In the spring of the tenth year of Duke Zhuang of Lu, the Qi army attacked Lu. Duke Zhuang of Lu can fight. Cao Gui invited Duke Zhuang of Lu to see him. His compatriots said, "Those in power will plan their own wars. Why do you want to participate?" Cao Gui said: "Those in power are short-sighted and cannot have foresight." So he went to North Korea to see Duke Zhuang of Lu.

Cao Gui asked, "What are you fighting for?" Duke Zhuang of Lu said, "Food, clothing and other health-preserving things, if you dare not enjoy them alone, must be given to others."

Cao Gui replied: "These small favors can't be spread to the people, and the people won't listen to you." Duke Zhuang of Lu said: "I (never) dare to falsely report the number of cattle, sheep, jade and silk sacrificed to the gods. I must keep my word." Cao Gui said, "This is only a small contribution. If you can't convince the gods, God will not bless you. "

Lv Zhuanggong said: "Although we can't understand all the cases clearly, we must handle them reasonably." Cao Gui replied, "This is the only thing we can do. We can fight a war under this condition. If you fight, please allow me to go with you. "

Duke Zhuang of Lu and he * * * sat in a chariot and fought the Qi army in the ladle. Duke Zhuang of Lu will order drums to advance. Cao Gui said, "Not now." Wait until the Qi army drums three times. Cao Gui said, "You can beat the drums." The Qi army was defeated. Duke Zhuang of Lu wants to order horses to chase the Qi army. Cao Gui said, "Not yet."

Say that finish, I looked down at the trace of Qi's wheels, boarded the chariot, propped up the crossbar in front of the car and looked at the formation of Qi. I just said, "We can pursue it." So I chased the Qi army.

After defeating the Qi army, Duke Zhuang of Lu asked him why he did it. Cao Gui replied: Fighting depends on courage and dauntless spirit. Playing drums for the first time can boost morale. After the second drum beat, the morale of soldiers began to decline, and after the third drum beat, they were even more exhausted. Their morale was gone, and our army was full of morale, so we defeated them.

In a big country like Qi, it is difficult to speculate on their situation, for fear that they will set an ambush. I saw the traces of their wheels scattered and their flags dropped, so I decided to chase them.

The creative background of Cao Gui's controversy;

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi and Lu were neighbors, both in today's Shandong Province, Qi was in the northeast and Lu was in the southwest. In 697 BC, Qi Xianggong ascended the throne, and his decrees were impermanent. His younger brothers Xiao Bai and Gong Zijiu fled to Ju 'an and Lu 'an respectively. In the second year, Qi Xianggong was killed by Gongsun's ignorance. In the spring of the third year, the Qi people killed Sun Ignorant, and his son first returned to the State of Qi and proclaimed himself emperor.

Later, Duke Zhuang of Lu personally led the troops to escort the son back to China for a long time to compete for the throne. In August, Lu fought with Qi Shi, and the Lu army was defeated. Qi Huangong forced Duke Zhuang of Lu to kill Gong Zijiu. In the spring of the tenth year of Duke Zhuang of Lu, the State of Qi used the excuse that Lu had helped Gongsun Jiu to compete for the throne of Qi, and the two armies again confronted Lu. This is the battle of Qilu long spoon described in the article.