Chapter Thirty-Five: Out of the Blue

  In the east of Handan City, there is a medium-sized courtyard with more than 20 houses. The houses are simple and have no excessive carvings or decorations.

  Here is the residence of Yue Yi. Since arriving in Zhao, Yue Yi was granted the title "Wang Zhujun" and honored as a senior official, he settled down in Handan.

  At that time, Yue Yi was famous all over the world and was considered to be the only famous general who could rival Bai Qi. King Zhao of Zhao had to show great respect and courtesy to him in order to demonstrate Zhao's respect for talents and gain a good reputation. Therefore, the mansion given by King Zhao to Yue Yi was very large and magnificent, but Yue Yi refused it. He thought that Zhao's acceptance of him was already the greatest courtesy, so he chose this not-so-large mansion instead.

  Handan is laid out as "North Wang Cheng, South Gong Shang, East Li Shi, West Nong Mu". The east of the city is where officials and celebrities live, and a famous minister like Yue Yi naturally lives in the east of the city.

  There is a small pavilion in the courtyard, nestled among the grass and woods, adding a touch of elegance.

  An old man, eight feet tall and with a sturdy build, sat in the pavilion sipping tea. His every move exuded an air of elegance. The aura of a superior being was naturally revealed without any deliberate intention, giving people a sense of majesty like a mountain or a peak.

  Facing him is like facing a high and unclimbable mountain.

  He is Yue Yi, the famous minister who shook the world with his name.

  "I've seen you all." Xu Li hastened to the pavilion under the leadership of Yue Yi's son, Yue Jian, and rushed to pay respects to Yue Yi with courtesy.

  "It turned out to be Guoyi, please come quickly! Please come quickly!" Yue Yi stood up, with an imposing manner and a smile all over his face, inviting Xu Li to take a seat in the middle, personally pouring tea for Xu Li.

  The sound is loud and clear, like a big bronze bell ringing, but it's not piercing to the ear, rich in magnetism, making people feel good at first listen.

  "I wish you all a wonderful time!" Xu Li looked around the pavilion and admired it greatly, saying: "Drinking tea, appreciating the scenery, leisurely and carefree, comfortable and pleasant, truly enviable!"

  "Lü Yi is now only useful for this." Lü Yi said with a self-deprecating smile.

  People like Xiang Yuji, although they have achieved great success and fame that shakes the world, are not satisfied with being idle. Especially in the Warring States period of great contention, when heroes and outstanding individuals were able to fully display their talents, acting in such a way is no different from crippling others.

  However, Zhao Guo superficially respected him, but in reality secretly guarded against him, with no intention of using him, which was truly chilling.

  "I see that your ambitions have not yet faded, excellent! Excellent!" Xu Li was a straightforward person and did not beat around the bush. He directly stated his intention: "Xu Li has been ordered by His Majesty to come and invite you gentlemen to leave the mountain."

  Lü Yi's calm eyes flashed with a sharp light, like a heavenly sword hovering in the air, its power astonishing.

  "It is universally acknowledged that there are only two famous generals in the world, one is Bai Qi and the other is Wang Ju.

  Xu Li Da said: "Bai Qi has been victorious in every battle he fought from east to west, his achievements surpass those of anyone in this generation. The Battle of Changping was a pioneering feat that had never been seen in thousands of years of Chinese history, annihilating 500,000 elite troops of Zhao State in one day. Can you remain unmoved upon hearing this news?"

  Bai Qi was a renowned general of his time, later revered as the God of War. In his lifetime, it was universally acknowledged that only Yue Yi could rival him. Although Yue Yi was advanced in years, his spirit remained unbroken. Upon hearing these words, his eyes flashed with a fierce light, like the intense sun in the ninth heaven.

  "Your words are above, I wish to ask you all to re-put on your armor and go into battle again, and firmly defend Handan." Xu Li looked at it with great joy.

  "Thanks to King Zhao's good intentions, Yue Yi dares not spare any effort!" The Qin State is attacking Handan, and it must be General Bai Qi leading the army. Fighting against Bai Qi is Yue Yi's greatest wish, regardless of whether he wins or loses, he will be satisfied.

  "But now, Handan is in a precarious situation, like eggs piled up high." Xu Lishi was worried.

  "General Tian needn't worry, Handan seems precarious but is actually as stable as a rock." Lü Yi's words were astonishing.

  "What's the meaning of this?" As everyone knew, Zhao's elite forces were all lost and Handan was in danger every day. The people of the country fled one after another, while Yue Yi's view was just the opposite, which made Xu Li extremely puzzled. He suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open, staring at Yue Yi.

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  In the palace, on the court, King Zhao of Song and his ministers were waiting in attendance.

  At this time, Zhao Xiang Wang was worried and afraid that Lian Po would not be willing to come out of the mountain. In that case, he had no choice but to reuse the person he least wanted to see again, Lian Po.

  Under anxiety, King Zhao of Song paced back and forth in the palace, his heavy footsteps rumbling like muffled thunder in the ears of the officials.

  The officials were also worried that Lü Buwei would not be allowed, and their hearts inclined more towards Lü Buwei than Yan Qing. For Lü Buwei was a versatile talent, most suitable for the current situation.

  "Whoa!" Just then, a hurried footsteps sounded, and Xu Lishi came in with a small run, his face flushed with excitement, as if he had won a great victory.

  "Has Yue Yi agreed?" Zhao Xie Cheng Wang hastily hurried a few steps forward and asked loudly.

  "Your Majesty, it's not just that," said Yue Yi. "Handan is as stable as a rock." Xu Li let out an excited roar, like thunder bursting forth.

  Such a commotion is disrespect, but King Zhao of Song had no intention of punishing him. He asked in puzzlement: "What do you mean? Speak quickly."

  Lü Yi's words, who dares to ignore? Zhao King Xiaocheng was anxious and could not help it.

  Not just him, but all the officials, which one is not like this? Each and every one of them opened their eyes wide, perked up their ears, ready to listen quietly.

  XXXXXXXX

  Outside the palace, Lu Zhonglian rushed over and charged at the red-robed swordsmen guarding the entrance, saying: "I want to see Lord Pingyuan."

  "Who are you? Ping Yuan Jun is the Grand Marshal of Da Zhao, can you see him just because you want to?" The red-clothed swordsman gave him a slanted glance with an appraising gaze.

  "There is an extremely urgent matter that requires meeting with Lord Pingyuan." Lu Zhonglian had no choice but to reveal his identity.

  "Ah!" The red-clothed swordsman exclaimed, sizing up Lu Zhonglian and said: "You are the Thousand Mile Horse?"

  Lu Zhonglian was known as the "Last Horizontal and Vertical Master", with a mastery of horizontal and vertical techniques that few in the world could match, his name shook the heavens, and he could divide the court with the princes, even the Red Clothed Swordsmen had heard of his great name, hastily apologized: "I have offended you many times. Please wait for a moment, I will report to him immediately." He quickly left.

  XXXXXXXX

  "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

  In the court, the king and ministers of Zhao were all beaming with joy, loudly praising and acclaiming him in a voice that was like thunder, stunning the eardrums: "We look to you as one who is not unworthy of being a great talent, not unworthy of being a famous general whose name shakes heaven! Your insight is so brilliant!"

  Lü Buwei's insights mainly have two points: First, after the Battle of Changping, although Qin State won the victory, it paid a high price. Bai Qi did not immediately send troops to Handan, but rested in Ye Wang, which is the best explanation. Even if the Qin army attacked Handan, the Qin army was not fully mobilized, only half of the army, and Bai Qi, although good at fighting, was also powerless.

  Second, the key to this battle is not to defeat the Qin army, but to drag on and waste time. As long as they can drag it out, the five nations of Qi, Yan, Wei, Chu, and Han will realize that "when lips are gone, teeth get cold" and will inevitably send troops to assist. Because in the hundred years of the Warring States period, none of the seven major warring states have been destroyed, if Zhao is in danger of being overthrown, the other five major warring states will be terrified and will form an alliance.

  With these two points, Handan seems to be in a precarious situation, but in reality it is as stable as a rock.

  The king and ministers of Zhao were worried about the approaching Qin army, anxious day by day, unable to resolve it. Yue Yi's few words not only analyzed the current situation but also found a countermeasure for Zhao, which they couldn't help but be pleased with.

  Pingyuan Jun was also delighted. If Yue Yi were to be the general, Lian Po would have no chance. His position as a general was as stable as Mount Tai. He said loudly: "This battle cannot be won without your help!"

  "We your subjects humbly petition, requesting Your Majesty to issue a decree, and we wish all of you gentlemen to become generals." All the officials loudly echoed in agreement.

  "Good!" Zhao Xiaocheng was overjoyed and readily agreed.

  Just then, the red-clad swordsman hastened over and whispered something in Pingyuan Jun's ear.

  "What? Qianliju?" Lord Pingyuan didn't care about anything else and rushed out in a small run.

  "Qianliju, you can finally avenge Zhao Sheng." Pingyuan Jun's face was filled with joy, and he warmly grasped Lu Zhonglian's hand, laughing: "Come on, let's drink a thousand cups! We won't part until we're drunk!"

  "Brother Zhao, this is not the time for drinking. I, Lu Zhonglian, have come with a matter of utmost urgency." Lu Zhonglian hastily explained his urgency, saying: "Are you discussing the appointment of a commander?"

  "It is indeed." Pingyuan Jun acknowledged: "Your Majesty will soon issue an edict, appointing Yue Yi as the general."

  "Absolutely not, absolutely not!" Lu Zhong hastily stopped him.

  "A thousand-li steed, with a broad view of the great Zhao, who else is more suitable than Yue Yi?" The Prince of Pingyuan was surprised and searched throughout the entire state of Zhao, but couldn't find anyone more suitable than Yue Yi.

  "It's like this." Ruzhong Lian whispered a few words in Pingyuan Jun's ear.

  The complexion of Pingyuan Jun changed repeatedly, finally turning pale as paper. He secretly congratulated himself: "Fortunately, Qianliju arrived in time, otherwise Zhao would be in danger. I will go to see the king now and stop Bai Qi from being appointed as a general."