In 688 BC, Duke Xiang of Qi appointed Lian Shi as the chief general and Guan Zhi's father as the deputy general to garrison Kuiqiu on the western border.
Before the expedition, Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu went to say goodbye to Duke Xiang of Qi. It happened that Duke Xiang of Qi was eating melons. When the second generals of Lian and Guan reported to him, he did not even raise his head, holding the melon in his hands and making a fuss.
He kept gnawing. After the two generals finished their report, Qi Xianggong puffed out his cheeks and nodded, indicating that he had heard it.
Lian Cheng finally asked a question: "We are going to guard Kuiqiu. When will the lord send someone to replace us?"
Qi Xianggong chewed the melon and said: "Next year, it's time to eat melon."
In ancient times, border guards were usually replaced once a year. Qi Xianggong was right, from the time of eating melons this year to the time of eating melons next year, it is exactly one year.
Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu felt confident. In order not to disturb Qi Xianggong's interest in eating melons, they quickly withdrew.
Two days later, Generals Lian and Guan went to Kuiqiu with their troops and horses. They stationed in Kuiqiu for a year. In autumn, the melons were ripe again. Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu remembered Qi Xianggong's words. The one-year limit
It's time to change shifts. But why haven't they seen anyone to replace them? They didn't dare to send people to ask Qi Xianggong, but they had to ask. So after discussion, they decided to send people to Linzi to inquire about the situation.
The person sent came back and reported that Qi Xianggong was not in Linzi. He had taken Wen Jiang to the east to enjoy the mountains and rivers. He had been away for a month and had not returned to the palace.
Lian Cheng became angry when he heard this. He said: "It's Wen Jiang again, this monster. Ever since she came, Hun Jun seems to have lost his soul. He only knows how to play with her and doesn't care about anything."
Guan Zhifu persuaded and said: "Perhaps the lord has forgotten what he said for a moment. I think we might as well send him a cart of melons. If he accepts our melons, he will naturally remember his promise to us."
Lian Cheng thought, and he was right. It is not easy to ask directly about this kind of thing, otherwise, it will easily cause the monarch to misunderstand and suspect them of being dissatisfied. Lian Cheng said: "If General Guan has a good idea, just give him the best melons on the cart."
Send it."
When Duke Xianggang of Qi received the melons from Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu, he became angry. He picked up a melon and threw it at the soldier delivering the melon, cursing: "I asked you to deliver melons. I don't know if the melons are ripe."
?You still want to remind me? You go back and tell them that this year's melon season has passed, and we will talk about it next year when we eat melons. Humph, you dare to bargain with me. Get out of here."
The sergeant who delivered the melons returned to Kuiqiu and told Qi Xianggong what he said again. Lian Cheng jumped up in anger and complained: "We have to stay for another year? Even if we don't go back, the soldiers have wives and children, don't they?
Aren’t they going back too? How can we appease the soldiers when their hearts are at home?”
Guan Zhi's father shook his head and said: "It's hard to disobey your orders. Is there any way? Let's wait until next year."
Lian Cheng said fiercely: "The foolish king has not kept his word. I can't wait to break into Linzi and destroy him."
Guan Zhi's father quickly waved his hand to stop him. Lian Cheng continued to curse him. Guan Zhi's father persuaded him for a while and finally calmed Lian Cheng down.
Dear readers, why is Lian Cheng so angry?
It turned out that Lian Cheng's sister was the concubine of Qi Xianggong. After Wen Jiang came, Lian Fei was left out. Lian Fei complained in front of Lian Cheng many times, and Lian Cheng naturally made some complaints. Some of them were just
When the news reached the ears of Qi Xianggong, Qi Xianggong was very unhappy, so when selecting officials to be stationed in Kuiqiu, he deliberately sent Lian Cheng, who was originally a civil servant, to the border. Lian Cheng was always angry about this matter.
Guan Zhifu put down the company's fire, but the fire in the barracks started burning. The soldiers gathered together and made a noise. Some people said: "If we don't lose the battle at the border, we are not a criminal army. Why shouldn't we be allowed to fight?"
Go back?" Someone shouted: "The king has not kept his word, why should we sacrifice our lives for him?" The soldiers became more and more angry, and finally gathered in front of the military tent of Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu, they shouted
, the company manager will make the decision for them.
Guan Zhi's father walked out with a sword, cursed and persuaded, and coaxed the soldiers back. But he himself came back angrily. Lian Cheng said: "I think we have to get rid of this foolish king, otherwise you and I are here
Sooner or later there will be a mutiny."
Guan Zhifu said: "Don't act recklessly. If such words reach the ears of the lord, it will be terrible."
Lian Cheng said: "What are you afraid of? We have military power, but you are afraid that I won't do anything?"
Guan Zhifu said: "Even if you dare, I can't do it just by you alone."
Lian Cheng said: "Don't worry. I have a solution."
Guan Zhi's father was surprised and asked, "What can you do?"
Lian Cheng said: "I have an internal response."
Guan Zhi's father asked: "Who?"
Lian Cheng said: "Gongsun is ignorant."
Gongsun Wuzhi was the son of Yi Zhongnian, the brother of Duke Xi of Qi. Duke Xi of Qi and Yi Zhongnian had a very good relationship. After Yi Zhongnian's death, Duke Xi of Qi adopted Gongsun Wuzhi as his adopted son and gave him special care. Gongsun Wuzhi
The clothes Wuzhi wore and the carriages and horses he used were all used according to Yi Zhongnian's specifications. This special treatment caused dissatisfaction among the legitimate sons of Duke Xi of Qi and some of his concubines. After Duke Xianggong of Qi came to the throne, he canceled Gongsun Wuzhi's special treatment.
His treatment was reduced to that of a common concubine. In this way, the pampered Gongsun Wuwu held a grudge against Qi Xianggong.
Lian Cheng had some friendship with Gongsun Wuzhi, and he understood Gongsun Wuzhi's thoughts very well. Therefore, when Guan Zhifu asked him, he mentioned Gongsun Wuzhi.
It took Liancheng two days to finally understand Guan Zhi's father's thoughts. Then, he went back to Linzi, found Gongsun Wuwu, and encouraged him to act as an internal correspondent.
Gongsun Wuzhi had long been dissatisfied with Qi Xianggong, so as soon as Lian Cheng expressed his thoughts, Gongsun Wuzhi hit it off. It's no wonder, because they both need each other. Without Lian Cheng's soldiers and horses, Gongsun Wuzhi couldn't do it, and without Gongsun
If you don't know how to act internally, you won't even be able to do it.
After the two reached an agreement, Lian Cheng said: "It's not enough for the two of us to join forces, we have to find an insider in the palace. We must accurately grasp Zhu'er's situation."
Gongsun Wuwu said: "The palace is full of Zhu'er's people, how can we find the inside story?"
Lian Cheng said: "Isn't my sister in the palace?"
Gongsun Wuzhi smiled and said: "Oh, it's true. Go meet her quickly and let her be our eyes and ears."
Lian Cheng said: "I can't go. You need to tell this matter in person. First, I am stationed in Kuiqiu now, and it is rare for me to be in the capital. Second, I cannot enter the palace once or twice a year, and I feel very nervous every time I see her.
It's difficult. Not only can you communicate with the palace, you also have the opportunity to enter the palace. Also, if you don't do this, it will be done, but if you do, it will be done, otherwise your life will be in danger. Although my sister is resentful, but
We don't know what she thinks. We have to test her and make her submissive. Only in this way can it be considered safe. This is not a matter of a sentence or two, nor can it take a day or two. So you have to take action personally.
"
Gongsun Wuwu knew that he had the means, so he smiled and said: "Don't worry, go back, leave this matter to me."
After Lian Cheng left, Gongsun Wuzhi quickly figured out a way. He asked his wife to give gifts to Concubine Lian to get closer. He also asked his wife to invite Concubine Lian out to drink and have fun in Gongsun Wuzhi's garden.
After several encounters, Gongsun Wuzhi became involved with Concubine Lian. Gongsun Wuzhi, like Duke Xiang of Qi, was also a handsome man, while Concubine Lian was a resentful woman who had lived in the palace for a long time. As the two of them came into contact more, they began to flirt with each other.
Ambiguous meaning.
Seeing that the heat was almost over, Gongsun Wuwu arranged food and drinks at home. He dismissed the people waiting on him and drank alone with Concubine Lian. During the banquet, he persuaded Concubine Lian to drink while teasing her with words. Concubine Lian's ears were filled with excitement, but her heart was beating.
Pretending to be coy. Gongsun Wuwu was an expert in love and knew that Concubine Lian's desire had been aroused by him. After drinking, Concubine Lian appeared drunk. Her eyes were blurred and her cheeks were flushed, especially those two patches.
The red lips were rosy and full, looking like roses after the rain, so delicate and beautiful. When Gongsun Wuzhi saw that the fire was coming, he stood up and helped Concubine Lian. Concubine Lian half pushed him away, followed Gongsun Wuzhi and went to the inner room to enjoy the clouds and rain in Wushan together...
…
After Concubine Lian had an affair with Gongsun Wuzhi, she couldn't help but be in love with her. She came to Gongsun Wuzhi whenever there was an opportunity. Gongsun Wuzhi deliberately controlled her, and often deliberately shied away from Concubine Lian when she was in a state of confusion and lust.
Concubine Lian fell deeper and deeper into the trap, unable to extricate herself. She also complained to Gongsun Wuwu and said, "Why do you always avoid me?"
Gongsun Wuzhi said: "I am not hiding from you. The more I think about it, the more afraid I am. If one day I am accidentally discovered by Zhu'er, it will be a big deal."
Concubine Lian said: "Humph, how can he care about me? Now that he has that demon Wen Jiang, he won't come to my palace at all."
Gongsun Wuwu said: "This doesn't work either. I'm still panicking."
Concubine Lian asked: "What should we do?"
Gongsun Wuwu said: "I think if we want to stay together for a long time, the only way is to remove this troublesome person. Other than that, there is no other way."
Concubine Lian was shocked at first, and then said: "I will do whatever you say, and I will follow you. I have hated him to death for a long time."
Gongsun Wuwu said: "You help me deliver the news in the palace, and we should cooperate internally and externally. After the matter is completed, I will become the king of the country and make you my queen."
This promise exceeded Concubine Lian's expectations, and she happily agreed.
Now that things have come to this point, the next step is to wait for the opportunity.
In the winter of 686 BC, Qi Xianggong was going to Beiqiu (also known as Peiqiu, south of Zibo, Shandong today) for hunting. Concubine Lian hurriedly revealed the news to Gongsun Wuwu.
Gongsun Wuzhi sent someone to deliver the news to Kuiqiu overnight, and ordered Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu to quickly lead troops to Beiqiu and ambush Qi Xianggong.
Duke Xiang of Qi hunted for two days in the shell hills. On the third day, he injured his leg. This is what happened:
That day, the hunting was coming to an end. A wild boar suddenly jumped out of the woods. The wild boar did not go toward anyone else, but rushed towards Qi Xianggong's carriage. The guards rushed to capture the guy, but the wild boar had already rushed in front of Qi Xianggong's carriage.
The wild boar suddenly stood up like a human, opened its fangs and opened its mouth and rushed towards Qi Xianggong. Qi Xianggong yelled, rolled out of the car and fell to the ground. At this time, the guards arrived just in time, and a flurry of swords and axes struck him.
, chopped the wild boar into mud. When he helped Qi Xianggong again, his leg had been broken. The team immediately returned to the station.
This incident caused a lot of discussion among the soldiers. Some sergeants said privately that the wild boar was transformed from the ghost of Prince Peng Sheng. He came to Qi Xianggong to ask for his life.
Duke Xiang of Qi also heard the rumors. That night, he had a dream, and he dreamed of the young master Peng Sheng. The young master Peng Sheng was like a wild boar, screaming at him with teeth and claws. Duke Xiang of Qi broke out in a cold sweat.
Qi Xianggong suffered from pain in his legs, irritability in his heart, tasteless food, and restless sleep. He wanted to go back to Linzi but could not take the car, so he stayed in Beiqiu. He heard the roar of the wind and the forest every night, and had nightmares. It was really tormenting.
Three days later, it was a dark and windy night. The cold wind blew through the treetops, making a howl like ghosts and wolves. Duke Xianggang of Qi began to dream again, and it was still young master Peng Sheng who he dreamed about. Just when he was curled up in the bed and shivering.
, suddenly heard the sound of fighting outside the door, accompanied by screams.
Qi Xianggong suddenly woke up, sat up suddenly, and listened carefully. Before he could figure out what was going on, the door was suddenly knocked open, and a follower named Meng Yang came in with disheveled hair.
Meng Yang gasped and shouted: "Lord, it's not good, there are rebels coming to kill. Hurry and hide."
Duke Xiang of Qi came back to his senses and ignored the pain in his legs. He hurriedly jumped out of bed, put on his clothes and asked, "Where to hide?"
Meng Yang rushed to the window, opened it and said, "Quick, jump out from here."
Duke Xiang of Qi didn't care, climbed up the window sill, and jumped out. Meng Yang didn't jump out with him. He turned back, went to bed, covered himself with a quilt, and pretended to sleep. As soon as he lay down, a group of soldiers rushed towards him.
When he came in and saw someone on the bed, he slashed with his knife and chopped Meng Yang into pieces in an instant. The leading sergeant lifted up the quilt, lifted Meng Yang's head and looked at it carefully and said, "Wrong, this is not the Marquis of Qi."
At this time, Guan Zhi's father came in with a knife. He stepped forward and saw that he was wrong. Guan Zhi's father looked around the room and then ordered the soldiers to search outside the house.
Let’s talk about Duke Xiang of Qi. He jumped out of the window, dragging a lame leg. After a short distance, he couldn’t run anymore. There happened to be a bush next to him, and he ducked in. His body curled up in the bush, and he felt
It had been covered, but unfortunately he didn't notice that his lame leg was exposed a little. The searching soldiers quickly found him and roughly took him out.
A group of soldiers dragged him to Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu.
When Lian Cheng saw Qi Xianggong, he pointed his sword in his face and cursed: "You are a foolish king. You have fought for many years and killed countless people. This is unkind. You do not respect the order of your ancestors and punish Gongsun Wuzhi. This is unfilial. Take my sister for granted."
It is unethical to be a wife; to take the melon and work as promised but not to fulfill it is to be untrustworthy. Such an unkind, unfilial, unethical, and unfaithful king, I will kill him now to eliminate harm to the country of Qi."
Qi Xianggong knew that he could not escape this disaster, so he did not say a word. He just raised his head, maintaining the dignity of a monarch, and regarded Lian Cheng and others as nothing. Lian Cheng was furious, swung his bronze sword, and killed him with one strike.
Cut over.
Lian Cheng, Guan Zhi's father killed Qi Xianggong, and led troops and horses to attack Linzi City overnight. Gongsun Wuwu's men opened the city gate, and Lian and Guan's second generals entered the city smoothly without encountering any resistance, and took control of the entire city that night.
.
In the early morning of the next day, Gongsun Wuwu came to the court and announced in court: "My lord was assassinated in Beiqiu and was seriously injured. I have been ordered to temporarily supervise the country. Ministers, you all perform your duties and do whatever you are supposed to do."
The civil and military officials in the court were whispering to each other, and there was a buzz for a while, but everyone knew that Gongsun Wuzhi was a character who was not easy to mess with. The buzz was buzzing, but no one raised any objections. Gongsun Wuzhi didn't care what they thought, and he took the seat of Qi Xianggong.
superior.
After the situation stabilized, Gongsun Wuzhi announced: "The king was seriously injured and has unfortunately passed away. Now he will take care of the government on his own." In fact, this was tantamount to declaring himself king.
After Gongsun Wuzhi came to power, he was still trustworthy. As expected, he made Lian Fei his queen, and named Lian Concubine Shangqing, known as the uncle of the country. He named his father as Yaqing, in charge of the army of Qi.
The coup d'état was temporarily subsided.
As time went by, the cause of Qi Xianggong's death gradually spread. The ministers all pretended to be confused. Although they did not dare to say it clearly, they showed their anger by slacking off in their actions. Gongsun Wuzhi's abilities were inherently inferior.
Qi Xianggong, in this situation, felt a kind of pressure that he could not stand alone.
One day, Gongsun Wuwu went to Guan Zhifu and asked him to find some capable people to help manage the government.
Guan Zhi's father said: "I have a nephew named Guan Zhong. As far as his ability is concerned, no one in the civil and military affairs of this dynasty can match him. As long as he is willing to help, my lord's empire will be stable."
Gongsun Wuwu said: "Why don't you hurry up and invite me?"
Guan Zhi's father said: "He is not in Qi State, but now in Lu State."
Gongsun Wuwu said impatiently: "No matter where you are, invite me. You hurry up and find a solution."