The death of Duke Huan of Lu made Duke Xiang of Qi uneasy. He was not worried about the state of Lu, but worried about his own reputation. He felt that killing Prince Peng Sheng would not completely cover up people's eyes. There would definitely be gossip. What he was more worried about was that the princes
They gossiped about him.
Someone suggested that he do a few things that could earn him a good reputation. The more good reputation he has, the less he will have a good reputation. He thought this was a good idea.
So, what can you do to gain a good reputation? He thought of what happened recently in the state of Zheng. Zi Qi and Gao Qumi killed Duke Zhao of Zheng (Zi Hu) and seized the throne. This matter must have attracted the attention of the world. He
I plan to start with this matter.
The reason why Duke Xiang of Qi set his sights on the new gentleman Zi Qi was not only because he wanted to establish his prestige in front of the princes of the world, but also for personal reasons. That is, when he was a prince, he once met Zi Qi, and the two had a fight, and they became friends.
Duke Xiang of Qi had always wanted to end his relationship with Zi Qian.
In order to accomplish this, Qi Xianggong made such a plan. He chose a place that neither belonged to Qi nor Zheng as the location for the plan. This place belonged to a third party, at the beginning of the Song Dynasty (
(today's Sui County, Henan Province). He first led his troops to Shouzhi, made arrangements, and then invited the princes of Song, Wei, Chen, Cai and other countries to come to Shouzhi for an alliance. After that, he wrote a letter and sent it to Zheng Guo.
Please invite Gentleman Zheng Guoxin to come to the first place for an alliance meeting. The letter says:
"Your country and my country have always had good relations. Duke Zhuang of Zheng and Duke Xi, the ancestor of Qi, once joined forces to send troops and advance and retreat together, which is a good story. Now that I am the king of Qi, and my son is also the master of Zheng, I should inherit the alliance created by the ancestors and work together.
, we share weal and woe. I only wish this to be the case. I would like to invite Zheng Bozi Qian personally to come to the Song Dynasty for an alliance. This is my best regards!"
Duke Xiang of Qi thought that Qi was strong and Zheng was weak, and they used the name of good communication to lure Zi Qi to come. Zi Qi could not resist this temptation, so he would definitely come.
When the letter arrived in Ziqian's hands, he was really happy. During the court meeting, all the ministers were also happy. Only Jizu didn't say a word after reading the letter. His face was heavy and there was no excitement at all. When the ministers shouted that enough was enough
He came out to speak. Jizu advised Ziqi not to go to the meeting. At the end of the conversation, Jizu specifically mentioned the fight between Ziqi and Qi Xianggong.
Zi Qian said: "Qi is a powerful country, and after Zichuan escaped, he still stayed in Licheng. I heard that he was recruiting troops and horses in Licheng in order to restore the country. Now, Qi has taken the initiative to show its favor to me. If I don't go, everything will be lost.
Once I offend Zhu'er - that's a second-pole attitude, I know it best. What if Zhu'er has the second-pole temper again, leads the princes to attack, and then supports Zi to rise to power. Aren't I going to cause trouble for myself?"
Gao Qumi said: "My lord is right. The State of Qi has taken the initiative to woo us, how can we refuse? Besides, in front of the princes, I don't think those princes will mention the time when they were princes, no matter how much they do.
It's such a ridiculous thing. I'd like to ask my lord to go, but there's no harm in it."
Zi Qian smiled and said: "General Gao's words are right. Doctor Ji, what do you think?"
Jizu hesitated for a moment and nodded vaguely, neither saying go nor refusing. Everyone felt that Jizu's attitude was a bit abnormal.
After the dynasty dispersed, as soon as Jizu returned home, he sent someone to tell him that he suddenly fell ill and could not travel far. Ziqian did not force him. He said to Gao Qumi, "If he doesn't go, don't go.
It seems that the priest is really old. If he doesn’t go, let’s go.”
Ziqian and Gao Qumi only led their guards to Shouzhi of the Song Dynasty. Because this alliance meeting was at Shouzhi, it was called the "Shouzhi Meeting" in history.
After settling down that night, Qi Xianggong asked for wine and food to be served to the guests. While Gao Qumi was drinking, he did not forget to laugh at Jizu. He said, "Master Jizu is indeed old. If he were here, he would be able to eat
I don’t know how I will feel about this table of food and wine.”
Zi Qian also smiled and said: "The most glorious time of worshiping the doctor has passed. From now on, I will only treat him as an antique."
The two were chatting and laughing, so happy.
Early the next morning, the two of them took their entourage and happily went to the first venue.
As soon as Ziqian and Gao Qumi arrived outside the gate, they were stopped by a general. The general told them that this was the "Meeting of Clothes", and the princes who came to the meeting did not bring soldiers or horses. Please bring your guards.
Staying outside the door. Ziqian was unsuspecting and immediately ordered his guards to wait outside the door. Then he and Gao Qumi continued to walk in.
Entering the venue, I saw two rows of Qi warriors with bright armor standing on both sides holding Changge, leaving a passage in the middle for Ziqian and Gao Qumi to go.
Where had Ziqian ever received such a reception? His heart was pounding. He glanced at Gao Qumi and saw that Gao Qumi was calm and unconcerned.
Ziqian asked in a low voice: "I said I would not bring troops, how could they get so many people to come?"
Gao Qumi smiled and said: "This is the Marquis of Qi's deliberate attempt to increase his prestige and frighten us. It's just a little trick."
After hearing this, Ziqian straightened his chest and walked in with Gao Qumi. They walked through the forest of swords and came to the steps in front of the lobby. Looking up, they saw Qi Xianggong sitting majestically.
In the hall, the two people quickly climbed up the stairs and came to Qi Xianggong. As soon as they stood still, they bowed together and saluted.
Zi Qi said loudly: "Zheng Bo, Zi Qi, pays homage to the Marquis of Qi."
Gao Qumi also crossed his hands and said, "Gao Qumi, the general of the State of Zheng, pays homage to the Marquis of Qi."
Duke Xiang of Qi smiled broadly, stood up and went to greet him. He walked up to Ziqian, reached out and grabbed his wrist, and the first thing he asked was: "How did the king of your country die?"
Zi Qian was shocked. He didn't expect Qi Xianggong to ask such a question when he came up. He wanted to make up a lie, but in a panic, he couldn't make it up for a while.
Gao Qumi was very calm and said: "The late king died of illness."
Qi Xianggong snorted and said, "I heard that he was assassinated, and he was assassinated in the palace."
Gao Qumi prevaricated: "The late king was originally ill and encountered an assassin, so he did not hide away."
Qi Xianggong said: "Where are your guards? Is there no one around the king? The palace is heavily guarded. How can the assassin get close?"
Ziqian's face began to turn pale. Gao Qumi said calmly: "The Marquis of Qi must have heard about the affairs of Zheng State. Zihu and Zitu have been fighting openly and secretly for the throne for a long time. Everyone knows this.
Several of their brothers have private parties, and no one can guarantee that something will not go wrong. And no one knows when something will go wrong. This is something that cannot be guarded against."
Seeing that Gao Qumi was speaking plausibly, Qi Xianggong joked: "So, has the assassin been caught?"
Gao Qumi said: "I haven't caught it yet, but I'm still searching. I'm still searching."
Qi Xianggong's expression changed, and he said with murderous intent: "You didn't hold it, but I held it for you." After saying that, he turned around and shouted: "Come on, let them see what's going on."
The warriors on both sides swarmed forward and tied up Ziqian and Gao Qumi without any explanation.
Ziqian and Gao Qumi shouted repeatedly, but Qi Xianggong ignored him at all. He pointed at Gao Qumi and reprimanded: "As a minister, you don't know your loyalty, and for your own selfish interests, you actually murder the king. Do you think no one can rule you?"
Is it a crime? I will seek justice for Zihu today."
Ziqian shouted with a sad face: "This, this is all Gao Qumi's idea, he did it. It is none of my business. Please spare my life, please spare my life."
Qi Xianggong said: "Since you know that Gao Qumi is responsible, why don't you punish him? He is obviously an accomplice, and you still dare to quibble."
Ziqian was speechless after being refuted, and kept kowtowing to beg for mercy. Gao Qumi looked at him with disdain and closed his eyes, feeling a bit out of sight and out of mind. Qi Xianggong frowned and raised his hand.
, waving his hand like a fly.
Generals Chengfu and Guan Zhifu of Qi State said "promise" and stepped forward in unison. Each of them grabbed one, and dragged Ziqian and Gao Qumi out like a butcher grabbing a sheep...
On the second day, Qi Xianggong held a public trial. The princes of Song, Wei, Chen, and Cai who came to attend the meeting gathered at the meeting. Ziqian and Gao Qumi were gagged and tied into the meeting. The ministers of Qi were in public.
A verdict was read out:
"Zheng Gongzi Ji Qian and General Gao Qumi conspired to kill the king and assassinate Zheng Zhaogong Ji Hu. The evidence of the crime was conclusive and the two confessed. The crime of treason is unpardonable and everyone will be punished. The Marquis of Qi supported him
The justice of the world captures the two thieves and upholds the law of the country. The son of Zheng, Ji Qian, is sentenced to be beheaded. The general of Zheng, Gao Qu, is sentenced to having his chariot broken. He is taken to the execution ground and executed immediately."
All the princes clapped their hands and cheered.
Duke Xiang of Qi killed Ziqi and Gao Qumi, and asked someone to write a letter. He put the heads of Ziqi and Gao Qumi in a box and sent them to the state of Zheng together. The book said:
"Zheng Gongzi Qi and General Gao Qumi conspired to regicide. The crime will not be pardoned and everyone will be punished. The Marquis of Qi enforced the national law on behalf of Zheng and executed these two people to eliminate harm to the Zheng State. Send envoys to report to Hebei
We have good relations with each other."
Jizu read the certificate of credence and said calmly: "It is indeed so, just as I expected."
At this point, among the four powerful sons of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, Zihu and Ziqi died, and Zitu went into exile in Licheng. Jizu then made Ziyi, the fourth son of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, the king of the country.
Zihu, Zitu, and Ziqi successively competed for the throne, causing Zheng to fight for years and consume a lot of money. The frequent changes of kings also plunged Zheng's government into chaos. The ministers only wanted to protect themselves, and no one paid attention to managing state affairs.
Due to wars among the people, the population decreased and production was abandoned. From then on, Zheng State began to decline and gradually declined into a weak country.
Duke Xiang of Qi did this, which indeed won him some good reputation. He himself was also very inspired. Next, he prepared to attack the country of Ji and complete the tasks assigned to him by his father Duke Xi of Qi before his death.
Before sending troops, Qi Xianggong listened to the advice of Qi General Guan Zhifu and did not unite the princes. Instead, he launched a sudden attack on Ji State with the strength of his own country after being fully prepared.
Ji Guo still asked for help from everywhere as usual. But this time he was not so lucky. Because Lu Huan Gong had just died and the new king came to the throne, the Lu State had not yet settled down. It was in a state of being too busy to take care of itself and was unable to take care of other countries.
The new gentleman of Zheng State, Ziyi, has only just ascended the throne, and his throne is dependent on the help of Qi Xianggong, so it is impossible to save Ji State. The other princes do not dare to go against Qi State. Ji State is called Tiantian Bu
The spirit screamed and the earth responded, and it endured for more than half a month, and was finally destroyed by the Qi State.
Qi Xianggong also accomplished the second thing. The people of Qi State agreed with it, but few princes agreed with him. However, he himself was very satisfied.