People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

After listening to Cao Ze's words, Zhao Yan cursed three times in a row.

Guo Kai was taken aback and looked at Cao Ze with some surprise. He hadn't expected him to be so talented. No wonder Zhao Jia had personally recruited him.

However, the current situation is not a good sign.

He simply put Cao Ze into officialdom so that he could be easily manipulated and so that Zhao Qian could appease him.

If Cao Ze were to gain Zhao Yan's favor, wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

"Go on!" Zhao Yan was full of energy, as if he had been given a second spring.

"The people of Qi never bribed Qin, yet they still perished along with the other five states. Why? Because they allied with Qin and did not aid the other five states."

"The ruler of Zhao initially possessed far-sighted strategies, was able to defend his territory, and refused to bribe Qin. He fought Qin five times, suffering two defeats and winning three. However, if Zhao were to be in a situation where Qin was about to completely destroy it, it would surely be isolated and vulnerable. Defeat and death would be truly unavoidable."

"If each state had cherished its own territory, if the people of Qi had not allied with Qin, and if the good generals were still alive, then the outcome of the battle and the reasons for survival would have been much easier to predict when compared with Qin."

"Alas! If we use the land we have bribed Qin to reward the strategists of the world, and treat the extraordinary talents of the world with the same respect we have shown Qin, and then join forces to march westward, I fear the Qin people will find it impossible to swallow our food!"

After Cao Ze finished reciting the revised version of the Six States Theory, he fell silent.

The viewpoint of the "Theory of Six States" is very one-sided, but the timing is right.

The alliance between the states failed because they were not of one mind; the states of Han, Chu, and Wei lost territory and showed no backbone.

"What about the State of Yan?"

When Zhao Yan saw that Cao Ze had mentioned Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, and Qi, but had omitted Yan, he quickly asked about it.

"A small country like Yan'er is not worth mentioning."

Cao Ze knew that the State of Zhao looked down on the State of Yan, which had stabbed him in the back, so he casually made up a humiliating remark about Yan.

Anyway, there were plenty of humiliating laws like the one about imitating others' gait during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, so one more won't make a difference.

"Haha, what a tiny, insignificant country! It's truly not worth scheming against!"

Zhao Yan was overjoyed. Although he knew that Cao Ze's words were somewhat untenable, he couldn't help but like them.

If the State of Zhao was truly destroyed by the State of Qin, it was purely because it was betrayed by other states that bribed Qin, and it was definitely not Zhao's fault.

Just like this alliance against Qin!

They had already reached Zuicheng, and were just a hair's breadth away from capturing Ying Zheng and Zhao Ji alive.

If Chu hadn't suffered losses and fled first, followed closely by Yan, Wei, and Han, why would Qin have been able to rush to the aid of Xianyang and Zuicheng so quickly?

The states of Han, Yan, Wei, and Chu were more than capable of causing trouble than achieving anything!

"Sir, your theory on the six states is insightful and to the point, which pleases me greatly. You are indeed as the Prime Minister said, a man of great talent! You are very much to my liking!"

Many military generals secretly admired Cao Ze for his exceptional abilities.

Although the arguments presented are somewhat biased, it is still a fine piece of military theory.

As for the civil officials who knew nothing about military affairs, they all looked on with admiration.

With such excellent eloquence, such a keen understanding of the emperor's intentions, and such military acumen, he is definitely the makings of a prime minister!

Guo Kai realized something was wrong; he was trying to undermine Cao Ze, not to help him rise to prominence.

What's the point of all this showing off? Is he trying to replace him as the new Prime Minister of Zhao?

This utterly nonsensical theory of the six states must be refuted!

Let Zhao Yan know that he is the truly great and capable minister who makes the State of Zhao great!

He is none other than the Grand Chancellor Guo of the Great Zhao Dynasty!

Chapter 56 The Wise Guo Kai, the Dignified and Passionate Queen

Cao Ze relaxed; just as he had expected.

For Zhao Yan, ceding territory was out of the question; the State of Zhao would never be enslaved!

Although the theory of the six states was used, it is necessary to criticize the Qin state.

But he wasn't worried that the Qin state would hold a grudge against him because of this.

On the contrary, the better he performed in the Zhao state, the higher his value in the united front.

Do you not see Gongsun Yan, the teacher of Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang? He served in the state of Wei, became a general in Qin, then a minister of Wei, and after the five states became kings, he went to Han to become the prime minister of Han. Finally, he returned to his hometown of Wei and served as a general for a while before retiring in Yunmengze.

The court officials began to discuss the matter extensively, and many could see that the flaws in this theory of the six states were extremely obvious.

But it fits the current situation perfectly, like using a specific example to illustrate a broader point, and also has a sense of grasping the essentials.

Many officials have already begun writing down words and phrases on their tablets, preparing to study them carefully.

Seeing that Zhao Yan was overjoyed and about to say something, Guo Kai, who had already prepared his speech, was about to open his mouth and show off his amazing skills.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Cao Ze's theory on the six states is indeed brilliant. However, since the six states have not been destroyed, it is all just empty talk."

“Back then, Zhi Yao of the Zhi clan of Jin installed Ji Jiao as the ruler of the state. He supported the ruler in managing state affairs and ordered the three families of Han, Zhao and Wei to demand land and people from Han and Wei. Han and Wei plotted against this and sent people and land to the Zhi clan, which made the Zhi clan greedy and then attacked our Zhao.”

"Then, our ancestor Zhao Xiangzi used the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold' to persuade Han and Wei to attack and destroy the Zhi clan."

"Was the Zhi clan of yesteryear not like the Qin state of today?"

Upon hearing Guo Kai's words, Zhao Yan's smile gradually faded. He suddenly realized that the current situation was indeed very similar to that of the Zhao family back then. Could this be his ancestor reminding him?

"The Prime Minister's words are reasonable."

When Cao Ze heard Guo Kai mention Zhao Xiangzi Zhao Wuxu, he secretly shook his head. This man was a famous figure, and could be considered the originator of the Feast at Hongmen.

Historical records state that after his father died, this man took advantage of the grand funeral to invite his brother-in-law, the ruler of the State of Dai, to the capital, then killed him and seized the State of Dai, which is now the territory of the State of Zhao.

Guo Kai got excited and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Cao Ze's theory of the Six States has not yet come to fruition, but the events of our ancestors are still fresh in our minds."

"Why not wait until Han, Wei, and Chu cede territory to Qin, let Qin's greed swell and make it lose its mind, leading to its impending doom, and then form an alliance? In this way, with everyone of one mind, we can do the same thing our ancestors did to destroy the Zhi clan."

Cao Ze silently gave a thumbs up to the brilliant and wise Prime Minister Guo; this was a man who wanted to take on extreme challenges.

He suddenly realized that there was a reason why Qin would forcefully push Zhao after conquering Han.

Zhao Yan thought it was very good, but also felt it wasn't quite so good.

The Qin state was not ruled by the Zhi clan.

Furthermore, this is like walking a tightrope; no one would want to take this step until the very end.

The more Zhao Yan thought about it, the more his head ached, and his body started acting up again, making him feel quite tired.

Finally, he said, "Han Cang, write down Mr. Cao Ze's 'On the Six States,' make a hundred copies, and let the court officials read them."

"I want to tell the Qin state that if they dare to attack my Great Zhao, the men of my Great Zhao will fight to the death! We will never be like Han, Wei, and Chu, ceding territory to make peace!"

"Court adjourned!"

Guo Kai saw that Zhao Yan had not bestowed any official position or wealth upon Cao Ze, and left the court immediately.

He smiled smugly to himself, realizing he had ruined Cao Ze's good deed.

Cao Ze didn't care. After learning that Guo Kai had recommended him, he gave up the idea of ​​becoming an official in Zhao. As long as he could make a name for himself, that was enough.

I believe that what happened in the court today will spread throughout Handan City in a few days, and in a few months, those in the seven kingdoms who are well-informed should know about it.

In any case, the alliance had just ended when he declared that the six states had perished together and proceeded to provide his arguments.

This is absolutely one of a kind for Scorpion Poop.

In addition, the writing is fluent, easy to understand, catchy, and full of gimmicks, which Zhao Yan helped to make...

If this can't spread, then he'll think of other "crooked ways" to spread the word.

He has a slight understanding of the tricks of self-media.

Outside the Dragon Terrace Palace.

Guo Kai deliberately delayed his departure, waiting for Cao Ze to pass by. Guo Kai then earnestly said, "Sir, you are indeed a man of great talent. Today, His Majesty is unwell. I will introduce you to him again another day."

Cao Ze revealed an honest man's smile: "Thank you for your kind words, Your Excellency. Today, Your Excellency has used the past as a mirror and compared the Zhi clan to Qin, which makes me feel ashamed of my inferiority."

Seeing Cao Ze's honest and unassuming demeanor, Guo Kai guessed that the boy seemed unaware that he was plotting against him.

Guo Kai was about to chat with Cao Ze for a few more minutes when a dignified and graceful woman walked over.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Guo Kai quickly bowed to the Empress.

Cao Ze bowed to Guo Kai and then secretly began to sized up the man.

Unlike the slender and graceful figure of a young girl, she was born beautiful and voluptuous, a natural beauty.

Regardless of whether Zhao Yan was so infatuated with a singer and dancer that he married her and, before the new year, defied public opinion to make her his queen.

He didn't even need to look closely or think carefully to tell that the Empress was absolutely passionate and unrestrained in bed.

Commonly known as someone who's outgoing and enjoys life.

"Guo Kai, come with me for a moment."

She had a straight, high nose bridge, snow-white skin, and deep-set eyes that held two pools of water that seemed to be about to tell a story or cry. With just a soft voice, she revealed a clear and bright voice, and if she were to sing a song, it would surely be melodious and moving.

"Yes."

Guo Kai respectfully agreed.

Even though the singer was someone he found for Zhao Yan back then, over the years they had formed a community of shared interests. The singer had also contributed to his success in becoming prime minister and preventing him from being overthrown by Han Cang.

Just as Chang Hou was about to turn and leave, her gaze involuntarily lingered on Cao Ze.

What a handsome man.

The woman's heart skipped a beat, and a smile appeared on her face. "And who is this?"

Cao Ze was about to introduce himself when Guo Kai beat him to it.

"He is Cao Ze, a talented man whom I have just recommended to Your Majesty."

"Really?"

The woman's smile became even brighter, and her interest in Cao Ze grew even stronger.

She likes men who are handsome, talented, young, and strong the most.