Zhu Xiang shook his head vigorously, shaking off the magical thoughts that suddenly popped up in his head.

He patted his gray robe against the wall and walked towards Lin Xiangru and Lian Po.

"Lin Weng, the Qin State can't afford to raise hundreds of thousands of prisoners of war, and it is impossible to return the prisoners of war to the Zhao State, so isn't this battle in vain? They will definitely kill the prisoners. Zhu Xiang said, "Please Lin Weng recommend me to see King Zhao, I want to persuade King Zhao to sacrifice the city for prisoners of war." These hundreds of thousands of Zhao people are much more important than a few cities. I am willing to go to Changping in person and persuade Bai Qi. ”

Convince King Qin.

Zhu Xiang thought in his heart that King Qin should have already arrived in Changping.

Lin Xiangru grabbed Zhu Xiang's sleeve and said, "Are you really sure to convince Bai Qi?" ”

Zhu Xiang said: "I have to give it a try." ”

King Zhao will definitely agree.

Because of his own civilian life, he won't care. Therefore, King Zhao would let himself exchange the city map for prisoners of war, let him stay in Qin as a hostage, and break the contract after changing to prisoners of war.

But it doesn't matter, Zhu Xiang didn't want to exchange the city for prisoners of war. He only needed the consent of the king of Zhao to go to Changping with the grain that could sustain the Zhao army for two months, and his success rate in convincing the king of Qin was high.

Of course, the bargaining chips he used to persuade the Qin king to release the prisoners of war were not just to provide food for the Qin state.

He was able to help the Qin State, and it weakened the national strength of the Zhao State and the prestige of the King of Zhao even more than killing these prisoners.

with their own lives.

A self who had accumulated enough good reputation among the people of Zhao was killed by King Zhao after rescuing more than 100,000 people in Zhao State. No matter how ignorant the people are, I'm afraid they won't be able to bear this King Zhao, right?

Chapter 24: Boiled bean rice in white water

When Qin's reinforcements appeared, King Zhao knew that even if he ordered troops to rescue now, it would be too late.

At this time, King Zhao regretted that he had not listened to Yu Xin's words. If he hadn't sent people to Qin to ask for peace at that time, but sent people to other countries to ask for a joint attack on Qin, why did he end up where he is now?

However, although King Zhao regretted it, he did not blame Lou Chang for having a bad idea. He also gave money to Lou Chang, so that Lou Chang should not worry and be afraid, Lou Qing's idea was originally very good, but the Qin people were too cunning and refused to make peace, so it would be like this.

King Zhao treated Lou Chang so favorably because the Lou family was originally a branch of the Ying surname Zhao.

This matter can be traced back to the story of the "Zhao orphan" in the Spring and Autumn Period.

Zhao Yingqi, Zhao Tong, and Zhao Kuo (just the same name as Zhao Kuo, who led the troops to fight in Changping, and are not related by blood) are half-brothers. Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo were not on good terms with Zhao Yingqi, and it happened that Zhao Yingqi had a personal affair with his widowed niece and daughter-in-law Zhuang Ji, so Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo banished Zhao Yingqi to the Qi State. Zhao Yingqi died in the Qi State.

Zhuang Ji hated Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo deeply, and falsely accused Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo of rebellion. It happened that the ministers of the Jin State had a grudge against the Zhao family, and the Duke of Jin Jinggong also wanted to weaken the Zhao family, and the monarch and the ministers hit it off, and the Zhao family was almost wiped out. Then Jin Jinggong asked his nephew Zhao Wu to inherit the position of the suzerain of the Zhao family and the fief of the Zhao family, and Zhao Wu was the "orphan of the Zhao family".

The Zhao family's connections withered, and Zhao Yingqi's heirs in the Qi State returned to the Zhao State. In order to show Jin Jinggong that he did not have the heart to compete with Zhao Wu for the position of suzerain, Zhao Yingqi's line was changed to Knowles.

After the three families were divided, the Wu family was naturally closer to the king of Zhao than the other nobles of the Zhao State, and it was half of the clan. King Zhao has always been very close to Knowles.

But this closeness also divides people.

Lou Chang has always been on the side of King Zhao Huiwen. Even if he didn't have much talent, King Zhao Huiwen gave him the opportunity to attack several towns in the Wei Kingdom, and he didn't eat the credit when he sent it to his mouth, or Lian Po took a few cities for him, but King Zhao Huiwen still raised him with honor. The current King Zhao also trusts Lou Chang very much.

Lou Chang's fellow clansman Lou Huan was quite talented, and once supported King Zhao Wuling in reforming Hufu cavalry and archery. But he was a loyal and lonely minister of King Zhao Wuling, and after King Zhao Wuling was brutally starved to death in the Dune Palace, Lou Zhuan, who was sent to the Qin State, naturally couldn't go back. He became the guest secretary and minister of the Qin State.

One of the masterminds who starved King Zhao Wuling to death, Li Dui, a powerful minister of Zhao Guo, who assisted the young King Zhao Huiwen, was very jealous of him. In the eleventh year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, the three kingdoms of Qi, Han and Wei led by Meng Weijun attacked Qin and won a great victory, breaking the Hangu Pass of Qin, and Qin cut land and paid compensation for peace. Li Dui took this opportunity to send an envoy to the Qin State to take advantage of the fire to rob and let the Qin State depose Lou Zhuan.

The new hatred and old hatred add up, and Lou Xuan hates the current Zhao State even more.

Although Lou Chuan is no longer the prime minister of Qin, he is nearly seventy years old and is still active in the forefront of collecting first-hand news from Zhao State.

There was not as much estrangement between the various countries of the Warring States as later generations thought, and nobles and commoners moved frequently between countries.

The power of the Seven Kingdoms is legally derived from the division of Zhou, and it may have been a family hundreds of years ago. Therefore, the aristocracy at this time, just like the Three Kingdoms of the Eastern Han Dynasty, people from the same family often took refuge in different monarchs. They showed no mercy when they met each other on the battlefield, but they often exchanged feelings when they were not fighting.

Lou Chu pretended to be frustrated in the Qin State, and often wrote letters to Lou Chang, the current leader of the Lou family, to vent his bitterness, showing that he missed Zhao Guo a lot, and occasionally revealed a little painless news about the Qin State to Lou Chang, won Lou Chang's trust, and then collected news from Lou Chang about Zhao State.

Lou Chang also thought that he was collecting news from Lou Slow. Lou Xuan revealed something, and he would immediately inform King Zhao. So King Zhao trusted Lou Chang more and more.

Although Lou Chang's proposal for peace talks with Qin was unsuccessful, King Zhao himself increased his troops while negotiating peace, and did not show the sincerity of peace talks. So King Zhao not only did not alienate Lou Chang, but also felt guilty about Lou Chang.

King Zhao has a very good personality and temper with the people he trusts and relies on.

King Zhao first apologized to Lou Chang, took a little of the fault for not having a good peace talk with Qin State, and then asked Lou Chang, the "Qin Guotong", whether he hurriedly increased his troops and asked for help from other countries, or gave up Changping and Zhao Kuo.

"Qin Guotong" Lou Chang persuaded him: "Qin reinforcements have arrived, just wait for the siege of the city to help." It takes time for us to recruit soldiers, and it takes even more time to travel thousands of miles to other countries to ask for help. At this time, the Qin army may have defeated General Zhao. ”

King Zhao sighed: "How is that good?" ”

Lou Chang said: "Now we can only reduce our losses as much as possible. After the Battle of Changping, countries will definitely take advantage of the weakness. It is true that the king should recruit soldiers, but the recruited soldiers should be used to protect Handan. ”

Although Lou Chang was played around by Lou Xuan, he was not stupid, and normal suggestions could still be put forward.

The Qin army made a trend of "besieging the city and sending reinforcements", Zhao was already one step behind, and it was useless to catch up, so it was better to give up Changping, shrink the front, and prepare for the future.

King Zhao sighed again: "The widow also knows that it should be like this. But Changping has horse clothes, and there are hundreds of thousands of Zhao soldiers, and the widow is reluctant. ”

Lou Chang hesitated for a moment and said: "The Qin people are cruel, and Bai Qi is even more murderous, maybe the Qin people will really kill hundreds of thousands of Zhao soldiers." ”

King Zhao said anxiously: "How can that be?" If the Qin people killed all the prisoners of war, who would serve the widows in the fields and fields? ”

Lou Chang was a little hesitant, not knowing whether he should do this. He's already made a mistake once, what if he goes wrong again this time?

But he remembered the gold he received a few days ago, the precious spices he had never seen before, and the follow-up gifts promised by Zhu Xiang, so he still spoke: "Does the gentleman still remember Zhu Xiang?" ”

Zhao Wang said: "Remember." Why did you mention him all of a sudden? ”

Lou Chang said: "Zhu Xiang is talented, he has been recommended by Lin Qing many times, and General Lian also regards him as a nephew, and it is said that he also drew with Ma Fuzi. However, because he is the uncle of the proton of the Qin State, the king cannot use him for the time being. Why didn't the king send him to Changping to sue for peace? ”

King Zhao frowned: "He is so young, he is still a commoner, can he take on such a heavy responsibility?" ”

Lou Chang persuaded him: "He is related to the Qin State Sect and happens to be a lobbyist. If he fails, the monarch has already done his best, and when the time comes, the whole Zhao kingdom will be grateful to the monarch for his efforts to save Ma Fuzi and Zhao Jun who were trapped in Changping. We can't move the proton of the Qin State, but the uncle of the common people of the proton of the Qin State can still be killed. ”

King Zhao suddenly felt that it made sense.

In fact, he also knew that it was best to do nothing now, and it was the best policy to give up Zhao Jun in Changping. But if he didn't do anything, King Zhao couldn't hold his face.

Sent Zhu Xiang to envoy Changping to sue for peace, and the success was the best, but he also had a rhetoric for failure. So King Zhao agreed to Lou Chang's recommendation.

Lou Chang's footsteps out of the palace were as brisk as flying, and he hurriedly sent someone to inform Zhu Xiang of the good news, and asked Zhu Xiang to prepare follow-up gifts.

He didn't expect that he had written a letter to himself not long ago, and now his clan brother Lou Xuan, who should be suffering far away in the Qin State, had actually lived in Zhu Xiang's house for two days.

Lou Huan, who was named a wealthy merchant of the Qin Kingdom, knocked on the door of Zhu Xiang's house under the pretext of sending a letter to Zhu Xiang on behalf of "Xia Tong".

Gongzi Chu was very worried that the battle of Changping would endanger Zhu Xiang's life, and asked Fan Ju to help find a way to protect Zhu Xiang.

Fan Ju knew that the King of Qin had regarded Zhu Xiang as the future minister of the King of Qin, and after hearing many rumors about Zhu Xiang, he had a good impression of Zhu Xiang, so he sent his subordinate who could protect Zhu Xiang the most - Lou Zhuan.

Lou slowly deceived Lou Chang to death. As long as Lou slows down the layout, Knowles will definitely persuade King Zhao not to go to Zhu Xiang's trouble.

Lou Shu has been away from Zhao State for many years, even Lin Xiangru and Lian Po can't recognize him, and they don't suspect his identity as a wealthy businessman in Qin State.

However, Lin Xiangru knew that "Xia Tong" was Gongzi Chu, so he guessed that Lou Xuan might be an official of the Qin State. It's just that Lou Yan came to protect Zhu Xiang and Ying Xiaozheng, so Lin Xiangru pretended not to know about it.

Zhu Xiang wanted to go to Changping to persuade Bai Qi to release the prisoners of war. Lian Po has lost his position and cannot enter the palace, and Lin Xiangru is also unable to be trusted by King Zhao because he has spoken for Lian Po many times. Lin Xiangru went to ask Pingyuan-kun for help.

Pingyuan-kun was very hesitant. Although he believed that Zhu Xiang was talented, Zhu Xiang had only been crowned for a few years, and he was the uncle of Qin Guo's proton, so he was worried that Zhu Xiang would not be able to bear such a heavy responsibility.

After Lou Shu learned of Zhu Xiang's predicament, he immediately patted his chest and said that he had a way: "I am doing business in Zhao State, up to the Zhao State Sect Room, down to ordinary officials, and I have taken my money in my hands. I know who is the most greedy and can recommend Zhu Xianggong to King Zhao! ”

Lou Shu was very curious about Zhu Xiang and was willing to help Zhu Xiang achieve his goal. And his purpose is to protect Zhu Xiang's safety. If Zhu Xiang went to Changping, wouldn't it be the safest?

Gongzi Zichu visited Lou Chuan privately and told Lou Chuan that if the situation was urgent, he only needed to protect Zhu Xiang's safety. If the two of them can be taken away, Zhu Xiang's wife Xue Ji will also be brought with them, and the prince can continue to stay in Zhao State as a proton.

Lou Xuan was quite speechless.

This son is not like An Guojun who has dozens of sons, so it doesn't matter how many he loses. You only have one son at the moment! Can this be lost too?!

Lou Xuan raised the importance of Zhu Xiang a lot in his heart.

So now he is very relieved to help Zhu Xiang go to Changping. Although Zhu Xiang went to Changping, his family would definitely be watched by King Zhao. But Gongzi Zichu said it, and Fan Xiangguo also hinted that at the very least, it would be enough to save Zhu Xiang.

He can complete the minimum tasks first, and then slowly try to save Zhu Xiang's wife and son.

With the help of Lou Zhuan, Zhu Xiang smoothly and Lou Chang, the favored minister of King Zhao, were connected to the line.

Lin Xiangru and Lian Po scraped together a hundred gold, and Zhu Xiang put the spices rewarded by the system into a beautiful gift box and gave it to Lou Chang as a "deposit".

Although Lou Chang is greedy, he is a very trustworthy person, and if he takes other people's money, he will really help others get things done.

Zhu Xiang soon got the good news. He immediately presented another fifty gold and a new gift box of spices, and happily completed the deal with Lou Chang.

Lian Po and Lin Xiangru watched the deal close. Although the goal was achieved, their faces were very ugly.

Lian Po and Lin Xiangru have made a lot of contributions to the country, and Lou Chang is just a mediocre talent who will drag his feet.

But the two of them couldn't even see King Zhao's face, and Lou Chang took one hundred and fifty gold and two boxes of spices to successfully promote Zhu Xiang to King Zhao.

Lian Po sneered: "Lin Qing, do you regret not going to Lou Chang earlier?" If you had found Lou Chang earlier, Zhu Xiang had been an official for several years! ”

Lin Xiangru listened to Lian Po call him "Lin Qing" in a weird manner, snorted coldly, and did not answer.

He was so angry that he didn't want to say anything.

Zhu Xiang played a round field: "The Lou family used to be the clan of the Zhao Kingdom, although he is not as good as Pingyuan Jun and Pingyang Jun, but in the heart of King Zhao, he is naturally not comparable to others. Don't be angry. ”

Lin Xiangru glanced at Zhu Xiang. Was he angry that King Zhao was closer to Knowles? He was angry that King Zhao was actually closer to Lou Chang, a greedy waste!

There are outsiders here, and Lin Xiangru is not good at complaining about the king in public. He diverted the topic: "What you need, you must let the king give you enough." Even if you are Zheng'er's uncle, the Qin people are cruel, this trip is very dangerous! ”

Zhu Xiang said: "Lin Weng, don't worry, I am most afraid of death, and I will definitely be fully prepared." ”

Hearing Zhu Xiang say that he was afraid of death, a complicated look flashed on Lin Xiangru's face.

He stretched out his hand like a dead tree branch and gently rubbed Zhu Xiang's bun: "It's good to be afraid of death." You must be afraid of death. Do your best, and don't force it if you can't do it. I'll wait for you to come back. ”

Zhu Xiang smiled: "Okay." ”

Lian Po said with disgust: "With your skills, I'm afraid you will be robbed by mountain bandits before you reach Changping." Although I have been robbed of the talisman, there are still some strong family members. Hide behind the guards I've given you, you know! ”

Zhu Xiang immediately thanked: "Yes." Xie Lianweng. ”

Lian Po stretched out a big slap and slapped Zhu Xiang's back vigorously: "Give me back alive!" ”

Zhu Xiang promised: "Don't worry, I will definitely come back alive." ”

Xun Jing was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Although King Zhao agrees with you to be a lobbyist, he will also test you. Think about how to pass the test first, and then think about going to Changping. Zhu Xiang, you have been refusing to tell us how you are going to convince the Qin State, and now it is time to say it. ”

Zhu Xiang said: "The Qin people killed prisoners, first, because they didn't have food to feed so many prisoners of war, and secondly, they hated Zhao Guoheng's interference. But the Qin State attacked Shangdang and Changping for the sake of profit, as long as they were given enough benefits, they might be able to save the Zhao prisoners of war. ”

"I will carry grain and grass to Changping. With the grain and grass I carried, and the grain and grass in the camp of the Zhao army that was cut off by the Qin army, I can eat at least three or four months. In March and April, I would lead Zhao Jun to plant potatoes and tell them that as long as they had enough manpower, they would be able to harvest several times as much grain. It is more cost-effective to keep prisoners of war than to kill them. ”

"I will also persuade King Zhao to sacrifice several small cities east of Shangdang that originally belonged to Zhao. With the current strength of the Zhao State, it was no longer possible to prevent the Qin State from completely annexing the foothills of the Taihang Mountains. Even if you don't sacrifice the city now, when the Qin army recuperates a little, it will definitely attack those cities immediately. It's better to sacrifice it now, the Qin State will not have to consume troops, food and grass, and the Zhao State will not have to worry about raising troops again. ”