The valley returned to its former tranquility, a bright moon hung high on the branches, and the wind in the winter night was not strong, but the cold was also very cold, but even so, the soldiers standing guard did not dare to slack off. Meng said that he is worthy of being the right-hand man of the Mo family, and he has done the defensive work without leakage.

The perimeter guards the rangers, who set up a cordon several miles away, and the crossbowmen hidden in the shadows closely watch every move at the foot of the mountaintop. The accompanying chariot soldiers set up the chariot in a dangerous section of the road and acted as a deer. Speaking of chariot soldiers, it was indeed a type of military worth mentioning back then.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the chariot soldiers were the main arms of various countries competing for development, and the number of chariot soldiers often became the main criterion for measuring the strength of a country.

The vassal states that dominated the world often called themselves 'the country of a thousand times', and in the era of cold weapon warfare, the chariot played an indelible role as the main heavy weapon in the battles related to the fortunes of the country.

In the battle of Makino, the reason why the Western Zhou was able to suddenly launch an attack without having an advantage in troops! Most of them took advantage of the Shang Dynasty's chariot troops to take advantage of the chariot troops on an expedition abroad and occupied the chariot advantage.

The ancients rode on the left (with the left side as the honor), the venerable one was on the left, the royal one was in the middle, and another person was on the right to accompany the car. The escort is called a ride, and it is also called the right side of the car. And the situation is different for military vehicles. The king or the commander is in the center of his own hands, the emperor is on the left, the right of the car holds a halberd, a spear and other long weapons, and the right side of the car is a brave man, the task is to fight to resist the enemy, and is responsible for the military service in the war, if you encounter the terrain and obstacles, you need to get off the car to boost, etc.

In the Pingqiu Alliance, the important role of chariot soldiers can be used as a microcosm of the times.

On July 29, 529 B.C. (13th year of Zhaogong), as the overlord of the Jin State at that time, conducted a military exercise in the south of the State of Yi, aiming to show majesty and deter the princes of the world, using 4,000 military vehicles, according to the Zhou system, one by one for 3 soldiers, 72 soldiers.

The princes of the world, hearing this, are restless and guard themselves, and do not dare to act beyond the courtesy.

In 537 BC, the Jin State had a total of 4,900 chariots, and this time the alliance with the Jin State poured out the country. Sheep tongue carp acting Sima, Zi Chan, and Uncle You Ji served as Zheng Ding's prime minister and participated in the meeting.

The Jin people were stationed in Weidi, and as the Sima of the Jin army, the sheeptongue carp unsuccessfully asked for bribes from Weiguo, and indulged his subordinates to cut grass and chop wood to make trouble in Weiguo. The patriots sent Tu Bo to give Shu Xiang soup and a box of brocade.

Tu Bo says:

"The princes serve the Jin kingdom and dare not have two hearts; What's more, under the eaves of the king, how dare he have a different heart? The people who cut the grass and chopping wood are different from the past, and I dare to ask that they be stopped. ”

Uncle Xiang accepted the soup and returned the brocade, and ordered his younger brother to clear the military discipline.

The Jin State did not provoke a military struggle against the country, but only relied on the strong chariot soldiers as a support, and dared to bully the country without fear, if it were not for Tu Bo's wit and Shu Xiang's deep understanding of righteousness, it is estimated that the country would fall under these thousand military vehicles.

There are people who are afraid of things in the world, and there are naturally people who are not afraid of things, don't look at your Jin Kingdom's might, but compared with Qi State, at best, it is a rising star, as the first generation of overlords to rise, the monarch of Qi State still has the blood of Qi Huan Gong remaining.

Qi Jinggong publicly said that he would not cooperate with the actions of the Jin Kingdom, and Lao Tzu would not be free to play with you.

Qi Jinggong's non-cooperation, among the princes, there was a chain reaction, and everyone felt that this alliance was mostly the Jin State showing off its strength to intimidate the princes of the world.

'I'm scared to go, so I'd better not go!' No one is going to Qi Country, so let's join in the fun. ’

'That's right! Over the years, the Jin Kingdom has always scared us, and thousands of military vehicles have been put out at every turn, and there is Qi Guo to take the lead, what do we have to be afraid of'

'That's right! The world is still the world of Zhou Tianzi, and he Jin Zhaogong is just a courtier of the Son of Heaven, so it stands to reason that there is no difference between him and us! Isn't it just that there are military chariots? Don't go, see what he can do! ’

'It's not what it used to be, and the Jin Kingdom is not as good as it used to be! The vassal states have issued their own claims not to participate in the alliance.

Jin Zhaogong looked at it and thought, 'Not good! That's not right. As the overlord of the world, I invite everyone to come to a meeting to study and study the matter of paying tribute to the Son of Heaven, why does no one pay attention to me? If you don't suppress this sprout, it won't be against God in the future! 'Jin Zhaogong is not a good type, since today I am a call on behalf of the Son of Heaven, naturally I also have to listen to Zhou Tianzi's meaning! 'Respect the king' can be famous.

To put it bluntly, it was to find a high-sounding excuse for fighting a war, which is exactly the same as the practice of some big countries today, such and such a country secretly possesses biological and chemical weapons, such and such a country finances terrorism, and such and such a country undermines human rights. To put it bluntly, it's all excuses.

Jin Zhaogong sent his uncle to tell Liu Zhi, the representative sent by Zhou Tianzi to form an alliance, and said: "The Qi people refuse to form an alliance, what should I do?" ”

Liu Xiangong replied:

"Alliances are used to show credit, if the king has credit, and the princes have no two hearts, what kind of heart do they have? Report to it with words and supervise it by force, although Qi Guo does not agree, Jun has a lot of merits. The old man of the Son of Heaven invites the handsome king, 'Yuan Rong ten times, charge and open the way', sooner or later, only the king will follow. ”

With the clear support of the Son of Heaven, Shu Xiang personally went to the country of Qi again, and once again sent an invitation to Qi Jinggong:

"The princes have all asked for an alliance with you, and they have all been assembled, and now only you have not arrived, and the Duke of Jin Zhao wants to know your reason."

Jing Gong ordered someone to reply:

"It is only when the rebellious nations are punished that the princes need to seek allies. Now no one has betrayed, everyone is very harmonious, what is there to find in this alliance? ”

Uncle Xiang said:

"The corruption of a nation lies in the fact that there is a cause without tribute, and that cause lacks support; If there is support but no etiquette, there is no order in support; Where there is order without majesty, order lacks reverence; If there is majesty but not manifestation, reverence is difficult to show. If it is not revealed, reverence will be abandoned, and it will be difficult to accomplish everything, which will eventually lead to the overthrow of the country. Therefore, the system of the Ming king stipulated that the princes should be hired once a year to pay tribute in order to achieve their own support; Pilgrimage once every three years to teach etiquette; Assemble once every six years to demonstrate solemnity; An alliance was made once in twelve years, so that the princes could understand it better. It has been the case since ancient times that no one dares to be negligent in remembering the duties of the allies, cultivating the etiquette according to the ranks, demonstrating majesty to the princes, and proclaiming the faith to the gods, and no one dares to be negligent, which is the key to the survival of the country, and the prosperity of the country is due to the observance of the above laws. Now that the Jin Kingdom is in accordance with the etiquette of the main alliance, it is very worried that things will not be able to be done well. The sacrifices used in the oath are all prepared for you, just so that things can be successfully concluded. Now the king has to say, 'I must abolish this rule, what is the use of forming an alliance?' "Please think about it again, the widow knows your instructions."

Seeing that Uncle Xiang said so harshly, there was no room for maneuver, Qi Jinggong also felt scared, more than 4,000 military vehicles, not a joke, and quickly replied:

"How dare a small country not listen to it, and a large country has the right to make decisions? We know it, and we promise to go respectfully, and wait for your orders at any time. ”

After returning from the Qi State, Shu Xiang deeply felt the seriousness of the problem and solemnly suggested to the Duke of Jin Zhao:

"The princes have already created a barrier against the Jin Kingdom, and we must fully demonstrate our strength. Otherwise, it will be difficult to command them again."

On August 4, the Jin army showed up for the second time and raised the flag, but did not hang the streamers for combat;

On the 5th, the Jin army's 4,000 chariots, 120,000 soldiers, the third bright team demonstration, this time, all the flags hung streamers, as if the enemy was in front, immediately into a fierce battle. Only then did the princes of all countries become in awe, this time the overlord is really here! The previous remarks were gone, and they obediently came to the alliance.

On the 6th, the overlord officially accepted the court meeting of the princes and informed the countries that the alliance would be formally concluded tomorrow, and everyone must arrive at the place of alliance before noon. After returning from the retreat, Zichan ordered people to immediately rush to the place of the alliance to set up a tent, Uncle Zi felt that it was not necessary, and it was not too late to go again tomorrow morning. In the evening, Zichan knew that Uncle Zi had not yet moved, and urged him to go quickly, and when he arrived at the venue, he found that it was already overcrowded and there was no place at all.

The people of Di and Ju complained to the state of Jin:

"The country of Lu attacked me day and night, and my country was almost destroyed. Our country cannot pay tribute, it is entirely because of the state of Lu. ”

In order to show punishment, Jin Zhaogong did not meet with Lu Zhaogong, who came to form an alliance, but sent his uncle to inform:

"The princes will officially form an alliance tomorrow, and the widow (Jin Zhaogong) already knows that he can't serve the king (Lu Zhaogong), please don't participate!"

The people of the Jin Kingdom wanted to establish their authority, but they chose Lu Guo as a scapegoat, and it was naturally difficult for Lu Guo to accept this "negative typical" high hat.

Lu Guo sent his son to serve Huibo and replied to his uncle:

"If you have to accept the barbarian's complaint, break off relations with the brotherly country, and abandon the descendants of the Duke of Zhou, then do as you please! The widow knows! ”

Seeing that Lu Guo refused to give in, Shu Xiang said: "The widow has 4,000 cars here, even if he is unreasonable and brutal, his strength is terrifying." Besides, if we uphold justice and uphold justice, who else can resist it? Although the cow is thin, it pounces on the piglet, and is it afraid that the piglet will not die? Can you forget the worries about Nan Kuai Fei Yi Zai and Zizhong? If you rely on the people of the Jin Kingdom, use the teachers of the princes, and use the anger of Lu, Ju, Qi, and Yan to crusade against the sins of the Lu State, and then use the worries of those two people, what requirements can the Lu State ask for the worries of Nan Kuai and Zizhong? ”

The Lu people were afraid and did not dare to appear at the scene of the alliance.

On August 6, Liu Xiangong, Jin Zhaogong, Song Yuangong, Wei Linggong, Zheng Dinggong, Cao Wugong, Juzhuqiu Gong, Yi Zhuang Gong, Teng Miangong, Xue Bo, Qi Pinggong, and Xiao Yi Mu Gong formed an alliance in Pingqiu. In order to punish the crime of Lu State invading neighboring countries, Lu Zhaogong was disqualified from officially participating in the alliance, and the conference decided to arrest Ji Pingzi, the ruler of Lu State, and send him to Jin.

4,000 chariots, so that Lu Guo had to accept the high hat of the 'negative teaching material', and also ruined his own ruling in vain. The economic foundation determines the superstructure, and the strength of the state is the foundation that determines the country's right to speak. Behind the 4,000 chariots is a country's strong economic foundation and a country's strong military strength.

The battle of Xiangge, the battle of Kun, the battle of Chengpu, and the battle of Ailing, all of which are related to the life and death of the country, the chariot all plays an irreplaceable role, and the final victory or defeat is often decided by the chariot.

The Analects? The chariot of "a thousand times a country, between the great powers" mentioned in the "Advanced Chapter" has become the main product of the arms race among the countries at that time. At the same time, the statistics of the results or losses of various countries are often measured by the number of combat vehicles. In the battle of Rukun, the Qin division was annihilated, and history called it "a horse only turns and no return"; The Jin defeated the Qi army, and the symbol of its results was "to get two cars and 30,000 corpses". In addition, Qi Fa Guanshi, "five hundred mourning vehicles", in the battle of Wu Qi Ailing, Qi lost "eight hundred leather chariots, and three cadres in the first class", which is enough to show that the loss of military strength is also based on military vehicles.

Sun Tzu said in the Art of War: "Where the art of war is used, a thousand cars are galloped, a thousand leather chariots are rided, and 100,000 armor is taken".

Placing all kinds of military vehicles in the first place in the arms of the army is enough to show the importance of combat vehicles.

During the Warring States Period, with the continuous promotion of institutional agricultural tools, the productive forces developed rapidly, and various countries competed to change their laws to become stronger, and the emerging landlord class, in order to consolidate its own strength, took the lead in the struggle of various countries. For some new technologies and new methods, we should adopt an inclusive and encouraging attitude, so that the continuous popularization of iron farming tools and cattle farming has made the productivity develop rapidly.

In this way, the slaves in the well field system were liberated, and such a surplus labor force naturally could not be idle, and these freed slaves were greatly expanded into the army, providing a large number of infantry for the troops.

The advancement of iron-smelting technology has also made the sources of weapons more diverse, and a slave can participate in battle with a long sword.

The status of the chariot is constantly changing, although the status is constantly declining, but with the chariot as the center, the number of chariots and soldiers combined with the number of vehicles is still a sign of the strength of each country.

The form of the chariot has also changed, and on the battlefield in order to match the rising infantry phalanx, the chariot

According to the characteristics of the operation, there are attack vehicles used for attack, defensive vehicles used for defense and transporting heavy vehicles, and according to the speed of movement, there are light vehicles and heavy vehicles.

The attack vehicle also includes the Rong Road, that is, the command vehicle, the Changyi that is, the attack vehicle, and the Que vehicle, which is used for maneuvering;

Cabools include apple cars and wide cars.

Meng said that the attacking vehicles brought by him were deployed in the wide area of the river valley to build a vehicle defense line, and the guards were placed at the important intersection on the top of the mountain as the last and most important defensive barrier.

If the enemy comes to attack, even if they break through the defense line of the rangers, they will be shot by a large number of crossbowmen in ambush on the way to the march, and even if they are lucky enough to rush to the foot of the mountain, it is probably not a simple matter to break through the car formation in front of them.

After the enemy has been constantly attrition, what he has to face is the top priority of the entire defense, "the attack is insufficient, the code is more than enough" Meng said skillfully with the help of the trend of the mountain, set up deer, crossbowmen, and archers in batches! In just one afternoon, this hill in the Qinling Mountains has been arranged by Meng Shuo! (To be continued.) )