A few days later, it spread in Handan City, Zhao Kuo's mother broke into the palace, claiming that Zhao Kuo "once he is a general, facing east and facing the court, the military officials dare not look up, the gold silk given by the king is hidden at home, and the day is convenient for those who can buy it." "Where is this expedition, it's clearly a child's play to fight a war!

In order to raise food and grass to support Changping, Shangqing Lin Xiangru ran out of hard work and was already sick in bed, unable to do political affairs. Hearing that King Zhao was going to appoint Zhao Kuo as a general, he hurriedly wrote to stop him: "The king is a famous envoy, and he is like a rubber pillar and a drum." The disciples can read the biography of their father, but they do not know the mutation. ”

King Zhao ignored all these objections, but agreed to Zhao Kuo's mother's request: if Zhao Kuo was defeated, he would not sit in the family.

Zhao Kuo's behavior was like that of a gentleman, he asked his retainers to buy land around his father's fiefdom of Mafu Mountain, and moved the whole family to Mafu Mountain. This vigorous move is actually to cover up Zhao Kuo's true movements: he lives in the palace every day and discusses Changping with King Zhao. The only people involved in this matter were Pingyuan-kun and Pingyang-kun. What is outside is actually just his mound.

As the unfavorable battle reports of Lian Po came one by one, Zhao Kuo had a clearer understanding of the war. The combat effectiveness of the Qin army should not be underestimated, and the fighting spirit of the Zhao army is fading little by little. This was also reflected in the DPRK and China: it is now rare to hear impassioned anti-Qin statements; There are more and more calm, rational people.

King Zhao was still very worried, and he said to Zhao Kuo worriedly: "Qing Dan will hold on to this million grains until October, and the widow will personally lead the army to fight Qin. ”

Zhao Kuo was very calm and said: "The minister goes to Changping, and returns to Lian Qing, and I hope that the prince will make Handan solid!" ”

King Zhao said: "Quasi! ”

Zhao Kuo said: "With millions of stone grain, the food is only 300,000 stone in March, and the day is not more than 10,000 stone, and this 100,000 people eat." 400,000 people, who were not allowed to eat. Surely there is an extraordinary strategy for it! ”

King Zhao said: "Quasi! ”

Zhao Kuo said: "The matter is urgent, and the minister should act perversely!" “

King Zhao said: "Quasi! ”

Zhao Kuo said: "I look at Lian Qing, and I will not take risks." The ministers are willing to go to the army immediately. ”

King Zhao said: "Gu Qiqing's family is safe and then enlightened." “

The mother seemed to be very angry with Zhao Kuo, and she forcibly dismissed all her servants, retainers, and guests; Even those who were willing to go with Zhao Kuo, she resolutely did not stay, and only let Zhao Kuo take them. He took his whole family, his daughter-in-law and grandson, and moved to Mafu Mountain, Zhao Hao's fiefdom.

Mafu Mountain is located in the northwest of Handan, is Handan's "backer", there are many Zhao kings buried here. Zhao Hao was also buried here after his death, but it was a relatively low position. The location of Zhao Kuo's knot is at the foot of the mountain closest to Zhao Hao's tomb.

After Zhao Hao was named Ma Fujun, he built a small residence in the fiefdom, because he usually mainly manages taxes, and is also in charge of the defense of the front line of Wu'an, the residence is uncertain, this residence is usually uninhabited, only occasionally come to leisure and study. Zhao Kuo bought some more land around the fiefdom and cultivated it with others. Zhao Kuo's mother moved her family here, and only Tsukasa Jae came with her.

On the second day of his mother's relocation to Mafu Mountain, on the fifth day of the seventh month, Zhao Kuo set off with nearly a thousand young brothers. These people are all children of the Zhao clan, and they are usually brave and famous, and they hold some middle and low-level positions in the royal city. Xu Li originally prepared 100,000 guards, but due to Lian Po's urgency a month ago, he first sent 50,000 people, and now there are only 50,000 people left, and he followed Zhao Kuo to Changping, which is Zhao Kuo's only new force. One million stone of grain has been transported once, and there are still 500,000 stone left, so these 50,000 people will be temporarily used as transporters and transported to Changping. The Zhao clan relatives who accompanied the expedition served as officers at all levels of these 50,000 people, including five 10,000 generals and 10 generals, all the way to 100 generals. It took five days to straighten out the army.

There is a difference between transporting grain and marching routes. At that time, the most economical and effective means of transportation was by ship, which was much more economical than horse-drawn shoulder-carrying, so the transportation was mostly not through the most direct mountain roads, but on detours of waterways. Since these 50,000 people temporarily served as a transport team, they first transported the 500,000 stone grain to the Fushui ferry on the edge of Handan City, detoured to Zhangshui, and advanced upstream. Zhangshui winds in the Taihang Mountains, walking in the mountains and ravines, most of the time needs to be pulled by artificial fibers. Zhao Kuo asked the brigade to march with the ship, and five retainers coordinated the actions of the various armies. He only brought 5,000 elites with him, and went straight to Changping from Fukou.

It took Zhao Kuo eight days to rush to Changping. Zhao Kuo first left the troops in Shangdang and sent a military envoy to report to Lian Po. After resting for a while, and after reorganizing the camp, he led a 10,000-person general, a general, five thousand-person generals, 10 500 people, and 50 100-person generals into Changping.

When Zhao Kuo arrived at Baili Stone City, the military envoys sent by Lian Po also arrived there to greet him, leading a group of people to Lian Po's tent. Zhao Kuo took out the stanza charm and explained to Lian Po that he was ordered to take over the commander of the Changping military. Cheap quite consistent, check correct, called "respect". Then Lian Po asked Zhao Kuo: "The ministers have been defeated repeatedly, and the king is guilty of the ministers!" ”

Zhao Kuo said: "It's not a crime." But General Law's ears! ”

Lian Po still has a good impression of Zhao Kuo. Seeing that King Zhao ordered Zhao Kuo to replace him, although he was a little uneasy, he also felt that it was a relief. After all, after two years of fighting in the field, anyone has a time of psychological fatigue. Sending someone to replace you temporarily is a compliment to yourself. At present, except for Zhao Kuo, it seems that there is no one else to go out. Although Xu Li is a national lieutenant, it is difficult for him to be on his own.

Now Changping has 200,000 troops, including 150,000 from Handan and 50,000 from Taiyuan. There are twenty generals in ten thousand, either clans or noble relatives. The people of the Shangdang were also organized according to the ranks, but they were only organized into an army, which was managed by a disciple of Lian Po. Lian Po sent a military envoy to summon all the 200,000 generals to the big tent and announce the important decision to everyone.

After all the generals gathered, Lian Po informed King Zhao of his decision and showed everyone the situation that was in conformity. Zhao Kuo said: "All the gentlemen have been on the expedition for many years, and they are all born. The king worked very hard for the kings, and his fate was temporarily replaced! Everyone bowed and said, "But for the temple, don't dare to say anything!" ”

One of the 10,000 generals asked, "What is the young of the generals?" ”

Zhao Kuo said: "In the front, the brigade is behind, and there is grain and straw again!" ”

Lian Po said: "The moonlight is bright, and each general has his own way!" ”

Zhao Kuo said: "I would like to go to the camp to watch it." Gentlemen, do not give up your hard work. "Originally, everyone just wanted to briefly introduce it on the map, and they didn't want Zhao Kuo to go to the front line to inspect in person. 200,000 people, 300 miles of defense line, when will this be introduced! Everyone looked at Lian Po, hoping that he could come out and stop him.

Lian Po said: "The young general wanted to see it in person, but he didn't have to quit. The ministers are willing to be the pioneers, and the princes return. But to prepare for war, the general is coming, it is welcome! ”

Zhao Kuo said: "No need. Even if you are young and ignorant, you are willing to be taught by your fathers! Zhao Kuo's humble attitude has won him a lot of praise.

Sending the generals away, Lian Po took advantage of the moonlight and followed the foot of the second mountain to the Baili Stone City, which was the farthest from the front line. There is a stone wall built on the mountain. The so-called stone wall is nothing more than a breast wall formed by stacking stones together and then tamping and reinforcing them with soil. Although the fortifications are simple, they are condescending and very threatening.

Baili Stone City was defended by 50,000 people: 30,000 people took turns to go to the city, 20,000 people took turns to rest, and used as a reserve in wartime to reinforce the critical area. Lian Po appointed one of the oldest 10,000 people as a general to take charge of everything here.

Climb the gatehouse of the stone city, and under the moonlight, you can see the entire battlefield. Lian Po asked the five 10,000 people who came with him to return to the camp separately, pointing to the foot of a mountain stretching from the opposite mountain beam and said: "After this mountain, it is the camp of the Qin army. Zhao Kuo visually measured that it was about 20 miles from where they stood to the mountain beam, and the foot of the mountain was also about 20 miles long, and the valley mouth formed by it and the other foot of the mountain was particularly clear, about half the length of the foot of the mountain. There is also a barrier at the foot of the mountain. Due to the obstruction at the foot of the mountain, the distribution of the Qin army's camp gate was completely obscured, and the fire in the valley condensed into dark clouds in the sky.

Lian Po pointed to the west ten miles away, and said: "Changping is also the fastest way to join the party." If I close this path, I will cut off the way to the party. He pointed to the east and said, "Twenty miles away, there is also a hole leading to the party." I guard the mountain, this road is broken! ”

Lian Po's doormen, plus the retainers and young officers brought by Zhao Kuo, a total of more than 100 people, strolled on the stone wall. Now the wall is a ten-step sentry, and everyone else is resting under the wall. The barracks were set up in the valley behind the mountain, on the slopes of the mountains. Farther away, the lights are bright, and it should be the place where people live. Due to the strict management of the camp, there is not much filth in the valley. But swarms of mosquitoes came all over the world and attacked the soldiers fiercely.

While looking at the terrain, the ramparts, and the camp, while listening to Lian Po's introduction, the two sides came to a section of stone wall perpendicular to the previous stone wall. Zhao Kuo and the others walked up the stone wall to look down, and a road winded down the mountain. Needless to say, this is the Danzhuling position that chokes the party's throat.

Lian Po said: "What I am reading, only this is the ear." If you don't lose this way, you will be safe with the party! He pointed to the position of the Qin army on the opposite mountain, and replied: "If he wants to attack me, he will go out of the hill, go down the mountain and climb the mountain again, and he can't help it." He pointed to the stone walls that stretched at both ends and said, "The city is thirty miles long, and it is difficult for him to go around and attack behind me." Zhao Kuo noticed that this stone wall not only controlled the path to Shangdang, but also provided a defense for the military camp in the valley. Here, Lian Po deployed 10,000 men, and another 10,000 troops could reinforce him at any time.

Descending the stone wall to the foot of the mountain, it was already beginning to dawn. The foot of this mountain is almost connected to the foot of the mountain that goes up at night, and there are still a large number of military camps in the valley formed by the two foot of the mountain. Beyond the foot of the mountain is the continuous fortress, and beyond the fortress is Danshui.

Lian Po said: "The sky is clear, let's live today." From time to time, we will gather people to order troops, and after the meal, I am afraid that the Qin people are coming! ”

Zhao Kuo said: "My camp of 5,000 is in the party, and I am willing to be close." ”

Lian Po said: "After the meal, you should welcome it." ”