Chapter 361: Banquet Talk, Ying Zheng and Wang Jians Worries
Under the dark night, in Bai Yan's mansion.
After Ying Zheng looked at Bai Yan and listened to Old Man Yu's words, he no longer insisted on giving the reward.
As time passed, Chai, Yanmao and others who had been invited by Bai Yan also came to the main hall one after another.
Meet Ying Zheng.
Everyone looked surprised, and then came forward to pay homage in fear.
Not in the palace, Ying Zheng was naturally very accommodating when he saw these cavalry generals.
Bai Yan, who was sitting on his knees behind a wooden table, saw this and did not find it strange. Ying Zheng was definitely one of the best kings when it came to treating officials and generals.
In the main hall.
As the number of people increased, Ying Zheng and Old Man Yu chatted for a while, but they did not continue the conversation.
At this time, the maids also entered the main hall carrying good wine and food.
After the banquet started, the dancer Ying Zheng had given to Bai Yan also came to the main hall to dance.
Because of Ying Zheng's presence, although there was laughter and laughter at the banquet, they did not dare to shout loudly.
After all, everyone is worried about unintentionally interrupting Ying Zheng's words.
After having a few drinks together.
"General!"
Ying Zheng thought for a moment, then looked at Wang Jian.
Hearing Ying Zheng speak, all the generals couldn't help but look away from the dancing girl and turned to look at Ying Zheng.
Although the dancing girl is beautiful, everyone here has a beautiful wife and concubine at home. Although Bai Yan is an exception, although the Bao family is not Bai Yan's beautiful wife and concubine, in terms of beauty, she is far behind.
Chaochai, Yanmao, and even the beauties in Wang Jian's mansion.
Anyway, compared to the beauty of the dancer, everyone still has some resistance in their hearts. Although the beautiful concubine in the family is not good at dancing, she is still beautiful.
Right now, the King's words are more important.
"Kings!"
When Wang Jian saw Ying Zheng looking at him, he quickly turned slightly sideways and saluted Ying Zheng, who was kneeling behind the wooden table.
Under Wang Jian's puzzled gaze, Ying Zheng frowned slightly, looking thoughtful.
"After the general destroyed Zhao, I had been in Xianyang and asked hundreds of officials how to treat the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu in the north. All the officials had their own opinions. Now it happens that we are here. The general is also a general of the Qin State, and he is the leader of Qinnan.
In the Northern War, I would like to hear what the general has to say."
Ying Zheng asked softly: "What does the general think of the north?"
After Ying Zheng finished speaking, he quietly waited for Wang Jian's answer.
Previously, Ying Zheng had always had a problem in his mind, and that was how to get rid of the worries in the north.
After all, the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu in the north suddenly stopped fighting, and both sides stopped fighting.
For the Qin State, this is not a good thing. If the Yuezhi, the Xiongnu and the Qin State have been in peace, it would be fine. But if the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu go south while the Qin State sends troops to attack other vassal states, the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu will inevitably go south.
It will make Qin be controlled by others.
The north is different from the Central Plains. The terrain of the Central Plains is blocked by mountains and rivers. The north is all grassland, and the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu are both good at horse fighting. If Qin is at war with other countries and goes south instead of plundering, Qin will definitely
dangerous.
This matter was previously discussed at the palace of Xianyang City.
As a result, civil and military officials argued endlessly, each expressing his or her own opinion.
Now that he happened to be here at Bai Yan, Ying Zheng wanted to hear Wang Jian's opinion. After all, Wang Jian was the commander of hundreds of battles. Regardless of his experience and his views on the situation, he was far more comparable to others. He was not in the Xianyang Palace before and did not participate in the discussions. Naturally, he is now
Have to ask.
"north?"
"Xiongnu! Yuezhi!"
When Chai, Yanmao, Kou Zhuang and other cavalry generals heard Ying Zheng's words, they all looked at each other and murmured softly.
At this moment, Yanmao and others all put their minds away, thinking about things about the Xiongnu and Yuezhi in their minds.
the other side.
When Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng's question, he turned his head and looked at Wang Jian who was thinking.
At this moment, Bai Yan was also very curious about how Wang Jian viewed the forces in the north.
Bai Yan naturally knows very well about the North. It can even be said that he knows better than everyone present what the North will look like in the future.
Although there are only three major ethnic groups in the north, the Yuezhi, the Xiongnu, and the Donghu, there are countless other small ethnic groups, such as the Xianbei, Loufan, Rouran, Wuhuan, Fuyu, and Sushen.
Due to the unique geographical location.
The tribes in the north are a huge threat to the Central Plains and will never be exterminated. Even if the Xiongnu and Yuezhi are wiped out, nomadic groups from other clans will still be derived, and nomadic tribes from more distant places will still come to replace the Yuezhi and Yuezhi.
Xiongnu.
This is a historical trace that will remain unchanged for thousands of years.
Looking at Wang Jian now.
Bai Yan was very curious about how an experienced Qin general like Wang Jian would view the north.
After a while.
Under Bai Yan's gaze.
"Back to the king, Wei Chen believes that now that our Qin State has destroyed Zhao, neither the Yuezhi nor the Xiongnu can pose a threat to our Qin State. However, the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu must still adopt the method of alienation."
Wang Jian raised his hand to Ying Zheng and slowly expressed his opinion.
After Bai Yan heard Wang Jian's answer, he understood that Wang Jian was telling Ying Zheng that Qin's top priority was still to pacify other vassal states in the Central Plains, not to send troops to the north.
Turning to look at Ying Zheng who nodded slowly, Bai Yan was a little curious.
I don’t know if Ying Zheng is thinking about the Great Wall at this moment.
But curiosity is curiosity, and Bai Yan will definitely not ask questions at the moment, nor will he speak out hastily. If it gives Ying Zheng the feeling of showing off his talents, it will be self-defeating.
What's more, Bai Yan would never dare to propose a project like the Great Wall, which would affect the entire Central Plains, otherwise no one could tell what would happen in the future.
Thinking of this, Bai Yan withdrew his gaze.
As for what Wang Jian just said, it cannot pose a threat to Qin.
This sentence made Bai Yan understand that even Wang Jian is still bound by the times.
Not to mention the Yueshi who will gradually become stronger in the future, no one would have thought that after the Qin State destroyed the Zhao State, the Qin State would expand its territory and occupy the entire north.
, in the future the Xiongnu will also be forced to unite because of the strength of Qin.
At that time, the Xiongnu would be a serious trouble in the Central Plains!
When the Xiongnu went south to plunder, it was no less than a natural disaster. Even after the unification of the Central Plains, they still did not dare to act rashly in the face of the powerful Xiongnu Empire in the north.
At the moment, even Wang Jian would not think of it, Ying Zheng would not think of it, and no one else would think that the Xiongnu Empire would be powerful in the future.
Just like in later history, when faced with the powerful Hun Empire, no one, not even the kings, believed that the Hun Empire would perish in the future.
Everyone will be deceived by the times they see and hear.
"Your Majesty, the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu are both nomadic tribes. Regardless of men, women, old or young, they are all good at riding on horseback. Although our Qin cavalry are brave and good at fighting, the people who fight on horseback are far inferior to the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu. In addition, the terrain in the north is gentle.
, it’s endless as far as the eye can see, and if you’re not careful, you’ll get lost or get trapped.”
Wang Jian looked at Ying Zheng, cupped his hands and said, "If your Majesty wants to send troops to the Yueshi and Xiongnu, I think that you will need at least a cavalry of no less than 200,000 men to be sure of victory."
In the main hall.
Chai, Yanmao and all the cavalry generals were dumbfounded when they heard Wang Jian's words and looked at each other in astonishment.
Two hundred thousand cavalry!
Thinking of this number, not to mention Qin State, even if Wei, Yan, Qi and Chu were added together, I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to produce 200,000 cavalry.
Moreover, it is impossible for other vassal states to help Qin to deal with the Yueshi and Xiongnu. It would be good if they do not stab them in the back.
"Two hundred thousand?"
In the main hall, Ying Zheng couldn't help being shocked when he heard Wang Jian's words.
Two hundred thousand cavalry, even Ying Zheng, the king of Qin, felt numb with this number.
This is a war horse used for fighting, not an ordinary horse.
In the previous battle at Jingxing, Bai Yan defeated Jingxing with thunderous force and surrendered Zhao Bianqi. He then had nearly 30,000 war horses.
If there is a war with Chu in the future, I am afraid that the war horses between Qin and Chu will be extremely exhausted, and this will not be recovered in a short time.
"According to Wang Jian's wishes, Qin has no chance to destroy the Yueshi and the Huns!"
Ying Zheng sighed in his heart.
Thinking of this, Ying Zheng couldn't help but look at the young man sitting on the same side as Wang Jian, in the second seat.
However, after just one glance, Ying Zheng stopped paying attention.
It was not that he was contemptuous, but that Ying Zheng was naturally convinced of Bai Yan's ability to lead troops, otherwise he would not have let the young Bai Yan serve as the deputy general of the army that defeated Zhao.
But just as Wang Jian said.
The Qin State probably really has no chance against the Xiongnu!
As the Qin State attacked Han and Zhao, the number of war horses consumed by the Qin State became larger and larger. If Bai Yan had not subdued the Zhao Bianqi, it would be difficult for Bai Yan's cavalry to replenish the original number in a short period of time.
What's more, no one knows how long it will take before Qin has the opportunity to unify the Central Plains and destroy Wei, Yan, Qi and Chu one by one.
Even whether Qin can be unified, there are still variables. No one knows whether there will be a second Li Mu, a third Li Mu, a second Lord Xinling, or a third Lord Xinling in the future.
After all, it is the State of Zhao. If there had not been a natural disaster in the State of Zhao, or if there had not been a estrangement by Guo.
If we want to destroy Zhao in one fell swoop this time, I am afraid that the damage to Qin will be several times greater.
In the main hall.
After Ying Zheng learned Wang Jian's opinion, he did not continue to ask further.
Under the dark night.
Along with the banquet, Ying Zheng did not stay in Bai Yan's mansion for long, and within an hour, he got up and left.
It is not easy for Ying Zheng to find time to come to Bai Yan's residence for the sacrifice today. At this moment, the royal family members in the Handan Palace are still waiting for Ying Zheng.
Saw Ying Zheng leaving.
Bai Yan naturally wanted to get up and see Wang Jian off.
Under the ceremony of Chai, Yanmao and other generals, Bai Yan followed Ying Zheng and sent Ying Zheng out of the main hall together with Wang Jian.
In the corridor along the way, maids and eunuchs were walking in front.
Just walked for a while.
"Bai Yan, how long will it take for those surrendered Zhao Bianqi to enter the battlefield?"
Ying Zheng asked softly as he walked.
Regarding Zhao Bianqi, who was under Li Mu's command, Ying Zheng clearly knew how good this famous cavalry was in fighting.
Bai Yan did not hide the intentions behind any of the things that Bai Yan wrote to Xianyang.
Therefore, thinking of what happened between the Yuezhi and the Xiongnu in the north, and thinking of the 200,000 cavalry mentioned by Wang Jian, Ying Zheng also wanted to know whether the cavalry could be put into the battlefield now.
"Back to the king, if it is the Yuezhi, the Xiongnu will go south without fear. If we send troops to attack other vassal states, I feel that it will take at least one year!"
Bai Yan heard Ying Zheng's inquiry and said softly.
Following Ying Zheng, walking slowly, Bai Yan slowly told Ying Zheng what Chai had said before.
In the corridor.
Wang Jian followed Ying Zheng and listened to Bai Yan's words. When he learned that Zhao Bianqi actually rejected those lurking lobbyists, he couldn't help but shake his head in surprise.
"General Bai leads the troops. He is worthy of being the queen of generals. He can achieve such a level. Wang Jian is not as good as him!"
Wang Jian sighed.
Looking at the servants and maids in the corridor ahead, Wang Jian did not hide his emotions at all.
In Wang Jian's eyes, Bai Yan was the only person Wang Jian had seen in this world who could bring the enemy back home in such a short period of time.
And more importantly, this enemy army still has tens of thousands of elite troops, Zhao Bianqi!
"The general is so complimentary!"
Bai Yan heard Wang Jian's words next to him and said modestly with an embarrassed look on his face.
When Ying Zheng heard the words "Jiangmen" in Wang Jian's words, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth and snicker in his heart.
If he had not agreed to conceal it for the young man, Ying Zheng would have really wanted to tell Wang Jian himself that this young man was not a descendant of the Bai family, but the son of a farmer from Qi State.
As for Zhao Bianqi.
Because he knew Bai Yan's actions at the beginning and Bai Yan's investigation into the robbery and trafficking, Ying Zheng was not surprised that Bai Yan could bring Zhao Bianqi back.
"I'm looking forward to meeting Zhao Bianqi in a year. Bai Yan, don't let me down!"
Ying Zheng stopped slowly and turned to look at Bai Yan, his face full of seriousness.
For the young man in front of him, Ying Zheng gave him unquestionable trust, and now he gave tens of thousands of Zhao Bianqi to the young man, who will lead him.
Ying Zheng hopes that one year from now, the young man he trusts so much will, as usual, never let down his expectations.
"Promise! Weichen will do his best!"
Bai Yan stopped, raised his hands and saluted Ying Zhengji.
Upon seeing this, Ying Zheng nodded with satisfaction, and then walked out of the mansion accompanied by the maid and eunuch.
Wang Jian stood aside, watching Ying Zheng's leaving figure, and then looking at the young Bai Yan, actually feeling a little emotional in his heart.
Wang Jian couldn't tell how much Ying Zheng valued Bai Yan.
But at the same time, Wang Jian also knew that for his ministers, this respect was like a double-edged sword.
In particular, Bai Yan comes from the Bai family. Now Bai Yan is just a Yaqing, and has not yet reached the rank of Shangqing or Daliang. However, according to Bai Yan's talent, he may one day have the opportunity to reach the position of his ancestor Bai Qi.
At that time, some thoughtful people would sooner or later make Ying Zheng face a problem.
That is, does Bai Yan have any fear of Qin because of what happened to his ancestor Bai Qi? Even if Bai Yan says not, does he really mean that he doesn't?
His ancestor Bai Qi did not betray the Qin State until he was demoted, and he would end up dead. This is something everyone knows. It is impossible for Bai Yan not to know, so what will Bai Yan do?
As long as Ying Zheng thinks about this, he will have concerns, and for Bai Yan, his life will be in danger.
Thinking of Old Soldier Yu in the main hall and looking at Bai Yan's young face, Wang Jian didn't know what would happen to Bai Yan in the future and whether he would one day stand in the position of Daliang Zao.
Inside the mansion.
In the main hall, as Ying Zheng left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, many people couldn't help but pick up the wine cup and toast to Old Soldier Yu.
Regarding this old soldier Yu, among the previous generals, Chai and Yanmao had learned about it from Bai Yu, while other generals also learned about it from Bai Yan.
Therefore, when they saw Yu Lao, the old general, they naturally made a toast.
Old soldier Yu, who has gray hair on his temples and a smile on his face, welcomes everyone who comes.
When Bai Yan and Wang Jian came back, Yu Laozu had already drunk one or two generals who were not good drinkers and poured them on the wooden table.
Bai Yan looked at this scene with a dumbfounded expression, and asked two maids to carry the drunken general down to rest.
Seeing General Yu's happy look, Bai Yan also advised General Yu to drink less.
After three drinks.
The other generals, including Gui, were so drunk that they lay on the ground or on the wooden table.
Wang Jian is old and has already passed away.
Chai and Yanmao were also drunk and went out to vomit one after another.
Only Bai Yan has been drinking with Old Man Yu. Bai Yan even took the wine cup directly to Old Man Yu's small table and chatted with Old Man Yu.
Just like two years ago, at Lantian Camp, Bai Yan accompanied Old Soldier Yu to drink in the camp tent.
But the difference is.
Bai Yan is not the ordinary soldier who became a general, and General Yu is not that general, just like an ordinary old man. This huge and exquisite mansion is not the original camp, but a place given to Bai Yan by Ying Zheng.
.
An old man and a young man were drinking.
Facing Bai Yan, Old Soldier Yu rarely got drunk.
"Boy, I was blind at first!"
After Yu Laozu finished a glass of wine, he squinted his eyes, shook his head and suddenly laughed.
Looking at the young man in front of him with drunken eyes, Old Man Yu felt a little emotional. He recalled two years ago when he met Bai Yan in Lantian. At that time, he couldn't believe that Bai Yan was actually leading the army in person.
Destroy the State of Zhao.
Destroy the Zhao Kingdom!
Lead the troops to destroy Zhao!!!
Who dared to have such an idea at that time!
Looking at Bai Yan's appearance at that time, who would dare to have such an idea!
Recalling that at the Lantian Camp, he, an old guy, specifically told Bai Yan not to fight with the Zhao State with the army no matter what. He would rather use the Bai family's connections to transfer away than go with the army to the Zhao State to fight against the Zhao Army.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
Old soldier Yu burped and looked at Bai Yan.
"Bai Yan was just an unknown boy at that time. He had never fought against Zhao Jun, so how could he dare to speak lightly."
Bai Yan explained with a wry smile, how did he know at that time that he would be able to lead an elite cavalry team, that he would have the opportunity to become a deputy general, and that he would happen to fight against Zhao Bianqi in Jingxing.
After finishing speaking.
Bai Yan picked up the wine pot and poured wine into Lao Yu's small wooden cup.
But just now.
Old soldier Yu's face was red from drunkenness, and his eyes suddenly looked straight at him.
"Boy, do you have a way to deal with the Huns?"
Old soldier Yu asked in a low voice.
Bai Yan was stunned and looked at General Yu with some surprise.
"Just now when Your Majesty was talking to Wang Jian, I accidentally saw You's face. Others heard Wang Jian's words about two hundred thousand cavalry and thought they were very impressed. Only your expression is wrong!"
Old Man Yu looked at Bai Yan with a smile like a drunk old fox.
Ever since he learned that Bai Yan led his troops at Jingxing and defeated Zhao Bianqi in a battle, Yu Laozu recalled the scenes in Lantian more than once.
The most memorable one is the first time I drank with Bai Yan and mentioned Li Mu and Zhao Bianqi. Bai Yan's expression at that time was the same as when he heard Wang Jian talk about two hundred thousand cavalry.
I didn't know it before, I thought Bai Yan remembered his words.
at the moment.
Old soldier Yu would not believe it.
"Mr. Yu, the king is in Xianyang and all the officials are helpless. How could Bai Yan have any idea?"
Bai Yan looked at General Yu, smiled and shook his head, denying it.
At first, I knew about Guo Kai, so I wasn't very worried.
Now I am facing the inquiry from Old Soldier Yu.
Bai Yan would not speak out about things like the Great Wall, which wasted money and wasted money, and was a crime in contemporary times, not even to Mr. Yu. Otherwise, if the news spread in the future, his grandmother and mother would break his legs when he returns to Linzi, Qi State.
As for dealing with the Xiongnu, Bai Yan didn't know how effective the swift and windy marching tactics of later generations would be in his own hands, so it was better not to talk about it at the moment.
"You kid can't deceive me. It's okay if you don't want to say it!"
Old soldier Yu looked at Bai Yan and didn't believe Bai Yan's words at all, but he didn't continue to ask further.
The next day.
After the banquet, Yu Laozu and others had not yet woken up. Even Chai, who had a good drinker, was still rubbing his head and eating breakfast in the mansion.
Bai Yan was in the study room of the mansion, looking at the bamboo slips delivered yesterday.
Because Ying Zheng had previously appointed Bai Yan to investigate the forces plotting assassination, now as long as there are no important occasions, Bai Yan can stay in the mansion without leaving.
At this moment.
Outside the study, a close confidant suddenly ran in and informed Bai Yan that there was news from the palace.
The Queen Mother woke up today and went to Zhujia Lane accompanied by Ying Zheng. She then passed away in Zhujia Lane. Now the Queen Mother's body has been sent back to Handan.
Behind the wooden table.
Bai Yan slowly put down the bamboo slips after hearing his confidant's words.
Thinking back to the first time he met Queen Mother Zhao Ji in Xianyang, Qin State, Queen Mother Zhao was still chatting with him. Now that he heard the news, Bai Yan was in a daze.
However, because of what he had done for the Queen Mother, and now hearing the news of the Queen Mother Zhao Ji's death, Bai Yan had a clear conscience. After all, he had worked hard to do what he could do.