Chapter 1194: Carrying on the Past and Opening the Future (Eighty-Four) New Year’s Bell (Part 2)

Everyone knew that Dong Zhao was annexed by Han, but it was only a matter of time. However, the timing surprised everyone. In Qin and Chu's judgment, Han was carrying out a series of domestic political reforms, including reorganizing the army, dividing military regions, establishing various new national offices, and issuing new currencies by the central bank. No matter which one, it would be a major event for Qin and Chu, enough to make the country unstable for a while. It was originally thought that Han would take a year or two to digest the unstable factors caused by this series of major changes and would not provoke new incidents.

But the Han Dynasty always did things beyond everyone's expectations. In the time period that everyone thought was the safest, Han announced the annexation of Dong Zhao in a shocking manner, and the brave general incorporated half of Zhao's territory into its own territory.

Qin and Chu were surprised and even more vigilant. This could only mean one thing: Han's internal affairs and stability were beyond everyone's expectations. Everyone thought that they would have unstable factors due to a series of changes, but for Han, it was not a big deal at all. They could easily digest these unstable factors. This reflects the strong control of the Han court over the country and the prestige of the King of Han in the hearts of the people of the Han Dynasty.

You know, Han is not just a country of a single nation. Now within the territory of Han, not to mention other ethnic minorities, the two major ethnic groups, Donghu and Xiongnu, used to be kings and hegemons, but now it seems that they are completely submissive.

The most intense reaction was of course from the Western Zhao court. After the Han announced the annexation of the Eastern Zhao and the abdication of Zhao's King Zhao Wuji, the Western Zhao immediately issued a harsh statement, claiming that this was a naked invasion of the Zhao by the Han, and that every innocent citizen of the Great Zhao would not sit idly by and watch this happen. The Zhao would mobilize all its people to fight the invaders to the death, and at the same time call on the people in the occupied areas to rise up and fight the invaders to the death.

When the Western Zhao voiced out, the Great Han court simply ignored it and began to answer them with actions. A large number of troops of the First Army entered the Eastern Zhao and took over the important cities of the Eastern Zhao. Military camps, while the troops of the Eastern Zhao began to move into the Han State. They would go to Dai County to accept the reorganization and reorganization of the First Military District.

All the mobilization of the troops seemed reasonable and there was no flaw at all.

Inside Hangu Pass. Lu Chao did not dare to take it lightly. After the Han Dynasty announced the annexation of Dong Zhao, he immediately began to mobilize the army. When the Han State just began to send troops to take over the important cities of Dong Zhao, the army led by Lu Chao had already left Hangu Pass and entered Jinyang.

He had to guard against the possibility that the Han State might strike while the iron was hot and attack the Western Zhao directly. Lu Chao did not think that the current Western Zhao army could withstand the full-scale attack of the Han State. No one knew the current situation of the Western Zhao army better than him. As the barrier of the Qin State before Hangu Pass. Lu Chao must ensure the existence of the Western Zhao regime.

The army that Lu Chao brought out from Hangu Pass had a total of 20,000 people. After entering Jinyang, they set up a camp in Lubin, more than 50 miles away from Jinyang City.

At present, it was cold and snowy, and the road was blocked. It was difficult for the army to move, and it was even more difficult to supply materials. Although there were more than 100,000 Qin troops stationed in the camps inside and outside Hangu Pass, Lu Chao could not mobilize them all. After all, once the army moved, the consumption of grain and silver would be an astronomical figure. Now, the Qin people's economy is really difficult. It is not worthwhile to mobilize troops on a large scale to demonstrate to the Han people.

In Lu Chao's mind. This is just a demonstration. He sent troops to Jinyang just to show the Han State that Qin would never sit idly by and watch the Han people take over Dongzhao and then extend their evil hands to Xizhao. As for the ownership of Dongzhao. It is not within the Qin people's consideration at all. The existence of the puppet regime of Dongzhao is no different from the formal annexation of it by Han. As long as the temporary existence of the Xizhao regime is ensured to relieve the pressure of Qin's direct large-scale confrontation with Han on the border, that's enough.

Of course, this time, the troops can also take back the things they asked for from Xizhao. After sending the list of needs to Jinyang, the Jinyang Xizhao court has been looking for various reasons to delay the handover. Lu Chao doesn't care how difficult they are, whether it is real or fake, they must hand over what they need. As for how to start the topic with things, that is Zhao Qi's business.

My 20,000 troops stationed in Lubin will also put great pressure on Zhao Qi. If he dares not to hand it over, he will have to consider the deterrent power of my 20,000 troops.

Sure enough, when I arrived in Lubin and set up camp, Zhao Qi came as fast as a spark before I even had time to sit down. Not only did he come, but his son Zhao Xilie also came to Lubin.

"Hello, General." In front of Lu Chao, Zhao Qi bowed deeply, without any dignity of a prime minister. "General, you have worked hard for the affairs of Zhao State. Zhao Qi is deeply grateful."

Lu Chao waved his hand, "Prime Minister Zhao is too polite. Please stand up, please stand up."

"The weather is so cold, and General Lu personally led his troops here to boost the momentum of our Great Zhao. Zhao Qi should express his gratitude. This time, Zhao brought some supplies to reward the army to thank the general for his support." Zhao Qi said humbly.

Lu Chao raised his head and glanced at the convoy that was approaching from a distance. The number was too far from what he had requested. This little bit of money could not make up for the cost of his troops this time. He did not say much at the moment and smiled faintly, "It's too cold outside, Prime Minister Zhao, let's talk inside the camp, please!"

The interior of Lu Chao's tent was as warm as spring. Although the army was far away, there were four braziers burning in this huge central tent, and the carefully selected smokeless charcoal was spitting out light blue color silently. The flames were simmering in the small copper stove next to the charcoal fire, and the steam was rising, which was completely different from the cold outside the tent.

Zhao Xilie took a deep breath, looked here, and then thought about the desolate scene in his Chinese army tent. He thought of Li Mingjun lying on the ground with his cheeks puffed out and blowing on the charcoal fire that was about to go out. A fire of ignorance started from within. There was a deep feeling in my heart, but I couldn't show it. I could only lower my head and try my best to suppress the anger in my heart.

Lu Chao's enjoyment was based on the suffering of the people of Xi Zhao and the hunger of the entire Xi Zhao army. Judging from his attitude just now, it seemed that he still disliked the fact that his father brought too little. , you know, even these things are pieced together from scratch.

"Please sit down. Zhao Shoufu, General Zhao." Lu Chao asked the two of them to sit down with a smile. "I have long heard that Zhao Shoufu is an expert in tea ceremony, but it is a pity that Lu came from a poor family. There is really no research on this art. It is rare today. Zhao Shoufu came to my camp and had nothing to do. How about we enjoy Zhao Shoufu's tea ceremony while talking? "

Hearing Lu Chao's rude request. Zhao Xilie was furious. Do you think my father is an artist in a teahouse and a restaurant? You actually want him to make tea for you personally? This time, the anger in his heart could no longer be endured, and his face couldn't help but look very ugly.

Lu Chao glanced at the other party coldly, "What's wrong with General Zhao? His face is so ugly?"

Before Zhao Xilie had time to answer, Zhao Qi rushed to say: "The child is worried about the current situation. He is worried day and night and has not had a good rest. Therefore, his face is a bit ugly. General, please don't blame me."

"That's it. General Zhao is young and I'm afraid he still can't see the current situation clearly. Don't worry, it's impossible for the Han people to attack in a large scale now. General Zhao should just keep his heart in his stomach." Lu Chao said with a chuckle.

Zhao Xilie said in a low voice: "If the general thinks so, then why did he lead the troops out of Hangu Pass? It's freezing cold, and tens of thousands of troops braved the wind and snow. Could it be that the general wants to take this opportunity to train his troops? ?”

Lu Chao burst out laughing when he heard Zhao Xilie push him back in one breath. "Attitude, this is an attitude. We must show our attitude to the Han people. It is also a warning. If they are too greedy, then a war will break out, that's all. As for what you said about taking advantage of the storm to train the army? , Not bad, the forced march under such weather was a big test of our army's ability, and I am very satisfied with the result. I believe that the Daqin army is still the strongest army in the world. My camp has seen the morale of our army.”

"That's that!" Zhao Qi quickly intervened to ease the atmosphere: "The Great Qin Tigers have always been the strongest soldiers in the world. With the Great Qin as Zhao's back-up, the Han Kingdom will definitely retreat in the face of difficulties."

"Even if you are a fierce tiger in this world, you still have to eat and pay. Zhao Shoufu, I haven't received the materials listed in the list I gave you last time. Da Qin will support you Zhao State, whether it is sending troops or other things. They are all trying their best to consider Zhao Guo, but Mr. Zhao seems not to be active in our requests. "

"It's not that I'm not active, it's just that I'm a little overwhelmed, but Zhao is still trying his best to make arrangements."

"The Chinese New Year is coming soon. If we can't get these supplies in time, my soldiers will inevitably be disappointed." Lu Chao looked at Zhao Qi with a smile.

Zhao Qi gritted his teeth and said, "General, don't worry, Zhao will definitely deliver all the supplies to the general's camp before the Chinese New Year."

"That's very good, that's very good. There is no need to send it to Hangu Pass this time. I will be in Lubin around you. It would be great if Mr. Zhao could just send it here at that time. It also saves Mr. Zhao the hassle of traveling back and forth." Super Tao.

"Don't worry, General. Come, General, let's try Zhao's craftsmanship." Zhao Qi held a cup of brewed tea in both hands and handed it to Lu Chao.

Lu Chao took the tea offered by Zhao Qi, took a sip, and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, good tea. Compared to my usual routine, it's simply not on the same level."

"The general has many things to do, and the tea ceremony is just a small skill. The general just doesn't want to waste time on it. If he wants to do it, the general can definitely do it to the best." Zhao Qi's attitude was almost flattering.

"That's true. If I want to do something, I will definitely do it the best." Lu Chao nodded with satisfaction, holding the teacup and tasting it carefully.

Zhao Qi handed a cup of tea to his son Zhao Xilie, and at the same time gave him a stern look, because the expression on Zhao Xilie's face was really difficult to conceal.

Zhao Xilie lowered his head and drank the tea slowly and slowly. In the silence, he suddenly raised his head: "General, I actually have an idea in my mind. I wonder if the General would like to hear it?"

"Oh, if General Zhao has any ideas, Lu is all ears." Lu Chao nodded.

"General Lu said earlier that the general's purpose of sending troops was nothing more than a demonstration to the Han people. Zhao also wanted to conduct a large-scale military exercise in Jinyang County. As the general said, he would check the army's preparations and morale. Secondly, it is to show the courage of our army and determination to regain the lost land to the people of Zhao. Thirdly, it is to awaken the people's sense of struggle and inspire people. Fourthly, it is also to show the Han people that we are ready for everything, as long as they dare to come. If they commit crimes, we will give them a head-on attack. What does the general think?"

Listening to Zhao Xilie's talk, Zhao Qi on the side couldn't help but be dumbfounded, because Zhao Xilie had not communicated with him at all beforehand. Where would the money and food come from for such a large-scale exercise? What's more, now Lu Chao is forcing supplies so hard.

"General Zhao's proposal is very good, but this is Zhao's internal affairs. I will not interfere. You can make your own decisions."

"We will also ask General Lu to come and give guidance then!" Zhao Xilie said with a smile. (To be continued.)