Chapter 518 Xuanwu

Jincheng.

The autumn wind blows and the rain falls.

Zhao Shuang stood in front of the window, looking at the rain, with a crackling sound in his ears.

The buildings in the city were gradually shrouded in rain, making it difficult to see clearly. The sun went down, and the cold air invaded from the window, colliding with the heat radiating from the bronze furnace in the house.

It's especially easy to get sick in this kind of weather, when it's warm and then cold.

As the city expanded in size and spawned different industries, the population also gradually increased.

Unlike at the beginning, the increase in population required the introduction of laws and more managers to manage the city.

From the guarding of city gates, to the security of residential areas, to the transaction access of market shops, the control of strategic materials, and taxation, all of this requires a bureaucratic system.

Zhao Shuang does not lack such talents. Whether it was blood relatives in his own tribe, children from the Guanzhong clan, or the younger generation of the Chu family that the Empress Dowager Huayang sent to him.

In the entire fiefdom of Zhao Shuang, there are two cities at the level of Jincheng, and one is the main city of Nanzheng. They are all large cities with a population of more than 100,000.

Coupled with the surrounding cities and Huqiang Shanyi and other tribes, the actual controlled population of Zhao Shuang's fiefdom was around one million.

In ten years, the population of Zhao Shuang's fiefdom increased from 200,000 to 1 million, and his strength increased fourfold. Jincheng and the main city of Nanzheng are both large cities, but their functions are different.

Apart from necessary military needs, one was mainly in charge of trade, while the other focused more on agriculture. However, the two cities are thousands of miles apart and cannot echo each other. It is more like two axes, with each as the center, attracting nearby cities and populations.

Zhao Shuang's private army was maintained at a very low level, only about 20,000. Although they are all standing armies, including a large number of cavalry, the number is actually not large compared to the military needs of a large city of this level.

Because more, the military pressure around these two big cities is borne by the Qin army.

The door slowly opened, and Mo Crow walked in from the outside. It seemed that he had just come from outside and his body was still a little damp.

"My lord, according to the news from the night, there is something strange happening in the Zhao Kingdom."

As Qin annexed the world, not only Qin's national power was increasing, but also the Jianghu forces on Qin's side.

He would naturally not let go of an opportunity.

"Looks like it's time."

Zhao Shuang turned around and looked at Mo Ya.

"How about Li Zuoche?"

"He has returned to Zhao Kingdom."

Zhao Shuang nodded, took a few steps forward, and came to Mo Ya's side.

"This time, you don't have to follow."

Mo Ya was a little surprised and raised his head, but heard Zhao Shuang say something.

"There is already an army and two cavalry in the territory. I would like to set up another guard, named Xuanwu, and you will command it."

Mo Ya was stunned for a moment, a trace of worry appeared on his face, and he cupped his hands.

"What about the guards around the Lord?"

Zhao Shuang patted Mo Ya on the shoulder.

"There is no need to worry about it. I have already prepared the manpower, barracks, strongholds and supplies. The power of the Mohist family alone is still insufficient to control the Jianghu forces here. The most important thing for the Xuanwu Guards is to protect the territory and take care of Nanzheng. The passage to here.”

"I obey my orders!"

Zhao State.

"Major General!"

A group of generals gathered around. They hadn't seen each other for several years, and Li Zuoche became much more heroic.

Now that Zhao State has experienced earthquakes and famine, its national strength has declined greatly, but today's frontier troops are much better than in the past.

Ordinary soldiers no longer wore worn out shoes and clothes, and the general's armor and weapons were finally replaced with new ones.

When the Handan court realized the value of these tens of thousands of border troops, especially when they realized that these tens of thousands of border troops were the only option to defend the Qin army, they still spent a lot of money to support and arm them.

"Where's grandpa?"

"Wu Anjun is studying the military situation in the house."

"How's it going?"

Li Zuoche asked. After the Handan Army was annihilated by the Qin Army several times, while Zhao's military strength was greatly damaged, there were actually not many remaining military resources.

After the fall of Korea, the area was established as Yingchuan County. After that, the Qin army made great efforts. After a short period of rest, the army in Guanzhong marched eastward again, clamping down on Handan from the north and the south.

Wang Jian personally led the army to the ground and came out of Jingxing. Yang Duanhe led his army out of Hanoi, passed through Yedi, and reached the Zhang River.

This time, the Qin army came out with all its elite troops, intending to destroy Zhao in one fell swoop.

Zhao Jun, on the other hand, did not show any intention of underestimating the enemy because of the last two victories.

As a military strategist, the most important thing is to clearly understand the situation between ourselves and the enemy. The gap in national power between Qin and Zhao can be seen by anyone with a discerning eye.

"Handan is fully supportive this time. However, even so, it is still difficult to win this battle."

Li Zuoche and his generals came to the house, but saw a man shouting in front of the house.

"I am the king's envoy. I want to see Lord Wu An. Why don't you let me see you?"

The person blocked from the house was Minister Han Cang, and following him was Guo Qi, a member of Guo Kai's tribe.

"Wu Anjun has already said that the matter of food and grass should end here!"

"Okay! Okay!" Han Cang was extremely angry and waved his sleeves, "Let's go!"

The two were about to leave when Guo Qi suddenly stopped.

"Li Zuoche, didn't you resign? Why are you here?"

"This is my Li family's mansion, why can't I be here?"

Han Cang glanced at Li Zuoche, shook his sleeves, and left, leaving behind a few words.

"Old and young, they are all inhumane things."

Guo Qi was suddenly thrown away by Han Cang, and without having time to think about it, he followed him in small steps.

"what happened?"

Li Zuoche asked, while the general on the side explained.

"Hancang is used to living on empty wages, but this time it's our fault."

"The army rations provided by Handan this time are not much. According to his wishes, should we fight this battle?"

"Do you think Han Cang is the only one behind this? Guo Qi, that boy, is following behind. Our Prime Minister is the big one behind."

"With a nest of snakes and rats, sooner or later the Zhao Kingdom will be overthrown by them..."

"No nonsense!"

…

The soldiers complained, Li Zuoche shook his head, took a few steps forward, and distanced himself from the soldiers.

"Zuo Che wants to meet his grandfather!"

"Major General, wait a moment."

The general who stopped Han Cang just now turned around and entered the house, but when he came out again, his expression was a little strange.

"Major General, Mr. Wu An said that if a grandson wants to pay a visit to his grandfather, but there is no common etiquette in the army, there is no need to do so; if a soldier wants to report to the general, then you are no longer a member of the Zhao army. So, there is no need. See you."

All the generals looked at each other and didn't understand what was going on?

Li Zuoche's expression changed slightly and he bowed his hands.

"Please report it to your grandfather. My grandson knows about it."

The words were spoken softly, but with a slight sigh.