The strongest Marquis in history

"Of course the most important thing is that even if we have a group of strength, the problem is that Wang Qi's strength is too strong."

Linghu Qianli said: "Compared with Qi, we are too weak now."

Concubine Li said: "The Black Dragon Terrace is making trouble in the back of Qi State, so it won't work?"

Linghu Qianli said: "Heilongtai's actions in Qi State are being targeted everywhere. If it shows up, it will be uprooted. Qi State's intelligence bureau is extremely powerful. According to the original plan, it will target Qi State officials, etc. , the plans all failed one by one. Even if there is a little effect, our overall loss is incalculable."

Concubine Li frowned suddenly, feeling helpless in her heart. She planned for half her life and had been carefully living in the harem, planning the layout. She finally had everything she had now, but she was in trouble.

Not long after, there was a sound of footsteps, but it was Li Hongzhong who entered.

Today's Li Hongzhong is even older. After all, the government affairs of the court are almost all on him.Under such pressure, Da Zhou was getting worse and worse, and the outside situation was getting worse day by day, and Li Hongzhong didn't know how to deal with it.

After Li Hongzhong stood still, he bowed and said, "Old minister, I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Queen Mother."

"Mr. Li is exempt."

Zhao Gan was given a seat, and straight to the point he talked about the wars between Wei and Chu, Cao Xuan's visit to Guanzhong, and Xu Huanshan's defeat. After everything was finished, Zhao Gan said: "Mr. The solution?"

In Li Hongzhong's slightly cloudy eyes, there was a touch of helplessness in them.Immediately he cheered up and said, "Your Majesty, under the current situation, it is already unstoppable."

"In terms of strength, the current strength of our Great Zhou is actually inferior to that of Chu and Wei, and even both Chu and Wei have many great masters sitting in their command. But the two countries are now defeated. "

"At this moment, we want to hold on, but we can't do it at all."

Li Hongzhong said: "Your Majesty, the veteran is incompetent and cannot think of a solution."

Zhao Qiandao: "Li Gong, is there really no other way?"

Li Hongzhong was silent for a while, and then slowly said: "The only thing we can do now, the old minister is bold and straightforward, ask Wang Qi for peace, and divide the land to rule. The area to the east of Guanzhong, which belongs to Wei State and Chu State, should be included in Wang Qi's Qi State .The Great Zhou Dynasty and the Qi State coexist, besides allowing the Qi State to stand on its own and allowing Wang Qi to become emperor. This is the only way.”

"Absolutely impossible!"

Zhao Gan flicked his sleeve and answered decisively.

Allowing Wang Qi to proclaim himself emperor is tantamount to saying that if Wang Qi's status is recognized, even the strength of Great Zhou will be reduced like never before.

This is what Zhao Qian didn't want.

Li Hongzhong said: "Your Majesty is unwilling, so you can only fight to the death. Everything, do your best and obey the destiny."

Concubine Li said in a deep voice: "Shang Shuling, you will arrange the peace request yourself. The only person you can trust in the court is Shang Shuling, so you should go to this matter yourself."

"The conditions for Aijia are very simple. Wang Qi stopped outside Hulao Pass and never entered the Sili area in Guanzhong. Since then, Qi State and Great Zhou Dynasty have coexisted."

"Wang Qi's any conditions are fine. Even the imperial court is willing to send the princess to get married, so as to protect the friendship between the two countries."

Concubine Li said: "Shang Shuling, Aijia allows you to make the decision. As long as the final result is reached, Wang Qi will stop the war and stop attacking Dazhou."

Li Hongzhong opened his mouth, he wanted to refuse, but Li Hongzhong understood Concubine Li's methods.This woman is vicious and vicious, and she is not someone who is easy to deal with.

He had no choice.

Li Hongzhong said: "The Empress Dowager ordered that the old minister set off to meet Wang Qi."

Concubine Li said: "Shang Shu Ling go to prepare, well, Shang Shu Ling is old after all, pay attention to your body. In addition, in order to consider the safety of Shang Shu Ling, the Ai family asked the governor to arrange someone to escort you there."

A trace of coldness flashed across Li Hongzhong's eyes.

Concubine Li is a woman.

It was because he didn't trust him that he arranged for someone to supervise and stare at him deliberately.

Li Hongzhong didn't like it, but his face covered with wrinkles and even age spots was calm, without any waves, he said: "The empress dowager is benevolent, and the old minister is very grateful."

Concubine Li waved her hand and said, "Shang Shuling, let's go back and prepare."

"Old minister retire!"

Li Hongzhong got up and stepped back.

In the main hall, only Concubine Li, Zhao Gan and Linghu Qianli were left. Concubine Li looked at Linghu Qianli and said, "Governor, this is a time of crisis. Even the court officials may have people's hearts fluttering. "

"The people under your command must keep a close eye on the situation in the court, and there must be no trouble. If there are courtiers with two hearts, Aijia promises you to kill first and then play."

"Those who want to betray Da Zhou can be killed first."

There was a murderous intent in Li Fei's words.

Although she is a woman, she has always acted vigorously and fiercely.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Linghu Qianli clasped his fists in response.

Zhao Gan said slowly: "Queen, what if Wang Qi still disagrees to seek peace?"

Concubine Li said: "If Wang Qi does not agree to seek peace, in the end we can only fight or retreat. At present, we can only do our best to resist, because this is the last way. Wang Qi occupies most of the world, and we It can't stop Wang Qi's strength. So right now, even if the tiger prison is locked up, there is no need to send troops to guard it. Even if it can't be stopped, how can it be resisted."

Zhao Gan nodded, looking gloomy, he is really a bad emperor.

Linghu Qianli didn't linger any longer, got up and left.As soon as he walked out, he caught up with Li Hongzhong who was slowly leaving. He stepped forward and said, "Shang Shu Ling."

Li Hongzhong said: "What advice does the governor have for you?"

Linghu Qianli looked respectful, and said: "Shang Shuling Zhesha Bendu, in front of you, I am just a junior. I want to ask, Shang Shuling's judgment on this mission? Can it be successful?"

Li Hongzhong said: "It's hard to say, does the governor have other things?"

Linghu Qianli said: "It's gone!"

"Farewell!"

Li Hongzhong said, then bent his back again, and left slowly.After leaving the palace, he took a carriage back home.Li Hongzhong did not leave immediately, but sat in the study for a while, thinking about the mission, and then ordered the housekeeper to prepare the carriage.

Li Hongzhong was about to leave.

"Boom! Boom!"

A knock on the door sounded from outside the room.

A young man twenty years away entered, and the young man stood still and said, "Grandson pays respects to grandfather!"

The visitor's name was Li Yannian, the grandson of Li Hongzhong.

Li Hongzhong had many heirs, but the child he admired the most was Li Yannian, the grandson from the third family.It's just that Li Yannian is too ordinary compared to a monstrous talent like Wang Qi.

Because of the same era as Wang Qi, Li Yannian's glory was almost suppressed.Moreover, in Chang'an, because of Li Hongzhong's suppression, Li Yannian has no reputation and is unknown for the time being.

Li Hongzhong said: "What's the matter?"

Li Yannian said: "Grandson heard that Wei and Chu have been defeated one after another. Grandfather, what is the court going to do now?"

Li Hongzhong said: "What else can I do? Naturally, I will try my best to keep Da Zhou."

Li Yannian shook his head and said, "Grandfather, the current situation has made it clear that everyone can clearly understand that the decline of the Great Zhou Dynasty cannot stop the army of Qi State. If so, our Li family should also change."

Li Hongzhong stroked the gray beard under his chin and asked, "What do you think should be done?"

Li Yannian said: "Naturally, I contacted Qi State early. My grandfather was the Minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and he was the elder of the three dynasties. He had a very high influence in the officialdom of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Development, that will be of great help. That being the case, why not arrange a retreat in advance?"

Li Hongzhong said: "Although you are smart, you still haven't seen it through."

Li Yannian said: "Grandpa please enlighten me."

Li Hongzhong said in a deep voice: "Now in the Great Zhou, the old man is an extremely human minister, with one person under ten thousand. With this status, it is impossible to make any progress."

"Now that we are in contact with the Qi State, it is tantamount to surrendering our status. The old man has full influence in the Great Zhou Dynasty and is the pillar of the entire Great Zhou officialdom."

"If we persevere until the Qi State really destroys the Great Zhou, can we avoid this old man if we want to recruit the officials of the Great Zhou? So now we don't need both ends."

"It's exactly like this. At this critical moment, the old man took the initiative to think about Da Zhou, and it showed more and more the center of my Li family. Loyalty is something that people like in any place."

"Of course, there is another reason. The people in the Black Dragon Terrace are fully mobilized. If there is a slight change at this time, then the Li family may be wiped out by the Black Dragon Terrace, so we can't act rashly."

Li Hongzhong said: "Therefore, there is no need for us to contact Qi. If we want to contact, it is not now."

Li Yannian looked thoughtful.

Li Hongzhong's words immediately made his original consideration useless, and he also agreed with Li Hongzhong's analysis.

It's really clever.

Li Yannian said: "The grandson understands what the grandfather said."

Li Hongzhong waved his hand and said: "Go and tidy up, the old man is going to the direction of Chu State, to see King Qi. If you have nothing to do, follow the old man to see the world."

"Yes!"

Li Yannian replied immediately.

He turned around and left to prepare for the mission.

Li Hongzhong prepared slowly, waited out of the prime minister's mansion, and when Li Yannian came out, he set off in a carriage.

Chapter 770 Refusal to Sue

Going all the way east, the speed of the carriage is faster.After entering June, Li Hongzhong had already left Hulao Pass, so he continued to head south.However, Li Hongzhong didn't go far, about [-] li away from Hulao Pass, he had already encountered the army led by Wang Qi.

Wang Qi's army has already marched north, not far from Hulao Pass.

Li Hongzhong brought Li Yannian forward to report, Li Yannian was left behind, and Li Hongzhong was brought to Wang Qi.He looked at Wang Qi who was straddling his horse, and bowed in salute: "Da Zhou Envoy Li Hongzhong, pay homage to King Qi."

Wang Qi said with a smile: "Shang Shuling, the last time the emperor sent Jiang Jiuge to mediate, he hoped to let the king stop fighting. Unfortunately, he was abolished by the king. Now that you are sent, is it to mediate and stop the war? .Shang Shuling is here, aren't you afraid that the king will kill you?"

After all, Li Hongzhong is an old Jianghu.

In his life, he has experienced several dynasties of emperors, and he has seen strong winds and waves.What Wang Qi said just now did not affect Li Hongzhong at all.

Li Hongzhong looked calm, and said slowly: "King Qi, this old man came this time, following His Majesty's order, to ask for peace with King Qi. As long as King Qi ceases fighting, Da Zhou will recognize the status of Qi State and allow King Qi to proclaim himself emperor. The territory of Wei State and Chu State occupied by Qi State is also included in the territory of Qi State. Since then, the two countries have coexisted peacefully and will not invade each other."

Wang Qi said: "Shang Shuling, are you trying to amuse me? Zhao Qian just wants to live in peace with each other?"

Li Hongzhong said: "My Great Zhou side can send the princess to make a marriage."

Wang Qi said: "This king is not rare. What can the so-called marriage bring me? Shang Shuling, do you think I am short of women? If there is a lack of women, there are many in Qi."

Li Hongzhong felt helpless.

Is it equal to being in love and lacking a woman?

Li Hongzhong knew that Wang Qi did it on purpose, so he said patiently, "King Qi, getting married is not the same. If I, Da Zhou, are willing to get married, it means that Da Zhou respects Qi and lets Qi occupy the dominant position."

Wang Qidao: "I don't care about being a minister, it doesn't have any real meaning."

Li Hongzhong said: "King Qi, Great Zhou has been established for hundreds of years, and it still has considerable influence among the people of the world. On this occasion, if King Qi really destroys Great Zhou, there will be countless scholars in the world, Will boycott Qi."

"This is not good for the country."

"Comparatively speaking, it is better to keep the Great Zhou and the Qi State. In the long run, the King of Qi will keep the Great Zhou temporarily, and slowly change the people subtly, so that the people will recognize the Qi State."

"It's actually a better decision to wait for the future and win Da Zhou again."

Li Hongzhong looked as usual, and said: "King Qi, this is an old man's opinion, I don't know what King Qi thinks?"

Wang Qi shook his head and said: "Shang Shuling's words are nothing more than to keep Da Zhou alive. The problem is that keeping Da Zhou will cause me trouble. If Da Zhou is destroyed, as you said, there will be some problems."

"But compared to these small problems, I think it is most appropriate to eliminate Da Zhou once and for all. Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. After Da Zhou is destroyed, even if there are problems, there is nothing to worry about."

"If there is a problem to solve the problem, then five, ten, or 20 years later, who in the world will commemorate the Great Week? What's more, the people in the world have suffered for a long time. If it weren't for this, the people under the king's rule would be like this. Support the king?"

"Shang Shuling, you are a veteran of the Great Zhou, so you should see it very clearly. In my opinion, it is a pity that you stay in the Great Zhou. Why not, Shang Shuling enter my country of Qi and serve this king."

Wang Qi smiled and said: "What is the order of the Minister?"

Li Hongzhong said: "Old man, you have always been a courtier of Da Zhou, how can you betray Da Zhou?"

After a pause, Li Hongzhong continued: "King Qi, what conditions do you need before you are willing to divide the territory and rule, and temporarily withdraw your troops?"

Wang Qi resolutely said: "It is impossible to withdraw the troops. This campaign is for the remaining brave to chase down the poor bandits, fight to Chang'an in one go, and completely wipe out the Great Zhou. The world will be united from now on!"

There is a strong confidence in Wang Qi's words.He already has an absolute advantage, and now Zixia Mountain has surrendered, and Da Zhou has no power.

Under this premise, it is impossible for him to withdraw troops.

Withdrawal is a fool's job.

Li Hongzhong had no choice but Wang Qi's attitude was so firm that he didn't give any room for relaxation.So much so that he couldn't persuade him at all.If Wang Qi is greedy for profit and is willing to give Da Zhou a chance, Li Hongzhong still has the opportunity to persuade and lobby.

Today, it's simply not possible.

Li Hongzhong was silent for a while, seeing that Wang Qi was no longer in the mood for peace talks, he cupped his hands and said, "Since King Qi has made up his mind, I will return to Chang'an immediately and report to His Majesty."

Wang Qi said: "Shang Shuling, it's time for you to make a choice. Because of the Great Zhou, the building will collapse."