Zhao Yan fell silent; what Guo Kai said made sense.
But now that the Qin army has retreated, how can he abandon them after using them? If he does, who will dare to serve the Zhao state in the future?
"Prime Minister, let's put this matter aside for now. Today, I will host a banquet to properly entertain our great hero of Zhao!"
Zhao Yan had been silent for almost a year, and now it seemed as if the weight on his chest had been lifted.
This feeling is amazing.
Seven days later, the Qin army indeed retreated back to Han.
Li Mu watched the retreating Qin army and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Although Guo Kai is greedy and lustful, he is a despicable person.
However, this mission to Qin was still considered to have accomplished something, although the two cities ceded were a painful loss for Li Mu.
However, this was achieved at the lowest possible cost.
"General, many rumors have been circulating in Handan recently."
Hearing the word "rumor" gave Li Mu a headache. Where did all these rumors come from?
"What rumors?" Li Mu asked.
"It's being said that anyone who enters Qin will be rewarded with an acre of fertile land and ten dan of grain!"
Li Mu was immediately shocked. Had the Qin state gone mad?
But then I realized something was wrong!
This year is a year of famine in the State of Zhao, and the people are starving. If the State of Qin issues this decree of grace, what will become of them?
Although the Qin army has retreated, the State of Yan still lies to the east, and the King of Zhao would certainly not distribute military provisions to the people.
Now we can only rely on Yun Qingshu. If he can borrow the grain, this crisis can be resolved!
The people throughout the Zhao state all knew this news.
They were initially hesitant, but once one of them took the first step, they all began to act.
Some even dragged their families along and headed towards South Korea. As the situation worsened, eventually even the residents of Handan had to relocate their entire families.
When this matter reached Zhao Yan's ears, he immediately cursed Qin for being shameless!
They agreed to cede two counties to them. Although Qin has not yet sent troops to garrison there, it is still an agreement.
But now the Qin state is actually using such despicable means to lure the people of Zhao to Qin!
"Prime Minister, what should we do?!"
King Zhao was now completely panicked; Qin's move was even more ruthless than war itself.
Once the people of Zhao are gone, what reason does the state have to exist?
Guo Kai didn't have any good ideas either. After all, people die for wealth and birds die for food. If the common people couldn't even get enough to eat, they would definitely leave their homes to survive if Qin allowed them to live.
"Your Majesty, the only option now is to send troops to suppress the rebellion and seal off the city gates of all counties. We absolutely cannot allow any more people to flee!"
Zhao Yan was heartbroken. He had only been enjoying himself for a few days when this incident happened.
"Who should we send?" Zhao Yan was completely at a loss.
Guo Kai's eyes darted around, and he immediately had an idea.
"Your Majesty, why not send Li Mu to suppress this?"
"If this arouses public anger, the king can then conveniently shift the blame onto him and bring him to justice!"
Li Mu won the hearts of the army and the people in the State of Zhao!
In this way, Li Mu will lose the support of the people, and the soldiers also have families, which will in turn cause them to lose the morale of the army!
Zhao Yan licked his lips and said heavily, "Someone, summon Li Mu!"
When Li Mu learned that the King of Zhao had ordered him to close the city gates and suppress the people, he was overwhelmed with sorrow.
"General, this is absolutely unacceptable! If it incites public anger, you will be condemned by everyone!"
But Li Mu slowly said, "Then do you have any other options now? Are you going to just let the people of Zhao migrate to Qin?"
Qin's plan was an open scheme, and Li Mu knew it must have been Lu Li's doing. This man was truly terrifying.
Following Li Mu's order, the garrison troops in each prefecture closed the city gates and suppressed anyone who dared to expose themselves.
Even so, the state of Zhao descended into further chaos, with the common people and the Zhao army turning against each other.
"Brothers, if they won't let us live, then we'll fight to the death!"
As someone shouted, the people picked up weapons—hoes, carrying poles, pots and pans—and began to clash with Zhao's army.
At this moment, Zhao Yan stepped forward and angrily denounced Li Mu for sealing off the city without authorization. He first stripped Li Mu of his military power and then imprisoned him!
After his impassioned speech, he finally distributed the stored grain to the people in various places, guaranteeing that they would get through the winter, which quelled the anger of the people in various places.
With this move, Zhao Yan completely won the support and praise of the people, while Li Mu became a sinner condemned by everyone.
Guo Kai visited Li Mu in the prison and saw that his eyes were empty and lifeless, as if he had lost all hope.
"General Li, how have you been?"
Li Mu slowly raised his head and saw Guo Kai's smug face. He immediately gritted his teeth and glared at Guo Kai with uncontrollable rage.
"Alas, just a few days ago you were a mighty and extraordinary general of Zhao, and now you are a prisoner."
"Guo Kai, you despicable man! You treacherous minister!" Li Mu cursed loudly!
He fought on the battlefield for decades, but in the end he was defeated by the villain Guo Kai, which Li Mu could not accept.
He bared his teeth and claws, trying to tear Guo Kai apart, but his limbs were bound with iron chains, and he couldn't move an inch.
"How dare you, Li Mu! You're already a prisoner, how dare you disrespect me!"
"His Majesty is considerate of you. Although you have not rendered any great service, you have worked hard. Therefore, he has bestowed upon you fine wine so that you may depart with dignity!"
Li Mu was filled with shock, and he shouted frantically, "Impossible! I want to see the King!"
The King of Zhao had always trusted him completely, so how could he possibly have given him poisoned wine?
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