Chapter 8 Chapter 7 Let's Settle Accounts After Autumn

Zhou Yu, the usurper of the Wei State, died. It stands to reason that Zhou Xu led the five-nation coalition to attack the Zheng State, and it was over.Should all the responsibility be placed on the militant Zhou Xu, the people of Weiguo are innocent. But Zheng Zhuanggong is not so easy to talk to. If you Weiguo dares to call, I dare to call back. I must let you know that Zhengguo is not easy to mess with.In the future, if there are militants in power in your Wei country, you must also understand that the Zheng country is not something you can fight if you want. Even if your monarch is hot-headed and wants to fight, your countrymen have to weigh it carefully.

For this purpose, Zheng Zhuanggong launched a war of aggression against Weiguo with a large army.The army quickly drove across the border and reached the outskirts of Weidu Chaoge. Wei Xuangong felt very wronged, it was obviously Zhou Yu's fault, why should I bear it?But it is useless to explain this to Zheng Guo now.However, some ministers suggested that he find allies to deal with Zheng Guo together, which is still an idea. However, after the last battle against Zheng, the surrounding countries were unwilling to follow Weiguo into troubled waters.In the end, he had no choice but to find the army of Yan State for help.During the Spring and Autumn Period, there were two kingdoms of Yan, one was Beiyan, whose ancestor was Zhao Gongshi, the great hero of King Wu of Zhou who destroyed Shang, and his surname was Ji.This Yan State is the Yan State, one of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period.

The country of Yan that came to help Duke Xuan of Wei was a small country adjacent to the country of Wei. Its surname was 姞, and it existed long before the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty. It was located near Yanjin, Henan today, and was called Nanyan in history. , to distinguish it from Yan Guo with the surname Ji. The armies of Wei State and Nanyan attacked Zheng State's army together. Zheng Zhuanggong ordered his main force to meet the enemy in the front. attack.Nan Yanjun didn't notice that there were enemies behind him, and was defeated by Zheng Jun. This battle, I am afraid, is also the first clearly recorded example of the use of double-sided attack tactics.At that time, the main form of warfare was still in the plains, and the warring parties formed square formations of chariots and infantry to attack each other.As long as one side can no longer support it, the war will be over.And Zheng Guo adopted the tactics of attacking from both sides this time, which can be regarded as a precedent in the history of tactics.

After the state of Wei was subdued, Duke Zheng Zhuang's next goal was the state of Song.After the fall, no one who invaded Zheng State could escape. Just at this time, the small state of Zhu in the east was repeatedly bullied by the State of Song, and sent someone to ask for help from the State of Zheng.This State of Zhu was originally a small vassal state of Lu State, with little strength. After being bullied by State Song, State of Lu did not stand up for it, so State of Lu wanted to find a more reliable boss. Zheng Zhuanggong felt that this was a good opportunity. If it was said that the Song State only had an enmity with our Zheng State, then maybe people would say that the responsibility lies with the Zheng State.But now that the Song State is bullying the small with the big, and bullying the Zhu State, it must be that the Song State is unreasonable.

In the autumn of 718 BC, under the banner of Zhou Tianzi (although the relationship between Zhou and Zheng was tense, Zheng Zhuanggong's position as a minister was not officially dismissed), he attacked the outer city of the capital of Song State.The State of Song sent an envoy to the State of Lu to ask for help. Duke Yin of Lu asked the envoy, "Where is the army of the State of Zheng?" He said nonsense, "We haven't hit our capital yet." Lu Yingong was very upset: "I've heard that Zheng Jun has already attacked the outer city of your capital, and you still haven't told me the truth. Is it the attitude of asking for help? If we don’t reach the capital, how can we send troops to help?” He sent the envoy away.

But Song State is also a big country with strong strength.Zheng Guo also worried that Lu, Wei and Song were all allies, so he did not dare to persecute Song too much.The troops were almost withdrawn after the fight. But as soon as Zheng Guo withdrew his troops, Song Guo attacked and surrounded Changge all at once. Zheng Zhuanggong understood that the Song State was not an easy country to deal with.Not to mention the strength of Song State, the key is that this country has a long history and a high status.Moreover, Song Guo's self-esteem is very strong, and he will not admit defeat easily.As a descendant of the royal family of the Shang Dynasty, the Song Dynasty had to be treated as a guest by Zhou Tianzi, and the title was the highest duke.The Song State has a high status, so many countries have allied with it, including such a big country as the Lu State.If you want to clean up Song, you must first break up its allies.

In the spring of 717 BC, the State of Zheng sent envoys to the State of Lu to request the establishment of friendly relations.When Lu Yingong was still a son, he was captured by Zheng Guo, and the two countries formed a bridge because of this.Now that Zheng Guo took the initiative to show his favor, the two sides put aside their past differences and formed an alliance in Ai.The state of Lu was won by Zheng Zhuanggong, and the next target was the state of Chen.Zheng Guo once asked Chen Guo for reconciliation, but Chen Hou did not agree.Chen Hou felt that a big country like Song Wei should be feared by Chen Guo. Zheng Guo, a country that is not too big or small, what can it do?

Zheng Zhuanggong saw it, and Chen Guo, who wrote the article, didn't buy it, so let's come to Wu.So he ordered the frontier guards to attack Chen Guo and looted wantonly.Only then did Chen Hou realize that he was afraid, and hurriedly sent someone to make peace with Zheng Guo.The two sides agreed to realize mutual visits by the end of this year and early next year.It seems that some countries really deserve the word "cheap", so that they don't buy your account, they have to beat him up, and he will respect you only if he hurts him. The problems of Lu State and Chen State have been resolved, Zheng Zhuanggong felt that it was time to teach Song State a lesson.Just at this time, news came that Song's army had captured Changge.Song Gongzi Feng, who had been hiding in Changge, fled back to Zheng Guodu to complain.Zheng Zhuanggong is about to send troops to retaliate.

But Jizu felt that it would be best to get the order of Emperor Zhou, so that he could become famous as a teacher.After Jizu said this, Zheng Zhuanggong remembered that there were too many things recently, and he forgot about the matter of meeting the emperor.Zheng Zhuanggong hurriedly prepared his chariots, horses and luggage, and set out for Luoyi with his sacrificial feet.This business trip can't be sloppy, Zheng Zhuanggong is ready to admit his mistake to King Zhou Huan.When he arrived in Luoyi, King Huan of Zhou was also quite surprised: "Hey, do you still know that there is such an emperor as me? It is worth celebrating. How long has it been since your old man came to court?" Zheng Zhuanggong quickly explained: "There are many things happening recently. , Wei Guozhou called for rebellion, and joined the armies of the five countries to attack our country. I really couldn't get away. This time I came here to apologize to the emperor." Zheng Zhuanggong's words were also reasonable, and King Zhou Huan didn't get entangled in this issue. He turned his face and changed a concerned expression: "Uncle Zheng, how is your harvest this year?" Zheng Zhuanggong hurriedly replied: "Thanks to you, there is neither flood nor drought this year, and the harvest is quite good." King Huan of Zhou said with relief, "Oh, I'm relieved. This year's wheat from Wendi and millet from Chengzhou, I can keep it for myself to eat."

Zheng Zhuanggong was speechless, he could only leave and leave.According to etiquette, when the princes meet, the emperor will give certain rewards.King Huan of Zhou's reward also had a sense of humor. He gave Zheng Zhuanggong a few carts of millet. Don't you like to come to my territory to grab food?I will give you food this time, so don't grab it, take it home to prepare for the famine year. Zheng Zhuanggong returned to the posthouse, very embarrassed, and said to Jizu: "It's better not to come this time. The emperor didn't give us a good face at all, and mocked me with a few carts of millet. It's really boring. Such a reward Don’t worry.” Of course, Jizu knew why King Huan of Zhou wanted to give grain to Duke Zheng Zhuang. Wasn’t this the aftermath of the picking festival he brought the army to the Emperor Zhou’s territory two years ago?However, things from the emperor cannot be avoided. He advised Duke Zhuang: "No matter what the emperor bestows on his subjects, it is a favor and cannot be avoided. If we don't want these things, the princes will know that we are in conflict with the emperor. The position in the middle is not so stable."

While the two were talking, they suddenly reported Zhou Gong Hei Jian's visit, and Zheng Zhuang Gong hurriedly got up to meet him.Zhou Gong Hei Jian tried his best to appease Zheng Zhuanggong, telling him not to hate King Huan, and promised to try his best to eliminate the misunderstanding between the emperor and Zheng Bo.Before leaving, Zhou Gongheijian presented Zheng Zhuanggong with two carts of colored satin in his own name. Jizu said: "Duke Zhou came at the right time. We spread out the two carts of colored satin and covered the carts of grain, and said to the outside world that we were rewarded by the emperor. What is it?" Zheng Zhuanggong was overjoyed when he heard it: "You are so talented!" He followed the plan. On the other hand, King Huan of Zhou humiliated Duke Zhuang of Zheng a bit, and he felt quite good about himself after years of resentment.Coupled with Zhou Gong's black shoulder mediation, Huan Wang also felt that it was necessary to ease the relationship with Zheng Zhuanggong.So I didn't mention the revoking of Zheng Zhuanggong's status as a Qingshi, but formally appointed Guo Gongji's father as a Qingshi.Zheng Bo and Guo Gong were left and right ministers respectively, and they jointly assisted the government. Zheng Zhuanggong was divided of power, of course it was not very happy, but after all, the emperor still recognized his position in the court, so it was easy to handle.He returned to the country with several carts of grain covered with colorful satin, and along the way he hyped that it was a gift from the emperor.Passers-by saw it and thought that the emperor had given Zheng Bo some good things. After returning to his capital, Zheng Zhuanggong began to arrange for the attack on Song Dynasty.Song Shanggong also heard that Bo Zheng was rewarded by the emperor, and it seemed that the Zhou royal family was on the side of Zheng Guo again, and his heart was beating drums all the time.Let's accept it as soon as you see it, and make peace with Zheng Guo quickly, so as not to expand the situation. Zheng Zhuanggong considered that the state of Song was strong after all, and it was not easy to force it too hard, so he agreed.In July 716 BC, the two sides formed an alliance in Sudi.However, both sides of the alliance have their own ghosts, so there is no need to say more. At the end of the year, Zheng Guo and Chen Guo formally formed an alliance.At this time, the crown prince of Zheng State was suddenly working in the Zhou royal family, and Chen Hou, like Song Shanggong, had the illusion that Zheng State was now favored by the emperor, so he wanted to curry favor with Zheng State. Chen Hou asked Zheng Bo: "I heard that Prince Hu is not married yet. I happen to have a daughter who is gentle and virtuous. What do you think about marrying Prince Hu?" Let the two of them get married." In this way, Chen Guo and Zheng Guo became married, and the relationship between the two parties was further consolidated. Zheng Zhuanggong cleaned up the state of Wei and formed alliances with the states of Lu and Chen, all of which weakened the influence of the state of Song little by little.Although the two countries of Zheng and Song also signed a covenant, neither side would accept the other, and the war was still on the verge of breaking out. When Zheng Zhuanggong was thinking about how to further subdue Song State, the envoy of Qi State came.It turned out that since Duke Xi of Qi formed an alliance with Zheng Guo, he wanted to show his face in front of Duke Zheng Zhuang so that he could open up a way to meet the Emperor Zhou.Seeing that Zheng Guo and Song Guo have been at war for the past two years, I want to be a good old man and mediate in the middle. Zheng Zhuanggong's established strategy is to subdue Song State and establish Zheng State's dominant position in the Central Plains.However, Marquis Qi appealed for peace so passionately, so he had to respond anyway, so he agreed to Qi. Qi Xigong immediately contacted Song Guo and Wei Guo, who were old enemies of Zheng Guo.Enmity should be settled rather than settled. When will the grievance be repaid?Everyone give me Qihou a face, let's resolve the hatred of the East Gate battle, otherwise it is always like this, you beat me, I beat you, it is not conducive to stability and unity! Wei Guo had just ended the civil strife, and Zheng Guo took care of it for a while, so it is of course no problem to make peace.Song Guo didn't want to save Qi Xigong's face, so he agreed, and the two sides also agreed on the date of the alliance.However, since Zheng Song and Song Dynasty refused to accept each other, it is doomed that this alliance is not sincere.No, before the alliance was formally held, Song Guo wanted to make some small moves.