You may be wondering, as a big country in the East and a major vassal state in the Central Plains, why does Qi not come to participate in the "Mi Bing League"? In fact, it's not that Qi doesn't want to come, but it's just that it can't come.
Before and during the "Bing League Meeting", there was an internal strife in Qi State that shocked the whole country. Prime Minister Ji Zhu and Minister Qing Feng were the main participants in this internal conflict. They could not escape at all, so Qi State did not care about it at all.
What is the "Mibing League"?
On the surface, this internal fight was caused by some people wanting to avenge Qizhuang Gong, but in fact it was a power struggle between Ji Zhu and Qing Feng.
Ji Zhu was originally the prime minister, with one person subordinate to ten thousand people, with overwhelming power. After he killed Duke Zhuang of Qi and established Duke Jin of Qi, he not only had monopoly power, but also became more arbitrary. In the court, he was the only one with seniority.
, the one who could compete with him in terms of prestige and strength was Qing Feng, the minister in charge of the army. Ji Zhu was a little afraid of Qing Feng, so he was always on guard against Qing Feng. Qing Feng was also worried that Ji Zhu would attack him, so he always tolerated it.
He hid his dissatisfaction and anger and pretended to be indifferent to the world.
When the secret contest between the two intensified, Qingfeng suddenly resorted to a tactic of concealment. He often complained of illness and made excuses not to go to court. He also changed his past diligent style, often drinking and having fun at home, and from time to time
He went out hunting for two or three days. Occasionally appearing in court showed his indifference to government affairs. He also asked people to spread the news that Qingfeng had no intention of power and only wanted to have fun.
Seeing that Qingfeng did not fight for power, Ji Zhu gradually relaxed his vigilance towards him. On the surface, the two maintained the harmony they had before the coup.
During his lifetime, Duke Zhuang of Qi had two confidants, one named Lu Pukui and the other named Wang He. Both of them were loyal and brave men. After Duke Zhuang of Qi was killed, Wang He burst into tears and said to Lu Pukui: "My lord,
We are kind, but now that he has been plotted against, we cannot avenge him, so we should show our loyalty with death. Only in this way can we repay our lord for his kindness to us."
Lu Pukui said: "Death is very easy. But what's the use of dying? If you want to be loyal, you can only avenge your master. The most important thing at the moment is to save your own life. When the time is right, we will find a way to revenge."
So Wang He fled to the State of Ju, and Lu Pukui fled to the State of Jin.
Lu Pukui was a tall man with a handsome appearance. In addition to his superior martial arts skills, he was also quite scheming. Before he left, he said to his brother Lu Pukui: "Now the only person in Qi who has the strength to deal with Ji Zhu is Qing Feng. I'm leaving.
After that, you have to find a way to get close to Qingfeng. If you can become his confidant, you can recommend me to him. When we all become his confidants, I will have my own way to avenge my lord."
Lu Pu'ao was a strong man and a handsome man. He liked to dance with guns and sticks, and his martial arts skills were quite good. He found out that Qingfeng's son Qingshe was also such a person, so he made friends with Qingshe in the name of being a martial arts friend.
Got into a relationship.
Qingshe also admired Lu Pu'a. Not only because Lu Pu'a was good at martial arts, but also because Lu Pu'a had some brains and deliberately catered to him. The two soon became good friends and often competed in martial arts and practiced spears together.
Bang. In this way, Lu Pu'ao became Qingshe's follower.
For a while, Lu Pu'ao showed embarrassment and depression. Qingshe asked: "You seem to be hiding something from me during this time?"
Lu Pu'ao smiled calmly and said, "No."
Qingshe said: "You seem very unhappy. Did I treat you badly?"
Lu Pu'ao said: "Brother Qing treats me like a brother and takes great care of me. Lu is where he is today, all because of Brother Qing's support."
Qingshe asked: "You must be in trouble. You might as well just tell me. If I can help you, I will definitely help."
Lu Pu'ao crossed his hands and said, "Brother Qing, if you don't treat me as an outsider, I'll tell you the truth. In fact, I can be considered a person with a lot of skills, but I can't serve the country. Every time I think of this, I can't help but feel a little regretful."
Qingshe laughed and said, "What did I think it was? This is easy to handle. I will recommend you to my father. With your ability, you will be successful in the future."
When Lu Pu'ao bowed his head, Qingshe helped him up, patted his chest and said, "Brother Lu, there is no need to thank me. This is a trivial matter."
Not long after, Qingshe recommended Lu Pu'a to Qingfeng as expected. However, Qing She made a request, not to let Lu Pu'a out, but to stay with him. He would also often talk to Lu Pu'a.
After competing in martial arts, Qingfeng asked Lu Pu'a to be his retainer. This arrangement was exactly what Lu Pu'a needed.
Lu Pu'ao worked diligently and showed great loyalty to Qing Feng. Within half a year, he became Qing Feng's confidant.
At this time, Ji Zhu's family was having internal strife. Because Ji Zhu doted on Tang Jiang, he wanted to give the inheritance rights to Tang Jiang's son Tang Wu Jiu. This aroused the dissatisfaction of his ex-wife's son Ji Cheng and Ji Jiang. But Ji Zhu couldn't do anything at all.
No matter so much, he made it clear that after his death, the inheritance rights of the city would be left to Tang Wujiu.
Cui Zhu's eldest son, Cui Cheng, saw that his father was determined to have his own way, so he made a request to his father: As the eldest son, he was willing to give up his inheritance rights, on the condition that Cui Zhu would leave the city of Cui Zhu to him.
. He was willing to guard Jicheng and be a rich man who would have nothing to do with the world for the rest of his life. Jizhu agreed.
Tang Jiang and Tang Wujiu were satisfied with their inheritance rights. But Dong Guo Yan discovered a problem. He said to Tang's mother and son: "Ji City is the foundation of the Ji family. Obtaining the city is equivalent to getting most of the income from the food." Tang
If the young master can't get the city, even if he has the right to inherit, he can only act according to the face of the city in the future."
Tang Jiang went to give Ji Zhu a pillow. Ji Zhu then changed his mind and decided to give Cui Cheng to Tang Wu Jiu. In this way, Ji Cheng, Ji Jiang and Ji Ming couldn't bear it anymore. They secretly discussed to get rid of him.
Tang Wujiu.
Lu Pu'ao had been keeping an eye on Ji Zhu for a long time, and his insider reported all the news to him. Lu Pu'ao felt that there must be an opportunity in the internal fighting of the Cui family. He said to Qing Feng: "First of all,
You are the one who urged Zhu to kill, but the crime was carried by you and him together. It doesn’t matter, but all the benefits were taken by Xiangguo. Master, you didn’t gain anything. I know you are magnanimous. But we
These retainers all feel sorry for the master."
Qingfeng sighed and said, "What can I do? Now we are urging the Prime Minister to take power. I have no choice but to endure it."
Lu Pu'ao said: "I heard that recently, the Ji family brothers have been divided into two factions because of the fight for inheritance rights, and they are fighting fiercely with each other. I have a suggestion, we might as well get closer to both factions, so that we can definitely find someone.
The way to deal with the Cui family is as long as the Cui family falls, the Qing family will inevitably rise."
Qingfeng said: "You are quite capable, I will leave this matter to you. You should be careful in doing it."
Lu Pu'a got Qingfeng's permission and contacted the Cui brothers and Dong Guo Yan respectively. The Cui brothers said that as long as Lu Pu'an could help them get rid of Tang Wujiu and Dong Guo Yan, they would listen to Lu Pu'a
. Dongguo Yan and Tang Wujiu also expressed that they were willing to join forces with Lu Pu'a as long as Lu Pu'a had a way to help them defeat the Cui brothers.
As Lu Pu'a's contact with both sides increased, Lu Pu'a figured out the needs of the Cui brothers and Dong Guo Yan. They didn't have any soldiers. Behind Lu Pu'a was Qing Feng, who was in charge of the Qi soldiers.
The horse man. Lu Pu'ao threw out a bait.
He said to Ji Cheng: "You know, Dr. Qing and Mr. Xiangguo have been friends for generations. As long as you need me, I can encourage Dr. Qing to mobilize troops to support you."
Later, Lu Pu'ao went to Dongguo Yan again, and he said to Dong Guo Yan: "You know, Cui Xiangguo and Doctor Qing have always been at odds with each other. Doctor Qing is eager to see the Cui family's jokes. As long as you
If you need me, I am willing to encourage Doctor Qing to mobilize troops to support you."
Lu Pu'an's bait worked. The Ji brothers came to him first. Ji Cheng said: "The time and place have been arranged. As long as Uncle Qingfeng can send troops to assist, we can kill Dongguo Yan and Tang Wu."
blame."
It turned out that Ji Cheng and others had waited for an opportunity when Ji Zhu went out hunting. They planned to set up an ambush in Ji Mansion while Ji Zhu was away, trick Dong Guo Yan and Tang Wu Jiu into coming, and then kill them. The only problem was that they needed soldiers.
.
Lu Pu'ao reported the situation to Qing Feng. Qing Feng immediately sent a confidant general with fifty soldiers to assist them. To ensure that the operation went smoothly, Qing Feng specially asked Lu Pu'ao, whom he trusted very much, to accompany the soldiers.
action.
Lu Pu'a notified Jiucheng of the situation in advance and told them to prepare quickly.
With the support of Qingfeng, Cui Cheng, Cui Jiang, and Cui Ming became bolder. They held a family banquet in Cui's house, and then sent people to invite Dongguo Yan and Tang Wujiu. These two people
Without any precautions, he happily went to Ji Zhu Mansion. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the manor, he was surrounded by ambushed soldiers. Before he could resist, Ji Cheng ordered to take action. Only two screams were heard, and Dong Guo
Both Yan and Tang Wujiu became victims of the sword.
Ji Ming and others killed Dong Guo Yan and Tang Wu Jiu. They were panic-stricken and followed the soldiers to escape from Ji Mansion.
Lu Pu'ao said to Brother Cui: "You all go back to your homes and hide in your homes. I don't expect that the Prime Minister will do anything to you. After all, you are all his biological children. What are you afraid of? At most, you will suffer a little punishment.
It’s just suffering.”
Cui Ming and others believed it and all fled back home. Lu Pu'a then asked his soldiers to quietly return to the camp and wait for orders. He himself ran away and returned to Qingfeng Mansion.
In the evening, Ji Zhu came back from hunting. As soon as he entered the house, he saw that the house was in a mess. Just when he was about to find someone to inquire, a retainer came to report that the eldest young master had rebelled and killed Dong Guo Yan and Tang Wu Jiu. Ji Zhu was furious.
He shouted that he wanted to accuse the traitor. At this time, Tang Jiang rushed out of the house with tears on his face and howled at Ji Zhu. Ji Zhu's heart suddenly became confused.
He comforted Tang Jiang, got up and walked out. After leaving the door, he went straight to the Qingfeng Mansion. He didn't go to raise an army to question the perpetrators, because he didn't know they were soldiers from the Qingfeng faction. This was his plan:
This matter was a family scandal. If he mobilized troops to arrest his son, it would be shameful to spread the word, so he thought of Qingfeng. When he assassinated Duke Zhuang of Qi, Qingfeng had secretly supported him. Now this kind of thing,
It would be more appropriate to ask Qingfeng to come forward and help him deal with it.
Jie Zhu went to Qingfeng Mansion and explained the situation.
Qingfeng comforted him and said: "The Prime Minister is anxious and prone to making mistakes, so why not rest in my house first. I will ask my men to handle it. Just hold it and urge the others. How to deal with it is up to you."
Ji Zhu was upset and said, "Then I'll bother Doctor Qing."
Qingfeng immediately sent Lu Pu'ao and his trusted generals to lead people to Cuizhu Mansion. Before leaving, Qingfeng quietly told Lu Pu'ao: "I have stabilized Cuizhu here, but you can watch it yourself over there."
manage."
Lu Pu'ao understood it, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth and said: "Don't worry, sir, I won't leave any future troubles."
Qingfeng waved his hand and told Lu Pu'ao and others to hurry up and do it.
Lu Pu'ao and Qing Feng's trusted generals immediately rushed to the military camp, mobilized a small group of troops, and rushed to Ji Zhu's Mansion. When they arrived at Ji Zhu's Mansion, Lu Pu'ao pretended to pass the order to Ji Zhu and asked the steward of Ji Zhu's Mansion to pass the message.
, ordered the three brothers to come and confess.
Brother Ji Cheng thought that even if his father punished him, his life would not be in danger. So he took his servants to Ji Zhu Mansion. When he went there, he was caught on the spot by Lu Pu'ao.
Ji Cheng asked Lu Pu'ao, "Didn't you help me? Why did you hold me and wait instead?"
Lu Pu'ao smiled and said: "I didn't want to take you, it was your father who asked me to take you."
Jiucheng begged in a low voice: "Brother Lu, for the sake of our past friendship, please let me go. I will repay you generously in the future."
Lu Pu'ao also whispered: "It's easy to talk. Just look at my eyes and run away together."
Ji Cheng just thought that Lu Pu'ao wanted to help him sincerely, grinned happily, and winked at Ji Jiang and Ji Ming.
Looking at Lu Pu'ai again, I saw that he was looking at the door. He tilted his head and waved slightly, signaling to Xiu Cheng that they should run away. When Xiu Cheng understood it, he shouted and ran away. Xiu Jiang and Xiu Ming saw their elder brother and went out.
Run, follow and run. The three of them had just taken two steps when they suddenly heard Lu Pu'ao shouting: "If the thief wants to run away, kill him without mercy."
When the soldiers heard the order, they slashed with their swords. They only heard a few screams. All three of them, Ji Cheng, Ji Jiang and Ji Ming, were chopped to the ground. Lu Pu'ao walked up and kicked them, lying in a pool of blood.
He was so excited that he died of anger.
Lu Pu'ao asked his soldiers to guard the door and not allow anyone to come in or out, and then he broke into the inner room of the mansion with a knife.
At this time, Tang Jiang was packing up gold and silver items and preparing to escape. Lu Pu'an kicked open Tang Jiang's door and broke in. Tang Jiang screamed, turned around and wanted to run away. Lu Pu'an went up and grabbed him
She held it down and knocked Tang Jiang unconscious with one punch. Then she found a white silk ribbon, wrapped it around Tang Jiang's neck, and hung her on the beam.
After killing Tang Jiang, Lu Pu'ao came out and said to the soldiers: "Tang Jiang knew he was ashamed and hanged himself. Let's go back and recover."
Lu Pu'ao returned to Qingfeng Mansion and explained the situation in front of Ji Zhu. Ji Zhu screamed and fainted immediately. Everyone rushed to revive him. Qing Feng sent a car to take him back to the Prime Minister's Mansion.
As soon as Ji Zhu entered the house, he saw the bodies of his three sons lying on the ground in the hall. He moved his head and looked at each one, then raised his head and said with a crazy smile: "This is retribution, retribution.
"
He cried for a while, and suddenly ran into the inner room like crazy. When he opened the door, he saw Tang Jiang hanging on the beam with his head tilted. He hugged Tang Jiang's body and cried bitterly again. He cried,
He suddenly stopped, was stunned for a moment, and shouted viciously: "Old thief Qingfeng, I never expected that I, who had been so smart all my life, ended up being plotted by you."
After saying that, he fell down on the ground. The housekeeper knocked on the door and shouted at him to drink him away. He just sat on the ground alone in a daze, crying and cursing until he was exhausted.
Late that night, Ji Zhu untied Tang Jiang from the beam, took off the white silk ribbon around her neck, used the condom, and hung himself on the beam...