Chapter 1: The Crisis of Huayang

  In 273 BC, the 42nd year of King You of Zhou, the capital of Han was Xinzheng.

  Suddenly, like a spring breeze in one night, thousands of pear trees bloom. Last night's heavy snowfall transformed the entire Xinzheng into a silver-white world. Although the northwest wind was biting, it couldn't stop people from celebrating the New Year with enthusiasm.

  Today is the sixth day of the first month, and the streets and alleys of Xinzheng are bustling with excitement. The sound of children's laughter, vendors' calls, and wine shops' clinking glasses fill the air, blending together to create a New Year's symphony. Wisps of smoke from cooking waft through the air, carrying the fragrance of sweet pastries, as the thick atmosphere of celebration envelops Xinzheng City.

  The joy of New Year's made everyone temporarily forget that they were currently in the Warring States period, an era where various states fought each other and human life was cheaper than grass.

  This year is a year worth celebrating for the Korean people. Thanks to the good weather, there were no floods or droughts, and the harvest was decent. Moreover, Korea had no major wars throughout the year, so the people are truly delighted.

  The neighboring state of Wei was in a precarious situation. Since last year, the state of Wei had been suffering from Qin's revenge for betraying Qin and allying with Qi, and the war had been ongoing. The Qin army was like a pack of tigers and wolves, while the state of Wei was no longer as brave as it used to be. As a result, the state of Wei was defeated by Qin, and its people suffered greatly, unable to bear the pain, losing repeatedly, with 50,000 soldiers beheaded before Qin finally felt relieved.

  The common people do not understand why the fires of war never cease in various countries. In their view, the rulers and nobles have meat to eat and wine to drink, what more could they be dissatisfied with? Wouldn't it be better for everyone to live in harmony, instead of fighting to the death, only to end up laying waste to the land?

  Unfortunately, they do not understand the cunning of politics. Even wars involving tens or hundreds of thousands of people are merely a continuation of politics. In life, nobles and aristocrats are never satisfied with just having enough food and drink. They yearn for more power, more land. All this requires war to seize.

  The Warring States is a chessboard, everyone is a pawn. If you don't want to be a pawn, you must rise up and fight back. Struggle, maybe win or lose your head; not struggle, then forever be controlled by others.

  It has been over 100 years since the State of Han destroyed Zheng and made Xinzheng its new capital in the first year of King Lie of Zhou (375 BC). After more than a century of construction, Xinzheng had become the most magnificent city in the state of Han. Looking around the entire Central Plains region, only the Daliang of Wei could compare with it.

  One of the advantages of living in a capital city is safety. Unless the country is on the verge of collapse, there will be no war or violence. This is also why Xinzheng City has a population of over 200,000 people.

  At the North Gate of Xinzheng, a man in his fifties was drinking coarse tea from an earthenware bowl. Beside him stood a youth of seventeen or eighteen years old. The young man gazed at the older one with admiration and said: "Uncle Su, please tell me again about your military experiences, I beg you."

  The old man's eyes twitched, and he swallowed the bitter tea in his mouth, muttering to himself: "Wei Ya Zi, don't think that joining the army is fun. It's going to the battlefield with your head held high, where swords and guns are not picky about who they kill. Whether you're a general or a foot soldier, one arrow can take your life."

  "But my brother Wei Yun relied on his military achievements and became a battalion commander, managing 50 people! Old Uncle Su, you don't know that Chen Erhu from next door has been in the army for two years and came back the other day to show off in front of me, saying he was promoted to be a company commander. He laughed at me for still being a small soldier guarding the city gate, I couldn't take it. Old Uncle Su, teach me the skills to kill enemies, I want to become a general."

  "You little rabbit!" The old man slapped the young man on the head, "You think being a general is that easy! One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers. Do you know how many times you have to go through the mountains and seas of blood to become a general? You'll be dead before you even make it. I've been in the army for thirty years, and so many people like you had grand ambitions, but as soon as they got on the battlefield, they wet their pants. My comrades-in-arms have changed one batch after another, and I almost died countless times myself. What nonsense about being a general? Even if you become a high-ranking official, you still need to be alive to do it." The old man said with a heavy heart. But the young man muttered under his breath, "Maybe I'll also be lucky like Old Su and live to become a general!"

  "Ah, my boy!" the old man said with a serious face. "Don't be fooled by those who seem strong and powerful in peacetime. When it comes to the battlefield, they're usually the first to die. Listen to your uncle's advice: survival is more important than anything else. Don't laugh at me, but I've been an escaped soldier for thirty years, and I've even pretended to be dead before. But I'm still alive, which is better than those who died abroad with no one to bury their bones. It's only because our two families are close that I swallowed my pride and asked for a job as a gatekeeper for you. Although it's hard work, at least you won't lose your life."

  "Old Uncle Su, I know you're doing this for my own good." The young man looked at the old man with a determined face and said, "But I'm just a poor boy from a humble family. Am I supposed to spend my whole life farming and guarding the city gate until I'm old? Although I'm young, I also know that wealth and honor are won through danger and hardship. Rather than dying at the city gate, it's better to fight for a future. Please help me, Old Uncle Su."

  The old man struggled inwardly for half a day, sighed and said, "Alas! Never mind! After the city gate is closed, follow me home, I'll teach you some military rules, so as not to harm your life in vain."

  "Thanks, Uncle Su!" The young man replied excitedly.

  North of Xinzheng 60 li, is Huayang of South Korea.

  The dense and vast troops of Wei and Zhao surrounded the city of Huayang, standing on the city wall and looking out to the distance, a sea of red stretched as far as the eye could see.

  The small city of Huaiyang was like a small boat in the midst of a stormy sea, as if a single red wave could engulf it. Countless flags fluttered in the wind, with the most eye-catching being the fiery red "Wei" and "Mang" character banners, as well as the seven-red-three-blue "Zhao" and "Jia" character banners.

  Under the city wall, Wei State's Prime Minister Meng Tan was inspecting the military camp with several Wei generals surrounding him, and the one accompanying him was none other than Zhao army commander Jia Yan.

  Seeing the Koreans in a flurry on the city wall, Mengmeng felt very proud. Although the Wei state's national strength has been declining in recent years and was defeated by Qin, it is not something that small Korea can contend with. This time, leading 130,000 troops from Wei, plus 20,000 troops from Zhao, a total of 150,000 troops are enough to crush Korea.

  Thinking that he would capture Huaiyang City in a few days and surround Xinzheng, Mangmang's face was flushed with excitement. At first, he had presented a plan to the King of Wei to cede three cities to Qin and then ally with Qin to attack Qi, achieving a great victory and capturing 22 counties from Qi. If this campaign against Han were successful, he would surely gain even more favor with the King of Wei. Therefore, as for Huaiyang City, it was something that he had to obtain. Mangmang made a silent vow in his heart.

  As of today, the trend has become clear. Qin is the strongest and most likely to unify China. Zhao is currently the only state that can barely resist Qin's strength. Chu, Qi, Wei, Han, and Yan have all declined and do not stand a chance against either Zhao or Qin, they need to form an alliance for self-preservation.

  The mighty Qin is not a country that can be defeated by just one nation, this is already a shared understanding. What's even more frightening is that the Qin state has always had the intention of sweeping across the world, encompassing everything within the universe, and swallowing up all four seas and eight wildernesses. The six nations were terrified, they once formed an alliance to resist the Qin, swearing a blood oath, but with ten times the land and a million troops, they attacked the Qin state. The Qin people opened their gates and invited the enemy in, the armies of the six nations hesitated and did not dare to advance.

  The only way to protect oneself was broken due to the six countries having their own axes to grind, and as a result, the six countries vied with each other to bribe Qin in order to seek temporary peace. The State of Qin, after occupying the Chu capital Yingdu and defeating 400,000 Chu troops, once again turned its attention to the Central Plains. Therefore, the States of Wei and Han became stumbling blocks in the eyes of the powerful Qin, and were mutually at odds with each other.

  Just two years ago (275 BC), the Prime Minister of Qin, Wei Ran, led his army to besiege Daliang, the capital of Wei State. The King of Han sent troops to rescue Wei without hesitation and was defeated with 40,000 soldiers beheaded, and General Pao Ying fled to Kaifeng. Although Wei State eventually ceded Wenyi to make peace, Han's righteous act in helping Wei in its time of crisis (mainly because it knew the principle of "when lips are gone, teeth get cold") was well-known to all.

  Alas, this is an era of moral decline, where profit is paramount. Examples of hidden daggers in smiles, watching fires from across the shore, and repaying kindness with enmity are everywhere. There is no eternal friendship between nations; as long as there is sufficient benefit, either side can sell out everything.

  The State of Wei was also intimidated by the State of Qin, today it cedes one city, tomorrow two counties, and the pain in the hearts of the ruler and officials of Wei is unbearable, for what they are ceding is their own taxes and grain!

  He took the opportunity to persuade the new ruler of Wei, saying that Han was wealthy but militarily weak and could be bullied. As for Qin, Wei knew it was no match. But when it came to dealing with Han, Wei would have an easy victory. The land lost to Qin could be taken back from its good neighbor, which would also boost national confidence and military morale - what a delightful thing to do!

  These words coincided with the king's thoughts, but the relationship between Han and Wei was not bad after all. Especially when the capital of Wei was besieged, only Han came to its rescue. Now that it has sent troops, it is morally unconvincing, and King Wei is hesitant.

  Mangmang was skilled at observing words and expressions, and the King of Wei had already been moved. Now all that was needed was an excuse, which Mangmang had long since prepared. So he argued: "Although Korea has helped us in the past, after their defeat they formed an alliance with Qin. This year when Qin attacked us, Korea just stood by and watched. We can unite with Zhao to force Korea to break its alliance with Qin, and the three Jin states will once again be on good terms. As for occupying Korean territory, it's simply a matter of teaching them a lesson - only unity under our Wei state is the right path! In the future, Your Majesty's fame will spread far and wide, and you'll gain multiple benefits in one move!"

  The King of Wei was overjoyed upon hearing this, immediately dispelled his worries, and agreed to unite with Zhao to attack Han. The State of Zhao also readily agreed, but not because they coveted the land of Han.

  In the eyes of Zhao, Chu had already been knocked down by Qin. So next step it's very likely to be their turn, after all they are currently the strongest among the six countries. As the saying goes, "strike first and gain the upper hand". Zhao also wanted to win over Han to help them resist Qin together. Unfortunately, Han didn't know what was good for them, now it's time to teach this disobedient little friend a lesson.

  For Zhao and Wei, the only element in this battle is to fight quickly and decisively. Although Qin and Han have an alliance, the road from Xianyang to Xinzheng is treacherous, and a thousand miles can change many things. If everything goes smoothly, it's possible that the Qin army will still be on its way when Korea is forced to sign a city-under-siege treaty with Zhao and Wei.

  Zhao and Wei secretly planned, deceiving heaven and crossing the sea. As the new year arrived, they took advantage of Han's lax defense and suddenly broke through the Korean army's defensive line.

  Within one day, Huayang is in danger, Xinzheng is in danger!