"My king, my king!!"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty almost never saw you again."
The disheveled Xu Jia staggered into the main hall, interrupting King Xi of Wei, who was discussing the matter of retiring from Qin with his court officials.
"Xu Jia? You... how did you end up like this?!" Wei Wang Xi, interrupted, was somewhat indignant. He looked up at the disheveled man and it took him a long time to recognize him as his trusted minister.
"Sun Zheng, you've returned weary from your journey, is it to inform me as soon as possible that the Qin army has been annihilated?!" King Xi of Wei's eyes were full of anticipation, waiting for Xu Jia to open his mouth and say the words he so desperately wanted to hear.
Xu Jia's face grew even more bitter. What kind of time is this? He's still thinking about annihilating the Qin army?
I really don't know whether to call him stupid or naive!
"Your Majesty..."
A hint of hesitation flashed across Xu Jia's brows as he whispered, "The entire army... has been wiped out."
"Hahaha, good, I knew the Qin army couldn't withstand it..." King Xi of Wei was overjoyed, his hearty laughter echoing in the hall, which made the expressions of the officials also relaxed.
Just as the officials were about to offer their flattery, Xu Jia suddenly blurted out, "Your Majesty, our entire army has been wiped out. The Qin army is unstoppable..."
"The Qin general, Efu, killed Sun Zheng in battle, and all his soldiers surrendered. If I had not been a civil official, overseeing the battle from the rear, I would probably have met the same fate."
"I endured humiliation and lived a life of hardship to return to Daliang, just to inform Your Majesty... to make preparations in advance."
Xu Jia's face grew even more bitter, and in an attempt to portray himself as aggrieved, he even forced out two tears.
"What...what?" King Xi of Wei's smile froze on his face, his eyes blank and empty as he looked at Xu Jia.
hiss.....
The courtiers gasped, then felt extremely relieved that they hadn't offered their congratulations earlier, otherwise things might have been very difficult now.
"Two hundred thousand elite troops...that's the last bit of wealth my Wei Kingdom has left!" King Xi of Wei was on the verge of tears, as if struck by lightning, his expression constantly shifting.
Xu Jia's eyes darted around, and he quickly changed the subject, "Your Majesty, please don't be sad for now. The most urgent thing is to think about how to repel Qin, otherwise they will advance unimpeded and our Wei state will be in danger."
It wasn't that he was truly devoted to the country; he simply wanted to avoid the main issue and prevent King Xi of Wei from questioning him, thus changing the subject.
King Xi of Wei snapped out of his daze, composed himself, and surveyed the assembled court officials with a slightly vacant gaze. "Gentlemen... do you have any good strategies to repel Qin?"
"After Qin retreats, I... will reward him handsomely."
The courtiers fell silent for a moment; they were not like King Xi of Wei, who sat high in the court, oblivious to the affairs of the world.
Now, the entire state of Wei is in turmoil because of the evil husband's theories. The people all say that there are countless benefits to going to Qin, and even they are tempted by what they hear.
At present, whether it is the morale of the people or the strength of the army, we are far inferior to Qin. How difficult it is to find a way out in this desperate situation.
"Speak... I have always treated you well, yet you... have truly disappointed me." King Xi of Wei's eyes were filled with disappointment, and his voice carried a sense of melancholy and decline.
"well...."
Suddenly, an old sigh echoed in the hall. The old minister, Zhunjia, stepped forward helplessly, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, there is only one person who can solve this predicament."
"Who is it? Speak up at once!!"
"Lord Xinling!"
Upon hearing this, the joy that had just appeared on King Xi of Wei's face froze instantly.
Wei Wuji...it's Wei Wuji again.
Zun Jia said in a deep voice, "Now that the country is on the verge of collapse and at a critical moment of life and death, I hope Your Majesty will put aside past grievances, otherwise... it will really be too late."
"Please, Lord Xinling, form an alliance; this is also a final, desperate gamble."
"Otherwise, my Wei Kingdom... will perish."
Since that incident, Wei Wuji, relying on the prestige of being a blood brother and with the desperate protection of the court officials, managed to keep his life, but was confined to that house, spending his days in a life of debauchery and pleasure.
Pang Tong, the old minister who suggested bringing Wei Wuji back, had already been assassinated. Although King Xi of Wei feigned anger and ordered a thorough investigation, they all knew that Pang Tong had definitely died at King Xi's hands.
This made the veteran officials like Zhun Jia feel particularly uneasy. Pang Tong was, after all, a veteran who had served two dynasties. His death was shrouded in mystery and could not be investigated further, which inevitably made them feel somewhat sad.
King Xi of Wei's expression kept changing. He was both ashamed and annoyed by Duan Jia's words, even more furious at Wei Wuji, and also hated Qin for its unauthorized use of force, which had been causing trouble ever since he ascended the throne.
After a long silence, King Xi of Wei, seeing that the others remained silent, realized that the current situation was more dangerous than he had thought, otherwise the officials would not have reacted in this way.
"Since that's the case... go and invite Wei Wuji." With no other options left, King Xi of Wei finally made his choice.
In this situation, the survival of the nation is paramount, even more so than his own dignity as king.
Dunjia was secretly delighted, but still kept a straight face and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Xinling has been disheartened since the last time and only knows how to drink and make merry all day long. I'm afraid it will be difficult to invite him."
"We urge Your Majesty to go in person."
"presumptuous!"
Upon hearing this, King Xi of Wei instantly flew into a rage, shouting, "I am the ruler of a country, how can I bow down to my subjects? Even if Wei Wuji has a hundred grievances, am I really just going to sit idly by and do nothing about them?"
Duan Jia remained silent, staring directly at King Xi of Wei, as if to say, "If you don't go, there's nothing I can do."
King Xi of Wei was filled with murderous intent. At this moment, he not only wanted to kill Wei Wuji, but also the man standing in front of him.
I wish I could... tear this shameless wretch to pieces.
He looked at his trusted confidant, Xu Jia, who trembled and didn't dare to lift his head, completely unlike his usual eloquent self.
I dare not utter a word of nonsense.
In this situation, who dares to speak recklessly?
If it fails, wouldn't we be condemned as bringing disaster to the country and its people?
Seeing this, King Xi of Wei felt even more lonely and disappointed. After a long while, he calmed down and said weakly, "Since that's the case, then for the sake of Wei, I will put aside my pride and beg this minister."
At this point, he made no attempt to conceal his murderous intent.
Even his last words were a way of leaving room for future retribution.
Dunjia failed to grasp the deeper meaning in his words, and was only too happy to notice, "Your Majesty is wise. As long as Lord Xinling steps in to form an alliance, the crisis facing our Wei Kingdom will surely be resolved."
"snort!"
King Xi of Wei snorted coldly, his face ashen as he stood up, and said in a cold voice, "I hope so."
The old ministers, including Dunjia, exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with an unreadable meaning.
The state of Wei has reached its current state because of the state of Qin, but was King Xi of Wei entirely blameless?
What use is a ruler like this?
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