In just a few days, these remarks spread like wildfire throughout the entire Wei Kingdom.
Throughout the Wei Kingdom, not only was morale low and soldiers unwilling to fight, but the entire army was also in disarray.
Even many farmers were planning to abandon their farming tools and join the ranks of the people of Qin.
What's more, some people have already spread the various policies promulgated by the wicked ruler to other countries.
The news caused a sensation throughout the continent.
Naturally, this news also reached the ears of King Xi of Wei.
"These despicable creatures are utterly outrageous!"
Upon hearing this, King Xi of Wei was furious and cursed.
"I have toiled for these lowly people for generations, and yet they treat me like this!"
The officials below dared not utter a single word.
They estimated that King Xi of Wei was unaware of the situation they were about to face.
Putting everything else aside, the 150,000 Wei soldiers who surrendered are probably enough to give the currently weak Wei state a run for its money.
Not to mention that behind these people were countless fierce and ruthless troops personally led by the wicked husband and Li Xin.
Now, even if one wanted to use the families of those surrendered soldiers as leverage, it would be too late.
That's a full 150,000 people!
Even if a person only has two children, a wife, and parents, he would still kill a full 750,000 people!
If they kill like this, Wei probably won't even need Qin troops to attack; they'll just destroy their own people!
But how did so many people surrender? They had always been treated well, so why did they suddenly turn against their own country?
Even if the Qin army is too powerful, even if you have 150,000 pigs, the Qin army will still take half a month to capture them!
How could they all have fled to the enemy's side overnight?
Are you all mute?
"Tell me, how exactly should this matter be handled?!"
Seeing that the people below remained silent, King Xi of Wei roared.
At that moment, someone who wasn't afraid of death suddenly stepped forward.
"In my opinion, Your Majesty should now follow the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, and surrender to the wicked man!"
"This move is still what the common people want, and it will surely preserve the land and the state of Wei!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the other officials were quite interesting.
You really dare to say that!
What, do you think you have too many brains?
"What you say is truly the view of a petty person!"
Naturally, some of King Xi of Wei's confidants opposed the surrender.
"Who in the world has not heard that the wicked man is a bloodthirsty and tyrannical person of our time?"
"A few days ago, they captured a city of my Wei Kingdom, and their subordinate Li Xin has harmed countless civilians of our Great Wei!"
"If we open the city gates and surrender, we will surely be slaughtered!"
The two argued incessantly.
"No, after entering the city, the wicked man not only whipped the criminal general Li Xin in front of everyone, but also promised the people countless benefits. Isn't this a blessing?"
"Even so, can the lives and innocence of countless Wei citizens be restored? This is nothing but a play orchestrated by the wicked man himself!"
......
"fart!"
"You're spreading heresy and misleading the people! You must be in cahoots with that wicked husband to bewitch people! Drag him out and execute him immediately!!"
King Wei was furious after hearing the advice to surrender.
Soon, several soldiers climbed up into the main hall and dragged the man out.
Even as he was being dragged away, the man continued to shout.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!!"
"Think it over!!"
Not long after, with a crisp "snap" sound from outside, the man's head fell to the ground.
King Xi of Wei's expression shifted slightly, and endless regret welled up in his heart once again.
Whether surrendering at this point would be advantageous or disadvantageous, how could he not know?
As things stand, neither the State of Han nor the State of Zhao has the time or inclination to send troops to help them.
If it were a head-on confrontation, he knew even with his toes that he would be no match for the Qin soldiers.
If they surrender, even if they don't actually receive the preferential treatment they claim, at least they won't incite a popular uprising.
But if I fight to the death, I will definitely not have a good ending!
"Your Majesty, why not send someone down now to quell the rumors? Say that the Qin army is short of soldiers and food, and this is just a delaying tactic. There is still hope for salvation!"
King Xi of Wei's eyes lit up; this was a good idea!
Even if it doesn't succeed, I won't lose anything.
"Alright, you can make the arrangements yourselves!"
"If this can truly quell the rumors and boost our morale, I will reward you handsomely."
Yes~~
The man then withdrew.
But once this person left, no one stepped forward to offer advice.
"What about you? Don't you have any better ideas?"
"You're a bunch of pigs!"
"What have I been keeping you all for?!"
Just then, the soldiers outside came in carrying the head of the man who had just said he wanted to surrender.
Looking at the bloodied head, King Xi of Wei could only feel regret.
In truth, he had already begun to want to surrender.
But how could such words come from the mouth of a servant?
Wouldn't that tarnish his dignity as a king?
If I surrender to a wicked man, how can he possibly take me seriously?
"Your Majesty, the only course of action now is to fight fire with fire!"
"Oh, what do you mean?"
"Since the Qin army can reward its soldiers with military merits and win the hearts of the people with light taxes and corvée labor, then if the enemy can go, so can we!"
"The wealth of our Great Wei is evident to all. If we promise our soldiers gold and silver and appease the people with land, then the Qin army will naturally retreat!"
It has to be said that this is the best solution available when there is no other option.
However, King Xi of Wei seemed unmoved, merely raising an eyebrow.
"Absolutely not! This move would surely shake the very foundations of the nation's nobility and cause a mutiny."
"This matter... let me think about it and we'll discuss it again!"
The ministers below all sighed deeply in their hearts.
To put it bluntly, the King of Wei simply couldn't bear to part with this immense wealth that could consume the entire nation.
What happens to those nobles is all up to you, isn't it?
Otherwise, as long as you explain the advantages and disadvantages, and say that the first thing the Qin soldiers would do after entering the city is to eliminate all the wealthy young men.
I don't believe those guys would dare not hand over the land and gold!
Many wealthy people would likely be willing to donate generously.
What a pity!
It seems there's a reason why our soldiers can't defeat the Qin state!
The root cause at the very end can't be resolved!
Nothing we do will make a difference!
It seems that we should also consider changing our stance and joining the Qin camp!
Not only will the benefits be better, but you might even meet a wise and capable leader!
...
"General, there is a city just ten miles away. We are willing to persuade the soldiers guarding the city to surrender and offer them to you!"
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