Master Kong Zhongni

Chapter 268

In a small house in Tuqiu City.

Gao Zhang, who moved here from Qufu, is playing chess with Gao Chai.

Gao Zhang dropped his hand, then looked up at Gao Chai who was sitting opposite him, and asked, "Chai! I heard that you are under the command of Dr. Tuqiu as the governor of the city.

But I have been in Tuqiu for seven days, and you come to play chess with me every day. Doesn’t Tuqiu usually have any cases to be tried? "

Gao Chai heard the words, observed the situation on the chessboard, and responded: "Uncle, as the head of the Gao family, usually manages big towns like Linzi and Jimo.

In the state of Qi, there is only one city of Linzi, and there are people from the five villages living in Yanggao's breath. You can change the fate of tens of thousands of people with a word of yours.

You are used to making big decisions, so it is reasonable for you not to understand the situation in a small town like Tuqiu. "

Gao Zhang became interested when he heard the words: "Oh? Is there any difference between big and small in governing a country?"

Gao Chai said with a smile: "Of course. To govern a small country, we must respect human relations. To govern a large country, we must follow laws and regulations.

Talking about human feelings can win the support of the villagers.By law, you can get the service of a wise man. "

Gao Zhang couldn't help being surprised when he heard this and said: "I have only heard that laws and regulations should be used to correct the morality of the country and correct the behavior of the people, but I have never heard of governing the country with human feelings. Did Confucius teach you this statement? "

Gao Chai shook his head and said, "It's not what Master said, but I realized it myself."

"How do you say this?"

Gao Chai said: "Decrees that emphasize laws and regulations are easy to get the services of wise men, but they lose the support of the people.

Government decrees emphasizing human feelings are easy to make the people happy, but wise men choose to stay away because they are not easy to be promoted.

As the second guard of Qi, his uncle is high and powerful, and he thinks about ways to strengthen the country every day, even if he eats and sleeps, he can't have any peace.

But I, as Tuqiu's Yisikou, have time to play chess with you.

It's not that I'm more talented than my uncle, but that the circumstances we face are different.

The state of Qi is a large country of thousands of miles, with many people and different temperaments, and the situation between the cities and towns is also different.

The same decree, if placed in Linzi, is a good government, but if it is placed in Jimo, it is a bad government.

Therefore, you use laws to govern the country, so that you can recruit talented people and use their wisdom to help you govern. This is the correct approach.

But the same approach does not apply in Tuqiu.Tuqiu has few people but little land, the people are loyal but less treacherous, follow Zhou rituals but despise customs.

To govern a small town like Tuqiu, it is only necessary to find out their temperament, establish an appropriate reward and punishment system, and set a few respected elders as examples.

The customs of the people are consistent with the law, what they think is right and wrong is consistent with the law, and everyone has surplus food and money in their homes.

In this way, who is willing to trigger the decree and incur punishment, and how can Tuqiu need someone to govern? "

Hearing this, Gao Zhang finally understood Gao Chai's way of governing.

He couldn't help sighing: "The people of Lu are loyal, and the world knows it. It's a pity! If the people in our country are as loyal as the people of Lu, why is it so difficult to govern?"

Hearing this, Gao Chai just replied with a smile: "Uncle said that, it is too greedy. Although Qi is difficult to govern, it is strong because of it. Although Lu people are loyal, they are weak because of it."

Gao Zhang was puzzled and said, "What does it mean to be powerful because it is difficult to govern?"

Gao Chai replied: "Back then Boqin and Taigong went to Qi State and Lu State respectively to become vassals.

Three years later, Boqin went to Haojing to report his achievements to the Duke of Zhou.

But the grandpa returned after five months.

Zhou Gong asked Boqin: "Why is it so slow to report to the government?" '

Boqin replied: "I am changing the local customs and changing the local etiquette."Ordinary people have to mourn for three years after their parents die, so they only come to report to politics at this time. '

Zhou Gongdan asked the Taigong again: "Why so fast?" '

Taigong said: "I simplified the etiquette and followed the local customs."Appoint talented people and respect hardworking people. '

After listening to their answers, Duke Zhou sighed.

'Alas, the descendants of the State of Lu are afraid that they will be ministers in the north and serve the State of Qi!If politics is not simple or easy, the people will not be close to each other.If the politics are easy for the people, the people will inevitably follow.But in the future generations of Qi, I am afraid that there will definitely be courtiers who usurp and kill! '"

Having said this, Gao Chai suddenly stopped talking.

He specially came to accompany Gao Zhang these few days, of course it's not that he has no work to do, but that being with Gao Zhang well is his most important task these days.

Zaiyu still hasn't forgotten the fact that the Tian clan urged the Marquis of Qi to attack the state of Lu in the name of "crushing against Yanghu".

It is not a gentleman not to take revenge if he has a grudge. In the past, if Zaiyu didn't do anything, he was incompetent.

Now that you have seized the opportunity, why don't you go all the way to death?
Sure enough, after Gao Zhang heard this, his arm holding the chess pieces suddenly dropped, and he asked, "Are you talking about Tian?"

Gao Chai just smiled: "Nephew is talking about Duke Zhou and Grand Duke."

Gao Zhangdao: "Tian begs for small fights and big fights, although there is indeed a suspicion of buying people's hearts, but at least it is to help the people.

The monarch sometimes does things absurdly. If he orders to prohibit Tian's behavior of borrowing grain, I'm afraid it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the people.

Besides, it's not just Tian who is doing the borrowing of grain. Doesn't Yanzi often help the poor?How can this be called treason? "

Gao Chai shook his head with a smile: "Then Chai, please ask Uncle, Yan Zi borrowed food, would he lend it in his own name?"

"Of course not." Gao Zhang said: "Yanzi always applies to the monarch for distribution of grain, and then distributes his own grain in the name of the monarch."

Gao Zhang said: "I heard from my master that when he was a guest in the state of Qi.

Once Yanzi returned to the state of Qi after completing a mission. When he came to the palace, he saw groups of Chinese people building a high platform for the king to enjoy.

At that time, the weather was cold, the Zishui River was frozen, and the work of building the platform was not allowed to stop. There were people who were hungry and cold in every township in Linzi's 21 townships.

After Yan Zi went to the palace to report the situation of the envoy, Duke Jing invited him to sit down and drink for fun.

Yanzi said: "The monarch asked the minister to sit down, and I asked to sing a song for the monarch." '

The lyrics say this: "The common people sang: the freezing rain washes me, what can I do! The sky corrupts and scattered me, what can I do!"

After singing, Yan Zi sighed and wept.

When Jing Gong saw it, he hurried down and apologized: "Master, why do you have to do this?"You are probably a laborer for the construction of the high platform, right?The widow immediately sent someone to stop it. '

Yan Zi thanks again.

Then, he walked out of the palace without saying a word, went straight to the high platform, picked up the small wooden sticks on the ground and whipped those who did not work, saying: "I am an insignificant person, and I have a house to live in to avoid the heat and humidity. A big platform and why not build it for him quickly, why?'

When the nearby Chinese saw it, they all complained, "Yanzi helped God to abuse us." '

Yanzi heard this, and left in a carriage. Before he got home, the monarch gave the order to stop building the platform.

The chariot of the order passed by quickly, and the people of the country were happy because of the order of the monarch.

When the master heard about this, he said with emotion: "In ancient times, those who were good at being courtiers belonged to the monarch for their good reputation, and their own misfortunes and disasters. When they became officials, they helped the monarch correct their mistakes. When they came out of court, they respected the monarch's discipline, benevolence and best behavior." Way.

Therefore, even if you serve a lazy and lazy ruler, you can still make the ruler hang down his clothes to govern the country, and make the princes worship him without daring to boast of their achievements.The person who can bear this kind of morality is Yan Zi. '

I am a fool.I thought that since ancient times, all the officials who were truly loyal to the government should be Yanzi.

May I ask uncle, does the Tian family do things like Yan Zi? "

Gao Zhang was silent when he heard the words.

After a long time, I just sighed: "Actually, you are not the first person to say such a thing.

Yanzi of our country, Yanling Jizi of Wu, Shuxiang of Jin, Zichan of Zheng, and your teacher Confucius all think so.

However, I always believe that if the Qi State has a son, me, and Yan Zi, even if the Tian family intends to usurp it, it is impossible for them to succeed.

Furthermore, since ancient times, there has been no good end for usurpers.

If they really dare to do this, when the Tian clan does it, it will be the time when their family will be wiped out.

If they want to replace Qi, they have to ask our high-ranking clan, the 21 warriors in Linzi 4 Township, and the morally-minded scholars and gentlemen in Qi State whether they agree or not!

The emperor gave me the second guard of Qi.

When Qi Jiang is here, the country is high!

If Qi Jiang is destroyed, the country will be destroyed!

When the state of Chen fell, the son Wan, the ancestor of the Tian family, fled to our country. Duke Huan was generous, so he took him in.

The State of Qi has a great favor from the Tian family, how dare they not repay the favor? "

Gao Chai just shook his head and said, "I don't know if Mrs. Tian understands how to repay kindness, but I do know that if uncle needs help one day, then you only need to send a letter, and my nephew will definitely respond."

Gao Zhang laughed loudly when he heard this: "Chai! You really have a heart. However, if one day I need to ask you for help, I am afraid that the problems I encounter will not be a problem that you can solve."

Gao Chai didn't feel that Gao Zhang was underestimating him, because judging from the existing strengths of both parties, Gao Zhang was willing to talk with him on an equal footing, which already made him think highly of him.

After all, the Gao family of Qi State is a family that can sit on an equal footing with the six ministers of Jin State, and there is only one Ji family that can compete with the Gao family in Lu State.

The strength of the Zai clan is placed in the Qi State, not only behind the Guo, Gao, and Tian clans, but also inferior to the Bao, Yan, and Kan clans of doctors.

If Qi really had civil strife and had the ability to quell it, I am afraid that only Jin and the flourishing Wu would be left.

Gao Zhang said: "If you are really thinking about Qi and the clan, then you should lobby Dr. Tuqiu. I have been detained in Lu, how can I go back and restrain Tian?"

Gao Chai heard the other party's implication.

Uncle probably already knew that I was a lobbyist sent by Ziwo.

He was able to guess that Yang Hu was doomed to fail when his eyes were darkened, there is no reason why he couldn't guess that he was about to be sent back.

Gao Chai stood up and said, "Then I will take my leave."

"Please."

After Gao Chai walked out of the small courtyard, he crossed the street, turned two street corners, and went straight to Tuqiu's government office.

He had just arrived in front of the government office, before he walked up the steps, he saw Zaiyu and Zigong walking down while talking.

"What's the situation in the Song Dynasty? Le Qi is dead, and they still plan to swallow their anger. Have these guys inherited the martial arts of Shang Tang and Wu Ding?!"

"Although the man is dead, Le Qi's body is still in Fan Yang's hands. Even if they want to rebel against Jin, they must first bring back Le Qi's coffin!"

"Has the Song Dynasty sent someone to welcome the coffin?"

"The State of Jin informed the State of Song that while welcoming back the coffin, it is hoped that the two countries can make an oath again."

"Speaking is better than singing! I still hope, isn't this a threat?"

"Fan Yang handles affairs, how decent do you expect him to be?"

"Has the State of Song decided on a candidate for the envoy?"

"Zi Niu sent a letter yesterday, which said that Duke Song originally wanted to send Le Daxin as an envoy to welcome Le Qi's coffin. But Le Daxin declined the appointment of Duke Song on the pretext of being ill."

"Le Daxin is a smart man, and he deserves to be an evergreen tree that has stood in the Song Dynasty for 30 years.

The state of Jin can kill Le Qi, if he goes to the state of Jin, if there is something that makes Fan Yang unhappy.Maybe, he will also be detained in the state of Jin. "

"But here comes the problem! Le Daxin doesn't want to let go, so Song Gong plans to send Ziniu's eldest brother, Song Guozuo Shi, to Chao.

Ziniu knows that you have a good relationship with the Zhao family of the Jin State, so I want to ask you if you know what is going on in the Jin State.

If his eldest brother is on a mission, is there any danger? "

When Zai Yu heard this, his eyes rolled and he stopped suddenly.

"Ask for my opinion?"

Seeing his expression, Zigong knew that something was wrong: "You...you don't want to cheat, do you? Anyway, he's still a classmate, so don't think about it."

"When did I say I was going to cheat you?" Zaiyu said, "But it's really unwise to go to Jin now, isn't it?"

As soon as Zaiyu finished speaking, Zigong thought for a while, and immediately understood what he wanted to do.

The State of Jin wanted to renew the oath of alliance with the State of Song. For such a high-level meeting, there were not many Song States who were qualified to serve as the main envoy.

Now that Le Daxin has made it clear that he does not want to be an envoy, if Mrs. Xiang doesn't show up again, why don't Mr. Song make a trip in person?

Not to mention, whether it is inappropriate for the monarch to greet the coffin of his ministers in person, whether Duke Song has the courage to go is also a question.

If Song Gong is not willing to go, or if he sends a low-level doctor as an envoy, then Jin State will be insulted by Song State.

In this way, the unbreakable alliance between the two countries can be...

"Hiss... You really are not cheating, you are planning to cheat Song!"

Zaiyu said: "If you betray Jin, you have to pay the price. If Song is in front to help us share a little bit, won't the pressure on Lu be less? I am also thinking about the country! In Lu Yanlu, how can we Yan Song?"

Zigong said: "It's just...even if you tell Ziniu that Jin is not safe. What if Song still doesn't have the guts to betray Jin?"

"That's true. After all, Le Qi is already dead. The only ones who are determined to betray Jin are probably only his clansmen. As for the others, I have to help them cheer up..."

Zaiyu was thinking about it, and suddenly asked: "How much money can we get out of the savings?"

Zigong was also frank, and asked directly: "Tell me, who are you going to bribe? Goods are easy to get, but if you plan to bribe a rich family like the Xiang family, I'm afraid it won't be enough to impress you with some goodies. At least we have to Take out a treasure like the 'slandering tripod'."

"Treasure..."

When Zai Yu heard these two words, his head grew bigger.

Such things as treasures are basically state-level treasures, and are usually stored in the palace.

Knowing that he would need to use these things, when Yang Hu rebelled, he 'borrowed' two from the palace.

Now that he needs to use it temporarily, where can he find the treasure?
Just when Zaiyu was in a dilemma, Gao Chai stepped forward and asked, "My son, what are you talking about?"

As soon as Zaiyu saw Gao Chai, an idea flashed in his mind.

Overjoyed, he patted Gao Chai on the shoulder, and said, "I don't have treasures, there must be ones in Marquis Qi's place!"

Gao Chai was taken aback by him: "My son, what do you want to do?"

As for Zi Gong, he somewhat understood.

"This... I, let's say goodbye... With Marquis Qi, we haven't even settled the bill from last time, and you beat the Qi army so badly in Dayeze.

If you go to him again at this time, won't you be afraid that Marquis Qi will follow Fan Yang's example and treat you like a happy Qi? "

Zai Yu laughed: "Don't worry, I have a wonderful way to eat two fish."

　Where is there any master, I spent all the time others wrote books on asking for monthly tickets.

　　——Excerpt from "Zaiyu's Diary"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)