In the mansion in Zhencheng, the great Sima Tian Chong of Qi State looked at the precious gifts placed on his chest and couldn't help but nod.
Since the last time the envoys of Qin sent letters and gifts to Zhao Tuo, the generals between Qin and Qi had established a line of communication.
After that, Li Shiqi often came to Zhencheng to walk around.
A gift today, a letter tomorrow, the words were humble and complimentary, and the gifts they brought were precious and heavy, which made Tian Chong feel a little embarrassed.
Today is the era of the Warring States Period, when various countries are engaged in frequent wars, and rituals and music have long since collapsed.
But the situation in Qi is somewhat different from that of the other five countries.
Since the State of Qi closed its borders and defended itself, the people of Qi under the age of forty have never personally experienced the cruelty of war, and have never experienced the real dangers of the world. Even if their fathers and ancestors talked about those wars many times and how terrible they were, those cruelties
Things that have never happened to them have always been difficult for the new generation or two to truly feel.
Especially for nobles like Tian Chong who were born in fine clothes and fine food since childhood, while he was learning the art of war and tactics, he would also study "Spring and Autumn", "Li" and other books.
His thinking will inevitably be influenced by the aristocrats of the Spring and Autumn Period mentioned in the book.
Hundreds of years ago, the form of war was very different from today.
In wars between countries and nobles, both sides often make an appointment and arrive at roughly the same time. After arranging their teams, they sound the war drums and drive towards the other side.
This is what is called "the day is fixed and the land is fixed, each one lives on one side, beats the drum and fights, and does not deceive each other."
Such a war is more like a sports competition than a war, with both sides observing certain etiquette and order on the battlefield.
The more famous one is the battle between Gongzicheng and Huabao in the Song Dynasty in the past.
The chariots of both sides met at Zheqiu. Huabao drew his bow and nocked an arrow, and shot at Gongzi City first. As a result, one of the arrows missed Gongzi City.
But Huabao moved very quickly and cocked the arrow again.
When Gongzicheng saw this scene, he shouted disdainfully at Huabao: "It would be a shame not to shoot more!"
You shot an arrow and didn't let me fight back. How despicable!
In wars between nobles, it is only etiquette that one person shoots an arrow.
When Hua Bao heard this, he shamefully took out the arrow that had been placed on his bow and asked the other party to shoot.
Then Huabao was shot to death by Gongzicheng with an arrow.
This is the so-called etiquette of war. In addition to mutual rounds of shooting, there are also various war rules such as: do not attack and seriously injured, do not capture two cents, do not drum, do not line up, do not drive north, etc.
Moreover, each battle must be preceded by a well-known battle, and it cannot be fought without an appointment. In battles, the generals of the two sides often meet after the two sides have formed a formation. Sometimes they have a drink in front of the formation and exchange a few words before going back to each other.
Each formation, command the charge.
Although Tian Chong lived in the Warring States Period, he had read many examples of deceitful warfare, was also familiar with the art of war, and knew the principles behind the deceitful tactics of soldiers.
But deep down in his heart, this true nobleman still admires the noble battles of that distant era, and often longs for the enemies he faces to engage in a true gentleman's battle with him.
If used as a metaphor, perhaps deep in Tian Chong's heart, there is still a heart similar to that of the former "Song Xianggong".
Now, Zhao Tuo, the general of the Qin army opposite, seems to be a general with quite aristocratic etiquette.
He gave generous gifts, and expressed admiration for himself in his letters. He even often humbly asked himself about the art of war in his letters...
Such behavior made it difficult for Tian Chong not to have a good impression of Zhao Tuo.
Therefore, he often wrote back greetings and even sent envoys to visit and send gifts back.
Under such circumstances, the armies of Qi and Qin faced each other at the border, but they did not show any intention of becoming tense. On the contrary, they appeared to be very harmonious and friendly.
"The people of Qin are cruel and cunning. Now they are giving gifts and sending envoys frequently. Maybe they have ulterior motives. Please ask the Grand Sima to check it out and don't fall into the Qin people's schemes!"
This was the advice given by the people from the Four Kingdoms after they learned that the envoy from Qin was often coming. Tian Chong responded with a "hmm" on the surface, but actually he had his own thoughts in his heart.
"What Zhao Tuo did was, firstly, because he was injured and lying on the bed. He was afraid that he would take the opportunity to attack him, so he sent an envoy to deliver gifts and begged me to keep my hand. Secondly, it was also because he admired me, otherwise there would be no such thing in the letter.
Such words of respect and advice.”
"No matter what, I do know how to be polite. When the outcome of the battle between Wang Jian and Xiang Yan is revealed in the future, and I lead my troops to attack Puyang, I will treat Zhao Tuo with courtesy, so that I can live up to my reputation as a noble of the Tian family.
"
His affection for Zhao Tuo, his contempt for his injured legs and feet, and his pride in his 100,000 troops and his own abilities.
The combination of various reasons made Da Sima Tian Chong completely put down his vigilance towards Zhao Tuo and the Qin army.
Under his influence, the entire 100,000 Qi troops around Zhen City did not take the Qin people seriously, and even the soldiers at the bottom made fun of Qin general Zhao Tuo for breaking his leg from time to time.
The Qi army, up and down, was no longer wary of the Qin army more than a hundred miles away.
…
"The general's strategy has been completed. The Qi army is no longer wary of the general. If our army launches an attack, we can defeat the 100,000 Qi army in Zhencheng in one battle."
After Li Shiqi returned to the Qin army's camp, he smiled and congratulated Zhao Tuo.
"Thank you sir."
Zhao Tuo asked about the situation of Li Shiqi's envoy again. After confirming that the Qi people had really relaxed their vigilance, he couldn't help but feel at ease. Then he thought of something again and asked, "I wonder, sir, have you ever seen any of the four kingdoms in the Qi army?"
People, are those people aware of our strategy?"
"I haven't seen it, but I tested Zou Yang a few times. There are indeed many people from the four countries following the Qi army. In the past, they often encouraged Tian Chong to attack our Qin country. But these days, they have become quiet, except for Xiang Tian.
Apart from Chong's advice not to be taken lightly, we did not make any big moves, nor did he try to persuade Tian Chong to attack again. From what I can see, Tian Chong does not trust these people, and I think they should not have any influence on the general's plan." Li.
He opened his mouth to answer.
Zhao Tuo nodded, and with a thought in his mind, he asked again: "Sir, have you ever asked those people from the four countries if there are any famous figures?"
Li Shiqi was stunned for a moment and said with a wry smile: "I was afraid of arousing the other party's vigilance, so I didn't ask specifically. However, when Zou Yang spoke, he mentioned Lord Hengyang, who seemed to be a Korean clan."
Zhao Tuo nodded. Although the Four Kingdoms did not exist, there were still many clans and clans left outside. It was not unusual for a few to appear among the Qi army.
When Zhao Tuo came to this era, Korea had already been destroyed, so he was not very familiar with Korea, and the name Hengyang Lord did not attract his attention.
He turned around and said: "Since the people of the four countries have not seen through our plan, and the Qi army has lowered their vigilance, it is time for our army to take action. We should attack the Qi people quickly, otherwise we are afraid that something will happen if we are too late."
"Let people go to the city to invite the Tujun Lieutenant to come, and then summon the generals to discuss the matter. Make a plan today, and the troops can be sent out tomorrow. At that time, in the name of the rebellion of the Wei people in Dingtao, they will send troops south, march to the middle of the road, and then turn east
Go straight to Zhencheng!"
…
Puyang.
Since there were already 20,000 Dongjun soldiers stationed near the city, the 20,000 Qin troops brought by Zhao Tuo from Huaibei were all stationed in a wide area about ten miles outside the city, near the water source.
Between Puyang City and the camp of the 20,000 Qin troops, there is a road that can accommodate two vehicles.
In the trees on the roadside, the autumn leaves are bleak, but the dense grass and woods are still enough to hide people's whereabouts.
"Chen Jun, we have been waiting here for two days. Will the county captain Tu Sui really come?"
A ranger spoke, and while speaking, he reached out and killed a mosquito full of blood. There were red packets everywhere on his arm.
Chen Yu scratched the itching behind his ears and whispered: "It will come. The Qin general Zhao Tuo broke his legs and could only live in the city and lie on the couch. The person with the highest position and title near Puyang is the county captain Tu Sui.
Although Zhao Tuo's 20,000 people still have a school captain to lead them, they still rely on Tu Sui to provide supplies and food, and his soldiers also need someone to lead and issue orders, so Tu Sui will go to the camp every few days."
"There are too many Qin troops guarding the city. It is difficult for us to make a move. If we want to assassinate Tu Sui, we can only do it halfway. Don't rush. The assassination requires patience."
Just when Chen Yu was imparting his assassination experience to everyone, the sound of horse hooves could be heard from the road in the distance...