Under the auspices of Zhao Dun and Shi Hui, the Jin State implemented a new strategy. They changed the style of sending troops at every turn during the Jin Wengong era, and instead pursued profit. In other words, they helped whoever gave them money.
Speak and do things. This strategy is certainly good for Jin to recuperate and accumulate national strength.
But the princes don't see it that way. They believe that Jin is the overlord, and the overlord should uphold justice in the world. He should lead the princes to do things like assisting the royal family, resisting foreigners, and helping weak princes like Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin did.
Whoever gives money will be favored. Therefore, the strategies of Zhao Dun and Shihui caused the Jin State to gradually lose its power as a hegemon.
Zhao Dun and Shihui were also very aware of this situation. Therefore, when they heard that the old king of Chu, King Chu Mu, who was good at fighting, died and a new king (King Zhuang of Chu) came to the throne, the Chu court became depressed.
When the time came, they decided to form an alliance to reshape Jin's image as a hegemon.
In August 613 BC, Zhao Dun united the eight princes of Lu, Song, Wei, Zheng, Cao, Chen, Xu, and himself, and met in Song's Xincheng for an alliance. Jin was still the leader of the alliance. The meeting did not resolve any issues.
It did not put forward any new ideas. It just repeated the ideas of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin in a high-profile manner. Judging from the results, this meeting was not like the rebirth of a hegemon, but more like the curtain call of a hegemon.
Because Zhao Dun, Shi Hui and others gave up the responsibilities that an overlord should have, a situation emerged in the world where the overlord was in name only. In this state, the Zhou royal family could not control the princes, and the overlord did not care about the princes, so there was no restraint in the world. Within the countries
, rebellious ministers and traitors took advantage of the opportunity to plot against the king and usurp the throne. Things happened frequently.
In the four to five years from 614 BC to 609 BC, there were usurpations of power and thrones in the major vassal states in the Central Plains. This was especially true in Qi, Lu, Song and other countries. Some people complained to Jin
The state asked for help, but Zhao Dun, Shi Hui and others mostly responded perfunctorily and hardly sent troops. The attitude of the Jin state to a certain extent encouraged the arrogance of the rebellious ministers and traitors in the world.
Let’s start with Qi State.
When Zhao Dun organized the Xincheng Assembly, Qi Zhaogong (Gongzi Pan) was unable to come due to illness. He died of illness before the Xincheng Assembly was completed. His son, Prince She, came to the throne. Prince She had just come to power for more than two months, and Duke Huan of Qi
His other son, Gongzi Shang, who was Gongzi Pan's brother and Prince She's uncle, sent people to assassinate him. Gongzi Shang himself became the king of Qi, and he was Qi Yigong.
The reason why the businessman committed regicide was actually related to the incident of five sons competing for the throne when Duke Huan of Qi died. As mentioned earlier, when Duke Huan of Qi died, his five sons fought for the throne in Linzi.
There was a big fight in the city. Later, through the mediation of veteran officials Gao Hu and Guo Yizhong, the eldest son, Wu Kui, became the king. Then, the throne of Qi was passed on among these sons. After the death of Wu Kui, the eldest son, Wu Kui, became the king.
Zhao became the king. After Zhao died, Pan became the king again. When Pan died, the businessman thought: It's my turn this time. Unexpectedly, Pan's son Taizi She succeeded to the throne. This made him the king.
The businessman was so angry that he sent an assassin to kill Prince She, who had just ascended the throne less than three months ago.
In order to ascend to the throne, the businessman actually worked hard. When his brothers were kings, he often used his family property to help the poor. When he met heroes from all walks of life, he would also donate generously, so he won
He has a reputation of being charitable. In Linzi City and even in the court, he won a group of supporters. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that he does these things not because he is a good person, but because he has ideas.
After the prince merchant killed the prince, he first pretended to ask his brother Gongzi Yuan to be the king. Gongzi Yuan had experienced the previous bloody battle for the throne and did not want to get involved in the muddy waters of the prince merchant. He said: "Don't
If you don't hurt me, I'll be content just being a common citizen." Prince Yuan expressed his stance, and the merchant became the king with peace of mind.
Some of the ministers of the State of Qi secretly went to the State of Jin, hoping that the overlord would come forward to take care of this kind of conspiracy to usurp the throne. Zhao Dun made appointments with the seven princes of Song, Zheng, Wei, Chen, Cao, and Xu to prepare to send troops to Qi.
After Qi Yigong (the businessman) heard the news, he quickly sent people to send a large number of gifts to the state of Jin. After Zhao Dun accepted the gifts, he gave up the idea of sending troops. The throne of the businessman was thus firmly established.
Once a young businessman secures his position as king, all the desires that have been suppressed in his heart will be released.
He first clarified an old case for himself. That happened many years ago. At that time, he was still an ordinary prince. In order to compete for a piece of land, he had a conflict with Bingyuan, the official of Qi State. Duke Huan of Qi asked Guan Zhong to be the referee. Guan Zhong
Thinking that the businessman was in the wrong, he awarded the land to the Bingyuan family. Now that Guan Zhong and Bingyuan were dead, he could only use the land to vent his anger. The businessman sent people to take back the land from the Bingyuan family. He
Still not satisfied, he sent people to take away half of Guan Zhong's family's land.
The matter should have ended here. But the businessman was not satisfied yet. He thought that back then, Bingyuan looked down upon others, and he never thought that one day his businessman would be able to rule Qi. Since Bingyuan offended the king, he must be punished
But what should we do if Bingyuan is dead? The businessman is very imaginative. He sent people to dig out Bingyuan's body and cut off one of his legs. In this way, Bingyuan could not escape punishment after all.
Bingyuan's son Bingrong was a doctor in the court. One day, Qi Yigong asked him: "Should your father's sins be punished?"
How could Bingrong dare to say no? He hurriedly hesitated and said: "It should be done."
Qi Yigong felt very happy and asked happily: "If I chop off one of his legs, do you hate me?"
Bingrong said: "My father was not punished when he was alive. This was his fate. He has turned into dust, and the lord chopped off his withered bones. How can I resent the lord?"
Bingrong became more careful from then on. Qi Yigong observed for a while and felt that Bingrong was indeed convinced and had no objections. And Bingrong became more attentive and obedient every time he saw Qi Yigong. Qi Yigong enjoyed this feeling very much, he thought
, a loyal minister should be like Bingrong.
Bingrong finally gained the trust of Duke Yi of Qi with his extraordinary patience and shameless flattery. Duke Qi Yigong not only liked Bingrong, but also regarded him as a confidant and kept him with him.
After this incident, Qi Yigong fell in love with the wife of minister Yan Zhi again. One day, he called Yan Zhi over and talked about this matter.
Qi Yigong said: "It is said that your wife is as beautiful as a fairy. Can you let me see her?"
Yan Zhi smiled awkwardly and said: "My lord, there are so many beauties here, but my lousy wife is not worth mentioning. It's just embarrassing to say anything about it."
Qi Yigong smiled and said: "Since there are rumors, I would like to take a look."
Yan Zhi said: "Hey, my ugly wife, how dare you show your ugliness to your lord?"
Qi Yigong glared and said: "What a bad wife, what embarrassment, I just want to take a look, but this is not allowed?"
Yan Zhi quickly said with a smile on his face: "My lord, if you want to see it, there is nothing wrong with it. I will go back and send her here."
As soon as Yan Zhi's wife arrived, Qi Yigong's eyes lit up. She was indeed a beauty. He sent Yan Zhi away on the pretext that he wanted to invite Yan Zhi's wife to meet the ladies in the harem. That night, Qi Yigong left Yan Zhi's wife behind.
After sleeping all night, Qi Yigong felt really good, so he decided to take her in. Qi Yigong said to Yan Zhi: "Your wife wants to stay in the palace, and I agreed. You can marry another one. I will pay for it for you."
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Yan Shi dared to be angry but dared not speak out. Like Bingrong, he begged for mercy and became Qi Yigong's confidant.
Qi Yigong also built a summer resort called Shenchi. This place is surrounded by mountains and has beautiful scenery. The water in the pool is clear and you can swim. The pool is surrounded by bamboo trees and is very quiet. When the summer heat comes, Qi Yigong takes Bing with him.
Rong and Yan Zhi and other close friends came here to escape the summer heat.
In the summer of 609 BC, Duke Yigong of Qi came to escape the summer heat again. He brought a large group of beauties, and of course Bingrong and Yan Shi.
One night, the weather was extremely hot. He drank too much and after playing in the pool, he lay naked on the bamboo raft beside the pool to enjoy the coolness. After a while, he snored loudly. Two palace ladies sat quietly on his bed.
Beside him, a fan was gently waving to drive away mosquitoes.
Yan Zhi and Bingrong had nothing to do, so they ran to the pool to soak in cold water. They both had their own concerns, but neither dared to speak out. In boredom, Bingrong tipped the water to Yan Zhi's head. Yan Zhi scolded him.
He said a few words to Bingrong.
Bingrong said: "You didn't get angry when someone snatched your wife. I'll play with you, but you get so angry."
Yan Shi sarcastically said: "They cut off your father's leg and you didn't say anything. Is my wife's matter worth mentioning?"
After saying this, the two people's worries were revealed. They discussed for a while, got up, put on their clothes, took their swords, and walked into the bamboo forest. At this time, Qi Yigong was sleeping soundly. Yan Shi whispered to the maids: "
Please step back. My master will get up in a moment and need hot water, so go and boil some hot water. We will take care of you here."
As soon as the maids walked away, Yan Shi winked at Bingrong, and the two of them started to move together. One covered Qi Yigong's mouth and nose, and the other put his sword on Qi Yigong's neck, and cut him sideways, causing Qi Yigong's head to fall off.
They dragged the body deep into the bamboo forest and covered it up. They also threw Qi Yigong's head into the water and let it wash away. Then they rushed back to Linzi overnight.
Yan and Bing entered the city, first found a place to have a big meal, and then returned home unhurriedly, packed up their belongings, took their families, drove the carriage, and leisurely left the south side of Linzi City.
Door.
Bingrong's family members urged him to run away. Bingrong said: "Everyone can kill a tyrant, fool, and bastard like him. We killed him and everyone was happy. What are we afraid of? No one will come to me."
trouble."
Sure enough, Yan Zhi and Bingrong walked for two days, and no one came to chase them. The two of them calmly went to join the Chu State.
The ministers of Qi State were deeply disgusted with the businessman's behavior of assassinating the monarch, usurping the throne, and treating ministers tyrannically. When he died, everyone applauded. After discussion, the ministers invited Gongzi Yuan and established him as the king, who is Qi Hui Gong.
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Not long after the turmoil over this matter subsided, something happened again in the Song Dynasty.
There was a man named Gongzi Bao in the Song Dynasty. What he did was almost a replica of the businessman of Qi. Mr. Bao saw that the businessman of Qi had assassinated the prince. As long as he gave some gifts to Jin, he would be able to secure his position as king.
position, so he did the same thing.
Young Master Bao is the half-brother of Duke Zhao of Song Dynasty. Growing up, he was loved by his grandmother, Lady Xianggong of Song Dynasty. This made him develop an arrogant character. Young Master Bao was also very good at doing things, so he became a minister of the Song Dynasty.
How much I like him. On weekdays, like a businessman, Mr. Bao often takes out his family property to help those in need. Therefore, there are many rumors praising him among the people.
In 611 BC, the Song Dynasty suffered a famine. Prince Bao opened a warehouse to store grain. After all his own grain distribution was finished, Mrs. Xianggong of Song Dynasty gave Prince Bao the grain and property in her treasury and asked Prince Bao to distribute it to the victims. So,
Everyone in the Song Dynasty said that Mr. Bao was a kind-hearted person, and the people even said: "If Mr. Bao becomes our king, then the people of the world will be blessed."
Just as the reputation of Prince Bao was rising, some ministers among his party members were impatient. These people assassinated Duke Zhao of Song and helped Prince Bao ascend to the throne, which was Duke Wen of Song.
Two of Song Zhaogong's confidants came to Jin for help. Zhao Dun thought, I dare not take care of Qi, but Song can take care of it. So he sent Xun Lin's father as a general and made an appointment with Zheng, Wei, and Chen.
Princes, come together to quell the chaos.
The soldiers and horses from the four countries arrived at the border of the Song Dynasty and had just set up camp when Song Huayuan, the envoy of Song Wengong, arrived.
Song Huayuan first sent several carts of gold, jade, silk and other gifts to Xun Lin's father, saying that they were to reward the overlord and the princes. Then he talked about the conduct of the young master Bao, including the evaluation of the young master Bao by the soldiers and civilians of the Song Dynasty. Finally, he added:
"Everyone in the Song Kingdom hopes that Young Master Bao will be the king. This is public opinion. We implore the overlord to allow Young Master Bao to securely sit on the throne. I, Song Yuanhua, would like to thank the overlord on behalf of the Song Kingdom and the people of Song Dynasty."
Xun Lin's father accepted the gifts and distributed some of them to the princes of Zheng, Wei and Chen in preparation for the withdrawal of troops. The two princes of Wei and Chen had no objections, but Zheng Mugonglan objected. He said: "We came all the way here
, in order to defeat the rebellious ministers and traitors. The general accepted some gifts and planned to make peace with the Song Dynasty. Then what kind of justice is there to talk about?"
Xun Lin's father said: "The situation in the Song State is similar to that of the Qi State. We have been lenient to the Qi State, but we cannot be too harsh on the Song State. Then again, the people of the Song State support the young master Bao and are willing to make him king.
We can just follow public opinion. Why should we be so rigid?"
The two princes Wei and Chen did not want to fight, so they persuaded them from the side. Zheng Mu Gonglan also stopped talking. So Xun Lin's father made an alliance with Song Huayuan and recognized the status of Prince Bao as the king.
The news reached the ears of Dongmen Sui, the official of Lu State, and he could no longer calm down.
Dongmen Sui was the son of Duke Zhuang of Lu, also known as Gongzi Sui, or Zhong Sui. Because of his identity, he also wanted to imitate the example of Qi and Song in plotting to usurp the throne. He expected that after it was accomplished,
As long as you send money to Jin, there will definitely be no problem.
In 609 BC, Duke Wen of Lu died and Prince Er came to the throne. When the new king of Qi, Duke Hui of Qi, heard the news, he rushed to the funeral of Duke Wen of Lu and sent envoys to express condolences.
Dongmen then said to Uncle Sun Dechen, the minister of the State of Lu: "The State of Qi has come to express condolences, which shows that they are willing to be friends with us. We should seize this opportunity and climb the big tree of the State of Qi, so that we will have a backer in the future. When they have finished expressing their condolences,
, let’s go and return the gift. By the way, I would like to congratulate Young Master Yuan Rong on his ascendance to the throne. This is a good thing that kills two birds with one stone."
Uncle Sun Dechen thought it was reasonable, so as soon as Lu Wen Gong's funeral was completed, they both went to Qi State.
Duke Hui of Qi was completely different from the merchants. He was not as domineering and arrogant as the merchants. He was very humble and polite. On the night of the meeting, Duke Hui of Qi held a banquet and entertained Dongmen Sui and his uncle Sun Dechen.
After the wine was half drunk, the atmosphere between the guests was harmonious and they began to speak casually. Duke Hui of Qi asked: "Why is your new king called 'evil'? There are so many good words in the world, why did you choose such a word?"
Dongmen then said: "Our ancestors never liked him, so he deliberately gave him such a bad name."
Duke Hui of Qi asked half-jokingly: "So, who does your ancestor like?"
Dongmen then said: "Actually, what the late king likes is the young master. Speaking of the young master, he is not only good in character and capable, but also respects the ministers. Not only our late king likes him, but also the whole country likes him.
.To be honest, we all want him to be the king."
Duke Hui of Qi asked again: "In this case, why not establish him?"
Uncle Sun Dechen said: "Although the son is the eldest son, he is only a concubine after all, and the evil son is the legitimate son."
Qi Huigong said: "Actually, this kind of thing has happened in the past when the concubine was abolished and the concubine was established. According to me, whether the concubine is the concubine or the concubine is the concubine, the most important thing is that the person is good, as long as the person is good."
Uncle Sun Dechen hurriedly said: "When our ancestor died, we had to follow the old rules. That's why we appointed the young master to be evil. Wouldn't it be better to take the young master and bury him? I'm not afraid that you will laugh. Even today, there are still people in our country.
They are complaining about the late monarch. They all say that he should not have made the young master evil."
Dongmen then snatched the words and said: "The Marquis of Qi is here, and my foreign minister Dongmen has a request."
Duke Hui of Qi smiled and said, "You are welcome."
Dongmen then said: "If your country can help us establish a wise monarch, we are willing to serve your country and pay tribute every year."
Duke Hui of Qi was in high spirits after drinking, and when he heard this, he agreed. Dongmen Sui and his uncle Sun Dechen thanked him quickly, and then toasted frequently, praising the benefits of taking over. Duke Hui of Qi was so happy that he took advantage of the wine to chat with them.
Not only did he make a covenant, but he also promised to marry his daughter to the young master.
Dongmen Sui and Shusun Dechen became bolder with the support of Qi State. When they came back from Qi State, they plotted all the way, and started taking action when they arrived in Lu State. Young Master Wu was a child and was easy to deal with. Therefore, they succeeded smoothly
He killed Gongzi Xie and his younger brother Gongzi Shi, and established the young master as the king, who was Lu Xuan Gong.
After Duke Xuan of Lu came to the throne, he gave the land of Jixi to the State of Qi to repay Duke Hui of Qi for his great kindness.
Someone among the ministers of the Lu State asked Dongmen Sui: "Aren't you afraid of punishment from the Jin State for doing this?"
Dongmen then said: "The same thing happened to Qi and Song. Let's just send some money to Jin. We just lost two children. What's the big deal?"