Good heavens! What a grand gesture! They actually ceded two counties.
It should be noted that the entire state of Zhao only had nine prefectures.
The King of Zhao actually ceded two counties in one go, which was quite a huge loss.
Handan is located in the south, so the Qin state could directly attack Handan by using the former state of Han as a springboard.
Now, the State of Zhao wants to cede Yunzhong Commandery and Dai Commandery. These two commanderies are located in the north and are not connected, with Yanmen Pass separating them.
Moreover, what use is Yunzhong County, such a remote and barren place?
Ying Zheng sneered and said, "It seems the Zhao envoy came without sincerity. In that case, the Zhao envoy may return. When my army conquers Handan, I will naturally take these two counties!"
Guo Kai was immediately startled upon hearing this. Why was the King of Qin acting so unpredictably?
Since it's a negotiation, shouldn't there be a process of asking for an exorbitant price and then settling for a lower one?
"King Qin, if you are not satisfied, we can still discuss it!"
To everyone's surprise, Ying Zheng didn't listen to what he had to say at all and directly ordered his men to throw Guo Kai out.
As Guo Kai walked out of Xianyang Palace, he couldn't help but slap himself.
He regretted it; he had only tested the King of Qin, but he never expected to be kicked out.
"Is the visitor Zhao envoy?"
Guo Kai looked in the direction of the sound and saw a person walking slowly towards him.
"Indeed, who are you?"
The visitor did not answer Guo Kai's question, but instead said with a smile, "Envoy Zhao, my master invites you."
Guo Kai immediately became wary, but asked absentmindedly, "Who is your master?"
"Guigu, Lu Li!"
When Guo Kai heard the name Guigu Luli, his eyes lit up instantly.
He had long heard of Lu Li's reputation. Yun Qingshu had spoken of Lu Li at length, saying that he was treacherous, cunning, and full of tricks.
Moreover, he also knew that Ying Zheng had always trusted Lu Li very much, even more than he had trusted Li Si, Meng Tian and others.
"Why does your master want to see me?" Guo Kai asked, puzzled.
"You'll know once Zhao arrives."
Guo Kai thought for a moment and said, "Alright, lead the way!"
Guo Kai followed his attendants, winding through several turns, until they arrived at an inconspicuous courtyard.
"Lu Li lives in such an inconspicuous place?"
He was a favorite minister of the King of Qin, yet he lived in such a remote and inconspicuous place?
“The master prefers quiet, Zhao envoy, please come in.”
After Guo Kai entered the courtyard, he found Cangwu wielding his broadsword, seemingly practicing a dance.
The broadsword was enormous and looked incredibly heavy, yet this man wielded it with such ease? How much strength must he possess?
In front of the house, Lu Li sat on the ground, looking at Guo Kai with a smile on his face.
"Zhao State Chancellor Guo Kai greets Mr. Lu."
Guo Kai dared not be presumptuous. This man was a favorite of King Ying Zheng of Qin. The success of this mission depended entirely on him!
Lu Li stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "Prime Minister Guo, please forgive me for the poor hospitality."
After saying that, Lu Li gestured for them to sit down, and Guo Kai and Lu Li sat down facing each other on the ground.
"I dare not accept that. Mr. Lu is a close advisor to the King of Qin, second only to the King himself!"
Guo Kai's ability to praise people seemed to be something he was born with; his little mouth was as sweet as honey, and he could praise them effortlessly.
"Prime Minister Guo, you flatter me. The reason I invited you to my humble abode is to discuss the matter of both sides ceasing hostilities."
Upon hearing Lu Li bring up the matter, Guo Kai immediately beamed with joy.
"Today in the main hall, I proposed to cede the two territories of Yunzhong Commandery and Dai Commandery, but the King of Qin... seems to disagree."
Lu Li sneered but did not answer. Who couldn't see Guo Kai's intentions? Taking these two counties would be meaningless.
"I have a solution. Firstly, Zhao will not have to cede any cities, and secondly, it will also bring Prime Minister Guo a fortune."
Guo Kai looked up in surprise. Could there really be such a good thing?
"I would like to hear the details!"
Lu Li took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Li Mu has killed too many of my Qin people. If he retreats like this, my Qin people will certainly not allow it!"
"As long as Li Mu dies, the Qin army will retreat!"
Upon hearing this, Guo Kai was startled.
Li Mu had offended him before, and Guo Kai was a petty and vindictive person. He never expected that Lu Li would make such a demand.
"Mr. Lu, is this really true?"
Lu Li smiled and nodded, replying, "As long as Li Mu dies, the Qin army will surely retreat. At that time, the credit for repelling Qin will all belong to you, sir."
Guo Kai's breathing became heavy, and he could hardly contain his excitement.
"Mr. Lu, is this... also the King of Qin's intention?"
"Of course, otherwise how would I dare to make decisions on behalf of the King of Qin?"
After receiving Lu Li's affirmative reply, Guo Kai stood up and bowed to Lu Li.
"Mr. Lu, if you want Li Mu dead, the Qin army must retreat back to Han first. Only then will I have a way to save him!"
After pondering for a moment, Lu Li said, "Alright, then after Prime Minister Guo returns to Zhao, we will cede Yunzhong County and Dai County to Qin as previously agreed."
Guo Kai immediately understood, and cupped his hands again, saying, "Very well, I will return to Zhao now! Farewell!"
Watching Guo Kai's departing figure, Xiao Lu'er and Lu Fusheng came out of the house.
"Brother Lu, can we trust this man's words?"
"That's right, Brother Lu. Even so, King Zhao isn't stupid. How could he possibly kill Li Mu?"
Lu Li was naturally not afraid of Guo Kai going back on his word. He had been planning for so long, and only then did he finally get Guo Kai, the most crucial piece in his game.
"Don't worry, Li Mu is doomed," Lu Li sighed.
The previous arrangements had already created a rift between King Zhao and Li Mu. Now that they were back, if the Qin army retreated, Li Mu would surely die!
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