Chapter 642: Zhao State Refuses to Rescue Qin

On the eighth day of the fourth month of Tiantong, Murong Ke led a 100,000 army to conquer Huayang. Ying Huai, the chief general of the Hangu Pass of Qin, learned that the Deng army had given up its plan to attack Chang'an and instead attacked Hongnong County. He was shocked after he was intent on attacking Hangu Pass with the Deng army in the east. Under the advice of the general Chen Zhi, Chen Zhi ordered Chen Zhi to lead 10,000 troops to garrison the Shichichi, delaying the speed of Murong Ke's army's advance eastward, with the intention of buying time for the Zhao army to go south.

On the ninth day of the fourth month of the Tiantong period, Chen Zhi led a large army to the city of Machi. As soon as he entered the city, Chen Zhi sent people to take over the defense of the entire city, and at the same time recruited people to assist in defending the city. In addition, he also sent people to collect rolling wood, huge stones and other materials for defending the city inside and outside the city.

Chen Zhi went straight to the county government office, found the Magistrate of Wuchi, and asked as soon as he opened his mouth: "Do you know where Deng Jun is now?"

The county magistrate originally planned to say hello to Chen Zhi, but who knew that Chen Zhi was so impatient. Fortunately, although he was just a small county magistrate, he still had some understanding of the movements of Deng’s army. So he replied: “Return to General Shen, according to the news of the spies sent by the Xiaguan, it can be seen that Deng’s army should have conquered Huxian and left Hongnong City. There are less than a thousand defenders in Hongnong City. It is estimated that the Deng army will not take two days to take it down. At the speed of Deng’s army’s advance, it will be possible to reach the pond within seven days.”

"Oh? What's your name? As a civil servant, can he know so much about Deng's movements?" Chen Zhi was surprised when he heard the county magistrate's answer. In Shen Zhi's opinion, it was rare for this county magistrate to know where Deng's army is now, but he didn't expect that he had a unique insight into how long it took for Deng's army to reach Minechi City. This is very rare. From this, it can be seen that the county magistrate in front of him is definitely not an ordinary civil servant.

The county magistrate smiled shyly and replied: "The general is named Yan Xiong. He has been interested in military affairs since he was a child and has been involved in many things. However, because he is weak and unable to join the army, he abandoned the military and followed the civil service."

"That's very rare! I came to Shichi here, and only brought two deputy generals, and none of the chief clerks in the army. Since County Magistrate Yan is quite interested in the matters in the army, I will trouble County Magistrate Yan to serve as the chief clerk of the general for the time being. After repelling Deng's army, I will definitely be the court and ask for credit for the county magistrate Yan." Chen Zhi exclaimed, and at the same time, let Yan Xiong serve as his chief clerk. After all, he came too hastily this time. Apart from the two deputy generals, there was no civil servant in the army, and many things were difficult to deal with. Since Yan Xiong had such knowledge, Chen Zhi simply handed it over to Yan Xiong.

"Here! General Xie values ​​it!" Yan Xiong said happily. He also knew that Chen Zhi was really a strong man, but this was also an opportunity. Yan Xiong was unwilling to be a small county magistrate. Chen Zhi was the backbone of the Qin Kingdom's future. Being able to make a good relationship with Chen Zhi would be very helpful for his future career.

"Very good, then please magistrate Yan!" Chen Zhi nodded with a smile and said.

"Dare you not obeying your order?" Yan Xiong replied.

At the same time, Li You, the prime minister of Qin who was sent by Emperor Yingzhuang to envoy Jinyang for help, also came to the capital of Zhao, Jinyang City, but after he expressed his purpose in Honglu Temple, Zhao's king and minister did not meet him immediately, because now, the Zhao State had different opinions on whether the alliance with Qin needs to be retained.

In the side hall of the Chengqian Palace, the Empress Dowager Song of Zhao, the Prime Minister of Zhao Zhuang Ping, the Prime Minister of Zhao Lin Qingfeng, the Chief of Sikong Zuo Sheng, and the Zongzheng Zhang Ying gathered together. The five auxiliary ministers of Zhao, except for the General Li Rubing who were leading troops to fight against the Hu people in the northern border, were all here. After Li You entered Jinyang City, the Song family found all these ministers. Although the Zhao State was nominally the Little Emperor Zhang Yuan, the Empress Dowager Song of the State, the regent of the Empress Dowager Meng of the State, the real power was in the hands of the Song family. The Little Emperor and Meng family were just a mascot.

"You are the prime minister of Qin, Li You, came to Jinyang in person. It seems that Qin has reached a critical moment of life and death. Where should I, Da Zhao?" asked Song.

Although Qin and Zhao were allies in the past, their interactions were just to send an envoy to each other. They had never tried to send a prime minister to serve as an envoy. Now Qin actually asked a prime minister to come to Jinyang in person, which shows how bad the Qin situation is.

"It's true!" Situ Lin Qingfeng nodded and said, "According to the Central Plains spies, the Deng army has taken over the west of Wugong County, and soon the troops will be approached by Chang'an City. The Deng State's chariot and cavalry general Murong Ke also entered Guanzhong and was attacking Hongnong County, intending to attack Hangu Pass with Xue Rengui's troops outside the pass. Once Hangu Pass is lost, hundreds of thousands of Deng troops outside the pass can enter Guanzhong in large quantities. By then, hundreds of thousands of Deng troops besiege Chang'an City, and Qin will be unable to make a move."

Although this war broke out in Guanzhong, Deng State was the common enemy of Qin and Zhao. Once Qin State was destroyed by Deng State, there would be only bad things for Zhao State, no benefits. Therefore, Zhao State had long sent countless spies to the Guanzhong area and closely monitored the war between Deng and Qin.

"The Empress Dowager, now Deng's country is in great power. I think that Zhao and Qin are relying on each other. As the saying goes, lips are lost and teeth are cold. If Deng's army destroys Qin, when Deng's army is facing the Great Zhao, I am afraid that the Great Zhao will not be able to support it. Therefore, I requested the Empress Dowager and sent troops to seek assistance to Qin." Zong Zheng Zhang Ying said out of the list.

Zhang Ying's idea was the idea of ​​most ministers of Zhao State. Since the Central Plains suffered a few years ago, Deng State has been a big stone pressing against Zhao State's chest. In order to compete with the powerful Deng State, Zhao State did not hesitate to become ally with his former enemy Qin State. If this time he watched Deng State destroy Qin State and stockpile troops in Guanzhong, Deng State would become even stronger at that time. Once Deng State completely digested the Guanzhong State, it would definitely send troops to Zhao State. By then, the strength was not as strong as Deng State. Is there any ally Zhao State? How can he compete with Deng State? Therefore, Qin State cannot perish.

"Haha! Send soldiers?" Hearing Zhang Ying's words, Prime Minister Zhuang Ping sneered: "Mr. Zongzheng said it lightly. How many soldiers should he send? Where did he get the soldiers? My Great Zhao's 500,000 elite troops, and 300,000 troops followed the general to fight in the northern border. He was anxious with the Hu army. He could not decide the winner in a short time. The remaining troops and horses need to be in Jinyang and various places. How can they draw troops? Besides, even if my Great Zhao sends troops southward, how many soldiers should I send? With the current strength of the Deng army, if my Great Zhao wants to save Qin, my Great Zhao's troops southward must not be less than 200,000. Could it be that I saved a Qin State, and I Great Zhao will have to send troops that are scattered?"

"Zhuang Xiang, what do you mean is not to save Qin? Then let me ask you, once Qin is annexed by Deng, the Deng army will be in the future. How can I resist my Da Zhao?" Zhang Ying asked back.

"Stop arguing!" Seeing that Zhuang Ping and Zhang Ying had arguing again, Song quickly stopped him, then looked at Lin Qingfeng and asked, "Lin Situ, I wonder what you think?"

Among the five auxiliary ministers, Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing have a lot of dark history. The Song family did not trust them at all. Among the other three, Zhang Ying had limited abilities. If he were not the leader of the royal family, he would not have the qualifications to become the auxiliary minister. Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng, the Song family trusted the most was Lin Qingfeng. After all, before Lin Qingfeng came to Jinyang, Zuo Sheng could not fight Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing. However, since Lin Qingfeng came to Jinyang, the situation changed. Besides, the reason why Song family was able to monopolize the power was due to Lin Qingfeng's support and planning.

Lin Qingfeng slowly stepped out and bowed and said, "The Empress Dowager, Lord Zong Zheng is right. Zhao and Qin are now in a relationship of mutual dependence. The lips are dead and the teeth are cold. The demise of Qin is not good for Da Zhao. However, what Zhuang Xiang said is the current dilemma of my Great Zhao. If you want to save Qin, you must have the strength to compete with the Deng army. As far as I know, the Deng army is now besieged by Guanzhong, and there are only more than 100,000 left in the Qin army. In this way, to save Qin, our Great Zhao will at least dispatch 300,000 to 400,000 troops. With the current strength of Da Zhao, it is impossible to do it. But if there are not so many troops, even if we send troops south and face the 700,000 Deng army, it will be a drop in the bucket and it will be useless. It is better to preserve our strength to deal with the powerful Deng State. Therefore, it is not that Da Zhao does not save Qin State, but that Da Zhao is willing but powerless!"

Lin Qingfeng's words revealed the current dilemma of Zhao State. The few people present were speechless. Even Zhang Ying, who advocated sending troops, had nothing to say at this moment. After all, with the current strength of Zhao State, he could not save Qin State at all. If there was no war in the northern border, he might be able to fight, but the current situation does not allow it. If the troops were forced to send south, more than 100,000 Deng troops in the Central Plains could go north in large numbers. By then, before the Deng army could capture the city of Chang'an, Zhao State's Jinyang City would be captured by the Deng army.

Song thought for a while and said to Zhuang Ping: "Prime Minister Zhuang, given the current situation of Zhao, there is no way to do anything about Qin. I will trouble you to meet Li You and tell him to let him go back!" Since he has decided not to send troops to support Qin, there is naturally no need for Song to see Li You. But since Li You is here, it is really not good to drive people away without a reasonable explanation. After all, there is still a covenant between Qin and Zhao. After thinking about it, it is best to let Zhuang Ping, the Prime Minister of Zhao, send Li You.

"Here!" Zhuang Ping responded, and his face suddenly became bitter. This is not a good job. Li You came from all the way, so it was not a word to be passed by. However, as the prime minister of a country, the Song family did not see him. The only one who could talk to him was himself, who was the prime minister of Zhao. So even if Zhuang Ping was reluctant, he had to meet Li You.

After the discussions in the side hall of Chengqian Palace were over, Li You came to Honglu Temple and sent someone to invite Li You.

When Li You learned that Zhuang Ping was coming, he felt a little cold. After all, if Song wanted to see him, he only needed to send a minor official or an eunuch to communicate with him. How could Zhuang Ping, the Prime Minister of Zhao? Now that Zhuang Ping is coming, it means that Zhao is likely to not send troops, but Li You is unwilling to give up. Zhao is the last hope of Qin, because if Zhao does not send troops, even if Bai Qi is as magical as before, it will not be able to turn the tide. Only Zhao will send troops south and Qin will have a glimmer of hope.

"I have met Zhuang Xiang!" After Li You saw Zhuang Ping, he immediately bowed and had a very upright attitude. After all, he had something to ask for.

"Li Xiang is polite, please sit down!" Zhuang Ping responded.

After the two sat opposite each other, Zhuang Ping spoke first and said, "The original minister also understands the purpose of Li Xiang coming to Jinyang, but the situation your country is facing now, I, Da Zhao, can do nothing, please forgive me!"

If Li You's heart was only half cold before, now after hearing Zhuang Ping's words, Li You's heart was completely cold. If Zhuang Ping just refused politely, there was still a glimmer of hope to convince him with his own tongue. But now Zhuang Ping directly refused, it means that this decision had reached a consensus in the Zhao court, and it was impossible to send troops to Zhao.

But Li You didn't want to give up because this was the last hope of Qin, so he said to Zhuang Ping with a pleading tone: "Zhao Zhuang, the power of Deng, is probably Zhuang Zheng is very clear. Only the two countries can fight against it. The two countries are already in a relationship of dependence. Once the Qin Dynasty is destroyed, your country will not be able to survive alone. Saving Qin means saving Zhao. Zhuang Zheng will not understand this principle. Please ask Zhuang Zheng to persuade the Empress Dowager. Please!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Ping shook his head and said, "How can the original minister not know what Li Xiang said? But now 60% of our elite troops in Zhao are following General Li Rubing to fight in the northern border. It is difficult to save the troops in Zhao. Please understand Li Xiang. If your country can last until General Li Rubing ends the war in the northern border, the original minister can move with the Empress Dowager and explain it to the truth, but now, it won't work!"

"I wonder when General Li will defeat the Hu people and return to Jinyang?" Li You seemed to have caught a life-saving straw and asked, if Li Rubing could end the war with the Hu people in a short time, Qin would still be able to hold on. After all, there are still tens of thousands of elite soldiers in Chang'an City now, and there are also famous general Bai Qi, so it is not a problem to support it for two or three months.

Zhuang Ping shook his head and said, "I don't know. This time I went south, the Hu people prepared for a long time. Now General Li Rubing is leading his army to stalemate with him. When will it end? I can't say it well. It's two or three months fast, but it's one or two years slow. Who can say it correctly?"

After a year or two, Qin State had already become cold. When Li You heard this, he said sadly: "In other words, your country will not send troops no matter what it says?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Ping explained: "Sang Li, it's not that we don't want to send troops, we are really powerless!"

Is there any difference? Whether it is intentional not to send troops or is really powerless, there is no difference for Qin State, because if Zhao's army does not come, it is only a matter of time before Chang'an City is broken.

"I understand. Since that's the case, I won't stay in Jinyang for too long. Let's say goodbye!" After that, Li You stood up and prepared to leave.

"Let's wait!" Suddenly, Zhuang Ping stopped Li You.

"Is there anything else for Prime Minister Zhuang?" Li You asked strangely. Since Zhao State had made up his mind not to send troops to rescue Qin State, what else would Zhuang Ping stop him?

Zhuang Ping said: "Li Xiang, I, Da Zhao, are still ally between you. Although Da Zhao has no strength to send troops to save your country, he will not sit idly by and watch your allies fall. If Chang'an is really unfortunate, your king and minister can go north to Da Zhao to take refuge. After defeating Deng in the future, Da Zhao can completely help Qin restore the country."

Although the consequence of Qin's demise cannot be changed, Zhao still hopes that Qin's rulers and ministers can judge the situation and go north to Zhao. After all, Qin still has many talents, such as Li You, Bai Li Jin, Bai Qi, Ying Huai and others. If they can all come to Zhao, they will definitely increase the strength of Zhao. Especially Bai Qi, who is known as the second in the world, is a famous general who is much stronger than Li Rubing. If he can join Zhao, he may not be able to compete with the famous generals of Deng. After all, compared with the huge gap in strength between Deng and Qin, Zhao still has the ability to fight against Deng, but what he lacks is a peerless commander who can compete with Deng. If Bai Qi joins, Zhao will have much more confidence and will not be able to fight back against Deng.

How could Li You not know that Zhuang Ping is so slim in his heart? Zhuang Ping obviously took a fancy to the civil and military affairs of Qin. As for helping Qin to restore the country in the future, Li You would not believe any of these words. Not to mention whether Zhao could defeat Deng with the strength of Zhao, just say that he could defeat Deng. How could Zhao help Qin restore the country so kindly? Isn’t this just training an opponent for himself?

So Li You shook his head and said, "No need. As a Qin man, we should live and perish with the Qin in times of crisis. How can we abandon our ancestors' foundation without regard? If we do this, even if we can survive in the end, we will not have the face to meet our ancestors in the future. Although we, the people of the Qin man, cannot turn the tide, but we still have this backbone. Thank you for your kindness!"

After saying that, Li You left. On the same day, Li You left Jinyang City and headed south to Chang'an. For Li You, this time he came to Jinyang City and returned in vain, it means that the end of Qin State has been determined. The question is how long can Qin State, which is in a desperate situation, last.
Chapter completed!