General Qin

"Oops!"

After hearing the words of the body poison messenger and seeing the expression of the First Emperor, Zhao Tuo felt something bad.

If King Ashoka was still alive and still a unified dynasty with hundreds of thousands of troops, then the First Emperor might really have sent envoys on an envoy, sent caravans to trade, and made good friends with this big southern country.

After all, Shendu was at least two thousand miles away from Qin. In addition, the roads to the south were complicated and the climate was hot and humid. It was very difficult to send a large army across such a long distance to conquer a powerful empire.

No matter how strong the First Emperor's desire to conquer was, he would still consider the strength of the enemy.

The problem is that Ashoka is dead now.

The royal family of the Maurya Dynasty was like the emptied Emperor Zhou in the Central Plains. They could only defend their territory and could no longer command and poison various places. The forces that had been conquered by King Asoka became independent one after another.

There are many countries, large and small, just like the situation in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period in the Central Plains, where countries conquered each other. It is difficult for them to unite together, and the power they can exert is very limited.

This is what the First Emperor saw.

In his own words.

Body Poison successfully aroused my interest.

Next, the First Emperor focused on asking about Shendu's climate environment, local products and other conditions.

When he heard Singer say that the climate in Shendu was warm and humid, rich in species, and there was a lot of arable land, and the rice there could even be harvested three times a year, the excitement on the Emperor's face became more intense.

It’s a great place to raise people!

After all the questions were asked, the First Emperor ordered people to take Singer down and keep him under safe supervision.

This person will still be useful in the future.

“Rice is harvested three times a year, and all the land is arable.”

The First Emperor chewed on these words, turned to look at Zhao Tuo, and asked directly: "The martial arts prince once raised his power to the north of the Great Wall and was familiar with the terrain outside the Great Wall. I don't know that our newly occupied Great Wall of Qin and Hexi are different from this poisonous place where rice is harvested three times a year." Compared with earth, which one wins?"

Zhao Tuo felt bitter in his heart. He didn't know what the emperor was thinking.

He could only boast as much as he could: "Report to your majesty, the northern part of the Great Wall is bitterly cold and most of it is grassland that is not suitable for farming, but there are fertile wilderness between Helan and Hetao, which is no worse than the Central Plains. Hexi is narrow, dry and sandy, but there are some The fertile fields and beautiful land can be cultivated. And they are closer to our Daqin than the body poison."

Seeing the First Emperor staring at him, he seemed not very satisfied with the answer.

Zhao Tuo sighed: "Both of these are not as good as body poison."

The First Emperor nodded, then turned to look at the two prime ministers and asked: "General Li has just pacified Liaodong and the Haidong area he is attacking. How do they compare with body poison?"

The two prime ministers looked at each other and naturally understood what the emperor meant. They cupped their hands and said, "Report to Your Majesty, the land of Liaodong and Haidong has always been bitter and cold, and it cannot be compared with the poison in the body."

The First Emperor got the answer he wanted and was very satisfied.

At this time, he ignored the pain in his waist caused by sitting for a long time and asked directly to the important ministers in the court: "Since the body poison is such a good place, it is far better than Saibei in Hexi and Haidong in Liaodong. If we can win it, wouldn't we? This will greatly enhance the national power of Qin. I want to send a large army to attack Shendu, annex this place, and turn it into the land of Qin. What do you think?"

What do you think?

Zhao Tuo just feels that the emperor is going crazy. Can't even cultivating immortals suppress your desire to conquer?

Why is this man's desire so strong?

Zhao Tuo even saw Wang Wu, who was opposite him, turning pale and swaying after hearing the voice of the First Emperor.

Wang Wu, as the governor of Suzhou, moved here and there in order to cope with the financial expenses of the Qin army's eastward expedition and westward expedition, and his life was miserable.

After finally waiting for the war in the southwest to calm down, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, he suddenly heard that the emperor wanted to kill someone farther south. Wang Wu almost fainted on the spot.

When fighting, you need food!

Wang Wu felt miserable in his heart, but he had no courage to object to the emperor's proposal. He just kept hating himself for being so arrogant just now and insisting on asking Shendu's troops.

If he hadn't asked, maybe the situation wouldn't have developed like this.

"I really want to slap myself."

Wang Wu cried in his heart.

At this moment, a clear voice was heard in the court hall.

"I thought that the poisonous body was so far away that it was thousands of miles away from my country, the Qin Dynasty. The distance was far greater than beyond the Great Wall and East of the Sea. Moreover, the road was difficult to travel, the temperature was hot and humid, and the insect miasma along the way was comparable to that of Baiyue, or even worse. , don’t attack easily.”

The clear and unequivocal objection made Wang Wu tremble, and he quickly followed the sound, and was so moved that he almost shed tears.

"Martial Arts Lord, what a good man."

In the eyes of countless people, Zhao Tuo stood up directly and opposed this new war.

This made the First Emperor feel like someone had poured cold water on him, and the excitement on his face instantly faded.

Zhao Tuo must stand up.

Because he was really afraid that the First Emperor would launch a crusade against body poison if his head got hot.

Under the current conditions, Qin simply does not have the ability to cross such a long distance to attack Shendu. It has not even taken Baiyue in the south and wants to attack India. This step is too big.

Even if Zhao Tuo wants to offend the emperor this time, he must show his attitude.

And he believed that he was not alone. He had allies in the court.

Sure enough, just after Zhao Tuo finished speaking, Taiwei Wang Bi stood up immediately.

"I, King Benmei, have died to report to Your Majesty that our Great Qin has launched successive conquests in all directions. First there was the Battle of Saibei, and then there was the Conquest of Southwest Yi. Now the war between Yuezhi in Hexi and Haidong has not yet subsided, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers are moving from east to west. Between the north and the south, we are exhausted, and as for the provisions and soldiers and armor, we are quite deficient. It is not conducive to the expedition at this time, so please be careful, Your Majesty."

Wang Ben's back was straight and his expression was very firm.

As the Taiwei in charge of the military dispatch of the entire Qin Dynasty, Wang Ben naturally knew the military situation of the entire Qin State. It can be said that since the unification, there have been wars every year without any real pause. The military power of the entire empire has been used to the limit and cannot be used. More weight.

Zhao Tuo and Wang Ben.

Da Qin's two top stars objected on the spot.

Especially after Wang Jian's death, Wang Ben inherited Wang Jian's title of Marquis of Wucheng. Now he is a true marquis of Great Qin, so the words he speaks naturally carry more weight.

The two of them took the lead in speaking out, and ministers from other departments echoed in support.

Although war can bring new territory and new population to the country, and allow a group of people to achieve meritorious service and be promoted, it has many benefits.

But it must be done in moderation.

Once the war is launched without end, it will have a huge impact on the agriculture, commerce, and handicraft industries of the entire empire, which in turn will affect all the ministerial departments, and naturally there will be complaints from all sides.

Even Prince Fusu wanted to express his opposition to this unnecessary war. Fortunately, he saw his father-in-law Li Si shaking his head at him, telling him to keep quiet.

Fusu woke up with a start and closed his mouth.

In short, following this question from the First Emperor, led by the two monarchs, the entire court burst into opposition.

"Zhao Tuo, let's see what a good start you have given me."

The First Emperor glared at Zhao Tuo fiercely, feeling a little resentful in his heart.

But he had to admit that what Zhao Tuo, Wang Ben and other ministers said made sense.

Qin is still fighting the battles in Hexi and Haidong, and its remaining troops and supplies are not enough to support a huge expedition.

At the same time, Shendu is too far away from Qin State, and the geographical environment is very complex, comparable to Baiyue in the south.

In addition, although Shendu is divided, those countries do have a large population. If they face the invasion of the Qin people and join forces to resist, it will be really difficult to deal with them.

After all kinds of persuasion, the passion and blood in Emperor Shi Huang's mind completely subsided, and he felt a little dull for a while.

No fun anymore.

Then the pain in his suppressed waist surged up again, making the First Emperor want to leave the court and return to the palace to lie down and practice.

"Yes, I understand."

The First Emperor waved his hand and directly announced his withdrawal from the court, ending this unpleasant court meeting.

Zhao Tuo couldn't help but worry secretly as he watched the First Emperor get on the chariot and be carried to the harem by the guards.

"Your Majesty, you must listen to my advice."

…

Deep in the Qin Palace.

The First Emperor lay on the bed, opened his eyes, and took a long breath.

He had just finished practicing for half an hour and felt refreshed.

"As expected, it's better to practice immortality. Only cultivating immortality can make me happy."

The First Emperor whispered.

He soon remembered the matter of body poisoning, and his troubles came to him again, so he simply asked Zhao Gao to get a map for him.

After a while, the First Emperor knelt in front of the case and looked at the map of the world spread out in front of him.

Da Qin is located in the center of the map.

To the east is Haidong, and beyond Haidong to the east is the boundless sea.

To the west is Yuezhi, and to the west of Yuezhi is the Western Region mentioned by Sugatha.

As for the south, it is Baiyue.

The border between Baiyue and Southwest Yi is blank on the map further south. This is a place that people in the Central Plains have never been clear about.

Now the First Emperor knew that further south at the junction of Southwest Yi and Baiyue, there was an equally vast land with countless countries and fertile land.

"Body poison."

The First Emperor endured the discomfort in his arm and drew a big circle on the south side of the map with a pen. It was the place of physical poison in his mind.

Looking at the now-explored territory of the world, the fire in the eyes of the First Emperor burned again.

"Zhao Tuo and Wang Ben are against me. What they say is indeed reasonable, so I won't do it myself first."

He reached out and clicked on Yuezhi in Hexi, and then clicked on Haidong Peninsula.

"When Wang Li conquers the Yueshi and Li Xin conquers Haidong, I will use a small number of Qin troops to mobilize the grassland rebel army to attack the Western Regions, and mobilize a large army from the Central Plains to attack Baiyue."

"Capture Baiyue and connect it with the southwestern barbarians. Then our southern border of Great Qin will extend to a large area. Then from here to the southwest, we can go straight to the body poison without any obstacles!"

"At that time, Zhao Tuo and Wang Ben will have no reason to oppose me anymore."

The First Emperor looked at the map, filled with great ambitions, and instantly determined the main strategic direction of attack in his mind.

"If you want to take poison from your body, you must attack Baiyue."

"Zhao Gao, on my behalf, issue an edict to Tu Sui, the governor of Changsha, and order him to present a strategy for attacking Baiyue."