Chapter 265: It is easy to get along with a gentleman, but it is difficult to deal with a villain
The ever-changing Warring States Period was never short of topics.
Seeing that the war started by the State of Yue was gradually subsiding, in mid-September, the Xiongnu Chanyu Touman suddenly led 200,000 Xiongnu cavalry south.
The troops were divided into two groups and attacked the two counties of Yunzhong and Yanmen in the north of Zhao State.
Coming with great force.
At this time, the State of Qi had just sent officials to take over the three counties of Yunzhong, Yanmen and Taiyuan that were originally occupied by the State of Yan and declared its sovereignty, but it had not even had time to station troops there.
The Yan army stationed in the three counties had naturally withdrawn back to the country long ago.
in this way,
A window period appeared in the three counties, and was "coincidentally" captured by the Huns.
With the desert cavalry fighting against scattered local garrisons, the battle situation can be imagined. To say that it was one-sided is an understatement. It was simply a massacre.
The people of Yunzhong County and Yanmen County immediately fell into dire straits.
The elderly and children were killed, and women and craftsmen were looted and taken back to the Xiongnu. At that time, slavery had just emerged in the Xiongnu, and the demand for slaves was extremely strong.
The future fate of these looted people can be imagined.
The Xiongnu cavalry not only captured people, they were simply a group of demons, burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil, leaving the two counties in ruins.
However, the Huns had no interest in the land of the two counties.
At this time, the Huns still had some self-awareness and knew that with their current strength, the most they could do was take the opportunity to plunder. It was a pipe dream to occupy the two counties and challenge the Central Plains regime.
It's like hitting a rock with an egg.
…
Qi State, Linzi.
Inside the palace hall, Qi Wangjian no longer had the pride he had before, and was even a little furious. "Damn the Huns, they actually chose this time to kowtow to us."
Why is he so unlucky?
Prime Minister Hou Sheng's eyes flickered, "Your Majesty, this matter... is a bit strange."
"What do you mean?"
"In previous years, the Xiongnu always chose to attack the border before winter. At that time, every household had stored food for the winter. Now is far from that time, how come they suddenly...?"
Although Hou Sheng is selfish and greedy, he still has some brains.
Qi Wangjian's eyes turned cold, "Just say what you want to say."
"Your Majesty, what I mean is that the Huns are attacking our border right now. Could it be that Yan is behind this? They are just resentful that we occupy Zhao land, and they are afraid that Qi will surpass Yan, so they resort to this desperate measure." Hou Sheng also spoke frankly.
This is what we call "judging others by one's own standards".
We all thought of the same thing.
If Qi was in the same situation as Yan, Hou Sheng would have made the same suggestion.
"Do they have the guts to collude with the Huns?" King Jian of Qi was skeptical.
Collude with alien races,
If this is confirmed, Yan State will probably become the target of public criticism.
"Yan State is in such a state now, what can't it do?" Hou Sheng concluded that it was Yan State that did it. "Your Majesty, think about it carefully, why is the timing of the Xiongnu's attack on the border so coincidental? The Yan army had just left, and they came right after. The Xiongnu didn't have a standing army, and they had to have a mobilization period before launching a large-scale campaign.
"At the shortest possible rate, it would take at least one or two months to gather an army of 200,000. By that time, the Yan army hadn't even withdrawn yet. Could it be that the Xiongnu could predict the future?"
"Yes," the King of Qi gradually believed it, "The timing is too perfect."
"You are so brave, King Yan. You actually dared to stab me in the back. You will suffer in the future." The King of Qi was not a generous and magnanimous person. The feud was completely settled.
Complaints can be made, but things still have to be done.
Thinking of this, King Jian of Qi raised his head and looked at Sun Bin, who was sitting in a wheelchair on the other side without saying a word, and asked: "General, how should we deal with the invasion of the Huns?"
Sun Bin was only reinstated last year.
In the State of Qi, Sun Bin was actually not considered the most powerful military strategist.
The military saint Sun Wu was a native of Qi and spent his military career in Wu. However, after his good friend Wu Zixu was killed, he returned to his hometown in Qi and lived in seclusion.
Unlike Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism and other schools of thought, the Military School was not truly incorporated into the Hundred Schools of Thought, and it has never had a unified sect or headquarters.
Everyone is fighting on their own.
This is somewhat similar to the Legalists. Although there were great Legalists such as Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Han Feizi, and Shen Dao, they had never established a sect like Daofatang.
They are all unique.
But it is undeniable that the Military Saint Sun Wu is the most representative figure in military strategists. He is also a master of the Mahayana period and can be compared with Confucius, Zhuangzi, Mozi and others.
Even if the King of Qi wanted to invite such a big shot, he would not be able to do so.
Although Sun Bin was already a powerful warrior in the fusion stage, because he was practicing magic, his crippled leg meant he would never be able to stand up, and his combat effectiveness was greatly reduced.
Fortunately, his wheelchair itself is a powerful magical weapon, so he can travel without any hindrance.
You can also fly and hide.
"Your Majesty, the Huns are coming with great force this time. To repel them, we need to mobilize at least 350,000 troops. I suggest that we transfer the 200,000 troops around the royal city to the north." Sun Bin spoke based on the facts .
"Isn't this inappropriate?"
The King of Qi hadn't expressed his opinion yet, but Hou Sheng was already unhappy.
Before veteran generals like Sun Bin and Tian Dan came out of retirement, Hou Sheng, as the prime minister of Qi and the brother-in- law of the King of Qi, was second only to the king in Qi.
To Sun Bin,
Of course, no matter how you look at it, you will find it unpleasant.
"What's wrong?"
Sun Bin didn't take Hou Sheng seriously at all, he was just a clown.
"There are only 200,000 troops guarding the royal city. If they are all transferred away, who will guard the royal city? You?" Hou Sheng glanced at Sun Bin's legs with a hint of provocation.
The more proud Sun Bin was, the more unwilling he was to accept his victory.
"There are no enemies around Qi State. I don't think there is any problem in temporarily withdrawing the army." Sun Bin was still very rational.
Geographically, Qi State borders Yan, Zhao, Wei, Lu, Song and Chu.
The State of Zhao had been destroyed, and the neighboring areas such as Julu County and Handan County had become the territory of Qi State. The States of Song and Lu posed no threat.
Not to mention the State of Yan.
Right now the four-nation alliance is "working together" and there is no risk of war between them.
"Who said there are no enemies?" Hou Sheng raised his eyebrows. "What if the Kingdom of Yue uses the same old trick again and sends a naval fleet to land on the east coast?"
"That's absolutely impossible." Sun Bin shook his head with a smile.
"Aren't you too confident, General?" Hou Sheng seemed to be deliberately provoking Sun Bin.
"First," Sun Bin began to present facts and reason directly, "Yue's 600,000 troops are still trapped in Yan, and Guanzhong is facing threats from Wei and Chu. Where can we draw troops to attack Qi?
"Even if Yue State goes crazy and makes a desperate bet, with the lesson of Yan State before us, we only need to send guest mages to patrol the eastern coast to ensure that Yue State warships cannot dock. How can there be a surprise attack?"
The extraordinary strength of a monk can wipe out many technical advantages.
"Who knows?" Hou Sheng was still stubborn. "What if Yue suddenly withdraws its troops from Yan and launches a surprise attack on Qi? Who can guarantee that the eastern coast is safe?"
“…”
Faced with such childish words, Sun Bin was no longer willing to argue. He ignored Hou Sheng and said, "I have said all I can. I will leave everything to the king to decide."
Sun Bin didn't believe that the King of Qi would listen to Hou Sheng's nonsense.
Hou Sheng blushed.
The more despicable a person is, the more he cannot tolerate being ignored in public.
King Jian of Qi looked left and right, his eyes flickering, and said slowly: "In my opinion, it is better to order Tian Dan to lead his troops to rush to the rescue directly from the State of Yan."
But he is afraid of death.
Even if the possibility of victory is slim, he does not want the defense around the royal city to be empty.
"Your Majesty, no~~~"
Sun Bin was stunned.
"Why not? General, do you want to question the king's decision?" Hou Sheng looked proud and did not forget to add fuel to the fire and flatter Sun Bin.
King Qi Jian's eyes fixed.
Sun Bin didn't care about the future victory at this time. He clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, the war situation in Yan State is still in a stalemate. Once we withdraw our troops, the fragile balance will be broken. By then, Yan State will be in danger!!!"
The State of Yue is a fierce tiger.
Sun Bin would never think that the tiger's temporary loss was due to dozing off.
The tiger was just gathering its strength and preparing for a more fierce attack. If the wolves were even slightly careless, the good situation could be ruined in an instant.
We have to be on guard and be highly vigilant.
King Jian of Qi frowned subconsciously. He had just been tricked by the State of Yan and didn't care about the life or death of the State of Yan.
There was a turmoil in Yan State.
That's what makes people happy.
But Sun Bin was a pillar of the State of Qi, with the same status as Shang Yang of the State of Qin, so it was not easy to refute him openly.
Hou Sheng's eyes rolled. Although he was a villain, he was very good at observing people's words and expressions. He immediately caught the slight abnormality in the King of Qi's expression and was secretly delighted.
The opportunity has come!
Hou Sheng stood up decisively, almost pointing his finger at Sun Bin and scolding him, with a sarcastic look on his face, saying: "General, Yan State colluded with the Xiongnu and just set us up, but you are still speaking for Yan State? In order to save Yan State, you are even willing to sacrifice the defense of the royal city. What is your intention?"
Every word is really heart-breaking.
Sun Bin was really angry this time, and said coldly: "Prime Minister, don't you understand the principle of lips and teeth being cold? Once Yan is lost, Yue will be the next to deal with our Qi."
"Yeah?"
Hou Sheng was not afraid at all and went all out, "Yan State is not as weak as the general said, right? After all, there are 400,000 troops guarding it! Even if we can't win, we can still defend it, right?
"Why does it seem to the general that the State of Yan may be destroyed at any time?
"On the contrary, Yunzhong and Yanmen counties are being ravaged by the Xiongnu and are in imminent danger. Every moment of delay will cause countless Qi people to suffer and die at the hands of the Xiongnu. Why is the general not in a hurry?"
After hearing these words, the King of Qi looked up suddenly.
Meeting the unfathomable eyes of the King of Qi, Sun Bin felt a chill in his heart.
So sad,
sorrow!!!
Sun Bin knew that no matter what he said now, the King of Qi would not listen.
"Why is the general silent? Is he feeling guilty, or did I get it right?" Hou Sheng was not a forgiving person and he gave the man a beating when he was down.
Such an opportunity is not easy to come by.
Sun Bin had a blank expression on his face and bowed to the King of Qi. "Your Majesty, I still insist on my previous opinion. Please think twice. If Your Majesty disagrees, then I will have no choice but to resign from the position of general."
If you are not trusted by the king, there is no need to continue serving him.
Boring~~~
Sun Bin is no longer the young general who was obsessed with revenge. Counting the time, he has lived for more than 150 years. The worst that can happen is that he will retire again.
Sit and watch the clouds roll in and out of the Warring States Period.
"The general is trying to force the emperor to abdicate." Hou Sheng said sarcastically.
Every word he said struck at the heart of the King of Qi, and he was unknowingly put on the spot.
It's too late to save face.
