Chapter 3 Chapter Three

Time flies.Another three years have passed. With Jing Gong's support, Yan Ying made great efforts to govern the country, so that the four strategies of governing the country were continuously improved, the people of the whole country basically solved the problem of food and clothing, and the Qi State initially achieved great governance.However, to make Qi truly prosperous and strong, the road ahead is still very difficult and long. Inside the main hall of Qi Palace. Jinggong sits on the throne.On the right are Yan Ying, Tian Wuyu, Xianzhang, Sui Ying and several generals; on the left are Bao Guo, Liang Qiuju, Yiqian, Wang Hei and several generals.

"My dear friends!" Jing Gong raised his wine glass with a smile on his face, and his voice was resonant, "Six years ago, I proposed four strategies for governing the country. Now that Qi is in great order, I have a special banquet to celebrate with all my dear friends! Come, Please drink this cup together!" "My lord, Shengming! Thank you, my lord!" Yan Ying raised his glass and thanked him loudly. "My lord, Shengming! Thank you, my lord!" All the ministers raised their glasses together and echoed. The monarch and his ministers drank it all in one gulp.

The waiters immediately stepped forward to fill up the wine. "This is the second glass of wine." Jing Gong raised the wine glass that the waiter had just filled, "I wish the country of Qi good weather, peace and prosperity for the country and the people!" "I wish the country of Qi is prosperous and the people are safe!" Yan Ying raised his glass to wish. "I wish the country of Qi is safe and peaceful!" All the ministers echoed. The monarch and his ministers drank it all in one gulp. The waiters hurried forward to fill up the wine. "This is the third cup of wine. Xiangguo has contributed a lot to the current state of Qi. I thank Xiangguo for his help, and I invite Xiangguo to drink up this cup!" Jinggong said, and he was about to raise the wine glass.

"Wait a minute, my lord!" Hearing this, Yan Ying got up and left the table, went to Jinggong's seat, knelt down and kowtowed, "The great governance of the Qi country depends on the sageness of the lord, and the four strategies for governing the country have won the hearts of the people. Yan Ying is fortunate to rely on the lord's trust." , Only then can I do my best. This is where the minister's duty lies. Why not treat it as a bar where Yan Ying and all the ministers thank the lord!" After hearing what Yan Ying said, Duke Jing had no choice but to put down the wine glass he was about to raise.

"Xiangguo's words are justified!" Tian Wuyu said loudly. "Xiangguo's words are justified!" Bao Guo and other ministers echoed in unison. Yan Ying was still kneeling on the ground, took the wine glass filled with wine from the waiter with both hands, and raised it high: "I thank you, my lord, and wish my lord a good health!" "May the lord be in good health!" All the ministers echoed in unison and raised their wine glasses together. "Okay, okay!" Duke Jing was very happy when he saw this, and hurriedly raised his wine glass high.

"Hahahaha!" The monarch and his subjects drank it all in one gulp, laughing loudly together. "Sir!" Duke Jing called out loudly. After drinking, Yan Ying was about to get up and return to his seat, when he suddenly heard Jing Gong's call, he quickly resumed his kneeling posture, bowed his head and replied, "The minister is here!" Jing Gong looked very excited: "Sir, I remember that the former Jun Huan appointed Guan Zhong As a prime minister, because of his outstanding merits, he gave Guan Xianghu and Gu two lands, a total of 17 counties, to provide for the living needs of Guan Xiang and his descendants. The first emperor not only wrote this matter on silk, but also engraved It was recorded on the bamboo slip, and it was reported to all the vassal states. Now that the state of Qi is under great rule, everyone in the government and the public knows that you have made great achievements in your hard work. The widows should also follow the example of the former king, and give Pingyin and Tang Eryi to you, for your husband and his family. The needs of Mr.'s descendants."

"My lord, this is absolutely impossible!" Yan Ying kowtowed repeatedly. "Huh? But why?" Jinggong was a little displeased. "My lord," Yan Ying raised his head and found that Duke Jing was displeased, so he lowered his head again, "I have heard that in the past, the sage kings rewarded meritorious deeds. Improve virtue, cultivate etiquette and righteousness, and avoid neglecting duties. Today, a person like a minister who serves the monarch and can only be free from sin, how can he and his descendants deserve to enjoy the rewards of the lord? Besides, if every doctor If they are all given cities, then what will the king of Qi use to worship the ancestors and deal with the vassal states? Therefore, I implore the lord to take back the original order, and do not give the city to the ministers!"

After Yan Ying finished speaking, she kowtowed repeatedly. "Since this is the case, the widow will not give it to you. Sir, please go back to your seat and continue to drink with everyone!" After hearing Yan Ying's words, Jing Gong felt quite reasonable, so he returned angry and laughed, and turned to Yan Ying. Made a "please rise" gesture. "Thank you, my lord!" Yan Ying kowtowed to the ground in thanks. the next day. Qi Palace Inner Palace.In Jinggong's study. Jinggong sat alone in the main seat, as if he was waiting for someone. A servant came in, approached Duke Jing, cupped his hands and saluted, and reported softly: "My lord, Yan Xiangguo has arrived outside the door."

"Please!" "My lord, Yan Ying, pay my respects to the lord!" Yan Ying entered the door, walked to the seat of Duke Jing, and kowtowed to the ground. "Excuse me sir, please get up quickly!" Jing Gong stood up with a smile, stretched out a hand, made a gesture of "please get up", and told the servant, "Watch and sit!" "Thank you, my lord!" Yan Ying stood up, sat down on the guest seat, and then asked cautiously, "My lord, I don't know why my lord called my ministers into the palace?" "Sir, at the banquet yesterday, the widow wanted to follow the example of the late emperor and bestow it on the husband, but because the husband refused, he had to take it back in public. The husband may have also seen that the widow was indeed a little displeased at the time. The reward was too much. , This is a good recipe for governing the country that the master taught the widow. But why did the master yesterday refuse the widow to use this recipe?"

"Oh, so this is the matter!" Yan Ying bowed his body and cupped his hands, and replied calmly, "My lord, let me tell you in detail. Yesterday, I declined the lord's gift of the city for three main reasons: one is that the gift is not what it is. The country, the land Also. Without land, there is no country. Land is the main source of national wealth. If the land in the east and west is all given to the officials, where does the country’s wealth come from? The expenditure of the monarch, the salaries of the ministers, Where do the supplies for the army and the needs of the exchanges with the vassal states come from? Therefore, the land is not an ordinary utensil and cannot be given to a doctor. The second is to give it to someone else. 'The rule of Qi depends on the master' This is my heartfelt words. If the lord is not promoted and reused, I may die of old age on the coast of the East China Sea. How can there be Yan Ying, the prime minister of Qi today? I appreciate the kindness of the lord, and it is the heart of the lord to make suggestions and do my best. The location and the location of the position. The lord wants to imitate the predecessor Huan Gong, but Yan Ying is not a virtuous minister. The ancients said: "A sage has a lot of worries, and he will lose something; a fool has a lot of worries, and he will gain something." Although Yan Ying has no Guan Zhongye The meritorious deeds built, but there is the respect and thrift that Guan Xiang does not have, can it be regarded as "one gain"? Although Yan Ying has never heard of the rich but not arrogant, but the poor but not resentful, Yan Ying This is such a person! The reason why I am poor but not resentful is because I have realized the principles of "sufficient desires lead to death" and "benefits lead to defeat" from the chaos of Cui and Qing, and are willing to "use goodness as a teacher" The lord asks the minister to accept the gift, which is tantamount to asking the minister to change the teacher! The third is that the minister fears that the lord will be ridiculed in the future. The lord may remember that when the minister served the first emperor Zhuang Gong, there was a time when the minister suggested It was often adopted by the first emperor, and every time he met, the first emperor gave the minister title and food. However, after a while, the minister's suggestion was no longer adopted by the first king, and every time he met, the first king reduced the minister's title and food , until there was nothing left. For the ministers, it was naturally a bit embarrassing. Others ridiculed the former emperor as "capricious", and regarded the rewards, punishments and seizures of the ministers of the court as "a child's play". Therefore, the three, so Yesterday, the lord gave wine, and the minister could drink it; the lord gave the city, and the minister would definitely feel uncomfortable!"

"Oh, that's how it is!" After patiently listening to Yan Ying's words, Duke Jing suddenly realized, "However, Mr. has worked day and night for the widow and the country. How can the widow repay you?" "My lord," Yan Ying bowed his hands and saluted, "Faithful words and direct advice are often rejected by the ruler because they are 'hard to hear'. And blunt words and remonstrance are exactly Yan Ying's hard-to-change habits. Therefore, if the lord can tolerate the I will be more fortunate than receiving any reward from my lord!" "Okay, okay!" Jing Gong looked very happy when he heard the words, "Mr.'s loyalty can be learned from heaven! From now on, if I have any mistakes or negligence, please speak up and remonstrate, and I will do my best to listen and accept it." !" "Thank you, my lord!" One morning in late autumn. The sun is shining brightly, the sky is high and the air is crisp. Against the background of green trees and red flowers, Tian Wuyu's deep house compound looks magnificent and elegant. The living room is even more magnificent. Jing Gong sat at the main seat.As the host, Tian Wuyu accompanied him in the guest seat on the left.There is a big table in front of each of them, which is filled with delicacies and wine utensils.There is also a table in the guest seat on the right, with the same things as the other two tables. "Tian Aiqing, just now you took the widow around the courtyard, it really opened the widow's eyes! Compared with the widow's palace, your Tianfu is not inferior!" Jing Gong said with a smile. Hearing this, Tian Wuyu hurriedly bowed his hands and saluted, and then said with a smile: "My lord, isn't this all thanks to you and bestowed by you?" "Huh?" Duke Jing was a little puzzled, "When did the widow give you such a nice mansion?" "My lord, do you still remember? That year, after I and Master Bao expelled Gao Qiang and Luan Shi from Qi, I didn't dare to be selfish, and dedicated all the assets of Gao and Luan to the My lord. Not only did my lord not commit any crimes against my ministers, but not long after, I granted Gao Tang to my ministers as food towns..." "Of course I remember this matter." Before Tian Wuyu finished speaking, Jinggong took over, "But, do you know whose idea it is to give you Gaotang as the city of food?" "Ah? Isn't it the master's idea?" Tian Wuyu pretended not to know, with a look of surprise on his face. "The widow told you today that it was the idea of ​​the widow's mother, Mrs. Meng Ji!" "yes?" "Exactly. Your Master Tian gave her a generous gift. Of course, she will speak well for you and give you some 'return gift'! Don't think that I don't know everything, even when you gave it and what you gave it. The widow knows all about it!" Jinggong smiled, without any intention of blaming him. "A small gift is a little bit of filial piety that I should do. Who would have thought that the old lady would keep it in her heart and even teach the lord to give it to the minister. This 'return gift' is really generous!" Tian Wuyu said to Jing Gong I bowed my hands and saluted, "I thank the lord again, and I ask the lord to thank the old lady on behalf of the minister! The lord's mother and son have shown great kindness to the minister's family, and the minister will never forget it!" "Okay, okay, just 'not forgetting'! Hahahaha!" Duke Jing laughed loudly when he heard this. "My lord! I..." Seeing that Jinggong was happy, Tian Wuyu called out, but he hesitated to speak. "Tian Aiqing, if you have anything to say, please speak up, why hesitate!" "My lord, in the past year, I have requested my lord to be an official many times. I wonder if my lord can grant it as soon as possible?" "Hey, Tian Aiqing, you are in such good health, why do you have to become an official? Besides, can your son Tian Qi know how to be an official and handle affairs like you?" "My lord, it's not that I praise you because of my preference. This son has been smart since he was a child, and he has become more loyal and steady when he grows up. Although he is not born to be an official, I can say this. If this son succeeds to the position of minister, he will definitely Bichen is better at being an official and handling affairs." "Is that true?" "How dare you lie to my lord? Didn't your lord just ask about this mansion of your family? To tell you the truth, this mansion was managed well in Gaotang, and I had a small savings for several years. Then I refurbished my old house. expanded." "Oh," Duke Jing nodded, and then asked, "If Tian Qi succeeds you, what will you do?" "The minister will retire to Gaotang and spend his old age peacefully in the mountains and forests." "Well," Jing Gong pondered for a moment, and then said with a little regret, "Okay, I will approve your request, and Tian Qi will succeed you. It's just that you are still in good health, so it's a pity that you have to retire and lose your job. It's gone!" "My lord, this minister only looks young, but in fact he is over sixty years old, more than ten years older than Yan Xiangguo!" "Hey, speaking of Yan Xiangguo, didn't you say that you sent someone to invite him long ago? Why haven't you arrived yet?" "My lord, Xiangguo is busy with official duties, is there something else that will get in your way? In my opinion, don't wait for Xiangguo, and use it first with the lord, lest it gets cold and unusable!" "No hurry, no hurry, just wait!" The monarch and his ministers were talking, when they suddenly heard the sound of carriages and horses coming from the courtyard, they looked out of the open living room door at the same time, and saw a carriage driving into the courtyard. "My lord, it's Xiangguo who has arrived. I'll go to greet you!" Tian Wuyu got up and walked out as he spoke. Just as he reached the door of the living room, for some reason, he turned back to Jing Gong's seat, bowed his hands and said with a smile, " My lord, wait for Xiangguo to come in, you have to punish him with a glass of wine!" "Why should he be punished? Is it because he was late?" Jing Gong asked with a smile. "It's not because he came late, but because of his 'gift from the hidden king': the lord gave him so much salary, but he was dressed in coarse clothes and elk fur, sat in a bamboo and wood cart, and rode poor horses. Drive to meet the lord. If you don’t believe me, take a look!” Tian Wuyu said while pointing to the door of the living room. "I've already seen it!" Jing Gong said with a smile. "This kind of intentional concealment of the king's reward should be punished with alcohol. Are you right?" Tian Wuyu was still persuading Duke Jing. "Yes, yes, it should be fined!" Jinggong replied with a smile. Seeing that Duke Jing had agreed to "punish" Yan Ying, Tian Wuyu turned around and greeted him with a smile on his face. courtyard. Yan Ying had already got off the car and was walking towards the living room. "Xiangguo is here, Wuyu is far away to welcome, please forgive me!" Tian Wuyu quickly walked up to Yan Ying, bowed his hands and saluted, and said "politely" with a smile. "Yan Ying is late, please forgive me, Mr. Tian!" Yan Ying cupped his hands to return the salute, then walked straight to the living room, and asked as he walked, "Has the lord arrived yet?" "My lord has already arrived and is waiting in the living room." Tian Wuyu followed closely beside Yan Ying, answering as he walked. Yan Ying walked into the living room and saw Jing Zheng sitting at the head seat. "My lord, Yan Ying, pay my respects to my lord!" Yan Ying walked up to Duke Jing, knelt down and kowtowed, "I came late for some reason, I kept my lord waiting, and I hope my lord will forgive me!" "Excuse me sir, please sit down!" Jinggong smiled and pointed to the empty seat on the right. After Yan Ying sat down, Jing Gong made a gesture to the waiter beside him.The waiter quickly walked towards Yan Ying with a tray with a wine glass in both hands. The waiter walked up to Yan Ying's table, knelt on the ground, and raised the tray in front of Yan Ying: "Yan Xiangguo, my lord ordered Xiangguo to be punished with a glass of wine!" "My lord, why is there a fine for drinking? Is it because the minister is late?" Yan Ying was a little puzzled, and asked Jinggong cautiously. Jinggong smiled, but didn't speak. "Xiangguo," Tian Wuyu took the words, and Dai Jinggong replied, "The lord ordered Xiangguo to be punished with a glass of wine, not because Xiangguo was late, but because of Xiangguo's 'gift from the hidden king'." "Gift from Yinjun?" Yan Ying was even more puzzled. "Yes!" Tian Wuyu continued to explain, "My lord gave Xiangguo the title of 'Shangqing' to make Xiangguo noble; my lord gave Xiangguo a salary of one million to make Xiangguo rich. None of the ministers in the court has the title You, Xiangguo, are high, and no one has as much salary as you. However, Xiangguo, whether you are socializing with the officials or entering the palace to meet the lord, you always wear this kind of coarse clothes and elk fur, and sit in a bamboo boxcar. And use bad horses to drive. This is clearly an act of concealing the monarch's reward! Therefore, the lord ordered that Xiangguo be punished with a glass of wine!" "Oh, so it is like this!" After Tian Wuyu finished speaking, Yan Ying finally understood, so he picked up the wine glass, got up and walked to Jing Gong's table, and knelt on the ground, "Excuse me, my lord, let me drink first and then explain, Or explain before drinking?" "Sir, please explain first, and then have a drink!" Jinggong replied with a smile. "Since it is the lord's favor, I will explain it first." Yan Ying raised her chest, held the wine glass in her hand, and said calmly, "My lord bestowed the title of 'Shangqing' on my envoys, but the envoys are honorable. The minister dare not accept it for his own dignity, but to carry out the mission entrusted by the lord; the lord bestows a salary of one million to make the minister rich, but the minister dare not accept it for his own wealth, but to let the lord's gift benefit everyone The minister once heard that since ancient times, the requirements for ministers have been: if he is in an important position and governs political affairs but is incompetent, he must be punished; if he accepts the king's generous rewards and does not take care of the township and neighbors, he must also be punished. Now If the courtiers in the inner palace of the monarch or the parents and brothers of the minister himself are displaced in the wilderness and remote places, it is the minister's fault; if the officials sent by the monarch outside , Among the officials under your jurisdiction, if there are any exiles in the four directions, it is the crime of the minister; if the weapons and armor of the Qi army are not complete, or the chariots are not repaired, it is also the crime of the minister. I don't think it's my fault to drive a bad horse or an old car into the court? What's more, with the reward of my lord, none of my father's relatives didn't ride a car, none of my mother's relatives was poor in food and clothing, and none of my wife's relatives suffered from cold weather. There are hundreds of unprofessional scholars who are starving, and there are hundreds of unemployed scholars waiting for the relief from the ministers inside and outside the city. Is the minister doing this to show the rewards of the monarch, or is he deliberately covering up the rewards of the monarch? Please judge clearly !" "Okay! Mister did the right thing and said it well!" After listening to Yan Ying's words, Jing Gong continued to praise with a smile. "My lord, it's been like this since ancient times." Yan Ying looked at Tian Wuyu and smiled slightly, "Master Tian falsely accused Yan Ying of 'a gift from the hidden king', which is not true. Should this glass of wine be fined?" Do you want to drink, my lord?" "Yes, it should be punished! Sir, I will punish Mr. Tian to drink this drink for the widow!" Jing Gong said with a smile. "Lord Tian, ​​this is the Lord's order!" Yan Ying stood up, walked to Tian Wuyu's table, and handed the wine glass in Tian Wuyu's hand. "Okay, okay, Wuyu accepts the punishment!" After Tian Wuyu finished speaking, he picked up the wine glass and drank it down. "Hahahaha!" Duke Jing and Yan Ying laughed loudly, and Tian Wuyu also laughed helplessly. When the laughter stopped, Tian Wuyu pointed to the wine glass in his hand and the dishes on the table, and asked Duke Jing for instructions: "My lord, the wine and the dishes are already cold, should we warm them up before using them?" "Okay, warm it up and use it again!" Jing Gong replied with a smile. "Hurry up and get someone to come and serve the wine and dishes to warm up!" Tian Wuyu ordered the servants beside him. "Yes!" The servant agreed, and hurried out of the living room. Seeing that the wine and dishes on the table had been taken away, Duke Jing asked Yan Ying: "Sir, you came late just now, and you said you have something to do. I don't know what's the matter?" "My lord, I am about to report to my lord," Yan Ying asked, and hurriedly bowed his hands to Duke Jing, and then replied, "The envoy Fan Zhaofan sent by Jin State has arrived in Linzi early this morning. I have already greeted him. Stay at the post, and promise to bring him into the palace to meet the lord tomorrow morning." "The envoy of Jin came here, why not?" Duke Jing seemed a little uneasy when he heard this. "According to Fan Zhao, he came this time to convey Jin Jun's admiration for your lord, so as to enhance the friendly relationship between the two countries. However, the information sent back by our country's report personnel is exactly the opposite of what Fan Zhao said. He said that Lord Jin wanted to attack our country of Qi, so he sent Fan Zhao to find out if I was true or not." "Then what should we do?" Duke Jing was even more disturbed when he heard that Jin State wanted to attack Qi State. "My lord, don't worry!" Yan Ying replied confidently, "Then Fan Zhao is an old official of the Jin Kingdom who understands etiquette. The Jin Kingdom sent him here, just to let him observe whether the government of our Qi Kingdom has been out of order. ', and then decide whether it is possible to attack Qi. If Qi's "rituals" are chaotic, Jin will definitely attack Qi; Just meet him." "Since the master has made preparations, the widow can rest assured." After hearing Yan Ying's words, Jing Gong calmed down. While the monarch and his ministers were talking, the servants brought up the hot wine and dishes, rearranged them, and filled the wine glasses for the three of Jing Gong. "My lord, the wine and dishes are already warmed up, how about talking while eating while they're still hot?" Tian Wuyu asked with a smile. "Okay, okay, let's talk while eating!" Jing Gong replied with a smile, and raised his glass, "You two loves, let's have a toast together first!" "Okay, cheers!" Yan Ying and Tian Wuyu immediately raised their wine glasses when Jinggong gave the order. After a few days. Xinjiang, the capital of the state of Jin. In the main hall of the Jin Palace. Jinjun Pinggong sits on the throne.Han Qi, Shu Xiang and other civil and military officials were divided into two classes. "Report to my lord," Fan Zhao knelt in front of Duke Ping, and was reporting on his envoy to Qi State to find out the real situation. "My lord has ordered that after arriving in Qi State, the monarch and ministers of Qi State will treat them with Zhou etiquette. During the banquet In the morning, the minister proposed to use the wine utensils of the king of Qi to pour wine for the ministers, wanting to test the reaction of the monarch and ministers of Qi, but the minister of Qi, Yan Ying, saw through the minister's strategy and removed all the wine utensils and replaced them with new ones; the minister pretended to be drunk After drinking, he stood up and danced, and asked the music officer of the Qi palace to play the music specially used by the emperor of Zhou to accompany his ministers, but the music officer politely refused. From this, it can be seen that the monarch and ministers of Qi State strictly abide by the etiquette of Duke Zhou, and the government of Qi State is not If there is no chaos, Qi cannot be attacked!" "My beloved ministers, what's your opinion?" Ping Gong looked around and asked loudly. "My lord," the uncle bowed his hands to Duke Ping and replied firstly, "As Doctor Fan said, Qi cannot be attacked!" "Qi is inviolable!" All the ministers echoed. "Since that's the case," Duke Ping looked at the officials on the left and right, and then said, "Let's leave the matter of attacking Qi for now, and wait and see how it gets better!" After a few days. In the back garden of the Qi Palace. Jing Gong and Yan Ying talked while walking. Jinggong asked: "Sir, the envoy of Jin has been back to the country for more than 20 days. I don't know what happened to the country of Jin recently?" Yan Ying replied with a smile: "My lord, according to the information sent back from the Jin State, the king and ministers of the Jin State know that our etiquette in Qi State remains the same, and the government and the common people are happy, so they dare not act rashly, and have put the plan of attacking Qi aside. I want to wait quietly and wait for the changes in Qi.” "Oh, it's so good, it's so good!" Jing Gong stopped, faced Yan Ying, and said while nodding. "However," Yan Ying also stopped in his tracks, "The state of Jin relies on its strength, and has been determined to destroy us for many years. In order to thwart Jin's plot, we still need to make many necessary preparations!" "What can you do, sir?" "My lord, there are no more than two strategies for the imperial court: one is to befriend the king of Jin with humble words and generous gifts, and try to avoid conflicts between the two countries; The enemy of crime." Yan Ying replied. "Since that's the case, sir, please plan for the widow's operation!" "My lord, don't worry! This is where the minister's duty lies, and the minister must do his best!" "Hearing and listening to the words of the master, the widow will have no worries!" One evening in winter. It was snowing heavily inside and outside the courtyard of Yan Ying's house. Inside the restaurant.The lights are bright. On a large dining table, there were several pottery bowls and plates: three bowls of rough millet rice, one plate of roasted poultry, and one plate of green vegetables seasoned with salt.The meals are steaming. Yan Ying and Qingqing in costumes were sitting at the dining table, talking about something enthusiastically.Yan Ying smiled and pointed at Qingqing.Qingqing laughed so hard that she couldn't lift her head. "Hey, hey, hey, let me tell you, you two, stop talking about jokes, and eat while it's hot! Qingqing came home this time and agreed to stay for a few more days. You two have a lot to talk about. What a time!" Cuiyu walked in, sat down at the table, handed the chopsticks to her husband and daughter respectively, and urged with a smile. "Obey!" Yan Ying took the chopsticks with a smile, and cupped his hands in a salute. "Zhi Niu—" Yan Ying picked up the rice bowl, and was about to use the chopsticks to pick the rice into his mouth, when he heard the restaurant door was pushed open. The door opened, and Li Yao walked in. "My lord, Master Liangqiu is asking to see you outside the door!" Li Yao reported softly. "Ah, is that so?" Yan Ying immediately put down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands, "Please invite Master Liangqiu to come in and have a meal together!" "Yes!" Li Yao agreed, turned and walked out of the restaurant. Yan Ying stood up and waited respectfully for Liang Qiuju's arrival. "Yan Xiangguo, excuse me, excuse me!" Liang Qiuju bowed his hands to Yan Ying with a smile as soon as he entered the restaurant. "A rare guest is coming, welcome, welcome!" Yan Ying returned the salute while sincerely giving way, "Lord Liangqiu, it's better to come early than coincidentally. Since you are catching up with my family for dinner, please sit down and eat together!" Liang Qiuju glanced at the food on the table, and was very surprised: "What? There isn't even a bowl of stewed meat on Xiangguo's table? It's so bland, I can't swallow it!" "Since Mr. Liangqiu 'can't swallow it', then Yan Ying will accompany you to the living room to talk!" Seeing that Liang Qiuju didn't intend to eat here, Yan Ying didn't force it, and motioned to Li Yao who was beside him to take Liang Qiuju with him. to the living room. "Lord Liangqiu, please!" Li Yao walked to the door of the restaurant, saluted Liangqiu Ju, and then made a "please" gesture. In the living room of Yan Ying's house.The lights are bright. Yan Ying sat at the main seat.Liang Qiuju sat in the guest seat. "Master Liangqiu is here at night, but what's the important thing?" Yan Ying knew that Liangqiu must have something important to do based on this, so he asked straightforwardly. "Yan Xiangguo, I'm here from a lowly position..." Liangqiu hesitated to speak when he saw the question. Come in and have a look. A few days ago, I once heard a servant in the palace say: Once, he was ordered by the lord to come to the mansion to invite Xiangguo into the palace to discuss matters. It happened that Xiangguo was having a meal. He ate a meal once, but because the food was too bad, he couldn't swallow it. He only ate half a bowl of rice, and he couldn't swallow it anymore. Hearing this, he thought he was telling a joke. He didn't want to see it with his own eyes today. The result is exactly what the servant said. Alas! I never expected that you, Xiangguo, are the prime minister of a country and the head of hundreds of officials, but the life at home is so poor!" "Lord Liangqiu, the life of Yan Ying's family is not poor!" Yan Ying explained with a smile when Liangqiu heard about this matter, "My lord knows that our country of Qi is not rich at the moment. Can we use this rough Filling the stomach with millet rice can be said to be the first kind of satisfaction for ordinary people. If you can eat grilled poultry every day, it has to be said to be the second kind of satisfaction for ordinary people. If you can eat it and season it with salt ordinary people get the third kind of satisfaction. Yan Ying has no stronger ability than others, but he can get all three kinds of satisfaction that ordinary people can hardly get. Compared with them, how can my family’s life be said to be poor? ? Besides, these are all rewards from the current lord! Hahahaha!" "Hahahaha!" Liangqiu heard that Yan Ying was laughing, so he laughed too, and then changed the topic, "Yan Xiangguo, I would like to ask you a humble question: Xiangguo served the three monarchs successively, Linggong, Zhuanggong and the current lord. , the three monarchs have different minds, but Xiangguo served them all smoothly. Especially the current lord, he is more obedient and trusting to Xiangguo. Is there any trick in this? Is it a benevolent and wise person like Xiangguo? , How many hearts do you have?" "Lord Liangqiu," Yan Ying saw that Liang Qiuju had finally turned to the "topic", and after a little thought, he calmly replied, "Yan Ying once heard that if you obey the emperor and love the people, you can dominate the people, but if you are violent and disloyal, But he can't command a single person. Therefore, with one mind, one can serve a hundred kings well, but with half-heartedness, even one king can hardly serve well!" "Oh, so that's how it is!" Liangqiu seemed a little embarrassed when he heard Yan Ying's words, "I'm so humble and stupid, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up with Xiangguo until I die!" "Lord Liangqiu, you are too pessimistic, right?" Yan Ying accepted Liang Qiuju's words, and tried to persuade him, "Have you ever heard the saying 'Those who do well often succeed, those who practice often come'?" "I've never heard of it before. I don't know how to say this?" Liangqiu felt a little puzzled after hearing the words. "This statement is plain and clear. What it says is: Only by working hard can you achieve success; only by willing to walk can you reach your goal. In fact, Yan Ying has nothing better than others, but he insists on doing it often and not Just give up and keep walking. It’s as simple as that. How can a grown-up say, ‘I can’t keep up until I die’?” "Hearing Xiangguo's words, I have benefited a lot! In the future, I must often ask Xiangguo for advice, and I hope Xiangguo will give you more advice! It's getting late today, and I will leave here. Please forgive me for delaying Xiangguo's meal!" After finishing speaking, Liang Qiuju stood up, bowed his hands to Yan Ying, and then walked towards the door of the living room. "Lord Liangqiu, please forgive me!" Seeing that Liangqiu Ju was about to leave, Yan Ying quickly stood up, bowed his hand and saluted Liang Qiuju, and shouted loudly outside the living room door, "Li Yao, see off the guests. !" One day a few days later. The heavy snow stopped.The sun is coming out. Jinggong, Liangqiu Jujun and his ministers were standing in the inner courtyard of the Qi Palace admiring the snow, and talking about something with great interest. Jinggong smiled and said to Liangqiu: "Liangqiu Aiqing, what you just said about Yan Xiangguo, I have heard it from Mr. Tian Wuyutian and the servants in the palace, and I have criticized Yan Xiangguo face to face. He should not be the head of a hundred officials and receive a salary of millions, but he wears coarse clothes and elk fur, rides in a bamboo boxcar pulled by bad horses, enters the palace to meet widows, or socializes with ministers, but he But he has his own reason and enjoys himself. Alas, there is nothing the widow can do about him!" Liangqiu said, "My lord, if you say that the food at home is poor and it's difficult for others to see, that's all right, but if you wear such clothes and ride in such a carriage to go to other countries, won't you be ridiculed by all countries?" "Aiqing's words are very true, but..." Before he finished speaking, a gust of cold wind blew, and Jinggong couldn't help shivering, and hurriedly wrapped the white fox fur coat on his body more tightly, and then seemed to remember What, he said to himself, "That winter, I was here to enjoy the snow. Yan Xiangguo once criticized the widow for 'I am full and warm but don't know the people are hungry and cold'." This winter is so cold, how can Yan Xiangguo's elk fur fur keep out the cold? Woolen cloth?" "..." Upon hearing Duke Jing's words, Liang Qiuju opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't say it. Jing Gong walked back and forth on the snow for a few times, then stopped, as if he had made an important decision: "Well, there are two original furs on the widow's body, which are exactly the same. Why don't you ask the servant to go and replace them? The widow gave another one to Yan Xiangguo..." "My lord," before Duke Jing could finish speaking, Liang Qiuju took over the words, "Why don't you take care of this matter, I'll just run here on behalf of the lord!" "It's so good, let Lao Aiqing take a trip on behalf of the widow!" Qi Palace Inner Palace. Inside Jinggong's study.Charcoal fires blazed in the two large braziers. Jing Gong sat on the main seat with a dignified expression, as if he was waiting for someone. A servant stood beside Jinggong, holding in his arms the fox white fur that Jinggong had just taken off. Suddenly, a servant came in quietly, bowed his hands to Duke Jing, and reported softly: "My lord, Lord Liangqiu is back!" "Please!" "Yes!" The waiter agreed and walked out quickly. Not long after, Liang Qiuju came in after the servant, holding a fox white fur in both hands. Liangqiu walked up to Duke Jing and knelt on the ground, but he didn't kowtow because he had something in his hand: "My minister was ordered by the lord to send the fur coat given by the lord to Yan Xiangguo for the third time. Resignation is not acceptable. I am incompetent, so I have to return the fur clothes to the lord for resignation. Please forgive me, my lord!" Jing Gong was very upset when he saw that the fur coat he had given was sent back, but he couldn't blame Liang Qiuju, so he said: "This is not your fault! Put the fur coat here, you go back first!" " "Thank you, my lord!" Liang Qiuju knelt for a few steps, gently placed the fur coat on the desk in front of Jinggong, then took two steps back, kowtowed to Jinggong, then stood up, turned and left go out. "Go, go and invite Yan Xiangguo here! Just say that I have something important to discuss!" Duke Jing watched Liang Qiuju walk out of the study, and immediately gave orders to the servants beside him. "Of order!" The servant promised and walked out quickly. Inside Jinggong's study. The servant Jinggong sent to invite Yan Ying came in quietly, saluted Jinggong, and softly reported: "My lord, Yan Xiangguo has arrived outside the door!" "Please!" "Yes!" The waiter agreed, then turned and walked out. Not long after, Yan Ying came in after the servant, still wearing the elk fur. "My lord, Yan Ying, pay my respects to the lord!" Yan Ying walked up to Duke Jing, knelt down and kowtowed. "Excuse me sir, please sit down!" Although Jing Gong was unhappy, his words were still very polite. "Thank you, my lord!" Yan Ying kowtowed again, then stood up and sat down. After Yan Ying was seated, Duke Jing asked: "Sir, do you know why I invite you here?" Yan Ying saw a piece of fox white fur in the arms of the waiter beside Jinggong and on the desk in front of Jinggong, and already understood what was going on, so he calmly responded, "My lord, is it because of the gift of the fox white fur?" "Exactly." Duke Jing restrained his inner displeasure, and said to Yan Ying with a smile, "The weather is very cold this winter, and I feel a bit invincible in wearing fox white fur. I judge others by myself, and I am worried that Mr. The elk fur is hard to keep out the cold, so I gave Mr. a piece of fox white fur, and sent Dr. Liangqiu to deliver it to the door on behalf of the widow. But for some reason, Mr. refused to accept it again and again?" Hearing this, Yan Ying bowed his hands to Duke Jing and gave a salute, and then replied: "My lord, I know that this fox white fur is a precious thing worth thousands of gold, so I dare not accept it." “先生有所不知：这种狐白裘，寡人有两件。寡人自己身穿一件足矣，而另一件闲着没用，与其把它收藏在宫中官库里，不如赐给先生穿在身上御寒用啊！” 晏婴朝景公拱手再施一礼，然后说道：“主公赐裘大恩，臣已铭记于心！但是，主公任用臣为相国，负责管理百官，臣理应尽量节省衣服饮食的供给，以便给文武百官和全国百姓作个榜样。即使这样做，臣还担心他们会因奢侈浪费而不顾自己的言行。像狐白裘这样珍贵的衣物，如果主公在上穿着它，并让晏婴在下也穿着它，那么臣将失去榜样的作用。这样一来，对文武百官和全国百姓中的那些只顾追求衣着饮食奢华，而不讲礼义、不顾自己品行的人，臣还有什么资格去禁止他们呢？正因如此，臣才不得不再三辞谢主公之赐，而没有接受狐白裘啊！” “噢，原来是这样啊！”听完晏婴一席话，景公这才若有所悟，并将心中的不悦全部抛掉，诚恳地说道，“不是先生一番教诲，寡人险些误解先生！” “多谢主公恕臣拒赐之过！”晏婴见景公终于明白了自己的一片苦心，心怀感激地向景公拱手施礼。 “不过，先生若是出使列国，可千万不能也穿得这么节俭啊！”景公微笑着对晏婴说道。 “臣谨遵君命！若是出使列国，臣理应穿得整齐体面一些，以免列国耻笑我齐国也！”晏婴拱手施礼，微笑着答道。 “好，好啊！哈哈哈哈！”景公闻言，高兴得开怀大笑。 冬去春回。风和日暖。 晏婴家院内的几棵垂柳已经冒出嫩芽，柳枝随风飘荡。 One afternoon. 书房的门敞开着。 书房内。正对门口的一张书桌上，摆放着几捆竹简。书桌后，晏婴正借着从门口射进来的光线，专心致志地阅读着在桌面上摊开的一卷竹简。 “大人！夫人给大人送茶来了！”一名使女走进门来，大声呼唤。 “哦！”晏婴听见有人呼唤，这才抬起头来。 翠玉和另一名使女一前一后走进门来。这名使女手中端着一个托盘，上面放着一把壶、一只碗。 “夫人来了！”晏婴见翠玉来了，连忙站起身来。 “吃完午饭，大人应该休息一会儿才是。听李垚说你到书房来了，我怕你口渴，就给你送点茶来。”翠玉面带微笑，似嗔非嗔地说道。 “嗨嗨，”晏婴一面笑着，一面用手指着桌上的竹简，“这些都是各地最近报来的文书，我得抓紧时间看完才行，明日上朝还要向主公汇报哪！” “既是大人公务繁忙，那我们就不打扰了。”翠玉见使女已将托盘放在桌上，并已为晏婴倒好一碗茶，就带着使女往门口走去，到了门口，又转过身来叮嘱道，“看一会儿，歇一会儿，千万不要过于劳累啊！” “夫人说得极是，夫人说得极是！”晏婴笑着坐回桌后，端起碗来喝了一口，“好茶，好茶啊！” 书房内。 晏婴坐在桌后，将看完的一卷竹简捆好，放在一边，又拿过一卷还没看过的，打开捆，在桌上摊开，低头看了起来。 李垚悄悄进来，走到晏婴身边，轻声禀报：“大人，有人在门外求见。” “哦，”晏婴抬起头来问道，“何人求见？” “是一位从燕国来的人，说是有要事求见大人！” “请，快请客人到客厅相见！” “是！”李垚快步走了出去。 In the living room. 晏婴站在门内，准备迎接客人。 李垚带着一个人，正从大门口朝客厅匆匆走来。 待走近时，晏婴才看清客人的身貌：中等以上的身材，显得很魁梧；长圆脸上浓眉、大眼、长髯，年约四十岁，显得很精神；一身蓝布长衫，像个读书人；右肩上挎着一个大包袱，又像个沿街叫卖的商贩。 “贵客从远方来，晏婴有失远迎！”见客人已经走近，晏婴连忙走出客厅门口，向客人拱手施礼。 “哦！”客人见晏婴亲自出门相迎，有些不知所措，连忙将肩上的包袱取下来放在地上，跪地叩首，“燕人泯子午拜见晏相国！” “免礼、免礼！”晏婴扶起泯子午，微笑相让，“请先生进客厅说话！” “多谢晏相国！”泯子午站起身来，又拱手施了一礼，然后才拎起地上的包袱，跟随晏婴走进客厅。 晏婴、泯子午二人分宾主坐下。 李垚带家人进来，为客人奉上茶水，然后退到门外。 “晏相国……”泯子午欲言又止。 晏婴见客人欲言又止，显得有些拘谨，便面带微笑，首先开口：“泯先生，您不远千里，从燕国来到齐国，可有何事要找晏婴？” “没……没什么事。”泯子午似乎有些口吃，一边说着，一边摆着双手。 “先生远道而来，一定有些口渴，请先喝口茶吧！” “好，好！”泯子午还真听话，端起桌上的茶碗就喝了一大口。 “泯先生，您来到晏婴家里，有话但讲无妨，千万不要拘束、客气。晏婴本人也是个有什么话就说什么话的直性子人啊！哈哈哈哈！” 泯子午闻听晏婴之言，把茶碗放到桌上，抬起头来看着晏婴：“晏相国，既然您也是个直性子人，那我就说！” “好，好啊！” 泯子午欠起身来，拱手施了一礼，然后说道：“子午乃燕国一白衣书生，虽非公侯卿相，但常思修身治国之事，并写了三百篇文章，希望能对治理燕国有所补益。不想，偌大一个燕国，竟无一个知音，子午文章反成众人笑料！相国治齐，三年初治，六年大治，乃大贤大能之人也！百姓称颂，天下闻名，子午仰慕久矣！今得相国拨冗相见，子午幸甚！子午千里来齐，非为谋官求职，只想将数篇文章奉上，请相国不吝指教！” “哈哈哈哈！”晏婴听罢，哈哈大笑，然后神情严肃地对泯子午说道，“先生，您对晏婴过誉，而对自己过谦了！既然先生有文章带来，可否现在就让晏婴拜读？” “子午遵命！”泯子午打开放在身边的包袱，从中取出几捆竹简，起身走到晏婴桌前，恭恭敬敬地摆在桌上，“请相国指教！” “先生不必客气，请就座、用茶。容晏婴慢慢读来！”晏婴一边说着，一边急不可待地取过一捆竹简，在桌上摊开，低头看起来。 泯子午回到自己座位坐好，并未喝茶，两眼直盯着晏婴，观察着晏婴的动作和表情。 “好！说得好，写得好啊！”晏婴看着看着，突然拍案叫好。 客厅门外。 李垚正在院内踱着步。忽然，他看见进客厅给晏婴宾主倒茶的家人出来了，连忙招手让那个家人过来。 “您有何吩咐？”那个家人问。 “他们还在谈啊？”李垚反问。 “大人刚看完客人带来的文章，正在跟客人谈论什么'修身'、'治国'的事哪！”那个家人略带神秘地低声答道。 “噢，你去吧！”李垚说完，又踱起步来。 又过了好一会儿。 看看天色已经不早，李垚这才向客厅走去。 “李垚！送客！”李垚刚走到客厅门口，就听到晏婴的呼唤。 “是！大人！”李垚连忙一边答应着，一边走进客厅。 书房内。光线已经变得有些昏暗。 晏婴坐在书桌后，两手按在桌上的竹简上，两眼直勾勾地望着门外，像是看着什么，又像是什么也没有看。 李垚走进来，向晏婴轻声禀报：“大人，客人已经送走了。” 晏婴好像没有听见李垚的禀报，甚至连李垚进来也没有看见，一声不吭，一动不动，仍是两眼直勾勾地望着门外。 李垚见晏婴仍在发愣，便稍稍提高了嗓音：“大人！泯先生已经送走了！” “哦，”晏婴这才回过神来，把脸转向李垚，“泯先生已经走了么？” “是的，大人。我把泯先生送到大门外，泯先生往城外走了。”说到这里，李垚微微一笑，“大人刚才望着门外，正在想什么事吧？” “是啊，我还在想着刚才和泯先生的谈话。”晏婴指了指桌旁的一个座位，对李垚说，“你坐吧！” “是，大人！”李垚知道晏婴有话要对自己说，就坐了下来。 “这位泯先生，乃是燕国的一位饱学之士。他写了很多文章，据说有三百篇之多，这次带来给我看的只是其中很小一部分。我看了以后，感到他的文章写得很好，大的方面可补益于国家，小的方面也有助于个人的修养，而且论述很有条理，言辞很有文采。但是，他刚见到我的时候，却因心中恐慌而欲言又止。后来，我用文雅温和的态度接待他，用彬彬有礼的语言开导他，他才尽情说出自己想说的话来。他走了以后，我就在想：燕国，乃是一个有上万乘战车的强国。从燕国到齐国，足有千里之遥。泯先生的治国方略、修身之道不能见容于燕国，乃是燕国的悲哀也。泯先生不远千里来到齐国，就是想向我建言献策的。其心至诚，其情至真！但是，泯先生到了我面前，却因心中畏惧而难以畅所欲言。由此及彼，我便联想到：在我们齐国，像泯先生一样的德才兼备而得不到任用的人有多少呢？因为人们对我畏惧而使我不能见到的有德有才的人，又有多少呢？而我没有这些有德有才的人的帮助，又怎能治理好国家呢？……” “大人所虑极是！”李垚见书房内已经完全黑了下来，便插言打断了晏婴的话头，“大人，天色已晚，您看是叫人来把灯点上，还是先去吃饭呢？” “既然天色已晚，咱们还是先去吃饭吧！”李垚跟随晏婴已十余年，二人之间十分默契，早已不是一般的主仆关系，所以晏婴对李垚打断自己的话头并不介意，而是顺水推舟，采纳了李垚的后一个建议。 临起身，晏婴又拍了拍桌上摊开的竹简，无可奈何地说道：“看来，这些文书，只好等吃过晚饭再挑灯夜读啦！”