Prince Qi nodded brightly: "Wei Xiang (Lu Xiang) once said a famous saying: We have always fought alone, so we are the overlords of the world. If Qi wants to seek hegemony, he must have the awareness of fighting alone in the future."

The young Yan Ying nodded and pointed to the Hulao City Market and said: "Zheng Kingdom enjoys this city very much. Ziqiao said just now that this market has benefited Zheng Kingdom endlessly. I think Hulao City has now become a link between Jin and the vassal states. Although our Qi Kingdom is remote, can we also take advantage of the existence of Hulao City?"

Prince Qi nodded: "I have been thinking about how to imitate this Hulao City. In recent years, the benefits of the shrinking market in Linzi have been the cause of our Qi State's business prosperity, but now the national power is in decline, and it has also lost its position as the leader in wealth in the world. I am considering how to learn from this market..."

At this time, the Jin army had already traveled through the Wei family's territory and was advancing towards the Han family's territory. Xun Yan kept urging the army to speed up the marching speed. Fan Yi was very confused and persuaded: "Marson, we are a victorious army, and we are carrying huge spoils. Now we are walking in our own territory. There is no need to use this kind of urgent marching speed, right?"

Only then did Xun Yan take out several emergency military messages sent by Zhao Wu and uncover the answer: "Zhao Wu has sent more than ten urgent reports, saying that the king is seriously ill and has no choice but to be bedridden."

Fan Yi jumped up: "Why didn't the marshal tell me earlier about such a big thing?"

Xun Yan replied sternly: "The king can be replaced, but victory is irreplaceable. We have violated our promise. The working princes and various families will go to war this year. We must win, and the Qin and Chu countries that must be fought will not dare to offend us from now on.

Compared with national affairs, what is the life and death of a monarch? Zhao Wuzi is crazy and has written several letters to ask me to withdraw my troops in advance. The army has already set out, and it is not a matter of whether to withdraw troops or not. Besides, I believe that Zhao Wuzi's ability will not be in chaos if he stays in the country.

Now I return with victory, and this victory belongs to Jin. Even if the monarch dies, we can just change to another monarch. Victory still belongs to the country. What else can I regret?"

Fan Yi muttered weakly: "Your sanity is serious. Our country's main force is out. I am afraid that people in China will be panic..."

Xun Yan interrupted Fan Yi: "There will not be panic in the country. Zhao Wuzi is a turtle. He said that he blocked the news, so the news will never be leaked. Now that the army has returned to China successfully, our Western and Southern Fronts will be completely peaceful from now on. Even if the king dies, we have enough time to stabilize the country, adjust our strategies, and focus on dealing with the East from now on."

Fan Yi nodded: "I feel relieved when the Marshal said this... Zhao Wuzi is indeed capable of blocking the news. He is the commander of the Wu Palace, and he taught the guards of the palace city, but the Marshal is not afraid..."

Xun Yan answered decisively: "I know what you are worried about. Zhao Wuzi can't hold the Lord Guan hostage. He and the Lord Guan have been playing companions since childhood. Besides, since he notified me of the news and repeatedly urged me to come back, it means that he was concerned about it and would not think about the hostage at all.

Zhao Wuzi is not good at dating people, and the only one who is close to him is the Han family. Although the country is now powered by Zhao and Han, if he commits a crime, the public servants who are not familiar with him will definitely object. According to Zhao Wuzi's personality, as long as someone opposes, he will never do that."

Fan Yi shook his head: "I agree with the marshal's proposal. Zhao Wuzi will never hold the lord hostage, but the reason I agree with is not what the marshal said - Marshal, you are in-laws and he is inconvenient to say some things, but I know it in my heart."

Xun Yan looked at Fan Yi with dissatisfaction: "You are too slight. Since you agree with my opinion, why did you question it repeatedly just now?"

Fan Yi laughed.

The army crossed the Jimen. Xun Yan called out to the next general Luan Gu, and the next army assisted Wei Jiang: "Don't hurry to leave, let's go to Wu Palace together."

Luan Gu is not sure about the reason: "If we hand over military affairs, we should go to the palace city. What should we do in the martial arts palace?"

Wei Jiang was confusing and asked immediately: "What big thing happened in China? So why did you want to hide from Wu Palace?"

Fan Yi replied lightly: "The Lord is seriously ill. Wu Zi blocked the news and asked the Lord to move to the Wu Palace and work together with the Supreme Court and the remaining four ministers in Wugong."

Luan Gu immediately asked nervously: "Now the military parade in Mianshang has just passed. Will the position be adjusted even if there is any change?"

Xun Yan interrupted, with a decisive attitude: "Your position will not be adjusted, just do your own duties."

Luan sighed in disappointment.

Xun Yan led the other three nobles into the Wu Palace and asked, "Is the country still safe?"

The justice replied: "All the officials of the public are working in the Wu Palace. Every bamboo slip they passed on to the outside has been carefully inspected. I am sure that the news that the Lord Shang was seriously ill has not been leaked. Now everything in the capital is stable, and all the officials work as usual. The lords from all over the country are unaware of it. They still do what they should do."

Xun Yan asked again: "Now that spring plowing is almost spring plowing, how is the spring plowing situation in various places?"

Upon hearing this, Luan Gang and Fan Yi immediately jumped up: "Oh, the farmer of Chu I brought back should be assigned quickly, wait, wait, wait for me to notify my retainers..."

Xun Yan shouted sternly: "The state is in danger, you all calm me down."

After a moment of pause, Xun Yan asked again: "What is the dynamics of the surrounding countries?"

Han Qi replied: "The news of the monarch has not been leaked. We have detained the envoys of all countries who accompanied the monarch in Wuwei City. Now the countries have not yet reacted."

Xun Yan turned to Zhao Wu and scolded: "It is Situ's responsibility to prepare for spring farming in various places. After someone interrupted just now, why didn't you say it?"

Zhao Wu replied: "The king has been in a coma three times, now..."

Xun Yan interrupted Zhao Wu: "Spring plowing is related to the life of every people. The plan for a year lies in spring. If we delay spring plowing this year, the people across the country will be hungry for a year, delaying the life and death of the king. But it only concerns the king. Who is the master and who is the second best, who is the worst, who is the worst, Xiao Wu, don't you understand?"

Zhao Wu nodded: "I am grateful to learn - the spring plowing situation this year is very bad. Since last winter, only a few snowfalls have fallen. Seeing that the spring plowing is coming, the rain and snow have not fallen. I guess there will be a severe drought this year."

Xun Yan immediately asked: "What measures have you taken?"

Zhao Wu replied: "In recent years, we have been building roads and ditches. The irrigation facilities in Jin State have been very complete. It is expected that there will be a severe drought this year. I have sent people to help dig deep wells in various places. In addition, we have developed a new type of water truck. I plan to gather craftsmen from all over the world to study and promote the production technology of new type of water trucks..."

When Xun Yan heard this, his face calmed down: "The water truck is not good. If there is a severe drought and the water in the rivers is dry, what's the use of a water truck? You still need to dig more deep wells. Now that the army has returned to China, there are sufficient young and strong labor in the fields. You should quickly arrange for the digging of deep wells in various places, repair the ditches, and prepare to deal with the severe drought."

Wei Jiang added: "Immediately implement grain control, prohibit all families from selling grain, and take advantage of this opportunity to send people to various countries to purchase grain. The official warehouse should increase grain reserves to prevent people from starving to death."

Zhao Wu called his subordinates and wrote down everyone's suggestions one by one.

After everyone was busy, Xun Yan asked again: "What's the situation with you?"

Zhao Wu looked around and the justice was urging by everyone's eyes and stepped forward and replied: "Prior, please consider a successor."

Xun Yan's face remained unchanged and asked, "So serious?"

Zhao Wu nodded: "After the second time I fainted in Wuwei Fort, I took the Lord slowly back to the capital. After arriving in the capital, the Lord woke up for a while, but he could no longer speak. Now the Lord cannot get up and walk, and the food depends on people to feed. The only thing worthy of gratitude is that the Lord can still react to people's shouts."

Xun Yan pondered and asked, "Young Master Biao hasn't sent it out yet, right?"

Zhao Wu replied: "Young Master Biao is young and is now in Wu Palace."

Xun Yan expressed his opinion: "I, Yuan Rong of Jin, was the first in power, and the central general of the army, Xun Yan, asked Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Fan Yi did not hesitate: "I, Shi Xie's son, the leader of the Fan family, the deputy commander of Jin State, the second in power, the central army assisted Fan Yi, and agreed to the Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Zhao Wu took a step forward and announced: "I, the leader of the Zhao clan and Zhao Wu, the general of the Jin State, agree to Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Han Qi expressed his opinion in turn: "I, the son of Marshal Han Jue, the leader of the Han clan, and the army assisted Han Qi, and agreed to the Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Luan Gu replied: "Everyone agrees, so let's do as everyone wants. I, Ah Gu, have no objection."

Wei Jiang expressed his opinion: "The leader of the Wei family agreed to the Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Zhao Wu stepped forward again and announced: "I, General Zhao Wu of the Army, are also in charge of all matters in the new army. Here, I was entrusted by the New Army to replace the New Army and Zhi clans and agreed to the Prince Biao to supervise the country."

Xun Yan turned to the justice, and the justice nodded weakly: "The Eight-Princes have expressed their opinions and are in accordance with the law. Gongzi Biao will be restrained from today. Since this matter is reasonable and legal, I will ask the Gong clan doctor to swear allegiance to Gongzi Biao... Please wait a moment."

A moment later, Shi Lu returned. He brought back Gongzi Biao and brought a bunch of bamboo slips that recorded the oaths of the Gong clan doctors. Xun Yan led the six ministers to arrange the two sides and asked Gongzi Biao to "take the position". After Gongzi Biao sat in the main seat of the lobby, he showed his advice to Wu: "Please swear!"

Gongzi Biao looked left and right, and saw Zhao Wu standing in the second row. He was frightened by the solemn atmosphere at the scene and waved his hand desperately: "Uncle Zhao, what happened?"

Smile to show weakness, Xun Yan kicked Zhao Wu, and Zhao Wu had no choice but to come forward and reminded: "I say, just follow me and Ji Biao, here I swear to Huang Tianhoutu: As the lord of Jin State in Ji surname and accept the loyalty of the lords in the country, I swear to respect the etiquette of the Spring and Autumn Period (i.e. the feudal rules of the Spring and Autumn Period) and abide by the duty of the lord..."

Xun Yan led the ministers to respond, and according to the "Book of Zhou", he gave the courtesy of surrender to Gongzi Biao - taking off his hat, kneeling down, untied his weapon, put his hands in Fengjun's closed palm, and said, "Your Majesty, I will be yours in the future."

Giving your hands to others and "put them in the hands of others" means that everything you have to do with the throne. This is the meaning of "The Suihou Rite". After the suihou ceremony, it is the "The Suihou Rite". The justices led everyone to take the oath, and the oath was translated into modern words, which means: "I, a certain family, a certain sect leader, a certain official, and a certain position. As a vassal, I swear on behalf of myself and my family: I will present my loyalty to the throne--the contemporary priest of Jin State of Ji surname, the grandson of Huibotan, and the son of Ji Zhou (Sun Zhou, that is, Duke Dao), the descendant of Huigong's son Huan Shujie.

As a vassal, I will abide by my duties and become the most loyal assistant of the monarch, and will never deceive or rebel; I will do my best to maintain and implement the monarchy granted by the gods, and recognize your monarchy sacred..."

The oath read by Xun Yan led the six ministers was actually not the oath that a "prisoner of the country" should enjoy - this oath was an oath to the new superior monarch. It was all blamed on Zhao Wu.

Zhao Wu had a little understanding of the etiquette of Spring and Autumn, so he directly asked Gongzi Biao to read the oath according to the etiquette of the new king. Xun Yan and others had just returned to the country and did not know the specific situation of Duke Dao... As a result, in "Zuo Zhuan" and "Spring and Autumn" had to vaguely say about the year when Duke Ping of Jin succeeded to the throne, but did not evaluate the age when Duke Ping of Jin succeeded to the throne.

Duke Dao was fourteen years old when he ascended the throne. "Zuo Zhuan" and "Spring and Autumn" particularly emphasized Duke Dao's young age, but Duke Ping of Jin was younger than Duke Dao when he ascended the throne. However, the relationship between Lu and Zhao Wu was special - Zhao Wu was a famous Shandong otaku in modern times. When he came to the Spring and Autumn Period, he always unconsciously protected the interests of his hometown. The people of Lu benefited greatly, so naturally they were embarrassed to say bad things about Zhao Wu, and simply ignored Duke Ping of Jin's succession and age issues...

In the hall, the next monarch took over the throne inexplicably. Xun Yan finished the procedure he should leave and asked back: "Where is the Lord, please lead us over."

Duke Dao stared at Xun Yan and others on the bed. Xun Yan led everyone to kneel down and first reported: "This time our army attacked the Qin and Chu coalition forces and fought with Qin, there was some unexpected situation. The entire army did not dare to fight. Luan Yan, a warrior from our army, was killed. Fortunately, he snatched his body back.

Then, our army went south to attack Chu State and won a great victory. The Chu army was defeated by us. Our army captured Fangcheng, captured the people near Fangcheng, and returned with a full load. In this way, we stabilized the southern and western fronts of Jin State."

Duke Dao blinked his eyes, and Xun Yan immediately replied: "There are signs of severe drought in China this year, but we are ready to deal with it."

Duke Dao closed his eyes, and Xun Yan reported again: "The State of Chu and Qin have been scared by us. In the past few years, we can take a break and then deal with Qi in the east. You don't have to worry. The longer the State of Qi delays, the more taxes it pays to us. As long as they dare to play tricks on taxation, we will find an excuse to war."

Duke Dao tried hard to open his eyes, Xun Yan paused for a moment and added: "We have sworn to surrender to Gongzi Biao, and Gongzi Biao will start to supervise the country from today."

Dao Gong's eyes twitched for a moment, but he still opened his eyes wide. Xun Yan felt that he had said everything he should say. He turned to Zhao Wu in confusion, his eyes full of inquisitiveness.

Zhao Wu quickly stepped forward and reported: "Qi State has not completely surrendered, Chu State still does not recognize our hegemony, Qi State is proud and unharmed, these are all the worries of our Jin State. In addition, there are still Rongdi lingering in the north of our country, and our northern border is not safe - these, we will wipe out the king one by one in the next few years, so that our Jin State can maintain a century of hegemony.

Please rest assured, although our Jin State is full of enemies, our strength is beyond the past. We can eliminate all enemies and allow our people to enjoy the fruits of peace."

Duke Dao still opened his eyes wide, but Zhao Wu stopped speaking. He retreated silently. When Xun Yan saw this scene, he asked Duke Dao in confusion: "Your Majesty, the state affairs have been arranged, and Gongzi Biao can succeed to the throne smoothly. Our future national policy has also been explained. What else do you have to worry about? But he is worried about his younger brother Yang Gan?"

Duke Dao was still open his eyes. Luan Gu stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty is not worried about his concubine?"

Fan Yi stepped forward and asked, "Don't you worry about your treasure? We will bury all the things you love with you."

Duke Dao turned his eyes to Zhao Wu, Zhao Wu lowered his head and refused to respond. Wei Jiang sighed secretly, but he didn't speak.

Xun Yan and others took turns to ask Mr. Dao what he was worried about, but no one was thinking about guessing. The speculation immediately spread outside the hall, and the doctors waiting outside the hall were also speculating. When the six ministers in the hall gave up their efforts helplessly and walked out of the hall, Wei Shu met his father and asked quietly: "Father, in the hall, Zhao Wuzi said a few words, you didn't say a word from beginning to end. Have you guessed the Lord's worries?"

Wei Jiang pulled his son aside and whispered: "What Zhao Wuzi said is nothing. He is the first person to guess the Lord’s concern. I understood it after seeing his expression, but I couldn’t speak, so I had to learn from Zhao Wuzi’s silence."

Wei Shu asked carefully: "What are you worried about?"

Wei Jiang was silent for a moment and said slowly: "I am worried that this renewal of the throne will attract various families to fight for power."

After hearing this, Wei Shu immediately asked, "So, why doesn't my father speak?"

Wei Jiang replied: "The arrow is already on the string."

Wei Shu still didn't understand, and Wei Jiang didn't need him to understand. He raised his legs and wanted to walk outside, followed by Wei Shu with his forehead full of question marks.

When the ministers left the Wu Palace, Xun Yan immediately ordered: "From tomorrow, Gongzi Biao will move to the palace city. Tomorrow, all the ministers and officials will report to the palace city... The emperor cannot move and is still living in Wu Palace for the time being. Please take care of Wu Zi."

In fact, it was not just Zhao Wu and Wei Jiang who saw that Duke Dao was thinking. The next day, the ministers and officials who came to court all increased the number of guards, which shows that they actually understood what Duke Dao's worries were, but no one said it.

As a result, the gate of the Jin State Palace City gradually became a weapon exhibition, and each family took out their last financial resources to arm themselves as perfectly as possible and their entourages.

Time slowly transitioned to the beginning of spring plowing, and the front of the Wugong Gate gradually developed like an arms race. Well, this arms race was initiated by Zhao Wu. He used the pretext of the popularization of crossbows to make assassination easy. In order to avoid sudden attacks, he put a tent on his chariot. As a result, the first two-wheeled chariot in the Spring and Autumn Period was born.

Han Qi was the second one to be equipped with a light carriage, but he was the first family to be equipped with a metal bow arm. In front of the Wugong Gate, the crossbows displayed by the Han guards in private immediately aroused the vigilance of each family. In a few days, the families ordered carriages from the Zhao family to prevent the attack of the crossbow.
To be continued...