100 Historical Stories That Unlock Teenage Wisdom

Chapter 32 3

Chapter 43 Empress Wu Zetian Uses Facts to Discuss Loyalty and Traitor

——Those who talk about right and wrong must be right and wrong. In human life, there are always some people who are afraid that the world will not be chaotic. They always like to talk about others' right and wrong behind their backs, and sometimes even do things that harm others and benefit themselves. Such people will eventually suffer their own consequences. To be a person, you must be open-minded and act upright, so that you can gain a firm foothold in society.

Wu Zetian believed in Buddhism. When she was in power, she once issued an edict to prohibit the slaughter of living beings and fishing of fish and shrimps, so that the princes and ministers could only eat vegetarian food when they entertained guests, and they dared not have a little meat.

In the court, there was a man named Zhang De, whose official name was Zuo Shiyi, who had always been trusted by Emperor Wu.On the third day after his son was born, relatives, friends and colleagues came to congratulate him one after another.Zhang De felt very sorry that the banquet was full of vegetarian dishes, so he secretly sent someone to kill a sheep, made some dishes with meat, and wrapped some mutton buns for everyone to eat.

Maybe it's because these relatives, friends and colleagues haven't tasted meat for a long time. Seeing that there was meat on the table, they all became interested. go back.Zhang De was naturally very happy.Unexpectedly, one of his colleagues named Du Su, the official worshiped to make up the palace, saw that there was meat on the table, thought that Zhang De had violated the emperor's edict, and suddenly became malicious.When the banquet was over, he quietly put two meat buns in his arms.After the banquet was over, he went to the Emperor Wu to complain.

In the early morning of the next day, after dealing with the political affairs, Emperor Wu suddenly said to Zuo Shiyi Zhang De, "I heard that you have given birth to a son. I would like to congratulate you." Zhang De kowtowed in thanks.Emperor Wu said again: "Where did the meat on your table come from?" Zhang De trembled in fright when he heard it. Dare! I don’t dare!” Seeing this, Wu Zetian smiled slightly and said, “You say you don’t dare, let’s see what this is.” Then, he ordered someone to hand over the complaint written by Du Su and the two meat buns Zhang De.When Zhang De saw it, his face was like wax paper, and he kept kowtowing and said, "Your servant should die! Your servant should die!" At this time, Du Su, who had complained, stood beside him complacently, waiting for the reward.

Wu Zetian had already seen all this, and after a short pause, he said to Zhang De: "Zhang De listened to the decree: I issued an edict to forbid the slaughter of livestock, and no meat is allowed in weddings and funerals. Now that you are loyal and a first-time offender, You will not be punished."

After hearing this, Zhang De shouted loudly: "Thank you, Lord Long En! Thank you Lord Long En!" But Du Su's eyes widened in shock.

The Emperor Wu said again: "However, Zhang De, you have to learn a lesson. If you treat guests again in the future, you must choose good guests. Don't invite people like Du Su who are easy to sue!" Zhang De was so grateful that he burst into tears. All the ministers saw that Emperor Wu was so loyal and treacherous, he did not believe in slander, and he was not suspicious of employing people, so they knelt down on the ground together and shouted: "Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!" Du Su, under the disdainful eyes of everyone, was so ashamed that he couldn't bear to be ashamed. As soon as Emperor Wu finished the word "retreat", he quickly slipped away.

Wisdom Interpretation:

Wu Zetian's handling of the secret incident showed the demeanor of a generation of queens.

"Don't talk about people's wrongs, sit quietly and think about your own mistakes." Remember that "whoever talks about right and wrong must be right and wrong", there is no need to become a pawn in the hands of speculators, face right and wrong with an open mind, and let the "fear that the world is wrong" Chaotic people" have nothing to gain!

(End of this chapter)