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Zheng Zhuanggong finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the withdrawal of the Five Nations Alliance. Although the eastern suburbs were looted by the state, and the city was not breached, so the loss was not large, but when he learned that the Song State had broken through Changge, he was naturally unhappy in his heart. On the one hand, it was fortunate that the Song State gave up the impact on the capital of Zheng State because of Gongzi Feng, and on the other hand, it was also heartbroken that Changge was occupied by the Song State. Therefore, he has a grudge against the Song Kingdom. was indignant, and someone came to report that Gongzi Feng asked to see him.

When Zheng Zhuanggong heard that Feng Qiu, the son of the Song Kingdom, asked to see him, he immediately summoned him. Feng, the son of the Song Kingdom, was like a nightmare, the Five Kingdoms crusaded against Zheng Du, and Zheng Zhuang Gong sent him to Changge, but Changge was conquered again, and he almost lost his life, but fortunately he still had some retinues around him, and he escaped from Changge back to Xingyang, the capital of Zheng.

Gongzi Feng knelt on the ground and wept silently and said: "The Song soldiers have broken through Changge City and occupied the city, I am fleeing for my life here, and I ask the king to protect me." ”

When Zheng Zhuanggong saw Gongzi Feng, he immediately showed deep sympathy, and Zheng Zhuanggong patted Zifeng on the shoulder and said, "Gongzi is okay?" ”

Zheng Zhuang Gong has his own Xiao Jiujiu, and he tried his best to appease Gongzi Feng, but he wanted to use this person to subvert the internal affairs of the Song Dynasty. So he sent someone to send Gongzi Feng to the post house, and he still treated Gongzi with etiquette.

Zhou Hu was killed in Pucheng, and the major events of the court and government that happened in the defense of the country reached Zheng Guo. Zheng Zhuang Gong was not excited, and he said to the important ministers around him: "The matter of the state call cannot represent the defense of the country, and the mastermind of the five kingdoms to attack Zheng is to be remembered on the Song State." The widow must first crusade against the Song State in order to get out of the evil breath that the widow is depressed in his heart. ”

Saizu stroked his beard and thought for a long time and said: "In front, the five countries jointly attacked Zheng, and now my Zheng State has raised troops to attack the Song Dynasty, which will cause panic among the other four countries." In the end, after all, it will lead to the rest of the four countries jointly saving the Song Dynasty and attacking our Zheng State, and our army will not be able to win. Now the plan is to reconcile with Chen Guo first, and then make friends with Lu Guo with huge profits, if Chen and Lu are both married to my Zheng Guo, he Song Guo will be lonely. At that time, if I Zheng invade the Song Kingdom, the Song Kingdom will be isolated and helpless, and the Song Kingdom will definitely succeed at that time. ”

Zheng Zhuanggong nodded: "Qing Yan is." ”

Zheng Zhuanggong adopted the opinion of sacrificing the foot and sent an envoy to Chen Guo to express his sincerity to Chen Guo.

As a result, Marquis Chen Huan avoided seeing him when he learned that Zheng Zhuang had sent envoys. Seeing this, the prince of Chen Guo, Concubine Tuo, came to admonish Chen Huanhou, saying: "I have heard that the harmony between an independent country and its neighbors is the most important treasure. Zheng Guo is a very powerful country, and the monarch is unavoidable. ”

Chen Huanhou said: "Zheng Zhuanggong disrespects the Son of Heaven, has always been cunning and untrustworthy. If Zheng Guo is sincere in making peace, why didn't he talk about peace first in the two big countries of Song and Wei, but first made peace with our little Chen Guo? This is exactly Zheng Guo's divisive plan. Besides, I have united with Wei and Song to fight Zheng first, if I Chen and Zheng make peace, then Wei and Song will inevitably blame me Chen if they know about it, why should we lose Wei and Song with Zheng and the two great powers? ”

Seeing that the advice was ineffective, Gongzi Feituo had to shake her head helplessly.

Zheng Zhuang Gong saw that the envoys he sent kowtowed back, but Chen Huanhou did not receive him, knowing that Chen Guo was not fooled. was extremely angry in his heart, but he was helpless to Chen Huanhou. Zheng Zhuang Gong summoned the ministers to discuss. He said: "A small Chen State dared to ruthlessly reject my Zheng State, which was nothing more than relying on the two big countries of Wei and Song. Now that Wei Chao was initially determined to take care of himself, it was difficult to send people to make peace. We can form a good alliance with Qi and Lu, and if Qi and Lu join forces with our Zheng State, we will be like a bamboo, and we are not afraid of not breaking the Song State. After the crusade against the Song State, my Zheng State can naturally crusade against the Chen State, so that I can complete the great cause of my Zheng State to take revenge on the Song and Chen Kingdoms in one fell swoop. ”

Zheng Zhuang Gong was full of ambition and swearing, but Shangqing sacrificed his feet but did not think so. He said, "No, my lord." Zheng Qiang and Chen are weak, and Chen Guo asked Cheng to make peace, Zheng Guo took the initiative and there was nothing that could not be discussed. The reason why we can't talk about it now is that Chen Guo must suspect that we are carrying out a plan to drive a wedge with him, and I Zheng Guo is not sincere, so I ignore it. The minister has a plan to make peace between Chen Guo and I, Zheng Guo. ”

Zheng Zhuang hurriedly asked, "What is Qing's plan?" ”

Saizu said: "The lord can order the frontier soldiers and horses to take advantage of his unpreparedness, invade the territory of the Chen State, and plunder at its borders, and he will surely gain a lot." Then the lord can exclude a person who can speak well to go to Chen Guo to give him what he has obtained, so as to show that although the lord is the king of a big country, he has no intention of bullying him Chen Guo, but only the border officials. This encounter will definitely change Chen Huanhou's impression of the lord, and Chen Guo will definitely be friendly with my Zheng Guo, and then it will be the right time to fight the Song Dynasty. ”

Zheng Zhuanggong said: "It makes sense. ”

So the sacrificial foot issued an order from the Duke of Zheng Zhuang, ordering the two Yi Zai on the border with Chen to lead 5,000 elite soldiers, disguised as hunting, and suddenly sneaked into Chen State, taking advantage of Chen State's unpreparedness, to rob the people of Chen State of men and women's property, amounting to more than 100 cars. Loaded on.

On this day, Chen Jiang's officials quickly reported that the frontier was looted by Zheng Guo. Marquis Chen Huan was shocked, and when he was convening the ministers to discuss, there was a report that Zheng Guo said that Uncle Ying Kao was asking to see him outside the door.

Chen Huanhou asked Gongzi Tuo: "What is Zheng Guo doing at this time?" ”

Gongzi Tuo said: "Zheng Guo came to envoy for the second time, and the monarch can't shirk it anymore no matter what." ”

Chen Huanhou thought about it, and it happened that the widow could ask him about Zheng Guo's robbery, so he summoned Uncle Ying Kao to see him.

Uncle Ying Kao entered the palace to give a big salute first, and then handed over a letter of state to Marquis Chen Huan.

Chen Huanhou unfolded it and saw that it was Zheng Zhuanggong's own handwriting. The letter roughly stated the friendship between Zheng and Chen, and now the border officials thought that Zheng and Chen had a contradiction so they plundered without authorization, and did something sorry for your country. Marquis Chen Huan saw that Zheng Zhuanggong was here to repair sincerely, so he warmly entertained Uncle Yingkao, and sent his son-in-law to Zheng Guo to return the gift, wanting Zheng Zhuanggong to express his gratitude. As a result, Zheng and Chen restored their former good-neighborliness and friendship.

Zheng Zhuang Gong saw that he had reconciled with Chen Guo, and felt that the opportunity to attack the Song Dynasty had come, so he wanted to send troops to attack the Song State.

When he learned that Gong Zheng Zhuang was going to crusade against the Song Kingdom, he urgently asked to see Gong Zheng Zhuang, and said, "The lord can't." The Song State has a high title and strong national strength, and the Zhou royal family also treats the Song State with courtesy, and the lord cannot easily crusade against him. The lord has not made a pilgrimage to the king of Zhou for many years, but he can first enter the Zhou pilgrimage, and when he sees the king of Zhou, he can pretend to be the king's order and call on Qi and Lu to fight the Song Dynasty. If you are famous, you will be helped, and the lord can win a big victory. ”

When Zheng Zhuang saw that he wanted to worship King Zhou Huan by himself, he couldn't help but hesitate.

Since Zheng Zhuang Gong was invited out of the Zhou royal family by King Huan of Zhou, the history of three generations of the Zheng family serving King Zhou has ended. Gong Zheng Zhuang has always been dissatisfied with the Zhou royal family in his heart, and secretly confronted King Zhou Huan. But after provoking Zhou Huan a few times, he didn't see any action from King Zhou Huan, and he felt bored, so he could only stop, but the evil breath in his heart still couldn't come out. When he was indignant, he attracted the five-way army led by Zhou Hu to crusade. Although he dealt with it one by one, he couldn't help but feel a sudden feeling in his heart. Zheng Zhuanggong thought about it carefully, and his confrontation with King Zhou Huan did not end well. And they have become lonely, and their neighbors have reason to be dissatisfied with themselves. If one Zheng State is used to deal with many surrounding countries, his own strength is not strong enough, and in the past, he will naturally be dissatisfied with the princes of the world, and it is not a good way for Zheng Guo to become the target of the world's crusade in the long run. However, now that he has started the pilgrimage to King Zhou Huan, it seems to be an insult to his face. Since he is tearing his face with King Zhou Huan, and he wants to bend his knees and bow his hands to worship again, isn't he uncomfortable?

Seeing Zheng Zhuanggong's thoughts, he continued: "Since the lord wants to defeat the Song Dynasty and win, he must give the face of King Zhou Huan, and only then can he have the conditions to call on other countries to fight the Song Dynasty under the pretext of the king's order." ”

Zheng Zhuanggong thought about it and made sense, if he was still working against the Zhou royal family, who would support him in the Song Dynasty? thereupon

Let the sacrifice be enough to prepare the gifts of the pilgrimage, and want to meet the king of Zhou Huan at the end of the year.

Zheng Zhuanggong knew that this was a symbolic fulfillment. Because of the beating, he was invited out of the royal family, and Zheng Guo has not paid tribute. He Zheng Zhuang Gong wanted to show his enthusiasm and respect for King Zhou Huan. Of course, Zheng Zhuang Gong knew in his heart that this was also because Zheng Zhuang Gong wanted to hide people's eyes and ears, and he didn't want to provoke all the princes to pin Zheng Guo with the same hatred, he wanted to create a relaxed situation and lay the foundation for his greater revenge. Zheng Zhuang Gong prepared to stop according to the sacrificial foot plan, and then ordered the prince Ji to supervise state affairs, and brought the sacrificial foot into the Zhou royal court to see.

It is winter, and it is the time when the princes of all walks of life make a pilgrimage to pay tribute. Gong Zheng Zhuang brought generous gifts to congratulate, but after arriving at the Zhou royal family, he was given a cold reception by King Zhou Huan. Because King Zhou Huan has always disliked Zheng Zhuanggong as a person, he has a deep prejudice against Zheng Guo. I didn't even plan to see Zheng Zhuanggong. Zhou Gong Hei shouldered and persuaded King Zhou Huan to treat Zheng Zhuang Gong with courtesy, but King Zhou Huan thought about Zheng Guo's theft of Zhou royal wheat, but he was still angry. Although he promised to meet, he still couldn't control the cold face when he saw Zheng Zhuanggong.

King Zhou Huan didn't even look at Zheng Zhuang Gong head-on, so he asked, "How is Zheng Guo's harvest this year?" ”

Zheng Zhuang Gong replied: "Mengzhou Tianzi Hongfu, this year's drought and flood in Zheng Guo is appropriate, and the harvest is not bad. ”

King Zhou Huan snorted a trace of contempt in his nose, and he said: "Fortunately, it is a bumper harvest year, and I can keep the wheat in Wencheng, King of Zhou, and eat it myself." ”

Zheng Zhuanggong listened to King Zhou Huan's sarcastic and sarcastic words, and forcibly controlled himself, so he kept silent. Since the monarch and ministers are not speculative, and there is no way to continue chatting, Zheng Zhuanggong postponed it for the moment. King Huan of Zhou did not retain and entertain other princes like he did, nor did he give back high-level gifts, and gave them away coldly. Ordered people to load ten carts of millet rice, which was the inferior grain that the people talked about at that time, and there was a big difference in texture compared to wheat that could be made into white flour, and King Zhou Huan said lukewarmly, "Keep it for the famine year to eat." ”

Zheng Zhuanggong was ridiculed by King Zhou Huan, and regretted this pilgrimage very much after he came out. When he saw the sacrificial foot, he began to complain, and Zheng Zhuang Gong said to the sacrificial foot: "You said to let the widow come to see you, this week King Huan is so lazy, what kind of face do I have to meet people." If you use this kind of millet to squeeze us, I want to return the millet to King Zhou Huan, what should I say? ”

Saizu smiled lightly and said, "Didn't King Zhou Huan's performance be expected? Don't take it personally. Since the king of Zhou Huan gave it to the Son of Heaven, it cannot be returned. ”

Zheng Zhuang snorted with his nose: "What's the use of bringing it back!" ”

Saizu said: "The reason why the princes from all walks of life attach so much importance to Zheng Guo is because my lord the third emperor is the secretary of the dynasty and has always been by the side of the Son of Heaven. No matter how important the Son of Heaven is, it is the favor of heaven, if the lord resigns and does not accept it, it means that there is still a gap between my Zheng Guo and the Zhou royal family, and if I lose the reputation of the Son of Zhou, how can the princes from all walks of life attach importance to my Zheng Guo. ”

While the two were discussing, Zhou Gong came to visit the post house with black shoulders and privately presented the colorful silk brocade tied in Zheng Zhuang's public car. Come and comfort Zheng Zhuanggong. Words of warmth speak louder than hospitality at a banquet. After all, Black Shoulder and Zheng Zhuanggong assisted King Zhou together, and it was a little unbearable to see Zheng Zhuanggong being so snubbed at this time, but this move still made Zheng Zhuanggong puzzled.

After Gong Zheng Zhuang waited for Gong Zhou's black shoulder to leave, he asked the sacrificial foot: "Zhou Gong's black shoulder is not just for the affection of assisting together, is there any other intention?" ”

Saizu replied: "King Zhou Huan has two sons, the eldest son Ji Tuo and the second son Ji Ke. King Zhou Huan favored his second son and let Zhou Gong assist in education, it seems that Zhou Gong will have a plan to seize the heir in the future, which is self-evident, so Zhou Gong's black shoulders are now married to the lord, and he still expects that the lord can provide foreign aid to Zhou Gong in the future, and now this silk brocade can come in handy. ”

Zhuang Gong was still confused: "What use can this be?" ”

Saizu said: "Zheng Guo made a pilgrimage to the king of Zhou, and the neighboring countries did not know that we were treated coldly. It is now possible to cover the ten carts of millet with the colored silk presented by the Duke of Zhou. In this way, when the Zhou capital came out, it was said that it was given by the king of Zhou, and the 'Tong bow and fox arrow' was hung high outside, which was an important symbol of the king of Zhou's commission. The lord can claim that the Duke of Song has been short of tribute for a long time, and the lord himself inherited the king's order and led his troops to fight. Whoever dares not to hear, and whoever disobeys will disobey the king's commandment. In this way, all the princes must obey the orders of the lord, although the Song State is a big country, how can it resist the army ordered by the king? ”

Zheng Zhuanggong patted his foot on the shoulder and said, "Qing is really a resourceful person." So he adopted the opinion of the sacrificial foot. Out of the territory of the Zhou royal family, Zheng Zhuanggong began his conspiracy.

preached the king's order all the way, denounced the crime of Song Guo's disobedience, and everyone who heard it thought it was true. I saw the ten carts of silk brocade given to Zheng Zhuang Gong by King Zhou Huan, and it can be seen that King Zhou Huan trusted Zheng Zhuang Gong. Seeing that Zheng Zhuang swore to do the right thing for the sky, he felt that Song Guo had something wrong with the sky.

This word reached the Song Kingdom. Song Yangong was frightened and puzzled. What is frightening is that Zhou Tianzi is really dissatisfied with the Song State, and Zheng Zhuang Gong is a country with the Central Plains forces, and he will come to the Song Dynasty with all the princes, wouldn't it be a big disaster; I wonder if I didn't pay tribute, I was just preparing to go a few days late this year, how could there be such a thing as King Zhou Huan ordering Zheng Zhuanggong to crusade against the Song Kingdom? In any case, this matter cannot be neglected. On the one hand, the Duke of Song made some generous gifts and prepared to pay tribute to King Huan of Zhou, and on the other hand, he secretly sent envoys to defend the country to find Wei Xuangong to accommodate and seek support for the defense of the country.

Wei Xuangong has just succeeded to the throne, and he is very cautious about major affairs between countries. After receiving a report from Song Guo, he hurriedly convened the ministers to discuss how to deal with it. The ministers have always believed that Zheng Guo is a powerful country and cannot be easily offended. And the Song State is also a big country among its neighbors, so you can't sit back and watch if you have something to ask for. It would be better if the two countries did not engage in a rivalry. After discussing for a few rounds, the important minister came up with an idea: if the Song State could be saved, a powerful power like the Qi State must be brought out to mediate. So Wei Xuangong hurriedly sent envoys to meet with Qi Jiaogong, hoping to ask Qi Jiaogong to mediate the relations between several countries and discuss peace with Zheng and Song.

Qi Jiaogong felt that this matter was a good thing with Zheng, Song, and Wei, as long as he made a statement, several countries would fight each other, why not do it? So the specific time and place were agreed on in the tile house, and the blood was allied, and each released the previous suspicions and reconciled. Song Yangong still didn't have a bottom in his heart, so he sent someone to make an appointment with Wei Xuangong, and asked Wei Xuangong to meet in Daegu in advance to discuss how to meet the kings of Qi and Zheng, and reconcile the contradictions with Zheng Guo. Then they came to the agreed tile house side by side, and Qi Yigong also arrived as scheduled.

When the kings of the Three Kingdoms arrived at the tile house and waited for Zheng Zhuanggong, Zheng Zhuanggong was slow to arrive and did not even give them any information.

Seeing that Gong Zheng Zhuang was not coming, Qi Jiaogong's face darkened. He understood that although this Zheng Zhuang Gong had an alliance with him, he did not give himself face in this matter. Duke Qi said to Duke Song and Duke Wei Xuan: "If Duke Zheng Zhuang doesn't come, the matter of the peace conference of the four kingdoms will not be completed!" Let's go back to China," Qi Gong Ma wanted to drive back to China.

But Song Zhuanggong refused. He understood that Qi Jiaogong was important to Song Guo, and he had to grasp this life-saving straw. So he personally found the Duke of Qi and said good words to force the Duke of Qi to join the alliance. Qi Gong hesitated, and when he saw Song Yangong's repeated pleas, he had no choice but to agree, but although Qi Yangong agreed, he waited and watched. Only Song and Wei have a very close relationship and are sincere in their alliance.