Chapter 139: Taking Precautions for a Rainy Day

Having said this, Guo Xia sighed, slowly stood up, paced back and forth in the room for a few moments, and then continued.

"A figure like this is either favored by sheer luck or is truly an extraordinary individual. Much like Tian Rangju, who rose from obscurity to startle the world, all such a person needs is an opportunity. Therefore, for the sake of Qi, we must be on our guard."

Guo Yuan, however, held a different view and directly voiced his objection.

"Since my father rates him so highly, have you ever considered that unless Qi simply puts Meng Di to death, there will eventually come a day when he returns to Mengyi? In that case, wouldn't we have created a formidable enemy for ourselves?"

Had it been in the past, Guo Xia would have dismissed his son's words as a joke, but now he treated the matter with utmost gravity. After pondering carefully for a moment, a look of helplessness crossed his face.

"What you say makes a certain amount of sense. However, the current situation in Lu is fraught with complexity and turmoil. Even with Meng Di's exceptional abilities, it will take him a considerable amount of time to fully seize control of the political landscape in Lu. By then, who knows what the world will have become?"

"Still, one must always take precautions. Here is what we will do: let Meng Di stay at the Prime Minister's residence a little longer. Afterward, I shall consult with Prime Minister Gao to see how he intends to dispose of Meng Di."

Meanwhile, in Zhaoge of Wey.

Duke Ling of Wey wore a hesitant expression as he spoke to Nanzi by his side.

"Emissaries have arrived from both Zheng and Qi, stating both implicitly and explicitly that they intend to form an alliance. If we in Wey refuse now, there is every likelihood that both states will launch a joint attack against us."

"Moreover, Fan Yang, the chief minister of Jin, is solely focused on aggrandizing the Fan clan, which has already provoked intense resentment among the other five major families. Given these circumstances, turmoil in Jin is likely imminent. Yet, until the very last moment, I remain reluctant to make a final decision."

Upon hearing this, Nanzi simply smiled with an air of absolute confidence.

"My lord is perhaps overthinking the matter. It is already abundantly clear that Zheng and Qi are moving toward an alliance. Since our state of Wey is merely a small nation and Jin has yet to make any move, why should my lord agonize over this?"

"If Zheng and Qi dispatch their armies later on, Wey can send out forces as well, provided we proceed with caution. Should Jin subsequently intervene with military force, Wey can conveniently claim that we were coerced and acted under duress."

"Besides, Zheng has just annexed Xu and is currently brimming with ambition and self-satisfaction. We can afford to sit back and observe; who knows, we might even seize the opportunity to reap some profits. Playing both sides is the only way a small state like ours can ensure its survival."

Hearing this, Duke Ling of Wey nodded thoughtfully before letting out a sigh.

"I never would have imagined that Qi, the hegemon of a century, could be reduced to such a state. It is truly lamentable. However, the influence of the Beigong clan within Wey is growing stronger by the day, and that is a source of genuine concern for me."

The rise of the Beigong clan was closely tied to Duke Ling himself. Having ascended the throne at the tender age of six, it was impossible for a mere child to manage the affairs of state, allowing supreme power to fall into the hands of powerful ministers.

By the time Duke Ling reached adulthood, internal conflicts within Wey had intensified, culminating in an open rebellion. It was only through the assistance of Beigong Xi that Duke Ling managed to secure absolute control over the state, prompting him to shower the Beigong clan with favors.

Consequently, the Beigong clan grew increasingly formidable within Wey, leaving Duke Ling with a sense of unease that robbed him of sleep.

Nanzi was well aware of these underlying tensions. After a brief reflection, she offered a suggestion.

"Since Qi wishes to draw Wey into its orbit at such a crucial juncture, why does my lord not dispatch Beigong Jie as an envoy to Qi? Send him to ease the relations between our two states, while my lord maintains an ambiguous stance."

"If Qi attempts to threaten my lord through Beigong Jie, we can then punish the Beigong clan, accusing them of incompetence and of offending Qi. In this way, firstly, we can appease Qi's wrath, and secondly, we can let Jin know that my lord acted out of unavoidable necessity."

These words caused Duke Ling to nod repeatedly. He pulled Nanzi directly into his embrace.

"An excellent idea! A truly ingenious plan that achieves two goals at once. We shall do exactly as you say!"

At this moment, however, Nanzi took the opportunity to offer a gentle warning.

"For this plan to succeed, we must notify the Marquis of Qi in advance to avoid any misunderstandings that might ruin our efforts."

Following their secret consultation, they covertly dispatched a messenger carrying a confidential letter to Qi. Soon after, acting on the orders of Duke Ling, Beigong Jie began preparing for his diplomatic mission to Qi.

In Qufu of Lu.

Yang Hu looked at the confidential letter in his hand with a headache. It had been sent by Fan Yang, urging him to lead Lu troops in a punitive expedition against Zheng, with repeated assurances that Jin would definitely dispatch an army if Lu found itself in danger.

He could easily guess what Fan Yang was plotting. Since Zheng and Qi were currently thick as thieves, compelling Lu to attack Zheng would effectively cut off any path of retreat for Lu.

Of course, there was another layer to it: Fan Yang also wanted to use this to test Qi's attitude. This put Yang Hu in a difficult position. Meng Di had only just arrived in Qi when Fan Yang's confidential letter arrived. Once hostilities commenced, how would Yang Hu answer to the various ministers of Lu?

These men were already discontented with him. If he were to abandon Meng Di in Qi this time, and Qi should subsequently launch an army to attack Lu, Yang Hu would completely lose the support of the people.

Left with no alternative, Yang Hu dispatched another team of emissaries while writing a letter to the Marquis of Qi in the name of the Duke of Lu. His stance was resolute: even in times of war between states, emissaries are not executed, yet Lu's envoy was currently detained in Qi, a blatant disregard for ritual propriety.

Simultaneously, Yang Hu began mobilizing troops throughout Lu. He knew very well that he could not afford to offend Jin at this moment; otherwise, given Fan Yang's character, Jin might directly interfere in the internal affairs of Lu.

Should that happen, Yang Hu would be utterly ruined. Jin would not even need to lift a finger—it would suffice for them to simply voice their support for the Jisun clan to seize power. Therefore, regardless of his personal inclinations, he had to prepare for war now.

The heads of the Threehuan clans were summoned to review the confidential letter. Having read it, they raised no objections. Under the current circumstances, everyone had to set aside their prejudices and weather the immediate crisis together, especially regarding Meng Di.

Although many Lu ministers were deeply dissatisfied with Meng Di's unilateral altering of state decrees, that was an internal dispute. No matter what, rescuing the man had to take precedence.