Qi's reform was not radical, but was improved based on Guan Zhong's reform. However, the Marquis of Qi did not dare to suppress the nobles of the country too much, so Qi's reforms were similar to the previous reforms of Chu and did not penetrate into the grassroots.
At the same time, Qi State did not have a powerful prime minister to implement reforms. Although Qi Houzhao's reforms had some effects and allowed Qi State to restore some national strength, it was still at a disadvantage in the confrontation with the three Jin Dynasties.
Qi's national strength was unable to compete with the Three Jins, so the Marquis of Qi wanted to unite with the Chu State to fight against the Three Jins. However, the Chu State was now focused on reform and becoming stronger, and did not want to conflict with the Three Jins at this time, not to mention that there were people nearby. The Huai Kingdom is watching with eager eyes.
News of Huai's military expansion has spread, which makes Chu very nervous. As a result, the implementation of the reform became more determined and faster.
Seeing this situation, Qi had no choice but to send envoys to Qin to contact Qin. Qin was very interested in Qi's alliance against the three Jins. Qin and Wei were mortal enemies.
All the land in Xihe was captured by the Wei State, which made the Qin State compressed on the Weihe Plain and always had to worry about Wei's attack. After Qi's envoys arrived, Qin quickly agreed to form an alliance with Qi to jointly deal with the three Jins.
It's just that although Qi State was promised, Qin State's current strength has been greatly damaged and it needs to recuperate and is temporarily unable to attack Wei State.
Qi and Qin then agreed that if the Three Jins attacked Qi, Qin would support Wei's rear to reduce Qi's pressure. If Wei attacked Qin, Qi would need to support in the east to reduce Qin's pressure.
The alliance between Qi and Qin encouraged Qihou, but it was still difficult to fight against the three Jins.
Qi Hou was very worried about this. When the Prime Minister of Qi learned about this, he advised the Marquis of Qi: "Your Majesty, among the three Jins, they seem to be one, but in fact Wei is the stronger one, and Han and Zhao are their vassals."
"This Gu also knows that Wei is so powerful that no one in the world can compete with it." Qi Hou sighed.
"Your Majesty, this is the flaw of the Three Jins." Prime Minister Xun Yue said: "I heard that the three Jins jointly attacked Chu and Qi. Half of the land gained was obtained by Wei, three thirds by South Korea, and only two points by Zhao. , or even less. But among the three Jins, although Zhao's national power is weaker than Wei, it is stronger than Han, so Zhao must be unwilling to distribute it this time."
"It's just because Wei is strong and South Korea has benefited. Naturally, it is unwilling to take the risk of offending Wei by helping Zhao. Han, Zhao and Wei are like three robbers. The strongest robber is worried that the second robber will surpass him. , giving him the least amount of loot, but this is unreasonable.”
"Your Majesty can send people to the State of Zhao to discuss the interests with the Marquis of Zhao and invite the State of Zhao and the State of Qi to form an alliance."
"Even if Zhao is unwilling to form an alliance, as long as Zhao is persuaded not to join forces with Han and Wei to attack Qi, it will still be a victory. Zhao moved the capital to Zhongmou before, and his intention must be to enter the Central Plains, but the last time Wei moved Zhang The city of Ye was established in the land of water, and Zhao's southward march was blocked. The conflict between the two countries is also getting bigger and bigger. Your Majesty can try to drive a wedge between the three Jins."
After hearing this, the Marquis of Qi felt that it made sense, so he planned to send someone to contact Han and Zhao to ask if anyone could take on this important task.
Prime Minister Xun Yue stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, there is a man named Chen Zuo among my guests. He is always quick-witted and capable of taking on this important task."
So Qi Hou quickly summoned Chen Zu. Chen Zuo looked a little downcast, but he had a good-looking appearance and made people fall in love with him at first glance. He was a very charming person.
After discussing with him, the Marquis of Qi immediately appointed him as an envoy and asked him to go to South Korea and Zhao.
After Chen Zu received the edict from the Marquis of Qi, he first went on a mission to Korea. Chen Zuo came to South Korea and met Han Hou and said: "The foreign minister once heard that there was a hunter in Chu who knew the language of beasts. He negotiated with a tiger to help the tiger eat other people and then get those people's money.
One man and one tiger conspired, and soon the man gained a lot of wealth, and the surrounding villages also fled because of the tiger problem. The man escaped and the tiger couldn't eat the man, so he ate the hunter.
I see that Wei is as strong as a tiger, while South Korea is weak. Now, if South Korea continues to help Wei annex other countries, and then get some benefits from this? When Wei becomes stronger, wouldn't it be possible to annex South Korea? "
"How similar is South Korea today to that hunter of Chu? If Wei continues to grow stronger, it will easily annex South Korea."
Han Hou's face was not good-looking, and he sighed: "I never knew that the Wei State is a tiger and a wolf, but the tiger and wolf are on the side. If I don't obey, I will be in danger of losing the country immediately."
Obviously, Hou Han is very aware of South Korea's situation.
Chen Zu continued: "If South Korea is afraid of Wei, and foreign ministers are willing to go to Zhao to negotiate peace for you, and South Korea forms an alliance with Zhao, it will no longer be afraid of Wei. If Han Hou is worried, Qi will also be willing to make peace with South Korea." Make an alliance.”
After hearing this, Marquis Han immediately said: "Chen Qing, you are right. I am willing to reward you with gold and a title. Please go to the State of Zhao to lobby the Marquis of Zhao and fight against the State of Wei together."
"Zuo, I am willing to serve Han Hou!" Chen Zuo immediately got up and rushed to Zhao Guo.
After seeing Chen Zu leave, Han Hou's originally grateful face disappeared instantly.
The Marquis of Han called his personal guards over, and then ordered: "You will go to the Kingdom of Wei in three days. Don't be in a hurry. After you see the Marquis of Wei, tell him that there are changes in the Kingdom of Zhao, and that the Qi envoys will visit Zhao."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The guard took the order and left.
The Marquis of Han knew very well how powerful Wei was and how weak South Korea was. What Chen Zu said is naturally correct, but it also depends on the situation. South Korea can now eat meat if it follows Wei, but if it follows Zhao and Qi, it will only get beaten.
What's more, Zhao Guo is not a good person. You must know that the father of the current Zhao Hou personally went to Wei Guo to unite with Wei Guo to carve up South Korea, but Wei Marquis clearly refused.
When the three families were divided into the Jin Dynasty, the Zhao State was the strongest. It was only after the Wei State experienced the reform that it quickly became stronger, making the Wei State the overlord of the world.
The Marquis of Han is not optimistic about the State of Zhao, at least now he is more optimistic about the Marquis of Wei. At the same time, Han Hou also wanted to take advantage of the contradiction between Zhao and Wei to buy time to annex Zheng.
The Marquis of Qi sent people to drive a wedge between the three Jin states, but the Marquis of Han simply pretended not to know, and then went along to sow discord between Wei and Zhao.
In fact, the princes of various countries are not stupid. In order for those political strategists to join forces, in addition to their extremely outstanding eloquence, they also need to let those princes see the benefits or dangers. Only in this way will these princes agree with what you say, otherwise , no matter what you say, it is all in vain.
Chen Zu naturally understood this truth. He came to lobby the Marquis of Han just to drive a wedge between the three Jin states. Even though the Marquis of Han was still on good terms with Wei, the relationship was far less close than before. His real target was with the Marquis of Zhao.
As long as Zhao is persuaded, the alliance between the three Jins will disappear.
(End of chapter)
