There is a very subtle point in the diplomatic relations between countries, especially between Wu and Jin.
A long time ago, when envoys from the State of Wu went to the State of Jin, they would call them "King of Jin" in private. However, the State of Jin had never formally called them king. Even the countries in the Central Plains often used the name "King of Jin" in economic and trade negotiations.
To raise one's head, not to the Marquis of Jin or the Duke of Jin.
It is true that the State of Wu dominated the southeast, but the previous kings of Wu were quite pragmatic in the international political arena.
Jin is the overlord in the north and is far away from Wu, so what's the harm in flattering it? Wu's attitude back then was reciprocated and it received a large amount of international aid.
It was precisely with this batch of international aid that we were armed with talent, technology, capital, equipment, systems, etc., and then we overthrew the Chu State.
Although there were conflicts between Jin and Wu, the overall problem was not serious.
The strategic opponents are all the Chu State, and the pressure on the Jin State is even greater, because the potential competitors in the southeast, northwest and northwest of the Jin State are very strong.
With the rise of the Wu State, there was a southeastern overlord to reduce the pressure on the southern part of the Jin State. Generally speaking, the finances were much better.
By supporting Wu with one chariot, Jin will be able to produce at least five less chariots.
A Wu State with thousands of chariots can fight a terrible war with Chu State with thousands of chariots.
But if the Jin State wants to fight with the Chu State, especially in the Central Plains, it must be thousands of chariots.
The current situation is changing. The relationship between Jin and Wu in the past will naturally change as the old monster Gouchen ages.
Jin Guo, who had been comfortable for many years, obviously also wanted to stretch his muscles and bones.
A strategic enclave connecting the north and the south is a very good idea.
For a small regional power, it is difficult to control an enclave, but for a hegemonic power, there is no pressure even if the enclave is in another capital.
Have you tried swallowing it?
Biyang State has a strong desire to offer its territory to Wu State, so Jin State has no intention of attacking Biyang State.
North of the Huai River, near Surabaya, and a very convenient place to enter and exit the Central Plains, is the Xu State.
This was a rogue country that was once glorious but is now a noob. When it was beaten, people all over the world applauded and praised it.
It is not that Wu State does not want to manage the ruined homeland of Xu State, but Wu State's center of gravity is in the south and west rather than in the north.
Being able to form an alliance to dominate is an accident in itself.
The in-depth development of the Wuhu area is the highlight of the Wu State. With the rapid growth of population, a "Nanchao clan" can seduce the heart of the old monster. Its true hidden thoughts have been difficult for the outside world to peep into.
Li Jie allowed Li Jie to "wreak havoc" in Jiangbei and developed his ideas at will. In the end, Wu Guoguo enjoyed the results.
How much cultivated land Li Jie develops will generate much tax revenue for Wu in the future.
And Li Jie is very loyal.
At least now it seems that Li Jie's performance is simply perfect. Except for the fact that his behavior is too rough and too barbaric, there is no trace of a civilized society at all.
There was turmoil in Xu State, but the development of Jiangbei was not affected at all. Wu Jia just set out to march westward in an orderly manner. There was also news that the young master would preside over this batch of Wu Jia's military operations.
"It's so obvious that you have improved your qualifications. It's really... so enviable."
Seeing that the young master had achieved such great success, County Magistrate Li couldn't help but lament that it was just a matter of raising one's eyelids for such a top second generation to get some credit.
Decades later, after all the contemporaries were dead, what those who came after saw was that a certain young man casually destroyed a once glorious regional power on his way home.
Only those who live in this era understand that Xu State is not a big country. It has degenerated into the state of a tribal alliance and is extremely weak.
Moreover, the monarch was very perfunctory even in organizing sacrifices, and there was no complete collection of bronze vessels. The monarch was buried in a very low-key manner, even inferior to many small countries.
"Shou Li, it seems that Jin will dominate again."
Standing under the map in the office, Ying Jian looked at Li Jie with a serious face.
"What does it mean to dominate again? The Jin State is already the overlord." Li Jie rubbed his chin and suddenly said, "I think this Jin State does not want to seek hegemony, but wants to become the king."
The "Emperor Zhou" who now lives in Luoyi still uses the reign name and is called "Dai Shou".
Many kings of small countries, when announcing government decrees, also look up and say "receive x years". This matter may not seem important, but it is actually very important.
As a large country with the surname Ji, it is different from the Kingdom of Wu. The Kingdom of Jin and the Zhou Dynasty belong to the same family, and the Kingdom of Wu is still a little less "containing Ji" with the surname Ji.
The so-called Jin State's attitude has always been to "respect the king", which is more resolute than Qi State, Qin State, Zheng State and Song State.
He was able to complete the core of hegemony in the north and even the Central Plains, and he also "respected the king". To put it bluntly, he controlled "rituals". The right to interpret and speak was entirely in the hands of the Jin State.
Of course, others can also rob it, but the gameplay after the robbery is still the same as that of the Jin Dynasty, and you can't escape.
The only two perverts are the Chu State and the Wu State.
But in fact, compared with the Wu State, the Chu State was more civilized. He acknowledged his status as a viscount and admitted that he had guarded the bonfire for Emperor Zhou.
The state of Wu was different. When he arrived in the Central Plains, he yelled at the princes: Do you think I am a dick?
What a gangster.
Although he is a hooligan who is educated and skilled in martial arts, he is still a gangster.
If the two international policemen from Qi and Jin had taken care of Wu, there wouldn't have been that much trouble. But they couldn't settle it. Instead, the international police were beaten away by gangsters, and one of them was beaten to the point of becoming autistic. This
Where can I go to reason?
The one who really abolished "ritual" was not the State of Chu, but the State of Wu.
For the first time, I really used my strength to speak, and I was not unreasonable.
The openness of power politics on the international stage began with the State of Wu.
The collapse of the times began so suddenly.
As the hegemonic power with the most talented people, since Jin has noticed this change, it is impossible to continue to live in the old way and must change.
The "Zhou Tianzi" that was still usable can now be thrown away.
The same surname is Ji. If you can be called the king, I can naturally be called the king too.
There are precedents. Look at the state of Wu. You can't say that the surname of Wu is not Ji.
Moreover, the international community has now recognized this change. You see, the Wu State is so barbaric and crazy, forcing the Yang State to donate its land and the Tan State to surrender. What does this mean? It shows that everyone recognizes this form of annexation and is willing to follow the big rule.
The company is messed up.
But Jin was still cautious and wanted to test the waters first.
As the saying goes, throw a stone out and see what happens.
Xu State is the best place to test the waters.
If you seize an enclave and slowly manage it, as long as there is not much movement in the international community, it will speak volumes.
On the surface, the two hegemonic powers are shamelessly carving up small countries, and some scholars in the field are madly talking about "the weak and the strong", but it is of no use. The small and weak countries that deserve to be destroyed will still have to be destroyed.
"King?"
After listening to Li's explanation, Ying Jian was shocked, "Can Jin be crowned king?"
"With the credentials of the two countries, Wu has always been respectfully addressed as King Jin. With Wu's approval and mutual recognition, who in the world would dare to object? Even Chu would be excited."
"This..." Ying Jian was silent for a while, and finally nodded and sighed, "That's true."
"That king of Chu State is nothing, who will admit it? But this king of Wu State, how many people admit it? Huaisi, more than ten or twenty countries in the Central Plains admit it, and more than a dozen countries in Jianghuai also admit it. Now give it to
If we get an opportunity, even if we know it is proposed by an enemy, Chu State will still welcome it. Do you believe that on the first day of Jin State’s restructuring, Chu State came to congratulate and hand over the credentials the next day?”
County Magistrate Li looked disdainful and said to Ying Jian, "An international giant like Jin State with excellent performance is going to be listed. I don't know how many people are waving checks to invest. You are kidding me."
Once he becomes king, the original junior country may ask for annexation, affiliation, merger... No matter what it is, in a word, he is willing to enter the Jin system.
The Jin State did not claim the title of king, and everyone was still a minister of the Emperor of Zhou. In theory, they were "equal".
Now that Jin has set up its own business and changed its course, the younger brothers have a backbone, and the direction of development is extremely clear. In one sentence: make Jin bigger!
The company's performance is getting better and better, shareholders big and small are happy, and the dogs below can also make a living.
Don't worry about whether it's leftovers or not. At least leftovers can fill your stomach, right?
"Then...Shou Li, are we going to send the crocodile men and brave men to the Xu Kingdom?"
"Why are you so anxious? Xu Guo is that kind of rubbish. Jin and Wu Guo fell down just by pushing each other. You think Xu Guo is still a domineering lady now, she is just a little luoli."
"..."
Ying Jian, who looked confused, didn't understand what the boss was saying at all. He just watched the boss keep mumbling: "This matter about Xu Guo comes and goes very quickly, at most ten days and a half, Xu."
The country is almost dead. Who do you think is responsible for the turmoil in the Xu Kingdom? It must be the king of Gusu. After the Xu Kingdom is defeated, it depends on what the Jin State does. If it settles down, it depends on the Xu Kingdom.
What? Let’s get rid of the dogs.”
"Why?"
"You are stupid. The Jin State has made it clear that it wants to farm and manage the Xu State's old land. There is a high probability that it will be 50-50 with the Wu State. However, as long as the Jin State wants to farm, the Song State, a cultural hooligan, will dare to jump out and stab it.
The Jin State has no intention of taking charge of the overall situation, so the Song State dares to attack Biyang."
"Fight again with Biyang?"
"Actually, the Song State is already preparing for war, but because of the 'Chixia', the Song State cannot recruit a younger brother now. But on the other hand, because of the 'Chixia', we can call in a lot of thugs, understand?"
"..."
Ying Jian, who thought he had a lot of skills, shook his head, he really didn't understand.
"The Song Dynasty used to be strong, and the younger brothers had to listen to it. But now we have established a united front through 'Chixia'. We have many friends but only one enemy. Do you think this can be regarded as 'the enlightened man will help more'?"
"'Big Red 01' also has such wonderful uses?"
"Nonsense, those monarchs are afraid of having a hard life after death, so they always stuff good things into the graveyard. This 'Big Red 01' looks so beautiful, it looks very precious, but compared with gold, this
You’ll save a lot of money.”
Ying Jian was stunned for a moment, then he clapped his hands and praised, "That's true."
"You said that if someone goes to help the Song Dynasty and is cut off by me, do you think these monarchs will be anxious? It is not the monarch who goes into battle, but the warriors and the officials who die, but if there is no 'Big Red 01
', The only person who would lose face in going to the underworld is the monarch himself."
"..."
Although he knew this was fallacy, Ying Jian had to admit that he was convinced by his boss.