The Qin generals Qi Zi, Feng Sun, and Yang Sun who were stationed outside the capital of Zheng originally thought that Qin Mugong returned because Zheng had surrendered to Qin. But now, Zheng followed Jin's wishes and sent a
Prince Lan, who was pro-Jin, was made crown prince, which was obviously a sign of surrender to Jin. The three of them decided to report this news to Duke Mu of Qin and ask him to punish Zheng.
After receiving the report, Duke Mu of Qin naturally felt very uncomfortable. However, he was not willing to quarrel with Duke Wen of Jin, so he endured the situation.
In 629 BC, Duke Wen of Jin died. Before that, several important figures in the Jin State, Hu Yan, Hu Mao, and Wei Ji, all passed away one after another. Duke Mu of Qin felt that he should intervene in the affairs of the Central Plains.
In the second year, Qi Zi met Sun, and Yang Sun sent someone to report to Duke Mu of Qin, saying that Duke Wen of Zheng had died, and that Gongzi Lan had ascended the throne, becoming Duke Mu of Zheng.
Duke Mu of Qin thought, how could Zheng be allowed to surrender to Jin? He remembered a sentence in Qi Zi's report: "The people of Zheng only know that there is Jin, but they don't know that Qin exists." So he decided to use troops against Zheng.
At the court meeting, both Jian Shu and Baili Xi objected to sending troops. Jian Shu said: "We left troops in Zheng State to protect them. But now we want to attack them. Isn't this dishonest? Jin Guo and
The king of Zheng has just died, so we don’t express condolences, but instead take advantage of the situation to rob him, which is unjustifiable both emotionally and rationally. There is another problem. Zheng and Qin are thousands of miles apart. No matter how concealed they are, they will be discovered. To say the least, even if
Even if we win, we won’t get Zheng’s land. If we lose, the losses will be huge. In my opinion, the disadvantages of this matter far outweigh the advantages. Is it unbelief, unkindness, unjust behavior, or injustice?
It’s better to do it.”
Duke Mu of Qin was impatient and said: "I have put down the civil strife in Jin several times, so I should have been the overlord long ago. It was only because Chong'er defeated Chu that I gave up the position of overlord to him. Qin did it
How many people helped the Jin State carry the sedan chair? It makes me feel angry just thinking about it. Now that Chong'er is dead, shouldn't we go to the Central Plains to make a fuss? Do you all want to stay in the west and be treated by the princes of the world as the Southern Barbarians of Chu?"
Uncle Jian said: "Even if we want to use troops against Zheng Guo, we can't just rely on Qi Zi's words. We should ask my lord to send someone to express condolences to Zheng Guo first. Find out the situation first, and then use troops before it is too late."
Duke Mu of Qin said: "Soldiers are very quick. Why do you express your condolences first and then find out the situation? How much time will be wasted by going back and forth like this? I think you are getting old. No wonder you are always so timid. There is no point in it.
Fighting spirit.”
Uncle Jian retreated in shame. Duke Mu of Qin then worshiped Meng Ming as his general, Xi Qi Shu, and Bai Yibing as his deputy. He sent three hundred chariots to kill Zheng Guo.
In December of 628 BC, the Qin army officially set off. On the day of departure, Uncle Jian and Baili Xi had been waiting outside the east gate early. Seeing the troops coming in force, Uncle Jian cried and said, "I'll see you go."
, I won’t see you come back.”
Duke Mu of Qin was also seeing him off. When he heard Uncle Jian's words, he frowned - what an unlucky thing to say. He couldn't help but cursed: "I think you should die early. If you don't live long enough,
Death, the trees on your cemetery are thick enough to build a pavilion."
Uncle Jian and Baili Xi both said quickly: "How dare we cry to the army? It is our sons we are crying about."
You can't blame a father for worrying about his son, right? Duke Mu of Qin couldn't say much. Baili Xi hurried away and went to tell his son Meng Mingshi.
When Xi begged for help, Bai Yibing came galloping over to comfort Uncle Jian and told him not to cry for their journey. Uncle Jian said, "When you go out this time, Zheng is not to be feared, but Jin is to be feared. Be extra careful.
careful".
Xiqishu said, "Don't worry, father. My brothers will take care of each other and everything will be fine." After saying that, they both said goodbye to Uncle Jian, got on their horses, and walked away among the team.
The Qin army marched all the way eastward. From December of the first year to February of the second year, they reached the boundary of Hua Kingdom (now south of Yanshi County, Henan).
On this day, as the team was marching, someone blocked the way. The man claimed to be an envoy from the State of Zheng and asked to see the commander-in-chief. The soldiers at the outpost brought the man to Meng Mingshi. Meng Mingshi asked: "Who are you and what is your surname?"
Who are you calling? Why are you blocking the way?"
The visitor bowed and bowed, then smiled and said: "I am the envoy of the State of Zheng, my name is Xuan Gao. Our lord heard that the troops from friendly countries were coming to our country, and he did not forget his promise to be the 'host', so he sent me first.
You have sent us twelve cows. It’s not a big deal, but let the soldiers have a good meal first. I want to express my condolences for your hard work along the way.” After saying that, he smiled again.
Meng Mingshi was startled and glanced at Xiqi Shu beside him. Xiqi Shu was also looking at him with confused eyes. They were all wondering: The Qin army marched in secret all the way to Hua State, why did the Zheng people
Got it? They also sent people to labor the army. Meng Mingshi made up a lie: "We are going to the Hua Kingdom, not the Zheng Kingdom, why do you bother so much?"
Xuan Gao said with a smile: "We are the 'hosts'. As long as your country comes to the east, we should fulfill our friendship as landlords."
Meng Mingshi said: "In this case, I accept the gift. Thank your monarch for me. Okay, you can go back." After saying that, he bowed his hand and said goodbye to Xuan Gao.
As soon as Xuan Gao left, Meng Mingshi ordered the team to stop advancing, the front team changed to the back team, and marched towards the Hua Kingdom. Xiqishu asked in surprise: "General, aren't we going to attack the Zheng Kingdom? Why did we go back?
.”
Meng Mingshi said: "We secretly passed through the territory of the Jin State. When we get here, we are at least a thousand miles away from our own country. We wanted to attack the Zheng State secretly, but unexpectedly, they got the news. I estimate that the Zheng State has already made preparations.
A quick victory is impossible. But if you want to go back, you can't go back empty-handed. Let's go and destroy the Hua Kingdom and get some more property back, so that we can give an explanation to the lord."
In this way, the Qin army diverted to Hua State.
In fact, Meng Mingshi was deceived by Xuan Gao. Xuan Gao was not an envoy at all, he was just a cattle dealer. He was driving cattle to Luoyi to do business, and met a businessman from Qin on the way.
As soon as they chatted, they started talking about the Qin State sending troops to the Zheng State. Unexpectedly, although this Zheng Guo man, Xuan Gao, was a cattle trader, he was very patriotic. He was worried that the Zheng State was not prepared, so he thought, no matter what,
He also wanted to inform the people of Zheng, but the place was too far away from Zheng and there was no time. So he thought about it and thought, if he could not inform the people of Zheng, he would have to deceive the people of Qin. In this way, Xuan Gao pretended to be Zheng.
The envoy deceived Meng Mingshi and others.
As soon as the Qin army left, Xuan Gao rushed back to the state of Zheng. After Zheng Mugonglan got the news, he immediately ordered to prepare for the battle. At the same time, he sent people to investigate the movements of the Qin army that had been stationed in the north of the city. It was found that all the people of the Qin state were
He was arranging his weapons and packing his luggage, as if he was going to fight.
Duke Mu of Zheng convened a court meeting to discuss how to deal with Qin's troops. Some people suggested that the Qin army only had two thousand troops, and a sudden attack could annihilate them in one fell swoop. Some people objected: "If we destroy this army in front of us,
Two thousand men and horses will attract four thousand tiger and wolf troops from the Qin State. Never act on your own initiative."
The two opinions were in dispute, and Zheng Mugong couldn't make up his mind for a while. At this time, he turned to look at Zhu Zhiwu, who had been silent. This Zhu Zhiwu had not spoken since the last time he told Master Qin to retreat with his unshakable tongue.
, Zheng Guo’s court and people all respected him. Zheng Wengong, who was in power at that time, kept him in the court and became a doctor. At this time, Zheng Mugong looked at Zhu Zhiwu, hoping to listen to his opinion.
Zhu Zhiwu said: "The people of Qin left a group of soldiers and horses outside Xingyang City and asked us to provide them with food and drink. This is intolerable. These soldiers and horses must be eliminated sooner or later."
Zheng Mugong asked: "Then you mean to fight?"
Zhu Zhiwu smiled and said: "We can't fight. We can only drive them away."
Duke Mu of Zheng snorted and said, "How can we drive away an army of soldiers and horses without using troops?"
Zhu Zhiwu said: "I am willing to lobby. I will try to drive them away with my sharp tongue."
Zheng Mugong didn't believe it in his heart, but he said: "Old sir, if you can really defeat the enemy by two thousand with your words, I will give you a heavy reward."
Zhu Zhiwu said: "I dare not say whether I can retreat. However, since I have taken over this matter, I should try my best to make it happen and make sure to promote it."
In this way, Zhu Zhiwu took only his entourage and rode in a carriage to the Qin army's camp.
Three Qin generals, Qi Zi, Feng Sun and Yang Sun, were secretly surprised when they saw Zhu Zhiwu coming. Because they were stationed outside Xingyang of Zheng State, the Zheng people had never dealt with them except to provide them with supplies. Of course, this is okay.
Understandable. Because in the eyes of Zheng people, they are no different than invaders.
Zhu Zhiwu claimed that he was entrusted by his lord and came to offer condolences. When he said this, Qi Zi, Feng Sun, and Yang Sun felt even more guilty. The people of Zheng had never welcomed them, and they had never expressed any condolences.
.Now, what kind of medicine is sold in this Zhuzhiwu gourd?
Qi Zi whispered to Feng Sun, "I'm afraid this old man is here to spy on the military situation."
Feng Sun said: "Maybe something happened."
Zhu Zhiwu saw Qi Zi and Feng Sun muttering, but he pretended not to see anything and continued to talk. He expressed condolences to Qi Zi and said: "The three generals have not returned to Qin for so long in our country. I want to
Home?"
Qi Zi said: "It is my duty to be a general when I am ordered to go on an expedition. Why are you homesick?"
Zhu Zhiwu asked again: "Is there anything inadequate in our monthly supply?"
Just as Yangsun was about to speak, Qizi said first, "Very good, good. We need food on time every month. I will express my gratitude here."
Zhu Zhiwu smiled and then asked: "According to the rules of other countries, soldiers and horses are replaced once a year when they are on duty abroad. The three generals have been in our Zheng Kingdom for more than a year. Why haven't you seen anyone come to replace you?"
Zhu Zhiwu said one thing here and another here and there, rambling on and on. Qi Zi and others guessed that he was here to spy on the military situation, so they became more and more tight-lipped. Yangsun was impatient and couldn't control his anxiety, so he asked:
"Old gentleman, you're not here just to talk nonsense, are you?"
Zhu Zhiwu smiled mysteriously and lowered his voice and said: "General, please tell me the truth. We have received news that Meng Mingshi's men have arrived in Hua Kingdom. Why don't you go?"
When Qi Zi and others heard this, they were surprised. They looked at each other, meaning that it seemed that their military operations had been leaked. Qi Zi had to make up some lies to deal with it. Zhu Zhiwu also said a few perfunctory words, and then
As usual, he left carelessly.
That night, Qi Zi, Feng Sun, and Yang Sun all thought that Qin's military operations had been leaked, and Zheng had regarded Qin as an enemy and was ready for battle. Their two thousand lone army could attack at any time.
They were all in danger of being surrounded and annihilated. So they decided to go as far as possible. In the middle of the night, this group of two thousand people fled the state of Zheng in the dark.