King Chu Cheng Xiong Yun was the king of Chu Kingdom who reigned from 671 BC to 626 BC. King Chu Cheng reigned for forty-six years, which unprecedentedly improved Chu's influence and national status among the vassal states. .
However, he was deceived when he chose his eldest son Shangchen as the heir to the throne. Yin Doubo insisted on opposing it at the time, but was framed by the prince Shangchen, causing Doubo to commit suicide.
The fact that Dou Bo was unjustly committed suicide because of his loyalty to the throne caused a great shadow in King Chu Cheng's heart, so he began to be wary of the prince Shang Chen.
One day, King Chu Cheng saw a minister wearing a jade that he had given to the prince. He felt strange and alertly asked the minister about the origin of the jade. The minister hesitated and dared not tell.
King Chu Cheng was furious and tortured him for questioning. Konomi had no choice but to tell the truth that it was Shangchen who sent it to win over him.
King Chu Cheng suddenly realized it at this time. He remembered what Dou Bo said to him when he tried to dissuade him. He not only deplored Dou Bo's suicide, but also regretted not listening to Dou Bo's advice at that time, so he began to deliberately alienate the prince.
He later found that his younger son, Prince, was smart and loyal, making him more suitable as an heir, so he wanted to abolish the merchants and establish the title of Prince instead. However, at this time, he clearly remembered Dou Bo's advice about the cruelty of the merchants. He was worried that if he immediately abolished the merchants, it would cause turmoil, so he did not dare to take any action.
At this time, King Chu Cheng's sister Mi married Jiang State and returned home to visit relatives. King Chu Cheng told Jiang Mi his thoughts about establishing the crown prince.
Jiang Mi said thoughtfully: "Deposing a prince is a big deal and should not be done rashly. If there is an opportunity to seize the fault of the merchant and depose him, the prince can inherit the throne naturally." King Cheng felt that Mi's words were reasonable. , so we can only tolerate it temporarily.
The conversation between the brother and sister of King Cheng of Chu was passed on to the merchants by close officials in the palace. After hearing the rumors, some anxious merchant ministers asked their master Pan Chong about countermeasures..
Pan Chongdao: "I have a plan to confirm the authenticity of this news. Wang's sister Jiang Mi, she has a straightforward and impatient temperament, and gets angry easily when things happen. The prince can hold a banquet for her and deliberately entertain her to anger Jiang Mi. Mi. People will be careless when they are angry, and secrets will be leaked in their words."
The merchant was overjoyed and decided to act according to the plan.
On this day, the merchant arranged a sumptuous banquet for Jiang Mi. Jiang Mi was invited to the East Palace. Prince Shang Chen first went out to welcome her, arranged for the guests to be seated, and treated Jiang Mi with great respect. After three rounds of wine, Shang Chen gradually showed signs of neglect.
He first asked the chef to serve Jiang Mi directly without getting up. Later, he deliberately joked with others and ignored Jiang Mi. Jiang Mi, who was already a little drunk, was very unhappy and asked the merchant to ask questions. The merchant turned a deaf ear and only cared about having fun.
How could Jiang Mi accept such cold treatment? She angrily pointed at the merchant and rebuked him: "You are so unreasonable and don't understand etiquette. How can you be worthy of being a prince?"
The merchant replied provocatively: "I am already the prince of the East Palace. What can you do to me?"
Jiang Mi cursed: "You are an unfilial son who talks arrogantly. No wonder the king wants to depose you and establish the position of prince!"
Still angry, Jiang Mi returned to the palace and immediately went to see King Chu Cheng. He angrily He said: "Shang Chen is really unreasonable. He is rude, arrogant and does not understand etiquette and respect. He cannot shoulder the great responsibilities of the country and should be abolished immediately!
Moreover, I think Shang Chen has a vicious face and is by no means a kind person. , If the time drags on for a long time, I am afraid something unexpected will happen."
King Chu Cheng nodded and said: "Sister Wang is right, he is so negligent to you and does not understand etiquette. This is the best reason to abolish him. This matter needs to be done quickly. I will announce the decree in court tomorrow morning."
Jiang Mi then turned from anger to joy and stood up to leave.
King Chu Cheng told her again: "The Yuren of Yunmeng donated a wild bear to me, and I have asked the imperial chef to cook it. Come back to the palace when you arrive. I have already told the prince, and we will go over it when the time comes. Taste the bear's paw and discuss this important matter again. "
Shang Chen was angered by Jiang Mi. After finding out the truth, he also asked his master Pan Chong for countermeasures.
Pan Chong asked: "Can the prince condescend to lower the price in the future and be willing to serve as a prince?"
The merchant shook his head repeatedly: "I am the eldest son and he is the youngest son. I can't do it."
Pan Chong asked again: "If you can't surrender , Do you want to escape to another country?"
Shangchen said: "I am bringing shame on myself by taking refuge in other countries for no reason. I can't do it."
Pan Chong frowned and said slowly. "Then you have only one way. I'm afraid the prince won't be able to bear to take action..." At this point, Pan Chong stared at the merchant with his sly eyes and fell silent.
The merchant gritted his teeth and said fiercely: "This is a time of life and death, what can't be tolerated?"
Pan Chong approached the merchant and whispered: "If you want to control the king's power, you must do something big, and you have to do it tonight, so that you can be sure of victory. ."
Then the two of them whispered for a while and took action immediately.
It was the shortest time in winter, and before midnight, it was completely dark.
The merchants led their troops to surround the palace and spread rumors that there was a coup in the palace. The palace guards did not dare to stop him, so Pan Chong led dozens of warriors and rushed into the palace with murderous intent, and broke into the presence of King Chu Cheng. At this time, all the ministers in the palace were scared away.
King Chu Cheng was surprised to see the menacing Pan Chong. He stood up and shouted sternly: "You are the Crown Prince and Tutor. You are not in the East Palace. What are you doing here? It is a capital crime for you to break into the palace without permission!"
Pan Chong held the sword without fear. , said coldly: "The new king has arrived, and it's time for you, the old master, to give way. Why do you have to show off?" After saying that, he waved his hand, and the murderous warriors immediately surrounded King Chu Cheng.
At this time, King Chu Cheng saw that there were no ministers or guards around him. He suddenly murmured in frustration: "I am old and can't work hard anymore. I am willing to give up the throne and leave the palace myself. "
Pan Chong replied: "Your Majesty, there is no need to leave the palace. A country cannot have two monarchs. If one is established, the other must die!"
At this time, King Chu Cheng looked at his son Shang Chen with sad eyes. Expressionless and indifferent, he softly begged Pan Chong: "I like to eat game, and I have already asked the imperial chef to cook bear paws. Please let me eat another bear paw before I die."
Pan Chong said sharply: "Bear It's hard to grasp. Are you waiting for foreign aid to delay? We can't wait. Your Majesty, don't ask for trouble. Please do it yourself!" After that, he took off the belt from the merchant's waist and threw it to Chu. At the feet of King Cheng.
Pan Chong ordered two warriors to pull up the belt. In just a moment, King Chu Cheng died of anger.
At this time, Jiang Mi, who was coming to the palace for a banquet to eat bear paws, saw the bodies of King Chu Cheng and Yu Wen. She immediately cried and fell to the ground, and said sadly: "I hurt you, Brother Wang!" She said Grabbing the girdle, he hanged himself.
Prince Shi, the youngest son of King Chu Cheng, was naturally not spared and was killed.
The next day, business ministers went to court and announced that King Chu Cheng died of illness and he inherited the throne. He was King Chu Mu.
