Daqin: My weak and virtuous minister

Chapter 115 Wei State Seeks Peace

Wei Guo

"Who robbed and killed the Qin merchant caravan?"

In the court, King Zeng of Wei sat on the throne with a gloomy expression.

However, the court officials also looked at each other in confusion.

They only knew that they were a group of robbers from the Wei State, but they had no way of finding out who the robbers were.

All we know is that after robbing and killing the Qin merchant caravan, the bandits disappeared into the territory of Wei.

"Your Majesty, it is only natural that a caravan would be attacked and killed by bandits. The King of Qin has actually started a war over a mere caravan. I believe Your Majesty should send an envoy to Qin to question the King of Qin for provoking such trouble and humiliating our State of Wei."

After the official Yi finished speaking, the Prime Minister Wei Du said, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate."

"Qin's Right Prime Minister Zhang Yuanqing advocated for the establishment of a Ministry of Commerce, and the King of Qin approved. This time, the caravan was led by someone from the Ministry of Commerce, whose family is loyal to the King of Qin. I've heard that the goods they sell will most likely go into the Qin treasury."

"Now the treasure has been robbed in my Wei State. It is my Wei State that has robbed the treasure of the King of Qin."

"How could the King of Qin endure this?"

"Now the only way for Wei to escape this crisis is to compensate the King of Qin for his losses and appease his anger."

Wei Du was filled with helplessness.

A weak nation is bullied. This is indeed an eternal truth.

Many court officials nodded in agreement with Wei Du's words.

Among the five countries today, Qin is the most powerful. If the King of Qin does not give up on this matter, I am afraid that Wei will find it difficult to resist the Qin army.

"Who can go to Qin as an envoy and convey my wishes?"

"Wei is willing to compensate the King of Qin for his losses in order to repair the relationship between our two countries."

If the King of Wei could be compensated with some treasures, he would naturally be willing to do so.

The court officials looked at each other for a moment, but no one recommended themselves.

Wei Du bowed and spoke again: "Your Majesty, Doctor Wei Xie can go."

"I wish to go as an envoy to the State of Qin."

Wei Xie glanced at Wei Du and expressed his opinion.

"Okay, then I'll trouble Doctor Wei Xie to go on a diplomatic mission to Qin."

Seeing that someone had taken on the task, the King of Wei was even more pleased.

"promise."

While the State of Wei was preparing to seek peace, King Fu Chu of the State of Chu was also discussing the matter with his court officials.

"The King of Qin has evil ambitions and wants to annex our four kingdoms and take over the world."

"Now that they have provoked trouble and attacked Wei, our Chu State cannot sit idly by."

"I wish to send envoys to Qi, Yan, and Wei to unite the four nations and jointly resist Qin."

"Who do you think can go?"

"Your Majesty, I believe this action is inappropriate."

Seeing that the court officials had no answer, Qu Yuan bowed and said, "Qin has many more soldiers and generals, and its weapons are far superior to ours. If we attack Qin now, I'm afraid the gains will outweigh the losses."

"Moreover, Prince Xiong Dan is currently being held hostage in Qin. If Chu were to ally with the four states to attack Qin, the King of Qin would undoubtedly kill him to vent his anger. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

"Doctor, this is not right."

Lu He objected with disdain on his face, obviously looking down on Qu Ping for being so timid and hesitant.

"Your Majesty, Qin's intentions to conquer the world are clear. It has already destroyed Han and Zhao, and is now attacking Wei. If we do not unite the four nations to resist Qin now, I am afraid that once Qin destroys Wei, it will be Chu's turn. How can Chu withstand the sharp sword of Qin then?"

"I believe that the right thing to do now is for Your Majesty to unite the four kingdoms to resist Qin."

"If the four of us attack Qin at the same time, there is still a chance of victory."

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

"Your Majesty, I think Lü He's words are too one-sided. The King of Qi lives in peace in a corner and is trying to make peace with Qin. How can he join forces with Chu to attack Qin?"

"Speaking of the State of Wei, how could the King of Wei dare to fight against the Qin army?"

"And then there's Yan. Back then, Zhao attacked Yan, and Qin came to its rescue. Later, Qin destroyed Zhao, and Yan simultaneously sent troops and seized much of Zhao's territory. Qin and Yan have enjoyed harmonious relations for years, so why would they join forces with Chu to attack Qin now?"

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

For a moment, the court officials were divided into two rows, some agreed and some opposed. The King of Chu had no choice but to withdraw from the court and discuss the matter later.

In Xianyang City, Wei Xie, a minister of the State of Wei, came to meet the King of Qin with full sincerity.

Zhangtai Palace

"King Qin, the Qin merchant caravan was robbed and killed. This was not my intention. I am deeply saddened to hear this. Today, I have sent a foreign minister to Qin to convey my intentions."

"Wei is willing to compensate the King of Qin for his losses. The people of Wei and Qin have suffered years of war. There is no need to start a war over this matter."

"The Wei official's words are wrong."

Zhang Yuanqing bowed. Now that the Left Prime Minister was gone, he, as the Right Prime Minister, naturally had to do more.

Alas, it is not easy to be an official, the prime minister sighed.

"The Qin merchant caravan is also our people. Now our people have been robbed and killed in Wei. Our king loves his people like his own children. How can he watch our people suffer this injustice?"

"Those caravans traveled day and night to other countries for the prosperity of Qin, paying tribute year after year. Most of their earnings went into the Qin treasury, supporting the financial operations of Qin."

"Most of the military's food and wages are supported by these caravans. Without them, how could the Qin State be so prosperous?"

"The caravan is so devoted to our Qin and the king. How can we ignore them?"

"Not only does my king disagree, but even my Qin army and the people disagree."

"If our king ignores this matter, then our Qin merchants will be bullied by everyone when they travel abroad in the future."

"Right Prime Minister, your words are too serious. This is not the intention of any other minister, nor does my king."

Wei Xie saw that Zhang Yuanqing was getting more and more serious, as if his Wei State was about to destroy Qin, and beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead.

He bowed to the King of Qin and said, "Your Majesty, I have no such intention."

"Before the foreign ministers arrived, my king repeatedly told us that Wei had no intention of becoming an enemy of Qin. This time, the Qin merchant caravan was robbed and killed in Wei, and my king is deeply saddened."

"To show our sincerity, we are willing to compensate Qin and its merchants for their losses."

"At this time, I need to discuss with the court officials. The Wei officials can rest in the inn for a few days. I will summon the Wei envoys once I have made a decision."

Seeing the King of Qin act like this, Wei Xie had no choice but to return to the inn first, and at the same time asked people to inquire about the news of the Right Prime Minister of Qin from various sources in Xianyang City.

At this time, in Zhangtai Palace

After the Wei envoys left, Ying Zheng did not dismiss the court.

"Now that Wei is seeking peace, how do you think I should refuse?"

"Your Majesty, how about waiting a few days for the Wei envoy to announce the King of Wei's compensation? Then our Qin will refuse it, saying it is insufficient to offset the losses suffered by the Qin merchants."

"So doable."

"Your Majesty, I think this method is a bit far-fetched."

Since the King of Wei was ready to seek peace, the compensation must be generous. Li Si did not think this reason was justifiable.

"Your Majesty," Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment and spoke again, "Your Majesty, please just hold the Wei envoy back for now and send someone else to keep an eye on Chu's movements."

"King Fuchu of Chu will certainly seize the opportunity to send envoys to unite the four kingdoms to attack Qin. Once the King of Wei receives the Chu envoys, it will be time for our Qin army to attack Wei."

!!!

"Yes, yes, yes."

Feng Quji nodded in response.

"I second the proposal."

"I second the proposal."

However, Wei Xie, who was leaving at this time, did not know the plans of the Qin monarch and his ministers. Wei Xie had just returned to the inn.