  We consider meson scattering in the framework of the lattice strong coupling
expansion. In particular we derive an expression for the 4-point function of
meson operators in the planar limit of scalar Chromodynamics. Interestingly, in
the naive continuum limit the expression coincides with an independently known
result, that of the worldline formalism. Moreover, it was argued by Makeenko
and Olesen that (assuming confinement) the resulting scattering amplitude in
momentum space is the celebrated expression proposed by Veneziano several
decades ago. This motivates us to also use holography in order to argue that
the continuum expression for the scattering amplitude is related to the result
obtained from flat space string theory. Our results hint that at strong
coupling and large-$N_c$ the naive continuum limit of the lattice formalism can
be related to a flat space string theory.
