Qin State noticed Gongsun Yan's movements and promptly sent Zhang Yi to travel among the various countries, using the strategy of the Vertical and Horizontal Alliance to dismantle the vertical alliance.
The two great masters of diplomacy each employed their own methods.
One advocated the vertical alliance, while the other pursued the horizontal alliance.
They appeared in the courts of the various countries, using words to influence the feudal lords' decisions.
Sometimes they competed openly; sometimes they fought in secret.
Wars continually broke out among the various countries because of their strategies as well.
Overall, victory and defeat were shared between them. The situation seesawed back and forth, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.
It was not until the long-lived King Hui of Wei died, and his son King Xiang of Wei ascended the throne, that Gongsun Yan's vertical alliance reached its full strength.
In King Xiang of Wei's first year, stirred up by Gongsun Yan, Wei, Zhao, Han State, Yan State, and Chu State formed a vertical alliance and launched the Five States Attack Qin.
At the same time, he contacted Yiqu west of Qin State and had them harass Qin State from behind.
However, Gongsun Yan remained clear-headed throughout.
He had once commanded troops in Qin State and understood one thing well:
A great war among the various countries was not decided by armies alone.
At a higher level, there was also bargaining among Mystic Gate forces.
That was the key to determining victory or defeat.
Though the vertical alliance had great momentum, if immortals of the Chan Sect intervened for Qin State, the situation could reverse at any moment.
Since the other side had immortals supporting them, they naturally needed corresponding measures.
While busy with the vertical alliance, Gongsun Yan never stopped searching for