Chapter 010: The Marquis of Yan, Fan Ju
Their family has two sons, both of whom are currently in Danhe. Zhao Kuo has known these two since childhood and considers them friends. Neither of them has encountered any trouble, and the family letter only instructed the two elderly people to take good care of their health, also expressing their longing for them. Zhao Kuo felt a sense of relief. The two elderly people listened attentively; Ping Gong smiled happily, while Yi Ao kept wiping away her tears.
Yu Qing
If you want to start a family, someone must first find you appealing
However, when the guards of the palace arrived before King Zhao, he hesitated to give the order, his expression changing repeatedly. After a long pause, he finally sighed and said: "The reason why Yu Qing said that is also because of the Zhao State." He looked at Zhao Bao beside him and said: "Yu Qing's words are indeed reasonable. I must send envoys to the Qin State, and I will also send envoys to the surrounding countries in the same manner."
I am sorry, but I am just an ordinary person without any abilities
Fan Ju shook his head and said, "Your Majesty is mistaken. This is not the time to defeat the State of Zhao; it is the time to annihilate it. Therefore, I request that Your Majesty write a letter to General Wang He, instructing him to cease the continued attacks on the Zhao people, and to send someone to welcome Zheng Zhu, escorting him all the way to Your Majesty's side. I ask that Your Majesty treat Zheng Zhu with the respect due to a talented individual, issuing orders that no one is to insult or harm him, and that all Qin people should show him respect."
The King of Qin was greatly surprised, and he solemnly said: "I have also seen Zheng Zhu, and he does not possess the talents you speak of regarding Fan Shu, nor is he worthy of such a reception." Fan Ju stroked his beard and smiled as he said: "Your Majesty should not say that. If Your Majesty wishes to defeat the State of Zhao, it is essential to show importance to Zheng Zhu and to express the desire to end the war."
After Zhao Kuo finished reading, Duke Ping cautiously put away the bamboo slips. After expressing his gratitude repeatedly, he was about to leave. Duke Ping reached out his hand, holding his blind wife, and the two walked towards their courtyard, chatting and laughing. Zhao Kuo watched them leave, feeling inexplicably envious. Even Di, who was beside him, revealed a knowing smile and said to Zhao Kuo: "Young Master, I also wish to start a family."
At an unknown time, Di walked in and said to Zhao Kuo, "Young Master, the Ping Gong from next door has come to pay a visit." Zhao Kuo was taken aback and replied, "Why are you stopping him? Let him come in directly." Zhao Kuo took a few steps to the door. In this era, the relationships between neighbors were still very good. This Ping Gong from next door was a close friend of his father, Zhao She. Ping Gong's wife, Yi Ao, would occasionally come to visit Zhao's mother. They both came from a small village called Lie and had a very close relationship.
The Marquis of Ying, Fan Ju, was seated right in front of him. The Marquis of Ying was likely the most trusted minister of King Qin and also his most favored confidant. Upon hearing the king's inquiry, Fan Ju smiled and said, "I believe this is a good thing"
King Zhao was truly enraged, and he said angrily: "I have heard that in the State of Qin, those who speak disrespectfully during wartime and disrupt the resolve of their own troops are put to death!" Yu Qing shook his head and replied: "If Your Majesty had early on emulated the State of Qin and implemented laws similar to theirs, we would not be facing such a situation today." After saying this, he disregarded the astonished faces of those present and turned to leave.
... ...
When he reached the door, it was not only Lord Ping who stood there, but also his wife, Lady Yi. In Zhao Kuo's eyes, these two elderly people had a strong resemblance as a couple; they were equally kind, and when they smiled, their eyes would squint, giving a warm and friendly impression. Zhao Kuo hurriedly paid his respects to Lord Ping and then greeted Lady Yi. Upon hearing Zhao Kuo's voice, Lady Yi was very happy; she had lost her sight a few years ago and could no longer see anything.
The State of Zhao is a great nation, with cities reaching a thousand zhang and countless towns. To conquer Zhao is not a simple matter. The entire responsibility for breaking Zhao lies with Zheng Zhu. Fan Ju said, then stood up and continued, "I request that Your Majesty follow my strategy, order Wang He to cease his attack, and send someone with a carriage to respectfully welcome Zheng Zhu to the palace."
Fan Ju shook his head and said, "No, this is something that must be made known to others. I implore the king to heed my strategy"
Faced with such rude behavior, King Zhao was furious, his face flushed with anger, and he shouted, "Where are the palace warriors?!"
If the strategy fails, please punish me, Your Majesty
... ...
Zhao Bao leaned down and said: "Among my retainers, there are quite a few who are eloquent and skilled in debate; they can persuade others with their words. I request that a few of them be dispatched to various states to seek their assistance"
I will issue an order to cease the attack on the State of Zhao, and I will also treat Zheng Zhu with respect. However, I do not wish for this matter to be seen by others, as I fear that such actions may undermine the soldiers' desire to fight and weaken their determination to conquer the State of Zhao
Kneeling in the room, holding a bamboo slip, Zhao Kuo earnestly began to read these military strategies. It seemed that his previous self had already perused these texts countless times, as Zhao Kuo found that he could even recite the contents fluently without any hesitation. "With an army of 100,000 or 200,000, one can conquer the world." Before he could read the next line, the content of the following line had already surfaced in Zhao Kuo's mind, and he helplessly set down the bamboo slip in his hand
Since Yan Jun went to Mafu Mountain, Duke Ping and the old woman have not visited. Could it be that they are afraid I am too young and do not understand the etiquette of receiving guests? Zhao Kuo asked with a smile. Duke Ping, still leaning on his mulberry wood staff, replied, "I am merely concerned about disturbing your studies." Zhao Kuo invited them to sit down. In this era, when guests visit, there are not as many complicated rituals as there would be later; it is sufficient to invite the guests to sit down without needing to prepare food and drink for them.
Zhao Kuo stepped out of the room, standing at the doorway, silently gazing into the distance
King Qin no longer hesitated and resolutely said, "Let us proceed according to your wishes, Fan Shu."
Please inform me when she arrives," the lady Yi instructed. Zhao Kuo agreed. Speaking of which, the surnames during the Warring States period were indeed quite peculiar. For instance, this lady Yi does not have the surname Yi, nor does she have a clan name; rather, it is the surname of her husband, Duke Ping.
The young soldier within Handan City, whom Zhao Kuo could not forget for a long time, was inadvertently elevated by the Qin people to become the hope of the Zhao people. Those adoring and reverent gazes felt exceedingly piercing to Zhao Kuo, who dared not meet them, for he alone knew that he was not Tian Dan of Zhao, he could not be the savior, and instead, he would bring harm to the hundreds of thousands of Zhao people who trusted him. He was unworthy of such respect and trust.
The ruler said, "I have heard that the people of Zhao wish to negotiate peace and intend to send Zheng Zhu to Qin. What does Fan Shu think of this matter?" The King of Qin, for his part, is arguably the oldest among all the current monarchs, having reached the age of sixty-six. However, he does not appear to show any signs of aging. He has a robust physique; even though he has lost some weight in his old age, he still looks very strong. He sports a long beard, which adds to his imposing presence.
After Zhao Kuo agreed to the old lady, Duke Ping finally revealed the reason for his visit. Duke Ping said: "I am getting old, and my eyesight is very blurry, so I would like to ask for your help in telling us the contents of this family letter." Duke Ping handed a bamboo slip with opened ink paste to Zhao Kuo. This small matter, of course, Zhao Kuo would not refuse; he picked up the family letter and began to read it for the two of them.
Since the trip to Handan, for some unknown reason, the retainers have felt that their young master has undergone some changes. The young master has even started to read again. Ever since the assassination incident, Zhao Kuo had not touched any books for a long time. Everyone was very surprised, as this young man, known for his love of reading, would read anything, but his greatest passion was for military strategy, most of which were left to him by Zhao She.
In seven or eight days, I will be back
When is your mother coming back?" asked Yi'ao
The King of Qin said helplessly: "I can agree to Fan Shu, but I also have my own demands"
Uncle Fan once taught me to connect with distant countries and attack neighboring ones. Now is precisely the time to defeat the State of Zhao and acquire a vast amount of land. How can we accept the peace negotiations from Zhao?" The King of Qin asked with some confusion