Back to the Warring States Period as Zhao Kuo

Jingyang smiled and said, "It's only natural!"

Zhao Kuo entered the territory of Chu State with a hundred Chiyou cavalry as guards.

The state of Zhao and the state of Chu do not border each other. Zhao Kuo also needs to pass through the territory of the state of Wei to go to the state of Chu this time.

However, Wei State’s territory in the Central Plains is actually relatively small. In addition, Chencheng, the capital of Chu State, is very close to the border of Chu and Wei. Therefore, the closest country to Handan City is Daliang City of Wei State, and the second closest capital is Chencheng of Chu State. .

This is also the first time Zhao Kuo has stepped into the border of Chu State.

After walking on the territory of Chu State for a long time, Zhao Kuo suddenly felt a little strange: "What's the matter with Chu State, there are no people on the way?"

It takes half a day to travel thirty or forty miles at the speed of a horse-drawn carriage. After such a long distance, I have not seen a single village in Chu State, but I have seen a few dilapidated ruins, but judging from the degree of damage, it has already been destroyed. There are no people inhabited anymore, and the many fields on both sides of the road have long been barren and overgrown with weeds and vines.

You must know that Zhao Kuo came from the territory of Wei State. Wei State is located in the core area of ​​the Central Plains. Although the country is small but densely populated, there is a village every few miles. The farming is neat and tidy, which is in sharp contrast with the Chu State in front of us.

This is just separated by a national border. How can there be such a big change?

Zhao Kuo looked at Li Si who was beside him. Li Si was a native of Chu State. Zhao Kuo hoped to get an answer from him.

Li Si sighed, and said: "To tell you the truth, the answer is actually very simple. Chu is too weak! Over the years, Chu has always lost more in foreign wars than won, and countries often invaded Chu's territory. The people of Chu State on the border were the first innocent people affected by the war.

In order to avoid the war, most of the people here have now moved to the vicinity of Chencheng, or even further south. "

Zhao Kuo let out an oh, and immediately understood.

If you fall behind in the words of wisdom, you will be beaten!As a time traveler, Zhao Kuo has a deep understanding of this.

Don't forget the national humiliation!Looking at the surrounding fields, Zhao Kuo couldn't help feeling sorry.

The Central Plains of this era is different from the later generations. Not only does it have a large plain, but it also has an extremely dense river network. There is also the Yellow River, the mother river of China, which is still clear, and it is an excellent land for farming.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is the real "Central Plains Water Town"!Such a unique condition, because the state of Chu was too weak, resulted in the people having to leave their homes and become refugees, leaving the fields completely barren and no crops harvested.

This is obviously very unfair.

"This place should belong to my Great Zhao!"

Zhao Kuo came to a conclusion with certainty.

As long as this place belongs to the State of Zhao, the State of Zhao does not even need to immigrate. This place will soon have a large number of people return due to the arrival of peace, and it will become prosperous again, just like what Zhao Kuo saw in the territory of the State of Wei before. that sight.

That is the life that every Chinese person should enjoy, instead of the wars everywhere like now, and the people are in dire straits!The sense of urgency in Zhao Kuo's heart became stronger and stronger.

Standing beside Zhao Kuo, Li Si also nodded with certainty: "Although I am from Chu, I also hope that this land can be ruled by Da Zhao!"

As an official of Legalism, Li Si has always been a practical person. Under the rule of which country can the people in his hometown live a better life? There is a conclusion.

Moreover, he also very much agrees with Zhao Kuo's "China Unification" concept, so he has no psychological barriers to this.

Speechless all the way.

That afternoon, Zhao Kuo and his party came to Yangxia City, a border city of Chu State.

What Zhao Kuo didn't expect was that during his first mission as an envoy, he ran into trouble in the first city he came to Chu State.

A figure stood outside the city, watching Zhao Kuo's carriage entering Yangxia City from a distance, and after a while, let out a chuckle.

"Wu Xinjun, it's been a long time."

A gust of wind blew by, and the speaker's temples swayed slightly, revealing a face of Zhao Kuo's "missing".

Jihou, the leader of Qin State's secret agents.

Chapter 202 Jing You and Ji Hou's Calculation

The city magistrate of Yangxia City is named Jing You. From this name alone, it can be seen that he comes from the Jing family, one of the three major families in Chu State.

At this moment, Jing You is giving instructions to one of his concubines face to face.

"I will hold a banquet in honor of Wu Xinjun Zhao Kuo in the mansion today, and then you will go up and perform a dance, understand?"

This concubine is from Xinzheng, South Korea, and her ancestors were Zheng people who were exterminated by South Korea.

The songs of Zheng Guo and Wei Guo are quite famous, with the effect of "surrounding the beam for three days without end", and were reprimanded by Confucius as "the sound of subjugation and decadence".

The style of the people of Zheng Guo is also very open. Even after more than 200 years after the fall of Zheng Guo, the dancers produced by Zheng Guo are still famous in China, and they are on par with Zhao Guo Handan dancers.

This little concubine of Jing You is the top dancer of Zheng State that Jing You bought from Zheng Di in South Korea for a lot of money. Take pity on the bed.

The concubine was lying in Jingyou's arms at the moment, and she was a little bit reluctant when she heard the words, and said delicately: "Husband, this slave is yours, how can you perform dances for other men?"

Jing You's face suddenly turned cold, and he reprimanded: "I don't know the rules, I bought you so that you can talk back to me?

Just one more word of nonsense, and I will divorce you, and sell you to your daughter-in-law to do the flesh and blood business of exchanging new husbands every day! "

The little concubine never expected that the coquettish Dafa of Bailing Bailing in normal times would arouse Jingyou's fury today, her pretty face turned pale with fright, and she dared not speak for a long time.

Seeing the appearance of this beloved concubine, Jing You couldn't bear it in his heart, so he couldn't help but lighten his tone, and said: "In short, you just perform the dance, and you must let Mr. Wu Xin notice you, understand?"

The little concubine complied aggrievedly.

Jing You continued: "Then, you have to find a way to seduce him and let him take you back to the room!"

With tears in her beautiful eyes, the concubine continued to answer.

Jing You patted the concubine's head and said: "Go, do your job well.

This officer will not forget your contribution, your father and brother in the hometown will soon get a sum of money, enough for them to buy more land and farm houses. "

After the concubine left, a confidant of Jing You, who was an official in Yangxia City, came in and bowed respectfully to Jing You: "My lord, Wu Xinjun, the envoy of the State of Zhao, and Zhao Kuo and his party have already entered the city. Coming towards the mansion."

Jing You stroked his beard under his jaw, and said with a smile, "Have the soldiers and horses been prepared?"

The confidant said: "It's all ready.

It's just the lord, and Lord Wu Xin is the envoy of Zhao, will we do this?" Jing You stared at his confidant in front of him and said, "What do you know?

I don't want to kill him, but I just want to catch him in public, so that the reputation of Lord Wu Xin for robbing other people's concubines will spread throughout the world! "

The confidant obviously also knew some inside information, and he couldn't help being a little dazed when he heard the words: "Forcible robbery?

Didn't the lord let the concubine take the initiative? "

Jing You laughed loudly: "Are you stupid?

Although it is indeed the woman I sent over on my own initiative, Yangxia City is my territory, and I have to spread the rumors as I want!By the way, remember to make arrangements when the time comes, and then show the scene of the woman committing suicide because she couldn't bear the humiliation after the rape is over. This will further increase the credibility of the rumors! "

The confidant was obedient and quickly withdrew.

Jing You reached out and tapped the table in front of him lightly, feeling very happy.

Just two days ago, Jingyang, the Patriarch of the Jing family in Chencheng, sent a letter saying that Wu Xinjun, Zhao Kuo, the envoy of the State of Zhao, would pass through Yangxia City in the next two days, and asked Jingyou to find a way to ruin it. Zhao Kuo's reputation is not a problem to be promoted after the event is completed.

The Patriarch's order, Jing You, naturally did not dare to neglect. After thinking hard all night, he finally came up with this "catch the traitor" peachy plan, which can definitely pour dirty water on Zhao Kuo steadily, and make Zhao Kuo ruined because of it!Jing You was not worried about Zhao Kuo's revenge, but Yangxia City had a total of [-] defenders here. Could it be that he was afraid of the [-] guards around Zhao Kuo?

As for the future revenge of Zhao Kuo and Zhao Guo, it is something that Jing Jing and King Chu are worried about, and it has nothing to do with Jing You.

The more Jing You thought about it, the happier he became, and he couldn't help laughing.

"Come here, change your clothes for me, I'm going to meet Lord Wu Xin!"

What Jing You didn't know was that his concubine was actually not that simple.

After leaving the room, the concubine, who was originally miserable, immediately restrained her expression, walked calmly through the corridor of the mansion, and returned to a single-family building exclusively for herself in the mansion.

In the small building's bedroom, the concubine knelt down towards Jihou who was sitting in the room: "I have met you, sir."

Jihou nodded, and looked at the charming concubine, with some emotion in his eyes: "You were still a little girl when I brought you back to Guanzhong from Zhengdi, but I didn't expect that so many years would pass by so quickly, and you were so dizzy. .”

The concubine lowered her head and said softly: "My lord and Daqin's kindness in nurturing and teaching, I can't repay you in this life!"

Ji Hou sighed and said, "Tell me about the information you got from Jing You."

The concubine didn't dare to be negligent, and told Jiang Jingyou all the things she had just ordered.

Jihou thought for a moment after hearing this, and then laughed: "It seems that this Yang Xialing wants to set a trap for that Wu Xinjun, no, he doesn't have that much courage, and it should be Jing's Patriarch Jingyang who is responsible for this matter." meaning.

Since the Jing family is going to make a move, it means that the Jing family is against forming an alliance with Zhao Guo. Interesting, really interesting. "

Don't look at the fights between Qin and Chu in the past few decades, but in fact the relationship between the two countries was good before that. For example, Qin Zhaowang Yingji who died not long ago was married to the Chu clan of Qin. Born to the daughter of Mi, the current Queen Huayang of Qin State and Lord Yangquan, the important minister, are all from Chu State.

Therefore, Qin State's infiltration of Chu State's spies is also very powerful, and this concubine is one of them. In terms of the degree of penetration, Qin State should have the most thorough control over Chu State's intelligence, so Jihou was able to In a short time the truth was deduced.

The concubine said softly: "Master, what should we do now?"

Ji Hou smiled, took out a small bag from his arms, and put it on the table in front of the concubine: "You just do what Jing You told you, but with a little change, for example, take this bag of poison Take the opportunity to drink in Wu Xinjun Zhao Kuo's wine glass!"

The concubine was taken aback for a moment, then immediately put away the small bag, and said: "Please rest assured, my lord, I will definitely do my best.

But if the poisoning fails, what should I do? "

Ji Hou said indifferently: "Didn't the old man teach you some killing skills back then?

You can't forget all these years.

Between the bottom of the bed is the perfect time to kill someone! "

Chapter 203 Jing You's Banquet

"This Yang Xialing's name is Jingyou?"

When Zhao Kuo heard the name, he decided to accept Jing You's banquet.

The reason is also very simple, let's see if we can find out some thoughts of the three major families of Chu from this Jing You.

Zhao Kuo didn't care if he and Chunshenjun still cooperated with the three major families, as long as he could complete his mission of coming to Chu this time and let Chu recognize Zhao as his big brother.

And from the perspective of doing business, the three major families that have been operating in Chu State for hundreds of years and have already extended their tentacles to all aspects of Chu State seem to be better partners for cooperation.

Doing business is of course done with a smile, so when Zhao Kuo, who just got off the carriage, saw Jing Youzhi who was already waiting at the gate, a smile appeared on his face: "Master Lao Jing is here."

Jing You said with a smile: "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Your Majesty has come from a long way, and as a landlord, it is right for a subordinate official to clean up the wind and dust for your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please come inside. "

The two came to the main hall while chatting and laughing.

There were quite a few people attending the dinner this time. Naturally, several important officials from Yangxia City were present, like Zhao Kuo's officials such as Xu Li and Li Si also attended together.

Because for a long time in the past, Chu State and Zhao State were allies who jointly fought against Qi State and Qin State, so the atmosphere of the whole banquet was quite harmonious.

After drinking for three rounds, Zhao Kuo casually raised the wine cup and said to Jing You: "Master Jing, the land tens of miles from the Yellow River should be under your rule, right?"

Jing You hurriedly said: "That's true. I don't know what advice you have to teach me?"

Zhao Kuo sighed, and said: "The Marquis came across the river today, and seeing the barren fields along the way, I felt a little emotional. I don't know where the people in Yangxia City have gone?"

Although Li Si had already given an explanation, Zhao Kuo was quite curious about how the local official thought about it.

Jing You's face changed when he heard the words, and then he smiled helplessly: "Your Majesty, you don't know, this area used to be Song people. After we occupied this place, the Song people rebelled continuously, making this place unstoppable. peaceful.

Later, when I became an official here, I felt that these Song people were a hidden danger after all, so I went to play Yingdu, and moved all the Song people in this area to the south, and then moved from the south to the Great Chu immigrants to enrich the place. "

Zhao Kuo groaned, glanced at Li Si, and then continued to talk to Jing You: "But, there seems to be no Chu people in these fields now."

Jing You chuckled, and said, "Ah, in fact, there were a lot of immigrants here at the beginning, and then it wasn't because of the frequent wars, and Da Chu kept forgetting about it, let's not mention it, just drink the bar and wait."

Listening to Jing You's words, Zhao Kuo always felt that something was not true, but he couldn't figure out where the problem was.

At this time, Li Si, who was sitting at the bottom, suddenly said indifferently: "Since those immigrants have all gone back because of the war, the land must have been in the hands of Jing Chengling, right?"

While speaking, Li Si's face showed obvious anger.

Jing You's complexion changed instantly when he heard the words, but he calmed down immediately, and said haha: "Don't talk about this, don't talk about this! Come on, let's go to music and dance!"

Zhao Kuo's heart moved slightly, and finally he fully understood.

Originally thought that the desolation of this piece of land was caused by the disaster of war, but now it seems that it has something to do with Jing You, the chief official of the place!The war was used to fuel the flames to drive away the aborigines, and then administrative means were used to squeeze the immigrants. In the end, the aborigines and the immigrants all left, and the land became Jingyou, no, it should be owned by the Jing family behind Jingyou.

I'm afraid that many lands in the Chu Kingdom were quietly stolen by the three major families, right?

This is really in line with that historical law. A powerful family in any country will basically develop into a moth that keeps eating the country's foundation in the end!Zhao Kuo frowned, and said lightly: "Jingcheng Ling, I heard something from the Marquis, and I will give it to you here today."

Jing You showed a flattering smile on his face, and said: "I also ask you to enlighten me."

Zhao Kuo said lightly: "Officials are boats, people are water.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it! "

This sentence comes from Mencius, and it was well-known by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, and it was said today after being slightly adapted by Zhao Kuo.

Combined with what Zhao Kuo's retainer Li Si said just now, even a fool can understand what Zhao Kuo meant.

This is in the face of Jingyou and others, warning them to exploit the people too much, and they will end badly!Jing You's complexion changed again and again, and in the end he could only smile with regret, and said with a hey smile: "Your Majesty's words are very true, very true.