Chapter 68 The fifth section will count on the strategy of Handan

Although it is the beginning of winter and the ninth day has not yet entered, Handan is already facing a chilly north wind.When Zhang Yi, Meng Changjun and his party entered this strong and majestic castle, they found that Handan had undergone amazing changes in one year! Among the Three Jin Dynasty, Zhao State is famous for its long tradition of martial arts.During the Spring and Autumn Period, most of the outstanding children of the Zhao family served as various generals in the army, and the Zhao family controlled the military power of the Jin State for a long time.Despite the ups and downs during the period, the military tradition of martial arts has become the permanent tribal emblem of the Zhao family.After the founding of the country, this tradition of the Zhao clan turned into a martial custom that permeated the government and the public.Although Zhao Guo is not yet a first-class power, it is a crouching tiger that no one dares to touch easily.Except for Wei Guo's provocative attack on Zhao in its heyday, and Zhongshan's sneaky attacks, none of the major countries in the Central Plains had a war with Zhao with more than 100,000 troops.The reason for this is that everyone understands the fact that Zhao's elite troops fought against the Xiongnu in the Yinshan Mountains and the thousands of miles of grasslands and deserts in the clouds, but never sent elite cavalry into the Central Plains.

Since Marquis Zhao Lie, through the four generations of Marquis Wu, Marquis Cheng, and Marquis Su, Zhao's national strategy has always been very clear in four words: War in the North and Peace in the South!Going south to the Central Plains to fight for hegemony, the State of Zhao is not as good as the three kingdoms of Wei, Qi, and Chu with its vast land and population;Zhao Chenghou once vowed to take over the entire Yinshan grassland and Chilechuan valley as Qin Mugong ruled Xirong, and turn around and go south to the Central Plains!But after several decades of fighting, it turned out that people are not as good as heaven - but at this time, it was the period when the grassland tribes were strong, and the Huns, big and small, were screaming to go south to the Central Plains, so they fought head-to-head with Zhao Guo stand up!After more than a dozen battles, both sides were amazed at the opponent's combat power, and they saw that neither could defeat the other, but the blood-curd hatred accumulated deeper and deeper.Like two fierce tigers confronting each other, no one dared to retreat. Both sides were firmly stuck to the vast grassland and desert.

The state of Zhao is in a state of embarrassment - the north cannot retreat, the south cannot fight, and it has been a fire for decades! This tense decades of "constant combat" career, Handan Street Market has a unique color that everyone frowns-the trade goods that are full of officials and towns are mostly cattle, horses, weapons and various leathers, and they are piled up in a disorderly manner. In the tents of the street market, mixed with salt, iron, cloth and silk shops, it seems like a big market at the end of the month on the grassland; the strong smell permeating the Handan neighborhood is the smell of spicy wine and the stench of horse dung and cow dung; Be careful, or you will be stumbled by the cow dung and horse dung that you may encounter everywhere, causing the whole street to laugh.No matter how glamorous the clothes are, they will become dirty once they go on the market. Therefore, every person in Handan has a pair of coarse cloth clothes that are specially sold on the market, called "city clothes".As for princes and nobles, they would never set foot in the shopping district.

In an unknown year, a scholar from Jixia Academy visited Handan and composed a nursery rhyme called "Zhao Feng": After a long time, this nursery rhyme spread all over the world, and became a compulsory song for businessmen and tourists to laugh at the Zhao country-if you can't sing "Zhao Feng", it means you have never been to Handan! But entering Handan today, all of these things disappeared miraculously!Although there are not many goods in the market, they are arranged in neat and orderly categories in the shops, and the messy and crowded street tents are all gone.What is even more surprising is that the cattle and horses wandering leisurely all over the street are gone, and the raw leather exuding a strong bloody smell is no longer visible. There is no trace of shit and horse dung, and the smell of wine blowing in the wind in the street is extremely intoxicating!

Fei Yun went over to ask a shopkeeper, but the old man said loudly: "What? Brother, do you still think I am dirty and stinky Handan? The cow, horse and leather market has already moved to the city wall!" Zhang Yi and Meng Changjun laughed together, and unexpectedly Qi shouted a "good!" word. At this moment, a group of horses and horses came rushing in. The leader, a man with a red cloak, dismounted from his horse and laughed loudly: "My lord, Mr. Mengchang, are you all right?" Are you safe and sound, Lord Pingyuan? Come on, the master is the prime minister, and I’m just accompanying you, so I’ll see you soon.” Although Zhang Yi only had a casual acquaintance with Lord Pingyuan, Zhao Sheng, he knew the nature of the “Four Great Princes”. He also got out of the car and greeted him: "Mr. Pingyuan, Zhang Yi is here to bother you again."

"The prime minister always gives me face." Mr. Pingyuan hurriedly bowed humbly to the end, and said with a loud smile: "It was Zhao who invited the prime minister to be the national teacher. .” "Then make up for it, tell me! Where is the hundred-year-old Zhao Jiu?" Meng Changjun immediately smiled and said. "Naturally, please, Prime Minister." After Zhao Sheng finished speaking, he helped Zhang Yixu into the carriage respectfully, then jumped onto the carriage and said with a smile: "Mr. Mengchang, follow me." Then he shook the reins of both horses and turned The car then rattled away on the long flagstone street.

After a while, the caravan team stopped, and Lord Pingyuan's mansion was in front of him.Lord Pingyuan stopped the car, helped Zhang Yi off with his empty hand, and immediately ordered the old steward who had already stood by to put all the entourage, together with Lord Mengchang's guest knights, in the side courtyard for a reception.Mr. Mengchang smiled and said, "Mr. Pingyuan, let them live in the posthouse." Mr. Pingyuan smiled and said, "The Prime Minister's entourage and Mr. Mengchang's guests all have to do business. How dare Zhao Sheng be abrupt? Please." Mr. Mengchang looked at Zhang Yiyi Suddenly, Zhang Yi smiled, but walked in with Mr. Pingyuan.

The banquet in the main hall has been set, Mr. Pingyuan pointed to the wine and dishes and said with a smile: "Take a look, how about the same color Huyang and pure Zhao wine?" Looking at the long case, he raised his nose.Mr. Pingyuan invited Zhang Yi to the guest seat and Mr. Mengchang to the accompanying guest's seat. He knelt down in front of the case and opened the mud seal of the wine jar. He took a long-handled wooden spoon and filled the two with the No. 1 Jue Zhao wine.Then Mr. Pingyuan raised the wine rank before the last long table: "Prime Minister and Mr. Mengchang are both honored guests. Zhao Sheng will take over the dust for the two of you on behalf of my king. Come, let's be a noble first!"

According to the etiquette, the host receives the wind on behalf of the monarch, and the guests must first thank the king for his kindness and then drink.Mr. Mengchang has always been bold and regarded Mr. Pingyuan as a brother with a different surname, but at this moment he felt that the young Mr. Pingyuan was a bit contrived, and he couldn't help being a little awkward, seeing that Zhang Yi did not raise his title.But Zhang Yi smiled and raised his rank and said loudly: "Meng Changjun, you and I should thank King Zhao and Pingyuan Lord, come on, do it!" Meng Changjun only said: "Okay, do it!" , then grabbed the hot leg of Hu mutton on the plate and gnawed on it.

Zhang Yi said with a smile: "Mr. Pingyuan, Handan has undergone great changes, which makes people look at it with admiration." Mr. Pingyuan laughed loudly: "Dirty and smelly Handan, can it welcome the national teacher? Clean up a little, is it worth admiring?" "If you want to invite the national teacher, the etiquette is not right." Meng Changjun said teasingly. Mr. Pingyuan smiled and said, "Brother Tian always beats me. Zhao Sheng drank this dude, so he will apologize to the prime minister first." After finishing speaking, he drank the duke dry, and bowed in his seat again: "To tell you the truth: Yinshan is in a hurry. , Zhao Wang went to inspect the border to supervise the battle, and entrusted Zhao Sheng to welcome the national teacher, please forgive me."

Zhang Yi laughed loudly: "Mr. Pingyuan, do you really think Zhang Yi is a national teacher? Come on, drink first!" After drinking a cup, he tasted it again and said, "Tsk tsk tsk, it's really cold and extraordinary, even better than my hundred-year-old Zhao The wine still has strength, amazing!" "This is the special wine and special collection of the royal workshop," Mr. Pingyuan said with a smile, "Before leaving, Zhao Sheng will give everyone ten altars!" Mr. Mengchang was so happy that he smacked the copper plate with a leg bone of lamb until he made a loud "Dang!": "Okay! This is called Mr. Generous Pingyuan." Mr. Pingyuan couldn't help laughing: "Oh, according to your old brother, Zhao Sheng is not generous if he doesn't give him wine?" Meng Changjun shook his head and pulled his voice: "Of course, if you don't pay wine and meat, how can you talk about friends?" Mr. Pingyuan blinked his eyes and said with a teasing smile: "So you and I are wine and meat friends?" Mr. Mengchang said with a half-smile, "Maybe it's wine and meat, plus friends." Zhang Yi laughed out loud, and Jun Pingyuan laughed too. After drinking all the wine until Diao Dou hit the third watch, Zhang Yi and Meng Changjun went back to their respective small courtyards. Lord Pingyuan is also a well-known foster son, and although his followers are not as powerful as Lord Mengchang, there are at least eight or nine hundred of them.For this reason, more than a dozen independent small courtyards were built in Mr. Pingyuan's mansion, specially for celebrities and talented people to live in.The reception of Zhang Yi and Meng Changjun, two great figures, came in handy today.Zhang Yi was placed in a small courtyard called "Pine Valley", with a pool of clear water, a few pines, and six quaint thatched huts, which was indeed very elegant and quiet.Mr. Mengchang was placed in the "Bamboo Garden". In the courtyard, the bamboo forest is rustling, the stone mountains are scattered, and a red wooden building stands tall. It is another scene.Pine Valley and Bamboo Garden are one east and one west, separated by two rows of official offices, which are the two best courtyards in Pingyuan Jun's mansion. Mr. Mengchang was not dizzy after taking a bath, so he ordered tea to be made in the corridor of the bedroom, and chatted with one of his followers over tea.This diner was originally from the state of Zhao, and he talked about the customs of the state of Zhao to Mr. Mengchang enthusiastically.Hearing this, Mr. Mengchang's heart moved: "What do you think is the most eye-catching part of Zhao's national style?" The disciples did not hesitate: "The style of martial arts." Mengchangjun followed up: "The people of Zhao are martial arts, but how is it better than the people of Qi?" The disciples pondered After a while, he said: "Qi people practice martial arts, mostly for self-defense. The folks practice individual martial arts, and sword fighting is the most. Zhao people practice martial arts, but they gather together in villages and clans, practice group battles in groups, and use horseback riding and archery to chop immediately. The knife is the best." Meng Changjun pondered and said: "That is to say, Zhao people's martial arts are group wars, and Qi people's martial arts are private fights?" The doorman said with a smile: "That's right." Meng Changjun was speechless for a while, just sipping silently. At this moment, Kong Kong's footsteps came from the wooden stairs.When Mr. Mengchang raised his head, Mr. Pingyuan, who was dressed in casual clothes, was already standing in front of him with a smile.Mr. Mengchang suddenly smiled and said: "Ah, although Zhao wine is strong, it doesn't rise to the top. There is still one who is sober. Come, taste my Mengshan tea." Dadan, how can we enjoy the feast at midnight today?" Speaking of a skillful snap of his fingers, a black shadow flew up from downstairs, and two jars of Zhao wine were placed in front of Mr. Mengchang, but the black shadow disappeared Get out of nowhere! Mr. Pingyuan smiled and said: "It's more quiet, I don't want to make too much noise, Brother Tian forgive me. It's windy in the porch, so I went in and had a drink." Mr. Mengchang glanced at the doorman, and the doorman left without losing the opportunity.Entering the bedroom hall, Mr. Mengchang smiled slightly: "Mr. Pingyuan, you were so drunk just now that you passed out, but you woke up so quickly?" Mr. Pingyuan smiled slyly: "Brother Tian knows it well, it's a lie. It’s Zhang Yi’s.” Mr. Mengchang couldn’t help laughing: “You’re an axe, Zhang Yi is not Su Qin, so easy to deceive?” Mr. Pingyuan said: “It’s okay to be tricked, but I’ll find a reason to leave early. I have something to say to you.” Mr. Mengchang Smiling faintly: "Speak up if you have something to say, but I don't want to drink right now." "Okay!" Lord Pingyuan said solemnly, "There are two people Zhao Sheng admires the most. The first is Lord Xinling, and the second is Lord Mengchang. To you two, Zhao Sheng has never dared to speak falsely." "Huh? The detour is not small." Mr. Mengchang seemed very tired, sitting lazily on the carpet and leaning against the big case. "Brother Tian, ​​tell me, what is the greatest danger to Zhao Guo?" "Xiongnu, Donghu." "Wrong, Qin State!" "Qin State?" Jun Mengchang teased, "You just paid homage to the teacher, and you turned your face and didn't recognize anyone?" Mr. Pingyuan ignored Mr. Mengchang's teasing and ridicule, and stared straight at Mr. Mengchang: "Qin is ambitious and powerful, and takes the unification of the world as its mission. In the long run, Qin is a fatal threat to the six kingdoms of Shandong, especially Zhao. Threat. If you can’t identify your greatest enemy, you won’t find a way to save your country.” "Oh, I thought you had something to say? Isn't that what Su Qin Hezong said?" "Meng Changjun, Su Qin Hezong said so. But think about it carefully: which country has really accepted Su Qin's Qin threat theory? The reason why Hezong failed repeatedly is because the six countries did not really regard Qin as a long-term future. A deadly threat! Now that Zhao Guo is truly awake, can you say that this is just what Su Qin said?" Jun Mengchang's eyes suddenly brightened: "Mr. Pingyuan, you have made great progress." "Zhao Sheng dare not be greedy for merit, this is entirely Zhao Wang's idea." "You mean, King Zhao regards Qin as his real enemy?" "exactly." "Where? Does King Zhao have a great strategy?" "Twelve words: show weakness externally, work hard internally, reorganize armaments, and change the land system!" "The second reform?" Jun Mengchang suddenly stood up. Mr. Pingyuan nodded, and smiled confidently: "King Zhao wants me to tell Mr. Mengchang: Qi State is not an enemy of Zhao State. Zhao Guoqiang's troops pose no threat to Qi State. Zhao and Qi can only be friends!" Meng Changjun was silent.When Zhao Yong was the crown prince, he had already faintly felt that this person was by no means mediocre.But one year after he ascended the throne, Zhao Yong didn't see anything surprising, and the original Zhao Yong in Meng Changjun's heart gradually faded away.Although the changes he saw when he entered Handan for the first time reminded him of the heroic Zhao Yong, he didn't care when he thought that this might be just to please Zhang Yi.On the contrary, Mr. Pingyuan's flickering, which seemed to be trying to hide something, made him feel very uncomfortable. He felt that Zhao State had become elusive, and he seemed to be estranged from Qi State, an old friend. Now that he thought about it carefully, Everything is so clear and simple——Zhao Guo pretended to Qin Guo, but Qi Guo made friends sincerely! "Stupid! Really stupid!" Although suddenly enlightened, Mr. Mengchang still scolded himself severely. As an important minister of the Qi royal family, he has been famous all over the world after a long time of training, but he is not as good as a young man like Pingyuan. He was almost pulled over by Zhang Yi, and had a rift with Zhao Guosheng.But thinking about it carefully, Qin Guo still can't offend Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi still can't offend him, so he has to think of a way to turn around... When the cock crowed at five o'clock, Mr. Meng Chang had already made up his mind, and fell asleep as soon as his head fell. At three poles in the sun, Mr. Mengchang came to Pine Valley in a hurry.Zhang Yi was eating, and when he saw Mr. Meng Chang came in, he smiled: "Come on, sit down and eat first, how about Qin Yang stewed than Zhao Hu Yang?" Putting a plate of pancakes, she couldn't help laughing in surprise: "You know I'm coming?" Zhang Yi said with a smile: "Do you know what's the difference? Whether you eat or not is the rise and fall of your stomach." Mr. Meng Chang didn't eat, so he took his seat without hesitation Lifting the cauldron, Xilihulu drank a pot of thick and hot stewed mutton soup, sweating profusely and praised: "It's so delicious Qin mutton stew, it's best after drinking!" Zhang Yi also dropped the slender copper spoon and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Meng Changjun, I'm thinking of Linzi's fish and sheep soup." "That's good, I'll make you fish and sheep soup all day long when you arrive in Linzi." "How about going tomorrow?" "How so?" Meng Changjun's heart sank, but he laughed loudly on his face: "Brother Zhang, you are here to be a national teacher and teach others to reform. If you don't do one thing, you will run away?" "National teacher? Bird!" Zhang Yi scolded with a smile: "I was given a straw, and you expect Zhang Yi to be a crutch?" "How do you say that?" Meng Changjun looked confused: "Is Zhao Guo not polite enough?" "Suddenly, Mr. Meng Chang changed his temper. The cow dung wine in Handan is very powerful." Zhang Yi laughed and said, "However, Zhang Yi is still old-tempered, and he said frankly: It is true that Zhao State wants to reform. As for asking Qin State, It’s just a false story. Zhao Yong is amazing, with a respectful appearance, he openly advocated the reform. I ask you, even if you are jealous, you can’t attack the students during the student’s reform and attract the world’s fury, right? If you are soft, let the teacher set you up Put on the bridle, please don't open your mouth, Mr. Mengchang, compared to Chu State, compared to Qu Yuan, how brilliant is Zhao Yong?" "So, why don't you just do it?" Meng Changjun felt a chill go down his spine. "No. I want to do it, but I can't really do it." Zhang Yi smiled slyly: "You have to save face for Mr. Pingyuan, and you have to give me a chance to sneak in. I will stick to Handan, and I will feel uncomfortable. Brother Tian understands ?” Meng Changjun was really at a loss: "Brother Zhang, tell your heart: Zhao Guo's reform, Qin Guo is really optimistic about its success?" This is Zhang Yi, who is full of tricks but frank, shaking his head and laughing: "No, of course the Qin State does not want to see a powerful Zhao State standing by its side. Showed a kind of extraordinary confidence: to compete with the warring states of the world, to see who is stronger, to see who is stronger for a long time!" Zhang Yi stood up after taking a picture of the long case, stomping on the iron staff: "This is called Why? The plan is huge, and his heart must be firm. To tell the truth, Su Qin and Zhang Yi have the ability to vertically and horizontally, but they do not have such a solid ambition. It is Qin King's decision not to intervene in Zhao Guo's reform, not Zhang Yi's opinion." "King Qin?" Meng Changjun was confused again. "The reason is very simple: forceful intervention and conspiracy to interfere can only add fuel to the flames, making Zhao's government and people even more united in their hatred and reform; the best way is to strengthen themselves more solidly and prepare to accept a full-scale contest from a new opponent. If it’s a plan, let’s count it as a plan.” Jun Mengchang's eyes sparkled: "So, when other countries reform their laws, Qin will also use their tricks?" "Exactly!" Zhang Yi laughed: "Chu is going to reform, and Yan is also going to reform. Has Qin interfered? No. What Qin did was not to allow the six countries to attack Qin. Don't worry about Meng Changjun , Qi State can change the law as much as possible, Qin State will never do stupid things that backfire, and can only follow the plan." Meng Changjun was silent. Although he couldn't understand it for a while, the deep shock in his heart was real.He came to Songgu to bid farewell to Zhang Yi. He wanted to return to Linzi as soon as possible, report Zhao's intentions to King Qi, and urge Qi to cheer up.In his view, this kind of thinking cannot be told to Zhang Yiming, he can only find a reason to leave.But what Zhang Yi said just now, actually confessed the truth, and revealed Qin's "big conspiracy", which immediately made him feel that his plan was so small and wretched that he dismissed it.Even so, Mr. Mengchang is wise and capable after all, he stood up and bowed to Zhang Yi: "Brother Zhang's words, Tian Wen touched a lot, let me explain in detail in the future. If it is convenient for Brother Zhang, how about going to Qi with me? " "Okay!" Zhang Yi stomped his iron staff: "I just want to catch up with Su Qin and ask him, did he know in advance that Qu Yuan would kill me?" Meng Changjun laughed loudly: "You are already the prime minister, and you still hold grudges like a child?" "One thing ruined the sanctity in your heart, can you not remember it?" Zhang Yi didn't smile at all. "Okay, okay, forget it." Meng Changjun coaxed a child to laugh: "Su Qin and Zhang Yi pinched it, it must be lively." Zhang Yi smiled coldly: "It's just as exciting as you watch."