Chapter 112 Principles for big things, small things will be flexible

People with principles in major matters are as reliable as mountains. They are the most loyal maintainers of the team system and a ruler for other team members.This kind of person has his own opinions, and will not hesitate or follow the crowd when things happen.They are a bit "stupid" in the eyes of ordinary people, but they have more vision than ordinary people. Whether individual or team, beliefs and principles are the bottom line.Once this bottom line is broken, an excellent team will become a failed team, and talents will become mediocre.Those great figures would rather suffer the hardships of life than give up their beliefs and principles.

Mozi's disciple, Gongshangrang, was sent by his teacher to publicize Mohism's political views to the King of Yue.The king of Yue was very happy to hear this, and said: "If your teacher is willing to come to our country, I would like to seal the land of Sanbaishe along the Yin River to him." The gentleman came back to report the matter to Mo Zi, and asked: "Are you willing to accept the reward from the King of Yue?" Mozi asked back: "Do you think the king of Yue will implement my political ideas?" Your Majesty thought for a while and replied, "According to my observation, I'm afraid not."

Mozi said: "Then I can't accept the reward from the King of Yue!" The Lord Rang asked: "If you get a fief, can't you practice your political ideas here?" Mozi said: "Ah! Not only the king of Yue doesn't understand my intentions, but you don't even understand. If the king of Yue is willing to listen to my proposition, I will naturally do it as appropriate. If the king of Yue does not accept my proposition, even if the entire Yue kingdom What's the use of giving it to me? Since the king of Yue will never accept my idea, if I accept his gift, it's a trade of principles. If you want to trade principles, why bother to go to the country of Yue? It has already been harvested in the Central Plains."

The gentleman said ashamedly: "Thank you teacher for teaching, the students are really shallow!" It is of course a good thing for a person to be smart and capable.However, it doesn't matter if you are a little bit stupid and a little bit poor in ability, as long as you have the belief to persevere to the end, as long as you have the principle of never giving up, you can still become an excellent person. The Tang monk you fancy, apart from chanting scriptures and meditating, you don't see how capable he is.He can't subdue monsters and catch monsters, he can't carry bags, and he has no strength to restrain chickens.But he has faith, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles the future has, he still bites the bullet and goes all the way west; he also has a principle, "Walking may hurt the lives of ants", and his words and deeds do not lose the essence of Buddhism.The great cause of "learning scriptures from the west" cannot be completed without Tang Seng.

You can't do great things without principles.However, in small matters, there must also be flexible means to change according to needs.Don't look at people with unchanging eyes, don't look at things with rigid eyes, and adjust your way of doing things according to human affairs at any time. In ancient times, there was an official named Zhu Bo, who was introduced to him. There was a rich man named Shang Fangjin in Changling, who was quite talented and could be a guard. Zhu Bo then sent someone to secretly investigate Shang Fangban this person. The person who investigated came back and said: "This man is the surname of Changling. When he was young, he behaved badly. He was caught having an affair with other people's wives. Now he has a scar on his face. It was at that time that he was cut of."

Zhu Bo nodded and remained silent. A few days later, he summoned Shang Fangjin again in the name of understanding the work situation, looked carefully at his face, and found a deep scar. Zhu Bo retreated from the crowd, leaving Shang Fangjin alone, and asked how he got the scar on his face. Shang Fangjin answered truthfully, then blushed and knelt on the ground begging Zhu Bo to forgive him. Zhu Bo laughed and helped him up and said, "What's wrong with a man who has made a little mistake? I'm going to wash away your original shame for you. What do you think?" Shang Fangjin was moved to tears.Zhu Bo took advantage of the situation and said, "If I wash away your shame and make you an upright person, are you willing to serve the court?"

Shang Fangjin promised again and again, saying that he would devote himself to the imperial court and die. Zhu Bo told Shang Fangjin again: "You know me about this conversation. Your task in the future is to record all the treacherous things you encounter." From then on, Zhu Bo revoked Shang Fangjin's shameful case, posted a notice to "clarify" Shang Fangjin's wrongdoing, and summoned Shang Fangjin three times in one day to show his closeness. Shangfang forbidden to go out early and return late, and ran around, rain or shine, exposing the crimes committed by most of the bandit leaders and their cronies in the territory.

In just one year, Shang Fangjin provided important clues and solved the case file as thick as two feet.Zhu Bo took this opportunity to promote Shang Fangjin as the magistrate of Zunxian County.Shang Fangjin went to his post gratefully. From a theoretical point of view, Shangfang forbids adultery with other people's wives, which is a personal matter, does not affect talent, and can be appointed.But Zhu Bo did not appoint him directly because of his talent, but gave him a chance to show his talent and make up for his mistakes.As a result, after getting a talent and doing things well, the others had to obey.