Have you forgotten the promise between us?(息壤在彼)
During the Warring States Period in China,
there was a famous minister in the Qin Kingdom. His name was (Gan Mao).
History books tell a story about him.
He led the army of the Qin Kingdom to
attack the Han Kingdom.
The Qin army surrounded an important Han
city called (Yiyang).
Although he was sure of victory, he felt
that a forced attack would cause too many casualties in the Qin army. So he
planned a series of protracted wars.
He led the army to surround (Yiyang) City
and sent spies to spread false information in Yiyang City.
He publicly shouted to the army of the Han
Kingdom.
If you are willing to surrender, I will
guarantee the survival of the people of this city.
At the same time, he launched surprise
attacks on (Yiyang) City from time to time, and the morale of the Han troops in
(Yiyang) City gradually weakened.
One day, he received an order from the King
of Qin.
The King of Qin ordered him to return to
the capital.
After the King of Qin met him, the King of
Qin said to him
This war has lasted for five months, but we
have still not been able to take (Yiyang) City.
I think we should reconsider whether we
should continue to attack the Kingdom of Han.
Having heard these words, he knew that the
king's resolve to conquer the Han Kingdom had been shaken.
He did not answer the king's question
directly.
He smiled and said to the king.
Five months ago, the two of us signed a
treaty together in the city of (Xi Rang).
Time flies so fast, five months have passed
in a flash.
After the king heard this sentence, he
remembered what he said to (Gan Mao) five months ago.
He said to Gan Mao at that time. I agree
with your ability, and I promise to trust you. To dispel your doubts, I am
willing to make a treaty with you. I believe that you can lead the army of the
Qin Kingdom to defeat the Han Kingdom.
The King of Qin was silent for a few
minutes.
He said to Gan Mao
If you need any support, you can tell me, I
believe you can lead the Qin army to win this war.
Gan Mao returned to the front, and a few
weeks later the city of (Yiyang) was successfully taken by the Qin army under
his leadership.
This idiom is used to remind a person not
to break his promise.
Dear friend, what kind of inspiration or
thought do you have after hearing this story?
Have you ever broken a promise you made to
a friend? If you were the king, would you keep your contract with Gan Mao?
I hope this story can give you some new
insights.
此圖片來自百度百科
息壤在彼(Have you forgotten the promise
between us?)
中國的戰國時代，秦王國有一個著名的大臣，他的名字叫做(甘茂)。
歷史書上記載了一個他的故事。
他帶領著秦王國的軍隊去攻打韓王國。
秦王國的軍隊包圍了一座韓王國的重要城市，這座城市的名字是(宜陽)。
他雖然有必勝的把握，但是他認為如果強行進攻會造成秦王國的軍隊中太多死傷。因此他擬定了一套持久戰。
他率領軍隊包圍了(宜陽)城，他派出間諜到宜陽城中散布一些假的訊息。
他對韓王國的軍隊公開喊話。
如果你們願意投降，我會保障這座城市的人民的生命都得以存活。
他同時不定期的發動對(宜陽)城的突襲，(宜陽)城內的韓王國的軍隊們的軍心漸漸渙散。
有一天他收到秦王國的國王的命令。
秦王國的國王命令他回到首都。
秦王國的國王與他見面後，秦王國的國王對他說。
這一場戰爭已經持續了五個月了，但是我們仍然無法攻下(宜陽)城。
我認為我們應該要再次的檢討是否要繼續這場攻打韓王國的行動。
他聽到這些話後，他知道國王原本堅決要攻下韓王國的心志已經被動搖。
他沒有直接回答國王的問題。
他微笑著對國王說。
五個月前，我們兩個人在(息壤)城內一起簽了一份契約。
時間過得真快，五個月的時間一下就過了呢。
國王聽到這句話後，國王回想起五個月前他對(甘茂)所說的話。
他那個時候對甘茂說。我認同你的能力，我承諾我會信任你，為了消除你的疑慮，我願意跟你訂定一份契約，我相信你能夠帶領秦王國的軍隊打敗韓王國。
秦王國的國王沉默了幾分鐘。
他對甘茂說。
如果你需要任何的支援你可以告訴我，我相信你可以帶領秦王國的軍隊打贏這場戰爭。
甘茂回到前線，又過了幾個星期，(宜陽)城被他所帶領的秦王國的軍隊成功攻佔了(宜陽)城。
這句成語被用來提醒一個人不要違背自已的諾言。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
你是否違背過你跟朋友之間的承諾呢?你如果是國王，你會遵守自已與甘茂的契約嗎?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為史記-樗里子甘茂列傳
https://www.arteducation.com.tw/guwen/bookv_158.html