General Qin

"From today onwards, I am Zuo Shuzhang."

"You can go up to court."

On the second day after Zhao Tuo returned to Xianyang, he went to the Lord Lieutenant's Mansion to receive his title reward.

As he walked out, he looked at Mo Yugui, which was about one foot wide and three feet long in his hand, and kept sighing in his heart.

The three-foot jade kui is warm and cold, with several small characters in Qin seal script on it, engraved with Zuo Shuzhang's title.

The so-called chief of the common people refers to the chief of the common people, the chief of the common people in the head of Guizhou.

Different from the title of doctor, Zuo Shuchang's status is already equivalent to that of Qing in the Spring and Autumn Period. He is a real high-ranking person. Only when he has reached this title can he be qualified to hold a title. This is what people at the time called "name and ear". .

Moreover, Zuo Shuchang, the position held by Shang Yang after he entered the Qin Dynasty, is often given a special meaning, and it is difficult for those who have not made great achievements to obtain it. Many generals and officials who were born as common people in the head of Guizhou could not reach this title in their entire lives.

Zhao Tuo is only fifteen or sixteen years old now, but he already has such a high rank, which is extremely rare in the entire history of Qin State, and it can even be said to be non-existent.

Because it is different from that grandfather who is the prodigy Gan Luo of Zuo Prime Minister Gan Mao.

Zhao Tuo's title was earned by himself on the battlefield, and there is no water in it. Even Li You and Huan Zhao, who have always hated him, have nothing to say about it.

So when Zhao Tuo finished receiving his title and walked out from Lord Lieutenant's Mansion, everyone he passed respectfully saluted him all the way, looking at this exceptionally young Zuo Shuzhang with both fear and curiosity.

"This is the title of Zuo Shuzhang. I heard that Zuo Shuzhang is not yet seventeen years old. If he becomes an adult, wouldn't he be able to be named a Marquis?"

"Hey, haven't you heard of it? This Zuo Shuchang once said in front of the king, 'A man, you should be a marquis when you are born, and you will be a temple food when you die'."

"Hiss... What a loud breath!"

"I don't know which lady can marry him, but unfortunately I'm not a girl, oh..."

Hearing the small officials from the lord and lieutenant's mansion talking about him behind him, Zhao Tuo couldn't help smiling wryly.

Didn't this sentence only be said to Brother Zheng?

Why is it not only the princes, princes and ministers in the court who know it now, but also all the small officials in the mansion.

Which big mouth is spreading the word everywhere!

Zhao Tuo was very annoyed. Such big words spread all over Xianyang. If Zhao Tuo didn't become a Marquis in the future, wouldn't he be slapped in the face?

Just as Zhao Tuo shook his head and smiled wryly, stepped across the door, and was about to get in his own carriage to return home, suddenly a man who was waiting at the door came up.

He bowed to Zhao Tuo, and said: "The villain Wang Ao, I have seen Mr. Zuo Shu, and my husband also invited Mr. Zuo Shu to visit the mansion."

Zhao Tuo frowned, but did not answer immediately.

Although today is only the second day after Zhao Tuo was called back to Xianyang, he has already received many invitations.

Those members of the Gongqing family who lived in Xianyang were very well-informed. Knowing that Zhao Tuo had been summoned by the king, they immediately sent people to invite him overnight. There is the famous Chang Wenjun.

For Chang Wenjun's invitation, Zhao Tuo asked people to decline it politely, saying it was inconvenient.

Just kidding, before the start of the war against Chu, Zhao Tuo was in a cold sweat just thinking about going to a prince of Chu's house as a guest.

At this juncture, Zhao Tuo didn't want to deal with Chang Wenjun, even if he offended him, it didn't matter.

Anyway, after Li Xin's war against Chu, the Chu faction forces in the Qin State will inevitably suffer a major blow, and Chang Wenjun may not be able to protect himself by then.

As for the thoughts of those big families, Zhao Tuo is also very clear, nothing more than fancying him to be favored by the king, and he has made meritorious service.

Such a young man with a bright future, these powerful families in decline will naturally come to curry favor, give Zhao Tuo some gifts and say something nice, if they can marry each other, that would be even better, they can borrow Zhao Tuo Tuo's Dongfeng regained its former glory.

In this regard, Zhao Tuo asked the people in the mansion to refuse. He didn't want to be associated with those Qin family with impure purposes, and he didn't accept any gifts from the other party.

"Who is your husband?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo asked casually, planning to find an excuse to refuse.

The man replied: "My husband is the present state captain."

"Wei Gong?"

Zhao Tuo was stunned for a moment, then quickly laughed and said, "Since it was invited by Mr. Wei, then Zhao Tuo should visit."

Wei Liao is different from Chang Wenjun and those declining clans.

He is Bangwei, the highest military officer in the Qin State today, in charge of the country's military administration, deeply trusted by Qin Wangzheng, and an absolute power figure. Moreover, he is also a master of military art in the present age. The book "Wei Liao Zi" written by him was applied in the establishment and military law of the Qin army, and had a great influence on the entire Qin State.

Before Zhao Tuo attacked Wei, he wanted to visit Wei Liao to seek some advice, but it happened that at that time, Qin Wangzheng issued an edict to mobilize troops to attack Wei. Wei Liao couldn't spare time, so Zhao Tuo could only turn to find Wang Jian, but he didn't expect that Wei Liao would take the initiative to invite him to the mansion for a talk when he came back now.

Zhao Tuo asked the man from Wei's Mansion to go back first, and he turned around and went back to his own mansion. While bathing and changing clothes, he asked his servants to buy a snow-white and docile lamb for him.

Then Zhao Tuo got into the carriage with the lamb in his arms and came to Wei Liao's residence.

The gate of Wei's Mansion opened, and Zhao Tuo walked in with the lamb in his arms.

This is the etiquette of visiting.

Zhou Li called it "the prince holds the lamb, the doctor holds the geese, the scholar holds the pheasant, the common people hold the duck, and the businessman holds the chicken."

Zhao Tuo visited the Changping Emperor's Mansion as a public passenger before, and the public service belongs to the doctor level, so he could only visit with wild geese in his arms.

Now that Zhao Tuo has been promoted to be the head of Zuo Shu, he can no longer use wild geese, he must hold lambs, this is the only way to be polite, if he carries wild geese again, he will definitely be laughed at and downgraded.

This is also an external manifestation of Zhao Tuo's status change after he was granted the title of Zuo Shuzhang.

When Zhao Tuo entered Wei's mansion and saw Wei Liao again, he was shocked.

Wei Liao was only about seven feet tall, a bit shorter than Zhao Tuo who was in his teens, with white beard and white hair, and many wrinkles on his face. But every time Zhao Tuo saw him, he felt that Wei Liao was in a very good state of mind. He was full of energy in his speech, his eyes were piercing, and his energy was not inferior to that of young people.

But now, the State Captain of the Qin State was sitting on his knees on the couch, looking a little tired and exhausted. When he saw Zhao Tuo coming in, he just nodded slightly.

"Wei Gong?"

"sit."

Wei Liao stretched out his hand and pointed to the case.

Zhao Tuo saluted and took the seat, and asked respectfully: "The boy just returned to Xianyang. He should have taken the initiative to visit Wei Gong, but today he was invited by the elders. I am very frightened."

Wei Liao smiled lightly, stroked his white beard under his chin and said, "Don't say such empty words in front of me. Do you know why I am looking for you all this time?"

Zhao Tuo pondered for a while, and said: "Could it be that Duke Wei wants to ask about the boy's affairs in Wei?"

Wei Liao smiled.

"The Kingdom of Wei has been destroyed, and its king has been imprisoned in Xianyang. What's the use of talking. The reason I'm looking for you is for the upcoming war."

"Fachu?"

Zhao Tuo was refreshed and sat up straight.

"Your Majesty called you back to Xianyang and let you enter the palace. Presumably he will ask you for your opinion on the battle against Chu." Wei Liao said lightly.

Zhao Tuo was startled, and looked at the white-haired old man in front of him. Sure enough, Jiang was still old and hot, so he guessed right.

He nodded, but did not continue. The matter of the king's inquiry is a secret. No matter who it is, as long as there is no Qin Wangzheng's permission, he can't tell it at will.

Wei Liao didn't ask Zhao Tuo what he said at the time, but changed the subject and asked another sharp question: "I see that your actions in Wei are quite in line with the art of war, and I can understand what Sunzi Wu said: The first is measure, the second is measure, the third is count, the fourth is scale, and the fifth is victory.”

Zhao Tuo nodded. This sentence actually refers to the use of troops to fight a war. When estimating the area of ​​the land, calculating the amount of products, counting the number of soldiers, comparing the military strength of the two sides, and finally drawing a judgment on the outcome.

Not only for decisions on the battlefield, but also for calculations before the war.

Wei Liao went on to say: "Jingchu is a big country in the world. Its land is vast, five thousand miles square, rich in products, and connected to all things. Its population can have hundreds of thousands of armored men, and it has always been the leader of the princes. Such a Qin may be able to destroy a big country, but it must go all out. Now only 200,000 soldiers are needed, do you think it is feasible, Zhao Tuo?"

Without waiting for Zhao Tuo's answer, Wei Liao said to himself, "And the chief general in the army should be both hard and soft, with both civil and military skills. However, when talking about generals, ordinary people always look at bravery, and courage is only a fraction of a general. Husband A brave man must join forces lightly, and it is impossible to combine lightly without knowing the benefits. Then, Li Xin, is he a general who is both hard and soft, with both civil and military skills, or is he a general who is brave and lightly combines?"

Zhao Tuo's eyelids twitched, he already understood what Wei Liao wanted to say, and said in a low voice: "What Wei Gong said, could it be that he thinks that the king is attacking Chu this time..."

"It's hard to win! This time, our country, Qin, may even be defeated!"

Although Wei Liao's voice was soft, Zhao Tuo was shocked by what he said.

Sure enough, the huge state of Qin is not without sane people.

Zhao Tuo had taken the initiative to ask Wang Jian whether he would win or lose this time against Chu, but Wang Jian was cunning and only said that he would need 600,000 people to conquer Chu, and Wang Jian did not express his opinion on whether Li Xin would win or lose this battle. .

So until today, only Wei Liao in front of him can speak out in front of Zhao Tuo.

There is a possibility of failure for Li Xin to attack Chu!