Chapter 614

As the night was getting dark, the emperor of Zhao Guo and his officials were still discussing, Zhao Guozhong's secretary Ji Buxian talked for a long time, but he didn't even finish one tenth of the things.

Seeing that it was time for dinner, Ji Buxian had no choice but to give a suggestion: "Your Majesty, let's not be in a hurry to meet Xu Ren, but let someone take Xu Ren to 'investigate' Zhao Guo. If you walk more, you will be able to squeeze out for us easily. Ten days and a half months."

This method is good, and the Emperor Zhao immediately agreed. And in order to show importance, let the crown prince accompany Xu Ren to visit Zhao country.

At this moment, Xu Ren was talking with Wen Xiaowei for half an afternoon. Wen Xiaowei is negotiating on behalf of the Western Chu State this time. In addition to reminiscing about the past, he also mentioned the main points:

Simply put, the Western Chu Kingdom also wants to build a major artery with the Shang Kingdom!

But the requirements of the Western Chu State are a bit high: First, it cannot overlap with the main artery of the "Zhao State-Shang Kingdom", and it cannot be said to extend from the Zhao State to the Western Chu State.

The requirement of the West Chu State is to go directly to the east, bypass the East Chu State, and then follow the great river to the Yue State on the East Sea; then go north along the coast to connect with the Shang Kingdom.

This main artery can only be connected to Zhao's main artery after construction is considered.

This requirement is no longer high, but simply unreasonable! It is more reasonable for the Western Chu Kingdom, but it is not suitable for the Shang Kingdom at all, because if the main artery is really built in this way, it will bring too little benefit to the Shang Kingdom.

But Xu Ren didn't reject it outright, he just said that this matter had to be discussed back to the Kingdom of Shang.

But Wen Xiaowei is not very old, but after all, he is the young suzerain of Ji Dao Sect, and he has quite a political vision. It was getting dark at this time, and Wen Xiaowei took out his trump card: "Mr. Xu, you see, can we build the main artery of the 'Western Chu Kingdom-Shang Kingdom' first?

If Shang Kingdom is willing to take the lead in connecting with Western Chu, then we are willing to give twice the terms and rewards of Zhao. "

Xu Ren smiled and didn't say anything. After waiting for a while, he repeated: "I can't decide on this matter. If Mr. Wen really wants to negotiate, please negotiate with the virtuous king. As long as the virtuous king speaks, everything will be fine. Similarly, if Nothing is possible if the virtuous king does not speak."

Wen Xiaowei hit a snag and heard Xu Ren's intention to see off the guests. But for politicians, you have to thicken your skin. Wen Xiaowei smiled naturally and brightly, "Mr. Xu, in order to welcome Mr. Xu, we have specially prepared delicacies from the Western Chu Kingdom. I wonder if you will show me your face?"

This said, Xu Ren couldn't refuse this offer. If you refuse, it will be 'no face', and if you don't reward face, you will tear your face.

Xu Ren hesitated for a moment, showing a bit of embarrassment, and then agreed to Wen Xiaowei's invitation 'extremely helpless'.

Speaking of which, Xu Ren was really in a dilemma. It is really unreasonable to go to the banquet of Western Chu State first after coming to Zhao State. But when Wen Xiaowei talked about this, Xu Ren still couldn't refuse.

Moreover, this incident seems to be caused by Zhao Guo's own negligence.

If someone from Wei State invited him, Xu Ren would definitely refuse, because Wei State and Zhao State were feuds. You can't do things like a fool. But West Chu State and East Chu State are feuds, but their relationship with Zhao State is not bad.

However, this is Zhao Guo's base after all, and it is not that simple for Wen Xiaowei to cut off the Hu. Not only did he just leave the gate, Prince Zhao came over in person, "Mr. Xu, the emperor has arranged a dinner, and I invite you to attend."

Xu Ren really sat on the wax, I wiped it off, you didn't come early or late, but you came here at this time, if it wasn't intentional, I, Xu Ren, wrote my name upside down.

But although Xu Ren is not a politician, Yuan Yong next to him is. At the critical moment, of course, Yuan Yong came forward, "His Royal Highness, this is Wen Xiaowei from Jidao Sect. Just now Wen Xiaowei talked about the prince."

Yuan Yong is an old fox, he introduced Wen Xiaowei, and handed over the right to make the choice to Prince Zhao.

Prince Zhao Ming looked at Yuan Yong, then at Wen Xiaowei, muttering in his heart. How could Prince Zhao not know Wen Xiaowei. But after Yuan Yong introduced it like this, Prince Zhao began to sit on the wax.

There are two options before Prince Zhao:

The first and the best choice is to invite Wen Xiaowei to the banquet together, so that everyone will save face. Negotiation? Let's talk about it later, there is plenty of time.

Second, send someone to 'escort' Wen Xiaowei back to the embassy of the Western Chu Kingdom, wherever he goes! In the future, there will be a knot between Zhao State and Western Chu State.

Fortunately, Zhao Ming, the crown prince of the Zhao Kingdom, is not an idiot either, he made a decision as soon as he rolled his eyes. After pretending not to know each other, I greeted Wen Xiaowei, and invited Wen Xiaowei to a banquet, Zhao Guo's imperial banquet!

Wen Xiaowei naturally agreed with all his heart. At the imperial banquet, he can clearly judge the relationship between Zhao Guo and Shang Kingdom. This opportunity is an opportunity that no discerning politician will let go. Naturally, Wen Xiaowei would not let it go.

Although it was a bit unsightly to do so, and although Zhao Ming, the Prince of Zhao, showed a refusal look in his eyes, Wen Xiaowei smiled brightly, "Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness, then I will bother you."

You also feel disturbed, why don't you come! Prince Zhao Ming squeezed out a stiff smile and invited Wen Xiaowei to the banquet.

A group of people sat in luxurious sedan chairs and came to the palace comfortably. The lights in the palace were brightly lit, and all the officials changed into casual clothes. They welcomed Xu Ren and the main mission representatives of the Shang Kingdom with smiles.

Wen Xiaowei observed quietly. The more he observed, the heavier he became. Through a series of small details, he could see the situation between Zhao Guo and Shang Kingdom.

All the officials put on casual clothes, which is the most obvious signal that this is to be a family. It seems that the State of Zhao is going to fully accept the Kingdom of Shang, and even prepares to have the most comprehensive communication.

But then Wen Xiaowei sighed immediately when he thought of Yang Guo who had been wiped out. There is only a mountain between Yang State and Zhao State. The destruction of Yang State probably gave Zhao State a great stimulus.

The banquet was very cheerful, and everyone didn't talk about any specific politics, but just talked about some small things to get closer to each other. Only Wen Xiaowei felt like an extra member. In this banquet, he felt like an outsider.

But even in an embarrassing situation, Wen Xiaowei insisted on smiling the whole time, remembering every word of the conversation at the banquet in his heart. There are many contents revealed between these words that Wen Xiaowei can't understand for a while. But it doesn't matter, just write it down and ask the elders when you go back.

The atmosphere of the banquet was getting higher and higher. With the drinks on the table, coupled with the previous performances of the Shang Kingdom (including the destruction of the Yang Kingdom), the officials of the Zhao Kingdom began to ask various questions.

Finally, Liu Dabo, Minister of the Ministry of War of Zhao State, asked a question, "Mr. Xu, if our military department now changes its equipment, becomes combat-capable, and has sufficient supply capacity, how long will it take at the earliest?"

Xu Ren was also a little excited. It is impossible not to be excited at such a banquet. Even the emperor is toasting, so I dare not be excited. Now that he was excited, Xu Ren didn't beat around the bush or play tricks, and said directly: "That depends on what kind of combat power and supplies Liu Shangshu wants.

If it's just a few guns and a few bullets, it can be done within half a month. Everything was airlifted directly from the Kingdom of Shang, and the Kingdom of Shang could send military advisors.

As for the localized production line, it will be better to build it slowly in the later stage.

Don't dare to say too much, fully supported by air, our Kingdom of Shang can fully support the guns and bullets of your country's 50,000 troops.

But if Liu Shangshu's so-called combat power is nationwide, it will be slow, and it will take at least a year to see initial results.

If you want to form a national fighting force, you must first change the system, followed by sufficient talents, unimaginable capital investment, and a certain infrastructure.

For technology and general talents, Shang Kingdom can temporarily support some of them.

But the relevant systems, officials and supervision, etc., are not achieved overnight.

In addition, to form combat effectiveness across the country, there must be sufficient infrastructure. These infrastructures include mines, factories, traffic routes and vehicles, etc.

And all of this will require unimaginable capital investment. I'm afraid that 1 billion taels of gold won't be enough.

Under the leadership of King Xian, Shang Kingdom built the current Shang Kingdom on a blank foundation. However, from the initial development of the industry in the Kingdom of Shang to the present, the funds invested successively have already been astronomical. The country's profits over the years have all been invested in research and infrastructure.

Moreover, if your country wants to form a national combat power, the first thing to do is to change the system.

A person's thoughts determine a person's future, and a person's realm (wisdom) determines the height of practice. The system of a country determines the future of a country. "

At this moment, Wen Xiaowei suddenly said, "Mr. Xu is right. But if I bother you, what if all the equipment is purchased from the Kingdom of Shang to form industrial production capacity first?"