Chapter 77 Wu and Yue become one
Outside Kuaiji City, the Wu army was filled with enthusiasm, and the shouts of Wu soldiers could be heard everywhere. Everyone could feel that the Yue State was about to collapse.
Qingji and Sun Wu were sitting in the big tent in the military camp. Seeing that they would soon conquer the Kingdom of Yue and fulfill the long-cherished wish of several generations of ancestors, Qingji was very excited to talk with Sun Wu about the subsequent development strategy of the Kingdom of Wu.
"Sir, the King of Yue, Gou Jian, has sent an envoy to say he wants to talk to you."
Qingji became interested after hearing this and said to Sun Wu with a smile, "Now that the situation is so clear, the Kingdom of Yue has actually sent an envoy. This is really interesting. I want to see what he has to say."
When Wen Zhong walked into the camp, he saw two men in cloth armor. One of them was wearing a king's crown, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and was mighty and majestic, with the air of a king. The other one was holding a long sword, with a murderous aura, and was obviously a general commanding the troops. Wen Zhong thought to himself that this must be the hero who had turned the Kingdom of Yue upside down this time.
"Foreign minister Wen Zhong pays respect to the Marquis of Wu!"
For the survival of Yue State, Wen Zhong knelt down in front of Qingji.
In fact, Wen Zhong's reputation for loyalty was also well-known in the State of Wu. Now seeing him, he was indeed a man of integrity, and Qingji couldn't help but feel a great favor for him.
So he smiled and asked, "Doctor Wen, Wu and Yue have been at war for more than a month. You did not stay in Kuaiji City to assist Gou Jian, but came to our Wu camp. Could it be that you want to abandon the dark and join the light?
If you, Mr. Wen, are willing to serve the State of Wu, I would like to give you the position of a senior official based on your reputation as a virtuous man."
This is a very high evaluation of Wen Zhong.
Doctor Wen kowtowed and said, "Lord Wu, you are really too kind. Foreign ministers assisted two generations of monarchs, but the Kingdom of Yue ended up like this.
It can be seen that the talent of the foreign minister is just that of a minor official managing a rice warehouse, and his virtue is just that of a weed in a ditch. How can he be worthy of a superior country like Wu?
There are many talented people in Wu State, and this great sage beside you who is assisting the country is just a clown.
I have come here to apologize to you.
"Before, I deceived Helu and killed the soldiers of Wu State. It was all because of Zhong's slander that misled the lord. This mistake led to the conflict between Wu and Yue. Please execute the foreign minister to appease the people of Wu."
Qingji didn't believe it at all and sneered, "Doctor Wen is just a minister, can he bypass the king Gou Jian and issue an order on his own?
You are truly a loyal minister. When the country was destroyed, you were still willing to sacrifice your life for Gou Jian. Who could not be moved by your character?
Gou Jian actually asked you to die for him. Is such a monarch worthy of your loyalty? "
With the determination to die, Wen Zhong kowtowed again and said, "Lord Wu, your Majesty knows that you have committed serious crimes and caused the bloodshed of the people of Wu. To show your sincerity, I am willing to offer you the BMW, jade, chariots, and fine wine that the King of Chu gave you. They are all rare treasures.
This foreign minister also has an adopted daughter, named Shi Yi Guang, who was originally the daughter of my wife's younger sister. Her family suffered a great disaster, so she came into my house.
You are a most beautiful woman in the world who appears only once in a thousand years. The king is willing to present you with the Yue Kingdom's Zhanlu Divine Sword.
You are a hero of the world, and you deserve to be accompanied by such a beauty and a sharp sword. This is the king's respect and admiration for you.
As long as you are willing to preserve the country for Yue, the king is willing to submit to Wu and put you first in everything."
Horses, carriages and beautiful jades?
Zhanlu Divine Sword?
A stunning beauty?
Sun Wu frowned. How many heroes fought bravely on the battlefield, but were finally defeated by these things that eroded their will.
Qingji laughed loudly and said, "Doctor Wen Zhong, is this the idea that the ruler and ministers of Yue came up with?
I was born into the royal family of the State of Wu and received the teachings of sages. How could I not know that alcohol and sex are harmful to the body?
Would a man who wants to achieve great things stop himself because of a mere woman?
Could it be that you did not stop the king and his ministers of Yue from being so absurd? It seems that your evaluation of your own talents comes from the heart."
Qingji was somewhat disappointed with the talents displayed by Wen Zhong. He believed that beautiful women, jade, carriages, horses and ladies could only deal with some mediocre monarchs, but were useless to a hero like Qingji.
It is not something a talented person should be able to come up with such an idea.
Wen Zhong did not look panicked at all. Qingji suddenly felt a refreshing fragrance of flowers, and then saw a woman walking into the big tent.
How can I describe it, I was stunned at first sight?
Her figure is as light as the wind and as pure as the deep mountains and valleys.
Her hair is lightly tied up, with tassels hanging down to her ears, and her eyes are full of charm.
She is alluring and charming. As she spreads her sleeves, the fragrance wafts in the air. Her brows are slightly furrowed, and ripples appear on the sky.
When the sunlight shines through, there is a sense of floating like a god, and a sense of mystery like a ghost.
This is not a human being!
It is no exaggeration for Wen Zhong to say that this is a woman who is the most beautiful woman in the world and is unparalleled in the world, who appears only once every thousand years. No wonder he is so confident.
Qingji remembered that he had just said that alcohol and sex were harmful to the body, and now he just wanted to quit drinking from today on.
Sun Wu, the military saint, was also stunned for a moment, then he drew his sword directly. He was awed in his heart, and his face was full of murderous intent. Looking closely, he also had fear in his face. He said in a stern voice: "Sire, please kill this woman immediately, otherwise the Wu Kingdom will be destroyed!"
In a short period of time, Sun Wu's mind had already emerged with the famous beauties who caused chaos in the world, such as Mei Xi of Xia, Daji of Shang, and Bao Si of Zhou.
Xi Shi had just walked into the tent, and within a few breaths, she was pointed at by a sharp sword. Before she could figure out the situation, she could only hide behind her adoptive father, kneeling on the ground and trembling, which made the heavens pity her even more. "Lord Wu, what sin have I committed?"
Wen Zhong said: "Lord Wu, this is the adopted daughter of a foreign minister!"
Sun Wu couldn't wait for Qingji to speak. Xi Shi was kneeling on the ground, which made her figure even more graceful and exquisite. Even a man with a strong mind like him would be affected. Qingji was not averse to alcohol and sex, so he would definitely be tempted.
Qingji quickly grabbed Sun Wu and said urgently, "Changqing, you can't do that!"
Sun Wu looked at Qingji in disbelief. Could it be that the thing he was most worried about had happened?
He pointed the tip of his sword at Xi Shi and said angrily: "My Lord! You..."
As soon as Qingji saw it, he knew that Sun Wu had misunderstood, and he said repeatedly: "Changqing, although I don't mind drinking and sex, am I such a person who can't distinguish between the important and the unimportant?
You and I have known each other for many years, isn't it clear to me?
Why don't you trust me so much?
This girl's beauty is truly the most precious treasure in the world, and only appears once in a thousand years. Isn't it a pity to kill her with the sword?
Luo Hou and the Crown Prince said that they have done me a favor, and I don't know how to repay them. Isn't it the most appropriate to offer this girl as a gift?"
When Sun Wu heard that Qingji would not keep this girl by his side, his murderous intent dissipated and he sat back in his seat. He who could give up this girl would be a true hero in the world.
When Doctor Wen Zhong heard what Emperor Qingji, Sun Wu and his ministers said, he felt relieved.
Since the king and his ministers of Wu were willing to send Shi Yi Guang to Luo, it meant that they were willing to accept the surrender of Yue.
Regardless of other things, at least the life of King Gou Jian of Yue could be saved. By achieving this, Wen Zhong would have lived up to the kindness of two generations of Yue kings.
When Xi Shi heard this, all the fear in her body disappeared and a hint of joy appeared in the corner of her eyes.
Being able to serve the children of the royal family of Luo State would be an unimaginable honor for a woman from southern China like her.
Let me ask you, among all the nations, which noble lady would not be willing to marry into the royal family of Luo?
After pacifying Sun Wu, Qingji then said to Wen Zhong in a cold voice: "Doctor Wen.
The ancient Yue Kingdom was founded by Shaokang, King of Xia. In order to continue the sacrifices to King Yu, he sent his youngest son to Yue to establish a kingdom. Unexpectedly, it would gradually become a barbarian country. If King Yu knew about this, would he be willing to accept their sacrifices?
How can barbarians have long-lasting fortune?
Therefore, during the Xia and Shang dynasties, the State of Yue was destroyed. This was because God no longer protected the State of Yue.
King Su obeyed the will of Heaven and, with supreme virtue, enfeoffed the descendants of King Yu in Qi, thus enabling the worship of the ancient sage king to continue.
Duke Wen followed the example of Shaokang, the King of Xia, and enfeoffed the descendants of the Si clan in the royal capital of Luoyi to the land of Yue and re-established their country. What a great favor this was!
Duke Xuan held a banquet for all the Xia people in Luoyi, and the State of Yue received the invitation. How many barbarians in the world would be so grateful for this?
Among the Three Barbarians of the Yue State, which one does not want to be canonized by the emperor and receive the protection of King Haotian?
Unexpectedly, you once again betrayed King Haotian and turned into barbarians and beasts, just like Helu the traitor, dissatisfied with the title bestowed by the emperor.
Don't you know that the kings of the barbarians are not as good as the men of the Chinese?
I have led a large army all the way here. In the State of Yue, the mountains are mourning and the rivers are weeping blood. Don’t the people of Yue feel ashamed when I step on this land?
Isn't it the people of Yue who brought about the disaster that brought about the fall of the Yue Kingdom today?"
Wen Zhong was a rare traditional Chinese person in the Yue State. He even studied in the Luo State Academy.
Qingji had studied in the academy for several years and learned a lot about the kingly way from Confucius. Wen Zhong was sweating profusely after hearing these words. He broke down and cried, "Lord Wu, the mistakes made by Yue have been known to the ruler and his ministers. Please save some face for Yue."
Gou Jian was not around, and Qingji was unwilling to humiliate a loyal minister who was willing to die for his monarch.
Then he said in a loud voice: "I am a noble of the Ji clan, and I have been trusted by the emperor and granted the power to conquer the south of the Huai River.
Today, we have destroyed the Yue Kingdom on behalf of Heaven, recovered the territory of Yue Kingdom bestowed by the Emperor, and brought the Yue people back to the world of the Xia people. The Yue people should be grateful, and Gou Jian should be grateful.
Although reviving the destroyed and continuing the extinct is the supreme principle of the kingly way, and sacrifices to King Yu should not be discontinued, but preserving the Yue State is nonsense!
Isn't it ridiculous to make such a request when you think about how Yue State betrayed the other states several times?
Gu wrote a letter to the emperor, who appointed Gou Jian as Lord of Kuaiji, a hereditary title for his descendants, and left one son to concentrate on worshipping King Yu.
All necessary things will be provided by the garrison commander of Kuaiji.
King Gou Jian of Yue, his wife, princes, princesses, palace women, royal family, noble families and all the nobles of Yue had to move to the capital of Wu.
Reciting the classics of various Chinese cultures every day and shedding your barbaric nature is the great way.
At this point, Lord Kuaiji stayed in Wudu to offer sacrifices to King Yu, and Lord Kuaiji's heir stayed in Kuaiji to offer sacrifices to King Yu. This is the grace I can bestow on the State of Yue.
Doctor Wen went back to tell Gou Jian that Qingji had sworn an oath as the King of Heaven.
If you agree, the Wu Kingdom will not perish, and the Yue Kingdom's sacrifices will not die out; if you don't agree, the country will be destroyed and extinct today. "
These words completely stripped away the rationality and legitimacy of the State of Yue.
Especially since the current Kingdom of Yue was granted by Duke Luo Wen and was a fiefdom of the Zhou Dynasty. Now the suzerain believes that the Kingdom of Yue should perish, who else can say anything?
Then completely cut off Yue's way out of its predicament, and make Yue's royal family a tool for Wu to eliminate Yue's rebellious sentiments. After all, security wars have always been the most difficult to fight.
As for the migration to Wudu, it was quite a bit like the early years of the Zhou Dynasty, when the old Shang clan was under surveillance.
Moreover, Qingji was originally planning to build a new capital for the State of Wu, named Gusu, and even had his location selected. He wanted to move the nobles of the State of Yue to the capital of Wu so that he could monitor them.
Wen Zhong returned to Kuaiji City by himself, while Xi Shi was tyrannically kept behind and taken away by the women in the Wu palace to prevent Gou Jian from becoming desperate. Qingji was determined to send this girl to Luo State.
Next, the State of Wu will focus on development and confront the State of Chu, and will need the full support of the State of Luo.
Sun Wu seemed to be hesitant to speak, but Qingji sat down next to him and said softly, "Changqing, I know what you are thinking, Goujian is unusual.
If he still has other ideas, we can find an opportunity to kill him from illness in two years when we get to Wudu.
It is better not to provoke the Yue people to resist now. The unification of Wu and Yue is the most important thing.
Although they won this battle, Wu was still at a loss. Even if they tried their best to recover, it would probably take another ten years to conquer Chu.
If the resistance in Yue is too fierce, Wu will be stuck in a quagmire, and the day of attacking Chu will be far away. "
Seeing Qingji's thorough consideration, Sun Wu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
The next day, Gou Jian personally led the Yue nobles in Kuaiji City out of the city to surrender. Under the dragon and snake flags, Qingji looked majestic.
"Gou Jian, you have committed a serious crime. You should be executed according to the example of the Chinese people's extermination of the barbarians. However, your ancestors were from the Chinese people after all, and you have a repentant heart, so I will pardon your death penalty.
The emperor has granted me the power to conquer the south of the Huai River. All military and national affairs are decided with one word. Today, I will remove your title of Bang Zhou and confer you the title of Kuaiji Lord, making you a vassal of the State of Wu. Are you willing?"
Gou Jian had a long neck and a bird's beak, crawling on the ground like a poisonous snake. His eyes were full of hatred, and he said hoarsely: "May you live forever, in peace and happiness. I am willing to make Kuaiji Jun a vassal of Wu and always respect my country as my master."
At this point, Wu and Yue were united.
All the nobles of Yue State came to live in Wudu. Among them, some virtuous people were even summoned by Emperor Qingji, and then returned to Yue State to assist Wu officials in governing the old land. In addition, through communication with the lower-level wealthy merchants of Yue State and the local barbarians, the basic foundation of Yue State was gradually eroded.
Gou Jian's illusory dream of restoring his country died completely in the womb, leaving only the King of Kuaiji who lived a life of drunkenness and dreams every day.
The envoys from Wu State took Xi Shi and a large number of treasures to Luo State.
…
The war between Wu and Yue cannot be simply regarded as a war for regional hegemony. The rise of Wu and Yue's national strength was during the reign of King Yi and Duke Xuan of Wu. Wu and Yue gained the support of the royal family and the State of Luo by making great contributions in the Xuhuai War.
The State of Wu gained more support from the State of Luo through its identity as the Ji clan. The State of Yue then turned to seek support from the State of Chu, the only state that could challenge the hegemony of Ji Jiang. The two countries fought for nearly a hundred years.
It was not until the time of Duke Huan of Qi that the State of Chu suffered a severe blow and the State of Yue subsequently declined.
Of course, the sudden demise of Yue was unexpected. The ability of the king and ministers of Wu was completely beyond everyone's expectations. The reinforcements from Chu had even crossed the Yingshui River, but in the end they could only retreat back to their country.
Judging from the fact that Chu gave up on restoring Yue, and the fact that the Ji-Jiang alliance suppressed the Qin-Chu alliance, the victory or defeat between Wu and Yue was indeed a microcosm of the struggle between the two major military groups in peacetime.
(End of this chapter)
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