Qin Shi: I only work eight hours

Chapter 267 Zhao State Forced to Ceded Cities to Sue for Peace
"Why?"

King Zhao Yan frowned.

There are two reasons.

"First, the fall of Ye City, Anyang and other places was due to Hu Zhe's carelessness."

"The Qin army is currently in high spirits. Our army should avoid their sharp edge and wait for another opportunity to fight."

"Secondly, General Li Mu is stationed at the northern border. If we transfer him here to reinforce the north now, what if the wolf tribe takes the opportunity to invade the south?"

Guo Kai explained.

There are two reasons why he disagreed with Li Mu returning to provide assistance.

First, he accepted money from Yao Jia. Although he was greedy, he would do things once he received money!

Secondly, he was at odds with Li Mu. Li Mu had advised King Yan of Zhao to demote him to a commoner or even exile him, saying that he was a treacherous minister. Li Mu was well-versed in military strategy. If Li Mu returned to the aid, defeated the Qin army, and took back the lost cities of Ye and Anyang, he would surely be promoted and ennobled. If Li Mu were to be ennobled as a marquis, would Guo Kai still have a way out?

"What Guo Aiqing said makes sense."

King Zhao Yan nodded and sighed.

Guo Kai was a favorite minister of King Zhao Yan. When the ministers saw that King Zhao Yan had no intention of recalling Li Mu to provide assistance, they all stood up to express their second opinion.

"But what if we don't recall General Li to reinforce us, and the Qin army approaches Handan? What will we do then?"

King Zhao Yan asked.

He doesn't want to become the second Han Wang'an!
"Your Majesty, do not worry!"

"The walls of Handan are several tens of feet high. Let alone hundreds of thousands of Qin troops, even if the tyrannical Qin army were to send out its entire force, it would not be able to break through Handan!"

Guo Kai replied without hesitation.

He displayed an upright character, much like a trusted minister of the Zhao state.

After he finished speaking, he gave a wink to Crown Prince Zhao Qian, with whom he had a very good personal relationship.

After receiving a signal with his eyes, Zhao Qian immediately stepped forward.

"Father."

"Your Majesty, I believe that the tyrannical Qin will not continue its siege."

Zhao Qian said.

"Why?"

King Yan of Zhao looked puzzled.

"Because the tyrannical Qin dynasty was incapable of continuing its sieges."

"The fall of Ye City, Anyang and other places was due to Hu Zhe's carelessness."

"If General Hu Zhe is not careful, will Ye City and Anyang City fall?"

"The same logic applies to the fall of Liaoyang and other places. General Pang Nuan had defended the area very well, and the two sides were evenly matched. However, after General Hu Zhe was killed, the Qin generals rushed to Liaoyang and other places to reinforce them, which forced General Pang Nuan to retreat again and again!"

"How could the Qin dynasty, with its mere hundred thousand soldiers, possibly swallow up my entire Zhao state?"

"The capture of Ye City, Anyang, and other cities is the limit for the Qin army!"

Zhao Qian replied.

Upon hearing this, King Yan of Zhao rubbed his fingers and fell into deep thought.

Qian'er's words were not without reason. Although the Qin army's sword was aimed directly at Handan, they did not pursue their victory after capturing Liaoyang and other places.

Don’t dare or can’t?
It seems they neither dare nor can!

How could my great Zhao be compared to the weak Han?
General Pang Nuan is old but still vigorous, and he is no less capable than Wang Jian!
The reason he lost cities like Liaoyang was because he was tricked by Hu Zhe!
"Father!"

"Your subject believes that not an inch of land of our Great Zhao should be lost!"

"Your subject is willing to go to the northern border with General Sima Shang to replace General Li Mu in order to prevent the wolf tribe from invading the south."

"General Li Mu is a brilliant strategist. With him leading the troops, it should take at most six months to retake Ye City and Anyang!"

The former crown prince, Zhao Jia, offered his advice.

"This humble general is willing to go to the northern border with Young Master Jia to replace General Li Mu!"

Sima Shang followed closely behind.

In fact, he had no personal relationship with Zhao Jia, but both of them were staunch advocates of war and were unwilling to hand over Yecheng and other places to others!

Upon hearing this, King Yan of Zhao wavered somewhat.

Sending Jia'er and Sima Shang to the northern border to replace Li Mu, with Li Mu leading the troops to defend against Qin, is indeed a good choice.

Upon seeing this, Guo Kai immediately stepped forward and said that this would not work; they should avoid direct confrontation and wait for another opportunity to fight.

Zhao Jia said they couldn't wait, otherwise the tyrannical Qin would take advantage of the situation.

The two sides were arguing fiercely.

"Is this a tavern?"

After a short while, King Zhao Yan saw that the argument was getting more and more heated and became furious.

Upon hearing this, Guo Kai immediately shut his mouth.

Zhao Jia wanted to argue further, but Sima Shang stopped him.

"This is a matter of great importance; let me consider it."

"You all go down."

"Guo Aiqing and Qian'er, please stay."

King Zhao Yan put on a stern face. Upon hearing this, Zhao Jia sighed helplessly, then turned and left.

If the king favors sycophants and alienates virtuous ministers, how can the Great Zhao not perish?

Guo Kai's greed for money is common knowledge!
He told King Yan of Zhao about this many times, but at first King Yan did not believe him.

Later, he gave all the witnesses and evidence to King Zhao Yan. When King Zhao Yan saw it, he not only did not punish Guo Kai severely, but also smiled and said that Guo Kai's salary was not high, so it was normal for him to embezzle some money. No one is perfect.
……

Half an hour later.

At the urging of Guo Kai and Zhao Qian, King Yan of Zhao agreed to cede cities in exchange for peace.

Since Ye City, Anyang and other places have already been captured by the Qin army, we might as well cede them to the Qin state to avoid their sharp edge.

As the saying goes, if the name is not correct, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, things will not be accomplished.

If Ying Zheng accepts, the Qin state will be unable to continue its military campaign against Zhao.

The territory of the Great Zhao is vast, far surpassing that of the weak Han. What are a few cities to the Great Zhao?
If the king so desires, he can conquer even more cities from Yan or Wei next year!
……

Seven days later.

Xianyang, Qin State.

Ying Zheng received a letter from King Yan of Zhao.

Upon reading the letter, Ying Zheng was overjoyed and replied to King Yan of Zhao, agreeing to Zhao's offer to cede cities in exchange for peace.

After the messenger had gone far away, Ying Zheng had Xu Lin brought to him.

He received letters from Wang Jian, Huan Yi, and Yang Duanhe last night. All three of them said that Xu Lin deserved great credit for the smooth progress of the battle!
Before long, Xu Lin arrived at Zhangtai Palace.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Xu Lin bowed with his hands clasped.

"No gift."

Ying Zheng waved his hand.

Then he handed the letter from Wang Jian and the others to Xu Lin.

"Tell me, how should I reward you?"

Ying Zheng asked loudly.

After he finished speaking, he personally poured Xu Lin a bowl of tea.

"This is what I should do."

Xu Lin smiled.

Then he took the tea bowl and took a sip of tea.

"I have heard that you have more and more beauties in your household, sir."

"In that case, I'll reward you with ten thousand gold pieces."

Ying Zheng said as he thought.

Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Xu Lin gladly agreed.

After receiving the order, Xu Lin did not leave, but stepped forward and told Ying Zheng that Li Mu was the most skilled military strategist in Zhao.

Hu Zhe was hardly a famous general, and Pang Nuan was already old. The strongest general in Zhao at present was none other than Li Mu!
"I understand."

After listening, Ying Zheng nodded with a calm expression.

Then he wrote a letter to Wang Jian, Huan Yi, and others, telling them not to be arrogant on the front lines, that the Zhao state was not that weak, and to be careful if they were to face Li Mu.

Xu Lin then bowed and withdrew.

Zhao Gao followed closely behind and delivered 10,000 gold coins to the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

……

After a stick of incense.

Zhao Gao had the money left and then left the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Xu Lin then distributed the money to Yingge, Liji, and others, giving each of them five hundred gold coins, and the rest to Jingni.

The reason Jingni was put in charge of the money was because she not only arrived early, but also never spent money recklessly, was broad-minded, and even gave birth to Yingtao for Xu Lin.

Yingge wanted to refuse, saying she didn't need the money, but Xu Lin disagreed.

Parrot, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, had no choice but to accept it.

……

After a cup of tea.

Li Ji and Ying Ge left the Imperial Preceptor's residence together.

Summer is almost here, time to buy new clothes.

"It is said that the reason why the war against Zhao went so smoothly was because of your strategy."

"I never imagined you were such a brilliant strategist!"

As Yingge walked, she sighed with emotion.

Before this, she didn't believe that anyone could be perfect in every aspect.

"So you've fallen for him?"

The slender and graceful Li Ji smiled and asked.

(End of this chapter)