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Chapter 94: The Fall of Cai State

King Ling of Chu lived in the palace of Chen State. He left part of the army to guard outside the city, and at the same time sent some officials to take over the political power in various places of Chen State. He stayed in the palace of Chen State for ten days, and people from all over the country came to report that Chen

The territory of the country had been taken over. At this time, King Ling of Chu indulged in wine, meat, singing, dancing, and beauties every day. He was tired of playing and did not want to attack Cai State, so he led his army back to Chu State.

After returning to China, after a year of training, he felt too idle again, so he remembered his preparations to attack Cai Guo. He found Wu Ju and said to him: "It is autumn now, let's go hunting in Cai Guo.

.”

King Ling of Chu said hunting was fighting, because at that time the princes often jokingly called fighting hunting.

Wu Ju thought for a while and said: "To defeat Cai Guo, you don't have to go in person. If you write a letter to the prince, he will automatically send it to your door."

King Chu Ling smiled and said: "Doctor Wu, you are too crazy. This is equivalent to blowing a horn and asking the prey to come to your cage. Is this such a good thing?"

Wu Ju also laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you might as well give it a try. If Master Bazhen doesn't come, it won't be too late for us to go get him again."

King Chu Ling said: "Since you are so confident, then I will give it a try."

So King Ling of Chu wrote a very polite letter and sent a messenger to the state of Cai, asking the prince of Cai to come to Chu for a visit.

After the messenger delivered the letter, he also said many words of praise to Marquis Cai and asked him not to refuse and to go to Chu in person.

Gongsun Gui, the official of Cai State, said to Cai Houban: "My lord, Chu State is not trustworthy. Their purpose is to annex us. Last year, Chen State's Young Master Sheng, Gongsun Wu, and Situ Zhao were all fooled by them.

The country is ruined and the family is destroyed. I guess there must be some conspiracy behind their sweet words. My lord, it is better not to go, so as not to be fooled."

Cai Houban said: "The State of Cai is too small, equivalent to a county of Chu State. If I don't go, if I anger them and send troops to attack, how can we withstand it? As the king of a country, I should not consider personal safety."

I’d better go.”

The prince returned to life and said: "What should we do if something unexpected happens? A country cannot be without a king for a day. I think if the lord is determined to go, then let the prince take charge first. If anything happens, someone can make the decision."

.Lord, do you think it’s okay?”

Cai Houban said: "That's okay. Let's ask Young Master You to take charge first."

Cai Houban knew that there would be many dangers when he went to Chu State, so he carefully selected seventy guards as his followers. He thought that if something happened, these seventy highly skilled guards would fight to protect him, maybe

He was able to escape. Of course, this was the most effective defensive measure he could think of. So he went to Chu State.

As soon as Cai Houban arrived in Yingdu, someone reported the situation to King Chu Ling, and specifically mentioned his seventy warriors. The person who reported the report said that the seventy warriors looked capable and strong, and they were all skilled in martial arts.

A powerful dead warrior. Please pay attention, Lord.

King Chu Ling quickly called Wu Ju for discussion. King Chu Ling said, "Marquis Cai has brought seventy dead men. What do you think we should do?"

Wu Ju smiled and said: "This is our territory. Not to mention seventy people, even seven hundred people can't make waves." After saying this, Wu Ju thought for a while and said, "I have a plan, that's all it takes."

In this way, we can take them down in one fell swoop."

When Wu Ju finished speaking about his idea, King Chu Ling laughed and said: "Good idea, let's do it."

After Cai Houban met with King Chu Ling, King Chu Ling warmly invited Cai Houban to have a drink. The banquet was naturally divided into two tables, one table was for King Chu Ling, Cai Houban and the accompanying ministers, and the other table was specially for that person.

Seventy guards. Because there were so many guards, their banquet was held in another room.

During the banquet, King Ling of Chu was very friendly, treating the king as if he were a king, without any intention of asking any guilt. Young Master Cai Hou originally had a grudge in his heart, but when he saw King Ling of Chu being so polite, he blamed himself for "treating him like a villain."

"The belly of a gentleman". As soon as he relaxed like this, he chatted with King Ling of Chu like a king, and drank together. His seventy guards were also accompanied by the generals of the Chu State, and relaxed their belly.

Eat the mountains and drink from the sea.

King Ling of Chu asked the ministers to toast Cai Houban in turn. Cai Houban was afraid of offending the people of Chu, so he risked his life to drink. After several reincarnations, Cai Houban was already drunk and unconscious.

King Chu Ling winked at a general. The general walked out silently. When he arrived at the banquet of seventy guards, he saw that the seventy strong men were already staggering around and were extremely drunk. So he called someone

He quietly collected their weapons.

After everything was ready, the general shouted loudly, and the ambush soldiers on both sides swarmed out, and in a blink of an eye they tied the seventy drunkards like rice dumplings.

When King Chu Ling learned that they had succeeded, he asked people to tie up Cai Hou Ban at the banquet. Cai Hou suddenly woke up from his drunkenness. He asked: "Why did you tie me up?"

King Chu Ling smiled and said: "If you really don't know, then I will tell you in detail." Then he leaned on the seat and talked about Cai Hou's crimes like a chat.

It turns out that Gongziban is the son of Cai Jinggong. From the perspective of succession, there is no obstacle for him. The problem lies with his father, Cai Jinggong. Gongziban's wife is very beautiful, and for some reason, the father-in-law fell in love with his daughter-in-law. This

The father-in-law is the king of a country, and it can be said that he has to win the wind and rain. Since he is interested in his daughter-in-law, he must get her. This is not a difficult task for Cai Jinggong. The two of them are like this

Got it done.

As time passed, the matter was naturally discovered by the prince. He couldn't bear it anymore and decided to kill Cai Jinggong.

One day, he told Cai Jinggong that he would go hunting and it might take several days before he came back. Cai Jinggong was eager for him to go quickly, so of course he agreed.

As soon as the son-in-law left, Cai Jinggong went to find his daughter-in-law. This old man probably liked the feeling of stealing. When the two were having a rough time in bed, the son-in-law responded with a murderous attack. Both the father-in-law and the daughter-in-law were caught in a flash of swords.

He died unexpectedly. He killed Cai Jinggong like a prince and announced to the outside world that his father died of a sudden illness. Then he became the king himself, which is Cai Linggong.

The story of Cai Linggong's regicide and seizing the throne was slowly revealed. In the Central Plains at that time, the Jin State was the overlord. Cai Linggong sent people to send a batch of gifts to the Jin State, and the matter passed as a matter of course.

Now King Ling of Chu wanted to fight for hegemony, so he had to show his defense of justice and rules, which is what a overlord should show. So, he dug up the old stories of Cai State and used this reason to kill Duke Ling of Cai.

King Ling of Chu killed Cai Hou and went to recruit seventy guards of Cai Linggong himself. When these guards heard that Cai Hou had been killed, they all made a fuss.

King Ling of Chu said: "Be quiet. Cai Houban killed his father. He is unfaithful and unfilial and unworthy of being the king of a country. As the overlord, I cannot ignore such things. As long as you surrender, you can be promoted and make a fortune if you want."

If you really don't want to surrender, I can let you go back."

The leader of these seventy people was named Cai Lue. He laughed and said: "I heard that King Chu strangled his father to death. According to you, you are also a traitor and a traitor. Why do you blame Marquis Cai? Besides,

, Cai Hou’s father was discourteous and did something unethical, which led to his own ruin. Everyone in Cai Guo knew about this. How can you blame our lord? You tricked us and killed us.

He kidnapped our king and kidnapped us again, it’s really despicable.”

King Chu Ling sneered and said: "I wanted to give you a way to survive, but I didn't expect you to be so stupid. Since you want to die for him, I will help you."

Cai Lue said: "It is easy to kill us, but the matter will not be over. We still have sons, and after our sons we will have grandchildren. Just wait. Someone will always come to you for revenge."

King Chu Ling laughed loudly and said, "I have never believed in evil. If you say that, I will kill you." So he ordered his men to push out all seventy guards and chop them down.

After King Chu Ling killed Cai Houban and his seventy guards, he still felt angry and sent his brother, Prince Qiji, to lead an army to attack Cai.

Young Master You and Gongsun Guisheng of Cai State were well prepared. They strictly ordered to defend to the death, and the Chu people could not enter the city for a while. At the same time, Gongsun Guisheng sent people to ask for help from Jin State.

The man who was sent to Jin was called Cai Wei, the son of Cai Lue. When he learned that his father had been killed, he volunteered to move reinforcements. Seeing that he was eager for revenge, Gongsun Guisheng agreed.

Cai Wei traveled day and night to the Kingdom of Jin, met Duke Zhao of Jin (son of Duke Ping of Jin), and told the whole story. Duke Zhao of Jin discussed it with the ministers.

Xun Wu (the son of Xun Yan and the grandson of Xun Lin's father) said: "Last time the Chu State attacked the Chen State, we did not go to the rescue. This time they attacked the Cai State, if we don't go to the rescue again, it would be equivalent to giving up.

What will the princes of the world think of the responsibility of an overlord?" Duke Zhao of Jin thought it was reasonable, so he sent Han Qi, the son of Han Jue, to meet with the princes and rescue Cai Guo.

In 531 BC, Han Qi summoned the officials of Qi, Song, Lu, Wei, Zheng, and Cao to discuss sending troops. When the officials of the six countries heard that they would go to war with Chu, they were hesitant.

Han Qi said: "Everyone should know very well that Chu State has already destroyed Chen State. If you allow them to destroy Cai State again this time, then it will be your turn next time. If you don't save Cai State today, who will save you in the future?"

?”

The officials of the Six Kingdoms knew that it was right, but they looked at me and I looked at you and did not express their opinions. Han Qi was so angry that he pointed at Hua Hai, the official of the Song Dynasty, and said: "It was the Song Dynasty that proposed the 'Ceasefire Alliance Meeting'

Yes, everyone has something to say first. If whoever sends troops to invade other countries first, we will jointly send troops to punish him. Why have you not said a word at this time?"

Hua Hai hesitated and said: "It's not that we don't want to send troops. It's just that the Chu barbarians are really fierce. If everyone doesn't express their position, what can our country do? Besides, since the 'Ceasefire Alliance', the countries have not fought for many years.

, the armaments are lax, and the troops and horses are neglected to train. Now they have to mobilize urgently, what are the chances of winning?"

Hua Hai's words touched the hearts of the officials from other countries, and they all agreed: "It's really a bit hasty. Let's think of other ways." Han Qi saw that everyone was very negative, and he had no idea for a while.

Hua Hai continued: "Let me tell you a way. Let's not mention the 'covenant to cease troops'. Let's just jointly write a letter asking the King of Chu to forgive Cai Guo and withdraw troops from Cai Guo. What do you think? I think public anger is hard to offend.

Maybe the King of Chu will agree."

This proposal received unanimous support from everyone. At this time, Han Qi could only listen to everyone's wishes and gave up his plan to send troops. So the princes of the seven countries discussed and wrote a letter to persuade King Chu Ling to withdraw his troops from Cai.

When the letter arrived in the hands of King Ling of Chu, he said to the envoy: "The State of Cai is my vassal state. It is natural for me to take care of their affairs. Please keep the princes of the Central Plains quiet."

King Ling of Chu sent an envoy to tell the young master to abandon his illness and ask him to step up his attack on Cai Guo.

Cai Wei saw that Han Qi had convened a doctor's meeting but nothing happened. Knowing that the move of reinforcements had failed, he hurried back to Cai State. As soon as he arrived outside the capital of Cai State, he was captured by Chu soldiers. Young Master Qiji killed him.

Put him in a prison van and be released later.

In the capital of the Cai Kingdom, the new ruler Gongsun You and his minister Gongsun Guisheng were waiting for reinforcements, but they did not see Cai Wei come back. They were worried. The young master abandoned his illness and attacked day and night outside the city, and the situation inside the city became increasingly critical.

One day, Gongsun Guisheng said to Young Master You: "If it doesn't work out, I will personally go to the Chu camp and urge Young Master to abandon his illness and retreat."

Young Master You said: "It all depends on you here. If you make any mistake, how can I defend this city? You must not take any risks."

Gongsun Guisheng said: "Then let my son go to Wu. Regardless of success or failure, you have to give it a try before you know."

Chao Wu was a clever man. When he went to the Chu camp and saw Master Qiji, he still looked at him and said, "I have a secret. I just want to tell you. I don't want others to know."

Gongsun Qiji said: "You tell me, these people are all my confidants."

Chao Wu said: "Please forgive me, General, and I will tell you."

Young Master Qiji said: "Say it. I don't blame you."

Chao Wu said: "I heard that among the sons of the King of Chu, Ziqian, Zixi, and Ziwei are not as talented as you, the general. Your old king originally planned to ask you to inherit the throne. But the talent of the prince is Wei.

They took the initiative to kill Lao Wang and seize the throne. Zi Qian and Zi Xi fled to the Jin Kingdom, but General you are serving as an errand under Young Master Wei. I would like to ask General, why can you tolerate it until now?"

Young Master Qiji sneered and said, "So you want to instigate rebellion against me?"

Chao Wu said: "No. I just want to remind the general. The current King of Chu has done something treacherous internally; externally, he has invaded all directions and offended the princes of the world. Internally and externally, he has become unpopular.

A person's defeat will be seen sooner or later. And general, you are still helping him conquer this country. Isn't this setting yourself on fire?"

Young Master Qiji said: "Do you want me to stop the army? But I have the emperor's order and I have to do it, otherwise it will be disloyal. I understand what you mean. I have spoken before and I will not punish you. You can go back."

Chao Wu did not dare to say anything more, so he stood up to say goodbye and quickly left the Chu camp.

Gongzi Qiji attacked the city as usual. The Cai people began to defend the city in 530 BC and held it for eleven months. Gongsun Guisheng died of illness due to worry and labor. The food and grass in the city were exhausted, and a large number of people starved to death. The defenders

The army could no longer support it, and finally the city fell.

Prince Qiji put Gongzi You, the son of Cai Linggong, and Cai Wei, the son of the warrior Cai Lue, into a prison cart and escorted them back to Chu as trophies. But he only kept Chaowu, Gongsun Guisheng's son, with him. He felt that this Dynasty

Wu will definitely be of use in the future.

After the young master was escorted to Chu State, he swore to die and refused to surrender. King Chu Ling killed him and used him as a sacrifice to the ghosts and gods. Cai Wei cried for three days. King Chu Ling felt that he was a loyal man and accepted him as his subordinate.

.

King Ling of Chu changed the State of Cai into a county of the State of Chu, and ordered his son to abandon Ji and become the Duke of Cai, stationed on the land of the original State of Cai.


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