed out the road to Wei, but whether Wei wants to take this path still needs to be carefully considered.

"Your Majesty! The minister thought that now that Han and Zhao had formed an alliance, the Qin State did not have to worry. If we disobey Korea, Han and Zhao will inevitably send troops to attack Wei, plus Chu, and Daliang may have a military disaster. For the king's sake. For the sake of Wei, we should send troops to attack Qin, and use the hearts of Han and Zhao to calm down. Doctor Duan Ganchong pretended to be worried and said.

South Korean Prime Minister Zhang Ping has already hinted at himself that as long as he can persuade King Wei to support South Korea's invasion of Qin, there will be indescribable benefits. Under such circumstances, Duan Ganchong naturally worked hard to facilitate this matter. In Duan Ganchong's view, the benefits of Wei have been almost reaped, and it is just the right time to step down. As for the crusade against the Qin State. With South Korea and Zhao Guoding in front, it is also a matter of profit. Why not?!

King Wei nodded, and he still agreed with his confidant's words. Qin, Zhao, and Han were all offended by Wei, and the reason why he agreed to Qin's departure from Korea was because Wei Ran swore that Qin's state and Han and Zhao were fighting each other. Who would have thought that King Zhao would hang up so soon. The people of Zhao were panicked, and the relationship with Qi and Yan was tense, and the lord Shaoguo was suspicious, and Zhao could only turn to South Korea in order to protect himself. Now the alliance of South Korea and Zhao has been built. The power is the largest, and if the Wei State is disobedient, it will definitely be defeated.

Doctor Zhong shrank down and thought so, and seconded: "The state of Chu has gathered 200,000 troops on the front line of Juyang and Fulisai, and if our Wei state wants to make progress, the casualties will be large. Now that the king has obtained 200 li of Chu land and more than 60,000 households, he has gained a lot of harvest, so why not harvest it if it is not good, so as not to suffer too many casualties? ”

Doctor Yan En also said: "Since the king is friendly to Korea, the state of Chu will not dare to attack." There is also the Zhao State as an alliance, all the countries in the world, who dares to underestimate our Wei State?! And the three kingdoms of Fuhan, Zhao, and Wei are one, and if there are three kingdoms, the Qin State will not be able to leave the customs for a day. Even, sooner or later, the Qin State will be destroyed by our Three Kingdoms. If the king does not obey, he will offend Han and Zhao, and now the Wei State is already angry with the Chu State, unless the king is willing to be the enemy of half the world, otherwise, he should ally with Korea. ”

Lang Zhong ordered Wei Qing to raise his concerns and said: "Hedong is close to Guanzhong, Shangjun and Taiyuan County of Qin, and is surrounded by enemies on three sides. If it is to attack Qin, the Qin State will inevitably be annoyed and angry. Among the three kingdoms of Han, Zhao, and Wei, especially Wei, the weakest, if you want to come to Qin, you will definitely use us as a breakthrough, in this way, we will lose a lot, I'm afraid it's not appropriate! ”

Doctor Duan Ganchong said: "The weight of the two benefits is the heavier, and the lesser of the two evils." Lang Zhongling thought that it was better to offend Qin or Han and Zhao? The Qin State itself is difficult to protect, so what energy does it have to crusade against our Hedong? ”

Xinlingjun nodded, agreed with Duan Ganchong's statement, and said to the king of Wei: "The minister thinks that the two countries of Han and Zhao are powerful, and it is not the blessing of my Wei country. The Qin State is powerful, and it is not the blessing of our Wei State. If Yan and Qi are willing to aid Qin, we can watch from the wall. If Yan and Qi are on the wall, we Wei will bear the brunt, but it is not good to disobey Han and Zhao. Wang Shangke can first make peace with the South Korea, and it will take time for this army to assemble, and it is not too late to make conclusions when the attitude of Yan and Qi is determined. ”

Guowei Xin nodded secretly in his heart, for the Wei State, the best situation is that the three kingdoms of Han, Qin, and Zhao are fighting separately and conquering each other, and it is best to fight and lose all three. In this way, the Wei state can take advantage of the opportunity to rise. But South Korea didn't know what the considerations were, and it was difficult for Wei to pull Wei to attack Qin. If Yan and Qi were worried that Qin would be weakened and sent troops to rescue Qin, then Wei would naturally be able to work and watch the consumption of Qin, Zhao, Han, Qi, and Yan. If Yan and Qi were indifferent, then Wei would have no choice but to use Qin to make their position clear in exchange for temporary peace. The state of Qin was weakened, and the Central Plains were the final say of Han and Zhao. From then on, Wei could only lie dormant and did not show its intention of dominating the Central Plains.

"The minister thinks that the prime minister's view is old and serious, and it is feasible. Han and Zhao alliance, the prestige is unmatched for a while, if there is disobedience from other countries, our Wei State should act according to the current situation, if there is no disobedience from other countries, our Wei State must not be the first person to be disobedient. Guowei Xin said.

Doctor Duan Ganchong secretly thought about it, Xinlingjun had the idea of letting Qi and Yan make the first bird, but the two countries would never be so stupid. The queen of Yan Guo is the sister of King Zhao today, with this pillow style, coupled with the influence of South Korea, Yan Guo will no longer be embarrassed by Zhao Guo. King Qi has always been cautious, without a reliable reinforcement, where would he dare to find the embarrassment of Zhao State?! Therefore, in the final analysis, Xinlingjun could only accept the idea of agreeing to Korea's crusade against Qin.

But in order to prevent accidents, Duan Ganchong still said: "Your Majesty! For the sake of peace in Korea, the minister thought that he should gather 100,000 troops and prepare to go to Hedong. After all, the matter of peace with Chu also needs the assistance of South Korea. ”

King Wei nodded and said, "In Aiqing's opinion!" (To be continued......)