Zhiyun's words were tantamount to giving Zhao Yan a way out, which made Zhao Yan very happy, and he gave Zhiyun an approving look.
"Zhiyun is right, this little bit of water... I'm afraid it won't be enough for the people of Taiyuan County to irrigate next year!"
A mocking smile appeared on Zhao Yan's face. "In that case, I must thank the Qin state for slightly alleviating Zhao's irrigation needs."
Zhiyun quickly offered flattery, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Unable to contain his excitement, Zhao Yan roared, "Where is Zhong Feng?!"
Zhong Feng, who had been standing in the shadows in the corner of the main hall, strode out and announced, "Your subject is here!"
The officials in the hall looked on in surprise. Many high-ranking officials or veteran ministers were very clear about Zhong Feng's existence. This man was elusive and never showed his face in public.
Why has Your Majesty summoned this man to the morning court today?
"Have you compiled a list of the number of spies and agents hidden in the states of Han and Wei?" Zhao Yan asked in a deep voice, his eyes piercing.
Zhong Feng respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have ascertained that there are still more than 800 spies in the states of Han and Wei!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the number. "Over eight hundred people... that's barely enough."
"I wonder... what are Your Majesty's orders?" Zhong Feng's doubts deepened. He wondered what Zhao Yan's intentions were, that he cared so much about this secret agent.
Zhao Yan's gaze was sharp, and he said firmly, "I intend to use these spies to gain more benefits for my Zhao state!"
"Zhongfeng, make arrangements immediately to have these spies create chaos in the states of Han and Wei, and spread the word that Qin does not want to spend money and grain to aid Han and Wei, and wants to let them fend for themselves."
Zhong Feng was slightly taken aback, then nodded in agreement: "Yes, Your Majesty. I will make the arrangements immediately; this is not difficult."
Zhao Yan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the officials in the hall and announced: "I have devised an unparalleled strategy to deal with the Qin state. I hope you will all perform your duties and be prepared. When I issue my order, it will be the time for the rise of the Zhao state!"
There was a commotion inside the hall. Everyone wondered what Zhao Yan was up to now. Hadn't he been beaten badly enough last time?
The high minister Bi Dan's eyes were full of worry. He asked in a deep voice, "May I ask Your Majesty, why are you so confident? And what supreme plan do you have to weaken Qin?"
Zhao Yan, with a confident and composed expression, said with high spirits, "Previously, I sent Guo Kai to the Three Clans to inform the Three Clans Kings about the Qin Kingdom's wreaking havoc on the grasslands."
"Yesterday, Guo Kai sent a messenger back, saying that the three tribes have raised 300,000 elite troops to declare war on the Qin state."
"At this time, Qin is suffering from disaster, and the people are restless. It is a time of great turmoil and Qin will be unable to resist. This is the opportunity for Zhao."
Zhao Yan's gaze swept over the assembled officials, his tone resolute and unwavering, "I have already made an agreement with the three clans that if we wage war against Qin, Zhao will send troops to assist us..."
"Even if we can't destroy Qin with a single battle, we should at least take a big bite out of it. I think the land of Wei is quite good and should be incorporated into my Zhao state."
Inside the hall, the officials whispered amongst themselves, each with their own thoughts. Some were worried about the risks of war, while others were filled with distrust of Zhao Yan.
A flash of anger crossed Bi Dan's face, and he roared, "Your Majesty, how can this be?!"
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became tense, and Bi Dan's roar echoed throughout the hall.
Although he was old, he stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on Zhao Yan, his voice filled with extreme dissatisfaction and anger: "Your Majesty, this is tantamount to seeking a tiger's skin!"
"The three races are foreign races. Although the seven kingdoms are fighting each other, it is their own business. How can they be allowed to enter our Chinese land through the hands of foreign races?"
"So what if we destroy the Qin state?"
"How will future generations view my Zhao state? How will the people of the world view it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan's face darkened. He hadn't expected Bi Dan to dare question his decision in public and rebuke him, the ruler of a nation.
However, considering that Bi Dan was a trusted minister of the late king, with disciples and former officials all over the court, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and say, "Bi Dan, I know what you are worried about. Those who are capable of great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How can we give up because of a minor setback?"
Bi Dan did not back down and continued, "Your Majesty, it is not that I do not know that opportunity knocks but once. It is understandable that Zhao should wage war when Qin is in trouble, but how can we unite with foreign tribes?"
"Your Majesty, please rescind your decree!"
Zhao Yan frowned. He looked around and saw that many ministers showed expressions of agreement with Bi Dan. His anger intensified. "Bi Dan, my mind is made up. You may leave!"
Zhao Yan, the superior of the famous general Guo Kai, was the only monarch who could rival Qin Shi Huang. He pursued three major goals throughout his life.
War against Qin!
Conquer Qin!
Kill Qin Zheng!
A pure-hearted war god, he crowns a prostitute as his queen, commands the two great generals Lian Po and Li Mu, leads the Zhao state to prosperity, and leads the five states in a north-south alliance to jointly attack the Qin state.
Among the six kingdoms, the most resolute ruler, though not as powerful or wise as some of the other rulers, was still a relatively good ruler who could maintain the status quo. He was far superior to the other rulers of the five kingdoms.
Unfortunately, his two greatest rivals in life were Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China, and Guo Kai, a renowned general.
In order to overthrow the Qin Dynasty and for his great cause, even if the entire court opposed him, he was determined to implement the plan to unite the three clans to attack Qin.
Seeing Zhao Yan's resolute attitude, Bi Dan immediately turned to Lian Po, who was standing there pretending to be asleep, and said, "General, please say something!"
Lian Po slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense, sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Zhao Yan.
At the time, Zhao Yan favored Guo Kai, while he himself, as a veteran official of the old dynasty and the supreme general of Zhao, was swayed by Guo Kai, who slandered him and allowed Le Cheng to take over his military power.
Shame and indignation drove him to seek refuge in the state of Wei, but he was not given a position of importance. After much hesitation and delay, he decided to return to the state of Zhao to serve.
Zhao Yan was ambitious, but he had too few capable generals under his command. Therefore, he decided to reinstate Lian Po and sent someone to summon him back to the country. The two sides hit it off immediately, and Lian Po returned to the State of Zhao.
Unlike his previous life, Guo Kai was so humiliated that he spent his days drinking and had no interest in Lian Po. Therefore, he did not send anyone to bribe the envoy as recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian, so that the envoy would think that Lian Po was old and therefore not summon him back to the country.
In truth, he really didn't want to get involved in this matter today. Having finally returned to the State of Zhao, he really didn't want to directly confront Zhao Yan and voice his opposition.
Seeing Zhao Yan's gloomy gaze, Lian Po weighed his options carefully and had no choice but to say against his will, "Your Majesty's plan has great potential!"
"Throughout history, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Furthermore, with Qin's current strength and military might, its ambition to conquer the other six states has never been extinguished..."
"If we do not seize this opportunity to attack... in the future... our Zhao state will be in danger..."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and a very satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Bi Dan was furious and pointed at Lian Po, stammering, "You...you..." He couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.
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