The bottom line is that the Zhi family is too powerful and is getting stronger all the time. The fear of all the forces is increasing day by day. Can't we try some tricks to test it?
Zhiyao thought about it and suspected this and that. The biggest suspect fell on Lu Guo, and the Wei family must also be related.
The State of Lu might not have placed the ritual vessels carelessly, but wanted to use this method to test Zhi's ambitions.
What kind of heuristic? Just wait and see whether Zhishi will hide it when he discovers the ritual utensils in the apology. Hiding must have arrogant intentions, and the Lu State will have Zhishi's leverage.
"Is Lu Guo's heart big enough? However, it is quite in line with Lu people's way of doing things." Zhi Yao laughed in his heart.
In fact, Sanhuan used this method to deceive Yang Hu, used a method to let Yang Hu obtain the ritual objects, and then exposed the matter of Yang Hu's private possession of the ritual objects. In one fell swoop, Yang Hu was ruined and ended up with a
The consequences of betrayal and separation.
Ritual utensils are divided into different levels. Ritual utensils used by each family for sacrifices, and ritual utensils used for national sacrifices. The latter must not be held by people below the level of princes.
Hiding vassal-level ritual vessels now is tantamount to having the ambition to replace them. This behavior is equivalent to secretly making dragon robes in other dynasties, and one day they will plot to usurp the throne.
So what does it have to do with the Wei family? As mentioned before, both the Wei family and the Hu family are obliged to help the Zhi family check what kind of apology gifts the Lu State has sent to avoid illegal things in the gifts.
The Fox clan has become a foreign race for so long, and they need a long period of "make-up lessons" to catch up on the basic knowledge. It is impossible for Hu Jie to check the gifts in person. The retainers of the Fox clan don't have that background, and they probably won't be able to recognize the ritual vessels when they see them.
come out.
The Wei family is different. The background of their retainers is definitely far superior to that of the Hu family. The level of ritual utensils can be identified at a glance.
Therefore, although the Hu family was responsible for escorting the apology, the Wei family needed to help check it in advance. However, the ritual vessels used by the princes for sacrifices were not recognized. What an oversight!
After Zhiyao found the ritual artifact, she immediately went to find Wei Ju and complained: "Ju wants to harm me?"
Maybe it was a bit sudden, or maybe it was staged? Wei Ju was stunned for a moment, then looked full of surprise and asked, "Why did Yao say that?"
Zhiyao also told the story of the ritual utensils found in the Lu State's apology, and confirmed again and again that the Wei family had not discovered it?
Wei Ju immediately called the retainer in charge of inspection.
The retainer bit himself to death because he found no ritual utensils at all during the inspection. He also described the items he saw during the inspection one after another. There were some omissions, but generally they were correct.
The retainer had the attitude that if Zhiyao had any doubts, he would commit suicide to prove his innocence.
Don't tell me, if Zhiyao didn't believe it, Wei's retainer would really have committed suicide.
"Yao, it's hard to explain this with words alone," Wei Ju said.
Yes, it has happened. Everyone is suspected. It is really not something that words can explain clearly.
Zhiyao agreed with Wei Ju's statement and replied: "I have sent people to 'Luoyi'."
Wei Ju was surprised for a moment, and had to admit that Zhi's way of handling the ritual vessels was the best way, and then said: "If Lu didn't send an envoy, it's time to attack!"
The State of Lu could be careless for a while. The ritual vessels used for sacrifices were so important. It took a long time not to notice that a few pieces were missing. No matter how you look at it, it seems extremely unreasonable and unreasonable.
What is the situation? No matter which country you are in, special people will look after and maintain the ritual vessels used for sacrifices. How could a country like Lu, which values etiquette more than any other prince, not even know that the ritual vessels are missing?
Later, the two stopped talking about ritual vessels and turned to talking about Zheng, Song and Qin.
At present, there are two countries that the Wei family needs to pay attention to, one is Qin and the other is Zheng.
The Qin State does not need the Wei family to pay special attention to it. The Han family is the most nervous one and is also related to the Fox family.
The country that the Wei family needs to pay most attention to externally is the State of Zheng. Once there is a change in the State of Zheng, it will directly threaten the Wei family's digestion of the cities and towns that originally belonged to the Fan family. Now is also a very critical moment for the Wei family to digest those territories.
"Zheng or Zheng allied with the Song Dynasty, and then allied with the Wu Dynasty." Wei Ju said.
It can only be said that the impact of the "Battle of Ai Ling" will not be limited to all parties involved in the war. The impact is far greater than imagined.
First of all, Qi State lost 90,000 troops and suddenly fell into the dilemma of having only 50,000 or 60,000 troops available. It also lost the land of "Tan", which further worsened the overall situation of Qi State.
There will be no surprises. The Zhi family will definitely continue to use troops against Qi in the coming year. If the goal is not to destroy the country, conquering the upper reaches of Jishui River is inevitable.
If Qi loses the upper reaches of the Jishui River and is unable to regain the lost territory, they will become a country that is insignificant to the international situation from now on, with a status that is only slightly stronger than the current Weiguo?
Another direct participant in the war was the State of Wu.
It was the first time that Wu State officially fought against the Jin army. Due to the fact that they had fought repeatedly with the Qi army, the army was extremely tired and was beaten by the Jin army. Whether they were convinced or not, they lost to the Jin army, and only
Less than 30,000 people evacuated the country.
The battle at "Ai Ling" shattered the myth that the Wu army was invincible. In fact, this was the most dangerous place for Wu.
Let alone mentioning that Wu’s vigor was severely dampened, several countries that were frightened by Wu’s army recognized the fact that Wu’s army could also be defeated. Their fear of Wu would inevitably be reduced, and they might have the courage to rise up and resist.
Where is it?
Fortunately, Fu Chai was not dead and could act as a deterrent. Otherwise, Gou Jian, who had been struggling to survive, would have put his revenge plan into action immediately.
Wu's rise has been interrupted. They should be able to recognize themselves again, and begin to reflect on what they did not do well enough, and examine the enemies they have defeated.
So, once Wu Guo can survive this hurdle, maybe it will be a good thing for them?
Zheng and Song were more likely to move closer to Wu precisely because Wu lost to Jin. They knew Jin's tactics very well and understood that they would still be beaten if they surrendered to Jin again without resisting at all. On the contrary, they would be beaten if they showed the strength to resist.
Gained the respect of Jin State.
How should I put it? The "lords" of Jin must have brains, but they have to use their fists to speak every time. This is really too tough!
Zhiyao could see that Wei's next expansion direction would be southward, and it was very likely that he would take action immediately.
This was because the Zhi family was clearly expanding eastward, forcing the Wei family not to dare to stop. Even if the Wei family had not fully digested the spoils from the Fan family, they still had to keep moving forward.
The problem is that the Wei family really knows not to stagnate development, and they have to try even if there are risks. Otherwise, the Zhi family will become stronger and stronger, but they are standing still. Even if the Zhi family does not take the initiative to start a civil war, one day they can only take the lead.
Take action.
Why is that? There is only one reason. Since being weak is the original sin, if you don't resist, you will be swallowed up without a splash of water. If you struggle, you can still leave a few ripples on the water.
Zhiyao said: "If the Wei family needs anything, you can find my home."
Wei Ju blinked, he looked really cute?
By the way, what did Zhiyao mean when he said that?
Wei Ju's understanding is that the alliance between the Zhi family and the Wei family will not break up. The Zhi family will expand eastward and the Wei family will expand southward, and everyone will work together to become stronger.
"How could Ju be so polite?" Wei Ju laughed heartily.
Zhiyao put on a look of emotion on her face and said: "Wu will come back. If there is another war, they will all come out in force. Zheng, Song, Qi, Lu, and Qin will all be allies."
Therefore, the Jin State was very powerful, but it was not strong enough to suppress the princes. On the contrary, it forced the princes to unite against the Jin State.
Wei Ju nodded and said, "Come when you come."
As long as Jin can hold on, it doesn't necessarily need to win. A draw can once again make the Central Plains countries surrender and restore the hegemony that many Jin people cherish.
Zhiyao thought there was nothing to talk about anymore, and when she was about to leave, she was stunned when she heard Wei Ju's words.
"The soldiers of the Zhi family are all good, and I want to buy them." Wei Ju said.
How long has it been since the Wei family purchased weapons and armor from outside? At least fifty or sixty years!
For a long time, the Wei family has been selling large quantities of weapons and armor to the outside world. Not only has it monopolized the internal market of Jin, but it is also very popular in other countries.
Their weapons and armor are indeed of excellent quality, and everyone who has used them says they are good.
Zhiyao was stunned. It wasn't that Zhishi couldn't sell it.
What is the fact? The more weapons a weapons manufacturer sells, the more funds it can have for research. The profit from selling one weapon is enough to make at least two more. The larger the mass production, the lower the cost and sales.
The more you have, the more money you make.
On the other hand, if you can produce it yourself and cannot be imitated by others, you can allow a force to fully use its own weapons. In fact, it controls the other party's logistics.
So, if a potential enemy wants to equip more than 30% of its own weapons and does not want to sell them to the other party, is it stupid?
Zhiyao nodded directly.
This was put forward directly by Wei Ju, skipping the trial process and more able to explain the problem.
Does the Wei family want to strengthen their alliance with the Zhi family and trust that Zhi Yao will not have any ill intentions towards the Wei family?
As for imitating Zhi's weapons after obtaining them? Wei had to understand the smelting technology first.
The Wei family really wants to obtain relevant technology. What kind of weapons or stomachs should they buy, bribe the Zhi family's technicians, or send people to steal? Isn't it more useful than buying it?
There is another meaning here. The Wei family has given up its market monopoly on weapons and armor, which means that the Zhi family can enter the market if they want.
In fact, this is also a countermeasure that has been carefully considered and discussed countless times within Wei's family. They know how big the market for weapons and armored stomachs is and how much profit it will generate. Wei's weapons or armored stomachs may not be eliminated. Zhishi obviously
Being able to sell but always abiding by the unspoken rules between the Qing family will inevitably become a flash point of conflict one day.
"Zhi's family faces the east, and my family faces the south. There will be no conflict. Yao and I may live in peace. What will happen in the future depends on the heirs." Wei Ju said to his clan members and retainers.
After all, Wei Ju knew very well that friendship between families must be based on strength. If one family is too strong and the other is too weak, if the family leader doesn't want to do something, the rest of the family will encourage them to do it.
Zhiyao left the Wei family's house, and the next thing she wanted to go to was the Hu family...
