Chapter 2 Chapter Two

daytime.On the inner street of Linzi City. A carriage came from the direction of Qi Gong.Yan Ying sat in the car.Li Yao drives the chariot with the whip. "My lord! Just now, I was waiting for your lord at the gate of the palace, and I heard the ministers walking out of the palace saying that your lord has become the prime minister. Is there such a thing?" Li Yao looked very excited, driving the car while Talking to Yan Ying. "It is true. However, Qi State is not Dong'e, and Xiang Guo is not Dong'e Prime Minister. It is not easy to cure Qi State!" Not only did Yan Ying not show any joy, but he seemed worried.

"Based on my lord's morality, ability and knowledge, I think it will be just around the corner to cure Qi!" Li Yao has been following Yan Ying for more than six years, and he has indeed made great progress. Not only is he more and more talkative, but he is also more and more able to talk. "Erniu," Yan Ying didn't want to continue Li Yao's words, and deliberately changed the topic, "When I was in Dong'e, I asked you to bring the new wife. You said that Dong'e poor is not as good as Mingchuan Village. I didn’t bring it with me. Now that we are in the capital, you should bring your daughter-in-law here earlier, so that the husband and wife can take care of each other. What do you think?”

"Good! My lord told me to go back to pick up my daughter-in-law someday, so I will go back someday!" Li Yao may have had this intention a long time ago, but she has never been ashamed to speak to Yan Ying, and now she is happy when she hears Yan Ying mentioning this matter He readily agreed. "Drive!" Li Yao didn't "throw the whip and flowers", but just yelled, and knocked on the shaft horse with the handle of the whip, and the carriage accelerated. that night. In Yan Ying's study.The lights are bright. Yan Ying was sitting at a large wooden table, flipping through the bamboo slips on the table, and thinking about things.

"My lord, Master Tian Wu Yutian is asking to see you outside the gate." Li Yao came in, approached Yan Ying, and reported softly. "Please! Please invite Master Tian to the living room to talk!" Hearing that Tian Wuyu came to ask for an audience, Yan Ying immediately stood up. in the living room.The lights are bright. Yan Ying stood inside the door and waited. Li Yao was pointing the way.Tian Wuyu walked briskly.The two walked towards the living room. "Lord Tian, ​​welcome from far away! Welcome from far away!" Seeing Tian Wuyu's arrival, Yan Ying immediately went forward to greet him, and bowed his hands in salute.

"When I disturb you at night, I hope Xiangguo will forgive me!" Seeing Yan Ying welcoming him out of the living room, Tian Wuyu hurriedly returned the salute. Yan Ying let Tian Wuyu into the living room. "Master Tian please!" Yan Ying invited Tian Wuyu to take a seat. "Please, Prime Minister!" Tian Wuyu also invited Yan Ying to his seat. The two were divided into guests and hosts.Without Yan Ying's orders, Li Yao had already brought his family in, served tea for the two of them, and then left quickly. "Master Tian is a rare visitor. If you visit at night, you must have something important to do." Yan Ying said to Tian Wuyu with a smile.

"My lord, it's like this," Tian Wuyu also said with a smile, but he seemed a little unnatural, "Today, my lord has appointed you as the prime minister. This is not only the lord's trust, but also the expectation of everyone. Wu Yute came to congratulate! In addition, Wu Yu Last night's recklessness almost caused a catastrophe, thanks to the adults who dealt with it, Wu Yu was able to save the day. Wu Yute came to express his thanks!" After Tian Wuyu finished speaking, he got up and bowed his hands in salute. "Master Tian, ​​Yan Ying also has something to say to Master Tian."

"My lord, please speak, Wuyu will listen carefully!" Hearing that Yan Ying had something to say to him, Tian Wuyu immediately became serious. "First of all, the handling of what happened last night depends entirely on the lord's clear judgment, and Yan Ying did not play around with it. Therefore, if Lord Tian wants to thank you, you should thank the lord, not Yan Ying. Secondly, I heard that last night the two generals Gao and Luan After being expelled from the capital, the Tian and Bao families divided up the property of the Gao and Luan families. Is it true?" Yan Ying asked knowingly.

"My lord, to tell you the truth, there is indeed such a thing." Tian Wuyu said truthfully. Seeing that Tian Wuyu's attitude was still honest, Yan Ying persuaded him in a calm tone: "Lord Tian, ​​what happened last night is just like what my lord said in today's court. Sin'. If you divide up the properties of Gao and Luan, won't you be afraid of the people's comments? Yan Ying once heard: "The honest is the foundation of politics; the one who gives up is the master of virtue." Gao and Luan are not honest If you don’t give up, the result will be like this. What’s more, the Tian family is rich and not lacking in property. Therefore, Yan Ying asked Mr. Tian to think twice: Can we hand over all the properties of the Tian family’s Gao and Luan to the public?”

Speaking of this, Yan Ying paused for a moment, saw that Tian Wuyu was lowering his head to think, and persuaded him further: "If Lord Tian can really do this, then the people of the country will definitely say: Lord Tian's participation in the expulsion of Gao and Luan is entirely out of public interest. It's not for self-interest. Those who dispute will not be able to win the disaster, and those who refuse will not lose the blessing. For Mr. Tian, ​​I am afraid that doing so will have all benefits and no harm!" After hearing Yan Ying's words, Tian Wuyu raised his head, he didn't care to wipe off the sweat from his forehead, so he got up, cupped his hands at Yan Ying and said: "Thanks to my lord's advice, Wuyu will do it tomorrow!"

"Good! Good!" Yan Ying repeatedly praised and laughed. "My lord!..." Tian Wuyu hesitated to speak. "Master Tian, ​​please speak up if you have something to say." Seeing that Tian Wuyu still had something to say, Yan Ying quickly stopped laughing. "My lord, it's like this," Tian Wuyu said hesitantly, "When Wuyu came, I specially prepared a small gift for my lord. The family members who came with me have already carried the gift to the courtyard. I originally wanted to give it to my lord as a gift of congratulations and thanks. , but just now my lord said not to let you thank you, so just give it to you as a congratulatory gift. My lord wants to accept it!"

After Tian Wuyu said this, he cupped his hands at Yan Ying, stood up, and wanted to go out. "Slow down!" Knowing that Tian Wuyu was going to ask his family to bring gifts into the house, Yan Ying hurriedly stopped Tian Wuyu, and then stood up himself, "Master Tian, ​​Yan Ying has something to say!" "My lord, please speak!" Tian Wuyu was in a dilemma, so he had to stand there and listen to Yan Ying's words. "Lord Tian," Yan Ying said with a serious expression, but in a calm tone, "You and I are colleagues, working together with the Lord Qi. It's not important to be courteous, but to be one-hearted. My lord came to congratulate me personally, and Yan Ying already understood it. As for the gifts, please Bring back the original. Besides, this afternoon, more than a dozen colleagues have sent gifts, all of which were declined by Yan Ying. How dare Yan Ying accept the gifts from your lord?" Seeing Tian Wuyu's displeasure, Yan Ying persuaded in a teasing tone: "If my lord can bring the gift back at night, it will save Yan Ying the pain of returning the gift tomorrow and running back and forth. This is busy, my lord." Be sure to help! Besides, there are many hungry people in Qi State. If your lord really has too much wealth to use, why don’t you send some gifts to those poor people?” "Oh—" Hearing Yan Ying's words, Tian Wuyu seemed to realize something, nodded, and said with a smile, "Being respectful is worse than obeying orders! Since the lord insisted on not accepting it, Wuyu had no choice but to bring the gift back. What the lord said just now, Wuyu has benefited a lot. I hope you will give me more advice in the future! It is very late, and Wuyu is leaving!" After finishing speaking, Tian Wuyu bowed his hands to Yan Ying, turned around and walked towards the door of the living room. "Li Yao! See off the guests!" Yan Ying ordered loudly while walking out with Tian Wuyu. "Yes!" Li Yao came in response, waiting for Tian Wuyu outside the living room door. Walking out of the living room, Tian Wuyu stood still, turned around, and saluted again: "Xiangguo, please stay!" "Master Tian, ​​please go, I will not see you off!" Yan Ying also stood still and returned the salute. Tian Wuyu turned and left. Watching Tian Wuyu go away, Yan Ying said to himself: "As the head of all officials, this case must never be opened!" After a few days.one day. Qi Palace Inner Palace.In Jinggong's study. Jing Gong sat behind a big table and flipped through the bamboo slips. "My lord, Yan Xiangguo has been summoned!" A servant came in, saluted Jinggong, and reported softly. "Please! Quickly invite him in!" Duke Jing ordered excitedly. "Your servant Yan Ying kowtows to see the lord!" Yan Ying entered the door, knelt down on the ground, and kowtowed to Jing Gong. "Sir, please sit down!" "Thank you, my lord!" Yan Ying kowtowed again, stood up, and sat behind a small table on Jinggong's right. "Sir, I have been resting for a few days, and I feel refreshed today, so I invited you here to hear what you think about governing Qi." "My lord! Ever since I was ordered to be prime minister, I have been trembling like walking on thin ice. My lord's question today is exactly what I have been thinking for the past few days. Since my lord is willing to listen, please report it carefully. I think that what our country of Qi needs most at present is Stable. And..." Hearing that Yan Ying mentioned the word "stability", Duke Jing immediately interrupted Yan Ying and asked, "Sir, as a country, how can it be called stability?" Upon seeing the question, Yan Ying thought for a while, and then calmly replied: "As a country, the ministers and the people can speak freely, the officials are well-governed, and there is nothing that makes the people complain; People have no grudges; when the ruler is happy, he does not give rewards indiscriminately; when he is angry, he does not punish the virtuous; when superiors treat the virtuous and capable, inferiors show favor to the people; when the country is vast, it does not annex small countries, and when it is strong, it does not plunder the weak. The people in the country live and work in peace and contentment because of their political clarity, and foreign princes also compete to submit to them because of their virtue. In this way, a country can be called stable.” "Well said, Sir, well said!" Jinggong was very happy to hear that, so he asked again, "Then how can our Qi State be stabilized and revitalized?" "My lord, our country of Qi is a big country: facing the sea in the east, it is rich in salted fish and shrimp; the fertile fields are thousands of miles away, suitable for planting five grains, mulberry and hemp. However, in the past few years, there have been constant wars, and in recent years, excessive levies have caused all industries to wither, and the people are in dire straits. Within the territory of Qi, complaints abound. The people are the foundation of the country. At that time, Guan Xiang once said: "The actions of the government are in line with the people's will; the abolition of the government is against the people's will." Now, to govern and revitalize the Qi State, we must also follow the people's will. All right!" At this point, Yan Ying paused for a while, seeing that Jinggong was listening intently, he continued, "In my humble opinion, we should start from the following four aspects: first, encourage the development of agriculture, Produce five grains, mulberry and hemp. Existing farmland can be taxed according to its fertile level, which can be divided into three grades: upper, middle and lower. Second, moderately develop commerce to benefit the people and adjust the surplus. Although salt and iron are still required to be operated by the government, taxes on fishing and salt should be reduced as appropriate; the management of Guanhe City will only be investigated within three years. No taxation. Third, abolish harsh laws and moderately relax penalties. For example, those who should be sentenced to death can be sentenced to imprisonment, those who should be sentenced to imprisonment can be sentenced to punishment, and those who should be sentenced to punishment can be exempted from punishment. He once said: "If the granary is real, you will know etiquette, and if you have enough food and clothing, you will know honor and disgrace." Most of the current crimes are caused by not having enough food and clothing. Once they are full and warm, I believe many of them will be able to abandon evil. Be kind. Fourth, be friendly to countries far away, and live in harmony with countries nearby. I think that if we can govern in this way, it will only take three years to see initial results. I don’t know if the Lord thinks it is feasible ?” Jinggong listened to Yan Ying's report with great interest, and then said with a little melancholy: "The idea of ​​governing the country that Mr. said sounds reasonable to me. There is only one thing, and I can't help being a little worried: once the tax is reduced, the people in the palace I am afraid it will be difficult to guarantee the expenses, the salaries of the ministers in the court and the provisions of the national army!" Hearing Duke Jing's worries, Yan Ying smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry too much! I have already calculated a detailed account. Within three years, the expenses in the palace, the salaries of the ministers and the provisions of the army are all guaranteed. Yes. Of course, you should be frugal, and where you can be frugal, you should be frugal!" "That's good, I have nothing to worry about!" Duke Jing said happily. "Since the lord has nothing to worry about, Rong Chen will go back and draft a memorial. When the lord comes to court tomorrow, I will ask the lord for his approval." After Yan Ying finished speaking, she wanted to leave. "By the way, there is one thing that the widow almost forgot to tell the husband. Tian Wuyu came to the palace yesterday, and presented to the widow the registration book of Gao and Luan's property that he had divided a few days ago, and handed over the property listed in the book. All will be handed over to the official treasury of the palace. This Tian Wuyu is a virtuous minister who knows his mistakes and can correct them. This also shows that the widow's treatment of him is completely correct!" "My lord is holy! My lord is holy!" Seeing what Jinggong said, Yan Ying hurriedly saluted Jinggong and praised him repeatedly. After a few days.one morning. As soon as the gate of Linzi outer city was opened, several fast horses rushed out of the city.On each horse is a court messenger dressed in the same costume and carrying the same burden. Several fast horses rushed to a fork in the road, and then parted ways, each galloping in different directions. daytime. In front of the Lixia County Yamen, many people, men, women, old and young, farmers, businessmen and workers gathered. Accompanied and presided over by the magistrate, the messenger from the court took off and opened the burden on his back, took out a roll of bamboo slips from it, stretched it out, and read the monarch's decree to all the people gathered there. All the people listened attentively. Finished reading. All the people cheered and smiled. In front of the Yiwei County Yamen. The messenger from Korea and China is reading it to all the people. In front of the Wudi County Yamen. The messenger from Korea and China is reading it to all the people. Winter goes to spring. In the back garden of the Qi Palace.Hundreds of flowers are in full bloom, colorful. Accompanied by Yan Ying, Duke Jing was strolling in the garden admiring the flowers. Jinggong stopped and asked with a smile: "Sir, have all the envoys sent by our country to other countries come back?" Yan Ying also stopped in his tracks, saluted Duke Jing first, and then replied: "My lord, as of yesterday, Doctor Xianzhang returned to Linzi from Qin, and all the envoys sent by our country to other countries have returned." "How are countries reacting to our new policies?" "My lord, after the envoys informed the lord of the lord's four strategies for governing the country to the kings of all countries, the kings of the big countries all said, 'This time, Qi will be stable', and the kings of the small countries said, 'This time, Qi will never bully us again. '. They all happily accepted the gifts sent by the envoys sent by the lord, and even gave the lord a lot of gifts in return!" "Good! Good!" "My lord, when you are free, you can go to the official treasury in the palace to have a look. Some gifts in return are really rare and rare treasures. We really don't produce them in Qi!" "Okay!" Jing Gong walked forward while talking. Yan Ying followed Jing Gong forward. Jinggong was walking, and seemed to think of something, and stopped again: "Sir, it is a good season of spring and flowers, I want to visit other places, and I want to invite you to go with me, I don't know what you want how?" "Since the lord ordered it, I am willing to accompany you all the way!" in the warm sun. The spring breeze is warm.Spring is beautiful. A team of more than a hundred people marched mightily on the road from Linzi to Jiaodong. The first half of the team is a guard of honor composed of dozens of soldiers on horseback and on foot. The second half of the team is a guard composed of ten chariots and dozens of heavily armed infantry. In the middle of the team, there were three carriages in front and back, in which Jing Gong, Mrs. Jing Gong and Yan Ying were sitting respectively.Behind the carriage are the servants and court ladies on foot. "Stop!" Suddenly, Jing Gong gave an order to the servant who was walking beside the car through the open window. "Stop!" The servants hurriedly conveyed Jinggong's order back and forth. The line soon came to a halt. "Quick! Please come to the widow's place, Xiangguo!" Duke Jing ordered his servant to invite Yan Ying as soon as he got out of the car. "Master Yan, my lord, please come over!" The servant went to the window of the carriage where Yan Ying was riding, and loudly conveyed Jinggong's order. "Good! Good!" Hearing this, Yan Ying agreed and got out of the car. "My lord, do you have something to tell me?" Yan Ying walked up to Duke Jing and bowed his hands in salute. Seeing Yan Ying coming, Duke Jing pointed to the distance and asked, "Sir, come and see! Those people in small groups also come to the wild to enjoy the spring?" Yan Ying looked in the direction of Duke Jing's finger, and replied, "Report to my lord, those people are plowing the fields, not enjoying the spring." "Oh! It's such a beautiful spring, it's a pity not to enjoy it!" Jing Gong seemed to be talking to himself. Yan Ying took Jinggong's words and said, "My lord, the plan for a year lies in spring. This is a good season for the warm spring flowers to bloom, and it is also a good season for farmers to plow and sow in spring. In order not to violate the farming season, take the time to plant the crops. , How can they have time to enjoy the spring!" The monarch and his ministers were talking, when suddenly a child emerged from the bushes by the roadside, unkempt and disheveled, holding a pottery bowl with several gaps in his hand. The child walked up to Duke Jing and his ministers, knelt on the ground with a "gudong", kowtowed his head, and begged, "Uncle, uncle, please do me a favor! Give me a bite of leftovers!" "Slow down!" The waiter next to him was about to drive the child away, but was stopped by Yan Ying. "Child, how old are you? Where is your home?" Yan Ying asked kindly. "I'm eight years old, and my home is in Pingdu!" Seeing someone asking, the child raised his head and answered clearly. "Who is there in your family? Why are you running so far alone?" Yan Ying asked again. "My family has grandparents, grandparents and parents. Last year there was no food during the severe drought. They all starved to death! I was the only one left in the house, so I had to come out to beg for food..." At this point, the child cried loudly stand up. "Ah! The child is so young, he is homeless!" Jinggong said sympathetically as he watched from the side. "My lord! How could he be homeless with your care and attention? As long as you order the local government to raise him, wouldn't he have a home to return to?" Seeing Duke Jing, Yan Ying felt pity. Then he pushed the boat along the way and persuaded him. Hearing Yan Ying's words, Jing Gong nodded again and again: "What you said is very true! Then let him follow us, and when we get to the place, hand him over to the magistrate!" At this moment, an old man with firewood on his back walked not far from Jinggong and the others.The old man was dressed in rags and looked haggard. Although he didn't have a lot of firewood on his back, it still seemed overwhelming, and every step he took was very strenuous. "This old man!" Duke Jing greeted the old man when he saw the old man. The old man stopped and turned around when he heard someone calling him. "How old are you? Why did you come out to collect firewood by yourself?" Duke Jing asked curiously. "Your Excellency asked me?" The old man obviously didn't know that the person talking to him was "the current monarch", but judged from the clothes that "this person must be a high-ranking official", so he replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Old man I am sixty-eight years old this year. My wife died early; my two sons went out to fight with Duke Zhuang, and they never looked back; my two daughters-in-law also took their children and remarried. Now, I am the only one left in the family The lonely old man is alone. The well-meaning folks gave me some food, but I have to gather some firewood myself to cook the food into porridge!" "Oh! It's so pitiful!" Duke Jing turned around with a sigh, and said to Yan Ying, "Xiangguo, in the opinion of the widow, it's better to entrust this old man to the local government for support!" "Okay! Okay! My lord's idea is really great!" Yan Ying praised with joy on his face when he heard this. At this moment, the old man knew that the two people standing in front of him were the "current monarch" and the other was Xiangguo Yan Ying.So, he threw down the firewood he was carrying in a hurry, knelt down in front of Jinggong with a "gudong", and kowtowed repeatedly: "The little people have eyes but don't know Mount Tai, so I don't know if it's the king coming, disrespectful, disrespectful! Please forgive me! Please forgive me!" !" "Get up, get up!" Jing Gong was not happy, a little sad, and asked the old man to stand up, and at the same time told the servant beside him, "Take this old man and that child to the back!" "Obey!" The servant promised, and took the old and the young to the back. Seeing that the old man and children had gone to the back, Yan Ying said to Duke Jing: "My lord! I have heard people say that liking the virtuous and sympathizing with the poor is the foundation of defending the country. Now, the lord is not only concerned about the homeless Returning children, and sympathy for the lonely old man, kindness is omnipresent, this is the foundation of governing the country!" When Duke Jing heard the words, he turned his worries into joy. Seeing that Duke Jing became happy, Yan Ying said further: "My lord! A wise monarch should like the virtuous when he sees the virtuous, and pity the poor when he sees the poor. I ask the lord for permission to give all the homeless children in the country And the lonely old people will be given financial and food assistance as appropriate!" "What you said is very true! Let's do it according to your advice!" Duke Jing replied happily. Jing Gong and his party continued to march on the main road. That evening. Jing Gong and his party stayed in the Shou Palace. Local officials came to pay homage to Duke Jing. Jing Gong explained the matter to the magistrate. The magistrate took away the old man and the child whom Jinggong had treated. in a spacious room.The lights are bright. Jinggong sat upright. Yan Ying sat on the right seat to accompany him. Jinggong smiled and said to Yan Ying: "Sir, I want to be a wise monarch. In my opinion, are my words and deeds today wise?" Yan Ying bowed his body to salute, and then replied: "I think that my lord's words and deeds today are indeed wise. However, it is not so easy to be a wise monarch." "Oh!" Jing Gong heard the meaning of Yan Ying's words, and immediately suppressed his smile, "Can you tell me, sir, how to be a wise monarch?" "My lord! I believe that to be a wise monarch, his wiseness is not only reflected in one momentary event, one word and one action, but in many aspects, and it is consistent. He can appoint virtuous people in governing the country. He loves the people in every word and deed. He is restrained in what he asks for from the people, but he is relatively frugal in his own support. He has a noble position and does not infringe the interests of his subordinates, and strives to govern without despising the poor and humble. He punished those who indulged evil and harmed the people; he rewarded those who offered good words and criticized mistakes. He was strict with officials, but he showed great love for the people, forgiving mistakes and helping the poor .He does not increase rewards because of personal likes, nor does he increase punishments because of personal anger. Internally, he does not waste money by indulging his hobbies and desires; There is no domineering behavior at the top, and no flattery at the bottom; there is no clique at the top, and no self-seeking at the bottom; there is no money and food eaten by rot and worms at the top, and there are no people suffering from hunger and cold below. Therefore, the people thrive and advocate unity, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. And advocating dear, my lord! Only by doing this can you be called a wise monarch!" Duke Jing listened intently to Yan Ying's words, and couldn't help sighing: "Oh! It seems that it is really not easy to be a wise monarch!" Speaking of this, Duke Jing thought for a while, and then asked again: "Sir, if you take a step back, as a monarch, he wants to be respected and the people to be peaceful. Is it easy or difficult to do it?" Woolen cloth?" "easy." "why?" "Because, as a monarch, if he can save money on his own support and use the money saved by the country to take care of the people, then he himself will be respected, and the people will surely be at peace. This is not Is it easy to do?" "Then, for a courtier, if he wants to manage state affairs well and at the same time gain glory for himself, isn't it easy to do that?" "yes." "why?" "Because, for a courtier, as long as he is loyal and trustworthy, neither neglects his duties, nor abuses his power or acts beyond his authority, he can manage the country's affairs well and gain glory for himself. This is not easy Are you there?" Jinggong became more interested in listening, so he asked further: "Sir, I still want to know: As a monarch, what did he do that put him in danger? As for a courtier, what did he do?" matter, should he be dismissed?" Upon seeing the question, Yan Ying thought for a while, and then calmly replied: "My lord, pardon me and speak bluntly: as a monarch, he increases taxes, but the excuse is for the people; he appoints flatterers, but the excuse is to appoint the virtuous; he Alienate people who are upright, but excuse them for disobedience. As long as he does these three things, he is in danger. As for the courtier, he forms a party for personal gain in order to advance and increase his rank; Subordinates, concealing property in order to get more for themselves; he is devoted to the good of the monarch, never criticizes the mistakes of the monarch, in order to deceive the trust and closeness of the monarch. As long as he has done these three things, he should be dismissed. Therefore, as a As far as a wise ruler is concerned, he never uses evil deeds to inform the people, protects the people's property without harming their interests, makes laws to look good to the people but does not violate them himself, and even if he asks for something from the people, he does not sacrifice it for his own needs. Harming the people, so as to ensure the political stability above and the people below are strong. As an honest and upright minister, he never formed a party for personal gain in order to advance to a higher rank, and he did not seek ill-gotten gains. Behavior is always the same, advance in accordance with the people's sentiments, retreat when contrary to the people's sentiments, never do evil things with the monarch. "Sir, how do you say that?" "It means entering the body without losing integrity, and retiring without losing virtue!" "Hahahaha!" Duke Jing laughed several times after hearing this, "From my point of view, what Mr. said is exactly Mr. himself!" "My lord, Mingjian! Yan Ying has been an official for more than ten years, and has experienced ups and downs in the officialdom. The eight words, 'Advancing is thinking of honesty, retreating is thinking of action' are exactly Yan Ying's self-encouraging words." "What a 'Advance is thinking of honesty, retreat is thinking of action'! Hahahaha!" "My lord, it's late at night. My lord is tired during the day, please rest early!" "Okay! Tomorrow when we arrive at the mountain, I will have a chat with my husband again!" Daytime the next day. sunny.The spring breeze is warm. A hill near the Shou Palace.Although the mountain is not high, the scenery is pleasant: towering ancient trees, jagged rocks, blooming flowers and green grass. Soldiers were assigned to patrol and guard at the foot of the mountain.Only a dozen or so servants and maids, carrying utensils, accompanied Jing Gong, his wife, Yan Ying and three others, climbing up the mountain step by step along a stepped path paved with bluestone. The birds in the forest chirped happily, and when the footsteps of the climbers approached, they flew away in a "thud". There is a saying: Climb a mountain without looking at the scenery, and look at the scenery without climbing the mountain. Jinggong and his party walked up for a while, then stopped to rest their feet, watched the beautiful scenery on both sides of the path for a while, and then went up.Stop and go, stop and go, it took a long time to reach the top of the mountain. At the top of the mountain, there is a three-way intersection: turn right and lead to an open field full of exotic flowers and plants; turn left and lead to a large forest composed of hundreds of pines and cypresses. Mrs. Jinggong said something in a low voice to Jinggong, then smiled and led the maids to the flower field. "Sir, let's go over there and have a look!" Jing Gong pointed to the forest on the left. "Good! Good!" Yan Ying agreed while wiping the sweat from his forehead with a cloth towel. in the woods. Under the shade of a tree, a stone table and several stone benches appeared in front of people.I saw that the stone table was originally a whole stone about two feet above the ground. The table top was extremely flat, as if it had been polished by hand, it seemed round and square, and the length and width were about five feet each.The few stone benches beside the table are just a few stones about a foot high, but the upward side is relatively flat, so the predecessors got it from other places and used it as a resting place. Seeing Duke Jing and Yan Ying walking towards the stone table, the accompanying servants hurried over and spread a large cloth they carried with them on the stone table. On the stone bench, place the two brocade cushions you carry with you on it. "Sir, just rest here for a while!" Jing Gong pointed to a stone bench with brocade cushions on it. "My lord, please!" Yan Ying politely asked Duke Jing to take his seat first. As soon as the monarch and his ministers sat down firmly, the servant placed the copper bowl filled with tea on the stone table in front of them. "Sir, do you know what I want to ask you for advice today?" Duke Jing asked with a smile. "My lord, I really don't know." Yan Ying replied respectfully. "Today, I would like to ask my husband: What is the most fearful thing in governing the country?" "My lord forgives my ministers and said bluntly: the most fearful thing in governing a country is the inability to distinguish between good and evil as a monarch." "why?" "Because the king is the master of a country. If the king does not distinguish between good and evil, how can the country be governed well?" "How can the monarch not distinguish between good and evil?" "In addition to the monarch's own virtue and wisdom, there are mainly 'community rats' and 'strong dogs' blocking the way." "how do I say this?" "The lord knows that rats are harmful things, and everyone can kill them. The temple is the place where the god of the land is worshipped, and is respected and protected by people. For the 'shemouse' that hides in the temple It's not that people don't want to kill rats, but they are worried that killing them will destroy the temple, so they don't dare to kill them. There are also "community rats" in the country, such as the flattering and treacherous villains around the king. Theirs Talent is extraordinary, the best thing is to do everything possible to seek the hobbies of the monarch, obey and satisfy the wishes of the monarch, and use the superficial small loyalty to cover up the great disloyalty hidden in the heart, so as to gain the trust and favor of the monarch. , they conceal good and promote evil, and deceive the monarch; externally, they are domineering and oppress the people. If these villains are not eliminated, the country will suffer. But to get rid of these villains, because they are favored and protected by the monarch, they will be eliminated What if you lose them and hurt the king at the same time?" "Oh, there are 'community rats' in the country too! So, what's the matter with the 'mug dogs' that sir said?" "My lord, this is a short story: There was a wine seller. The utensils he used to hold wine were very clean, and there was a long wine front hanging high outside the hotel door, which was also very eye-catching. However, his wine Even if the acid was put in, no one bought it. He didn't understand why, so he asked his neighbor. The neighbor told him: "Your dog is too fierce. When someone buys wine in your hotel with a wine jar, you The dog in my house jumps on it and bites people. This is the reason why your wine can’t be sold even if it’s sour. It’s not that no one buys wine, but people who go to buy wine are bitten and run away by your fierce dog. !' The country also has 'dogs', such as the ministers who are in power around the monarch. Some talented and talented people want to meet the monarch and present the strategy of governing the country to the king, but those ministers who are in power are like fierce dogs, and they rush to bite bit the talent away." Having said this, Yan Ying couldn't help but emphasize his tone, "Master! If the people around the monarch are 'community rats', and the ministers who have power around the monarch are 'dogs', then how can the monarch not be What about being deceived? How can a ruler distinguish between good and evil? How can a country be free from disasters?" "Oh! I know what 'shemouse' and 'dog' are!" Hearing this, Duke Jing just woke up like a dream, "Sir, I want to know: How can the monarch avoid being deceived, so as to avoid the injustice of good and evil? What about it?" "Then we must carefully choose the people around the monarch, and ensure that the ministers around the monarch are loyal and kind." "What do you need to pay attention to when choosing and using people?" "When choosing and using people, first of all, we need to pay attention to avoid loyal ministers who are not trustworthy, trustworthy ministers are not loyal, and monarchs and ministers have different opinions; secondly, we need to pay attention to avoid seeking perfection and blame." "Sir, I would like to hear more about it!" "My lord! If the loyal subjects are not trusted by the monarch, but the trusted subjects are not loyal to the monarch, and the monarch and his subjects cannot be of the same mind, then how can the country be governed well? Therefore, a wise monarch must choose and employ people. Always pay attention to avoid these three points. There is no loyal minister who is not trusted by the king, and there is no one who is trusted by the king but is not loyal to the king. The director must also have shortcomings. Even a loyal minister will not have only his strengths and no weaknesses. Therefore, in employing people, we can only let people have their strengths and not strengthen their weaknesses, and let others work without making mistakes. If you are too clumsy, don’t ask for complete blame! In this way, loyal ministers will be able to serve the king with all their heart and soul, and even die without regret.” "Sir! Since you have repeatedly said that you want to choose loyal ministers, I would like to hear: As a loyal minister, how do you serve the monarch?" "If the monarch is in disaster, loyal ministers will not die for the monarch; when the monarch flees the country, loyal ministers will not see him off." "What?" After hearing Yan Ying's words, Duke Jing was very unhappy. "Loyal ministers, loyal ministers, loyal ministers! The monarch divides the land to reward him, and assigns titles to him to make him dignified. However, when the monarch has In times of trouble, he does not die for the king; when the king flees, he does not see him off. How can this be called a loyal minister?" Seeing that Duke Jing was displeased, Yan Ying hurriedly persuaded him, "My lord, don't get angry, and Rong Chen carefully explained it carefully. My lord can imagine that if the minister's kind words are adopted, there will be no disasters in the monarch's life. How can the minister die? ?If the minister's good advice is adopted, the ruler will never run away for life, so why would the minister send it away? However, if the minister's kind words are not adopted, and the ruler is in trouble, and the minister dies for him, that would be a death in vain. If the minister’s good advice is not adopted, and the ruler flees and the minister sends him off, that would be a false act. Therefore, as a loyal minister, it is possible for the ruler to adopt good words and strategies without causing the ruler to fall into disaster!” "Oh, so that's the case!" Duke Jing became happy again after hearing Yan Ying's explanation, "Sir, I still want to know: As a loyal minister, what is his virtue like?" 晏婴见景公兴致颇高，便娓娓道来：“作为忠臣，他从不遮掩国君的过失，并敢于当面向国君提出批评意见，但绝不把国君的过失在外面宣扬。他推荐贤良、选拔能人，完全出以公心，从不对自己的亲朋有所偏向。他度量自己的德才而居于官位，权衡自己的能力而接受俸禄。一旦发现德才超过自己的贤者，那他居官绝不在贤者之上，俸禄绝不超过贤者的数量。他安于自己现在的职位，努力去做自己应做之事，尽力称职就是忠于职守。他不掩盖贤良或隐瞒他们的优点，也不刻薄下属以取悦上司。国君在位时，他不侍奉储君；国家危急时，他不交好诸侯。君臣相得时，他就立身朝廷；君臣相背时，他就辞官引退，绝不与国君一起去做邪僻之事。以上这些，就是忠臣的德行啊！” “好啊！忠臣好啊！”景公越听越高兴，“先生，与忠臣相对应的是小人。先生可不可以再说说，小人是怎样侍奉国君的呢？” “主公！小人，也叫奸臣，或奸佞之人。他们只在国君顺利的时候出现，知道国君有灾难时就不来了。他们公开的言行只不过是用来装饰自己。他们假称不想取悦于人，但他们交往时，先看国君喜欢什么人，然后才去联络，暗地里同与国君亲近的人交好，并同这些人结盟为党。他们内心里看重高官厚禄，而表面上却以假意轻视来伪装自己的行为。他们小心翼翼地侍候国君左右的人，而表面上却显示公正、假装廉洁。他们企求国君听取他们的意见，以便借此求取高官。他们用轻视俸禄的手段来索取更多的俸禄，用辞去官职的办法来求取更高的官位。他们巧取豪夺，轻视给予；喜欢新的，厌恶旧的；吝惜钱财，施舍极少；看见贫穷的亲友好像不认识，争相取利唯恐落后于人。他们对外交结诸侯的权臣来抬高自己，对内不惜背叛至亲来谋取厚利。他们表面上懂礼仪、有修养，并声称自己有矜恤贫穷的德义，但是他们的诽谤和赞誉都不符合实情，他们所说的话也不会见诸行动。他们隐蔽自己的恶行，却胡乱说这个好、那个不好。有些事情，明明他们自己也在做，却批评别人做这些事情不对；有些要求，明明连他们自己也做不到，却要求别人必须做到。他们说话专横自负，求取官职敏捷而顺当。以上这些，就是奸佞小人的言行。这些奸佞小人，是贤明的国君所斥责的人，却是愚昧的国君所宠信的人啊！” “哦！如此说来，寡人欲治齐国，非得用忠臣、远小人不可啊！” “主公圣明！” “不过，寡人怎样才能判断一个人是不是忠臣呢？” “听其言，观其行，行重于言。” “先生，寡人愿闻其详！” “主公！'听其言'，就是从他的言谈中，了解他是否通晓治国之道；'观其行'，就是观察他的行为究竟如何，是否同他的言谈相一致。如果当国君的既不凭华丽的辞藻、漂亮的语言去判断一个人的品行，也不以别人的批评、赞扬等议论去判断一个人的好坏，而是重在观察一个人的行为，那么人们就不会伪装自己的行为来骗取好名声，也不会掩饰自己的欲望来迷惑国君了。这样，当他得志时，就观察他所举办的事；当他失意时，就观察他所不愿做的事；当他富贵时，就观察他分财物给什么人；当他贫贱时，就观察他所不愿取的东西。通过这一系列观察，当国君的自然就能判断出一个人是不是忠臣了。” “好啊！寡人知道怎样判断一个人是不是忠臣了。先生，寡人还想知道……”景公正要继续问下去，却被匆匆跑来的一名宫女打断了话头。 “启禀主公！夫人说时候不早了，该下山了，特派奴婢来请主公同行！”这名宫女一边向景公施礼，一边禀报道。 “好了、好了，寡人知道了！”景公对这名宫女打断自己的话头显得很不高兴，但夫人之命又不能不从，于是只好对晏婴说道，“先生，既是夫人要下山，你我君臣也一起走吧！寡人再另找时间请教先生！” “臣遵命！”晏婴见景公站起身来，连忙起身施礼。 one evening.空中一片晚霞。 景公、晏婴二人在一条小河边散步，边走边谈。 十余名手持兵器的士兵在远处巡逻。只有四名内侍携带着随用器物，跟在景公君臣身后约数丈远处，不疾不徐地走着。 “先生，寡人此次出来，转眼半月有余，明日就可回到都城了。只是还有三件事，寡人想听听先生的意见。” “主公请讲！” “第一件事就是：回到都城后，寡人临朝听政，是随意一点好，还是严厉一点好呢？” “主公，恕臣直言：随意、严厉都不好。” "why?" “国君临朝听政，乃是一件非常严肃的事情，自太公建国以来早有制度，君君臣臣，岂能'随意'？但是，'严厉'又会使臣下不敢讲话。如果臣下不敢讲话，那么国君就不知下情了。臣下不敢讲话，就叫作'哑'；国君听不到下边的声音，就叫作'聋'。这一'哑'、一'聋'，对于治理国家来说是非常有害的啊！再说，大山之高，不是仅用一块石头，而是无数块石头从低处堆起来，才形成了它的高；天下之大，也不能只听国君一个人的话来治理。作为国君，虽然有时听了臣下的话而不采用，但是怎么能拒绝臣下的话而不听呢？” “那么依先生之见，寡人应该怎样做才好呢？” “主公！以臣之愚见，国君临朝听政，既不可'随意'，也不可'严厉'，而应以'严肃'为度。国君要允许臣下讲话，听取臣下讲话，才不致受'聋'、'哑'之害啊！” “好，寡人就依先生之言！”景公肯定了晏婴的意见后，接着说道，“第二件事就是：寡人已决意不让梁丘据再继续负责受理举报了。依先生之见，朝中哪位大臣可以当此重任？” 晏婴见问，略加思索，便答道：“臣以为，弦章大夫可当此任。” “弦章年轻，恐难当此重任。” “主公！弦章虽然年轻，但是有才有识，而且为人正直，乃一难得之人才也。由他担当此任，确实比朝中其他大臣都更合适。” “好，寡人就依先生之言！”说完这句话，景公神秘地笑了笑，然后接着说道，“寡人今日三件事，已有两件依了先生之言。这剩下的第三件事，先生可要依寡人之言啊！” “主公请讲，臣洗耳恭听！”晏婴不知景公葫芦里装的是什么药，只能如此应对。 景公诚恳地说道：“先生，是这样：此次出行以来，寡人屡以治国兴邦大计就教于先生，而先生有问必答、答无不当，确实令寡人受益匪浅。寡人希望今后能离先生近些，以便早晚都能见到先生，向先生请教治国大计。因此，寡人想在宫中为先生建造一所住房。不知先生意下如何？” 晏婴闻听此言，连忙停下脚步，向景公拱手施礼：“承蒙主公厚爱！不过……” “'不过'什么？”景公也停下脚步，听到晏婴说出“不过”二字，显得有些不悦。 “主公容臣详言！”晏婴又施一礼，“臣曾听人说过这样的话：'远离国君而能显扬名声，亲近国君而能收敛抑制。'但这话只有最贤圣的人才能做到啊！而像臣这样的人，整饬自己的仪容举止，以等待接受主公的命令，还唯恐自己会有过失。主公想在宫中为臣建房，以便亲近于臣，但实际上却是疏远于臣了！因此，臣万万不敢接受！” “哈哈哈哈！既是先生执意不肯接受，那就悉听尊便吧！”听罢晏婴一番话，景公方才释怀大笑。 数日之后的一天傍晚。 齐宫内宫。后花园中。 景公夫妇正在凉亭中饮茶、纳凉，说着、笑着。数名内侍、宫女在旁伺候。 “启禀主公，晏相国求见！”一名内侍从外面走进园来，走到凉亭内，向景公拱手施礼，轻声禀报。 “请！”景公听说晏婴求见，连忙放下手中的茶杯，高兴地吩咐道。 晏婴随内侍走进凉亭。 “臣晏婴叩见主公、夫人！”晏婴跪在景公夫妇面前，毕恭毕敬地行礼。 “先生免礼，请坐！”景公面带笑容，指了指自己身旁。 内侍见景公让晏婴坐下，连忙在景公身旁摆好一个锦垫。 “多谢主公！”晏婴再叩一头，站起身来，落座之后，面向景公说道，“臣求见主公，只为二事。一是来给主公和夫人请安。今见主公和夫人外出归来后，经过数日歇息、调理，已无丝毫倦色，臣内心十分欣慰。二是来向主公禀报：归来数日，臣不敢稍有懈怠，已将半月来所积数事处理完毕。臣虑及主公治国政令下达已经半年多了，不知落实情况如何，因此打算到各地巡视、督促一下，务使主公政令全面落实。请求主公恩准！” “先生之意甚好！只是先生不在朝中之日，寡人有事可交何人？” “主公勿虑！在此期间，主公若有急事要办，交付弦章大夫即可。同时，臣每到一地，都会派人回来向主公禀报，使主公知道臣之行踪，便于主公随时召臣。” “既是如此，就依先生之言吧！还请先生一路多多保重，千万不可过于劳累啊！” 晏婴闻言，连忙离开座位，跪地施礼：“多谢主公关爱！容臣回去准备一下，明日一早启程。万望主公和夫人日日安康！” 望着晏婴渐渐远去的背影，景公似是对夫人，又似是对自己，微笑着说道：“有晏婴为相，寡人安枕无忧矣！” next morning. 临淄城北门外。 城门刚刚打开，就从城内驶出一辆马车：晏婴端坐车中，李垚执辔扬鞭。车后跟着四匹骏马，每匹马上都骑着一名携带兵器的差役。 车马过处，扬起一片尘埃。 骄阳下。 田间小路上。 在地方官的陪同下，晏婴一行一边走着，一边察看着小路两旁的庄稼。 晏婴不时停下来，指指划划地对地方官说着什么。地方官专心地听着，并连连点头。 early morning. 在一个县城里的集市上。 晏婴、李垚、地方官及数名差役在熙熙攘攘的人群中穿行。 晏婴在一个摊位前停下来，向摊主打听着什么。然后，又转过身来对地方官交代着什么。地方官神情严肃，连连点头。 风雪中。 在两山之间的一条大路上。 晏婴一行车马正在艰难地行进。 “吁—”忽然间，李垚大叫一声，拉紧缰绳，把车停下，转过身来，向晏婴大声报告，“大人！前边有一雪堆，下面不知何物，挡住车马去路。我下去看看！” “好！”晏婴一面答应着，一面挑起车前的布帘，向前边望去。 李垚跳下车，跑到左骖前边大约一丈多远处，朝那里的雪堆踢了一脚。 “咦？”李垚忽觉有异，连忙弯下腰，用手去扒雪。半尺多厚的雪被扒开后，下面现出一个人的身体来。 “大人！雪堆下面有人！”李垚朝晏婴大声喊着。 “啊！？”晏婴听到李垚的喊声，连忙走下车来，并大声吩咐跟在车后骑马的差役们，“快！跟我过去看看！” 骑马的差役们听到晏婴的命令，纷纷翻身下马，跟着晏婴跑步向前。 李垚疯也似地扒着“雪堆”。 待晏婴等人跑到“雪堆”跟前时，“雪堆”上面的雪已被扒完，一上一下、一老一少两个人的身体呈现在众人眼前：老人约六十岁，小孩儿仅五六岁；老人面朝下，小孩儿面朝上；老人几乎赤身裸体，小孩儿身上裹着破旧不堪的成人衣衫；老人的双臂紧紧地抱住小孩儿，似是仍在用自己的胸膛去温暖小孩儿的心。 见此情景，晏婴热泪盈眶，连忙蹲下身去，用手探测这一老一少的鼻息和心跳。 “快！快把小孩儿抱到车上去！他没死，还有救！”晏婴大声吩咐着身旁的差役们。 “是！”一名身材高大的差役一面答应着，一面俯下身去，在李垚等人的协助下，把老人推成侧卧，把小孩儿从老人的双臂下拖出来，抱起来就朝马车跑去。 “唉！”晏婴哀伤地叹了一口气，然后吩咐道，“这位老人已经死去多时了。你们把他抬到路边去吧。要记住这个地方，到了前边县城，好让地方官派人来把他安葬。” 根据晏婴的命令，几名差役七手八脚地抬起老人的尸体，朝路边走去。 泪水模糊了晏婴的双眼。他站起身来，朝马车走去，脚下一滑，险些摔倒。 “大人当心！”飞快赶到的李垚扶住了晏婴。 风，还在刮；雪，还在下。 晏婴一行在风雪中继续行进。 inside the car.晏婴把已用厚衣物裹起来的小孩儿紧紧地抱在怀中，大滴大滴的泪水“噗嗒”、“噗嗒”地落在小孩儿的脸上，口中还喃喃地说着：“身为相国，我有责任啊！” 狂风卷着雪花，漫天飞舞。 临淄城外、城内，白茫茫连成一片。 齐宫内宫客厅中。炭火熊熊，温暖如春。 景公端坐上位。梁丘据、裔款二人分坐两旁。三人正在饮酒、谈笑。 乐师们专心地演奏着音乐。 众宫女边歌边舞。 一天午后。 风雪终于停了。 晏婴一行终于回到了都城临淄。 晏婴一行进城后，没有回晏婴家，却是直奔齐宫而去。 齐宫内宫。景公书房外。 景公身穿白色狐皮裘衣，正兴致勃勃地站在院内赏雪。 “启禀主公，相国求见！”一名内侍走到景公身边，拱手施礼，轻声禀报。 “什么？相国回来了？快请！”景公听说晏婴回来了，显得非常高兴，但因赏雪之兴正浓，故无返身回屋之意。 “先生！你可回来了，都快把寡人想死了！”景公见晏婴进得院来，连忙迎上前去。 “主公，臣晏婴给主公请安了！”晏婴见景公迎上前来，连忙站住脚，拱手施礼。 “先生免礼！先生免礼！”景公快步走到晏婴面前，用双手拉住了晏婴正在施礼的双手，“先生一路辛苦了！” “多谢主公！臣刚刚回到都城，见天色尚早，就径直进宫来向主公请安。主公立在院中，可是正在赏雪么？”晏婴见景公并无进屋之意，只好立在雪中同景公说话。 “正是。”景公笑着对晏婴说道，“先生，你说怪也不怪？一连下了这么多天大雪，可天气竟然一点儿也不冷！” “主公，天气果真一点儿也不冷吗？”晏婴问道。 “是啊！”景公笑着回答。 晏婴面带倦容，嗓音略显沙哑：“主公！臣曾经听说过，古代贤明的国君，自己吃饱的时候，知道有人在挨饿；自己穿暖的时候，知道有人在受冻；自己安逸的时候，知道有人在辛苦。而主公却不知道民间的疾苦啊！” “先生，你说什么？”景公闻听此言，不再发笑，神情严肃地问道。 “主公，容臣进屋向主公细细禀报！” 景公这才发现晏婴身上的衣服不多，长时间站在雪地里，似乎正在瑟瑟发抖，于是连忙说道：“好，好！请先生进屋说话！” 齐宫内宫。景公书房中。 景公端坐上位。晏婴坐在右侧。 “主公，臣巡视各地半年有余，所见所闻及臣的建议，就向主公禀报至此。”晏婴欠身施礼，结束了汇报。 “刚才先生所言各地情况，寡人确实不知。先生责怪寡人'不知民间疾苦'，说得对啊！寡人决定听从先生教诲，明日临朝即颁令全国各地政府，拿出官库的衣物和粮食，发给饥寒交迫的百姓！” “主公圣明！主公圣明！”晏婴闻言，离开座位，跪在景公面前连连叩头，似是在替全国百姓谢恩。 that night. 晏婴家书房内。灯光明亮。 晏婴正独自一人专心致志地阅读竹简，忽听门外有人敲门，便抬头应道：“请进！” 门开处，走进一个人来。此人大约四十岁左右，中等身材，面皮白净，眉清目秀，炯炯有神的两只大眼透出精明。 “大人！这是大人不在家这半年多时间的帐目，请大人过目！”此人向晏婴拱手施礼毕，一面说着话，一面将随身带来的一捆竹简捧到晏婴面前。 “高纠，就先把它放在这里吧！等我有空时再看。”晏婴指了指书桌上的一片空地。 “大人！……”高纠把竹简轻轻地放在书桌上，似是还有话要说，却欲言又止。 “先生有话，何不坐下来说？”晏婴见高纠还有话要说，便礼貌地请他坐下。 高纠坐下后，对晏婴说道：“大人，是这样：这半年多来，又有六十几个自称是'书生'的人找上门来，说是家中生活无着，请求大人接济。一来大人不在家，小人不敢自作主张；二来受大人定期接济者原本已有二百余家，若再加上六十几家，恐怕会入不敷出。因此，小人只给了他们一点钱粮，没有答应定期