Chapter 14 Lian Po pleads guilty

After Yicheng Yibi's plan failed, King Qin Zhao formally sent an invitation to King Zhao Huiwen to meet at Mian (mian) Pool outside Xihe (now Sanmenxia, ​​Henan Province) to discuss the major issues of peace and friendship between the two countries. Because of the lessons learned from King Huai of Chu, King Zhao Huiwen did not intend to accept King Qin Zhao's invitation.But Lian Po, Lin Xiangru and other civil and military ministers said that if they didn't go, it would be tantamount to announcing to the world that Zhao Guo was afraid of Qin State, and it would be absolutely embarrassing to face.King Zhao Huiwen smiled wryly, so he must go?Forget it, let it go, let it go, for the sake of the country's face, my widow, I will be brave and go to the meeting in Mianchi!

Of course, Zhao Guo also made sufficient preparations.Accompanying King Zhao Huiwen to the meeting was Lin Xiangru, who was not disgraceful to the princes; at the same time, Lian Po commanded the army and stationed on the border between Qin and Zhao.Even so, Lian Po still made the worst preparations and said to King Zhao Huiwen: "Your Majesty is going. The journey on the road and the duration of the meeting are estimated to not exceed 30 days. If you haven't seen you back after 30 days, Please allow me to make the crown prince king, so as to cut off the thoughts of the Qin people."

King Zhao Huiwen nodded silently.Although it is unlucky to say such things, but the situation is pressing, and we can only hope for the worst and strive for the best result.He almost came to Mianchi with a sense of heroism and heroism, but he did not encounter the imaginary scene of swarming up with swords and axes, but was warmly received by Qin State.This is what happened in the spring of 279 BC. "Maybe we are worrying too much." King Zhao Huiwen secretly said to Lin Xiangru. "It's too early to draw conclusions," Lin Xiangru said. On the day of the official meeting, all civil and military officials of the Qin State gathered together, and envoys from various countries were also invited to participate, and the scene was very grand.During the banquet, King Qin Zhao frequently toasted to King Zhao Huiwen, and King Zhao Huiwen also frequently reciprocated, and soon the wine became hot.

King Qin Zhao said through his drunkenness: "I have long heard that King Zhao is good at playing the harp. Today, the two countries are brothers. How about asking King Zhao to play a song for us?" King Zhao Huiwen was also excited, and immediately said: "Okay!" So he played a piece of "Fuxi Music" in front of everyone.After the performance, King Qin Zhao clapped his hands and praised, and King Zhao Huiwen said a few words of humility.At this time, the censor (historian) of the State of Qin stepped forward quickly and announced loudly: "On a certain day in a certain year and a certain month, the King of Qin and the King of Zhao will have a drink, so that the King of Zhao will sing and record it in the annals of history."

King Zhao Huiwen was stunned when he heard it, and he made a fuss for a long time, and dare to wait for me here!Being depressed, I saw Lin Xiangru picked up a pottery fou (fou) from the case table, held it in both hands, walked quickly to King Qin Zhao and knelt down: "Please hit the fou, Your Majesty, for fun." Fou is an ancient container for wine.The customs of the Qin people are rough and rough. When they are half drunk at a banquet, they beat the pottery fou and slap their thighs to sing.Therefore, fou is another musical instrument in Qin State. King Qin Zhao turned his face to one side, pretending not to see it.

Lin Xiangru said again: "Your Majesty, please hit the fou!" This time his voice was much thicker, and everyone in the audience could hear him clearly. King Qin Zhao's face changed drastically, and the atmosphere in the banquet suddenly became tense.Still reluctant, Lin Xiangru knelt forward and took two steps forward, and said to King Qin Zhao, "Now you are only five steps away from me, and I am ready to pour my blood on you." If you don't agree, you will be ready to die together. When Qin Zhaowang's left and right heard this, they immediately surrounded him. Some people had already pulled out their swords and sneaked around behind Lin Xiangru to make a move.Lin Xiangru opened his eyes wide with anger, held up the pottery fou, shouted loudly, and silenced these people.

King Qin Zhao was forced to have no choice but to pick up a chopstick and hit it reluctantly.Lin Xiangru immediately stood up and summoned Zhao Guo's censor: "Please remember that on a certain day in a certain year, the King of Qin fought fou for the King of Zhao." All the ministers of the Qin State felt that they were shameless. In order to save some face, they said in unison: "Please ask the King of Zhao to present fifteen cities to the King of Qin as a congratulatory gift!" Lin Xiangru said with a smile: "Then please King Qin also send Xianyang to King Zhao as a congratulatory gift."

Until the end of the banquet, King Qin Zhao never took any advantage.Coupled with the fact that Lian Po's army was on standby at the border, the Qin army did not dare to take action easily. After returning from Mianchi safely, King Zhao Huiwen immediately named Lin Xiangru as Shangqing, and ranked him above Lianpo. Lian Po was not happy.I, Lian Po, went through life and death on the battlefield and made great military exploits, but I am just a high official; he, Lin Xiangru, is also a high official when he talks about it.Dare to love Zhao Guo's Shangqing, Zhang San Li Si Wang Wu Mazi can be ah!Besides, Lin Xiangru was originally just a commoner, but one day he got lucky and joined the ranks of the nobles, and he was ranked ahead of me.I am too old to take this insult.

Lian Po declared: "If I see Lin Xiangru on the street, I must publicly humiliate him!" When Lin Xiangru heard this, he just smiled.From then on, every time he went to court, he avoided Lian Po.Later, it developed to the point that as long as Lian Po was in court, Lin Xiangru would not.Once when Lin Xiangru was traveling, he saw Lian Po's team from a distance, and hurriedly ordered to make a detour, lest they would not be able to avoid it. Even Lin Xiangru's disciples couldn't stand it anymore. They said to Lin Xiangru: "We left our hometown to follow you because we admire your character. Now you are a minister of the same dynasty as Lian Po, and your status is higher than him. He uttered wild words, everywhere I can't get along with you, but you keep shrinking. Seeing him is like a mouse seeing a cat. This kind of insult is unbearable for ordinary people, let alone a general of the country? Our level is limited and we can't reach your level. Please let's go!"

Lin Xiangru said: "I understand your feelings, but please answer this question-General Lianpo or King Qin, who is more powerful?" The disciples all said that of course King Qin was the most powerful. "King Qin is so powerful, I still dare to publicly scold him and insult his civil and military ministers in the court of Qin State. Do you think I will still be afraid of General Lian Po?" This question stumped all the diners. "Do you think I don't care about my personal dignity, and I don't mind General Lianpo's insult to me? No. It's just that I think that Qin is so strong that he dare not take Zhao's idea because of me and General Lianpo. If A conflict between the two of us is like two tigers fighting, one must be wounded, Qin will take the opportunity to attack, and Zhao will be in danger. I put the safety of the country above my personal feelings, so I am patient everywhere!"

The doormen suddenly realized that they all prostrated themselves on the ground and said, "Forgive me for being so shallow that I can't understand your painstaking efforts." The matter reached Lian Po's ears.The self-inflated veteran suddenly understood the gap between himself and Lin Xiangru, and quickly reacted.He was shirtless and carried a thorn on his back. Guided by his followers, he went to Lin Xiangru's mansion to plead guilty, saying, "I'm so confused. I didn't know that you are so magnanimous. I'm ashamed!" Lin Xiangru quickly helped him up, pulled out the thorns and put on his clothes for him.Since then, the two have no grievances in their hearts and have become best friends. In Chinese history, pleading guilty to a thorn is a very touching story. It has been adapted into various forms of repertoire performances and has always been talked about by the people.Lian Po's stamina and Lin Xiangru's generosity are vividly expressed through this story.However, if one thinks that the "harmony of generals and prime ministers" in Zhao Guochao made Qin Guo dare not look down on Zhao Guo, it is obviously a bit exaggerated the power of unity.In fact, the reason why Qin State temporarily let Zhao State go was not because of fear of Lianpo and Lin Xiangru, but because of changes in the south.