After Spring and Autumn

Chapter 275
When Gao Zhang and Confucius met, Tian Qi, who was actively preparing for the war, came to Bao's mansion in the name of borrowing food.

At this moment, Bao Mu, the Patriarch of the Bao Family, went out to greet each other in person, and after greeting each other, he entered the hall and sat down, Tian Qi said bluntly.

"Some time ago, Marquis Qi wanted Tian to lead the army, so he had made all the preparations, but he didn't expect Wei Guo to come to ask for help at this time. In order to support Qi's great cause of hegemony, Tian dedicated it to Marquis Qi. A batch of food."

"However, Marquis Qi didn't take back the order to let Tian go out. If he goes out in the future, there will be a shortage of food. This time the main purpose of visiting is to borrow food. I wonder if Baozi can lend a helping hand?"

Regarding Tian, ​​Bao Mu's heart is full of complexities. Back then, Gao Zhang, Guo Xia and Bao Mu acted together to slander Qi Houjin, which led Tian Rangju to resign from the position of Da Sima helplessly.

It turned out that Gao Zhang and Guoxia took control of the government of Qi State, but the Bao family did not gain anything, because Bao Mu had always been brooding about this matter, and in order to protect himself, he followed after the Tian family.

I think their Bao family also has a long history in Qi State. Since Duke Huan of Qi became the hegemony, because of Bao Shuya, the Bao family has quickly prospered. Unexpectedly, until now, even a foreign Tian family can't compare.

Bao Mu found it difficult to accept such a huge gap, but the Tian family was good at management in the Qi State, and the Bao family had fallen a little bit now, and had to rely on the Tian family to continue to maintain it from time to time, so naturally it could not be offended.

So after thinking about it for a while, Bao Mu became aware of it. He didn't mention the matter of borrowing food, but asked.

"If Xizi leads the army outside this time, what are the chances of winning? And now that Marquis Qi is seriously ill, under the current circumstances, there may be unforeseen disasters for Xizi to leave Linzi, so it is better to be cautious .”

This is persuasion full of good intentions, Tian Qi said with a smile on his face after hearing it.

"Bao Zi's kindness, Tian appreciates it, but now that Qi has reached this point, it is already hard to ride a tiger. If Jin cannot be further weakened, then when Jin rises in the future, Qi will definitely take revenge."

"Besides, Marquis Qi likes son Tu the most. With the support of the Gao family and the Guo family, there will be no major problems in our Qi country, so the most important threat at present is the Jin country."

Seeing that Tian Qi didn't seem to understand what he meant, Bao Mu felt a little anxious, so he spoke more bluntly.

"The Tian family has a good relationship with Mengzi, but Gao Xiangguo is cautious about the embankment of the Han Dynasty, especially his retainer Confucius, who was once the chief of the Lu State, wanted to restore the power of Luhou, so he was not allowed to be in the same room. Huan."

"At the beginning, Confucius proposed the policy of dropping the three capitals, and Mengzi occupied Feiyi at that time. Now that the Han Kingdom has come into being, Gao Xiangguo has been grieved. At this time, isn't Xi Zi thinking about the future of the Tian family?"

After talking about this point, Tian Qi showed a helpless look on his face, and he spoke very worriedly.

"Having said that, but with the strength of our Tian clan, it is difficult to fight against the Gao clan and the Guo clan. Even if we want to protect ourselves, there is nothing we can do. Until now, we can only resign ourselves to fate."

When Bao Mu heard this, he was also a little discouraged. He still thought that the Tian family would be able to stand out, so that the Bao family could follow closely behind, and when the Gao family and the Guo family were expelled, then the Bao family could be in Qi State. In the court, it occupies a place.

But looking at Tian Qi's current performance, it seems that he has no such intentions, and he can only remain silent.

It was almost noon at this time, so Bao Mu invited Tian Qi to have a meal in the mansion. Although the Bao family is now in decline, the reception of guests is also very standard. After seeing the things, Tian Qi showed admiration on his face.

"Back then, Uncle Bao once lamented that there are two great pleasures in life, one is to eat shield fish, and the other is to drink Linglong. I didn't expect Tian to be able to taste such a delicacy today."

Uncle Bao naturally refers to Bao Shuya, the first ancestor of the Bao family in Qi State. The so-called Linglong is naturally good wine, and the shield fish is the famous abalone in later generations, and its name is also derived from Bao Shuya's words.

After hearing this, Bao Mu showed shame on his face. Facing the delicious food on the desk, he didn't move his chopsticks. After a long silence, he sighed, and then he spoke slowly.

"The family ancestor was so beautiful back then, but I have no choice but to wait for the descendants of my descendants to manage the Bao family so far. If I meet my ancestors under the Jiuquan in the future, I am afraid that I will be ashamed to meet them."

When Tian Qi heard this, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, he took out his chopsticks and tasted a mouthful of the shield fish, then took a sip of the fine wine, with a look of endless aftertaste on his face, then put down his chopsticks, and then said calmly.

"When Da Sima was in power, how powerful was the Qi State? If it could be done at once, then Qi State's hegemony would be achieved. How could it be reduced to the present situation? I am a majestic Qi State, but I have to rely on the Han State To save face."

"Every time I think of this, Tian feels confused in his heart. If the state of Qi continues like this, not only will it be difficult to achieve hegemony, but it is very likely that there will be no strength to go west from now on."

After hearing this, Bao Mu showed a look of shame on his face, and was about to speak, when he suddenly saw Tian Qi turning his head to the servants beside him, he immediately realized that this was not the place to speak , so he stopped talking.

After the meal was over, Bao Mu stood up and invited him.

"Xi Zi has always been very fond of swords, and recently I got a new peerless sword. I invite Xi Zi to come and have a look."

Naturally, Tian Qi would not refuse, so he stood up and followed Bao Mu towards the hall. After arriving at the study, Bao Mu stretched out his hand to repel the following servants, then closed the door himself, and went directly to the inner room.

For a moment, Bao Mu came out holding a sword in both hands, and said after reaching Tian Qi.

"This sword is a sword that our ancestors got when they followed Duke Huan of Qi. It's called Hanguang. The ancestors have always regarded it as a treasure. Now I dedicate it to Xizi, in order to hope that you and my two families can work together. In such a situation Help each other in times of crisis.”

Tian Qi also showed surprise on his face. He didn't expect Bao Mu's determination to be so great, and he was overjoyed immediately, but his face did not change at all. After taking the sword with both hands, he slowly pulled it out and saw a cold light glow , so he opened his mouth to praise.

"It really is a good sword."

(End of this chapter)