Chapter 107 Bribery
After the leader of the alliance was elected, Zhao Diao saw that no one had any objection, so he began to discuss the strategy of advancing.
There are two attack routes from Lanzhou to the capital, and Yishui Pass is the gateway to the capital, a place that military strategists must fight for.
Zhao Diao had obviously planned countless times in his mind how to capture the capital.
He said in a deep voice, "We can lead our army to capture Yishui first, occupy this strategic location, and then march northeast to surround the capital. Once the capital is captured, Queen Mother Chi will have no choice but to surrender!"
Since the kings had already elected Zhao Diao as their leader, they naturally obeyed his orders. Upon hearing this marching strategy, they nodded repeatedly, "Okay! All our armies are at the disposal of the Spirit King!"
Only Zhao Ping had a gloomy face. If he really handed the army to Zhao Diao and let him lead the troops to capture the capital, would he still have a share of the credit?
By then, could he still hope that Zhao Diao would remember their initial agreement to divide the world equally and give him half of it?
He was about to object when Zhao Mingyue suddenly stood up and said, "I don't agree."
Zhao Ping exclaimed in surprise. Wasn't Zhao Mingyue the one who supported the Spirit King the most? Why was she going against him at this moment?
He raised his head and gazed intently at Zhao Mingyue. She wore a solemn expression and said coldly, "I disagree with your plan, King Ling. Everyone knows the importance of Yishui Pass, and the imperial court will surely be well prepared. Speed is of the essence in war. If we want to win, we should bypass Yishui and avoid attacking any of the counties along the way. We should first seize Nanyang, the granary, and use it as our headquarters. Then, we can storm the capital directly. This will surely catch the imperial court off guard."
After hearing this, Zhao Ping couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Don't judge a book by its cover. I didn't expect that Princess Fuguang, who seemed to have a simple brain, actually had some good ideas in her plan.
However, Zhao Diao frowned when Zhao Mingyue denied his idea. "Princess Fuguang, my method is the best and safest. You don't understand warfare, so don't give me any advice."
As he said this, he gave Zhao Mingyue a warning look.
What's wrong with you? Aren't we the same team? Why are you standing up and rejecting me to my face?
Zhao Mingyue didn't know whether she couldn't understand his gaze or didn't know the ways of the world. She didn't accept his offer at all. Instead, she sneered, "I don't know how to fight. I captured Zhao Zhuo's army and drove away the Xiqi soldiers. But King Ling, I'm so ignorant. I don't know what your military achievements are."
Zhao Diao's face turned pale in an instant, and Zhao Ping was even more confused. What was Princess Fuguang doing?
The other four kings could no longer bear to watch and slammed the table, "Princess Fuguang, the Spiritual King is the leader of the alliance. If you don't accept it, you can withdraw from the alliance now!"
"That's right, what do you know as a woman? You only won two battles, what's there to be proud of? Do you understand the general trend of the world? The Spirit King's method is the most reliable!"
Princess Fuguang's face immediately turned red when she was questioned by everyone. She pushed the table and left angrily.
The kings looked indifferent and sneered, "Spirit King, ignore her. Women are like that. They only know how to make trouble and cry when they can't win an argument. If you listen to her, our alliance will be doomed."
When Zhao Diao saw Princess Fuguang leave the table, he felt a little flustered. If she really left, how could he compete with Zhao Ping?
But he certainly would not admit in front of everyone that he could not do without Princess Fuguang's support, so he remained calm.
"Ignore her and let's get on with our business." Zhao Diao looked at Zhao Ping and asked with a smile, "Third brother, do you have any objection to sending troops to capture Yishui first?"
Zhao Ping had already thought of a response plan and smiled, "Of course I have no objection, but my army is entirely infantry, and they are not good at fighting in the mountains and forests. Why don't I stay in Lanzhou and be responsible for the logistics and food for the army?"
The smile on Zhao Diao's face froze instantly. It was clear that Zhao Ping didn't want to obey his orders. Furthermore, as the saying goes, "food and fodder must be sent before troops move." It was hard to reassure him by handing over food and fodder to the governor.
But now, it is not the time to tear up the agreement. Since he has snatched Zhao Ping's position as the leader of the alliance, he must use something to appease him.
After thinking about it, Zhao Diao could only nod and agree.
Thus, the attack strategy was decided. It was getting late, so everyone stood up and left, returning to their own tents.
Zhao Ping lost his position as leader of the alliance and was very unhappy. On the way back, he kept thinking about how to turn the situation around.
While he was thinking, he had already arrived in front of the tent. Just as he was about to lift the curtain to go in, a man suddenly walked over quickly, ignoring the soldiers' obstruction, "Your Highness, please stay!"
Zhao Ping looked at the woman from afar and felt that she looked familiar. He took a closer look and found that she was none other than Xue Shiyun, one of the beauties he had sent to seduce Princess Fuguang!
"Let her in." Zhao Ping ordered, then walked into the tent and sat down behind the desk.
After a while, Xue Shiyun walked in and knelt before him, "Shiyun greets His Majesty."
Zhao Ping looked at her with an unhappy expression, "How dare you come to see me? You didn't do a single thing I told you to do. You even made Princess Fuguang defect to Zhao Diao, causing me to lose my position as leader! Have you forgotten who raised you?"
As he said the last sentence, he leaned over the table, stretched out his hand, and pinched Xue Shiyun's cheek hard.
Xue Shiyun turned his face away and struggled out of his hands, but his fair cheek was scratched by his nails, leaving a trace of blood.
She looked up at Zhao Ping, fear in her eyes, and tremblingly said, "Shi Yun has not forgotten. It was you, Your Highness, who saved me and raised me. Shi Yun's life was given by Your Highness."
Zhao Ping snorted coldly, "So this is how you repay me?"
Xue Shiyun shook his head desperately, "No! Shiyun has been collecting intelligence about the princess, but the princess kept a close watch on me, so I couldn't pass on the news. Just now, the princess came back from the banquet and threw a huge tantrum. She even kicked me out of the tent, so I had the chance to sneak out to see the prince."
Zhao Ping's expression finally softened. "Okay, then I'd like to hear what you've discovered."
The fear in Xue Shiyun's eyes receded slightly, and he regained his composure. He spoke slowly, "During the time I've been with Princess Fuguang, I've discovered that she's short-sighted. The reason she betrayed Queen Mother Chi and supported Prince Ling was because Prince Ling gave her a batch of gold and promised her that he would give her the three northwestern states when he became emperor."
Zhao Ping sneered, "No wonder. I was wondering why Princess Fuguang suddenly wanted to rebel. Turns out she was bribed by Zhao Diao. He really put a lot of effort into becoming the leader of the alliance. I almost got tricked by him!"
Xue Shiyun observed his expression and whispered, "Your Highness, Shiyun feels that we can follow the example of King Ling and win over Princess Fuguang."
Zhao Ping narrowed his eyes. Was he going to imitate King Ling's actions? Was he going to bribe Princess Fuguang and alienate her from Zhao Diao?
If he thought about it carefully, Princess Fuguang and Zhao Ping had a very unpleasant argument at today's party. If he took advantage of the situation, the alliance between the two would inevitably collapse immediately.
As for giving the property to Princess Fuguang, there is no loss if you look into it carefully. As long as he becomes emperor, the world will be his!
"Okay, let's do as you say!" Zhao Ping glanced at Xue Shiyun, only to see that she lowered her head, seeming very uneasy.
Zhao Ping smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't forget your efforts. When I become emperor, I will take you back from the princess and make you my consort."
This is a huge reward.
Xue Shiyun immediately kowtowed excitedly, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Zhao Ping leaned back in his chair and said, "You should go back first. Don't let the princess find out that you've been here."
Xue Shiyun stood up and took his leave, leaving the tent.
She turned her head to look at Prince Yue's tent. The submissiveness on her face had long been replaced by disgust, and a cold light flashed in her eyes.
Don’t you see how ugly you are? Who in the world would want to be your concubine?
Xue Shiyun didn't stay for long. He turned around and walked out of King Yue's camp quickly.
At the same time, Princess Fuguang, who Zhao Ping thought was having a tantrum, was actually sitting in the tent drinking tea with a calm expression.
Not long after, Xue Shiyun came into the tent.
"Princess, it's done. The Spirit King didn't suspect me."
"Very good," Zhao Mingyue was extremely happy. She took Xue Shiyun's hand and smiled. "You've been living in Yuzhou without a place to stay. There's a large house next to the government office that's perfect for you."
Xue Shiyun was stunned for a moment, and was about to kneel down to express his gratitude, but was supported by Zhao Mingyue.
"Don't be so quick to thank me. Once this matter is settled and we return to Yuzhou, I will give you an official position and let you work for me."
Xue Shiyun stared at Zhao Mingyue with eyes wide open, his heart pounding with joy. After a long pause, he couldn't help but say, "Thank you, Princess."
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The next day, Zhao Mingyue had just gotten up when her personal guards came in and announced, "Prince Yue wishes to see the princess."
Zhao Mingyue tidied up her clothes and sat down with great determination, "Please ask him to come in."
After a while, Prince Yue walked in wrapped tightly, and behind him were several servants in simple attire. Two of them carried a large box, and a total of ten boxes were carried in.
Zhao Mingyue pretended to be confused, "Your Highness, what are you going to do?"
Zhao Ping removed the mask covering his face, took a few breaths, and finally calmed his breathing. He smiled and said, "The princess has led her troops to my Lanzhou to support the alliance's cause. As the host, I must show my appreciation. Here is some silver for you to reward your troops. When the alliance army reaches the capital, I will also give you the four northwestern states as a reward for your hard work."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and his men opened all the wooden boxes. In an instant, golden light filled the entire tent, almost blinding Zhao Mingyue's eyes.
The box was filled with neatly stacked gold.
"Your Highness, you are too polite," Zhao Mingyue stared at the gold, unable to move her eyes away. "I never thought you would be even more generous than the Spirit King. If I had known earlier, I would have made you the leader. Unfortunately, the outcome is already decided..."
Seeing how greedy she was for money, Zhao Ping immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Sure enough, this woman was easy to deal with and only wanted wealth and glory.
He walked closer and whispered, "If King Ling fails in his attack on Yishui Pass, then we can re-elect the leader."
Zhao Mingyue frowned, "But, whether we win or lose this battle is not something I can decide."
Zhao Ping smiled and said, "As long as the princess doesn't send troops to help, and I cut off the army's food supplies in the rear, why worry about Zhao Diao not losing?"
Zhao Mingyue's eyes widened, and then she suddenly realized, "Prince Yue is really smart. Why didn't I think of cutting off the food supply?"
Zhao Ping was feeling proud and was about to say something, but Zhao Mingyue suddenly changed the subject, "However, I heard that King Ling has stored a lot of food in Xingzhou. If he transfers food from Xingzhou..."
Zhao Ping frowned immediately.
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Your Majesty, your army is sitting idle in the rear anyway. Why not send them to King Ling's Xingzhou to ask for food? That way, we can be absolutely safe!"
Zhao Ping immediately thought about it in his mind, and finally felt that this method was feasible!
Seeing him take the bait, Zhao Mingyue didn't press him any further, as if her words had just come to her mind. She agreed to Zhao Ping's request not to send troops, accepted the gold, and sent him out of the tent.
Looking at Zhao Ping's back, who was still wrapped tightly and leaving quickly like a thief, Zhao Mingyue raised a cold smile.
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