In 314 B.C., the king of Zhongshan took the minister of state Sima Chou as his general and poured his troops into the army to defeat the Yan State. Zhongshan conquered the big state with the strength of a small country, occupying dozens of cities and hundreds of miles of land in the Yan Kingdom. Zhao supported the restoration of Yan Wang Ji, and at the same time sent troops to besiege Zhongshan. Zhongshan Wang Cuo misjudged the situation and thought that Zhao was going to attack Zhongshan, so he hurriedly recalled the state minister Sima Chou to deal with Zhao's offensive. However, as soon as Sima Chou returned to the territory of Zhongshan, Zhao immediately withdrew his troops and returned to China. It is claimed that it is hunting, and there is no intention of violating Zhongshan Kingdom. However, Zhongshan Wang Cuo did not believe in Zhao's unilateral statement, and he did not believe that Zhao's 300,000 troops were stationed on the border for hunting. Or is it that Zhao Guo regarded him as the highest prey.

The real reason for Zhao's withdrawal and return to the country, Zhongshan Wang Cuo prefers to believe that it is Sima Chou's credit.

Sima Chou first conquered the Great State of Yan, and then repelled the powerful enemy Zhao State.

The king of Zhongshan gave Sima Chou the title of Blue Prince. For generations, if their children and grandchildren have not committed the crime of collaborating with the enemy and treason, they will be exempted from the death penalty. Sima Chou's descendants can enjoy peace and prosperity forever in Zhongshan Kingdom.

Because of his immortal exploits, Sima Chou won the love of the king of Zhongshan and the ministers. But Sima Chou is a person who knows how to retreat bravely from the rapids and protect his life. The cunning rabbit dies, and the lackeys cook; The birds are all gone, and the good bow is hidden. King Yue and Wen Chong, Wu Wangfucha and Wu Zixu, etc., how could Sima Chou not know. The more Zhongshan Wang Cuo valued him, and the more the minister loved him, the more panicked he became. In order not to disgrace the wisdom of the first life, as well as the grace of the previous king's knowledge and the heavy responsibility of trusting the orphan. Sima Chou retreated bravely, drank alcohol in the mansion every day, and refused to meet guests. Three months later, Sima Chou fell ill and could not afford to fall ill.

A month later, Sima Chou fell ill and died.

The loss of Sima Chou by Zhongshan Wang Cuo is like a broken arm, and he can no longer spread his wings and fly high and establish eternal meritorious deeds. Wang Cuo of Zhongshan led the military generals of Wenchen and paid tribute to Sima Chou's kindness. And with the ceremony of the state funeral, he buried Sima Chou, and posthumously awarded him the title of meritorious. After Sima Chou's death, Zhongshan Wang Cuo took his son Sima Xi as the prime minister of Zhongshan and inherited all his father's titles.

Three months after Sima Xi kept filial piety for his father, he officially became the minister of Zhongshan.

Wang Cuo of Zhongshan asked him, "The country of Zhongshan is weak, how should the country be governed, so as to survive in the country of Qi, Yan, and Zhao." Whether Zhongshan can defeat Yan and Zhao is a country of ten thousand times, and whether it can compete for the world. ”

Sima Xi knew what the king wanted to express when he said this, and said in a pandering manner: "Your Majesty, it is not difficult to break through the state of ten thousand vehicles. It is also easy for Zhongshan Kingdom to stand between the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan and Zhao. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo was overjoyed when he heard this, and asked, "What can you do, come to the widow quickly." ”

Sima Xi replied with careful words: "The three kingdoms of Qi, Zhao, and Yan are the states of ten thousand times, and it is not so easy for Zhongshan to attack them. Zhongshan also did not have the strength to compete with the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan, and Zhao. ”

When Zhongshan Wang Cuo heard this, his face sank, and he said unhappily: "You just said that it is not difficult for the widow to break through the state of ten thousand times. It is also easy for Zhongshan to stand between the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan and Zhao. Sima Xi, are you teasing the widow? ”

Sima Xi pleaded guilty and said, "The king is angry, please listen to what I have to say." ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo stared at him fiercely, waved his hand, and said, "What else do you want to say." ”

Sima Xi replied calmly: "Your Majesty, it is an indisputable fact that the strength of Zhongshan Kingdom is not as good as that of the Three Kingdoms of Qi, Yan and Zhao. The Zhongshan Kingdom was also surrounded by the Three Kingdoms. If Zhongshan wants to survive and become strong, it must take advantage of the gap between the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan and Zhao. ”

Hearing this, Zhongshan Wang Cuo nodded and asked, "How can Zhongshan Kingdom be strong." ”

Sima Xi saw that the king had recovered his expression, and said seriously: "Your Majesty, we will conquer Yan Dabang with the strength of a small country and repel Qiang Zhao. Here's why. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo sighed: "This is your father's credit. ”

Sima Xi shook his head, "It's not my father's credit. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo exclaimed: "Whose credit is that?" ”

Sima Xi bowed and said, "This is the merit of the king. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo hesitated: "The credit of the widow." ”

"My father was the palace guard of the former king. If it weren't for the first * Ren Jia, how could my father have become the minister of Zhongshan from the minister of palace guards and the minister of Tuogu. If it weren't for the king's trust in his father, he would have given him a chance to establish meritorious deeds. How could my father establish the great achievements of breaking Yan and retiring Zhao. The father is Maxima, and the king is Bole. ”

"Sima Xi, the widow has always felt that you are not a flatterer." Zhongshan Wang Cuo laughed and said: "When you speak, few people love to listen." Tell me how the widow should govern the country in order to be proud of the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan and Zhao. ”

"Your Majesty, we can break through the Yan Kingdom, except that our own strength is not weak. It is also because we united the Qi State to destroy the Yan together. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo seemed to hear the meaning of his words, and replied: "You mean that the widow should recuperate and develop his national strength. Once there is a war between the three kingdoms of Qi, Zhao, and Yan, we can attack the weaker country. ”

"The king's words are exactly what the minister wants to express." Sima Xi continued: "In the world of great contention, the three kingdoms of Qi, Zhao, and Yan are all countries of ten thousand times, and no one will obey anyone. With the troops of the five capitals and the people of the north, the state of Qi broke through the Yandu Jicheng. The heavy weapons of the Yan State were all sent to Linzi of the Qi State. The two countries of Yan and Qi are already feuding. The minister asserted that there must be a battle between Qi and Yan. ”

"The State of Qi is a powerful country in the East, and the Three Jins, the States of Chu, and the State of Qin dare not challenge it." Zhongshan Wang Cuo shook his head, "The Yan Kingdom is a weak country and a weak brigade, how can it challenge the Qi Kingdom." ”

"The hatred between Qi and Yan is incompatible. Once the national strength of the Yan State recovers, it will definitely choose to take revenge on the Qi State. Sima Xi smiled wryly, "The strength of the Yan Kingdom alone cannot defeat the Qi Kingdom. If the Yan State and the Central Plains vassal states attack the Qi State together. Can Qi win the princes of the world? ”

"Although the Qi State is strong, it does not yet have the strength to challenge the princes of the world." Zhongshan Wang Cuo said: "In the Battle of Pushui, Qi was defeated by the alliance of Qin, Han and Wei, which is the best proof. ”

"The king is right. The state of Qi is not enough to shake the princes of the world. The national strength of Qi is too strong, and it will definitely attract the attention of the princes of the Central Plains. The situation that the princes of the Central Plains wanted was to maintain equilibrium. The state of Qi broke this situation and would be jointly attacked by the princes of the Central Plains. Sima Xi further said: "The three kingdoms of Qin, Han and Wei jointly attacked Qi because they beat the Qi State. ”

"How should the widows deal with the three kingdoms of Qi, Yan, and Zhao."

"Zhongshan is the king, and King Qi Wei once said that he would destroy our country. If it weren't for the help of Yan and Zhao, Qi would have implemented a plan to attack and destroy Zhongshan. The ambition of the wolf son of Qi country, we must guard against it. We united with Qi to attack Yan, occupied Yandu, and burned Yan's national weapons. The Yan State not only regarded the Qi State as an enemy, but also regarded our country as an enemy. Yan is our country's greatest enemy, and the two countries cannot live in peace. Today, the Three Kingdoms so far, the one who has the best relationship with us is Zhao State. But Zhao and China also often fight. We want to pull the Wei State to balance the Zhao State. The minister believes that we should unite with Qi Wei, befriend Zhao State, and balance Yan State. ”

"The three kingdoms of Qi, Wei, and Zhao have always looked down on Zhongshan, and they will be friendly with us."

"Your Majesty. The Three Kingdoms will be friendly with us. Sima Xi swore and said: "The State of Qi finally annexed the State of Yan, but the State of Zhao supported the restoration of the State of Yan. Yan and Zhao are already the pain of the Qi State. The strength of one country cannot break through two countries. The state of Qi needs our country to balance Zhao and Yan. Wei is the land of four wars, and we also want our country to contain Zhao and Qi. Zhao Guo also wants to use us to contain Qi and Yan. Although Zhongshan is small, it is also a country of thousands of times, with a territory of 800 miles. The princes of the Central Plains will also think of using our country to achieve the goal of balancing other countries. We can take advantage of the delicate relationship between the princes of the Central Plains to develop our national strength. Once, the situation in the world changes, why can't my country break Yan Zhao, attack Qi country, and become a big state. ”

"Okay." Zhongshan Wang Cuo's blood boiled, "If the widow can hear these remarks as soon as possible, Zhongshan has already become a great state." ”

"Your Majesty, it's not too late to hear it now!" Sima Xi said: "Zhongshan Kingdom can stand among the princes, but now it can't be too urgent. We need to take advantage of the delicate relationship between the princes, and the development of national strength is the most important thing. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo nodded and asked, "After the Great War in the Central Plains, the princes suffered heavy losses, and there will be a short period of peace. We can also take advantage of the short-term peace to form an alliance with Qi Wei, befriend the Zhao State, balance the Yan State, and develop the national strength, so as to wait for the world to change. ”

Sima Xi shouted: "The king is sage." ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo asked, "Sima Xi, the widow has always wanted to get closer to the princes of the Central Plains. Why did the princes of the Central Plains always despise the Zhongshan Kingdom. ”

Sima Xi thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the princes of the Central Plains despise our country because they feel that our country is a barbarian country and has never been civilized. ”

Zhongshan Wang Cuo said angrily: "Zhongshan Kingdom is a vassal state surnamed Ji, and we have also been rewarded by Zhou Tianzi for attacking the unrighteous state of Yan State. How it became a barbarian country. ”

"The princes of the Central Plains paid attention to fine clothes and etiquette. Attack, with the car as the measure. Their culture and dress and living customs are also very different from ours. ”

"How can the widow be able to lean towards the princes of the Central Plains. The princes of the Central Plains will not despise us and regard us as a barbarian and uncivilized country. ”

"The minister has a suggestion, but it will collide with the ancestral system, and it will..."

"What do you think about it?" Zhongshan Wang Cuo said: "If you want to become the king of Wu Yue, you have to make changes and innovations. ”

"The culture of the Central Plains is splendid, and hundreds of schools of thought contend. Today, there are several schools with the greatest influence, such as Mo, Confucianism, Law, Zonghengjia, and Mingming. Confucianism existed for hundreds of years and had thousands of disciples. Today's sacrificial wine Meng Ke of Qi is also from the Confucian lineage. Confucianism advocates the rule of courtesy and benevolence. Benevolence and courtesy govern the country. If we choose to govern the country with Confucianism, Confucian scholars will come to serve in Zhongshan. The strength of Zhongshan has increased, and the princes of the Central Plains will not regard us as a barbarian country. ”

"Confucianism governs the country." Zhongshan Wang Cuo pondered for a moment, and said: "Okay, the widow will govern the country with Confucianism for the time being." ”