Chapter Fifteen: The Night of Handan

  When the letter from Prince Xinling arrived in the hands of Prince Pingyuan, the Korean envoy's carriage also slowly entered Handan City with the last sunset.

  Zhang Ping's every move was under Zhao Sheng's control.

  After reading the letter from Xinling Jun, Zhao Sheng naturally understood why Korea would send such a grand delegation and also knew that an alliance between Wei and Korea was imminent, with only some differences in compensation. It seems that heaven is helping Zhao after all! In this way, the trend of the three Jin states forming an alliance has been set.

  Although Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at the arrival of the Korean envoy, he restrained himself and did not go to meet Zhang Ping's party. Even though Zhao Sheng knew that Zhao Guo was more eager to form an alliance than Korea.

  This is a diplomatic strategy that can't be more obvious, the side that takes the initiative first will unconsciously fall into a disadvantage. Zhao Sheng has played this trick so many times that he can't get any more familiar with it.

  The Korean delegation packed up their luggage at a leisurely pace, had some food and drink, and then checked into the post house. Afterwards, Zhang Ping went to the residence of the Marquis of Pingyuan in a simple carriage with a small retinue.

  Although Zhao Sheng's fief was in Dongwu, as the Chancellor of Zhao State, Zhao Sheng naturally had a special residence in Handan.

  During the Warring States period, wherever a king or noble with a fief was located often reflected whether he was trusted. It is obvious that someone who is relied upon by the ruler of a state would not have any idle time to stay in their fief.

  Zhang Ping handed over the token proving his identity and waited calmly with the guards for the gatekeeper's response.

  He wouldn't have come without an appointment if it weren't for the sake of meeting Pingyuan Jun, the de facto ruler of Zhao, as soon as possible.

  In less than half a cup of tea, the main gate of Pingyuan Jun's residence slowly opened. The gatekeeper respectfully led Zhang Ping to the middle gate, where Zhao Sheng smiled with a warm face: "I didn't expect that Grand Minister Zhang would visit my humble abode, it really makes my humble home shine!"

  Although he had never seen Pingyuan Jun before, Zhang Ping still knew from his elegant and noble demeanor and tone that this was the famous Pingyuan Jun.

  At the moment, Zhang Ping also politely said: "Today, I saw the famous Pingyuan Jun, who is really famous. It's just that I was rude to you, disturbing you in the middle of the night, please forgive me!"

  "Where, where? How can Chancellor Zhang say such a thing. Tonight is the 15th and the moon is high in the sky. I was just about to have a small drink. Chancellor, you've arrived at just the right time! You and I can brew some wine and appreciate the moon together, isn't that wonderful?"

  "I am willing, but dare not ask."

  After finishing, the two of them tacitly burst into loud laughter and walked hand in hand into the Pingyuan Jun's mansion. Passersby were surprised to see the gradually closing doors of the Pingyuan Jun's mansion, wondering which noble was worthy of being personally welcomed by Pingyuan Jun with open doors?

  The two chatted idly about romantic affairs, and then Zhao Sheng dismissed the maid and said, "Zhang Chengxiang has come from afar, I wonder what plans he has?"

  Zhang Ping's heart was overjoyed, the other side finally couldn't hold back. He also replied in a serious tone: "I have come from Xinzheng to discuss the great plan for Zhao's national security."

  "Ah?" Zhao Sheng asked with a smile, "I don't know what makes you say that, Premier?"

  "Korea has always shown great respect to Zhao, and all the other states are aware of this. Now your country's army has invaded our Huayang without justification, in collaboration with Wei. Such a treacherous move not only makes Korea feel cold, but also sets an example for all the other states to be deeply wary of. Isn't this move equivalent to cutting off relations with all the other states?" Zhang Ping immediately took the initiative to seize the moral high ground.

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately retorted: "Your Excellency's words are incorrect. Zhao, Wei and Han are the three Jin states; the principle of 'when one's lips perish, the teeth feel cold' is well-known to all in our state. The Qin state has repeatedly bypassed your country to invade Wei, causing its people to suffer greatly. Our king is benevolent and does not wish for the people of Wei to suffer from war, so when the King of Wei requested it multiple times, we sent troops to assist Wei in defending its borders."

  After briefly explaining the reason for Zhao Jun's 20,000 cavalry going south, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned around and refuted: "Recently, there was a secret report that Qin Guo planned to attack Daliang on New Year's Day. Considering that your country has allowed the Qin army to pass through the border again and again, we had no choice but to station troops in the territory of Korea to prevent the Qin army from attacking. It was your country's war that made our great Zhao lose 20,000 elite soldiers, my king is very angry!"

  Anyway, Zhao and Wei's joint forces were defeated before they even started fighting at Huayang, so Zhao Sheng simply pretended that this was an unexpected accident.

  It is the fault of Korea's excessive tension that led to this tragedy. At the same time, Zhao Sheng's words implied that Korea's stance was problematic and allowed Qin to invade Wei. Even if Zhao and Wei were wrong, they only used the same method to deal with each other.

  When Zhao Sheng heard the almost unreasonable remarks, Zhang Ping didn't get angry, but smiled slightly, put down the wine cup in his hand and said: "Even if you want to intercept the Qin army, your country doesn't notify my country. Such behavior is not appropriate! Your country and Wei's 150,000-strong army are so mighty and powerful that it's hard to avoid making the upper and lower classes of Korea terrified."

  Before Ping Hui's trip, there were constant debates in the court. Some said that Zhao was powerful and now allied with Wei to invade Han, Han could only survive by relying on Qin; some said that Qin had a wolf-like ambition, this time's Huayang battle was an accident, only Zhao was trustworthy. But as Ping Yuan Jun said, wasn't this time's Huayang battle a misunderstanding? If it was a misunderstanding, I think I can suggest to our king to get closer to Zhao and distance ourselves from Qin.

  Zhao Sheng's expression changed to one of delight, and he was just about to respond. But Zhang Ping didn't give Ping Yuan Jun a chance to speak, continuing his own argument: "However, Ping Yuan Jun, you also know that our Han state has been weak for a long time, especially when Qin state attacked Wei two years ago, Han state sent troops to rescue them and lost 40,000 soldiers. Zhao state, however, ignored it. Some high-ranking officials even said that Zhao state doesn't dare to confront Qin state, so Han state can't gain any benefits from relying on Zhao state. It's really difficult for Ping!"

  Zhao Sheng's awkward expression flashed by, and everyone was clear that if it weren't for Chu State's defeat, Zhao State would still be continuing its low-key peaceful development plan. Now, in order to protect itself, it had no choice but to resist Qin.

  "The Chancellor is joking. Two years ago, the Xiongnu invaded our border, and our great army marched north. The Chancellor was not in the northern frontier, so he may not know how formidable the Xiongnu are. They move with the grass and live like the wind. Moreover, everyone is skilled in riding and shooting, and they are as cruel as jackals. They are indeed a great enemy of our Zhao state! Because of the northern expedition, we cannot withdraw troops for the time being, so we cannot rescue Wei state in time. As for the threat from Qin state, our Zhao state is very vigilant."

  Zhang Ping did not expose the lie of Pingyuan Jun, but asked: "Now that Qin's situation has been settled and its national strength is strong, Qi and Wei have declined, Chu has just been defeated, I wonder what Zhao plans to do?"

  "There is no other way, I will die fighting against Qin. Now our great Zhao state is united, from top to bottom, we are all willing to die for our country, if Qin does not invade us, that's fine, but if they do, I will lead the charge and strike back with all my might."

  Zhang Ping smiled and asked: "I wonder how the national strength of Zhao compares with that of Qin?"

  "It's not as good as before." Zhao Sheng felt somewhat disheartened.

  "That Qin and Zhao two countries start war, what does Pingyuan Jun think are the chances of Zhao's victory?"

  "But less than 40%." Zhao Sheng felt even more downhearted.

  "If we add Han and Wei, with all three countries united in heart, who knows how many more victories we will have?" Zhang Ping finally expressed the intention of uniting the three Jin.

  "If the three countries are united in their hearts, without any discord, the chances of winning will be at least 70%, and at most 80%. Enough to stand on the ground of invincibility." Zhao Sheng's face was filled with surprise and delight.

  "Now that Wei has agreed to form an alliance with our country, if Zhao is willing to join, the three Jin states will renew their friendship. Internally, it will intimidate the minor villains, and externally, it will make other countries dare not underestimate us." Zhang Ping suggested.

  "The reputation of Lord Pingyuan's wisdom and virtue has spread throughout the nations. It is clear that Zhao's current prestige in Guandong seems glorious, but it is actually as precarious as walking on thin ice. Qin's momentum to conquer the world has already taken shape, and Han and Wei will be the first to bear the brunt. If Han and Wei perish, Zhao will inevitably follow suit, for when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold. In this autumn of survival or destruction, the three Jin states have no choice but to form an alliance in order to survive; if they unite, both will benefit, but if they split, both will suffer."

  "Victory is also a matter of perspective, but if the alliance really resisted Qin, why did each country shift the blame to one another?" asked Pingyuan Jun.

  "Now is not like the past. In the past, the six states attacked Qin with great ambition but were not rewarded because the six states hesitated and did not advance together, their hearts not united. The state of Qi plotted to take Song, while Yan wanted to weaken Qi. Su Qin relied on his eloquent words, what he called 'vertical alliance', was merely to make Qi isolate itself from other states, not to attack Qin."

  "Now the three states of Zhao, Wei and Han originated from one state. They are all on the front line against Qin, with unstable borders, forming an alliance to protect themselves. In today's situation, who would not dare to put their heart into it? The worries of Pingyuan Jun can be dispelled. In the past, there was Han Xianzi who helped Zhao Wenzu in times of crisis and revived the Zhao clan (the story of the orphan of Zhao), now there is Han and Zhao advancing and retreating together, joining forces to resist Qin. Is it not beautiful?"

  "Good. Mr. Zhao's words are indeed the voice of his heart. Tomorrow at court, I will do my best to facilitate an alliance between Zhao and Han." Zhao Sheng finally showed his true attitude.

  "In order for tomorrow's court session to go smoothly, instead of waiting for victory to be seen, why don't we pay a visit to Chancellor Cui tonight, what does Prime Minister Li think?"

  "It can't be any better." Zhang Ping was originally worried that he wouldn't be able to invite Li Dui, after all Li Dui basically didn't care about court affairs. Now that the Prince of Pingyuan is willing to take personal action, that's extremely good.

  Two men rode in a carriage together and went first to Lin Xiangru's residence.

  Lin Xiang was so clever that a glance from Pingyuan Jun made the red man in front of King Zhao suddenly understand that the alliance between Zhao and Han had already been settled. Without hesitation, the three men went to the Prime Minister's mansion overnight.

  The Chancellor's mansion, Li Du was just about to rest.

  After all, age is there, and Li Dui's body is no longer as good as it used to be in his 70s.

  Thinking back on this life, as a young man he joined the army and rose to prominence in middle age. The wisest choice was the change at Sand Dune which saved King Zhao's political life.

  This gambling has earned a full house of colors. Unlike Fei Yi, who was foolishly loyal to his master father, but did not take sides with either party, and ultimately ended up in a miserable situation.

  Zhao Wang was a person who cherished old relationships and promoted himself to be the Prime Minister. Even though he had grown old and could no longer share Zhao Wang's worries, Zhao Wang still treated him with great kindness.

  At this time, steward Li hurried over.

  Everyone who came from outside was a big shot, although it was already late. The other party chose to visit at this time, obviously with important business to discuss. Therefore, the steward of the prime minister's mansion did not dare to delay and rushed to report the news.

  "Your Lordship, Pingyuan Jun Zhao Sheng, Shang Qing Xiang Ru, and the Prime Minister of Korea Zhang Ping are outside asking to see you."

  "Hurry up and invite him." Li Du put down his memories, and hurriedly tidied himself up before heading to the study. The three of them came together, thinking about the outcome of the Huayang battle, and the purpose of this trip was already on the tip of their tongues.

  "Old Chancellor, I'm deeply sorry to visit you so late at night. I've disturbed your peaceful sleep, and for that, I apologize."

  Li Du waved his hand and smiled: "Why did Pingyuan Jun say that, I'd love it if Pingyuan Jun would bother me every day! Pingyuan Jun, you still owe me a jar of fine wine!"

  Zhao Sheng felt embarrassed, thinking that the last time he came, he had only toasted Li Du with a pot of wine, and yet was still being mentioned today. Li Du had been in office for so many years, accumulating wealth that could rival a country's.

  "This must be the Korean Prime Minister, I'm afraid I've committed a grave offense by not welcoming you from afar." Li Du made a harmless joke, but was actually sizing up Zhang Ping.

  "The old chief minister spoke too heavily, it was a junior consideration that was not thorough, this is Zhang Ping's fault."

  Facing this official who was more than thirty years his senior and had survived many a political storm, Zhang Ping showed sufficient respect.

  As they spoke, the host and guest sat down. Li Hui was the first to speak: "Lord Pingyuan and Chancellor Xiang came to visit in the middle of the night, and with Zhang Chengxiang by their side, I'm afraid it's about forming an alliance between Zhao and Han?"

  Zhang Ping's expression changed, and he praised: "The old prime minister is as wise as a god, I am deeply convinced."

  "I can roughly guess your intention. Once Chu is defeated, the threat to Qin's southern border will no longer exist. It is inevitable that we will double our efforts to conquer the three Jin states, and the three Jin states will not be able to protect themselves without an alliance. Tomorrow when I attend court, I will suggest to His Majesty that he agree to form an alliance."