Chapter Sixteen: Xianyang's Reaction

  The next morning, under the strong promotion of Prime Minister Li Hui, Pingyuan Jun Zhao Sheng, Shangqing Xin Xiangru and other senior officials, King Zhao finally agreed to form an alliance.

  Originally, King Zhao was very concerned about the loss of 20,000 elite troops. However, he did not expect Korea to be so understanding, humble itself, and take the initiative to form an alliance. The deceased soldiers of Zhao were properly taken care of, and even the war horses were registered for verification by the state of Zhao.

  After Zhao Wang's vanity was greatly satisfied, he magnanimously did not pursue the matter. Seeing that even King Xiang was like this, several generals who were originally in favor of war all retreated and stopped making a fuss.

  Haven't you seen that almost all the dignitaries have reached a consensus with King Zhao? At this time, if someone still dares to speak out against it, they must either be out of their mind or brainless.

  Zhang Ping had witnessed the efficiency of Zhao's handling of affairs. In the morning court meeting, it was decided that the three Jin states would form an alliance and support each other. In the afternoon, Zhao announced this matter with great fanfare.

  Under the strong military pressure of Qin State, Zhao, Wei and Han went together.

  All countries were shocked at once.

  Will this alliance be a farce or the beginning of Sanjin's resurgence?

  The states of Chu, Qi and Yan are all waiting with bated breath, while the eyes of the world are focused on Xianyang.

  Xianyang City, Qin Wang Palace.

  The King of Qin slammed the bamboo slips in his hand to the ground, and the entire hall was silent. The eunuchs didn't even dare to breathe, fearing that they would provoke the King of Qin.

  "You tell me, what is going on here? Every day, you all say in front of me that the prestige of Qin is widely known, and there are many pro-Qin people in the courts of various countries. But now! Zhao, Wei, and Han have formed an alliance with each other within a few days. Do you think I am blind? Where are the pro-Qin people you spoke of? Bring one out for me to see!"

  "The king's anger subsides. We, your subjects, are guilty." The officials below hastily knelt down, a chorus of voices confessing their guilt.

  "You are guilty, and your crimes cannot be forgiven. The three Jin states have formed an alliance, how will our great Qin's eastern advancement strategy be carried out? Who among you will tell me?"

  Everyone is silent with their heads down. At this time, it's better not to speak than to speak. One misstep in words can often lead to a capital offense.

  "Gongsun Wen!"

  "The minister has arrived." The high-ranking official who was summoned by the King of Qin hastily stepped forward and knelt a few steps.

  "As a guest, you were boasting in front of me just the other day that the six nations of Shandong did not dare to disobey Great Qin by half a step. Is this what you call not daring to disobey?"

  "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I am guilty of death! I beg your mercy." Gong Sun Wen was so frightened that he begged for forgiveness on the spot.

  "Since you've said that you deserve to die, I'll have no choice but to fulfill your wish." After finishing speaking, the King of Qin's tone changed, and he spoke to the guards outside the grand hall, "Guards, Gong Sun Wen has committed the crime of deceiving the king. Take him out and behead him for me."

  Having said that, King Qin ignored Gong Sunwen's pleading voice and turned around to ascend to the throne.

  The officials in the grand hall lowered their heads even further, as if they wanted to bury themselves in the ground. A moment later, the guards returned with Gong Sunwen's head and reported back. The atmosphere in the grand hall was stifling.

  All the ministers saw more of the ferocity of the King of Qin. The principle of "accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger" sank deeper into everyone's heart.

  The King of Qin, who had long been displeased with Gong Sunwen, finally spoke out and killed him. However, this was merely a small warning to the Prime Minister Wei Ran, as well as a reminder to the other officials that it was he who held their lives in his hands.

  It's time for carrots to take the stage as well.

  The King of Qin sat down contentedly and said, "All of you, my dear ministers, please get up! I have always hated being deceived by my ministers. Your loyalty, I am aware of. Now that the three Jin states have formed an alliance, what are your wise opinions?"

  Upon hearing these words, the officials who had been close to Wei Ran or had wavered in their allegiance were shocked.

  Isn't it because of what I've been doing every day that the King of Qin is dissatisfied with me? No, I must immediately salvage my image in the heart of the King of Qin.

  At the moment, Minister A said: "The alliance of the three Jin states is a thorn in the side of our great Qin state. I think we should quickly dispatch a large army to attack the State of Han. Firstly, Han has betrayed Qin and if we don't attack it, we can't set an example for those who betray Qin; secondly, Han is closest to Qin, making logistics convenient; thirdly, Han has just suffered a great defeat at Huayang against the armies of Zhao and Wei, if we can deal another heavy blow to Han, the other states will surely be even more terrified and dare not betray Qin."

  Minister Yi also refused to show weakness: "Your Majesty, I think we should divide our troops into two routes, one route to attack Zhao and the other route to attack Han. This way, the three Jin states will not be able to take care of both their front and back."

  The minister Bing Sheng feared that others would steal his thunder, and also jumped out to suggest: "Your Majesty, why not directly send troops to Da Liang? Our great Qin has previously attacked Da Liang several times, and the path is familiar. The state of Wei has just been defeated, morale is low, it's enough to take advantage of the momentum, attack and capture Da Liang."

  Everyone hastened to express their own views, fearing that the King of Qin would not know how loyal they were to Great Qin.

  "Chancellor, why don't you say a few words? Don't tell me you can't see the value in any of Lord Wei's suggestions?" The King of Qin turned to look at Wei Rang, who had yet to speak.

  The great hall suddenly fell silent. The King of Qin's words were thought-provoking, and a wise person would understand that the king was trying to drive a wedge between them.

  "The king is above, and the various ministers have their own reasons. Our great Qin facing the alliance of the three Jin, the reaction made is naturally the faster the better! We must let the people of the world know that whoever dares to oppose our great Qin will surely end up in a miserable state."

  "Just now, I didn't echo the opinions of the other ministers because I was considering how to enable Your Majesty to gain the greatest benefit at the smallest cost." Wei Rang explained.

  "In my opinion, it would be better to attack the Wild King's city in Korea. Our Great Qin has already occupied Wen Di, and if we take the Wild King's city, we will divide Korea into two parts. We can advance to conquer the Central Plains, or retreat to conquer Shangdang. If Shangdang falls, Handan is within reach, making it easy to campaign against Zhao."

  "Hmm." King Qin paused for a moment, looking at Bai Qi.

  Bai Qi knew that his next words would again displease the King of Qin, but as a military man, he should not go against his conscience. So he spoke truthfully: "Your Majesty, I also think so. The Prime Minister's plan, in my opinion, is indeed the one with the least expense and the greatest gain."

  "Oh."

  The King of Qin did not have any opposing words this time. After a moment's thought, he said: "Where is the Imperial Secretary?"

  "I am here."

  "Draft the imperial edict immediately, ordering Hu Yang and Wang Tong to lead the great army across the Yi Que mountain pass and directly attack Ye Wang. The prefectures and counties along the way will provide food and fodder, and the army must arrive within 15 days; those who fail to meet the deadline will be beheaded!"

  The Minister of Works hastily drafted a good edict and respectfully presented it to the King of Qin. The King of Qin glanced at it briefly before affixing his jade seal.

  "What is the imperial physician's order?"

  "I am present."

  "I order you to immediately dispatch a messenger to catch up with the armies of Hu Yang and Wang Kuai, eight hundred li away, to proclaim my edict."

  "I obey the king's order." The imperial attendant hastily retreated.

  The mighty war machine of Qin was set in motion, with each department working like a precise machine, performing its duties and coordinating closely.

  On this day, the people of Xianyang saw that the Qin Palace had sent out three batches of envoys. The three small black flags inserted on horseback indicated that they were conveying the most urgent military information, and even if the envoys trampled pedestrians to death while riding horses, they would not bear any responsibility.

  The Qin people were even more excited when they saw the urgent messenger from 800 miles away.

  In this country where military achievements are paramount and a nation is established by force of arms, no one yearns for war more than the Qin people.

  These decades of eastern and western expeditions, southern and northern conquests have allowed the people of Qin to experience the beauty of war. The people of Qin are accustomed to victory, accustomed to war. War is just another opportunity for the people of Qin to make achievements.

  Five days ago, Hu Yang's 100,000-strong army set out from Xianyang and rushed to Yique. For the quota of going out to battle, the 250 masters almost fought each other.

  At this time, the Qin army had a consensus that going on an expedition meant making achievements. Only by making achievements could one obtain higher nobility, higher power and a better life.

  Those who were selected were overjoyed, while those who were not selected felt disappointed and depressed. They hoped to have another chance next time they went out.

  More than 300 miles east of Xianyang, the Qin army is just a stone's throw away from Hangu Pass. It seems that tomorrow they can exit Hangu Pass and enter the Central Plains. However, at present, more than 300 miles of land east of Hangu Pass are all owned by the State of Qin. This expedition is more like a drill.

  Just as the sun was setting and the camp was being set up, Hu Yang finally met with the envoy from Xianyang.

  Three successive envoys were enough to show how furious the King of Qin was about the alliance of the three Jin states. Hu Yang knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

  His current rank is only eleventh-grade right Shu Chang, and his previous merits were mostly followed by Wu An Jun, rarely having the opportunity to lead the army alone.

  It is worth noting that the same big victory, the merits of leading alone and being a deputy are quite different.

  If this time can achieve a big victory, it is not impossible to be promoted three levels in a row.

  As for the commander's thoughts, Wang Tong was unaware. At present, he is just a twenty-year-old young man. However, if you underestimate him because of his age, you will regret it.

  The rank of Wu Dafu was already not low, and more importantly, King Qin seemed to have some appreciation for the young man Wang Kui.

  Of course, what Qin Guo lacks the least is talent. No matter how much he appreciates him, Wang Ze must come up with enough achievements to prove that he deserves such treatment.

  Wang would never tell others how he met the King of Qin, it was the proudest moment of his life. It was just a piece of pastry and a conversation.

  What happened next was that Xianyang's commander launched a massive crackdown on bandits, with countless people beheaded. And he himself was inexplicably promoted to deputy general of this Qin army.

  As for Wang Que, Hu Yang didn't know much about him, after all, they had never worked together before. Now, in order to ensure the smooth progress of the expedition, Hu Yang decided to test this somewhat arrogant young deputy general.

  "Wang Kou, you've also seen the king's orders. What are your thoughts on attacking the Wild King?"

  "General, look at the map. Although Ye Wang is a small city with few soldiers, it is located south of the Yellow River and southeast of Chenggao, a major town in Korea. Behind Chenggao are Xingyang and Xinzheng, which have always been the heartland of Korea. Looking at its west and north sides, there is Shangdang Commandery, where the Korean army has stationed 100,000 troops. Therefore, if we capture Ye Wang, the upper party of Korea will become a isolated enclave on our territory, and our great Qin can easily obtain it."

  "Hmm, well said. Then what suggestions do you have for this attack?" Hu Yang agreed with Wang Kun's opinion.

  Obviously getting the approval of the general, Wang Tong was very happy and excited, continuing to say: "Just as we know the importance of Yeongwon to Korea, how can Korea not know? Therefore, once our army invades Yeongwon, Korea will inevitably mobilize its entire army to resist."

  "It is clear from the map that once Ye Wang is attacked, it can receive reinforcements from the southeast, west and north in a straight line. However, our great army of Qin is limited by the terrain and can only launch an attack on Ye Wang from its southeast, otherwise we will be vulnerable to attacks from both front and back."

  It was as if he suddenly remembered something, and Wang added: "The Eastern Zhou State in the southeast (everyone is interested to check, at this time there are two Zhou states, one Western Zhou and one Eastern Zhou, not a dynasty) has weak national strength, with only 20,000 troops in the country, I suppose they dare not have any opinions."

  "The east of Ye Wang is our newly occupied Wen Di, now Han, Zhao and Wei three countries have formed an alliance, so if Wei comes to aid, Wen Di will be easily attacked by Wei, it's hard to protect."

  Wang Kuai expressed his concerns and was about to suggest whether they could notify the commander of Wendi to lead his troops out of the city to join forces with the main army. Hu Yang spoke up.

  "Our Great Qin, since the reforms of Shang Yang, has never had a case where we were defeated before even fighting, abandoning our city and fleeing. Since we have not received any imperial edict from the king, the defending general of Wen will fight to the last man. In other words, as long as we capture Ye Wang with one swift blow, we can naturally coordinate with Wen to provide mutual support and relief."

  A single sentence from Hu Yang decided the fate of the 3,000 Qin soldiers who followed Wen Di.

  Wang Jun had to say: "This war is crucial in one word, if our army can take them by surprise and capture Ye Wang in one move. Then unite with Wen Di, press south towards Chenggao, press east towards Daliang, Han and Wei will surrender, and the three-country alliance will also collapse."

  "If we cannot take Yeouiju in time, I will pretend to attract the main force of Korea under the city of Yeouiju and defeat the Korean army in one battle. If Korea surrenders, it can also dissolve the alliance of three countries."

  "Good. What I'm thinking of is just what you're going to do. Our Great Qin is invincible in the Central Plains, and if the Han army really dares to come out of the city for a field battle, it would save us a lot of trouble! Haha!"

  "Pass on my order: starting tomorrow, speed up the march. Must arrive at Ye Wang within ten days."

  "Promise!"