Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Yan Zhaochu joins forces, Su Qin pays homage to Prime Minister

Su Qin and Zizhi stepped out of the palace gate, and a four-horse chariot was waiting for them.The imperial hand put the step stool down and stood by the side. Zi Zhichao Su Zi cupped his hands and said: "I am ordered to discuss important matters with Su Zi. It is noisy here. I sincerely invite Su Zi to go to a quiet place to have a talk. I hope Su Zi will appreciate it." "Being obedient is worse than respect." Su Qin bowed his hands in return. "Su Zi, please!" Zi Zhi retreated to one side, pointing his finger at the car, and said politely. "General first!" Su Qin backed down.

Zizhi smiled slightly, boarded the carriage with Su Qin's hand, whipped the horse with the imperial hand, galloped across Gongqian Street, passed one tall mansion after another, and stopped in front of a very remote private house. Zizhi jumped down first, set up the footstool, helped Su Qin out of the car with his own hands, turned to Yushou and said, "Gongsun, please come, just say that you have a distinguished guest!" Yu Shou didn't answer, turned around the car, waved his whip, and galloped away like a smoke. Su Qin glanced at it, and in front of him was a very ordinary farm house with a thatched cottage and earthen walls, without a gatehouse, a gatehouse, or a gatekeeper.The wood door at the courtyard gate is exquisite, and a light yellow poodle wags its tail and barks through the wood door. Looking at its excitement, it is obviously not like facing a big enemy.Hearing the sound of barking, the door of the thatched cottage creaked open, and a four or five-year-old girl trotted out. When she saw Su Qin, she quickly retracted and hid behind the door, showing a small round head towards them. wait and see.After a while, a young and beautiful woman in Hu clothes hurried out, opened her mouth to scream, saw an outsider, her face was blushing, she covered her lips with her hands, took a few steps, moved the chaifei closer, stepped back humbly to one side, and bowed Stand up.The girl followed and stood timidly behind the woman.

As soon as the firewood door was opened, the impatient little dog jumped up and made out with Zizhi.Zizhi bent down to comfort it a few times, then cupped his hands to Su Qin and said, "Su Zi, please!" This place is neither like a farmhouse, nor like an inn, nor like a teahouse.Su Qin pondered for a while, but still couldn't see why, pointing to Chai Fei and said: "General, this is—" Zizhi didn't explain, but stretched out his hand and said, "It's quiet here, so you can talk. Suzi, please!" Su Qin walked into the house suspiciously, looked around, and saw that it was a three-entry house. Although it was not luxurious, it was tidy and tidy, with everything you need.The two went to the upper room and sat down separately in the large living room, leaving only the main seat vacant.After a while, the woman in Hufu brought the tea, dragged the girl along, and rushed to the kitchen to cook vegetables and wine.

Su Qin was muttering to himself when the cars and horses outside started ringing again. Zizhi hurriedly said to Su Qin: "Quick, Gongsun is here." Su Qin didn't know who Gongsun was, so he hurriedly stood up with Zizhi to meet him. Before reaching the gate of the courtyard, Gongsun Kui jumped out of the car and walked over quickly.Zizhi went up to meet him, he laughed and said, "Gongsun came so fast!" Ji Kui also laughed: "General, it's rare to have a guest here, and now there is a distinguished guest, so Ji Kui dare not neglect." Looking at Su Qin, "General, is this a distinguished guest?"

"Exactly." Zizhi pointed to Su Qin, and said to Ji Kui, "Come on, let me introduce you at the end. This is Su Qin, a well-known scholar from Luoyang." Pointing to Ji Kui, he turned to Su Qin, "This is Gongsun Kuai, the eldest son of His Royal Highness." Hearing that he was the eldest son of His Highness, Su Qin knelt down and wanted to worship, but was pulled up by Gongsun Kuai: "Su Zi is free!" Su Qin changed his obeisance, cupped his hands and said, "Su Qin in Luoyang has met Gongsun!" Ji Kuai also bowed back: "Ji Kui has seen Su Zi!"

When the three of them returned to the living room, Ji Kui didn't budge and took the main seat, while Zizhi and Su Qinyu sat down on the left and right respectively. Ji Kuai said to Su Qin with a smile: "Su Zi has a good face, the general is here, and ordinary people can't come to the door!" "Oh?" Su Qin glanced at the simple furnishings around him, and pretended to smile, "Dare to ask Gongsun, who can enter this gate?" Ji Kui smiled again: "According to Kui's knowledge, in Yan Land, there are only two people who have been able to enter this gate so far. One is my subordinate, and the other is you, Su Zi."

Su Qin was surprised: "Why?" "Because this is the general's private house." Ji Kui chuckled, "The general has a quirk. He never brings others into his home, unless he is a bosom friend." Su Qin was taken aback, and turned to look at Zizhi, seemingly in disbelief: "The general's private house?" Zizhi smiled slightly, nodded and said, "It's just my humble house." Su Qin suddenly remembered something: "The woman just now—" "It's a bitch. That child is a little girl." "Su Zi doesn't know something." Seeing Su Qin's astonished face, Ji Kui interjected with a smile, "The general's wife is not an ordinary person. Before she got married, she was the jewel in the palm of King Donghu."

"The princess of the barbarians?" Su Qin was startled again, "Will the princess live in this cottage?" "I can't help it!" Zizhi spread his hands and said half-jokingly, "Who asked her to marry such a poor man as Zizhi!" Su Qin was in awe, and sighed: "The general is a nobleman of the Yan family, and even an extremely personable minister in the court. His daily life is so frugal. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be hard to believe!" "I'm showing my ugliness," Zizhi clasped his fists slightly, apologetically saying, "The family is shabby, so there are few outsiders visiting. I heard Su Zigao's talk in the palace today, and I know that Su Zi is not an outsider, so I took the risk." Dare to bring Suzi here."

"Alas," Su Qin shook his head and sighed, "it's not that the general showed his ugliness, it was Su Qin who laughed at him. To tell you the truth, general, Su Qin traveled around the world and met many high-ranking officials, all of whom were well-clothed and well-fed. It's really unexpected that such an honorable lord retains such a character." "Alas," Zizhi also suppressed his smile, and sighed, "I am also a body of flesh and blood, so why don't you enjoy rich clothes and fine food? But—" His eyes looked at the ground, saddened, "Su Zi doesn't know something, Yan The country is poor, disasters are frequent, people's livelihood is suffering, and life is difficult. Many people even have no food overnight. Every time I see my son, my heart hurts like a knife. To tell the truth, Suzi, compared with ordinary people, this life is enough for me It's luxurious."

It was probably the first time that Ji Kui heard Zizhi confide in his heart, and he was shocked. He immediately suppressed his smile and bowed his head in thought. Su Qin stood up in awe, cupped his fists and said, "It's really a blessing for the Yan people that the general can care about the suffering of the people!" "Compared to Suzi," Zizhi also saluted, "I am really ashamed. What I am thinking of is the suffering of the Yan people, but Su Zi is thinking of the blessings of the world. One is the people of Yan, and the other is the world. Compare the two. There are too many little Suzi in my heart."

"It's the general who thinks highly of Su Qin. Su Qin is just empty talk, but the general starts from reality. With the general here, there is hope for unity, hope for the common people, and hope for the world!" "Thank you, Su Zi, for your compliment!" Zizhi clasped his fists and thanked Su Qin, then turned his head to Ji Kuai, "Gongsun, let's talk about business." Ji Kui was meditating, when he heard the sound, he was startled, and looked up at Zizhi, as if he didn't know what to say. Zizhi smiled and said: "That's right, the general invites Gongsun to come to discuss with Su Zi the long-term strategy of Yan." "It's not difficult." Ji Kui nodded and said, "However, the general needs to deal with Ji Kui first." "Please speak, Gongsun." "Ji Kui intends to be a neighbor of the general, and build a thatched cottage here, the size and furnishings are the same as the general's. I don't know what the general wants?" Ji Kui looked at Zizhi very sincerely. "This—" Zizhi was surprised. "What?" Ji Kui was anxious, "Could it be that the general doesn't want to be neighbors with Ji Kui?" "No, no, no," Zi Zhi hurriedly argued, "the general will be flattered at the end." "So, the general agrees." Ji Kui beamed with joy. "Ken, Ken, Ken." Zizhi said repeatedly, "After the general has been busy for a while, I will arrange for craftsmen to start construction." "Okay." Ji Kui turned to Su Qin, "Su Zi, it's time to discuss things." Just as Su Qin was about to reply, there were footsteps outside, Zi's wife prepared food and wine and served them herself.The three of them chatted while drinking, and the more they talked, the more speculative they became. Before they knew it, it was getting dark.Zizhi ordered to hold the lamp and talk again. The three of them chatted until dawn, and they stopped talking when they heard the bell of Shangchao from a distance. There was already a vehicle waiting outside the door.The three of them finished washing and rushed to the palace. Duke Wen of Yan promulgated the decree in the palace, and Jin made Su Qin the guest minister, giving two sets of official uniforms, a mansion, a four-horse cart, three hundred gold, and fifteen servants.Thinking that Zizhi was still living in an earthen hut, and that the princess on Donghu Lord did not have a maid, Su Qin was ashamed, and repeatedly kowtowed to resign, but Wen Gong refused to allow it, and sent an order to disperse the court. All the ministers dispersed, and Yan Wengong left Su Qin alone to go to the study to reconsider the general situation of the world and the strategy of the joint vertical.The monarch and his ministers talked until the afternoon when Su Qin saw that Mr. Wen was tired, so he bowed and took his leave.As soon as he left the gate of the palace, another old courtier was waiting outside, leading him to inspect the newly granted house by the emperor. This is a noble compound, the former Situ Ji Mansion, located in the middle of Gongqian Street where dignitaries live together, and it is considered prominent among wealthy families.After Ji Wei passed away, Ji Qing dismissed all his family members and transferred the real estate and belongings to Lei Ze, his late father's subordinate and good friend.A few days ago when Wu Chengjun attacked the city, Lei Ze's family responded. After the incident was revealed, all the men died under the gate of the east city, and all the women who had not yet committed suicide were made slaves of officials. All their property was confiscated, and the mansion was given to Su Qin. The old minister and Su Qin entered the courtyard, the housekeeper sent by the old minister heard the sound and whistled, and fourteen servants, six men and eight women, were immediately transferred out of the courtyard, including the housekeeper, exactly 15 people. Kneeling on the ground in a hurry. The old courtier asked people to carry two boxes, one was official uniforms, the other was three hundred gold, and they were opened for Su Qin to inspect. Yes, what lay before him was wealth, the wealth he had pursued for so many years. Wealth comes as soon as it is said, and it is so simple and quick. Su Qin looked at the two boxes, at the fifteen servants kneeling on the ground, at this large area of ​​extremely luxurious houses and back gardens, it was as if he was dreaming, and he didn't even hear that the old servants were talking. When he gave orders to the servants, he could only feel that he was lecturing loudly, and the servants kowtowed continuously, and then the old inner servant bowed his hands to say goodbye to him, turned and left. Su Qin instinctively sent him out of the house, stood at the door for a while, and returned to the courtyard. Seeing that the housekeeper and all the servants were still kneeling on the ground, he waved his hands in panic and said, "Quick, get up, why are you always kneeling? " The housekeeper thanked the servants, and said to all the servants: "My lord has spoken, everyone get up. From today on, everyone will perform their duties and serve the lord well. Whoever dares to be lazy, the family law will take care of him!" All the servants thanked them for their kindness, and the housekeeper ordered a few strong men to carry the two boxes back to the house, and then came to wait for orders. Su Qin sat quietly in the hall for a while, suddenly remembered something, and said to the housekeeper who was waiting beside him: "Bring the gold and prepare the car!" "Excuse me, my lord, how much gold is advisable to bring?" The housekeeper saw that the master was a newcomer, and he was not quite used to it, so he hesitated for a while, and asked cautiously. "Whatever." Su Qinshun replied. "This—" The housekeeper looked embarrassed and frowned slightly. Su Qin took out a bag from his sleeve and handed it to the housekeeper: "Then count the copper plates in the bag, one copper plate, one piece of gold!" The housekeeper responded, took the money bag with both hands, and turned to go.After a while, the housekeeper returned, followed by two young maids, each holding a tray with a set of official uniforms on it. The housekeeper bowed his waist and said: "Report to my lord, there are a hundred copper plates in the bag, and the villain has prepared a hundred gold coins and put them in the car. If my lord is going out, please change clothes." Su Qin glanced at the brand-new official uniform, and then looked back at himself, comparing the two, the clothes on his body were worn out and had many marks, which did not match the grand mansion and four-horse carriage.After comparing for a while, Su Qin smiled wryly, shook his head and said with a smile: "I'm used to wearing it, it's better not to change it, let's go!" The steward hurriedly followed up, rushed to the four-horse carriage given by the emperor, put the step stool, helped Su Qin into the carriage, jumped into the seat in front of the carriage, turned around and asked, "Where does the lord want to go? " "Old Yanren Inn." It was almost dark, and the surrounding area was vast and gray. Although the new mansion is on the same street as the Old Yanren Inn, there is a distance between them.Just after the war, Su Qin drove all the way and saw several families holding funerals, and from time to time they could hear mournful weeping. In front of him is the Old Yanren Inn.Su Qin waved his hand to stop, jumped out of the car, and said to the housekeeper: "You wait here, I will go there by myself." Su Qin walked into the inn slowly, and when he entered the gate, he was shocked, because there was also a funeral in the courtyard, a black lacquered coffin was placed in the middle hall, and a coffin was set at the back of the hall, there was no crying, only three young people kneeling in front of the hall in filial piety . Su Qin walked a few steps quickly and rushed to the spiritual tablet to look carefully at the memorial tablet. He knew that the old man had passed away, and he was stunned. After kneeling for a while, Su Qin got up and walked out. After a while, he came in again with a gift box in his hand. After a few prostrations, he took out pieces of gold from the box and put out a big character.Kneeling on the side, Xiao Er opened his eyes wide, staring at the pile of yellow gold in amazement, and nudged Yuan Bao with his elbow. Yuan Bao and the strong man also moved over and knelt down by Su Qin. With tears in his eyes, Su Qin turned to Xiaoer: "Bring some wine, I'm going to have a few drinks with my old man." Xiaoer carried the wine jar, and Yuan Bao took out the old man's two bronze cups. Su Qin filled it up, raised the jue and said, "Old man, I will have a drink with you, and I will do it first as a respect!" After drinking it in one sip, he sprinkled another jue in front of the spiritual seat. Su Qin talked to himself, and he and the old man made three rounds in a row.Yuan Bao whispered in an extremely sad voice: 〖The trees of Yanshan Mountain are green, son of The trees of Yanshan Mountain are withered, Hu does not return. 〗 Yuan Bao sang these two ancient ballads repeatedly, and Su Qin and the strong men couldn't help singing after hearing the tears: "When the trees in Yanshan are green, the son goes out to fight; when the trees in Yanshan are withered, the Hu will not return..." After singing for an unknown amount of time, Su Qin wiped away his tears, turned his head and asked, "General Yuan, how did the old man get away?" Yuan Bao cried: "I heard from this man that he died in battle at the East Gate." Without waiting for Su Qin to inquire, the strong man explained the process of the old man's death in detail, and said with a sigh: "Walking around in the lower reaches, I have seen many heroes. It is the old man who really moves me!" "Yes," Su Qin nodded and said, "The old man is from Yan, from Laoyan!" After a while, he turned to the strong man, "We met in a hurry before, and I haven't asked the strong man's name and where he lives?" The strong man clasped his fists and said: "My parents have both died since I was a child. I don't know my name. I grew up in Fanwu, Zhaodi. When I was young, I met a strange man who taught me different skills. I can lock my throat with a flying knife thirty steps away. Fanwu people call me Feidao Zou. , I think the surname is Zou in my ancestors." Su Qin asked in surprise: "What kind of person did the strong man meet? Can you still remember?" Feidao Zou pondered for a while, nodded and said: "He is a middle-aged man, with brown clothes all over, superb martial arts, and very good swordsmanship. He met me in mid-winter, and I lived in a mountain temple with thin clothes. His whole body was so cold. Trembling. He first took off his clothes for me to wear, and then gave me food, and later taught me the art of throwing knives, explained how to love, and entrusted me to be a chivalrous man and treat others kindly." Hearing the word "Jian Ai", Su Qin already guessed about eight or nine times, nodded and said: "The strong man met, he must be a disciple of the Mohist school. He didn't say his name?" The strong man shook his head and said, "He refused to tell me, so I just asked me to call him Mr. I stayed here to learn how to throw a knife, and my husband left. At that time, I was still young, and I only knew how to learn the art, but I didn't know how to get to the bottom of it." "How did the strong man meet Mr. Jia?" "Not long ago, I performed throwing knives to lock my throat with my partner on the streets of Handan. I met Mr. Jia and admired him very much. The gentleman gave me a good horse and asked me to deliver a letter to Suzi, saying that the letter related to thousands of people. life and death. Without further ado, the flying horse rushed over immediately." "Fortunately, the strong man came in time." Su Qin bowed his hands and thanked, "Dare to ask the strong man, do you have any plans in the future?" "What other plans do you have? Go back to Handan and continue performing arts." "Purchasing can only be done for a living, not for a strong man. Doesn't a strong man have other considerations, for example, to do a great career in life?" "Vigorous?" Flying Dao Zou looked at Su Qin with wide eyes, "What is the great cause?" "Combination." "What is Hezong?" Flying Dao Zou and Yuan Bao asked almost in unison. Su Qin slowly explained: "Let's put it this way, He Zong means to stop the conquest, to reconcile all living beings, to treat others kindly, and to practice and love the Dao." Seeing the one hundred pieces of gold neatly placed in front of him, Flying Knife Zou knew that Su Qin had been reused by Duke Yan, and said loudly, "I am willing to follow Su Zi to achieve the great cause of cooperation." "Mr. Su," Yuan Bao hesitated, and asked softly, "Can I join you?" "General Yuan," Su Qin looked at him in surprise, "What is your highness going to say?" "Your Highness—" Yuan Bao's eyes welled up with tears, "Your Highness has dismissed my subordinate from the military and drove me away." Su Qin thought for a while, nodded and said: "The general is willing to follow me, it's the best. After your father is buried, you can go to the lower mansion together with brother Zou. The three of us will unite as one and work together." Yuan Bao wiped away his tears with his sleeve: "Mr. Xie takes me in!" As soon as the people of Yan came out of the haze of the Wuyang Rebellion, good things came to their door.On a sunny afternoon, the Zhao Guowen Mission, composed of dozens of chariots and horses, drove into Jicheng from the south gate of the city, and was welcomed by the people of Yan, and checked into the Lieguo Post not far from Yan Palace. In the morning of the next day, Zhao Suhou's special envoy Lou slowly went to the court. The first Marquis of Zhao congratulated Yan Gong, and then apologized to Yan Guo for Fengyang Jun's provocation on the border. After the envoy of Zhao withdrew from the court, Duke Wen of Yan convened important officials in Mingguang Palace to discuss.Because Su Qin's long-term strategy of combining verticals reached a consensus early, the monarch and ministers of the Yan family quickly reached an agreement to re-employ Zhao Guo to promote the vertical integration.Su Qinzou asked Gongsun Kuai to be the special envoy, himself as the deputy envoy, Yuan Bao as the right general, but Wen Gong refused to listen, and ordered Su Qin to be the special envoy, Gong Zikui as the deputy envoy, and Yuan Bao as the right general. One hundred, with a strong reputation. Wen Gong stepped back from the court first, and His Royal Highness presided over the discussion.His Highness left behind Su Qin, Zizhi, Zikui and other relevant personnel, and moved to the side hall to further discuss the details of the mission. It was not until noon that the court dispersed. Su Qin stepped out of the palace gate in high spirits, and was about to go down to the hall, when a person appeared next to him, stepped forward and said, "Su Zi stay a step." Su Qin turned his head and saw that it was Gong Zheng from Gantang Palace, and quickly bowed back: "Su Qin has seen Gong Zheng!" "Ma'am please." Su Qin followed Gong Zheng to Gantang Palace, and Gong Zheng arranged for him to wait in the side hall, and he went in to report first. After waiting for half an hour, Gong Zhengfang walked into the side hall and said to Su Qinyi: "Madam has an order, please invite Su Zi to go to the back garden to watch the peach blossoms." Yan is a northern country, and this year it's late spring and the peach blossoms don't bloom until March.Su Qin was walking with the palace to the peach grove in the corner of the back garden. From a distance, he could see the peach blossoms all over the garden, competing for beauty.On a gazebo in the garden, Yan Wengong and Ji Xue are sitting on the table, and Chunmei Hou stands beside him. Taoyuan in the afternoon is full of warmth.Seeing Wen Gong present, Su Qin had to admire Ji Xue.Su Qin is about to go on a mission, so he naturally hopes to see Ji Xue again.However, neither he nor Ji Xue had a suitable reason for an appointment.It was a brilliant idea for Ji Xue to invite him and Duke Wen to come to this Taoyuan to enjoy the peach blossoms together. Su Qin stepped forward, knelt down and kowtowed: "My minister kowtows to the king, and to the madam!" Wen Gong smiled slightly, and pointed to the guest seat in front of him: "Ai Qing, please take a seat." Su Qin thanked him, sat down on the guest seat with knees together, glanced at Wen Gong, and then turned his gaze to Ji Xue who was sitting next to Wen Gong.Ji Xue was wearing a white gauze, embroidered with small pink flowers, just like the peach blossoms in full bloom in the garden. Seeing him, she smiled brightly again. If there are two people, I don't know how much they will be charming. Yan Wengong looked at Ji Xue, the more joyful he looked, he turned to Su Qin and said with a chuckle: "To tell you the truth, Aiqing, this is the first time I have seen Aifei so happy in these years!" Su Qin turned his face, looked at Peach Blossom and said, "This Peach Blossom is the best." Ji Xue giggled, blurted out: 〖Peach Yaoyao, It is shining brightly. son of Yugui, Yiqi Shijia. 〗 This song "Taoyao" comes from Zhou Feng. It is the first few chapters in the "Poetry" 300. It tells the story of a girl who gets married when the peach blossoms are in full bloom and her longing for the love of husband and wife and a beautiful life. Su Qin and Yan Wengong are familiar with it of.However, when Ji Xue chanted at this time, it had a special charm. Both Su Qin and Wen Gong interpreted it, and they were each moved, and they all followed Ji Xue in chanting: 〖Peach Yaoyao, There is a fact. son of Yugui, Yiqi's family room. Tao Zhiyaoyao, Its Ye Zhenzhen. son of Yugui, Yiqi family. 〗 After everyone finished singing, Ji Xue arched her hands towards Su Qin and Duke Wen, and said slowly: "This year's spring is cold, and the peach blossoms in the garden began to bloom a few days ago. Today is the time to enjoy them. The blessings of ministers and concubines are not good enough. I dare not enjoy them alone. I specially invite the king and Su Zi Have fun with your courtiers and concubines." Turning to Marquis Wen, "Your Majesty, in the blink of an eye, it has been seven years since my ministers and concubines married to Yandi. Seeing Su Zi now, my ministers and concubines are like returning to Luoyang and seeing their relatives. It’s been a long time since I’ve touched the strings of a qin, but today, when I’m facing my relatives and the garden full of peach blossoms, my courtiers and concubines suddenly become interested, wishing to be your lord, wishing to be Su Zi, wishing to present a song for these peach blossoms, so as to help you enjoy yourself.” Mei, "Play the piano." Chunmei set up the piano stand and arranged the strings.Ji Xue stretched out her jade hand and slid it gently, the strings sounded like a spring breeze.Ji Xue closed her eyes slightly, lifted her plain hands lightly, breathed evenly, and slowly plucked the strings with her hands, but the strings did not move, but when she heard the sound of the piano, a piece of "Flowing Water" came out leisurely, as if telling, as if exchanging, as if learning from each other, with this Spring is full of love. Because of Guigu's years of practice, what Su Qin heard was not the mere sound of the piano, but Ji Xue's heart.Ji Xue used the qin to express her feelings, and poured all her love and passion on the few strings. Su Qin blushed and her heart beat wildly when she heard it. She glanced at Yan Wengong and saw that he knew nothing , the two fingers were still shaking slightly in rhythm with the rhythm, beating the beat for her.Although Wen Gong understands the rhythm, he cannot understand Ji Xue's heart, so the rhythm is always off the point.Su Qin could see it clearly, but he didn't dare to express it in the slightest. He just sat upright on the mat and breathed hard. After Ji Xue played a song, she slid the strings again, and the lingering sound lingered. Knowing that she had finished playing, Yan Wengong applauded and said, "My concubine plays the qin so well, the widow is like hearing fairy music!" Ji Xue smiled slightly, cupped her hands at him and said, "Thank you for your kindness." Turning to Su Qin, seeing that he was still immersed in the music, she said softly, "Su Zi?" Su Qin woke up from a trance, startled, decided to change the topic, and then clasped his hands and praised: "Madam's playing is comparable to that of Mr." "Sir?" Ji Xue was slightly taken aback, "Is it Mr. Guigu?" "No," Su Qin shook his head, "it's the luthier." Hearing the luthier, Ji Xue's heart trembled, and she asked softly, "Sir, is he... okay?" "Report to Madam," Su Qin said seriously, "Mr. has passed away." "Ah?" Ji Xue was shocked, "How did you get there, sir?" Su Qin then briefly recounted the stories that happened in Luoyang over the past few years. Hearing Ji Xue and Chunmei sobbing, Duke Wen's eyes were wet. After a moment of sadness, Ji Xue raised her head again, looked at Su Qin with tears in her eyes, and changed the topic: "I heard from your lord that Su Zi wants to go to Handan to join forces. Dare I ask Su Zi, when will we leave?" "Reporting to Madam," Su Qin cupped his hands, "the day after tomorrow will be auspicious, and I plan to leave at this hour." Ji Xue lowered her head again, and after a while, she raised her head and stared at Su Qin, with a double meaning: "If Su Zi can promote the integration of Yan, Zhao, and Han, it will benefit the three countries, benefit the world, and even benefit the country of Yan. However, the country of Yan has passed this There is a mess, the vitality is seriously injured, the dragon body of the king needs to be restored, and your highness..." After a short pause, "Suzi, let's not talk about this, the country of Yan cannot do without Suzi. Suzi's trip will be successful, It doesn't matter if it doesn't work, you have to go back to Yan with your whole body, Xue'er—" seems to have lost her words, and changed her words, "I will definitely welcome you to the Yishui River with your lord, and clean up the dust for Suzi." Su Qin understood it, got up and kowtowed: "Madam Su Qin thank you for your kindness!" Turning to Duke Wen, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, and I still need to make some preparations, so I'm leaving." Yan Wengong glanced at Ji Xue, nodded and said: "That's fine. Aiqing's mission this time is of great importance. On the day of triumph, I will welcome you to Yishui with your wife as Madam said, and clean up the dust for Aiqing." Su Qin paid homage again: "My minister thanks you for your kindness!" Because Sun Jikui, the eldest son of Duke Yan, only helped out as a deputy envoy, and had a hundred chariots, five hundred cavalry, and other entourages. The mission is ahead.Yan envoys and Zhao envoys joined forces and dragged for several miles, dusty and mighty along the way. After crossing Yishui, Lou Huan said goodbye to Su Qin, and led Zhao Guo's mission to rush back first, and reported the situation and sincerity of Yan State in detail.Marquis Su was moved when he heard that the envoy of the State of Yan was approaching Handan, so he sent Prince Zhao Yong in his own chariot and led Anyang Jun, Fei Yi, Lou Sui, Zhao Bao and other important officials to the suburbs for thirty miles to show grandeur. At noon that day, in Handan City, on a main street leading to Miyagi, a soldier with a gun stood like a vertical gun every three steps, and all pedestrians were driven to the sides.Amidst the sound of drums, Marquis Zhao's chariot came rattling, and in the chariot stood Zhao Yong, Prince of Zhao, and Su Qin, special envoy of Yan.The rest of the people took vehicles and followed behind, heading towards the posthouses of various countries next to the palace city. Under the wide eaves of Fengyun Inn, many pedestrians who were driven to the side of the road crowded into a group, their eyes wide open, lest they miss this rare excitement. Suddenly, one person shouted excitedly: "I see clearly, it's that person!" Everyone looked over and saw that it was a sesame seed seller, they were a little disappointed, they gave him a blank look, then turned their heads to look at the street again. "I see clearly." Seeing that everyone ignored him, the sesame seed seller muttered in a low voice. "What do you see clearly?" Someone came up and asked. The biscuit seller pointed at Su Qin who had just glanced away: "That's the man, I've seen it before." "Hmph, have you seen it?" The man snorted contemptuously, "Do you know who he is? He is the special envoy of the Yan Kingdom! The child next to him is His Royal Highness! You sell sesame seed cakes, with a pig's nose Insert white onions and fill up elephants!" "What special envoy of the Yan Kingdom!" The sesame seed seller was in a hurry, "Two months ago, he was just a poor man, wearing a pair of broken straw sandals, walking on Nanmen Street, his stomach was rumbling, he bought me two sesame seed cakes, and gave it to me. It's Zhou Qian, and when I see it, if I ask him for Zhao Qian, I'll give up a sesame seed cake. It's true, whoever lied to you is the grandson of a turtle!" Seeing that the sesame seed seller spoke so vividly, the man couldn't help but believe it. He rolled his eyes and taunted him, saying: "Look at your virtue, you don't know that your eyes are growing in vain when the nobleman comes to you! If it were me, I would kill you." Give him all the sesame seed cakes in the basket, and make friends with him! I dare say, if he gets his wish, he might reward you with two gold pieces!" The sesame seed seller sighed: "Oh, at that time, how did anyone know that he was a noble man!" "Oh, that's right," the man continued, "It's really a fate, like you, you are only worthy of selling sesame seed cakes." Everyone laughed. Not far behind, Jia Sheren in a bamboo hat stood at the door, listened for a moment, smiled slightly, turned and hid behind the door. This time, Zhao Suhou no longer dodged.Although he had never met Su Qin, Su Hou already understood the general strategy of his alliance and admired him deeply.This time, Lou Huan and Yan had the idea of ​​reusing Su Qin and promoting Hezong.In order to further promote the joint vertical, the scheming Zhao Suhou decided to summon Su Qin during the great dynasty after a night of deliberation, and the court discussed the joint vertical. In the morning of the next day, Zhao Suhou convened a grand court in the main hall of the Xin Palace to grandly receive the special envoy of the Yan Kingdom.Crown Prince Zhao Yong, Anyang Lord Zhao Ke, as well as the newly conferred Guo Wei Fei Yi, General Zhao Bao, and Shang Doctor Lou Huan and other courtiers above middle-level and doctor rank on both sides.There are several other guests, who are the elders of Zhao Guo's previous generation, all of them are scholars, and they were also invited by Marquis Su to participate in the court discussion.At the head of Marquis Su, two seats were specially reserved for the two special envoys of Yan State. Su Qin and Ji Kuai stepped forward and kowtowed: "The special envoys of Duke Yan, Su Qin and Ji Kui kowtowed to Marquis Zhao, wishing you a long life and a long life!" Zhao Suhou looked at Su Qin and Ji Kui for a while, then nodded and said: "Emissary Yan, please sit down." Su Qin and Ji Kuai thanked each other, got up and went to the guest seats, and sat down respectively. Zhao Suhou looked at Su Qin, smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "I've heard of Su Zi's name for a long time, and seeing him today is really extraordinary." Su Qin smiled back: "As soon as Yishui is passed, Su Qin washes his eyes with perfume, and dare not slack off for a day." "Oh," Zhao Suhou was surprised, and leaned over to ask, "Why does Su Zi wash his eyes with perfume?" Su Qin sat upright, opened his eyes wide, stared at Suhou for a long time without blinking, and then clasped his fists and said, "In order to see the majesty of the emperor." Everyone in the house laughed, and Zhao Suhou was even more heartbroken, leaning over and asking again: "Su Zi, can you see this clearly?" "Wei Chen sees clearly." Su Qin nodded. "How is the dignity of the widow?" "Weichen didn't see it." Su Qin paused every word. All the ministers present were startled, Fei Yi and Zhao Bao had sullen expressions on their faces. Ji Kuai's complexion changed slightly, and he looked at Su Qin with puzzled eyes. Only Zhao Suhou remained indifferent and kept smiling: "What did Su Zi see?" "mercy." As soon as these two words were uttered, everyone was relieved. Zhao Suhou nodded slightly, and said with a chuckle, "Thank you Su Zi for your kind words." Turning to the ministers, "I have lived to this point, I thought I had nothing, but I didn't want Su Zi to see mercy. These two words, wow, really Well, it's much better than prestige." Turning to Su Qin again, he cupped his hands again and again, "Thank you Suzi for your kind words!" Su Qin clasped his hands back and said: "Your Majesty thanked you, but I don't dare to be a humble minister. Compassion really comes from your superiors, but a humble minister can only tell the truth." "Good words!" Zhao Suhou nodded, and cut to the point, "I have heard Lou Aiqing say repeatedly that Su Zi has a long-term plan to teach others, can you hear it?" Su Qin thought for a while, then shook his head slightly: "I'm really sorry, Su Qin has no long-term plan." Lou hastened, and pointed to Su Qin. Zhao Suhou was startled for a moment, then smiled slightly: "Su Zi has no long-term strategy, or has short-term strategy, can anyone hear about it?" Su Qin shook his head again: "Su Qin has no short-term plan." Zhao Suhou was also stunned. He glanced at all the ministers and saw that they were all looking at each other. Because of the lessons learned from the past, he didn't know what Su Zi was trying to trick this time, so they all turned their eyes to Su Qin. Zhao Suhou seemed to have guessed Su Qin's meaning, coughed lightly: "Since Su Zi refuses to teach, I have no choice but to—" He stopped talking, pretending to owe his body, and wanted to act. Sure enough, Su Qin added a sentence at the right time: "Your Majesty, Su Qin has neither long-term nor short-term strategies, but only saves Zhao!" As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked. Zhao Suhou sat down again and approached Su Qin: "Oh, what happened to Zhao Guo?" "Reporting to Your Majesty, the state of Zhao is in peril, and survival is only a matter of time." This remark was exaggerated, and everyone looked at Su Qin in amazement. One of the people in the seat opened his eyes wide and shouted: "Su Zixiu spoke wildly, Zhao has iron cavalry and strong bows, dangerous mountains and great rivers, has moved around for a hundred years, attacked Hudi in the north, resisted Han and Wei in the south, retreated in the east and strengthened Qi in the west, However, the Qin Dynasty was violent, the land was expanded for thousands of miles, and it stood as tall as Mount Tai, so where did the danger of laying eggs and the theory of survival come from?" Everyone saw that it was the newly appointed General Zhao Bao. Su Qin smiled slightly, cupped his hands at Zhao Bao and said, "General Zhao, stay calm and don't be impatient. Listen to Su Qin's details. The safety of a person lies in the environment in which he lives, and the safety of the country lies in the general situation. The general situation is in danger, although he has the power to destroy the army and kill the general. Doom is inevitable. This is how the once powerful Zheng State fell. The general situation is safe, although there is a big defeat, the ancestral hall is not hurt. This is how the Sishang weak guards survive. The Zhao area is two thousand miles away, and there are hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Grain and millet can last for several years, and at first glance it seems to be comparable to a big country. However——" Looking around at the crowd, the conversation suddenly changed sharply, "Zhao has four wars and four troubles, do you know?" Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, Zhao Bao had an angry look on his face, his mouth was about to open several times, but finally closed again. Seeing the silence, Fei Yi interjected: "What are the four wars and four troubles, please Su Zi speak clearly." Su Qin said frankly: "The four warriors are Wei, Qin, Qi, and Han. Everyone agrees, since Zhao Liguo, has the war with the four countries ever stopped?" The audience was silent, and someone nodded. "The four patients are Zhongshan, Hu Di, Chu and Yanye." After a longer period of silence, Zhao Bao finally couldn't hold back anymore, smiled coldly, knocked and shouted: "Even if there are four wars and four troubles, what about Zhao Guo?" Su Qin smiled at him, and said in an unhurried tone: "General Zhao's words are regarded as the courage of a man. From this point of view, the danger of the Zhao country lies in the blindness of the heart." Zhao Bao suddenly pushed the case away, jumped up, pointed at Su Qin, and said angrily, "You—" Anyang Jun rolled his eyes at him, Zhao Bao saw it, sat down angrily, and stretched out his hand to pull the case back in front of him. Due to the excessive force, the case made a "squeak" sound on the wooden floor. Mr. Anyang smiled slightly, and turned to Su Qin: "May I ask Su Zi, what is heart blind?" "Responding to the words of Lord Anyang," Su Qin cupped his hands towards him, "Those with a blind heart don't listen to the outside, and don't judge inside. The kingdoms of the world are angry at each other, and they fight each other with swords and soldiers at every turn, blindly fighting fiercely. Zhao Guozhang does not know what he is doing, just like a blind man riding a blind horse, isn't it in danger?" Su Qin hit him with a stick indiscriminately, not to mention Zhao Bao and other generals, even Anyang Jun, who has always been known for his calmness, couldn't hold back his face, coughed lightly, and said slowly: "According to Suzi's opinion, How do you analyze the general trend of the world?" "Great countries strive for supremacy, while small countries seek to survive." Su Qin paused every word. "May I ask Su Zi," Fei Yi interjected, "is there a difference between a big country and a small country?" Su Qin smiled slightly: "The strength of a person can only be divided by strength, and the strength of a country can only be divided by power. Those who have great power are big countries, and those who have small power are small countries." "Looking at it from Su Zi," Fei Yi continued, "In today's world, what is a big country and what is a small country?" “就方今天下而论，成大势者，秦、齐、楚也，此三国当为大国。之于其他，皆为小势，当为小国。” 苏秦又是出语惊人，众人无不诧异。 赵豹喝问：“敢问苏子，难道霸魏也是小国？” 苏秦微微一笑：“魏乃强弩之末，其势不能穿缟，如何敢称大国？” 赵肃侯微微点头：“嗯，说得好！以苏子之见，危在旦夕的不只是赵国，韩国、魏国也在其中了。” “君上圣明！”苏秦揖过，转扫诸臣一眼，缓缓说道，“智者不出门，可知天下事。诸位皆是胸怀天下之人，请开眼观之：方今天下，东是强齐，西是暴秦，南是大楚。齐有管桓之治，农艺之达，渔盐之利，且风俗纯正，士民开化，农桑发达，负海抱角，国富兵强；秦有关中沃野千里，民以法为上，多死国之士，更得商於、河西、函谷诸地，成四塞之国，进可威逼列国，退可据险以守；楚得吴越诸地，方圆五千里，民过千万，地大物博，列国无可匹敌。此三国各成大势，各抱一角，将三晋围在中间。打个譬方吧，三个大国如同三只饿狼，韩、赵、魏三晋如同三只瘦鹿。三狼各抱地势，将三鹿挤在中央，你一口，我一口，不急不缓地撕扯咬嚼，此所谓逐鹿中原。三鹿却不自知，非但不去同仇敌忾，反倒彼此生隙，钩心斗角。天下大势如此，能不悲夫？” 苏秦之言如一股彻骨的寒气直透众人，众臣无不悚然，面面相觑，谁也说不出一句话来。姬哙、楼缓、赵雍等人也终于明白苏秦的机谋，会心点头。 赵肃侯脸色凝重，轻轻嗯出一声：“依苏子之言，三晋别无他途，唯有合纵了。” “君上圣明！”苏秦再次拱手道，“东西为横，南北为纵。三晋结盟合一，就不是鹿，而是一只虎。外加燕国，四国纵亲，其势超强。向东，齐不敢动，向西，秦不敢动，向南，楚不敢动。三个大国皆不敢动，天下何来战事？天下无战事，赵国何来危难？” 即使赵肃侯，也不得不对苏秦的高瞻远瞩及雄辩才华表示折服，而且，他要的也正是这个效果。沉思良久，肃侯环视众卿，神色严峻地说道：“诸位爱卿，苏子的群狼逐鹿之喻，甚是精辟，不知你们感觉如何，寡人可是出了一身冷汗哪！苏子倡议合纵三晋，诸位爱卿可有异议？” 安阳君抱拳道：“三晋纵亲固然不错，苏子却是忽略一事，纵使赵、韩愿意纵亲，魏却未必。魏国雄霸中原数十年，几年前虽有河西之辱，可今有猛将庞涓、贤相惠施，国力复强，断不肯合！” “嗯，安阳君所言甚是，”肃侯连连点头，转对苏秦，“魏罃向以霸主自据，如何能与寡人为伍？再说，前几年，魏罃失道，又是称王又是伐卫，引起列国公愤，寡人与他因此而生许多隔阂，若是与他纵亲，只怕有些难度。” 苏秦微微一笑：“君上大可不必挂心于此。今之魏国是强是弱，诸位皆有公判，天下皆有公判，苏秦不必再说。至于庞涓、惠施，虽是大才，却也有限。惠施过柔，庞涓过刚。柔则乏力，刚极易折。再说，魏国一向不缺大才，昔有公孙鞅，近有公孙衍，在魏皆是闲散，在秦却得大用。”略顿一下，敛起笑容，“退一步说，纵使魏势复强，三晋纵亲对魏也是有百利而无一害，魏王若是不傻，必会合纵。” “哦，”肃侯问道，“合纵对魏有何益处？” “正如君上方才所言，前几年魏国失道于天下，称王伐弱，东战于卫，西战于秦，更与列国为敌。今日之魏，西有河西之辱，与秦人不共戴天；东有相王之辱，与齐人互为仇视；南有陉山之争，与楚人构下新怨；魏王别无他途，唯有与韩、赵纵亲，方能在中原立足。” 赵豹急道：“如此说来，三晋合纵，魏国得此大利，赵国岂不亏了？” “将军差矣。”苏秦笑道，“三晋纵亲，赵国非但不吃亏，反倒得利最大。” "What do you mean by that?" “因有韩、魏。赵不患楚，因有燕、魏、韩；赵不患齐，因有韩、魏，赵不患秦，其中道理，在下不说，将军想也明白。” 列国彼此制衡，这是人人皆知之事，赵豹不得不点头称是。 赵肃侯扫视众人一眼：“合纵一事，诸位可有异议？” 众臣异口同声道：“我等没有异议，但听君上圣裁！” “好！”赵肃侯朗声说道，“三晋本为一家，合则俱兴，争则俱亡！众卿既无异议，寡人意决，策动合纵！”转向楼缓、肥义，“具体如何去做，就请二位爱卿与苏子拟出细则，奏报寡人！” 二臣起身叩道：“微臣领旨！” 散朝之后，楼缓、肥义奉旨前往馆驿，与苏秦、姬哙商讨合纵细则。关于赵、魏、韩、燕四国如何纵亲，苏秦早已草拟了实施方略，主要涉及消除隔阂、化解争端、礼尚往来、互通商贸、外交用兵等诸方面。 经过讨论，大家皆以为方案可行，遂由楼缓起草奏章，报奏肃侯。 楼缓、肥义走后，苏秦见天色尚早，换过服饰，与飞刀邹一道沿宫前大街信步赶往丰云客栈。贾舍人早从飞刀邹口中得知苏秦要来见他，只在栈中守候。 一番客套过后，苏秦将燕国内乱略述一遍，贾舍人也将赵肃侯如何借助晋阳危局铲除奉阳君专权的过程约略讲过，苏秦得知奉阳君赵成、代主将公子范均在狱中受诏命自裁，其家宰申孙及通秦的申宝等人皆以叛国罪腰斩于市，受此案牵累而丢官失爵、沦为家奴者多达数百人。 “唉，”苏秦摇头长叹一声，“兄弟之间尚且如此相残，莫说是一般世人了！” “不说他们了，”贾舍人关心的却不是这个，“苏子的大事进展如何？” 苏秦应道：“赵侯同意合纵，诏令楼缓、肥义与在下及公孙哙商议细则，论至方才，终于理出一个预案，就是纵亲国之间化解恩怨，求同存异，在此基础上实现'五通'和'三同'。” “五通？”舍人一怔，“何为五通？” “就是通商、通驿、通币、通士、通兵。” “那……三同呢？” “同心、同力、同仇。” 舍人思忖有顷，抬头评道：“苏子这样总结，简明，易懂，易记，利于传扬。只是——”话锋一转，“五通容易，三同却难。” “是的，”苏秦点头赞同，“三晋本为一家，习俗大体相同，燕与赵毗邻，许多地方同风同俗，实现五通有一定基础。难的是三同。三晋不和已久，积怨甚深，很难同心。不同心，自不同力，更谈不上同仇了。” “苏子可有应对？” “四国纵亲，关键是三晋。三晋若要同心，首要同力，若要同力，首要同仇。在下琢磨过，就三晋的大敌而言，韩之仇在楚、秦，魏之仇在楚、齐、秦，赵之仇在齐、秦。楚虽与三晋不合，但其真正对手却是齐、秦，因而，在下以为，纵亲国的公仇只有两个，一是秦，二是齐。只要三晋朝野均能意识到秦、齐是公敌，就能做到同仇。作为应对，他们就会同力，而同力的前提就是同心了。” 贾舍人笑道：“苏子这是逼其就范了。” 苏秦苦笑一下：“唉，有什么办法？眼下利欲熏心，不能同心，只好以外力相逼。” “如此说来，苏子的敌人是两个，不是三个。” “其实，”苏秦连连摇头，“苏子的真正敌人只有一个，就是秦国。齐、楚虽有霸心，却无吞并天下之心，或有此心，亦无此力。有此心及此力者，唯有秦国。在下树此三敌，无非是为逼迫三晋，使他们醒悟过来，停止内争，共同对外。待三晋合一，四国皆纵，在下的下一个目标就是楚国。只有楚国加入纵亲，合纵才算完成。从江南到塞北皆成一家，五国实现五通三同，形如铜墙铁壁，秦、齐就被分隔两侧，欲动不敢，天下可无战事。”越说越慢，目光中流露出对远景的向往，“天下既无战事，就可实施教化，形成联邦共治盟约，上古先圣时代的共和共生盛世或可再现。” “苏子壮志，舍人敬服。只是，苏子以秦人为敌，以秦公其人，断不会听任苏子。苏子对此可有应对？” 苏秦微微一笑：“这个在下倒是不怕。反过来说，在下怕的是他真就不管不问，听任在下呢。” “哦？”舍人怔道，“此是为何？” “没有黑，就没有白。”苏秦笑道，“三晋合纵，等于将秦人锁死于秦川，首不利秦。依秦公之志，以秦公为人，必不肯甘休，必张势蓄力，应对纵亲。老聃曰：'有无相生，难易相成，长短相形，高下相盈，音声相和，前后相随，恒也。'恒者，衡也。在下这里以秦为敌，秦就必须是敌。在下不怕他蓄势，不怕他强，反而怕他不蓄势，不强。” 贾舍人扑哧笑道：“你一边抗秦，一边强秦，这不是自相矛盾吗？” “贾兄所言甚是，”苏秦敛起笑容，沉声应道，“在下要的就是这个矛盾，要的就是强秦。所谓合纵，就是保持力量均衡。秦人若是无力，纵亲反而不成。秦人只有张势蓄力，保持强大，三晋才有危机感，才乐意合纵。三晋只有合纵，秦人才会产生惧怕，才会努力使自己更强。秦人越强，三晋越合；三晋越合，秦人越强，天下因此而保持均势，方能制衡。” 苏秦讲出此话，倒让贾舍人吃了一惊。可细细一想，也还真是这个理儿。舍人冥思有顷，竟也想不出合适的言辞反驳，慨然叹道：“唉，真有你的。可话说回来，眼下秦无大才，苏子又不肯去，如何方可保持强势呢？” “在下此来，为的正是此事，”苏秦望着舍人，“在下虽不仕秦，却愿为秦公荐举一人，或可使秦保持强势。” "Who?" “张仪。” “此人不是在楚吗？” “是的，眼下是在楚国。”苏秦微微笑道，“依此人性情，或不容于楚。在下打算劳动贾兄走一趟郢都，若是此人混得好，也就算了。若是此人混得不好，你可设法让他走趟邯郸。” “让他来邯郸？”舍人又是一怔，“为何不让他直接去咸阳呢？” “贾兄有所不知，”苏秦呵呵笑道，“这位仁兄，不见在下，是不会赴秦的。” “如此甚好，”贾舍人乐道，“在下此来，原也是遵循师命，为秦公寻回苏子。苏子另有高志，在下能得张子，也可回山交差了。” “回山？”苏秦怔道，“贾兄师尊是——” “终南山寒泉子。”贾舍人缓缓说道。 “寒泉子是贾兄恩师？”苏秦又惊又喜，“在鬼谷时在下就听大师兄说，我们有个师叔叫寒泉子，住在终南山里，真没想到，贾兄竟是师叔的弟子。” “是的，”贾舍人呵呵笑道，“苏子一到咸阳，在下就知是同门来了。” 苏秦惊愣有顷，恍然有悟：“难怪——” 与此同时，秦宫御书房里，惠文公与朝中三位要员，公孙衍、司马错和樗里疾，正襟危坐，面色凝重。 惠文公眉头紧锁，扫射众臣一眼，缓缓说道：“寡人担心之事，终于来了。苏秦自燕至赵，欲合纵三晋和燕国。莫说燕国，单是三晋合一，即无秦矣。诸位爱卿可有应策？” 众人面面相觑。 有顷，公孙衍拱手道：“回禀君上，自三家分晋以来，韩、赵、魏三家一直钩心斗角，相互攻伐，互有血仇，苏秦合纵不过是一厢情愿而已。不过，防患于未然，微臣以为，我可趁合纵尚在雏形之际，来个敲山震虎。” “如何敲山震虎？” “苏秦旨在合纵三晋，若是不出微臣所料，必以赵为根基。我当以赵为靶，发大兵击赵，撼其根基。韩、魏见之，或生顾忌，知难而退。韩、魏不参与，合纵也就胎死腹中了。” “大良造所言甚是。”樗里疾附和道，“微臣以为，我可一边伐赵，一边结盟韩、魏，分裂三晋。” “君上，”司马错不无激愤道，“打吧！前番攻打晋阳，功败垂成，将士们无不憋着一肚子怨气呢。” 惠文公闭目深思，良久，眉头舒开：“嗯，诸位爱卿所言甚是，晋阳之耻是该有个下文。”转向公孙衍，“公孙爱卿！” “微臣在！” “寡人决定伐赵。爱卿善于辞令，草拟伐赵檄文，传檄天下！” "The humble minister obeys the order!" “司马爱卿！”惠文公将头转向司马错。 “微臣在！” “寡人欲发大军二十万，告示各地郡县，明令征调！” “二十万？”司马错显然有些惊愕，以为听错了。 惠文公微微一笑：“那就二十五万吧，二十万也许不够。”转向公孙衍，“公孙爱卿，你可在檄文里加上一句，意思是说，眼下春日正艳，寡人听闻邯郸城里多秀色，欲去一睹群芳！” 公孙衍心头一亮，朗声说道：“微臣明白！” “明白就好，”惠文公这也会心一笑，“两位爱卿，你们分头忙活去吧！”转向樗里疾，“樗里爱卿留步！” 公孙衍、司马错告退。见二人走远，惠文公对樗里疾道：“寡人特意留下爱卿，是想让你观看一件物什。”从几案下摸出一物，竟是那支写着“杀”与“赦”的竹签，缓缓摆在几案上，“此物想必你也见过，现在该明白了吧。” 樗里疾点头叹道：“是哩，君上因为惜才，终于未杀苏子。” “唉，”惠文公轻叹一声，话中有话，“不是寡人惜才，是你樗里爱卿惜才呀！” 樗里疾心头一震，故作不解地望着惠文公：“君上——” 惠文公似笑非笑，目光逼视樗里疾：“樗里爱卿，不要装糊涂了。寡人问你，你是否在大街上拦过小华，要他放走苏秦？” 樗里疾脸色煞白，起身叩拜于地：“微臣的确拦过公子