The Great Wei Empire in the Warring States Period

Chapter 144

Shen Buhai came to Daliang in a carriage, and the groom whispered: "Sir, are we going to the post station now?"

Shen Buhai stopped him and said: "No, there is a very famous place called Qingyuan Pavilion in Daliang City, let's stay there."

The groom persuaded: "Sir, if you stay there, you won't be able to see the King of Wei."

Shen Buhai smiled and said: "Don't worry, as long as we bring the messenger's seal, the King of Wei will see us. Go to Qingyuan Pavilion."

"Yes, go." The groom said while whipping the horse with a whip.

When it comes to Qingyuan Pavilion, the people of Daliang know it like the back of their hands. It is the property of Bai Gui, a merchant of Wei. If it was just a pure merchant, it would be fine, but Bai Gui is not only a famous and wealthy businessman, but also the current Sikong of the King of Wei.

The people of Wei believed that Bai Gui was a great politician and businessman who was comparable to Fan Li, the Duke of Tao Zhu. The Bai family was originally a family of merchants. Bai Gui's father was already a big merchant in the Wei family's fiefdom before the Three Families Divided Jin. Qingyuan Pavilion was established at that time.

At that time, half of this Tianjie was still a commercial street for the Wei family, and the other half was the residence of the Wei family's retainers. On the opening day, the Bai family set a rule: no one except scholars, famous craftsmen, wealthy merchants and government officials could enter Qingyuan Pavilion. This clearly made Qingyuan Pavilion a place for the upper class to talk and drink. The quiet courtyard restaurant, exquisite utensils, tempting delicacies, precious old wines from various countries, and gentle and beautiful maids, each of which is a rare boutique in the world. For a time, celebrities, officials and envoys from various countries flocked to it. Shangqing Li Kui often discussed the pros and cons of the reform with celebrities in Qingyuan Pavilion, and General Wu Qi also discussed the way of war and military tactics in Qingyuan Pavilion many times.

Later, Bai Gui inherited his father's business and repeatedly renovated Qingyuan Pavilion, improving its layout, and placing precious treasures throughout the pavilion, including elegant rooms, secret rooms, wine rooms, tea rooms, chess rooms, and picking rooms, all scattered and hidden. There are also spacious and comfortable rooms for people to live in.

Shen Buhai arrived at Qingyuan Pavilion, and the maid who greeted him came forward and asked in a delicate voice: "Excuse me, sir, are you here to drink or live?"

Shen Buhai looked at the beautiful woman and smiled: "I am here to live. I want two guest rooms. I will probably stay here for five days."

The maid said: "Two guest rooms and five days cost two hundred Dao coins."

Shen Buhai signaled his followers to give the money. The followers put the money on the plate. One of the maids counted it and then bowed and said: "Sir, please."

After Shen Buhai settled in, his son Shen Chai said: "Father, this place is really gorgeous."

Shen Buhai smiled and said: "We will go to the Lunzhan Hall later to show you the debates of scholars all over the world."

Shen Buhai said to his followers: "We will go to the court to see the King of Wei tomorrow. You all put your things away."

"Yes, Prime Minister." The followers bowed.

The Hall of Discussion

The Hall of Discussion, where celebrities and dignitaries gathered, originally had 100 long green jade tables, one for each person, just enough for 100 people. On ordinary days, this was more than enough. Most of the time, celebrities and officials always gathered in groups of three or five in various elegant rooms.Drink and talk to your heart's content. Even if it's a big event, not everyone will think it's big, so the debate hall is rarely crowded. But recently, it's unusual. The elegant rooms, secret rooms, tea rooms, and chess rooms are sparsely populated. Even the favorite rooms of the wealthy merchants who love gambling are empty.

Obviously, they all came to the debate hall. The maids quietly brought the exquisite short tables, and moved the long tables that were usually arranged in a horseshoe shape with sparse intervals forward and connected them tightly, forming a small hollow ring on the spacious carpet. The short tables were arranged into two layers of circular seats on the outside, leaving only small paths at the four corners for the maids to serve wine and food. In this way, it is well arranged and can accommodate about 300 people.

Shen Buhai took his son Shen Chai to a corner and sat down. Shen Chai looked around and whispered: "Father, I feel that some of the scholars here are just famous but not talented."

Shen Buhai smiled and said: "Okay, you take a look first. I have also been here to debate."

At this time, a purple-clothed scholar walked onto the stage in the hall and said to everyone: "Everyone, I have a theory, please listen to it."

Everyone shouted: "Speak, speak quickly."

The purple-clothed scholar looked around and said: "My opinion is that the world will change drastically!"

Everyone said: "How will it change! Tell me quickly."

"Everyone, everyone, please be patient and listen to my analysis."

The purple-clothed scholar paused and said: "Nowadays, all countries in the world have begun to reform. Qin appointed Wei Yang to carry out reforms, Han appointed Shen Buhai to carry out reforms, Qi appointed Zou Ji to carry out reforms, and Chu also appointed Zhao Xuxi to carry out reforms. Wei relied on reforms to become strong. Now all countries in the world are reforming, how can the world not change! Moreover, this time Wei attacked Song under the pretext of destroying Wei, but was ambushed by the Qi army. The 60,000-strong army was annihilated, and no one in the Wei court saw through Sun Bin's plan. It can be seen that Wei's hegemony has been shaken. Sun Bin's ability to use troops far exceeds all the generals of Wei. I am sure that Qi will replace Wei's hegemony in the future."

Everyone nodded in agreement. After all, in the huge Wei court, no one saw through Sun Bin's plan to divide the troops, and they were all fooled around.

A red-clothed scholar stepped out and objected: "Although Wei was defeated, it was not fundamentally damaged, and Wei's goal had been achieved, which was to annex Wei. With one defeat, how can you be sure that Qi will replace Wei's hegemony?"

The purple-clothed scholar laughed and said: "Although Wei is strong, it has forced too many countries in the world. It has repeatedly implemented the strategy of strengthening the army to destroy the country. Many countries in the world are dissatisfied. The strong are easy to break, and the soft are undefeated. Now Sun Bin of Qi is unpredictable in using troops like water, while Wei's use of troops is like an iron rod. Although it is hard, it will break if it is too hard!"

Everyone supported the purple-clothed scholar, Shen Buhai also nodded, and said to himself: "It's good, but I haven't seen the essence yet."

Shen Cha asked doubtfully: "Father, isn't this person right? Didn't he tell the whole situation of Wei's use of troops?Well. "

Shen Buhai smiled and said, "Wei did use the strategy of destroying countries with strong troops several times, but every time he used the strategy of destroying countries with strong troops, he would provoke disputes among the countries in the world first, and he would take advantage of the right time. When Wei sent troops to destroy Lu and Teng, all the countries in the world were fighting with Qi. When Wei sent troops to destroy Wei, all the countries in the world were also fighting with other countries. All the countries in the world had no time to care about Wei. Therefore, the strategy of destroying countries with strong troops was feasible for Wei, but it will not work from now on."

Shen Cha asked again, "Why won't it work from now on?"

Shen Buhai smiled and took a sip of tea, saying, "Because all the countries in the world are afraid, because no one can guarantee that they will attack themselves later, and Wei wants to completely control the Central Plains by destroying Wei. How can the three great powers of Chu, Qi and Zhao let Wei do what it wants? If it goes as expected, Chu will definitely break off diplomatic relations with Wei during this period. The eyes of all countries in the world are probably focused on Wei. Chu defeated Yue this time, and its rear is basically safe. It will definitely go north to compete with Wei. At this time, the world will change drastically! "

Shen Cha said again: "Father, you seem to have forgotten to recruit talents. How about that person?"

Shen Buhai shook his head and said: "No, I want a military talent. He said this because he knew that Wei was defeated. I want someone who is strategic and can arrange troops."

………

Jing Jian led everyone to Daliang, Wei after several days of running around. In a very gorgeous carriage, a woman stared at the road outside the car in confusion, because this time in Wei, her fate will be decided by Wei.

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