80 This Battle, Follow the Cavalry (Part 1)

◎Huo Qubing: I will go! ◎

After Huo Qubing left, Huo Yan felt like he was suffering from separation anxiety, losing all motivation to do anything. Most of the young men had gone off to join Huo Qubing on the battlefield, leaving the Liquor Industry Bureau suddenly deserted, something Huo Yan found even more unbearable.

He could have tolerated loneliness, but it was too lively before, and now he was not used to it at all. So he went to Liu Che to ask to continue teaching Liu Ju, but was politely declined because Liu Ju was now the crown prince, and he had a room full-time teachers waiting in line. Huo Yan was a part-time teacher, and his internship period was over.

Huo Yan was furious and got angry for a moment.

He went to the publishing house to find the group of PhDs, saying that they wanted to take a break and asked him to cover for two days. However, he was also politely declined. The PhDs asked him to go, and their words were all about not harming good children.

This group of PhDs originally complained about the publishing house's shortcomings, but things changed when they started teaching children. Facing the children's dark and thin bodies, dark eyes, and timid desire for knowledge, the Confucian scholars suddenly developed a sense of mission. This is what Confucius said about teaching without distinction.

Originally, the publishing house had only three classes, with ten people in each class. Later, when they heard that the children really wanted to study, more and more children came. The workers in the factory even knocked their heads and begged the doctors from the publishing house. These doctors were assigned to Huo Yan by Emperor Wu of Han. Huo Yan said at the time that they were to teach him how to read and distinguish between good and bad books. Emperor Wu of Han then assigned a group of people with pure hearts and profound knowledge, so they accepted them all as long as they had seen the children.

Now the three classes have expanded to thirty classes, with one hundred students in each class.

Huo Yan was a money-allocating machine, and how to govern this place was the job of the doctors. He guessed that the doctors were unwilling to teach, so he planned to just let the children of these factory workers recognize a few words, and then send them to the army to work as doctors or to orphanages in various places. It didn't matter if they couldn't read, as not everyone was a genius.

Unexpectedly, the doctors were generous and these children finished learning the Four Books and Five Classics. They all knew literature and logic, and some of them could even do accounting.

Huo Yan took a deep breath.

"Let the prince come here to study."

The teaching staff is almost the same as that of the prince.

He was clearly smiling, but the person who received him shuddered.

Huo Yan raised his eyebrows. He usually communicated more with Liu Che and important ministers. A glance from his almond-shaped eyes unconsciously brought out a sense of intimidation.

The twenty-year-old young man, with a pair of innocent doe eyes and a doughy white face, faced his breadwinners and said with difficulty, "It wasn't extra money. Mr. Jiang deducted it from our monthly salary."

Huo Yan nodded, acting like a favorite of the emperor. The young doctor then quickly said, "We are willing, so Lord Huo, can you please not chase them away?"

[Huo Ayan, you are not allowed to reject him~]

You scared him.

[Oh my god, he's so cute~]

…

"I didn't say to chase them away." Huo Yan smiled and gave them a middle finger when no one was around. "It's just that you guys are so amazing and taught them so well. I feel a little emotional."

Faced with such a cute creature, Huo Yan also lowered his voice, fearing that he would scare him.

Xiahou Shichang touched his neck and smiled softly, his deer eyes slightly curved.

"Mr. Jiang said that Lord Huo is an excellent husband."

Huo Yan was so happy to get the good guy card that he just curled the corners of his lips slightly.

"I see that you are still young, sir. Is it because you are already well-educated, or are you seeking a teacher?"

Xiahou Shichang blushed, "I'm not worthy of being called a teacher. Just call me Xiahou, sir. I'm here to learn the Book of Songs from Mr. Jiang."

[Fuck, S card.]

A master of Confucian classics! After the deaths of Dong Zhongshu and Han Ying, he was highly valued by Emperor Wu of Han. In the fourth year of the Tianhan era, Emperor Wu established his youngest son, Liu Bo, as King of Changyi and appointed Xiahou Shichang as his Grand Tutor. He survived the swine fever epidemic in the fourth year of the Tianhan era, demonstrating just how good he was.

He wrote "Hong Fan Wu Xing Zhuan," which deeply researched and expounded on the Five Elements philosophy in the "Shang Shu Hong Fan." He was also a master of Yin and Yang, skilled in predicting Yin and Yang disasters. He once predicted the date of the fire at Bailiang Terrace, which accurately came true.

…

Huo Yan obediently called out to Xiahou, handed him a candy, and then continued walking forward.

"What kind of books are you good at?"

It is the fourth year of Tianhan, and my uncle has been dead for nine years. My uncle will feel very comfortable when he sees such a gentle person. He should treat this person well even if he becomes a demon.

Looking at the candy in his hand, Xiahou Shichang was stunned for a moment before replying, "I like Shangshu."

Huo Yan hummed, "The Crown Prince is short of a teacher to study the Book of Shang. Do you want to go? I can introduce you to the Emperor."

The young powerful official promised a bright future, but Xiahou Shichang shook his head like a rattle.

"I am not very good at academics, and I am afraid that I will burden you."

Huo Yan laughed again, "Have you read the biography of General Wei?"

Xiahou Shichang thought he had met a like-minded person and made a long list in one breath.

Huo Yan tore off his jade token and handed it to him, "Xia Hou, if you don't mind, you can come to my house for a chat when you're free. I can introduce you to the author of the book."

Pure people, lovely.

Xiahou Shichang quickly took it and held it in his arms.

Huo Yan smiled and told him to stop, and went to see Xia Qiu Jiang Gong herself.

[Baby, don't be afraid, he just likes silly and sweet girls.]

[He's a person with a hornet's nest in his heart, so he likes things that he can understand at a glance.]

[Ma Qian's position is about to be taken away.]

…

"Jiang Gong! Jiang Gong!"

As soon as Huo Yangang stepped in, he sat down on the Hu bed, leaning against the lacquered armrest, turning a five-zhu coin between his fingertips, watching the copper-green color cast a shadow in the morning light, and then shouted at the top of his voice.

Xia Qiu Jiang Gong strode out and threw a pile of papers at him.

Huo Yan took the article and took a closer look. It was the problem he had solved for Liu Ju.

Liu Che had many doctors, the most senior of whom was Xiaqiu Jianggong, who supervised his studies. Coincidentally, Xiaqiu Jianggong also taught Liu Ju. Some time ago, when he went to the palace to see his aunt, he saw Liu Ju chewing his claws while writing. He was so bored that he solved a problem for Liu Ju.

Hey, Ju'er, don't be silly. What's your own destruction? What's your immorality? It's all because of the greed of these tyrants. How can you, a little brat, eat a few mouthfuls of rice? And you're immoral? What immorality did you lose? You spilled the rice on the ground.

Huo Yan read more and more, and Liu Ju understood that the whole story just didn't make the powerful people behave properly.

Huo Yan was in the mood, but after reading Liu Ju's Eighteen Strategies for Fighting the Powerful, he frowned in disdain.

"Too immature. Not even as good as the 'Nine Essays on Treating the Poor' that I wrote when I was five years old."

What's the use of being powerful? It's just empty and pretentious.

Xia Qiu Jiang Gong's hemp scarf was blown slightly sideways by the draft. His spotted right hand was pressing on the bamboo slips of "Guliang Zhuan", and the blue veins on it were like earthworms.

I was just angry.

He gave Liu Ju a book three months ago. Now Liu Ju no longer blamed anyone for wrongdoing, but only thought that the powerful should be killed. It was obvious that he had been assimilated.

"I told you to teach people to understand the Spring and Autumn Annals. Liang is doomed, you traitor!"

Huo Yan crossed his legs. "I think it's because Lord Liang allowed the nobles to monopolize the profits from fish and salt, while the common people were taxed on the cost of brewing wine. The Guliang Chronicle says 'it's their own destruction,' but what I wrote is that it was the powerful who were sucking the blood and fat from the monarch, and they needed to be eliminated—"

The next volume of Jiang Gong's book arrived immediately, and Huo Yan's words that the Spring and Autumn Annals did not explain it clearly were swallowed back into his mouth, just like the abrupt end of the history book.

"Sir, if you don't like me, why would you throw my policy paper at me?"

He hummed and dusted off the book, looking unhappy.

"Even Dong Zhongshu wouldn't dare!"

[Yes, if Dong Zhongshu dared to throw it, he would tear Dong Zhongshu apart.]

[Mr. Jiang is very angry.]

[But still calling them "disciple" all the time makes people want to correct truly smart children, rather than control them.]

[In Ah Yan's heart, Dong Zhongshu is not as important as Jiang Gong.]

[Mr. Jiang is truly virtuous.]

[Also a master.]

Jiang Gong was eloquent, otherwise he wouldn't have lost the debate to Dong Zhongshu, putting the Guliang School at a disadvantage. He couldn't say he was better than Huo Yan, who was comparable to Dong Zhongshu.

"Go away! Sophistry, why don't you say that Uncle Liang is building a large-scale project? You, a Confucian scholar with a legalistic heart, should stop teaching His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Huo Yan turned over and sat up. He didn't know why, but he particularly liked it when Jiang Gong scolded him. Maybe Jiang Gong was a very pure person. He would never scold him even if he was scolded, and his praises would often touch his heart.

"Sir, Uncle Liang is also a powerful man. In today's terms, he is considered a prince." He said, then smiled, "You are a good judge of people. I am a law-abiding gentleman."

Lord Jiang immediately punished him by making him copy the chapter "The Fall of Liang" from the 19th year of Duke Xi.

Huo Yan refused to do so. He faced the portrait of Confucius on the wall and was about to ask Confucius to help him judge the case as before, but Jiang Gong took down the portrait of Confucius.

As Huo Yan was getting ready, he could only see the portrait of Confucius in Jiang Zhong's arms, which seemed to be smiling from his perspective.

Jiang Gong also smiled and said, "Go ahead and copy it. It will calm your mind when you are upset."

[You have come to this day, kid.]

[Mr. Jiang also doted on him.]

[Only when you are upset do you copy; if you are not upset, don’t copy.]

[Xunzi taught Han and Li.]

…

After hearing what Jiang Gong said, Huo Yan copied books in a confused mood. However, after copying the books, his heart was still empty, so he stayed at home and played with the children all day.

Wei Kang, Wei Buyi, and Wei Deng were so amused that they didn't dare to get close to Huo Yan. Instead, they all hid behind Pingyang Gong, who had married into the Wei Mansion some time ago.

Huo Yan scolded them for being heartless, and then the princess who had been watching them play invited him to stay for dinner.

To be honest, he was in a good mood when he tricked the princess into marrying his uncle. In fact, the princess's marriage to Wei Qing was even arranged by him and Emperor Wu of Han. But now, eating face to face with the princess, he felt a little embarrassed under her smile. He didn't know whether to call her aunt or uncle. In the end, he could only cut the meat fiercely with his red earlobes.

Pingyang had seen enough of the young man's embarrassment. She looked very similar to Liu Che. The sharp phoenix eyes unique to the Liu royal family, now when she smiled, softened the sharp curve, like peach blossoms blooming.

"Xiao Ayan, before the wedding, it was you who chose the jewelry your uncle gave me, right?"

Huo Yan rubbed his fingers. Is the princess dissatisfied with her uncle?

He speculated in his heart, and in his actions, he displayed the demeanor he usually displayed when interacting with Princess Pingyang. He knelt down and bowed lightly, his face gentle as he explained, "My uncle has been on the battlefield for a long time and doesn't really understand what girls like. He was afraid that the princess would not like it, so he asked Yan to come and give him advice. Could it be that he is not to the princess's liking?"

He then pretended to be anxious and said in a gentle voice, "I really should ask Wei Chang's sister to come and discuss this."

Pingyang looked at him carefully, then reached out and gently pinched the beautiful face while the boy was confused.

The Wei family members all have good looks, and Pingyang, who married into the family, has a deep understanding of this. Although she thinks that Wei Qing is the best-looking one, it is undeniable that the young boy in front of her and his brother are also the best in the Wei family in terms of appearance. The boy is gorgeous, with green eyebrows, almond eyes, lips as red as maple, and black hair as hard as iron.

Like her brother, she also liked beautiful women, otherwise she would not have allowed that young boy to enter the house and bother her for so long.

Huo Yan didn't understand. He was being pinched while talking to her. Was this some new etiquette?

"Princess, was Yan disrespectful?"

Ever since Pingyang married Wei Qing, Wei Qing would talk to her about his beloved nephew. As time went by, Pingyang couldn't help but love Huo Yan and his nephew. In addition, she also had some interactions with Huo Yan, so she cared more about the two children. Whenever Wei Qing spoke to her, he would also say a few more words. Naturally, she had a clear understanding of Huo Yan's personality.

She used to think Huo Yan was a well-mannered child, but now she felt that his politeness was just pretense.

"Ayan has always been courteous and considerate, a true gentleman of the ancient times," she pinched the young boy again, "your uncle said that you are the least close to someone and the most considerate to them. Now I see that it is true."

Huo Yan's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged. "Princess, you're right. It was Yan's negligence."

As he spoke, he smiled, his eyes bright and his features friendly.

"aunt."

He called her aunt, and Pingyang finally smiled. "Your uncle is a good man, and I respect him very much. You don't have to worry about him being criticized by me all day long."

Huo Yan laughed awkwardly.

Why does my uncle tell everything to others? Is it okay to tell him?

"My uncle also respects my aunt. I am still young and ignorant, so I only ask my aunt to be more lenient."

Pingyang continued laughing.

She finally understood why her brother liked this child so much. It was really fun to tease him.

"Ayan, do you know how I guessed this box of jewelry is yours?"

Huo Yan shook his head.

Then Pingyang showed him the gifts Wei Qing had given her: horses, a white horse, a black horse, and a chestnut horse.

Huo Yan coughed twice and laughed, "It will be so much more convenient for my aunt to travel in the future."

Pingyang smiled and took out a big gold necklace for him. The necklace was thick and colorful, inlaid with all kinds of colorful gems. It was a mess and so ugly that it was unbearable to look at. It was probably all shiny except for the sparkle.

[How can jewelry be so ugly!]

Oh my god!

The barrage of comments suddenly boiled over, and then stopped complaining under Huo Yan's murderous gaze.

"This was given to me by your uncle on our wedding night, along with your box. He said he personally went to the Right Wise Prince's tent to snatch it, and then he hung it around my neck."

"I don't wear one, but he still asks. I can only say I kept it and can't find it. He said he wants to rob me of one this time. What do you say I should do?"

[My uncle has really good taste.]

[The taste of showing affection~]

…

Huo Yan also sensed a hint of affection in the complaints, but when he looked at the ugly collar, he couldn't feel envious.

It’s good to be single. It’s good to be single.

Then he remembered that his brother had the same aesthetic taste as his uncle, and he liked everything big and bright. He suddenly began to silently beg his brother not to use the same aesthetic taste as his uncle and snatch things from him.

Brother, brother, he whispered twice, just rob it, as long as you don’t get hurt.

Han Army Camp in Yunzhong County

In the twilight, the Yinshan Mountains look like a crawling giant beast, and the snow on the mountain ridges glows green in the moonlight.

At the gate of the Han army camp, two rows of pine torches flickered in the north wind, tearing the shadows of the "Han" banners into dancing leaves. Although it was spring, the cold air in the Hu land always passed slowly. Frost condensed on the armor of the night watchmen, and every breath condensed into white mist under their helmets, which was then shattered by the north wind in the howling cold night.

The tallow lamps in the central army tent illuminated the maps drawn by the twelve publishers based on the soldiers' descriptions. Several generals sat in front of the maps, waiting for Wei Qing's orders.

The Yinshan Mountains stretch across the paper like an iron backbone, indicating that the chasm is difficult to cross.

But on Wei Qing's desk was a secret report from a scout: the Right Xian King's court was offering sacrifices to heaven in Longcheng, five hundred miles away, and the Xiongnu nobles were gathered, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a battle.

His iron armor glowed with a cold blue light under the lamp. The rhino horn pen in his hand suddenly stopped, and the ink spread out black spots on the drawing.

The curtains were suddenly lifted, and a cold wind wrapped in snow particles swept into the tent, and the lights all tilted towards the southwest. He looked up and saw that blood was condensed on Huo Qubing's silver armor and swam into his black collar.

He just went and killed two Hun scouts.

The young man's expression remained calm as he fixed his gaze on the large map. After a moment, he averted his gaze and, before everyone's gaze, pointed his sword sheath towards the heart of Mo Nan. "From here, we can advance straight to Longcheng."

He traced his slender fingertips across the winding Junji Mountain on the sand table until he reached the mark of "Longcheng". "This opportunity cannot be missed."

The generals in the tent were in an uproar. Li Guang sneered, "Does Captain Yao know that this place is six hundred miles away from the Han border?"

Huo Qubing's eyebrows remained unchanged as he bowed to Wei Qing and said, "General, please entrust this battle to me!"

Li Guang stood up suddenly, his gray beard standing up angrily, "How arrogant you are! When I left Yanmen Pass..."

Huo Qubing's eyebrows moved slightly, his eyes were deep and fierce, and the young man smiled lightly, "The old general is the old general, and I am me."

You can't do it, but I can!

Li Guangda scolded the boy.

Huo Qubing just looked at Wei Qing, who stared at the map without saying a word. The scene of Huo Qubing and A Yan lying on the top of the Chang'an city wall and shooting geese with slingshots when he led his army out of the border three years ago seemed to be still in his mind.

"How many soldiers do you want?"

"The Right Wise King's troops have over ten thousand soldiers." Captain Su Jian couldn't help but say, "General, Captain Yao is too young. I'm afraid..."

"Eight hundred Yu Lin cavalrymen, three times as many warhorses. That's more than enough." Huo Qubing was as sharp as a knife; today, his precious sword would finally be sharpened. "No baggage needed, just two bags of Ah Yan's rice for each man. No heavy armor needed, just new iron crossbows and ring-handled swords."

The north wind was howling outside the tent, and there was also some wind inside the tent. The red battle robe under Huo Qubing's armor fluttered slightly, like a ball of suppressed fire.

"Don't run too far." Wei Qing finally spoke, his voice as heavy as an anvil. "If you can't beat them, just catch two tongues."

Huo Qubing smiled and lifted the curtain, letting the wind and snow from outside the Great Wall howl in. He didn't feel the cold, so he just called out to his eight hundred cavalrymen. Outside the tent came the neighing of horses and the clanging of armor, the shouts of the eight hundred cavalrymen startling the cold night.

Follow the cavalry and go!

The north wind blew across his eyebrows, and the figure of the eighteen-year-old boy in red robe and silver armor disappeared into the darkness.

Handan.

The powerful families of the thirty-six counties finally noticed something was amiss. The head of the Guo family in Handan, along with thirteen elders from their respective branches, gathered around a broken ceramic wine jar. This was the seventh time that the Li family's son, assigned as the wine collector, had accidentally smashed the vessel.

"We can't let this brat mess around any longer! Send a letter, send a letter to the Li family!" Patriarch Guo's staff jabbed against the bricks, making them clang. "The court wants us to kill ourselves! Yesterday, the price of government-produced liquor dropped another five cents. Now it's only fifteen cents a dou. If this continues, our brewed Yuye wine will end up pouring into the Zhang River!"

This conversation took place among the powerful families, big and small, in the thirty-six counties of the Han Dynasty. In order to wrestle with the imperial court, they all came together to force their rebellious sons to return home.

Huo Yan's sales position was suddenly half empty.

Chang'an.

Huo Yan was bowing to all the gods in his home as usual. After hearing the news, he went to the Wine Industry Bureau.

Then he saw Sima Qian sighing at the resignation letters from the local customs officials.

"Ayan, they found out."

He was discouraged, Su Wu was discouraged, Sang Qian was discouraged, and even little Feng Ling, who was held by Wei Chang, hung her head.

"It took those idiots a while to react. How foolish they are."

The boy smiled mischievously, playing with the pen in his hand, his eyes deep.

"Fool, what a fool."

Just hand the knife back to me and I won't be polite.

【Author’s words】

I'll write the second half tomorrow.

This is what Yan Zai and Jiang Gong argued about.

Zuo Zhuan: Duke Xi's Nineteenth Year

In the spring of the nineteenth year, in the third month of the king's reign, the people of Song captured Teng Ziying at Qi. In the sixth month of the summer, the Duke of Song, the people of Cao, and the people of Zhu formed an alliance in Caonan. The prince of Yu met with the king at Zhu. On the 23rd day of the 11th month, the people of Zhu captured the prince of Yu and used him. In the autumn, the people of Song besieged Cao. The people of Wei attacked Xing. In the winter, the people of Chen, Cai, Chu, and Zheng formed an alliance at Qi. Liang was destroyed.

In the spring of the 19th year of Duke Xi of Lu, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, the people of Song arrested Teng Ziying, the ruler of Teng. In the summer, in the sixth month, Duke Xiang of Song, the people of Cao, and the people of Zhu formed an alliance in southern Cao. The prince of Yu traveled to Zhu to join the alliance. On the day of Jiyou, the people of Zhu arrested the prince and offered him as a sacrifice. In the autumn, the people of Song besieged Cao. The people of Wei attacked Xing. In the winter, Duke Xiang of Song joined forces with the people of Chen, Cai, Chu, and Zheng to form an alliance in Qi. The state of Liang was destroyed.

Then there are Zuo Zhuan and Guliang Zhuan, which are interpretations of the Spring and Autumn Annals.

In the spring of the nineteenth year, Suicheng was built and settled there. In the summer, the Duke of Song sent the Duke of Zhu Wengong to employ the Prince of Yu at the Cisui shrine, intending to subjugate him to the Eastern Yi. Sima Ziyu said, "In ancient times, the six domestic animals were not used for mutual benefit. Large animals were not used for minor matters, let alone humans. Sacrifices are offered to humans, and the people are the masters of the gods. If humans are employed, who will be the worshippers? Duke Huan of Qi saved three ruined states and made them subordinate to the princes, yet righteous men still called him immoral. Now, in a single act, you oppress the rulers of two states and employ the spirits of lewd and foolish men, aiming for hegemony. Isn't this too difficult? Death is a blessing!" In the autumn, the people of Wei attacked Xing in retaliation for the Tupu Campaign. Then, a severe drought struck Wei, and divination of the mountains and rivers revealed an ominous sign. Ning Zhuangzi said, "In the past, Zhou suffered from famine, but it conquered Yin and enjoyed a good harvest. Now Xing is unrighteous, and the princes have no lords. Is it perhaps Heaven's will that Wei attack Xing?" The advice was followed, and the army arrived, bringing rain. The people of Song besieged Cao, suppressing the rebellious forces. Zi Yu said to the Duke of Song, "King Wen heard of Chongde's rebellion and attacked him. He held a military campaign for thirty days but refused to surrender. He retreated, taught his people a lesson, and then attacked again, only to surrender after fortification. The Book of Songs says, 'Punish your widowed wife, and even your brothers, to protect your family and your state.' Now, your king's virtue is still lacking, yet you attack others. What is the matter? Why not examine your virtue internally? Only act when there is no deficiency?" Duke Mu of Chen asked to establish friendly relations with the other princes so as not to forget the kindness of Duke Huan of Qi. In winter, he made an alliance with Qi to restore Duke Huan's friendship. Liang was destroyed. It was not recorded by its lord; it was its own fault. Initially, the Duke of Liang was fond of earthworks and rushed to build a city without stopping. The people were exhausted and could not bear it, so he said, "Some enemy is coming." He dug up the palace of the Duke of Liang, saying, "Qin is about to attack us." The people were frightened and fled, and Qin then took Liang.

In the spring of the 19th year of Duke Xi of Lu, some people built a city and settled there. In the summer, Duke Xiang of Song ordered Duke Wen of Zhu to offer sacrifices to the Prince of Shu at the Ci Sui shrine, hoping to bring the Eastern Yi states under his rule. Sima Ziyu said, "In ancient times, the six kinds of livestock could not be sacrificed to one another. Small sacrifices were not accompanied by large animals, so how could anyone dare to offer human sacrifices? Sacrifices are for the people, the masters of the gods. Which god would enjoy human sacrifices? Duke Huan of Qi saved three previously destroyed states and brought them under the patronage of the other princes, yet even benevolent and righteous men called him a shallow man. Now, at a single meeting, he persecutes the rulers of two states and uses them to offer sacrifices to evil and chaotic spirits. Isn't it difficult to achieve hegemony in this way? A good end would be a blessing!" In the autumn, the people of Wei attacked the State of Xing in retaliation for the Battle of Tupu. At that time, the state of Wei was suffering from a severe drought. Divination and sacrifices to mountain and river spirits were unlucky. Ning Zhuangzi said, "Famine plagued the Zhou dynasty, but after defeating the Yin, good harvests followed. Now the state of Xing is acting unjustly, and the princes are without a hegemon. Perhaps Heaven is sending Wei to attack Xing?" The people of Wei heeded his words, and as soon as the army set out, rain fell. The people of Song surrounded the state of Cao to suppress its disobedience. Ziyu said to Duke Xiang of Song, "King Wen of Zhou heard of Chong's political disorder and attacked it. After thirty days of attack, Chong refused to surrender. King Wen withdrew his troops, strengthened education, and then attacked again. He reached the original camp, but Chong surrendered before he could even attack it. The Book of Songs says, 'First set an example for your wife, then for your brothers, and finally for your family and your state.' Now, your king's virtue may still be lacking, yet he attacks others. What good is that? Why not reflect on your own virtue for a while? Once you have cleared it, then act." Duke Mu of Chen requested to reestablish friendly relations with the other princes to remember the virtues of Duke Huan of Qi. In the winter, an alliance was formed in Qi to rekindle the friendly relations of the time. The State of Liang was destroyed. The Spring and Autumn Annals do not record who destroyed Liang, as Liang's demise was self-inflicted. At first, Lord Liang was fond of large-scale construction projects. He repeatedly built cities, but the people did not live in them. The people were exhausted and could not bear it any longer. (Lord Liang) said, "A certain enemy is coming." So he dug trenches around the palace and said, "The Qin State is about to attack our country." The people were terrified and fled, and the Qin State conquered Liang.

The legend of Guliang State is that it destroyed itself. Following the Zuo Zhuan, it is said that the destruction of the State of Liang was due to Liang Bo's fondness for large-scale construction projects, which exhausted the people. He also created panic by saying that enemies were approaching and that Qin was going to attack, causing the people to fear and disperse. In the end, Qin easily conquered Liang State.

Ah Yan is discussing another perspective. Different people have their own interpretations of the Spring and Autumn Period. In the account of "Gou Jian's Banquet for His Ministers," the senior official Zi Yu offered a parable to Gou Jian, remarking, "The profits from the fish and salt harvested by the Lord of Liang all went to the wealthy, while the common people were heavily taxed for brewing wine." While the "Lord of Liang" here is a fictional monarch from the parable, I found it interesting, so I included it.