After Duke Zhuang of Zheng fell out with the Zhou court, he was no longer trusted by the emperor, and his political influence gradually weakened.
Zhuang Gong of Zheng had 11 sons, and the heir was Ji Hu. He was worried that his favorite Ji Tu would fight for the throne in the future, so he reluctantly let Ji Tu live in Song Country.
In 701 B.C., Duke Zhuang of Zheng passed away, and his son Ji Hu inherited the title of Duke Zheng. This was Duke Zhao of Zheng. However, Duke Zhuang of Song said to the officials of Zheng,""We don't recognize Zheng Zhaogong's regime, so you must support the young master Ji Tu who is currently living in our country as the monarch. Otherwise, we will intervene with force." Sacrificial foot could not bear the pressure, Zheng Zhaogong fled to the oak city. Young Master Ji Tu became the monarch of the State of Zheng with the support of the State of Song. This was Duke Li of Zheng.
In 697 B.C., Duke Li of Zheng had a conflict with Jizu. Jizu drove Duke Li of Zheng away and welcomed Duke Zhao of Zheng back to the country.
Two years later, Gao Qumi, a high-ranking official of the State of Zheng, killed Duke Zhao of Zheng and made another son of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, Ji Ni, the Earl of Zheng. In less than a year, Ji Ni was killed by Duke Xiang of Qi. Ji Zu then appointed another son of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, Ji Ying, as Uncle Zheng.
In 680 B.C., Duke Li of Zheng led his troops back from Liyi and captured Fu Xia, a doctor of the State of Zheng, in Daling (now Jiaocheng County and Wenshui County in Shanxi Province). Fu Xia said,"If you let me go, I can kill Uncle Zheng and Ji Ying for you and let you return to the country to ascend the throne."”Duke Li of Zheng released him. On the 20th day of the 6th month of the same year, Fu Xia killed Uncle Zheng, Ji Ying, and his two sons, and welcomed Duke Li of Zheng back to the State of Zheng.
In the span of 21 years, the country of Zheng had changed its ruler six times. Everyone was busy fighting for power, and their vitality was greatly damaged. From then on, the country of Zheng no longer had the status of a small overlord.
After the Emperor of Zhou moved his capital to the eastern capital, Luoyi, he no longer had the power to govern the vassals. He was reduced to relying on the powerful vassals to make a living. First, he relied on Duke Wu of Zheng and Duke Zhuang of Zheng to control the vassals. After Duke Huan of Zhou and Duke Zhuang of Zheng fell out with each other, he found a new backer and found Duke Huan of Qi. Duke Huan of Qi was granted the title of Fang Bo and ruled the vassals on behalf of the emperor.
Duke Huan of Qi was called Jiang Xiaobai, a descendant of Jiang Ziya.
When Jiang Xiao Bai's elder brother, Duke Xiang of Qi, was in power, the power in the family was seized, and important figures were in danger at all times. Guan Zhong and Zhao Hu protected Jiang Xiao Bai's second brother, Jiang Jiu, and fled to the State of Lu. Bao Shuya protected Jiang Xiao Bai and fled to the State of Ju (now Ju County, Shandong Province).
In 686 B.C., Jiang Xiaobai's cousin, Jiang Wuzhi, killed Duke Xiang of Qi and became the king himself. The next year, the doctor Yong Lin killed Jiang Wuzhi.
Next, who would be the king of Qi? Duke Xiang of Qi's second brother Jiang Jiu and third brother Jiang Xiaobai could both become the king of Qi. These two people were now fleeing abroad. Those who supported Jiang Jiu quickly went to the State of Lu to report to Jiang Jiu, while those who supported Jiang Xiao Bai quickly went to the State of Ju to report to Jiang Xiao Bai, telling them to return home as soon as possible. The first to arrive at the capital, Linzi, would be the monarch of the State of Qi.
Duke Zhuang of Lu immediately sent troops to escort Young Master Jiang Jiu back home. Guan Zhong sent someone to inquire about Jiang Xiao Bai's whereabouts to report that Jiang Xiao Bai had set off before them. Guan Zhong hurriedly said to Young Master Jiang Jiu," Young Master Xiao Bai has run ahead of us. If he enters the capital first, he will become the monarch. I request to lead a light cavalry unit to intercept Young Master Xiao Bai halfway and ensure that you return to the country to become the monarch.”
Young Master Jiang Jiu said,"There is no time to lose. Hurry up and act."”
Therefore, Guan Zhong immediately led 30 military vehicles to the road from Ju to Qi to kill Young Master Jiang Xiao Bai.
Guan Zhong's troops had just passed Jimo for more than 30 miles when they saw Gongzi Jiang Xiaobai's carriage galloping towards the capital, Linzi. Guan Zhong waited for Young Master Jiang Xiao Bai's carriage to approach and shot an arrow at Jiang Xiao Bai, hitting him. Jiang Xiao Bai fell to the ground. Blood flowed out of his mouth and dyed his clothes red. He lay motionless on the rail of the carriage. When Guan Zhong saw that Young Master Jiang Xiao Bai had been shot to death, he led his troops to report the victory to Young Master Jiang Jiu.
In fact, Young Master Jiang Xiao Bai was not dead. Guan Zhong's arrow had hit the hook of his copper belt. Young Master Xiao Bai bit his tongue and pretended to be dead. After Guan Zhong left with his men, Young Master Xiaobai and Bao Shuya became even more vigilant and quickly advanced towards Qi State.
When they arrived at Linzi City, Bao Shuya first went into the city to lobby. The ministers of the State of Qi, Gao and Guo, agreed to protect Prince Xiao Bai as the monarch. Therefore, Prince Xiao Bai entered the city and successfully ascended the throne. This was the famous Duke Huan of Qi in history.
Young Master Jiang Jiu thought that Jiang Xiao Bai was dead, so he boldly advanced slowly. Six days later, when he arrived at Zi City, he found out that Jiang Xiao Bai had become the king of Qi State. He hurriedly ran for his life and ran back to his grandfather's Lu State.
The next year, Duke Huan of Qi wanted to eliminate the hidden danger. He sent troops to attack the State of Lu and defeated the army of the State of Lu. Duke Zhuang of Lu killed his son Jiang Jiu and asked Duke Huan of Qi to withdraw his troops. However, Duke Huan of Qi did not forget Guan Zhong who shot him with an arrow."You must hand Guan Zhong over to me." Duke Zhuang of Lu immediately ordered Guan Zhong to be tied up and handed over to Duke Huan of Qi.
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