Chapter 73 Section 5 The pattern of the Warring States period has changed greatly Xianyang Zhu Jie Feng Shangjun

In the spring and March of 339 BC, Wei Yang's class teacher returned to Xianyang. In the two wars in late autumn last year, all the land in Hexi was taken back.From the Fushi Plateau in the north, to the Taolin Mountains in the south, from Dahe in the east, to Gaonu and Diaoyin in the west, the Hexi barrier, which was occupied by Wei State for nearly a hundred years, finally returned to Qin State in one fell swoop.As a result of defeating the pressure, Lishi Fortress on the east bank of the Yellow River and Xiaoshan Mountain outside Hangu Pass were also captured.For the Qin State, these two places are not only the outer shape of the Hexi barrier, but also the two eastern bases that extend into the Central Plains. Their significance is so great that it cannot be overestimated.In order to completely consolidate Hexi, Wei Yang temporarily had no squadron after the victory. At the same time of repaying the victory quickly, he asked Qin Xiaogong to select more than 20 capable county magistrates and sheriffs to rush to the Hexi military camp immediately.Wei Yang and these county magistrates and sheriffs planned in detail how to appease and gather the old Qin people in Hexi, as well as the steps of comprehensive reform in Hexi; they also recruited soldiers in Hexi to form the local guardian forces of each county.For a whole winter, although it was snowing heavily and the wind was cold, the magistrates and sheriffs each led a hundred cavalry to their posts immediately. During the traditional "wodong" period, intense preparations for the reform began.

At the beginning of spring, the cavaliers who escorted the county magistrate to his post returned to the Hexi Camp one after another, and the reforms in the counties also started vigorously.Wei Yang sent 2,000 troops to garrison Lishi Fortress, and when the willow branches were barking their teeth, they dispatched troops. At this time, the news of Qin's great victory in Hexi had already spread throughout the Central Plains, causing a chain reaction like an avalanche in the mountains! First of all, the government and the people of the Wei State were terrified, deeply feeling that Anyi was in the midst of the long-distance pincer attack of Lishi Fortress and Xiaoshan Mountain, and immediately decided to move the capital to Daliang.Although the southward relocation of Wei's capital city has been prepared for many years, the southward relocation after the loss of Hexi is very different from the originally planned southward relocation.Without losing Hexi, the Kingdom of Wei moved south to Daliang. The purpose was to turn Anyi in the north into an important town to fight against the three kingdoms of Yan, Zhao, and Qi.At that time, Wei State didn't take Qin State's strength into account at all, because the whole Hexi area was like a mountain pressing on Qin State's head, and Qin State was unable to move eastward to the Central Plains.Now the situation has changed drastically.Qin State not only wiped out Wei State's only elite army, recovered Hexi in one fell swoop, but also forcibly captured Lishi Fortress, and forced Wei State to withdraw from Xiaoshan outside Hangu Pass.In this way, the northern part of Wei State was completely under the tremendous pressure of Qin State and Zhao State, while the western part of Wei State was nailed there like a wedge by Xiaoshan Mountain.If it weren't for the Eastern Zhou Dynasty Luoyang in the middle, the Qin State could attack Daliang from Xiaoshan in two hours!This situation is exactly the replica of Wei State's oppression of Qin State.Qin State's threat to Daliang, Wei State's Anyi, is just like Wei State's threat to Qin State's Liyang, it is also close at hand, and it is equally painful.Under this situation, the relocation of Wei State's capital is obviously a kind of shrinking, rather than seeking to expand.

Naturally, the Central Plains Warring States immediately seized the great opportunity to compress Wei. The first is Zhao Guo and South Korea, which have the same origin as Wei Guo, but hate Wei Guo deeply.Zhao Guo immediately seized the important town of Pingyang, Shangdang Mountain in the north of Anyi, and destroyed all the barriers in the north of Wei State.South Korea immediately marched northward, attacked and occupied Xingyang and Guangwu, and blocked the upper reaches of the gap. With such a change, the three kingdoms of Wei, Zhao and Han were roughly equal in strength and weakness.

The northernmost country of Yan took advantage of the opportunity of Zhao's southward movement to seize half of the Zhongshan country that had been dreamed of for many years, and also captured the large grasslands of the Linhu tribe, putting pressure on Zhao from the north. The state of Chu was already suffocated. Seeing that the state of Wei had lost its land and mourned its teachers, King Xuan of Chu immediately led his army to advance northward. Not only did he take back the six cities of Huaibei ceded to the state of Wei, but he also occupied the important towns in the lower reaches of the divide and the upper reaches of Yingshui. Chen Cheng is planning to move the capital of the country from Yingdu to here, and compete with the Central Plains for a large piece of land north of the Huai River.

Qi State, as the eastern power that first loosened Wei State's hegemony, naturally will not miss this opportunity.King Wei of Qi sent Tian Ji to first go south to capture the Langye area in the northeast of Chu State, compressing the coastal area of ​​Chu State to the south of Lanling; Guiling Mountains.Overnight, all the barriers in the east of Wei State became Qi State's westward springboard. At the same time, the Warring States of the Central Plains, the royal family of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and the princes of the world were all shocked by the "sudden" strength of Qin.Who would have thought that the originally weakest state of Qin would not only restore the vast territory it had when it first became a feudal vassal, but would also step out of the Yellow River and Hangu Pass and become a powerful force to oppress the state of Wei!What shocked the world even more was the new army of Qin.In the two battles in Hexi, Qin's new army actually wiped out the Wei army in a devastating manner!The iron cavalry of Wei State and the military pawns of Wei State were originally the first-class elite soldiers who made the world turn pale. Even the "skilled masters" of Qi State could not confront them head-on, and could only rely on ambushes to win.The new Qin army was completely different. Not only did they confront it head-on, but they also wiped out 30,000 cavalry with 20,000 infantry.This kind of combat power is really incredible!In the Warring States period, everyone knew about soldiers, and everyone knew what Qin's new army meant to the world.

For a time, Qin's new army was known as "sharp warriors" all over the world, and all countries trained their troops with the goal of Qin's "sharp warriors". The strength of the Qin State brought about major changes in the structure of the Warring States Period—the era of Wei’s hegemony in the early Warring States period has ended, and the era of great powers in the mid-Warring States period has begun. At the same time that Wei Yang's army was in charge, the road outside Hangu Pass was full of traffic, and all the countries in the Central Plains sent envoys to enter Hangu Pass to congratulate Qin State, vying to form a friendship with Qin State.

Xianyang City really boiled up.Have the old Qin people ever tasted the taste of a first-class power?Simply ecstatic. We all know that in spring, we will welcome the army class teachers and officially hold the New Capital Ceremony.People have been preparing happily since the cold winter.Especially those families with children who joined the army carefully repaired the front door early on, and prepared to hang the bronze plaque of title.Families whose daughters have marriage contracts with soldiers' sons happily invite matchmakers to the man's family to discuss the date of marriage, and must make the warrior a bridegroom on the day when he is honored, double happiness!Those who make dowry, those who repair the concierge, those who organize wedding banquets, those who prepare to send their sons to join the army, those who prepare for the big communal fire, etc., etc., every family is busy, everyone is busy, and the whole Qin country is filled with strong joy that cannot be resolved. atmosphere.The Chinese who have relatives and friends in Hexi continue to pass on the various changes in Hexi, looking forward to visiting Hexi in summer.After the beginning of spring, the spring plowing ceremony is over, and the old Qin people will plow the spring during the day and be busy with the never-ending festive events at night.Villages and fields, inside and outside the capital, are immersed in boundless joy.

Qin Xiaogong couldn't care less about being happy.Since Wei Yang's troops left Hexi, he has gone all out to urge the capital to move, recruited and trained a second new army, and sent county magistrates to Hexi.Qin Xiaogong handed over all the preparations for welcoming the army class teacher and establishing the capital ceremony to Wang Shi, who had been promoted to the internal historian of Xianyang, but he himself was still immersed in his study when he was busy. At the end of March, Wei Yang led an army from Hangu Pass into Guanzhong.Wei Yang did not take a shortcut back to Xianyang from Shangjun, but went down the Dahe River, exited the Taolin Highlands and then exited Hangu Pass, then detoured through Xiaoshan and re-entered Hangu Pass.The purpose of doing this is to inspect the pass fortress and the defense of the people's government on this land that has been separated from the Qin State for nearly a hundred years.He repeatedly reminded the officials and soldiers that they must not treat the border land as roughly as the Wei State, otherwise they will not be able to hold it back.After entering Hangu Pass, he detoured to Huashan again, inspected the old barracks left by the Wei army, and ordered the immediate repair of the abandoned camp, and built a fortress castle on the mountain as the second gateway to Guanzhong.When the soldiers marched to Liyang, Wei Yang's army was welcomed by the people of Liyang. Men, women, old and children ate pots of pulp, and sent the army Yin Yin ten miles away.

Near Xianyang, Wei Yang handed over the army to Supervisor Che Yingjing, but he changed into plain clothes and took Jingnan with him, and quietly entered the city from the north gate of Xianyang.Unexpectedly, just as he walked to the gate of the mansion, Qin Xiaogong greeted him from the gate with a big smile, "Da Liangzao, I knew you would come back alone. Yingyu, come quickly." Wei Yang got off his horse in a hurry, and before he could salute, he was already supported by Qin Xiaogong. The two looked at each other silently, and hugged each other suddenly.Yingyu came here in a hurry, she sighed and wiped away her tears, "Husband...is dark and thin."

Wei Yang smiled and said: "It's also stronger, you see." Pulling up his big sleeves, his dark arms bulged with hard muscles. The three of them laughed together.Qin Xiaogong took Wei Yang's hand, "Made by Daliang, get on the car, today is two major celebrations." Without any explanation, he helped Wei Yang onto the bronze cart, "Yingyu, you take the back one." After saying that, sit in person He took the driver's seat, flicked the reins, and drove towards Xianyang Palace.Jing Nan jumped into the second car that Princess Yingyu was riding in, and the car followed closely behind.

The majestic Xianyang Palace Square is already crowded with people. The new troops who arrived first have formed two square formations in the center of the square. hall.Seeing two vehicles approaching, earth-shattering cheers resounded from the square: "Long live the king!" Holding Wei Yang's hand, he walked onto the platform of the main hall. Under the two large tripods, which were more than ten feet high, all the ministers of Qin State saluted together, "See Your Majesty! See Daliang Zao!" Qin Xiaogong led Wei Yang to the central high platform, and nodded slightly to the minister of ceremonies. "Great Qin Kingdom, the great victory in Hexi and the ceremony of moving the capital, start—!" Suddenly, the entire Xianyang Square roared.It was not the sound of silk, bamboo, xun and chi, but the heavy roar of war drums and horns and the sound of Huang Zhong Dalu, grand and deep, magnificent and exciting. "The king's edict to the subjects of heaven and earth—!" Qin Xiaogong unfolded a roll of bamboo slips, and his vigorous and vigorous voice echoed in the square, "Haohao goes to the sky, and the earth is dark, the subjects of the Qin State: Recovering the old land in Hexi and moving the capital to Xianyang New City are the two great ceremonies of our Qin State in the past century! In the past ten years, the Qin State has responded to the people, practiced reforms, changed from weak to strong, and walked a road soaked in tears, sweat and blood. Qin State got rid of the old poverty, washed away the humiliation of its ancestors, and avenged the hatred of a century. This announcement, the heaven, the earth, the people and the gods will learn from each other——!" The audience shouted: "Long live the Great Qin—!" "Long live the Reform—" "The monarch personally confers—!" Qin Xiaogong coughed and announced loudly: "People's hearts are clear, and the world is long. Daliang's immortal feats in building a guard martingale will be recorded in the annals of history forever. For the letter of Zhao's order to seek talents, the thirteen counties of the place where Shangyu is now sealed as guards Martingale Territory, titled Shangjun——!" As soon as the words fell, the audience erupted, "Long live Shangjun—!" "Long live the new law—!" Wei Yang bowed deeply, "My minister, Wei Yang, thank you for your kindness." Then, the minister of ceremonies immediately read out the imperial edict of awarding meritorious officials: Che Ying entered the third rank and was promoted to lieutenant of the state; Jing Jian entered the third rank and was promoted to doctor; Soldiers of peasant and commoner origin were awarded primary titles, among which more than 3,000 warriors were promoted to the fourth level; thousands of soldiers who died in battle were all awarded the fourth level and were buried in their hometowns. After reading the imperial edict, the crowded Xianyang Square turned out to be as quiet as a deep valley, only the continuous heavy breathing could be heard.All over the world, it is difficult for slave peasants and civilians to obtain national titles, and the power of titles is naturally out of reach of the untouchables.However, in broad daylight today, thousands of common people saw with their own eyes that their sons and brothers received the jade seal of the Jue Shu from the hands of the monarch and Daliang Zao, and received the gift of the mansion that symbolized the glory of the family. Plaques and battle robes embroidered with gold thread!The glorious dream buried in the hearts of so many slave farmers has really come true in one day!The young elites cried with copper plates full of honors, and thousands of common people in the square also cried... After a long time, the square erupted like a tsunami, "Long live the reform!" "Long live, long live, long live!" age--!" Qin Xiaogong's eyes were moist.Wei Yang's eyes were moist. The old servant Hei Bo came and reported softly: "Your Majesty, the Luoyang royal family has sent a special envoy to celebrate." Although the Luoyang royal family in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty had existed in name only, no one had openly denied the title of "co-lord of the world".When a country has achieved victory, Luoyang will send special envoys to "reward" it to congratulate it. The only purpose is to prevent the victorious country from doing anything to itself.Only the state of Qin, which has a long history with the Zhou family, has not received a special envoy for more than 30 years since Qin Xiangong won a battle.However, after all, the Zhou family had supported Qin in the most difficult time, so Qin Xiaogong naturally wanted to receive him solemnly.He pulled Wei Yang up, and they walked to the edge of the platform together. The special envoy of the "Son of Heaven" in red was climbing up the high steps paved with red felt, but he couldn't help but look around at the mighty military formation square, look at the approaching platform, and look at Qin Xiaogong from a distance. He Wei Yang bowed deeply. Qin Xiaogong and Wei Yang bowed together and said, "Qin is a small country, how dare you work hard to give the emperor a big gift?" The special envoy respectfully cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Things in the world are vicissitudes, and the state of Qin is finally out of control... Please, Duke Qin, accept the king's order and encouragement." Qin Xiaogong, Wei Yang and all the ministers knelt down to the ground.The special envoy unfolded a roll of bamboo slips and read aloud, "Zer, Lord Qin, obeyed the destiny, made the people rich and the country strong, won the meritorious service of Wei, moved the capital to Xianyang, and pacified the western land. The emperor issued a special edict, canonizing Duke Qin Yingquliang as the princes of the western land. The leader of the national alliance, enjoys the power of conquest on behalf of the emperor. The spring of the twenty-sixth year of the forty-first king of the Zhou family." "Thank you, Son of Heaven, for your kindness! Long live my king!" Qin Xiaogong Wei Yang led all the officials to bow down. Uncle Hei came to report again: "Report to Your Majesty, the special envoys of the six great powers congratulate you." Qin Xiaogong nodded, and the ministers of ceremonies led the envoys from the six countries to file in. While submitting their credentials one by one, they also praised Qin's great victory in Hexi with the most beautiful words, and expressed their willingness one by one with smiles on their faces. It has been nearly half an hour since the sincere desire to form a friendship with Qin has been completed.Both Qin Xiaogong and Wei Yang listened to the words without listening to the content with the greatest patience, always smiling. Uncle Hei came again, "Report to Your Majesty, the twenty-six vassal states have sent special envoys to congratulate you." Qin Xiaogong waved his hand, "Just ask them to sit down." Under the guidance of the minister of ceremonies, a long line of envoys walked in in fear and trepidation, and in an instant, the table was filled with red congratulatory forms and various gifts.Qin Xiaogong and Wei Yang looked at each other and smiled in unison. The Minister of Rituals announced loudly: "Please invite the special envoys of all countries to watch the military dance of the grand ceremony—!" Che Ying on the platform of the main hall suddenly waved the command flag, and the two phalanxes retreated respectively, leaving a phalanx of 4,000 warriors in the center.All of a sudden, the sound of war drums and horns was heard, and four thousand soldiers with swords and shields danced and swung their swords in neat steps, and the sound of killing continued.A row of military singers sang loudly on the high platform: All the special envoys were like thorns on their backs, too surprised to laugh, and the special envoy of Wei State kept wiping the sweat from his forehead.Indeed, no country has declared the end of humiliation and openly challenged the world with such a unique military dance in the grand celebration. "There are sharp men in Qin, who will fight for the hegemony?" In the nearly 100-year history of the Warring States Period, this is undoubtedly a signal that makes the six kingdoms of Shandong frightened. Wei Yang didn't seem to hear it, his heart had already flown to the far east.