People in the Qin Dynasty, entertained during the Warring States period

Cao Ze stepped directly into Qingping Residence and immediately closed the door.

Li Zuoche looked at the tightly closed door with a somewhat confused expression.

After pondering for a long time, he hurriedly returned home, preparing to go to the border with his grandfather the day after tomorrow, and stay there for a year or two before making any further plans.

He now understood that Cao Ze was indeed buying clove oil in his name, but the person who smeared him was someone else entirely.

Who is this person? Could it really be that old geezer?

Cao Ze breathed a sigh of relief in the courtyard.

He had just taken a step when he suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten to ask Li Zuoche about the situation on the grassland.

I wonder how Hu Ji and Manyu are doing now, and whether they have followed the instructions he left behind.

He looked towards the sky with a touch of melancholy.

He had a decent feeling about Hu Ji and Manyu; after all, they had a brief affair and their families were happy together.

Forget it, I'll find a chance to bring them back when I get to Qin.

that is it.

Chapter 219 Destroying Zhao!

Compared to the sweltering heat of the Central Plains, the temperature on the northern grasslands is cool and pleasant.

Inside the royal court, the Hu woman leaned lazily against the throne, her heterochromatic eyes half-closed, as if taking a nap.

Manyu, Hu Ji's older sister, sat beside Hu Ji, quietly handling official documents.

"Your Majesty, the Siegner tribe is unwilling to send troops!"

Nomin, dressed in leather, entered the main hall, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a strong and resonant voice.

Hu Ji slowly opened her eyes and looked directly at Nuomin, who had come to report from the palace.

"Notify Touman to muster five thousand troops and annihilate Siegner as a warning to others!"

She would not allow anyone to oppose her.

Submit or be destroyed.

"Yes!"

Nomin respectfully withdrew, her heart filled with curiosity about what kind of magic that man possessed that made Her Majesty the Queen so unable to forget him.

They were even willing to wage war to win him back.

……

Late June, Qingping Residence.

Under the starry night sky, Cao Ze sat cross-legged in the courtyard, massaging his body's meridians.

As dawn broke, he faced the rising purple aura from the east and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

After half a month of painstaking effort, using the eight extraordinary meridians and twelve regular meridians as the foundation, supplemented by the circulation of the microcosmic orbit, all the minor meridians were finally unblocked.

They now have the qualifications to attempt to construct the internal microcosmic orbit.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

After consolidating his cultivation results, Cao Ze went to Feixue Pavilion and ate some ice cream.

July's heat fades, September brings the distribution of clothing.

As July has passed, it's become clear that the temperature is gradually dropping.

Ya Fei, with her big, round eyes, ate the ice cream with maltose in small bites.

Feeling the ice cream slowly melt in her mouth, sweet and cool, brought her great pleasure.

She's completely won over by the ice cream; it's just so delicious!

"Your Highness, has the Qin Kingdom sent troops?"

Cao Ze inquired.

Ya Fei swallowed the ice cream and nodded, saying, "That's right. I just received news that Meng Ao has already broken camp."

With Ya Fei's affirmation, Cao Ze felt reassured; no wonder Guo Kai had asked him to make preparations.

The following day, Zhao Yan convened a grand court assembly that had not been held for a long time.

Guo Kai stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, not long ago, Qin general Meng Ao led his troops north out of the Taihang Mountains."

Zhao Yan glanced at the officials in the hall and asked, "My dear ministers, where do you think the Qin army intends to attack in our Great Zhao?"

Pang Nuan, who was ranked first among the military generals, fell silent in thought upon hearing this.

The Qin state only stated in its court that it would attack Zhao, but did not specify how to attack, where to attack, or what its strategic objectives were.

Only by knowing where the Qin army was deployed could we make a judgment.

Seeing that the officials were silent, Guo Kai chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, why not summon Cao Ze, a disciple of the military strategist, to gather our wisdom?"

Zhao Yan nodded slightly. "The Prime Minister is right. Han Cang, summon Cao Ze to the palace."

Han Cang frowned almost imperceptibly. Could it be that Cao Ze had defected to Guo Kai? How come he hadn't received any news about it?

"Yes."

Cao Ze, who had already received Guo Kai's message, was waiting outside the palace.

Upon seeing Han Cang emerge, he asked, "Does the King wish to see me?"

Han Cang said calmly, "That's right, it was Guo Kai who persuaded the King to summon you, sir."

Cao Ze feigned a serious expression and sighed, "Please lead the way, Lord Han."

Han Cang did not move, but asked, "Why do you sigh, sir?"

Cao Ze gave a wry smile and lowered his voice, saying, "Lord Han should know how Guo Kai treats me. Why would he be so kind?"

Han Cang nodded in deep agreement, "That's right."

"Don't worry, sir. With me here, I won't let Guo Kai harm you."

Cao Ze: "I still don't know why the King summoned me to the palace?"

"What could be wrong? Qin is attacking Zhao, and the ministers are at a loss. If you, sir, cannot analyze the Qin army's intentions, I'm afraid..."

Han Cang shook his head, believing that Guo Kai wanted to take the opportunity to punish Cao Ze and make Cao Ze be seen as a useless person in Zhao Yan's mind.

Cao Ze and Han Cang whispered a few words to each other before Cao Ze leisurely entered the palace.

All the civil and military officials turned their attention to this young man, each with their own thoughts.

Zhao Yan said, "Mr. Cao Ze, not long ago, the Qin army marched north. I wonder what your opinion is on this?"

Cao Ze paused for a moment and glanced at the smiling Guo Kai.

For someone knowledgeable in history like him, analyzing the purpose of the Qin army's northward march was not difficult.

The problem now is that he is too outstanding. Guo Kaihui will take advantage of the situation and send him to fight, which will lead to his assassination by Yan Ri.

If you can't express it well, or don't express it well enough, it will damage the persona you've built.

He is still unsure whether Yan Ri has colluded with Guo Kai again, and can only prepare for the worst-case scenario.

With this thought in mind, Cao Ze made his decision.

I'll delay for a while, until I've built up my internal energy circulation and reached a first-class level before leaving Handan.

After exchanging a glance with Han Cang, he said, "Your Majesty, I already know the purpose of the Qin army's military campaign this time."

Zhao Yan perked up and said happily, "Please speak, sir."

Cao Ze said coldly, "Destroy Zhao!"

The hall fell silent, and Zhao Yan's joyful expression froze.

Pang Nuan, the foremost military general, suddenly understood, and some previously unclear points became clear.

Zhao Yan composed himself and said, "Please explain in detail, sir!"

Cao Ze said calmly, "Why did the Qin army march north out of the Taihang Mountains? The fundamental reason is nothing more than to cut off the connection between Handan and Yanmen in the north, and to prevent General Li Mu from going south to rescue Handan."

"If I'm not mistaken, the Qin army will soon send another army east out of the Taihang Mountains to attack Handan."

According to military strategy, this is a feint attack in the east while striking in the west.

Pang Nuan couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

The purpose of the Qin army's northward march out of Taihang was to cut off Li Mu's border troops. Therefore, the Qin army would naturally raise another army to march east out of Taihang, with its target being Handan.

All of this was predicated on the fact that Qin had the intention to destroy Zhao.

Clearly, every time Qin attacked Zhao, it was with the intention of destroying Zhao.

Guo Kai shouted loudly in support: "Mr. Cao Ze is absolutely right!"

Zhao Yan nodded repeatedly, "Mr. Cao Ze is truly a genius!"

When Guo Kai and the King of Zhao spoke, all the officials in the court began to praise Cao Ze. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Cao Ze was the prime minister.

Immediately afterward, Zhao Yan asked again, "Sir, what do you think is the best way for our Great Zhao to take this opportunity to annihilate the invading Qin army?"

Cao Ze was speechless. Good heavens, don't you know your own limitations?

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

Historically, it seems there's a record that because of Cheng Jiao's idiocy, Meng Ao's northern army became isolated and deep in enemy territory, allowing the Zhao state to fully unleash its power and strike a heavy blow against the Qin army in the north.

I just don't know if they're all wiped out.

Seeing Zhao Yan's expectant look, Cao Ze exhaled and slowly uttered four words, "Wait for the right opportunity!"

After a long silence, Zhao Yan, realizing his own weakness, spoke up: "Pang Nuan."

"The minister is here."

"Immediately lead troops north and order the reinforcement of defenses in Longdi, Gudi, Qingdu and other places."

Pang Nuan said in a deep voice, "I will obey Your Majesty's command!"