Chapter 29 Five, both hands

Uncle Zhan was the person who Jin Wengong Chonger designated to kill by name. In 637 BC, Chonger, the exiled son of Jin State, passed by Zheng State, and was treated arrogantly and rudely by Zheng Wengong.In the second year, Chong'er returned home under the escort of the Qin army and became the king of Jin, Duke Wen of Jin.Six years later, in 630 B.C., Duke Wen of Jin joined forces with Qin to attack Zheng in order to avenge his revenge and punish Zheng for facing Chu in the battle of Jin-Chu Chengpu.The coalition forces are approaching fiercely, and their soldiers are approaching the city.It is said that Jin's troops have even pulled down the low wall on the city wall of Zhengdu.

At this time, Zheng people begged for mercy to no avail.Jin Wengong said: "Give Uncle Zhan to me, and I will withdraw my troops." Uncle Zhan, why did you offend Duke Wen of Jin? Could it be that Zheng Wengong's rudeness was Uncle Zhan's idea? No.On the contrary, Uncle Zhan urged Zheng Wengong to treat Chong'er kindly.However, when his repeated persuasion was still ineffective, Shu Zhan proposed: If you can't treat each other with courtesy, then kill him.Because Uncle Zhan has long concluded that the son Chong'er is extraordinary and will inherit the throne sooner or later.At that time, he will definitely come to revenge.

As it turned out, Uncle Zhan was right. However, although Zheng Wengong made a big mistake back then, he behaved like a man at this time.He refused to hand over Uncle Zhan, or even tell Uncle Zhan about it. Uncle Zhan stepped forward. Uncle Zhan, who was about to die for the country, went to Jinying alone.He said: It is Zhan's wish to exchange the lives of the people and the peace of the country with a single person. The Jin people set up a big pot and planned to cook him. Uncle Zhan said: Please allow me to finish my words before I die! Jin Wengong said: You speak! Uncle Zhan said, "God of the Heavens sent a disaster to Zheng, and made Zheng a catastrophe.Today's situation was predicted by the minister back then.In the past, the subordinates were able to respect the virtuous and prevent disasters. This is wisdom.Now being able to sacrifice oneself for benevolence and serve the motherland, this is loyalty.After finishing speaking, Uncle Zhan walked towards the cauldron, grasped the ears of the tripod tightly with both hands, and shouted loudly to the sky: Kill me, kill me!From now on, those who serve the country with wisdom and loyalty will end up like me!

Duke Wen of Jin stood up immediately.He ordered Uncle Zhan to be released, and sent him back home with the most solemn etiquette. It goes without saying that Uncle Zhan was respected after returning to China, but unfortunately the matter did not end because of his loyalty.Jin Wengong, who had accumulated grievances, proposed that he must see Zheng Wengong and humiliate him face to face before he would give up. Such an alliance under the city will humiliate the country if it is signed, and the country will perish if it is not signed.In a dilemma, diplomats are needed to mediate. The diplomat sent by Zheng Guo is called Zhu Zhiwu.

Zhu Zhiwu was invited out of the mountain by Zheng Wengong himself, but he seemed to be quite neglected before.Therefore, when Zheng Wengong went to invite him, his answer was: When I was young, I was still inferior to others.Now that I am old, what can I do?Zheng Wengong lowered his posture and sincerely invited him: It was my fault that he was not able to use him in the past.But if Zheng Guo perishes, Mr. Yu will also be disadvantaged, right? So Zhu Zhiwu sneaked into the Qin camp in the dark to meet Qin Mugong. What Zhu Zhiwu did was right.Because at this time, it is useless to do the work of Duke Wen of Jin, so he can only draw his salary from the bottom of the pot and instigate against Duke Mu of Qin.However, it is useless to move it with emotion; it is useless to understand it with reason.Only interests can convince Qin Mugong.

Zhu Zhiwu, who sneaked into the Qin camp, made three accounts for Mu Gong. The first account is whether the destruction of Zheng State will be beneficial to Qin.Zhu Zhiwu's conclusion is no.Because the state of Qin and the state of Zheng are separated by the state of Jin.Even if the Qin and Jin countries carve up the state of Zheng, what Qin would get would be an enclave.Enclaves are hard to actually own.In the end, it was bound to be cheaper for Jin.If the Jin State takes advantage, it means that the Qin State will suffer a great loss, and it is necessary to use financial and material resources to mobilize teachers and mobilize the masses. Why bother?

The second account is whether it is beneficial to preserve Zheng Guo.The conclusion is yes.Because Qin is in the west and Zheng is in the Central Plains.Qin State has affairs with the princes, and most of them have to go eastward through Zheng State.Zheng Guo, as the host, can provide various conveniences for Qin Guo's luggage exchange.The host is the owner of the east road; the luggage is also called the traveler or the pedestrian, that is, the professional diplomat.The so-called "She Zheng as the host, and the luggage travels for his tiredness" means that the entire Zheng country has become Qin's post station and guest house, and the benefits are of course not small.

The third account is whether the alliance between Jin and Qin is reliable.The conclusion is unreliable.The lesson from the past is Jin Huigong's treachery.What's more, how can Jin's ambition be satisfied?He is now swinging his sword to the east, taking Zheng Guo as his possession.If successful, the next step is to expand westward.Apart from Qin State in the west, who else can fill his stomach?Therefore, for the Qin State, joining Jin to destroy Zheng is harming oneself and benefiting others, and even attracting wolves into the house. Finally, Zhu Zhiwu said to Mu Gong: Please think twice, Your Majesty!

Of course Qin Mugong understood immediately.He immediately signed a peace agreement with Zheng Guo unilaterally, and sent troops to stand guard for Zheng Guo.After hearing the news, the senior officers of the state of Jin asked to attack the Qin army, but Duke Wen of Jin did not agree.Wen Gong said that without Qin, I would not be where I am today.It is inhumane to benefit from others and turn against them; it is unwise to make enemies after losing allies; it is unforced to abandon harmony and create turmoil.I'd better go back! As a result, Jin Wengong also withdrew his troops. 13 Zheng Guo, whose life is hanging by a thread, has finally turned the corner. This is Shu Zhan and Zhu Zhiwu, and it is also a common victory of justice and profit.

13.This section synthesizes "Zuo Zhuan Thirty Years of Duke Xi", "Mandarin Mandarin Four", and "Historical Records Zheng Family".