Chapter 12 The story of Yanzi: Dwarfs have wisdom since ancient times

Qi State is not Song State, because Qi State has Qi Jinggong and Yan dwarf. "Zuo Zhuan" records that in the winter of 516 BC, an unknown comet crossed the night sky of Qi.Qi Jinggong was a little nervous and wanted to hold a festival to relieve disasters and difficulties. Yan Ying comforted him and said: "The comet in the sky is used to sweep away the filth in the world, and it cannot be changed for anyone. If your conduct is filthy, it is useless to pray, at most you can get a little psychological comfort; If there is no filth, then there is no need to pray, it is pure waste. The ministers usually speak harshly and often criticize you, but today I would like to say a word of praise for you-over the years, your actions have not violated the principle Under your leadership, Qi State is becoming more and more powerful, and the princes from all over the world are waiting to come to pay tribute to you, so there is no need to worry about some comets?"

Qi Jinggong was very helpful, and gave up the idea of ​​holding a sacrifice, and pulled Yan Ying to sit on his mat to talk.While talking, Duke Jing of Qi sighed and said, "What a beautiful palace! Who will be its owner?" Yan Ying was taken aback: "What do you mean by that?" Qi Jinggong patted Yan Ying on the shoulder: "Don't be stupid, you know what I mean very well. After a hundred years, who will be the master of Qi?" Yan Ying dared not answer. Duke Jing of Qi laughed and said, "I thought that the world is so big that only the virtuous live in it, so you can speak boldly! Who will be the master of Qi?"

Yan Ying looked at Qi Jinggong.The monarch and his subjects have been getting along for decades, and for the first time, he had a deep respect for the monarch from the bottom of his heart.The most important thing for a person is to have self-knowledge, to be optimistic about one's fate, to not change one's face before the collapse of Mount Tai, and to know that the great country is not unique to your family, but a virtuous one lives in it.He made a bow to Duke Jing of Qi, and replied solemnly: "Then I will say it directly, the so-called virtuous person, maybe it is the Chen family? Although the Chen family has no great virtue, they are willing to do good. Rent, deliberately use a small measuring device; lend people food, use a large measuring device. The common people get benefits, and naturally submit to them. The poem says, "Although there is no virtue and women, they can sing and dance." Chen The charity is the singing and dancing of the common people! As long as his descendants are not too lazy and there is no natural or man-made disaster that causes his family to suddenly perish, Qi will belong to his family sooner or later."

Qi Jinggong was stunned for a while.He could see Chen's ambition.In the Luan and Gao rebellion in 532 BC, the Chen and Bao families divided up the family property of Luan and Gao. After being persuaded by Yan Ying, Chen Wuyu handed over all the land he had allocated to the government, and asked himself to retire and return to his hometown. Go back to Judi to live up to your old age.Qi Jinggong got the property donated generously by Chen Wuyu, and his strength has greatly increased. From this perspective, he is very grateful to Chen Wuyu.But he also noticed that when Chen Wuyu returned to Judi, he did not really become an apartment, but continued to secretly win people's hearts.During the previous years of civil strife in Qi State, more than ten sons and grandsons were exiled to other countries.Chen Wuyu sent someone to recall them one by one, and presented them with real estate, property, houses, utensils and even the clothes of the servants.These exiles were insignificant when they were abroad, but they were a political force that cannot be ignored when they returned home.Under their vigorous advocacy, Chen Wuyu's personal prestige became higher and higher, and he became the leader of the opposition party in Qi State.

"In your opinion, how should I treat him?" Qi Jinggong asked. Yan Ying said: "It's very simple, just treat each other with courtesy. Since ancient times, as a monarch, as long as he grasps the principle of courtesy, scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants will keep their duties. Contemptuous, no matter how much the Chen family donates, it will be difficult to shake the foundation of the country." Qi Jinggong said: "Is it really that simple?" Yan Ying said: "It's that simple. To establish a country with etiquette, so that the ruler's order, ministers' respect, father's kindness, son's filial piety, brother's love, younger brother's respect, husband's harmony, wife's tenderness, aunt's kindness, and women's obedience, the country can enjoy long-term peace and stability." , live as long as the heavens and the earth, and shine with the sun and the moon."

Qi Jinggong said happily: "Today I know the essence of etiquette!" Yanzi’s thought, simply put, is the eight words that Confucius said: "junjun, ministers, father, son, son." There is even a saying in history that the eight words of Confucius are actually what Yan Ying said . About Yan Ying and Qi Jinggong, there are many stories in history that have been handed down to this day. One snowy winter day, Duke Jing of Qi was wearing a fur coat and drinking wine in the palace. It happened that Yan Ying came to see him. Duke Jing of Qi said happily, "It's strange, the snow has been snowing for three days and three nights, and I don't even think about it at all." I don't feel cold."

Yan Ying said unceremoniously: "You are wearing a fur coat and drinking warm wine. Naturally, you are not cold. I heard that the ancient virtuous monarchs would think that the people were still hungry when they were full, and they would think that the people were still wearing clothes when they were warm." If you are not warm, when you feel comfortable, you will think that the common people are still working hard, but you only know that you are warm!" Qi Jinggong was very ashamed: "You are right, I have been educated!" Immediately ordered that all people in need, regardless of their household registration or names, will be rescued by the state.

Another time, Qi Jinggong's beloved horse died suddenly.Duke Jing of Qi was furious, and ordered the man who kept the horses to be arrested and punished with the chariot split.At that time, Yan Zi was present, so he said to Qi Jinggong: "Killing people has to be careful. When Yao and Shun dismembered people for a horse, what part of the body did they start with?" Qi Jinggong blushed and said, "Then don't crack the car, just behead it." Yan Ying said: "Beheading is good! It's better than cracking a car. But this person doesn't know what crime he committed. Please let the minister explain his crimes so that he can die clearly. Would you agree?"

"OK!" Yan Ying then said to the groom: "Do you know? You have committed three capital crimes - raising a horse for the king, but raising the horse to death. This is one of them; but this horse is the king's favorite. The second is that because of your negligence, you caused the king to kill people. After hearing about it, the people will definitely have an opinion, thinking that the king values ​​horses and despises people, and the princes will despise our country after hearing about it. This is the third. Are you guilty?" After hearing this, Duke Jing of Qi said quickly: "Let him go! Let him go! You are scolding me around the corner!"

Stories like this are mostly recorded in "Yanzi Chunqiu", and this book will not repeat them one by one, but there is one thing that must be mentioned. Qi Jinggong is quite like his elder brother Qi Zhuanggong, who advocates martial arts and likes to raise warriors.At that time, there were three masters in Qi State, one named Tian Kaijiang, one named Gongsun Jie, and one named Gu Yezi, all of them possessed unique skills and were extremely brave.As the saying goes, raising a tiger is a danger. Qi Jinggong just recruited the three masters to his side, and it feels pretty good. It is face-saving to take them out, and it feels safe to keep them at home. But as time goes by, problems arise.These three people were originally from the Jianghu, they had unruly temperament and acted rashly. Regarding the various rules in the palace, they listened to them when they were happy and put them aside when they were unhappy. Anyone who dared to persuade them would immediately turn their faces and deny them.You know, when they lose their temper, it is not an ordinary one. It is easy to demolish one or two houses, and even Qi Jinggong can't do anything about them.

Yan Ying said to Qi Jinggong: "These three people have no sense of righteousness as emperor and minister, and no distinction between superiors and inferiors. If they are put in the country, they will only cause trouble, and if they are put on the battlefield, they are nothing but brave men. Why keep them? Forget it!" Qi Jinggong said helplessly: "The widow also regrets it now, but how can I get rid of it? The three of them combined, even an army can't deal with it. If they don't work well, I'm afraid I will burn myself." Yan Ying said, "Leave small matters to the servants." One day, Duke Zhao of Lu visited the State of Qi, and Duke Jing of Qi hosted a banquet in honor of him, accompanied by Uncle Sun Luo of the State of Lu and Yan Ying of the State of Qi.The three masters stand with their swords under the hall, majestic and majestic. After drinking for three rounds, Yan Ying ordered someone to bring up six peaches for the two monarchs and his uncle and grandson to eat. Of course, he also ate one for himself.As for the remaining two peaches, he proposed that they be rewarded to the three heroes in the hall, "whoever has done the most, the peaches will be given to him." This was obviously an ill-intentioned suggestion, but the three well-developed limbs and simple-minded guys were gearing up to compete with each other in front of the two monarchs. Gongsun Jie first fired the cannon: "One time when the king was hunting, a fierce tiger jumped out of the forest and rushed towards the king. I rushed up, stood in front of the king, fought the tiger, and killed the tiger. Can such a credit be given to me? Where's the peach?" "He really killed that tiger?" Yan Ying looked at Qi Jinggong in disbelief.Qi Jinggong nodded, admitting that there was such a thing. "It's amazing, you should eat this peach." Yan Ying said, handing a peach to Gongsun Jie with his own hands. Gu Yezi watched from the side, and said unconvinced: "What's so great about killing a tiger! Back then, when the monarch was going to the state of Jin and passed the Yellow River, there was a big turtle (yuan) that made waves and swallowed the monarch's horse in one gulp. Horse. It was I who jumped into the river and sacrificed my life to kill the giant turtle, so that the king was able to cross the river safely. Should such a credit be eaten as a peach?" Qi Jinggong hurriedly said: "The situation was extremely dangerous at that time, if this person hadn't killed the turtles and eliminated the monsters, the lives of the widows would have been in jeopardy." "Hero!" Yan Ying hurriedly gave the remaining peach to Gu Yezi. Tian Kaijiang saw that the peaches were finished, and shouted angrily: "What's so great about beating tigers and turtles! I was ordered to crusade against Xu State and captured more than 5,000 Xu soldiers. I was so frightened that the king of Xu State bowed his head and proclaimed himself a minister. The state of Ju also looked forward to surrender. With such a great achievement, I can’t eat peaches, and being humiliated in front of the two kings, what face do I have to stand above the court?” As he spoke, he drew out his sword, and there was a flash of cold light. Killed himself. When Gongsun Jie saw it, his face turned red, and he also drew his sword, saying: "My contribution is indeed not as good as that of General Tian. I have eaten peaches, but General Tian can't. What face do I have to live in this world?" After that, he wiped the edge of the sword on his neck, and the blood spattered three feet. Gu Yezi cried loudly: "The three of us became brothers. We don't want to be born on the same day, but to die on the same day. They are both dead, so what am I doing?" After speaking, he drew his sword and killed himself. This is the famous "two peaches kill three scholars" in history. It is said that after the death of the three heroes, they were buried together in one place.At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhuge Liang once visited here and wrote a song "Liang Fu Yin": In all fairness, the poetry isn't very well written. Later, Zhao Zhixin from the Qing Dynasty wrote a poem on this matter: Zhuge Liang and Zhao Zhixin undoubtedly held an attitude of admiration and regret for the three heroes.But others disagree.Cui Xiangjue, a native of the Qing Dynasty, once wrote: The story of "two peaches kill three men" has been widely circulated in history, but the textual research shows that there are many loopholes and it is not credible.If this is true, I personally think that using human blood to make a fuss, such political wisdom, is truly poisonous to a nation. There are several other stories about Yan Ying. The "stone father" mentioned in Zhao Zhixin's poem above refers to the Yue stone father. "Historical Records" records that Yan Ying once went out and met Yue Shifu who was sold as a slave on the road.Seeing his extraordinary appearance, Yan Ying got out of the car and talked with him.After saying a few words, I was taken aback. It turned out to be a talent!Immediately, he untied a horse that was pulling the cart, redeemed him, and let him go home in his own cart. After arriving home, the car was parked in the yard.Yan Ying didn't say goodbye to Father Yue Shi, but went straight into the house and didn't come out for a long time.When it was time for dinner, Yan Ying sent someone to invite Yue Shifu, but Yue Shifu asked to break up with Yan Ying.Yan Ying was taken aback, and said: "Although I am not benevolent, I have rescued you from bad luck, why did you break up with me so soon?" Father Yue Shi said: "As a gentleman, it is a shame to be scorned by people who don't know yourself. It doesn't matter; but if your confidant also despises him, you will be angry. No one can disrespect others because they think they are kind to others; similarly, a person does not have to bow his knees and lose his dignity because he is favored by others. You redeemed me out because of your kindness and because you got to know me through the conversation. Since you know me but don’t respect me, you might as well let me go back to be a slave!" Yan Ying said in shame: "You The criticism is correct." So he saluted again, invited Father Yue Shi to take the seat, treated him as a distinguished guest, and actively recommended him to Duke Jing of Qi. There is another story that gives a glimpse of Yan Ying's view of talent.Once when Yan Ying was going out in a car, the driver's wife peeped at her husband through the crack of the door.I saw the coachman sitting in front of Yan Ying, driving four horses, very proud.When the coachman returned home, his wife asked for a divorce and said, "Yanzi is less than six feet tall. He has become such a great official and is famous all over the world. But I secretly watched him go out, and his demeanor is very modest. As for you, although you are eight feet tall, you are not as tall as you are." You are a coachman. But your demeanor shows that you are satisfied and have no ambitions." After being taught a lesson by his wife, the coachman became humble and respectful.Yan Ying felt strange and asked him the reason, and the coachman told the truth.Yan Ying thought that this man could correct his mistakes and he was a man who could be made, so he recommended him as a doctor.Of course, today, it is not uncommon for a driver of a senior leader to become a cadre. Among the talents recommended by Yan Ying to Duke Jing of Qi, Sima Rangju (rangju) is the most famous. Sima Rangju's surname is not Sima, but Tian.Of course, strictly speaking, his surname is not Tian, ​​but Gui, Tian. Because he is a descendant of Chen Wan and is of the same clan as Chen Wuyu of the Chen family.In the ancient pronunciation, Chen and Tian have the same pronunciation. After Chen Wan moved from Chen State to Qi State, perhaps in order to avoid disaster, he changed Chen's family to Tian's family, but people often call it Chen's family.Therefore, the Chen family in Qi State is the Tian family, Chen Wuyu can also be called Tian Wuyu, and Tian Rangju can also be called Chen Rangju. It is said that in a certain year, Jin and Yan invaded Qi, and the Qi army was defeated.Qi Jinggong was deeply worried, and Yan Ying recommended Tian Rangju to him: "Although this man is a descendant of the Tian family, his literary virtues can make his subordinates close, and his military strategy can make the enemy fearful. I hope you try him." When Qi Jinggong heard that he was a member of the Tian family, he was not very happy, but because of the current national crisis and because of Yan Ying's face, he had no choice but to agree to meet him.Unexpectedly, after meeting and chatting for two hours, Qi Jinggong was completely conquered by Tian Rangju's military ability, and appointed him as a general on the spot to lead his troops to resist the invasion of foreign enemies. Tian Rangju said: "I come from a humble background and have no reputation. Now you have promoted me from the people to a position above the doctor. The soldiers don't know me well, and the people don't trust me. I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince them. If you If you want me to win the battle, please send a trusted and prestigious person to supervise the army as my backer." Qi Jinggong was amused when he heard it, and he praised Tian Rangju for his understanding.Since ancient times, the orders of generals outside the country have not been accepted.As a king, the most fearful thing is that the general has evil intentions, so he does everything possible to place his cronies next to the general to supervise the army.Now that Tian Rangju offered to send a supervising army, how could he not agree?So he appointed his favorite minister Zhuang Jia as the supervisor of Tian Rangju. When Tian Rangju saw Zhuang Jia, he made an agreement with him: "We will meet outside the military gate at noon tomorrow." Zhuang Jia readily agreed. Early the next morning, Tian Rangju drove to the barracks first, set up a watch at the door, opened the hourglass, and waited for Zhuang Jia. Zhuang Jia is an ignorant young master, relying on his ability to make jokes to get along with Qi Jinggong like a fish in water, he doesn't care about everything he does.Because he became a supervising army, relatives and friends came to congratulate him, set up a banquet, ate and drank, and did not arrive until the evening of this day. When he came to the gate of the barracks drunkenly, what he saw was Tian Rongju in full military uniform. "Hey, this farmer is quite energetic in his military uniform!" Zhuang Jia laughed secretly.Although Tian Rangju is a descendant of Chen Wan, he is not a direct descendant, and he is not the same as Chen Wuyu.Zhuang Jia didn't take him seriously at all, stood on the car and bowed crookedly to Tian Rangju, saying, "Sorry, I'm late." "Why are you late?" Tian Rangju said coldly. "Ah?" Zhuang Jia didn't understand. "Why are you late?" Tian Rangju repeated again.The strong wind blew the military flags at the gate to rattle, and Tian Rangju stood there upright, like a stone statue with no expression. Zhuang Jia said as he got out of the car: "Because relatives and friends sent me off, so it was delayed." Tian Rangju said, "Is there no other reason?" Zhuang Jia said, "No, I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, you can ask others." Tian Rangju said: "The so-called generals disregard their families from the day they accept the appointment, their relatives from the moment they enter the barracks, and their personal safety from the moment they pick up the drumsticks. Now the enemy has penetrated into our country, and the whole country is in turmoil. The lives of the common people depend on you, so why bother to send them off?" Without waiting for Zhuang Jia to answer, he turned around and asked the military judge, "According to the military law, what should be done with latecomers?" The military judge replied: "It should be beheaded." Hearing the word beheading, Zhuang Jia woke up from the wine immediately, and hurriedly said to the coachman: "Go to the palace and report to the king." The coachman flicked his horsewhip and left in the dust.Tian Rangju didn't stop him, he waved his hand, and the guards rushed up, tied up Zhuang Jia and dragged him to the camp. By the time Qi Jinggong's envoys drove into the camp with the talisman, Zhuang Jia's head had been hanging in the camp for a long time.The envoy complained endlessly, and said to Tian Rangju, "Why did you behead him so quickly without waiting for the king's order?" Tian Rangju said: "The general is in the army, and the monarch's order does not have to be completely followed." Then he asked the military judge: "According to the military law, what should be done if you break into the camp without authorization?" "He should be beheaded," said the military judge. When the envoy heard this, his legs trembled with fright.Tian Rangju said again: "The envoy of the king cannot be killed, but he must be punished." He ordered to behead the envoy's coachman, kill the horse on the left, and show it to the three armies. Tian Rangju sent an envoy to report the incident to Qi Jinggong, and then ordered the troops to set off.Along the way, he personally took care of the soldiers who set up camp, dug wells and built stoves, drank water and ate food, and went to see a doctor to get medicine.And don't start a small stove, and share all your own food with the soldiers.Three days later, the troops arrived at the front line, and even the old, weak, sick and disabled were fighting bravely to fight.Before the war started, the Jin army got the news and withdrew.The Yan army hurried across the river and was defeated.Tian Rangju took advantage of the victory to pursue and regained all the lost ground. Duke Jing of Qi was overjoyed, he put the matter of Zhuang Jia's murder to the sky, and appointed Tian Rangju as the great Sima.Therefore, it was also called Sima Rangju in history. What is puzzling is that Sima Qian admired Sima Rangju so much that he left a "Biography of Sima Rangju" for him in "Historical Records", but "Zuo Zhuan" has no record of this person.Moreover, in Qi Jinggong’s time, there was no such thing as Jin and Yan’s invasion of Qi, and it is unlikely to happen from common sense——Jin is already declining and has no time to look east; Yan is in a corner, and Qi will not bully it Fortunately, how could it be possible to invade Qi in turn? But there is no doubt about one thing: under the leadership of Qi Jinggong, the national strength of Qi State has been greatly improved, and now he is not satisfied with saying no to Jin State, but wants to fight against Jin State with real swords and guns.