He was forced to become king(黃袍加身)

 

He was forced to become king(黃袍加身)

 

The name of the founding king of China's Song Dynasty was Zhao Kuangyin, and a story about him is recorded in history books.

 

During the more than 50 years from the fall of the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty, China fell into a state of division.

Northern China experienced a total of five dynasties in those 50 years. These five dynasties are the Late Liang Dynasty, the Late Tang Dynasty, the Late Jin Dynasty, the Late Han Dynasty and the Late Zhou Dynasty.

 

When he was 21 years old, he joined the army of a famous general named (Guo Wei) in the Later Han Dynasty as a mid-level officer.

In 951 AD, Guo Wei founded the Later Zhou Dynasty. In that year, Zhao Kuangyin was 24 years old, and Zhao Kuangyin became a high-ranking military general in the Later Zhou Dynasty.

 

In 954 AD, Guo Wei passed away. Guo Wei's adopted son became the second king of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

In 959 AD, the second king of the Later Zhou Dynasty died, and the successor king of the Later Zhou Dynasty was only seven years old.

 

During the eight years from 951 AD to 959 AD, Zhao Kuangyin showed his military talent and leadership skills. He led the army to victory in many battles. His soldiers all trusted and respected him. He The Later Zhou Dynasty became very powerful, and he became the person with the greatest military power in the Later Zhou Dynasty.

 

In 959 AD, after the seven-year-old king of the Later Zhou Dynasty took the throne, the central government of the Later Zhou Dynasty fell into a state of chaos. Therefore, some generals and officers of the Later Zhou Dynasty secretly planned a military coup.

 

On 3 February 960 AD, Zhao Kuangyin was in the army, and all his generals and officers gathered to tell him.

The king of the Later Zhou Dynasty was only seven years old. He could not manage the Later Zhou Dynasty well at all, so the Later Zhou Dynasty was currently in chaos.

We hope that you can establish a new kingdom on your own. We are not willing to follow the king of the Later Zhou Kingdom. We hope that you will replace the king of the Later Zhou Kingdom. We are ready to support you as our king.

 

Zhao Kuangyin refused, but all of his generals and officers took out a yellow robe they had made in advance that only the king could wear.

Zhao Kuangyin's generals and officers put this yellow robe on Zhao Kuangyin.

All the generals and officers under Zhao Kuangyin said to Zhao Kuangyin with one voice, "We all support you as our king, we are willing to be loyal to you, we are willing to fight for you, we think you are a good leader, we think only you are qualified to lead us.

 

When Zhao Kuangyin saw this situation, he thought for a few minutes and said to his generals and officers

If you are willing to follow me, then I am willing to lead you to build a new kingdom.

 

Zhao Kuangyin led this army into the capital of the Later Zhou Dynasty. He used the most peaceful method to gain control of the central government of the Later Zhou Dynasty. He ordered the 8-year-old king of the Later Zhou Dynasty to be taken care of. He publicly announced that he had founded a new kingdom and named it (Song).

 

The literal translation of this idiom is that they put a yellow cloak directly on Zhao Kuangyin.

This idiom means that a person is forced to become a leader.

 

Dear friend, how do you feel or what do you think after listening to this story?

Do you think that Zhao Kuangyin didn't know about it before? Do you think the boss of your current company is a leader worth following?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                    圖片來自百度百科

The sound of Zhao Kuangyin shovelling snow with a shovel-like weapon and the blurred shadows of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi in the room(燭光斧影)

 

The sound of Zhao Kuangyin shovelling snow with a shovel-like weapon and the blurred shadows of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi in the room(燭光斧影)

 

Song Guangyi's older brother was the founding king of the Song Dynasty. After the death of Song Guangyi's elder brother, his elder brother's son was supposed to inherit the position of king.

But why did Zhao Kuangyin let Song Guangyi succeed him and become the second king of the Song Dynasty?

There was a saying among the people at that time that Zhao Guangyi had gained the throne by unfair means.

 

On the night of the 13th of November in the winter of that year, when Zhao Kuangyin was 49 years old, he and his brother were drinking together in the palace.

The weather was fine during the day, but at night the temperature dropped rapidly and it began to snow.

As Zhao Kuangyin and his brother wanted to talk about some relatively private matters, Zhao Kuangyin ordered all the servants and soldiers to stand guard about 30 metres away from them.

 

These servants and soldiers saw the light of candles coming from the room where they were drinking and saw the shadows of their two brothers. These servants and soldiers saw the two of them talking animatedly, and their movements were noisy. They would stand up and sit down.

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly stood up and picked up an ancient Chinese shovel-like weapon to shovel the snow in front of the house where they were drinking.

Zhao Kuangyin seemed to be venting his anger.

 

They drank until late at night, and Zhao Kuangyin slept right in the room where they drank. Zhao Guangyi left the room and went to sleep in another room in the palace.

 

According to the servants and soldiers responsible for guarding Zhao Guangyi, Zhao Kuangyin's snoring could still be heard in the room after Zhao Guangyi left, but the snoring stopped later.

 

In the early morning of 14 November, when the servant who was in charge of serving Zhao Kuangyin entered the room where Zhao Kuangyin was sleeping, the servant was horrified to find that Zhao Kuangyin was dead.

 

The news of Zhao Kuangyin's death immediately reached Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Guangyi immediately entered the palace and declared himself the new king.

 

Because Zhao Kuangyin's death was too sudden, and because Zhao Guangyi immediately took control of the entire royal family and the country's army after Zhao Kuangyin's death, Zhao Kuangyin's death aroused people's suspicions, and people thought it was possible that Zhao Guangyi had murdered Zhao Kuangyin.

 

The direct translation of this idiom is the sound of Zhao Kuangyin shovelling snow with a shovel-like weapon, and the blurred shadows of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi in the room.

 

This idiom is used to describe an unsolved case.

 

Dear friend, how do you feel or what do you think after listening to this story?

What do you think is the truth of the matter? Have you ever heard of such unsolved cases?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

                                      圖片出處為維基百科

Zhao Guangyi (趙光義/炅)

 

Zhao Guangyi (趙光義)(939 AD - 997 AD)

His surname is (Zhao), his parents gave him the name (Guangyi), and he changed it to (Gui) after he became king.

 

趙	It means walking fast. It was the name of a kingdom in ancient China. It is also one of the Chinese surnames.
光	It means light. It is also a Chinese surname.
義	It means justice. It is also a Chinese surname.
炅	It means light.

 

 

Song Guangyi's elder brother was the founding king of the Song Dynasty. After the death of Song Guangyi's elder brother, his elder brother's son was supposed to inherit the position of king.

But why did Zhao Kuangyin let Song Guangyi succeed him and become the second king of the Song Dynasty? There is a story recorded in the history books.

 

The name of the founding king of the Song Dynasty was (Zhao Kuangyin). In 961 AD, his mother fell seriously ill. One night, Zhao Kuangyin sat in front of his mother's bed, crying.

 

Zhao Kuangyin's mother said to Zhao Kuangyin

Don't cry, I'm getting older, and people die when they get old, so you can't change the situation by crying. We should accept the fact that we are all mortal and use the time we are alive to do what we have to do.

 

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in agreement with tears in his eyes.

 

Zhao Kuangyin's mother said to Zhao Kuangyin.

I have something very important to tell you.

I want to ask you, why do you think you were able to found the Song Dynasty? How long do you think the Song Dynasty you founded will last after your death?

 

Zhao Kuangyin replied.

I think I was able to establish the Song Dynasty because I learned from you and my father's very wise behaviour.

I cannot confirm how long the Song Dynasty I have established will last.

 

Zhao Kuangyin's mother said to Zhao Kuangyin

The fact that you were able to found the Song Dynasty was not due to your father and me. I think you were able to found the Song Dynasty because of the serious turmoil that occurred in the later Zhou Dynasty.

In the northern part of China where we live, there have been five dynasties in the last 50 years. These five dynasties are the Late Liang Dynasty, the Late Tang Dynasty, the Late Jin Dynasty, the Late Han Dynasty and the Late Zhou Dynasty.

The first and second kings of the Later Zhou Dynasty were both very capable, but after the second king of the Later Zhou Dynasty died, he handed over the position of king to his seven-year-old son.

How could a seven-year-old child run a kingdom?

Because the Later Zhou Dynasty was in great turmoil, you had the opportunity to found the Song Dynasty.

 

Zhao Kuangyin nodded in agreement.

 

Zhao Kuangyin's mother said to Zhao Kuangyin

We should learn from the history of the fall of the Later Zhou Dynasty and avoid making the same mistakes as the Later Zhou Dynasty.

Your sons are very young. If you suddenly die in a few years and your sons inherit your throne, I think the Song Dynasty will be thrown into turmoil and perish like the Later Zhou Dynasty.

 

Since none of us can predict when we will die, I suggest you make a will first. When you die, you will name your brother as your successor.

 

After listening to his mother's wise words before she died, Zhao Kuangyin felt that his mother's opinion was very reasonable, so he made a will to make his younger brother his successor. .

 

Dear friend, how do you feel or what do you think after listening to this story?

Have you written your will? Are you using every moment of your life to do what you should do?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                    圖片來自百度百科

 

I will moxibustion with you and share your pain in this way. (灼艾分痛)

 

I will moxibustion with you and share your pain in this way. (灼艾分痛) 

The name of the founding king of China's Song Dynasty was (Zhao Kuangyin). There is a story about him recorded in history.

 

His mother gave birth to five children, all of them boys, and he was the second.

When he was 12 years old, his mother gave birth to his younger brother.

His other brother was 20 years younger than him, and his youngest brother fell ill and died shortly after he was born.

 

His oldest brother died young.

He helped his parents look after his two younger brothers, to whom he was like another father.

 

When Zhao Kuangyin was about 20 years old, his brother, who was 12 years younger than him, fell ill. As Zhao Kuangyin had studied traditional Chinese medicine, he personally used moxibustion to treat his younger brother.

 

Moxibustion is a very special method of treatment in Chinese medicine. The usual method is to cut a small piece of thin ginger and place it on the acupuncture point on the patient's body.

Then put dry mugwort on the piece of ginger and light it.

The heat from the burning mugwort will be transmitted down to the acupuncture points, and the ginger slices can prevent the patient's body from being burned.

 

Because Zhao Kuangyin's younger brother was very young, he kept screaming during the treatment that it hurt and that he didn't want the treatment.

 

Zhao Kuangyin felt very unbearable when he saw his brother's appearance, but his brother's illness would not be cured without treatment, so Zhao Kuangyin thought of a way.

 

He also put ginger slices on his body and started moxibustion on the acupuncture points on his body.

He said to his brother.

I am helping you to share the pain caused by moxibustion so that you will feel less pain.

If you bear with it a little longer, the treatment will be over soon, and your body will be healthy by the time it is over.

 

The literal translation of this saying is that he and his brother moxibustion together, and he shares his brother's pain in this way.

This idiom is used to describe the very good relationship between a pair of brothers.

 

Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

Do you have some basic knowledge about health care? Have you ever tried moxibustion?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                 圖片出處為維基百科

His figure and face have become very thin, giving the impression of a dry tree.(形容枯槁)

 

His figure and face have become very thin, giving the impression of a dry tree.(形容枯槁)

 

During China's Warring States period, there was a famous strategic adviser called Su Qin. History books tell a story about his youth.

 

China's Warring States Period was a time of division. There were seven major kingdoms in China. These seven kingdoms fought and competed with each other. The kings of these seven kingdoms all wanted to make their kingdoms stronger.

 

At that time, many intellectuals would leave their hometowns to work in kingdoms where they felt they had a future.

The kings of these seven kingdoms are also very willing to hire professionals in various fields with high salaries to serve their kingdoms.

 

Su Qin is very intelligent and studies seriously. He is a very knowledgeable person.

After his judgement, he believed that the future of the Qin Kingdom would be very prosperous, so he left his hometown and came to the Qin Kingdom.

 

After arriving in the Qin Kingdom, he tried many methods, but he was still unable to gain the trust and attention of the king of the Qin Kingdom.

 

A few months after he arrived in the Kingdom of Qin, all his money was spent, his clothes were torn, and he had no money to eat, so he had to return to his hometown.

 

When he returned to his hometown, his family saw that his figure had become very thin, and he looked like a withered tree. He looked very frustrated.

 

After seeing his condition, his family showed no concern for him. On the contrary, his family blamed him. His family told him

 

We told you a long time ago that you should stay in your hometown, find a stable job and live a normal life, but you did not listen to our advice.

You took most of the family's money and went to the Qin Kingdom. Our life became very difficult because of your willfulness.

You spend all your money before returning home dejected.

You are such a useless man.

 

Su Qin saw that his parents ignored him, his wife wouldn't talk to him and his sister-in-law looked down on him. Su Qin fell into a deep self-doubt.

 

This phrase is used to describe a person who is very thin, like a dry tree.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

Have you ever been looked down upon by your family? How are you, Su Qin? What would you do if your family looked down on you?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                  圖片來自於維基百科

His family is poor and his parents are old (家貧親老)

 

His family is poor and his parents are old (家貧親老)

 

Confucius' name is (Kong Qiu). Confucius is the honourable name people give him.

He is an excellent educator. He is one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.

He has more than 3,000 disciples, including 72 outstanding disciples.

 

Among his 72 outstanding disciples, one was named (Zeng Shen) and a story about him is recorded in the history books.

 

When he was young, he served as a low-ranking official in the Qi Kingdom.

At that time he lived with his parents. His salary was very small, his family was very poor and his parents were very old, but he lived happily every day.

 

His friend asked him.

Your financial situation is very bad, but why do I feel that you are in a good mood every day?

 

He replied with a smile.

I heard a proverb that made sense to me.

Instead of killing a cow to commemorate your parents after they die, why not kill a chicken to feed your parents while they are still alive?

 

Each of us has a limited life. Our parents cannot live forever. They may pass away one day.

My parents have given me a lot of love and care throughout their lives, so I think I should seize the moment and take concrete actions to repay our parents while they are still alive.

 

The main reason I chose to stay in Qi Kingdom and do this job is because it will give me more time to take care of my mother and father.

 

Although my job does not pay well, the salary is enough to support me and my parents. Our daily expenses are sufficient, so I am in a good mood every day.

 

My position is very low, so I don't work long hours. I have a lot of free time to spend with my parents, so I am happy every day.

 

The direct translation of this idiom is that the person's family is very poor and the person's parents are very old.

This idiom is used to describe a person whose financial situation is very bad.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

What is the main reason why you chose your current job? Are you happy with your current life?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

These dried fish are strung together with a rope(枯魚銜索)

 

 

These dried fish are strung together with a rope(枯魚銜索)

 

Confucius' name is (Kong Qiu). Confucius is the honourable name people give him.

He is an excellent educator. He is one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.

He has more than 3,000 disciples, including 72 outstanding disciples.

 

Among his 72 outstanding disciples, one was named (Zhong Yu). According to the ancient Chinese custom, (Zhong Yu) took another name when he became an adult. This name was (Zi Lu).

 

When Zilu was young, his family's financial situation was very poor. He worked hard every day, but earned very little money.

His parents are very old, so they cannot go out to work. He relies on his own salary to support three people in his family, so he lives in great poverty.

 

His parents have bad teeth because they are old, so his parents like to eat white rice.

White rice was very expensive at that time, so Zilu would let himself eat some herbs that he didn't have to buy with money.

This was the only way he could save enough money to buy expensive white rice.

 

At that time, white rice was not sold everywhere. Zilu had to go to a small town about 50 kilometres from his home to buy it.

After Zilu received his salary every month, he would spend a day walking to a small town 50 kilometres away to buy a big bag of white rice, and then he would carry the big bag of white rice back to his home.

 

A few years later, Zilu's parents died one by one. Zilu left his hometown and went to the Kingdom of Chu.

Zilu was a very talented man. After arriving in the Chu Kingdom, he joined the central government of the Chu Kingdom.

His work is very good, so he gets a very high salary.

He can eat sumptuous meals every time, the clothes he wears are also made of fine silks, he can ride in a carriage when he goes out, and the things he uses in his daily life are also very exquisite.

 

Once, when he was having dinner with his friend, he said to his friend

I was in the market today and saw someone selling dried fish on a string.

Looking at these dried fish, I suddenly had some insights.

 

The fish are alive a few days ago, then they are caught, dried and eaten within a few days. This series of processes reminds me of the short life of each of us.

 

Then I suddenly remembered my mother and father. They had been dead for many years.

 

I lived with my parents when I was young. I was very poor then. I often walked long distances to help my parents buy the white rice they liked to eat. Although the material conditions were not good at that time, my parents were by my side.

 

My life now is very materially rich, but when I think of myself as a person who has lost my parents, I feel very sad.

 

I really hope that my mother and father are still alive. If they are still alive, I can let them enjoy everything I have now, and I can repay their kindness in educating and bringing me up.

 

The literal translation of this proverb is 'those dried fish strung together by ropes'.

It is used to describe how short our human lives are.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

What is your relationship like with your parents? When was the last time you felt sad?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                        圖片出處為百度百科

 

A person wants to take care of his parents and repay their love for him, but unfortunately his parents have passed away, so this person's wish cannot be realized. (子欲養而親不待)

 

A person wants to take care of his parents and repay their love for him, but unfortunately his parents have passed away, so this person's wish cannot be realized.

(子欲養而親不待)

 

Confucius' name is (Kong Qiu). Confucius is the honourable name people give him.

He was an outstanding politician and educator who had more than 3,000 disciples.

He is one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.

There is a story about him recorded in history books.

 

One day, Confucius and his disciples were out running errands. Suddenly Confucius heard the sound of weeping in the distance.

Confucius listened carefully and said to his students.

This person's crying voice is very sad. Let's find out what has happened to this person.

 

Confucius and his disciples followed the sound of crying. A few minutes later they saw a middle-aged man in ordinary clothes sitting by the roadside and crying.

 

Confucius asked the middle-aged man.

Who are you? Why are you crying?

 

Replied the middle-aged man.

My name is Gaoyu. I have made three big mistakes in my life.

I feel so remorseful that I'm sitting here crying.

 

Confucius asked the middle-aged man.

Can you tell us what mistakes you have made? We want to understand why you are so sad.

 

The middle-aged man replied.

The first mistake I made was that I left home to study when I was young. After I left home, I felt that living alone was very free, so I didn't go home for decades.

I am older now. I want to take care of my parents when I return to my hometown. I want to repay the love my parents have for me. But I found out that both my parents are dead.

A tree wants to stop shaking, but the wind keeps blowing, so the tree cannot stop.

A person wants to repay his parents' love for him, but unfortunately his parents are dead, so his wish cannot be fulfilled.

 

The second mistake I made was that after I graduated, I thought I was excellent and every boss I met was a fool, so I never did what I was supposed to do seriously.

I wasted decades of my most precious time and now I have absolutely no achievements.

 

The third mistake I made was that when I was young, I had a few friends with whom I had a good relationship. Later, we had friction over some small things, so I was very angry and unwilling to forgive my friends.

I have lost contact with these friends of mine and I feel very alone now.

 

I am sad because of these three mistakes, which I regret very much. I do not want to live in this world anymore. I think death is my best choice now.

 

After hearing these words, Confucius took his disciples away from the middle-aged man.

After leaving the middle-aged man, Confucius said to the students who followed him.

We should all keep this middle-aged man's words in mind and remind ourselves not to make the same mistakes as this middle-aged man.

 

The literal translation of this saying is that a person wants to take care of his parents and repay their love for him, but unfortunately his parents have passed away and his wish cannot be fulfilled.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

What is the most regrettable thing in your life? What do you think is the most important thing in your life?

I hope this story can bring you some new wins.

 

                                                圖片來自百度百科

This person is very poor, and his material life is as simple as a glass of water. (一貧似水)

 

This person is very poor, and his material life is as simple as a glass of water. (一貧似水)

 

There was a famous poet in China's Southern Song Dynasty, his name was (Wang Zi).

After the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, he lived in seclusion on a mountain. He studied Taoist knowledge on the mountain and lived a very simple life.

One autumn he wrote a letter to his brother. There was a poem in the letter. The approximate content of the poem is as follows.

 

The roof of my present house is covered with moss. There is a thick forest outside the house, and the sound of crickets is often heard in the forest.

There is a spring not far from the house, and the water from the spring collects in a small pond.

Autumn has come, and the scent of the cattail flowers that bloomed in spring by the pond has become very faint.

I began to feel the coolness of autumn as I sat under the oak tree in the courtyard in the afternoon.

Sometimes I drink the wine I make with my friend, a woodcutter who comes to chop wood near my house.

Sometimes I wear a hat made of bamboo leaves and go into the misty mountains to pick Chinese herbal medicine.

I am very poor and my material life is as simple as a glass of water.

But I like my life now because I am far from the government and I am free.

 

The literal translation of this saying is that my life is very poor and my material life is as simple as a glass of water.

This idiom is used to describe a person who is very poor.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

Do you have many material comforts in your life? Do you like your present lifestyle?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                                        圖片出處為百度百科

The Man Who Nearly Starved to Death in Yisang(翳桑餓人)

 

The Man Who Nearly Starved to Death in Yisang(翳桑餓人)

 

There was a famous minister in the Jin Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period of China. His name was Zhao Dun.

There is a story about him recorded in history.

 

He is an upright man, very loyal to the Jin Kingdom, and the most powerful person in the central government of the Jin Dynasty. He helped four kings of the Jin Dynasty during his lifetime.

 

The third king of the Jin Dynasty that he helped was a cruel man. This king didn't like Zhao Dun, so he set a trap to kill Zhao Dun.

 

In 207 AD, the king held a banquet in the palace, and the king invited Zhao Dun to attend the banquet.

The king ordered several soldiers to hide outside the banquet hall with several ferocious mastiff dogs. The king planned to create an opportunity to assassinate Zhao Dun during the banquet.

 

The king's evil plan was discovered by a guard next to Zhao Dun. When the king ordered the soldiers and vicious mastiffs to attack Zhao Dun, the guard sacrificed his life to protect Zhao Dun's safety.

 

At this critical moment, one of the soldiers around the king suddenly rebelled against the king.

The soldiers around the king protected Zhao Dun in a carriage and helped Zhao Dun escape from the palace.

 

After the soldier and Zhao Dun had escaped to a safe place, Zhao Dun thanked the soldier.

I don't know you, so why do you want to help me?

 

said the soldier to Zhao Dun.

Do you remember that a few years ago you helped a man who was dying of starvation in a place called (Yisang)?

 

Zhao Dun thought about it and said to the soldier.

I remember that incident. There was a young man who had been away from home for a long time. He had not eaten for several days because he had no money, so I gave him my food.

Later, I took the young man back to his home to be reunited with his parents, and I also provided some funds so that the young man's father and mother could improve their family's economic situation.

 

After hearing these words, the soldier said to Zhao Dun

That's right, the young man who almost starved to death was me.

I later came to serve as a soldier in the palace of the Jin Kingdom. I heard that you were in danger today, so I thought I should help you, just as you helped me before.

I must repay the favour you have shown me.

 

After the soldier said these words, Zhao Dun was very grateful to the soldier. He grabbed the soldier's hand and said to the soldier

I'm so grateful to you. I didn't expect you to be the young man who almost starved to death a few years ago.

 

The soldier said to Zhao Dun.

This is what I think I should do, don't take it to heart.

My abilities are limited, I can only help you get here. After that, you must find your own way and escape route.

 

When Zhao Dun returned home, he knew that his family was now in a very dangerous situation and that the king would probably bring a large number of soldiers to hunt him down, so he immediately took his relatives and left the capital.

 

The literal translation of this phrase is "the person who almost starved to death in Yisang".

It is used to describe a person who repays a favour done to him by others.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

Have you ever received great help from others? Are you a person who remembers to thank and repay the favours of others?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                               圖片出處為維基百科

 

Dong Hu has an upright pen(董狐直筆)

 

 

Dong Hu has an upright pen(董狐直筆)

 

During the Spring and Autumn Period in China, there was a famous minister in the Jin Kingdom. His name was Zhao Dun.

There is a story about him recorded in history.

 

In 207 BC, he escaped from the capital of the Jin Kingdom.

Why did he flee the capital of the Jin Kingdom? It was because the king of the Jin Kingdom wanted to assassinate him several times in a row.

 

He is an upright man, very loyal to the Jin Kingdom, and the most powerful person in the central government of the Jin Dynasty. He has helped four kings of the Jin Dynasty in his lifetime.

The person who wants to kill him now is the third king of the Jin dynasty that he helped.

This king had a very cruel personality and often did many bad things. He didn't like Zhao Dun, so he thought of various ways to assassinate Zhao Dun.

 

After Zhao Dun fled the capital of the Jin Kingdom, before he left the border of the Jin Kingdom, he heard news that shocked him.

The news was that the king of the Jin Kingdom had been killed by his cousin.

His cousin was a famous general in the Jin Kingdom.

 

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Dun immediately rushed back to the capital. After meeting with his cousin, he once again took charge of the central government of the Jin Kingdom.

 

Under his leadership, the new king of the Jin Kingdom was succeeded by a member of the royal family named ((Heitun).

 

At that time, each kingdom in China had a special official position, and the people who held this official position were responsible for recording all important events that occurred in the kingdom.

 

The name of the person in charge of this special record in the Jin Kingdom was (Dong Hu).

Dong Hu wrote in his records that in 207 BC, Zhao Dun killed the king of the Jin Kingdom.

 

 

When Zhao Dun heard the record written by Dong Hu, Zhao Dun went to find Dong Hu.

Zhao Dun said to Dong Hu

I don't think you should record like this.

The king was killed by my cousin. The King's death had nothing to do with me.

 

Dong Hu said to him.

After you returned to the capital, you did not blame your cousin for killing the king, and with your cousin's support, you once again took of the central government of the Jin Kingdom.

 

Therefore, I can reasonably conclude that although you did not kill the king yourself, you were the mastermind behind it.

That's why I'm writing this.

I don't think I'm wrong in writing this, and I wouldn't change what I've written.

 

After listening to Dong Hu's words, Zhao Dun reluctantly accepted Dong Hu's point of view.

Zhao Dun was an upright man and did not use his power to force Dong Hu to change the contents of the record.

 

The literal translation of this idiom is that Dong Hu has an upright pen.

This idiom is used to describe a person who is very upright, who is not afraid of harming his own interests, and who insists on his correct and just remarks.

 

Dear friend, what inspiration or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

If you were Dong Hu, how would you record this incident? If you were Zhao Dun, who had power, how would you treat Dong Hu?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

                             圖片出處為百度百科

Chu Ni (鋤麑)

 

Chu Ni (鋤麑)(?BC - 207BC)

His surname is (Chu) and the name his parents gave him is (Ni).

 

鋤	It means hoe. It is also one of the Chinese surnames.
麑	It means young deer.

 

 

His record in Chinese history is short, but his story has been told by many people for generations. There is a story about him recorded in the history books.

 

He was a warrior in the imperial palace of the Jin dynasty and was the king's personal bodyguard.

 

One day, the king of the Jin Kingdom said to him.

I don't like the minister (Zhao Dun) in our kingdom.

Zhao Dun once helped my grandfather make the Jin Kingdom very powerful. After my grandfather died, he helped my father to rule the Jin Kingdom.

 

I succeeded to the throne of the Jin Kingdom when I was 4 years old, and I have been king for 13 years so far.

During my years as king, Zhao Dun was the most powerful person in the Jin Kingdom.

I have grown up now, but Zhao Dun has still not returned political power to me. He often scolds me and disagrees with many of my actions.

I think he disrespects me and looks down on me. So I'm going to kill him.

I order you to kill him and you must complete the task.

If you fail, I will kill you and your family.

 

When he heard this order, he couldn't refuse. At about two o'clock in the morning that day, he sneaked into Zhao Dun's house and prepared to find an opportunity to assassinate Zhao Dun.

 

Not long after sneaking into Zhao Dun's house, he suddenly heard the sound of someone moving around in the house. He quickly found a very private place to hide.

He secretly watched from his hiding place and was surprised to see that Zhao Dun had gotten up at three in the morning.

 

After Zhao Dun got up, he put on a set of very formal clothes and then went to his study to sort out the documents that were to be reported to the king at the palace.

Zhao Dun's attitude and actions are very serious and solemn.

 

Chu Ni watched secretly for a long time until Zhao Dun left his house.

 

There was a huge shock in Chu Ni 's heart.

He said to himself.

I have long heard that Minister Zhao Dun loves the Jin Kingdom very much and is very loyal to the Jin Kingdom.

I can tell from his behaviour in the morning that he is a good and honest man.

I don't want to kill him.

But if I don't do it, I will be executed by the king.

I cannot flee the Jin Kingdom, because if I flee the Jin Kingdom, my relatives and friends may be in danger.

What should I do? What is the best thing to do?

 

Later he decided to commit suicide.

Because he believed that if he committed suicide, the king would not harm his family and friends for failing to complete the task.

He was unwilling to kill a righteous man to save his own life.

Because he knew that if he killed Zhao Dun against his conscience, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

 

Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts do you have after listening to this story?

If you were a hoe, what decision would you make? Have you ever encountered something that made you feel like you didn't know how to make a decision?

I hope this story can give you some new insights.

 

 

                             圖片出處為百度百科