Chapter 334: The Thoughts of Women, Empress Dowager, It Is Better to Surrender than to Fight!
The Qi State was not weak in power compared to the former Qi State.
The reason is that Qi State is a prosperous nation.
Waging war is an extremely costly affair.
It requires grain, supplies, equipment, and armor — all of which cost money.
Only a nation with strong financial resources can support a well-equipped army with great combat power.
However, this is for other nations.
Even though Qi State is wealthy, it has consistently spent money on military provisions.
Although the Qi army is well-equipped, its numbers are limited.
From the Empress Dowager and the King of Qi down to the common people, there is an innate aversion to war.
The reason for this phenomenon is actually quite simple.
During the mid-Warring States period, Qi State welcomed two relatively enlightened kings: King Wei of Qi and King Xuan of Qi.
King Wei of Qi employed talents such as Tian Ji, Zou Ji, and Sun Bin.
The story of Tian Ji’s horse race comes from him.
And King Xuan of Qi married the renowned Zhong Wu Yan.
“With Zhong Wu Yan around, what need is there for Xia Ying Chun?”
It’s referring to him!
Both King Wei and King Xuan were capable sovereigns.
During their reigns, they worked diligently to strengthen the state, rapidly enhancing its power and making Qi State stronger.
They even defeated the then strongest country, Wei State.
By the time of King Xuan’s later years, Qi State had become one of the leading superpowers among the seven Warring States, with a complete opportunity to unify the world.
Just then, King Xuan passed away, and King Min of Qi ascended the throne.
In the early years of his reign, King Min of Qi was also hardworking.
At that time, Qi State allied with Qin State, both claiming imperial titles.
Qin State called itself the Western Emperor, while Qi State called itself the Eastern Emperor.
This can be said to be an early strategy of distant attacks and near alliances.
At that time, Qi State befriended Qin State while waging wars with the five neighboring states, gradually encroaching on their territories.
The idea was not wrong, nor was the plan.
But the fault lay in King Min’s inability to execute, leading to significant tactical issues.
Ultimately, after Qi State annexed Song State, widespread anger ensued.
After all, no one wanted to see Qi State completely rise and dominate.
Once Qi State annexed Song State, the five states of Qin, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Yan formed an alliance to attack Qi.
This resulted in the historically famous “Five States Attacking Qi.”
In the end, Qi State was left with only two cities.
As destruction loomed, significant internal conflicts arose within the coalition forces.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Qi State successfully revived itself.
Although Qi State successfully revived, it suffered significant losses in the process of being besieged.
From then on, Qi State developed a pervasive fear of external threats.
To the people of Qi, all countries outside of Qi were deemed untrustworthy.
No matter whom they allied with, they would eventually be betrayed.
From then on, whenever the Qi high-ranking officials sought to take initiative and engage in matters outside of Qi, there would be significant opposition from within.
This is also why Qi State has continued to stand by while Qin State goes to war with other countries.
Qi State is not unaware of the principle of “when the lips are gone, the teeth suffer.”
Other countries have also sought support from Qi State.
But the psychologically scarred Qi State has remained inactive.
Thus, it continued until the present Qi King, Tian Jian, ascended the throne.
The Empress Dowager was originally the daughter of a Qi official.
The previous King, King Xiang of Qi, escaped to their home as a servant during the “Five States Attacking Qi” war when he was still a prince.
Later, for some unknown reason, the two fell in love.
After Qi State’s revival, King Xiang brought her into the palace, making her the queen.
Later, when King Xiang passed away, she became the Empress Dowager.
At that time, Tian Jian was still young, and power remained firmly in the hands of this Empress Dowager.
Although King Qi had already taken power, she remains the true head of Qi State now.
And the Empress Dowager, having personally experienced the invasion of Qi by the five states in her early years, became a staunch “appeaser.”
For her, when faced with invading forces, it was either about paying money or ceding territory.
In her view, as long as other countries did not attack Qi, it would be sufficient for Qi to remain self-sufficient.
She doesn’t want to meddle in disputes or alliances.
And Tian Jian was also deeply influenced by her mindset since childhood.
One could say that from top to bottom, there wasn’t a single person in Qi who desired to go to war.
When Master Xun went to persuade Qi to surrender, it wasn’t as difficult as one might imagine.
Having enjoyed decades of peace, the people of Qi had long forgotten how to fight wars.
Throughout the government, not even one commander skilled in warfare could be found.
They were fine as long as they could make money.
………… Seeking flowers….
Asking them to fight was truly putting them in a difficult position.
Moreover, nearly everyone in Qi was wealthy now.
Those officials were all making a fortune, and after living in comfort for too long, their bloodiness had been slowly worn away.
The might of Qin State was evident to all.
How could they compete when even the strongest states of Zhao and Chu had been conquered?
Regarding this persuasion to surrender, those officials stated that as long as their property wasn’t touched, everything could be discussed.
Master Xun went to the palace of the King of Qi to persuade him to surrender, while Li Mo was with Yan Lingji, experiencing the local customs and culture of Qi.
The familiar Zhang Liang accompanied them.
On the bustling streets, people jostled past each other, presenting a harmonious scene.
Yet, who could imagine that the fall of Qi State was just days away?
Stunningly beautiful Yan Lingji was the center of attention wherever she went.
This face that brings disaster to the nation always attracts countless admiring glances.
While walking, people occasionally came over to greet Zhang Liang.
It was evident that this gentleman, one of the three heroes of the Little Sage Courtyard, still had quite the reputation in Qi.
However, what puzzled many was:
What kind of background could allow Mr. Zifang to personally accompany them while strolling the streets?
What was even more perplexing was why this unbelievably beautiful woman showed no regard for the well-known Confucian master Zhang Liang,
But instead intimately linked arms with a blind man?
We admit that the blind man was somewhat good-looking.
But good looks don’t put food on the table!
“The world is so ignorant, unable to see my inner goodness; it’s truly a pity.”
When they reached a less crowded area, Li Mo suddenly shook his head and sighed.
Yan Lingji turned her head, blinking her eyes at him, pondering why he was saying such things.
A moment ago, her attention was focused on the street vendors.
Zhang Liang noticed, realizing the reason behind Li Mo’s words.
He smiled and said, “If they knew your identity, they definitely wouldn’t think this way.”
Li Mo chuckled softly and shook his head.
Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly froze in place.
“Sir, sir? What’s wrong with him?”
Zhang Liang called out a few times, but Li Mo didn’t respond.
Yan Lingji glanced at Li Mo and, unfazed, remarked, “Qi has surrendered.”
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