When the carriage of the Korean envoy went north from Xinzheng and arrived at Handan, the capital of Zhao State, after a long journey, the northern country was already the color of ice and snow.

The arrival of the Korean envoy and the news he carried made the Zhao monarchs and ministers in the cold winter feel even more cold.

Although the Zhao State also received a letter of war from the Wei State a few months ago, the visit of the Korean envoy still forced the Zhao State to pay attention to it.

After learning that the Wei State was facing off against the two great powers of South Korea and Zhao State at the same time, the Zhao State monarchs and ministers had to lament the courage of the new Wei Hou.

It's just that Wei Wei's courage made Zhao's monarchs and ministers feel a little cautious, because the courage must be based on matching strength.

You must know that the Wei State today is not the Wei State that fell into civil strife after the death of Wei Wuhou a few months ago due to the struggle between Wei Wei and Gong Zhongxu for the throne.

Since Wei? officially ascended the throne of the Wei State and the situation of the Wei State gradually stabilized, the declining national power of the Wei State has been greatly restored.

How powerful can a complete Wei state be? The answer to the whole question has already been resolved in the Zhao-Wei War more than ten years ago.

If Yin Wuqi, the commander of the Chu State, had not understood the situation in the world and led the Chu army out of Liangmen, garrisoned in the forest and drank from the horse river, how could the Zhao State have enough power to launch a counterattack against the powerful Wei State?

In other words, without the help of Chu State after the reform, Zhao State would have almost no power to resist Wei State.

Now that the civil strife in Wei has subsided, and the Wei army is about to approach the city, the kings and ministers of Zhao are naturally uneasy.

"Snapped……"

The sound of a bamboo slip being slapped on several cases resounded in the hall, like a thunder shock, waking up all the Zhao courtiers present from their worries.

His gaze was like a sharp sword as he looked around at everyone below. After seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Zhao Hou Zhao Zhong slowly opened his mouth.

"My lords, a war is about to begin. How should our country, Zhao, respond?"

Zhao Zhong's question immediately plunged the originally silent hall into a burst of noise, with everyone telling their colleagues their opinions.

After a long time, the noise gradually subsided, and a calm figure slowly walked out from among the Zhao Kingdom officials below.

Looking at this familiar figure, a trace of relaxation appeared on Zhao Zhong's solemn face.

The visitor was none other than his Prime Minister, Gong Zhongle.

Walking in front of Zhao Zhong, Gong Zhongle bowed and said, "I would like to report to you, Your Majesty, I think that Wei is strong and Zhao is weak."

"If we, the Zhao State, try to fight against the Wei State with only our own strength, we will be using fragile jade against a hard stone."

"This is undoubtedly very foolish and futile."

Gong Zhongle's voice was not loud but every word was so clear. After listening to his words, all the Zhao court officials present showed expressions of approval on their faces.

As for Zhao Zhong, who was sitting on the throne at the moment, he had some thoughts in his heart.

With a somewhat inquiring look, Zhao Zhong asked Gong Zhongle in front of him softly: "According to the wishes of the Prime Minister, our Zhao State should unite with South Korea and send troops together to deal with the threat of Wei State?"

"Exactly." After expressing his agreement with Zhao Zhong's words, Gong Zhongle bowed to Zhao Zhong and said, "I would like to report to you, Your Majesty, I believe that as long as South Korea and Zhao work together, even if the country is as powerful as Wei, it will not be impossible."

It can be defeated."

After saying these words, Gong Zhongle looked at Zhao Zhong, only to see that there was still a somewhat worried look on his face.

"How could Zhao defeat the Wei army led by the Marquis of Wei in the last battle of Zhuoze?"

"It is because of the concerted efforts of Zhao and South Korea that we are able to fight." Before Zhao Zhong could reply, Gong Zhongle immediately bowed and responded.

While giving the reasons why the Battle of Zhuoze was successful, Gong Zhongle couldn't help but sigh a little, "If the emperor could have followed Han Hou's strategy, I'm afraid we wouldn't be in the predicament we are in today."

After listening to Gong Zhongle's lament, it was inevitable that he felt a little regretful in his heart.

yes!

If he had listened to Han Ruoshan's advice, the balance of power between Zhao, South Korea, and Wei would have immediately reversed, and his own Zhao would not have to worry about Wei's counterattack.

It’s just that whether it’s God’s will or people’s will, things are already in the past, so what’s the use of regretting it now?

"well……"

Gently exhaling a breath of turbid air from his chest, Zhao Zhong looked at Gong Zhongle in front of him, but his face showed a bit of solemnity.

"There is no need to mention what happened yesterday. I ask the Prime Minister and all your ministers to pay more attention to the war."

"I respectfully obey your orders."

…

The Zhao State in the north is covered with snow at the moment, while the Chu State in the south, thousands of miles away from Zhao State, is still warm and pleasant.

In the palace of Yingdu, the capital of Chu State, a stream gurgled by. By the bank of the stream, the young King of Chu, Xiong Liangfu, was admiring the beautiful scenery around him.

At this moment, a palace official came behind Xiong Liangfu.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty has arrived."

When he heard that Ling Yin had arrived, Xiong Liangfu immediately turned his attention away, and a solemn look slowly appeared in his eyes.

"Please."

Not long after, the palace man appeared behind Xiong Liangfu again, and behind him was a heroic figure.

The person who came was none other than Zhao Xixie, the current magistrate of Chu State.

Perhaps because he was born in the military, this Ling Yin showed his military prowess in every move he made.

Walking quickly behind Xiong Liangfu, Zhao Xixie bowed solemnly.

"Your Majesty, Zhao Xixie, pays homage to the King."

Naturally, the King of Chu, who had just succeeded to the throne, had to treat this minister who had a very important position in the court of Chu with sufficient courtesy.

Hurrying forward to help Zhao Xixie up, Xiong Liangfu said with some respect: "Your Majesty, you don't have to be like this, you are so polite."

"Not long after I succeeded to the throne, the domestic political situation of the Chu State was beginning to become unstable. Without the help of Ling Yin, how could I have stabilized the Chu State so quickly?"

"Ling Yin's contribution will never be forgotten."

Seeing that the King of Chu was wise and humble, Zhao Xixie, as a minister, naturally would not be arrogant and immediately thanked him.

Feeling the silent tacit understanding between the monarch and his ministers, the corners of Xiong Liangfu's mouth curved a bit.

After a few breaths, with a smile on his face, Xiong Liangfu told Zhao Xixie what he wanted to ask when summoning him to the palace.

"Has your Majesty heard that the Korean envoy has arrived in Yingdu?"

"I already know." Zhao Xixie raised his head and glanced at the King of Chu in front of him, and continued: "I thought that the Han envoy came here to ask for help from our Chu country."

"Exactly."

Hearing Zhao Xixie reveal the purpose of the Korean envoy's visit, Xiong Liangfu's eyes suddenly showed a bit of surprise, "Does your Majesty Yin think our Chu country should send troops?"

"I think it is best for our country of Chu not to participate in this war between the three Jins."

After finishing speaking, facing the puzzled look on Xiong Liangfu's face, Zhao Xixie said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, there are two reasons why I said this."

"First, the king has just succeeded to the throne and the domestic situation is still unclear. Sending troops at this moment will not only be of no benefit to the Chu State, but will also destabilize the government."

"Secondly, the purpose of Wei State's sending troops to Korea and Zhao this time is to avenge the two countries' invasion. Wei State's move is justified. If Chu State is involved, it will inevitably cause criticism from the princes of the world."

In today's world, although the Zhou Dynasty has declined and rituals have collapsed, there is still a set of rules that are silently followed among the princes.

In fact, if you are strong enough, you don't need to comply, such as the already unrivaled Qin State in the late Warring States Period.

But if you are weak and break these rules rashly, the consequences will be very tragic, such as risking the disapproval of the world and destroying the Qi State of Song Dynasty.

As the King of Chu, Xiong Liangfu knew very well that although the Chu State under his rule was relatively strong, it was far from being able to ignore the rules.

After a moment of weighing, he finally made a decision, "In this case, our country, Chu, will not participate in this battle between the Three Jin Dynasties."
Chapter completed!