Back to the Warring States Period as Zhao Kuo

The content of this persuading letter is exactly the same as what Zhao Kuo said to Antiochus III before.

Surrender, and then there is a way out.

Why is Zhao Kuo always willing to give the rulers of other countries a way out?

The reason is very simple, that is to show kindness.

When people know that the new ruler is a benevolent ruler, the order of the place will quickly stabilize, people will quickly start to develop production, and restore the economy and agriculture to pre-war levels.

On the other hand, if everyone knew that the new ruler was a bloodthirsty devil who killed countless people, then everyone must have fled as far as possible to farm?

If it doesn't exist, what kind of fields will you plant if your life is almost gone.

This is why Zhao Kuo was able to quickly assimilate those Chinese vassal states that were destroyed by him in just a few years. It gives a great sense of stability to the subjects of other princes who have been conquered.

So here comes the question, this time, will Antiochus III accept Zhao Kuo's kindness?

The young Antiochus III sat very quietly in the palace of Babylon City. This place used to be the place where Alexander the Great ordered the world, but now after so many years of war, it has long been dilapidated.

A general said softly: "Your Majesty, the whole situation is irreversible now.

Since His Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Han Kingdom, still has some affection for His Majesty, then we might as well surrender. "

Now, even the most stubborn people around Antiochus III know that the Seleucid Empire has indeed come to a stranger.

After hearing these words, Antiochus III's body trembled slightly, and then he showed a helpless smile.

"There are many people in this world who can surrender to His Majesty the Han Kingdom, but I don't want to."

Why not?

Maybe it's because of the glory inherited from the Seleucid Empire, maybe it's because of some other unclear things.

Antiochus III finished writing a letter, and said to the few remaining courtiers in front of him: "After I die, you hand over this letter to His Majesty the Emperor of the Han Kingdom, and he will spare your lives and give You have a place in the political arena of the Han Kingdom in the future."

Several courtiers knelt down together.

Antiochus III let out a long cry, pulled out the sword from his waist, and killed himself on the spot.

With the death of the emperor, the Seleucid Empire came to an end.

Chapter 1229 The Ptolemys Can't Take My Things

Antiochus III is dead, but that doesn't mean the war is over.

After the death of the young emperor, the remaining courtiers and soldiers surrendered to the Han army outside the city with his last letter in accordance with his instructions during his lifetime.

After Zhao Kuo learned of this situation, Zhao Kuo soon came to the hall where Antiochus III committed suicide.

Because everything happened in a hurry, when Zhao Kuo arrived, Antiochus III's subordinates even had time to pull out a straw mat and cover his body.

Looking at Antiochus III who was completely cold, Zhao Kuo was silent for a long time, and sighed: "Why bother, why bother."

Zhao Kuo believed that Antiochus III knew from beginning to end that the Seleucid Empire could not be the opponent of the Han Dynasty.

But even so, Antiochus III still fought until the last day, until he clearly understood that there would be no hope of a comeback, and he chose to commit suicide.

No matter from which point of view, this young emperor who has not even reigned for three months is definitely a very outstanding emperor.

It's a pity that he was born at an untimely time, and met Zhao Kuo and Da Han, the super boss who could sweep the world. Zhao Kuo unfolded Antiochus III's last letter. The content above was actually very simple, just a few words.

"Brother Zhao: I'm going, the glory of the Seleucid royal family rests on my shoulders, it does not allow me to surrender.

After my death, all the Seleucids will surrender to you, if they still obey my orders.

There is no difference between the Seleucids and the Chinese. They are equally hardworking and willing to obey orders. I hope you can treat these subjects well, and they will also be loyal to you. "

After reading the letter, Zhao Kuo sighed: "It's a pity." Zhao Kuo didn't say what he was pitying, but everyone knew what Zhao Kuo was pitying.

Antiochus III was buried generously by Zhao Kuo.

In order to ensure the specifications of this funeral, Zhao Kuo even stayed in the city of Babylon for two more days.

Two days later, a new tomb was erected outside Babylon.

There is a sentence written on the tombstone.

"The tomb of the Seleucid Emperor Antiochus III, who fought to the last moment for the country, Zhao Kuoli, Emperor of the Han Dynasty."

After finishing this matter, Zhao Kuo continued to lead the army to advance westward.

The city of Babylon is located in the crescent zone of the Mesopotamia. Under the nourishment of the Euphrates and the Tigris, the city presents a piece of green, which is completely different from the desert scene in the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Zhao Kuo's marching route was along the crescent zone, heading for Antioch, the capital of the Seleucid Empire.

Along the way, many cities of the Seleucid Empire surrendered. Judging from the information obtained from these cities, Antioch City surrendered about half a month ago, that is, after learning the news of Antioch III’s defeat. The army of the Lemaic dynasty.

"Army?

How big is this army? "

Zhao Kuo asked.

Li Mu thought for a while and answered: "If what they said is correct, this army should have about 8 to 10 people."

Zhao Kuo laughed: "Just so few people?

If I hadn't led the army here, Antiochus III might have dismissed them casually, right? "

Li Mu nodded with a smile: "According to the information, the Ptolemaic Dynasty and the Antigonian Empire in the north are actually the same, and their advantage lies in the navy.

When it comes to the army, it is clear that the Seleucid Empire is the most powerful of these Alexander's successors. "

Zhao Kuo nodded and said with a smile: "In fact, the strength of these countries is not weak. If I don't have musketeers, explosives, and grenades, it will be difficult to conquer this place with only cold weapons. "

What Zhao Kuo said is the truth, which is also the law and truth of history.

Why the Mongols were able to sweep across the Eurasian continent, in addition to the invincible cavalry of the Mongol Empire, more importantly, the Mongols had the best siege artillery in the world at that time.

During the Mongol siege, most of the cities were conquered directly, instead of being besieged and breached like in the previous era, which greatly saved the time of the Mongolian army and greatly reduced the resistance against the Mongols. time for those countries to prepare.

If it weren't for the death of the previous Khans of the Mongol Empire in just a few decades, leading to the frequent return of various Western expeditionary forces to Mongolia to compete for the throne, no matter whether it is North Africa or Western Europe, I am afraid that it would be difficult to escape the conquest of the Mongol Empire.

This is the Mongols, a person who sounds like they only have cavalry, but in fact their military technology is the pinnacle of the world at that time.

Today's Han Dynasty is undoubtedly as unparalleled in the world as the Mongolian Empire's military technology at that time. Even when it comes to the lead, the Han Dynasty's lead is undoubtedly even greater.

Therefore, the road traveled by the Mongols in history and the land they conquered can be followed by the Han Kingdom, and it is smoother than the Mongols.

At this moment, Li Mu raised a question.

"Your Majesty, the Ptolemy actually occupied the city of Antioch, what will we do then?"

Zhao Kuo gave the answer without thinking: "Of course, let them get out of my city immediately!"

The Ptolemys already knew the news that the Han army was coming.

Sitting in the palace of the Seleucid Empire, Ptolemy's eldest prince, Acceleusis, looked very proud.

This kind of foreign name is too long for everyone to remember, so it will be referred to as the eldest prince below.

The war between the Seleucid Empire and the Ptolemaic Dynasty has lasted for decades. Generally speaking, the Ptolemaic Dynasty has more losses than victories and belongs to the disadvantaged side.

But now, the Ptolemys have occupied the palace of the Seleucids, and the Seleucid Empire has declared its demise, which made the great Ptolemy prince extremely happy.

It seems that the goal of unifying the foundation of Alexander the Great is in sight!But the reality ruthlessly pierced through the grand prince's thoughts. A Ptolemy general hurried over and reported: "Prince, according to our scouts' inquiries, the great emperor of Han who came from the far east , it is less than ten days away from Antioch City."

After hearing these words, the smile on the prince's face disappeared.

He said to the many Ptolemy generals in front of him: "Tell me, can we have a decisive battle with that Han emperor?"

For the eldest prince, simply occupying the city of Antioch is obviously not enough. If he can defeat Zhao Kuo and take advantage of the trend to occupy the entire territory of the Seleucid Empire, that will be the real comfort.

However, this intention of the eldest prince was opposed by everyone.

A gray-haired Ptolemy veteran general immediately said: "Your Highness, the Han Emperor defeated a whole 30 Seleucid army! Now we only have [-] soldiers and horses in our hands. "

The eldest prince raised his brows, and said with some displeasure: "Who said it was a hundred thousand?

I have 13 soldiers and horses in my hand now! "

The reason for the extra [-] was, of course, that the [-] soldiers who were originally stationed in Antioch City surrendered.

The old general Ptolemy still shook his head: "One hundred thousand or one hundred and thirty thousand, it doesn't make any difference to the overall battle situation.

What's more, the invincible Musketeers in the hands of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty are still there. It is impossible for us to win the victory among the Emperor of the Han Dynasty who is as terrifying as Ares, the god of war. "

The old general's words were approved by almost all the Ptolemy generals, which made the prince very unhappy, but there was nothing he could do about it.

In the final analysis, the Grand Prince is just a Grand Prince, not a Ptolemaic king.

If he was dissatisfied with these generals and stabbed him to his father, King Ptolemy II, the eldest prince would also be unable to eat and walk around.

After pondering for a while, the eldest prince could only helplessly say: "Well, then, send an envoy to test the Han emperor. It would be best if we can keep Antioch City, if not, then we will take all of us with us." Give him his spoils, and give him an empty city!"

Ptolemy's envoy was quite fast, and arrived in front of Zhao Kuo four days later.

"The Great Emperor of Han, on behalf of Ptolemy II, the king of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, and His Royal Highness, the front-line commander of the Ptolemaic army, I would like to pay you the highest respect."

Of course Zhao Kuo could not understand the language of the Ptolemys, but now that so many Seleucids have surrendered to the Han Kingdom, it is not difficult to find an interpreter.

After listening to the words of the Ptolemy envoy, Zhao Kuo calmed down and said, "Then, what did your master send you here to tell me?"

The Ptolemy envoy said respectfully: "That's it, our Ptolemy army has occupied the entire Syrian region. In order to show your respect and sincerity, all the territories of the Seleucid Empire except Syria will belong to you." territory."

This sentence sounds quite humble, but there is also a hidden line in it, that is, all the Syrian area including Antioch City should be owned by the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

After Zhao Kuo heard it, he laughed immediately: "You Ptolemys, you can really dream."

Not only Zhao Kuo, but all the other generals of the Han Dynasty laughed. They looked at the Ptolemy envoy very mockingly, as if they were looking at an idiot!Zhao Kuo said calmly, "Go back and tell your eldest prince that he has only one choice now, and that is to get out of Antioch immediately.

If he hadn't left when I arrived in Antioch, all the Ptolemaic army would be buried with him, understand? "

For Zhao Kuo, all the territory of the entire Seleucid Empire, including Antioch, was Zhao Kuo's spoils of war.

At this time, the Ptolemys actually wanted to stand up and take the most lucrative piece of Zhao Kuo's spoils. Isn't this wishful thinking?

After listening to Zhao Kuo's words, the Ptolemy envoy's complexion also changed obviously, from blue to white, quite ugly.

There is no way, Zhao Kuo's words are too sharp, it can be said that he doesn't give any face.

After thinking for a while, the Ptolemy envoy said, "Since you are so persistent, Your Majesty, we will withdraw from Antioch and all the land of the Seleucid Empire before your arrival as you wish."

This is actually just a negotiation technique. The Ptolemys first pretended to want the city of Antioch, and then spit it out quickly after hearing what Zhao Kuo said. In this case, the Ptolemys actually had nothing to lose, but Zhao Kuo had a It is easy for Zhao Kuo to agree to this condition.

It is a pity that Zhao Kuo is obviously not so easily fooled.

Zhao Kuo said calmly, "It is natural and beyond doubt to withdraw from Antioch City.

But besides that, I have one more condition.

All the troops, population and wealth in the city of Antioch are my spoils of war.

I heard that you Ptolemy took the opportunity to plunder my booty, which is a very stupid act.

When the Ptolemys leave the city of Antioch, they cannot take any Seleucid population, army and wealth with them, otherwise you will be regarded as having stolen my spoils of war, and my army will be fine when the time comes Talk to you about the truth. "

After listening to Zhao Kuo's words, the Ptolemy envoy's expression was really ugly.

After a while, the Ptolemy envoy said: "Dear Emperor of Han, after all, the city of Antioch was brought down by the blood of our Ptolemys. How can you be so overbearing and think that it is yours?" What about the loot?

Although our Ptolemaic dynasty does respect you very much, but we also have our own dignity as a dynasty, and please also respect our rights. "

Zhao Kuo laughed loudly, and stared at Ptolemy's envoy: "Don't give me such a trick! If I hadn't defeated the main force of the Seleucid Empire, I would still want to break through with your mere 10 people. Antioch?

It's just wishful thinking!Well, go back immediately and tell your master what I said, and let him remember that if he is not obedient, then Ptolemy's demise in the future will be his own fault! "

After saying this, Zhao Kuo waved his hand directly, motioning the messenger to leave.

Seeing this, the messenger had no choice but to leave.

After the envoy left, Li Mu was the first to sneer: "These Ptolemy Hus, who are not very capable and ambitious, actually want the resources in the city of Antioch, are they worthy?"

The other generals of the Han Dynasty expressed their incomparable agreement with Li Mu's remarks.

For these generals of the Han Kingdom, they marched thousands of miles and fought for several months before finally reaching the capital of the Seleucid Empire. At this time, the Ptolemys actually ran out to pick peaches. Who would accept it?

Zhao Kuo smiled slightly, and calmly gave an order: "Don't pay attention to these Ptolemys, we will march faster, if they really dare not agree to our terms, then beat them hard!"

For Zhao Kuo, all countries in the world will be conquered sooner or later, so it doesn't make any difference whether to fight Europe or Africa first, it all depends on Zhao Kuo's mood.

Now, it depends on whether the Ptolemys are sensible or not!

Chapter 1230 All have to be handed over