The Warring States period is a fascinating era, with a hundred schools of thought contending and seven schools contending for supremacy. This must be the "ideal type" that many people have crossed. However, during the Warring States period, there was such a country, which was listed as one of the seven warring States periods in history.

However, since it was sealed, it has been bullied and was on the verge of being conquered several times. However, it came back to life. The rise at the end of the Warring States period almost wiped out Qi, a great eastern country, that is, Yan. This seemingly weak country experienced the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, even several years later than South Korea, which once dominated the Central Plains. Yan's strength is determined by many factors.

I. Geographical environment and blood relationship

It was one of the earliest vassal states after the establishment of the Yan Western Zhou Dynasty. It's Zhou's kindred and a vassal named Ji. High status in Wang Zizhong. This fief is located in today's Hebei area, near Liaodong Peninsula.

You know, Hebei at that time and Hebei today are not the same concept. The origin of China depends on the Yellow River and the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, so today's Henan is the Central Plains.

At that time, Yan was a border country. Although Yan culture lags behind the Central Plains for a long time because of its remoteness, it also keeps Yan away from all kinds of unnecessary wars in the Central Plains.

On the other hand, Song Luguo in the Fourth World War in the Central Plains easily fell victim to the hegemony of other countries. Yan can survive in troubled times because no one wants her, which is a bit like Zhuangzi's "uselessness".

Although Yan doesn't often fight in the Central Plains, it doesn't mean that there are no foreign enemies. Since ancient times, countries on the frontier have been threatened by other countries, and Yan is no exception.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Yan was often forced to face the rejection of foreign tribes, such as Rusheng and other local tribes in the primitive Shang Dynasty. This made Emperor Yan often be beaten to move the capital or ask for help from other countries in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. At that time, Guan Zhong's slogan of "respecting the king and rejecting foreign countries" was put forward when he helped Yan resist the invasion of Shanrong.

But it is precisely because of this situation that Yan's national strength is weak and the people are brave and good at fighting.

Han Yu once praised "Zhao Yan is so sad". This folk custom has also become the basis of the rise of Yan Zhaowang and the disintegration of Le Yi.

In addition to geographical location, blood relationship is also one of Yan's amulets. In the Spring and Autumn Period, when blood relationship was emphasized, the princes with the surname of Ji enjoyed a high status, which can be seen from their attitude towards Qin Chu. Neither country was a vassal state named Ji, nor was it the first vassal state of that year.

They look down on different clans and princes in these wild areas, and are often wary of them in diplomacy and military affairs and discriminate against them in culture. They don't even consider themselves. This is also an indirect factor in maintaining peace.

Second, the rise of Yan Zhaowang.

You know, the names of the seven heroes of the Warring States were all given by later generations. Without heroic deeds, a person can't be called a man and he won't live long. As weak as a swallow, South Korea is famous for its military strength. At that time, there were not only seven warring States.

Yan's "life" is unknown, and even the events and signs in the Spring and Autumn Period are unknown to future generations because of the lack of historical materials. But in the middle and late Warring States period, the rule of a conquered king made Yan shine in the history books for the first time. He is Yan Zhaowang who ascended the throne in 3 13 BC.

Most people may not have heard of this name, but his famous soldier Le Yi should be familiar with it. Yan is the first powerful country in his hand. At the beginning of his reign, he made up his mind to make Yan strong, so he collected excellent talents everywhere to govern the country.

Due to the courtesy of the old minister Guo Kui and the construction of the palace, all countries gathered in Yan. According to historical records, "Le Yi came out of Wei, Zou Yan came out of Qi, Zhao played, and scholars competed for Yan".

This makes Yan a bully in the north. According to records, "Yan has a hundred more"

Compared with the perishing countries such as Sun, Lu and Song, the Yan State lasted from the early Spring and Autumn Period to the unification of the six countries by Qin Shihuang. Of course, a sense of security in a strict sense is not easy to exist.

Surrounded by powerful countries such as Qi and Zhao, there are also foreigners who frequently invade the south. Yan can endure many fierce wars, which indirectly reflects the indomitable fighting spirit of the country.