The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 349 As expected of Guo Qing, a loyal minister is known in times of turmoil
For a time, King Zhao Daoxiang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Last year's battle, a big gamble, and a complete loss of all his money made King Zhao Daoxiang realize that the State of Qin could no longer be restrained.

It is impossible to gain benefits from the Qin State. The Three Jins are facing the Qin State head-on. Time is running out. Now they have offended the King of Qin to death. They urgently need to make up for it from other places. Strengthening themselves is the only way out.

And the worst situation did happen. Before they had time to grow stronger, Qin's revenge came first.

The State of Zhao could never be a match for the State of Qin. In addition, there was now a State of Yan, with which it had a deep hatred, eyeing it covetously from behind. There was no need to have any doubt at all. As long as one side started a war, the other side would immediately join the battlefield.

Faced with enemies on two fronts, the State of Zhao was in great danger.

King Zhao Daoxiang hurriedly summoned important civil and military officials to discuss what to do in the face of such a dangerous dilemma.

Even though King Zhao Daoxiang knew that the choice he made last year was the right one, he still regrets it now.

Why did we start a war with Qin? The states were not united, and we could fight but could not win. There would be endless troubles.
After King Zhao Daoxiang told the news, everyone looked at each other with sad faces.

Li Mu doesn't count. He is not in her heart. After Qin stopped last year, Li Mu was driven to the northern border again.

The only four people present now are Guo Kai, Lord Jianxin, Lord Wuxiang Le Cheng, and Pang Nuan.

Guo Kai was still the same as always. He would first see how others spoke and what the king meant, and then follow the king's advice and do business.

Jianxin Jun did not support breaking with the State of Qin in the first place, and this outcome was something he absolutely did not want to see.

But now that things have come to this, there is no benefit in complaining any more, and it will only embarrass King Zhao Daoxiang.

As for Pang Nuan and Le Cheng, they suffered heavy losses when they led the troops last year and only managed to defeat Qi and capture Raoan. Now they dare not speak.

King Zhao Daoxiang saw that everyone was staring at each other in silence, and he angrily asked, "Are you going to sit here in silence until dark?"

Now there was no way to remain silent. Everyone looked at Lord Jianxin, because he was the prime minister.

Jian Xinjun had no choice but to speak: "Your Majesty, things have come to this point, and the Great Zhao cannot just sit there and wait for death."

"Be prepared to resist the attack from both Qin and Yan."

"Yan is easy to deal with, but the main problem is Qin."

"Qin is strong and cannot be made an enemy. Let's try to negotiate peace."

Pang Nuan said: "What the Prime Minister said is very true, but this war is also unavoidable."

"Since Qin and Yan have united, Great Zhao should also unite with other countries."

"The Qin and Wei countries have great hatred, and the Wei country has suffered heavy losses. Facing the pressure from the Qin country, the Wei country is also in danger."

"Now that the Qin army has moved, how can Wei not be afraid? We should unite with Wei to resist Qin together."

King Zhao Daoxiang shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that the State of Wei today doesn't have the guts to become an enemy of the State of Qin. And with the current strength of the State of Wei, it can only defend, and definitely not attack."

"Since the Wei army cannot take the initiative to attack, what does Qin have to fear? All it needs to do is send an army to deter the Wei army, and the Wei army will not be able to advance an inch. The two sides will just be in a standoff."

Pang Nuan remained silent.

At this time, King Zhao Daoxiang looked at Guo Kai with eyes full of expectation: "Mr. Guo, what do you have in mind?"

Guo Kai said slowly: "What the Prime Minister and General Pang said is reasonable. It is the inevitable strategy to deal with Qin. Whether it succeeds or not, we should first act according to what the Prime Minister and General Pang said."

"But this is not a long-term solution. Now the Great Zhao needs to recuperate. It is not optimistic for a country to fight against the powerful Qin alone for so many years."

"We still have to negotiate peace."

"The Qin State is now too powerful to fight to the death with it, and it is inevitable that the Qin State will move eastward."

"Previously, suppressing Qin was a great strategy, but unfortunately Wei, Chu, Han, and Yan all had ulterior motives and were not up to the task. This was not the fault of the war, and the great strategy was absolutely correct, but the countries were not united, and now they can only rely on themselves."

"If we want to truly confront the Qin State, we must strengthen ourselves as soon as possible. Originally, the Wei State was the best choice. We are from the same source, and the land of the Wei State is even richer. It's a pity that the Qin State has taken over the Qi River. The Great Zhao and the Wei State are almost separated by the Qin State. If we want to attack the Wei State again, it will be difficult to guard against the Qin State."

"The only options left for Great Zhao now are Qi and Yan."

"Qi's military preparations are in poor condition, so there is no need to worry. Although Qi is rich, if we want to conquer Qi, we must face Wei, Yan, and Chu at the same time. This matter cannot be rushed."

"Only Yan State is the best choice. If we take over Yan State, we can attack or defend without any worries."

"The biggest problem is still Qin. Qin and Yan and Qi have always been on good terms. Now that Zhao has offended Qin, Qin will definitely not sit idly by."

"As long as Zhao mobilizes its troops, Qin will certainly take action."

"Before we make peace with Qin, or before Qin becomes unable to take action and has no time to spare, Zhao cannot fight a major war."

"In addition, the people of Great Zhao have been at war for many years and are exhausted. They are in urgent need of rest and recuperation."

"Your Majesty, you still have to find a way to make friends with the Qin State."

What Guo Kai said did make sense, and everyone nodded secretly.

As for King Zhao Daoxiang, the more he listened, the more regretful he felt.

When China was on good terms with the State of Qin, it could attack Wei, Yan and Qi without any constraints.

Now, we are enemies on both sides.

The original decision was not wrong, the only mistake was that we didn't win.

If we win, we will certainly gain a lot and reduce the threat, but if we lose, the loss will be too great and the situation will deteriorate instantly. Guo Qing is right. It's because the countries are not united. How can you, a group of insects, fight against the Qin State? We still have to rely on ourselves.

King Zhao Daoxiang sighed again in his heart. This was the umpteenth time this had happened since he was defeated in the war.

"What you said is reasonable, but how can we restore friendship with Qin? You have all heard about the character of the King of Qin."

Several people looked at each other again, unable to speak.

King Zhao Daoxiang couldn't help but sigh.

Guo Kai stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Qin and use my eloquence to persuade the King of Qin to calm down and withdraw his troops."

King Zhao Daoxiang was surprised and touched. Look, a loyal minister is known in times of turmoil! At the critical moment, he still had to look to Guo Qing.

King Zhao Daoxiang hesitated and said, "Guo Qing, no, the King of Qin is very angry now. What if he does something bad to you?"

Guo Kai shook his head and said decisively: "Your Majesty, at this point, someone must contact the State of Qin. We can't just let the State of Yan instigate and let the State of Qin focus on our Great Zhao."

"Wei is obviously easier to attack now. I want to try to get Qin to focus on Wei, so that Zhao can have a chance to recuperate."

"When Qin attacks Wei, its attention will be diverted, and Zhao will have the opportunity to seize the opportunity to attack Yan and Qi."

Jian Xinjun nodded repeatedly: "That's right."

King Zhao Daoxiang was still hesitant, for he was really afraid that Guo Kai would never come back.

"But."

Guo Kai bowed again and said solemnly: "I know in my heart that Your Majesty loves me so much, but Your Majesty loves me so much, how can I not repay Your Majesty with my life?"

"It may be dangerous to go to Qin, but I am willing to do it."

"Also, please rest assured, Your Majesty. Given my friendship with Qin and the King of Qin's character, he will not kill envoys from other countries."

"Besides, there is the princess. She has always been favored by the Qin State. Last year, she gave birth to a son for the King of Qin. The King of Qin will always show some favor to her."

"Your Majesty, please allow me to go. For Your Majesty, for the sake of Zhao."

King Zhao Daoxiang was deeply moved.

Loyalty, loyalty!
At the critical moment, only Guo Qing would take such a risk, regardless of his own life and death, and volunteer to go to the dangerous place!
Pang Nuan was deeply moved. With such a loyal and courageous minister, it would not be easy for anyone to destroy the State of Zhao.

King Zhao Daoxiang sighed repeatedly and said in a low voice in frustration: "Then I will have to trouble Mr. Guo. Mr. Guo must be extra careful on this trip. If there is really something that cannot be done, do not contradict the King of Qin. Don't force anything."

Guo Kai nodded solemnly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I understand."

"only."

Guo Kai hesitated and was speechless.

King Zhao Daoxiang waved his hand and said, "If Mr. Guo has any other difficulties, please feel free to speak up."

Guo Kai bowed to Pang Nuan and said, "General Pang, I will inevitably ask you to take on more responsibilities when we go to negotiate peace with Qin. I will certainly never allow Qin to harm you, but I am afraid that I will also wrong you."

"Your Majesty may need to temporarily relieve me of my position as general."

King Zhao Daoxiang was secretly delighted. He originally wanted Pang Nuan to take the blame, but I couldn't say it out loud. It had to be Guo Qing. He had done everything in advance. Guo Qing had also done all the difficult things for me.

King Zhao Daoxiang pretended to be displeased and stopped him, saying, "Mr. Guo! You must not do this."

"Pang Qing has worked hard and made great contributions. Although he is old, he still has his heart set on the Great Zhao and has traveled thousands of miles. He is a meritorious official of the Great Zhao for generations. The alliance against Qin was also my idea. How can I take the responsibility as a loyal minister and good general? If you act in this way, I will not do it."

Pang Nuan sighed in his heart, stood up and bowed: "I am extremely grateful for your love and care, Your Majesty, but I also support what Lord Guo said."

"I am already old, and now I feel that I am unable to do my job well and can no longer shoulder the heavy responsibility."

"I, your Majesty, would like to resign my position as general. Please grant my wish."

"It is my last wish to do one last thing for the Great Zhao."

King Zhao Daoxiang choked up and said, "Pang Qing, old general, I really wronged you. This, ah!"

Guo Kai followed up with praise: "Thank you very much, General. You are so upright and selfless. I admire you!"

"In this case, I am now 50% confident of going to Qin."

King Zhao Daoxiang nodded, half was already a lot.

"I have one last thing to report to Your Majesty, and it is the key to whether this mission will be successful."

"Guo Qing, please speak."

"When I go to Qin, it will be difficult for me to meet the King of Qin at first. The Qin and Yan attacks Zhao, which is inevitable."

"In the next battle, Great Zhao must fight with style. The Yan State is not important. As long as Great Zhao can recover, it will be able to defeat Yan State."

"It's mainly about the Qin State. Even if we can't win, as long as we don't lose and keep confronting, I will have 70% chance of success."

"Even if it's a small defeat, as long as it's not a big defeat, I still have a way."

(End of this chapter)