Chapter 56: Uniting the Nine Kingdoms to Regulate the World
Luo Xi narrowed his eyes slightly. When he heard the news that Chu was heading north, he knew that the time to close the net had come.
He told Guan Zhong and Lu Xiaobai about the plan that Luo State had prepared for Chu State, "Luo State has always been concerned about Chu State. Many years ago, Luo State had already started to contact Ying State, Wu State, Zheng State, and Chen State.
However, they did not expect that the strength of Chu State was much stronger than expected, and Chen State could not hold out until its allies arrived.
However, among these four countries, the most critical one is Wu. Just like Xu back then, the people of Chu would never have thought that Wu would appear behind them and deliver a fatal blow. "
Guan Zhong and Lu Xiaobai looked at each other. Not to mention Chu, even they couldn't think of it. After all, Wu had too little presence. It had been hiding in the southeast and competing with Xu Huai and Yue, which was too remote from the Central Plains.
Especially the Wu State, where people cut their hair and tattooed their bodies. The Chu State at least looked like a country of the Xia Dynasty. The Wu State was too integrated with the barbarians. If it were not a country with the surname Ji, no one would pay attention to it.
"If Wu were to side with us, then Chu would be courting death given its current position.
After they occupied the State of Chen, they must have intended to attack the State of Zheng, so the best place for them to station their army was Yanling.
The fastest way to transport grain is through the Ying River, and the Ying State is unable to take care of other things now. However, if the Wu State goes up the river, their grain supply can be cut off directly. Then our army will carry a large amount of grain and grass, and let the Ying State go along. The three parties will surround the Chu Army. Will the Chu Army not fail?
Even if a devil like Duke Wu of Chu were alive, he would probably just swallow his anger when faced with this kind of situation."
Lu Xiaobai already felt that he had a sure win, and said in a deep voice: "Use General Chu's head to sacrifice to my uncle."
This time, the Duke of Qi summoned all the princes, which may be the most complete one in all the alliances.
If Xiong Xiqie knew that Luo Xiu had just passed away, he would never choose to attack Chen and Zheng at this time.
Luo Xiu's reputation was indeed high, and even the State of Jin, whose internal affairs were still in a chaotic stage, sent a detachment of troops.
The first to respond was the State of Song, which was originally close to the State of Chen.
The current Duke of Song was sent back to his country by Lü Xiaobai to inherit the throne, and the State of Song ceded two hundred miles of land to the State of Qi, which allowed the State of Qi to be in a superior position and take the initiative in the strategies of the two countries.
So now the State of Song is a half-vassal of the State of Qi and is always at the forefront of everything. Lu Xiaobai is a monarch who likes to show off and listen to flattery, so he likes the Duke of Song very much.
Guan Zhong always turned a blind eye to these things. In Lu Xiaobai's mind, thousands of flattering words from others were not as good as one word from him, so nothing would happen.
However, although the Duke of Song was flattering, the State of Song should not be underestimated. Its territory was indeed large. Even if the two hundred miles were cut off, it was still a big country second only to the State of Qi.
Even though the State of Song still adhered closely to the Zhou rituals and did not make any reforms in the country, it was still a small overlord among the surrounding small countries.
Song was a big country with three armies. The deployment of troops on the border suddenly made the situation tense, and the hearts of the rulers and ministers of Zheng, which had been high, gradually calmed down.
The clear support from the Duke of Qi gave the Duke of Zheng confidence. He was no longer timid. He laughed in Xinzheng City, "It is right to participate in the alliance. The Duke of Qi is a trustworthy man who abides by the oath of the alliance. The three armies of Song State are coming to help. The coalition army will arrive soon and will definitely make those arrogant and domineering Chu troops disappear into thin air."
The second to respond was Wei State. Song State and Chen State were adjacent to each other, and Wei State was basically adjacent to Zheng State, with only a small Southern Yan State in between.
In order to restore the number of royal family members in Luo State, a large amount of resources were needed. After that, they gradually stopped supporting Wei State. In addition, Qi State restored the state of Wei to the Marquis, so Wei State completely turned to Qi State.
Now the Duke of Wei decisively sent troops to station in the north of Zheng State, which was only a day's journey away from Xinzheng City. As long as the order was given, the army of Wei would launch an attack on the army of Chu.
Of course, the most crucial ones are the armies of Qi and Luo, which are the main force in every war. The Qi army, which has implemented reforms, was quickly assembled.
Led by Qi's Grand Marshal Zhang Qi, they arrived in Qi, where Lu Xiaobai was going to hold another alliance to discuss the war with Chu.
The appearance of the Song and Wei armies finally allowed Xiong Xiqi to understand the plans of the Zheng monarch and his ministers.
He said angrily: "Zhenghou is just a small country, how dare he lie and deceive, thinking that Song and Wei can protect him?
You really don’t know how high the sky is or how deep the earth is.”
Xiong Xiqi decisively launched an attack on the Song army stationed in the north of Chen. The Song army, under the command of Duke Song, fought back and suffered a decisive defeat!
Xiong Xiqie laughed happily and said loudly: "Is this the prince of the Central Plains? So vulnerable!"
The armies of Zheng and Wei surrounded the country from three sides, but Xiong Xiqie won three small victories again and was very arrogant. The kings of the three countries all refused to fight and were unwilling to go to war.
"This Chu general is so brave and unstoppable. Let's wait for the Marquis of Qi to come." The monarchs of the three kingdoms were all amazed.
After much anticipation, the Duke of Qi finally arrived at the battlefield with his army. As expected, Xiong Xiqi led the army of Chu to Yanling and confronted the army of Qi.
"Previously, the three kingdoms of Zheng, Wei and Song fought against the Chu army and suffered several defeats, which had some impact on morale. It seems that we should fight against the Chu Kingdom first to boost morale."
So the next day, Zhang Qi led the Qi army to fight. Xiong Xiqi was naturally not afraid at all and said to Xiang Ge: "Xiang Qing, the people of Zheng rely on the Qi army.
As long as we defeat the Qi army, Zheng will fall into our hands."
Zhang Qi has been leading the coalition forces of various countries to fight against the barbarians in recent years, so he has a relatively clear understanding of the combat effectiveness of the armies of various vassal states.
The fighting power of the Wei army was indeed not strong, but the Song army had more soldiers although not elite, and the Zheng army had fewer soldiers but elite. The Chu army was able to defeat them easily, which proved that the fighting power of the Chu army was indeed extraordinary, and its formation was a relatively cautious one.
As the soldiers of both sides began to fight, their expressions became stern. Xiong Xiqie narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "The Qi army has some strength."
It was originally a test battle, and when it reached noon, both sides stopped fighting and called off their troops.
The next day, Xiong Xi went to battle as usual, wanting to give Qi's commander a good test. As the saying goes, an incompetent general can tire out the entire army. He didn't see it yesterday, so he wanted to give Qi's commander a good test today.
Unexpectedly, the Qi army did not go into battle at all. Instead, each country sent out some chariot soldiers, who fired three rounds of arrow rain and then left.
Xiong Xiqie, feeling somewhat frustrated, returned to the camp and asked in confusion, "Xiang Qing, what do you think the commander-in-chief of Qi meant by this?"
The next day, the same thing happened again. This time, Xiong Xi was really confused, "What does it mean that the Qi army is confronting here?
Do you want to wait until our army runs out of food and supplies and then force them to retreat?
However, our army's food and fodder are transported by waterways, so the loss is extremely low. Although Qi has the advantage of geographical location, it travels by land, so the loss of food and fodder is high, and it is possible that it may not be able to defeat our army.
Could it be that they are waiting for news from Ying State? But Ying State is simply unable to send troops right now."
Xiong Xiqi felt very strange. Behind Yanling was the Ying State. Xiong Xiqi would certainly not ignore this country with the surname Ji.
The reason why he dared to go to Yanling at this time was mainly because Ying State was located on both sides of the Ying River. It was now suffering from a flood and was unable to take care of itself at home, so it was impossible for it to send troops.
Moreover, he had previously asked Xiang Ge to collect information about Ying State. As long as there was any unusual movement, he would immediately abandon Zheng State and defeat Ying State first.
"It's impossible to wait for Ying State. There is no sign of Ying State's army mobilizing." Xiang Ge, who had been paying attention to Ying State, said immediately.
Xiong Xiqi naturally would not have thought that the Wu State, a vassal state with no sense of existence, would not fight with Huaiyi and Yue in the southeast, but would actually cooperate with the Central Plains coalition forces and go up the river to attack his retreat.
This kind of divine army descending from the sky is the most difficult to guard against.
While the Central Plains coalition forces and the Chu army were confronting each other, the Wu army was sailing upstream on large ships, and the Wu prince was standing there holding a spear.
His name was Qingli. He was born with supernatural powers, practiced martial arts since childhood, was brave and fearless, and could capture tigers and leopards alive. He was known as the bravest warrior in the Wu State.
The King of Wu sent his most beloved son out, which showed that he attached great importance to this matter.
Qing Li's guards looked at the surging river and asked, "Prince, I don't understand why the king agreed to the alliance with Luo Hou?
And they jointly encircled and suppressed the powerful Chu State. Isn't this creating an enemy for the Wu State?"
Qing Li smiled and said, "You only know how to practice martial arts and kill people, but you are unwilling to read more books, so naturally you can't figure it out. Mr. Fan, please help them solve their puzzles."
“Because forming an alliance is not only what Luo needs, but also what Wu needs.
During the reign of King Yi of Zhou, my king went to Luoyi to participate in a meeting, and eventually took part in defeating the State of Xu and annexing a large area of territory from the State of Xu and Huaiyi.
The king wants to expand westwards, while the State of Chu wants to expand eastwards, and has already taken the lead and controlled the Jianghuai Plain.
What's even more terrifying is that the State of Chu is located upstream of the State of Wu. This is our fatal weakness. Once the State of Chu goes downstream, it can attack the newly built cities at will.
Therefore, we must seize control of the Jianghuai Plain from the Chu State. This was the territory of the Hanyang princesses in the past, and it can block the Chu State in the basin. "
The path that Wu State now wants to take is the same as that of Chu State. It hopes to use its powerful military force to force the princes in the Central Plains to submit to it, or even learn from Xiong Dun and challenge the Zhou Emperor for the throne.
But he knew the strength of the Central Plains better than the State of Chu, and it was not enough to rely solely on the current strength.
The Central Plains princes were not comparable to the Wu in terms of population, land, or number of troops, so they turned their attention to the land of Chu.
The land west of the Han River is the foundation of the Chu State, which is now out of reach. However, the land of the Hanyang princesses east of the Han River is not a solid place for the Chu State to rule over.
If they could obtain these lands and then move northwest to seize all the lands of the old Xu State, the Wu State would be able to dominate the Xia Dynasty.
At that time, if an order was issued to restore the old customs of the Xia people, as a vassal state of the Ji clan, they would have more advantages than the Chu State.
Such a perfect plan was not thought up by the people of Wu, but was thought of by Luo Xiu before his death.
This highly feasible plan excited the ruler and his ministers of Wu. They regarded this plan as the truth. Luo Xiu used a big pie in the future to tie Wu down for more than ten years.
This is the brilliance of Luo's strategy. Looking for you to form an alliance is not to take advantage of you or trick you into helping me, but so that you can get the benefits yourself.
So next time I come to you, will you disagree?
The confrontation between Qi and Chu lasted for half a month. The food and grass of both sides were constantly being consumed. Qi certainly did not stand still. Both sides continued to send soldiers to fight large and small battles, but neither was enough to lead to victory in the war.
It's just like the previous war in which the State of Chu defeated the coalition forces of the States of Zheng, Wei and Song. It just sounds good, but once the three countries gathered their defeated troops, the losses were not that great.
During the half month of confrontation between the Chu and Qi armies, the Wu army had already circled around the Fudi area. Such a large army with full armor should have appeared on the front battlefield instead of coming to the rear to crush the grain transport team.
The news that Wu had cut off Chu's food supply was quickly passed on to the coalition camp by a special person, and Lu Xiaobai, Guan Zhong and Luo Xi all laughed.
This victory is won!
"Brother, you can notify Ying State to organize the army. The Chu army is short of food and divided, so it will definitely be vulnerable."
"Mr. Zhang, Uncle Wu has blocked the Chu army's food supply. We can now launch a fierce attack and use up the remaining food supplies of the Chu army!"
The consumption of military rations is completely different between fierce fighting and the current slow-moving fighting.
Following Lu Xiaobai's order, the allied forces stationed in various places simultaneously launched an attack on the State of Chu. Xiong Xi, who had been waiting for a long time, was not afraid at all. He immediately and enthusiastically let the Chu army go out to fight after they had eaten their fill. "I thought these Central Plains princes would always be cowards, but now they have finally come out. Let them see the bravery of the men of Chu."
Although this was not a battle yet, it was completely different from the previous wars that were like playing house. In just a few hours, countless corpses were left on the ground. In the two cities of Yanling and Xinzheng, broken arms and blood were everywhere.
More than 100,000 people galloped across the plain. The Chu army was fierce, especially the Xi people, who even caused considerable casualties to the most elite fighters of Qi.
When the coalition forces began their all-out attack, Xiong Xiqie received news that the Ying army had begun to gather, which made him think that the Central Plains coalition forces' trump card was the Ying army coming from behind.
He asked Xiang Ge to lead a part of the army to Ying State to attack the newly assembled troops. The Ying State army was no match for the elite Chu army and suffered defeat after defeat, which made Xiong Xiqie on the front battlefield even more proud.
When several waves of food and supplies failed to arrive, Xiong Xiqi finally felt something was wrong.
His food supply was cut off without any warning. "It can't be Ying State, Xiang Qing is still suppressing them.
Who is that? Could it be that the Hanyang princesses betrayed them? It is even more impossible, because their families were sent to Yingdu before the war. "
Xiong Xiqi was puzzled, and then news came that Xiang Ge encountered the main force of Wu when he attacked Ying State!
"General, it was the Wu Kingdom that cut off our army's food supply!
I don’t know when the princes of the Central Plains contacted the State of Wu. They came along the river and swept away all the food and grass of the army! "
Hearing this news, Xiong Xiqie felt dizzy and spurted out a mouthful of blood, saying like a madman: "Wu State?
How could the State of Wu come together with the princes of the Central Plains?
They didn't keep the traditional Chinese hair buns, and tattooed barbarian patterns on their bodies. Did they think the princes of the Central Plains would accept them?"
Although the Wu State was of the Ji clan, in order to establish a country in the southeast, it absorbed many local indigenous customs and also absorbed some customs of the Shang Dynasty.
The kings of Wu in all dynasties knew that it was difficult to be accepted by the princes of the Central Plains.
During the reign of Duke Xuan of Luo, the sea embraced all rivers, and King Yi was a gentle and loving person. That was the only chance for Wu to completely return to the Chinese state.
But now that this opportunity has been lost, the State of Wu did not force it.
Now the most important thing is to use the princes of the Central Plains to gain benefits!
Xiong Xiqi certainly didn't know what Wu was thinking, but as a commander, he knew that the Chu army was in trouble.
The biggest factor affecting the outcome of a war is food and fodder. Almost all battles in which the outnumbered side wins over the larger side are related to the burning of food and fodder.
After learning that the State of Wu had circled around and cut off their food supply, Xiong Xiqie immediately wanted to retreat and escape as many as possible.
If all these soldiers died here, the accumulation of the Chu State in the past fifty years would be wiped out. Not to mention a major attack, it would be good enough to be able to keep Yingdu.
But it is not so easy to withdraw troops. King Xu during the reign of King Yi had every say in this regard, as his retreat was cut off by the State of Wu back then.
At this moment, just like at that time, the Chu State had also had its retreat cut off by the Wu State, and was faced with the coalition forces of the Central Plains princes.
Xiong Xiqie really couldn't find a way to survive, and in desperation he could only curse: "The princes of the Central Plains are really shameless. When two countries fight, they should be upright. Using the majority to bully the minority and cut off the food supply, is this what a gentleman does?"
If Luo Xi and Lu Xiaobai heard this, they would probably laugh out loud. It's a battle between two armies, not a polite war, so who would talk about etiquette?
Xiong Xiqie was so angry that he started talking nonsense, but he did feel aggrieved because the Chu State was so powerful.
During the time of our ancestor Xiong Dun, the Zhou emperor personally led an army of 100,000, but was defeated every time.
How majestic is that?
Unfortunately, they were eventually blocked by the army led by Duke Wen of Luo. Over the past three hundred years, the strength of the State of Chu had grown increasingly powerful, and even the combined forces of the Hanyang princesses were no match for the State of Chu.
The territory of Chu State was the largest among all the states, but when it went north, it was defeated by the princes of the Central Plains.
“Is this destiny?
The Zhou royal family's Mandate of Heaven had not yet declined, and the Chu State wanted to take over, so Heaven sent down a punishment? "
Xiong Xiqie cried out in sorrow, "Supreme Taiyi, look at your people. Can't Haotian and Suwang of the Zhou people win?"
It’s a pity that there is only one true God in this world, King Su, and the Supreme God of Chu might not be able to answer him.
The Central Plains coalition forces all went out together, taking turns to wear down the morale and combat effectiveness of the Chu army, attacking day and night. Both sides had enough manpower to replace them, but the Chu army was running out of food supplies.
This kind of thing cannot be concealed at all. The battles are getting more and more frequent every day, but there is less and less food. Those grain trucks that used to come in an endless stream have suddenly disappeared. Is anyone really stupid?
So after another great battle, the soldiers who were originally recruited from Hanyang simply dropped their weapons and surrendered.
Xiong Xiqi understood that the situation was irreversible, and he had ordered his men to take away the strong army and the most elite soldiers of the State of Chu one after another during these days. He and the soldiers recruited from the various Ji states in Hanyang stayed here to be buried with him.
"After such a tragic defeat, I am ashamed to face the king. I can only die for my country."
In fact, this failure cannot be completely blamed on Xiong Xiqie. It was a misjudgment of the situation by the rulers and ministers of the entire Chu State who did not take the Wu State into consideration. This cannot be blamed on the general in command.
Xiong Xiqie just couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart, and dying in battle would be the greatest relief for him.
The surging coalition forces of the princes were like a tide, flooding the Chu army's camp. Countless Chu soldiers were killed by the Ying River, dyeing the entire stream blood red.
The news of such a glorious victory spread far and wide. The Emperor of Zhou in Luoyi breathed a sigh of relief, but when the State of Chu specifically asked for the Nine Cauldrons, he was the most panicked.
"My Lord, the Duke of Qi has made such a great contribution. How should I reward him?"
"Your Majesty, you can raise the title of Duke of Qi, grant him the right to use the emperor's rituals and music, tripods, carriages, horses, and clothes, and give him the honor of a Fangbo. This will surely be able to recognize the Duke of Qi's contributions a little."
Qi Gong was a wonderful man. He understood that Lu Xiaobai had no shortage of gold, silver, jewelry and beauties, but what he lacked was fame.
Fangbo, this has never been granted since the establishment of Zhou.
In addition to the ritual vessels mentioned above that only the emperor could use, the only difference between Lu Xiaobai and the Zhou emperor was the throne.
This is also the peak he can reach. If he goes any higher, he will be backlashed. Guan Zhong is very clear that now Lu Xiaobai's huge appeal mainly comes from respecting the king. The princes of the world still recognize the rule of the Zhou royal family.
However, Lu Xiaobai was already very satisfied. He remembered Luo Xiu's education and his last words to him, and he had no desire for the throne.
The princes held another grand alliance meeting in Yanling. This time, the State of Jin also attended. The Zhou emperor sent ministers and gave Fangbo Lu Xiaobai the power to conquer.
Unite the nine states and bring peace to the world!
No one in the world can compete with him, this is the true portrayal of Lu Xiaobai now.
People have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions; the moon waxes and wanes; it is impossible to have everything in life.
The end of glory is destruction.
After eighteen years of Yanling's hegemony, Luo Xi passed away.
Lu Xiaobai went to pay his respects and carry the coffin.
In the nineteenth year, Madam Xiyi passed away.
Lu Xiaobai was extremely sad and buried Xiyi in the tomb, waiting to be buried together with him after his death.
In the cold winter of the twentieth year, Guan Zhong was seriously ill.
Lu Xiaobai was heartbroken and burst into tears. He died in front of his sickbed, crying blood.
The king and his minister died together on the same day!
…
One hundred years after the establishment of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, hegemonic politics appeared on Chinese soil. Guan Zhong was the creator of this system, and the first hegemon, Duke Huan of Qi, was his most perfect work.
This form of rule, in which the Zhou emperor controlled sacrifices and the great feudal lords held actual power, profoundly influenced the history of the next two hundred years, and we can directly assume that the shogunate rule that has had a huge impact on countless countries, and even the formation of constitutional monarchy, all originated from the hegemonic politics of more than two thousand years ago. ——"Global History of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty Volume 2"
Today there is ~
(End of this chapter)
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