The story and significance of driving fish to the garden and birds to the forest

One day, several students of Mencius had a heated debate on the reasons for the demise of Xia and Shang Dynasties: the fate theorists believed that the demise of Jie and Zhou was an act of God, and human resources could not compete with it. Someone immediately retorted, "It's obviously human will, but where is it?" ! Didn't Confucius say: What can heaven say? Speak for yourself. Even god's will is realized by manpower. If all causes and effects are described as providence, what is the significance of human efforts? "The two sides at loggerheads, go to consult mencius.

Mencius listened carefully to the reasons for the dispute between the two sides and analyzed: "The reason why Jie and Zhou perished was not God's will, but because they lost the hearts of the people. A monarch who lost the hearts of the people will inevitably fail. A gentleman who mainly wants to win the world must follow a principle, that is, get the support of the people first, and what the people don't support is definitely impossible. How can we win the support of the people? The method is also very simple, that is, winning the hearts of the people is easy to get. "

At this time, some people questioned: "Zhou Wang built a deer platform, but the people did not support it. The people were forced to help, but they built a deer platform." Mencius said: "Lutai was built, but Zhou Wang angered the people, and Zhou Wang finally committed suicide. In this way, the completion of Rutai is not a good thing for Zhou Wang. " Some students didn't want to rock the boat, so they said to Mencius, "Sir, you'd better tell me the reason why you died in the world." Mencius said, "Well, let's go back to the original topic. Let's talk about how to win the hearts and minds of the people: first, think about what the people think, do what the people like, solve their sufferings, and let the people have housing, clothing and food. You must never do what people hate, let alone force them to do it. "

Mencius was a little excited and stood up and continued: "Let me make an analogy. The monarch is benevolent and cares about the people, and the people flock to the monarch like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. As we all know, otters eat fish for a living. Once otters appear, fish will inevitably dive into deep water. Falcons eat birds, and birds will fly deep into the forest when they see falcons. Therefore, otters bring fish, not deep water, and falcons gather birds for the jungle. Therefore, it was unruly people who drove people to the King of Shang Tang and Zhou Wuwang. In a word, Liang Zhou's demise is a return of people's hearts, not an act of god. God's will is too difficult to grasp, let's do our best! " The disciples were all satisfied when they heard this.

Any monarch cruelly exploits the people, making it impossible for them to survive, and the people will inevitably rise up and resist, eventually leading to regime change. China's 26 history books recorded the rise and fall of 26 dynasties, because the monarch of national subjugation neglected profit and righteousness, and did the stupid thing of "driving fish for gardens and birds for bushes".

Drive fish for ponds and birds for forests "means: metaphor will not unite people and drive some people who could have been United to the hostile side."