Chapter 16 15 Cao GUI fights against the Qi army

After Duke Huan of Qi came to the throne, he relied on Guan Zhong's help to fight for the position of overlord.However, in his war against the State of Lu, he suffered a big setback. In the second year of Duke Huan of Qi's accession to the throne, that is, in 684 BC, Duke Huan of Qi sent troops to attack the State of Lu.Duke Zhuang of Lu believed that Qi State bullied them again and again, and he couldn't bear it, so he decided to fight Qi State to the death. Qi State's attack on Lu State also aroused the indignation of the people of Lu State.Cao GUI (sound gui), a man from the state of Lu, was going to see Duke Zhuang of Lu and asked to join the war against Qi.Some people persuaded Cao GUI, "Why do you want to intervene in important national affairs if you are worried about being a high-ranking official?"

Cao GUI said: "Being a high official is short-sighted, so there may not be a good way. How can you ignore the country's crisis?" After speaking, he went to the palace gate to see Duke Zhuang of Lu.Lu Zhuangzheng was worried about not having a counselor. When he heard that Cao GUI was asking for an audience, he hurriedly invited him in. When Cao GUI saw Duke Zhuang of Lu put forward his own request, he asked, "Why should my lord resist the Qi army?" Lu Zhuanggong said: "I don't dare to monopolize any good food and clothing. I always share them with everyone. Based on this, I think everyone will support me."

Cao GUI shook his head when he heard this, and said, "Not many people benefit from such small favors, and the common people will not support you for this." Duke Zhuang of Lu said: "When I sacrificed, I was quite devout." Cao GUI smiled and said, "This piety is nothing, God can't help you." Duke Zhuang of Lu thought for a while, and said, "When I encounter a lawsuit involving common people, although I can't investigate each case clearly, I try to deal with it as reasonable as possible." Cao GUI nodded and said, "This is something that wins the hearts of the people. I think we can fight Qi with this."

Cao GUI asked to go to battle with Duke Zhuang of Lu, and Duke Zhuang of Lu saw Cao GUI's confident appearance and wished that he could go with him. Two people sat in a military vehicle and led the troops to set off. The two armies of Qi and Lu took up positions in Changshao (now northeast of Laiwu, Shandong).The Qi army had a large number of people, so they beat the drums and launched an attack from the very beginning.Duke Zhuang of Lu was also about to order a counterattack, but Cao GUI hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Wait a minute, it's not time yet!" When the Qi army beat the second battle drum, Cao GUI still told Lu Zhuanggong to stand still.The generals of the Lu army were so angry when they saw the Qi army showing their teeth and claws, but there was no order from the coach, so they had to hold their breath and wait.

The commander of the Qi army saw that there was no movement from the Lu army, and ordered the third drum to be played.The soldiers of the Qi army thought that the Lu army was timid and afraid of fighting, so they rushed over in a show of force. Only then did Cao GUI say to Lu Zhuanggong, "Now you can order a counterattack." Marching drums sounded on the Lu army's position, and the soldiers' morale was high, and they rushed over like a tiger descending a mountain.The soldiers of the Qi army failed to guard against this move, and were unable to withstand the fierce offensive of the Lu army, so they were defeated.

When Duke Zhuang of Lu saw the retreat of the Qi army, he hurriedly ordered to pursue him. Cao GUI held him back and said, "Don't worry!" Get on the car and climb on the car pole, look at the enemy's retreating formation, and then say: "Please give the order to pursue, my lord!" When the soldiers of the Lu army heard the order to pursue, they all took the lead bravely, took advantage of the victory and pursued, and finally drove the Qi army out of the border of Lu. The Lu army won the counterattack victory. Duke Zhuang of Lu secretly admired Cao GUI's calm and composed command, but there was always an unopened gourd in his heart.After returning to the palace, he first expressed his condolences to Cao GUI, and then asked, "Why didn't you let me fight back when the Qi army beat drums the first two times?"

Cao GUI said: "In war, it all depends on morale. When the opponent beats the first drum, his morale is at its highest; after the second drum, he relaxes; by the third drum, his anger is exhausted. The opponent is discouraged." When the battle was fought, our soldiers were full of morale, how can there be no reason not to win?" Duke Zhuang of Lu then asked why he didn't pursue immediately.Cao GUI said: "Although the Qi army retreated, it is a big country with powerful troops. Maybe they pretended to retreat and set up an ambush somewhere. We had to be on guard. Later I saw their flags were crumbling and the ruts were messed up. , I believe that their formation is completely in disarray, so I ask you to order the pursuit."

Lu Zhuanggong suddenly realized, and praised Cao GUI for his thoughtfulness. Under the command of Cao GUI, the state of Lu repelled the Qi army, and the situation stabilized.