The story of the old Qin people 98, Zi Gong Lu Cun

Earlier, we talked about the battle of Yiling in Qi and Wu, which laid the foundation for Fu Cha, the king of Wu, to compete in the Central Plains. The battle of Ailing broke out in front of us because it was caused by, which led to Fu Cha taking the opportunity to attack Qi. This is described in Zuo Zhuan.

However, another reason recorded in Biography of Historical Records of Zhong Ni is extremely dramatic. We might as well have a look.

This matter has something to do with a man named Duanmu Ci.

The name Duanmu Ci may surprise many people, but he also has a well-known name Zi Gong. He is one of the top ten philosophers of Confucius.

Duanmu Ci is his name and his word is Zigong, so it is customary to call him Zigong.

Zi Gong, his characteristic is that he is a businessman, so this person is of course very smart. The Analects of Confucius also recorded many things about him, such as:

Zi Gong asked, "Who can walk for life without saying a word?" Confucius said, "I forgive you! Don't do to others what you don't want. "

Confucius' evaluation of Zigong is quite satisfactory.

Zi Gong asked, "What about giving?" Confucius said, "A woman is also a utensil." He said, "What is it?" Say, "Yes."

Zi Gong asked, Teacher, what do you think of me?

Confucius said: You are an artifact.

Zi Gong said: What vessels?

Confucius said: It's like a sacrificial Hu Lian.

Confucius once said:

A gentleman is not like an instrument, and his function is limited to one aspect.

Regarding Zi Gong's evaluation, I don't think he has reached the level of a gentleman. But it is gorgeous enough to come in handy.

However, Zi Gong had great respect for Confucius. After his death, Zi Gong mourned for Confucius for six years, making him the most disciple of Confucius.

According to Zuo Zhuan, in 487 BC, it was Qi Daogong who married his wife. As a result, he refused to give him fat, so he invited Fu Cha to attack Lu, and then Qi sent troops to attack Lu. Later, Ji Sun sent his sister back, so Qi Daogong told Focha not to come. Fu Cha was furious and attacked Qi.

But here, the situation is completely different. It was because Tian Chang (Tian Qi's son, formerly known as Tian Heng, was taboo in the Han Dynasty and renamed Tian Chang) wanted to seize power, but he was afraid of the four families of Qi at that time, namely Guo, Gao, Bao and Yan.

So I thought about starting a war, transferring the contradictions abroad, and cleaning up all this.

So he rose up and attacked Lu.

Confucius heard about it, and he said:

Where the tomb is located, Fulu, the country of parents, the nation in peril, what are the second and third sons?

Lu is my parents' country, so I have to do something. So he said hello to his disciples, hoping that they could help Lu overcome this difficulty.

Then Luz, Zhang Zi and Zi Shi asked to go, but Confucius didn't agree. Does it mean that Confucius is waiting for Zigong?

Therefore, Zi Gong is duty-bound to stand up and hope to lobby other countries. Confucius agreed this time.

In fact, Zigong is a patriotic person, purely for the sake of the teacher.

So Zigong set off for Qi.

As Tian Chang said: Don't beat Lu.

Tian Chang asked: Why?

Zi Gong answered: Lu is stupid, the city is weak, and soldiers hate war. You shouldn't go to war with Lu.

After hearing this, Tian Chang looked at Zi Gong and thought this boy was crazy.

Tian Chang then asked, tell me, who should I hit?

Zi Gong said: Wu. Wu Guocheng is an easy country to attack, because it has deep pools, excellent weapons and wise commanders.

Tian Chang suddenly stood up and said, are you stupid or am I stupid? I won't fight the weak. Do I have to fight the strong one?

Zi Gong said: Wait a minute, let me explain it in detail. I asked you why you hit Wu. I might as well ask you, what do you think of your position in China?

Tian often said: I won't lie to you either. I was blocked three times and failed three times. Because there are four powerful families in China who have been pressing me.

Zi Gong said, Isn't that right? If you fight Lu, Lu is easy to fight. What's in it for you? This victory is likely to be divided up by others, so why make clothes for others? Instead, you hit Wu. There are two advantages to defeating Wu.

First, let domestic ministers go out to fight Wu, who is powerful and can be destroyed, so he is weak. So your strength will not grow?

Second, the domestic people mobilized to attack Wu, so everyone who opposed you was wiped out.

So that no one in China will compete with you for power. Is this bad for you?

Tian often said: after listening to your words, I had an epiphany. However, now I have sent troops, and the troops are all under Lucheng. If we insist on withdrawing troops, it will arouse suspicion. What should we do?

Zi Gong said: This is easy to handle. Stay where you are. I'll lobby the prince of Wu to help Lu attack Qi, so you can take advantage of the situation to attack Qi.

Tian often said: Good.

So Zigong came to the State of Wu.

Tell Fu Cha: Now Qi is attacking Lu, and I hope your Majesty can help Lu.

Fu Cha said: Attack Lu? Wu is thousands of miles away from Lu's national football team. What's the need to attack Lu?

Zi Gong said, Your Majesty, you are short-sighted. At present, Qi has 10,000 personnel carriers, while Lu has thousands, though few. If Lu is annexed, then the eastern countries will really follow Qi. I plan for you. If Qi is strong, what good will it do to Wu? Secondly, if you save Lu, you will get a good reputation. Compared with Qi Huan and Jin Wen, the king is not inferior, which is one of the advantages. Second, saving Lu is actually weakening the power of Qi. If the state of Qi is at your feet, deterrence money is not impossible. What else can your majesty consider?

The king of Wu said: Good. However, the danger of the State of Wu lies in the southern State of Yue, which is eyeing me. If I send troops, the country will be empty. Why don't you come and save Lu after I die?

Zi Gong said: Your Majesty is wrong to think so.

First of all, you're welcome to say that if the King of Yue perished, Lu would have been annexed by Qi.

Second, it is not brave to be afraid to go to war with Qi for fear of crossing the country.

Third, it is unwise to see small interests and ignore big disasters.

If your majesty is really afraid, please allow me to go to Yue Guo and ask him to send troops to follow you.

Focha said: In that case, I am willing to send troops.

So Zigong came to Yue.

Gou Jian paid great attention to this and found the best hotel in Vietnam to entertain him.

Gou Jian asked: What does Mr. Wang want to do in this backcountry?

Zi Gong said: You live here, so I'm here.

Gou Jian said: I heard that fortunes depend on each other. Now that Miss Wang is here, do you have any suggestions to teach me?

Zi Gong said: I dare not say. I just need your help.

Gou Jian said: What?

Zi Gong said: I came here this time to persuade the King of Wu to help Lu, but he was afraid that the State of Yue would attack Wu.

Gou Jian bowed twice and said, I lost my father when I was a child. Fighting with Wu, I didn't estimate my own strength, so I lost miserably and had the shame of remembering. Now that my husband has come all the way to teach me, what reason do I have not to listen to him?

Zi Gong said: Good. Since the king is so frank, I'll be frank. Wu wants to save Lu, but he hopes that the king will not spare his treasure and give him to the king of Wu.

Gou Jian said: In the past, the King of Wu killed our country, our people, my officials and my ancestral temple. I hate Wu's guts. I serve Wu like a son is afraid of his father. I don't eat delicious food and appreciate beautiful women in China. I just want to wash away my shame. This time, my husband asked me to donate my treasure. I wonder what's in it for me.

Zi Gong said: If Wu really sends troops to attack Qi, then there are only two possibilities, either victory or failure.

We think that if he loses, it will be a godsend for Yue. If he wins, the king of Wu will certainly become more arrogant and try to compete with the state of Jin, which will inevitably damage his elite troops, and then his effective force will fall into the hegemony of the state of Jin. So, isn't this a good opportunity for Yue?

Gou Jian said: I thought about revenge every day, but for three whole years, measured by my national strength, I couldn't compete with Wu, so I had to empty everything in my family to serve Wu, which led me to be laughed at. Now my husband has taught me such a clever plan, why don't I follow it?

Zi Gong said: I think the prince of Wu is arrogant, just greedy for fame, but I don't understand the pros and cons. There are frequent wars in Wu, and the soldiers are in turmoil. Wu Zixu was honest, but he was not used by the prince of Wu. The king of Wu only used servants like uncles, who served their king with elaborate deceitful words. How can the country maintain long-term stability?

Gou Jian is very happy. Before he left, he gave Zigong gold, swords and BMW, but Zigong didn't accept them.

Zi Gong returned to the State of Wu.

You said to Fu Cha: I will tell the King of Yue what you said. King Yue was very afraid. He said: He lost his father when he was very young, but as a result, he didn't understand the power of the kingdom and even tried to compete with the sun. As a result, he was humiliated He can only blame himself for his incompetence. Thanks to the gift of the king of Wu, I can enjoy the ancestral temple and hold a ritual vessel for sacrifice. So kind, I will never forget, why should I have second thoughts? When he said this, he looked scared. He wants to send a special envoy to apologize to the king.

Listen, Focha, every pore is open and very happy.

Zi Gong stayed in Wu for five days. Five days later, Yue sent a special envoy.

Wen Zi said: Donggai Nugoujian sent Wen Zi and took the liberty to strengthen the original friendly relations with China. Now I hear that the king wants to promote justice and crusade against unjust countries to appease Zhou Shi. So I sent my ministers to offer 20 pieces of armor, a spear and a sword to congratulate the soldiers. Although my country is small, what can I say when the king gives orders? Gou Jian is willing to be a pioneer in armour for the king, even if he dies in battle, he has no regrets.

Fu Cha was even happier, and said to Zi Gong, Now that the State of Yue has sent someone, Gou Jian also asked to be a pioneer. Is it okay to do this?

Zi Gong said: No way. Because you are fighting for the beauty of the benevolent, eliminating cruelty and appeasing Zhou Shi, if you hollowed out other people's countries and let their monarchs die on the battlefield, it is an unkind person. So, you accept his gift and army, so the King of Yue doesn't have to follow.

Fu Cha agreed.

Then, Zigong went to the State of Jin. Why did he go to the state of Jin?

Zi Gong said to him, Now Wu will send troops to attack Qi. Wu wins or loses. If he defeats Qi, he will send troops to attack Jin. I wonder what your majesty thinks?

Jin Dinggong said, since Mr. Wang is here, he must have a good idea. I hope Mr Wang Can will teach me.

Zi Gong said: Although Wu is strong, it is not as good as Jin. Therefore, if the state of Jin is alert, it is not difficult to defeat the state of Wu by trimming weapons and soldiers.

Finally, Zi Gong returned to Lu.

Finally, Wu sent troops to attack Qi, and the battle of Aileen defeated Qi.

Historical records say:

So Zi Gong came out to save Lu, chaos Qi, break Wu, strengthen Jin and destroy Yue. Zigong broke the situation, ten years and five countries changed.

So is this story true?

It's obviously fake. Su Zhe said:

The attack on Lu is based on the mourning of the public, not the mourning of the public; Wu Zhi cut Qi, because he repeatedly mourned for the public, not paid tribute. Chen Qi was still there during the Wuqi War, but he never served again. The record is not true, and the lobbyist in the Warring States period is regarded as a tribute to Confucius, and Tai Shigong believes it is true.

It is considered that the militarists pretended to entrust Zi Gong during the Warring States period. Generally speaking, it is also inclined that this story is fabricated.

In addition to this version, there is a similar version in Mozi, which is even more sensational.

Health and anger are the gates of Tian Chang, which makes the South China do whatever it wants and return to Lu. After a while, he was free to attack Lu. He said to Zigong, "Thank you! Something big happened at this time! " It's because people in the south saw Tian Chang and persuaded him to attack Wu, so as to teach Gao, Guo, Bao and Yan a lesson to avoid Tian Chang's chaos and persuade him to attack Wu. Within three years, Qi and Wu broke the country's difficulties, their bodies were buried in words, and their punishment was over!

As we said before, Confucius went to the State of Qi to lobby, but he stood in the way.

Therefore, Confucius held a grudge, introduced Yan's skin to Tian Changmen, and told his revenge plan to the south. After he returned to China, he was wondering how to deal with Qi.

So he said to Zigong: Pay, now is the time to achieve great things.

So he sent Zigong to Qi, met Tian Chang through Huizi in the south, advised him to attack Wu, told Gao, Guo, Bao and Yan not to interfere in Tian Chang's rebellion, and advised Yue to attack Wu. Within three years, both the State of Qi and the State of Wu suffered disasters, and hundreds of thousands of people died, all of which were done by Confucius.

This story is even more interesting. In fact, it has been fabricated since the Warring States period.