Legend has it that in Zhou Xuanwang, there was an old imperial secretary in the palace who was about fifty years old. She was pregnant for more than forty years and gave birth to a baby girl. Mr. and Mrs. Zhou Xuanwang thought it was an ominous thing, so they ordered people to wrap it up and throw it into Qingshui River twenty miles away.
Later, Zhou Xuanwang heard that something happened outside the palace, but it went away, so he ordered the doctor Du Bo to supervise the search for the "witch girl". In the process of searching for the "witch girl", Du didn't want to investigate any more, because many innocent people were involved. Three years later, Zhou Xuanwang was terrified because she dreamed that a beautiful woman disturbed the ancestral temple, so she forced Du to find the result of "witch girl". Du Bo thinks that the "witch girl" has drowned. If we continue to search, it will disturb the people and be unfavorable to the court.
Hearing this, Zhou Xuanwang flew into a rage and scolded, "Obviously, you abandoned my life. What's the use of such a disloyal minister? " He immediately ordered Du Bo to be executed. At this time, the civil and military officials were scared to death. Suddenly, an official came out of the civil service, grabbed Du Bo and repeatedly said, "No! No! "
This official who is not afraid of kingship is Du's good friend-Xia Fu Zuo Ru.
Zuo Ru said to him, "I heard that Yao suffered from a flood for nine years, but he can still become an emperor. Shang Tang's seven-year drought did not affect his becoming a wise monarch praised by the world. If the king kills Du Bo, I'm afraid China people will spread stories of evil deeds all over the world. If foreigners know, they will definitely despise our country. Please forgive him. "
After listening to Zuo Ru's words, Zhou Xuanwang not only didn't take it back, but accused Zuo Ru of saying, "You violated my orders to your friends, which shows that you value your friends and despise the king."
Zuo Ru replied: "If the king is right and the friend is wrong, I will definitely support you against my will;" If my friend is right, I will not follow your idea. If the king wants to kill Du Bo, let the minister die with Du Bo. "
Zhou Xuanwang's anger did not subside. He still ordered the samurai to push Du out of the city gate and kill him. Zuo Ru returned home and committed suicide.
The story of Zuo Ru's suicide by pinching her neck for an upright friend has been widely praised by later generations, and "pinching her neck" has become synonymous with people's praise for loyal friendship.
Extended data:
Feng Menglong praised Left Confucianism and said: "Left Confucianism is good, and its criticism scale is straightforward. Yes, you are obedient to your friends; Otherwise, it is disobedient. Play the crown and friendship, make friends with each other. Famous for ages, used in style. " Praise left Confucianism as a model of officialdom at that time.
Zuo Confucianism represents not only a friendship, but also a quality. Throughout China's culture and history, it is found that the most scarce thing in China's officialdom is this "left-Confucianism spirit". In the face of authoritarianism, it not only dares not adhere to the truth, but even flatters and helps others to curse, which brings many disasters and losses to the country and people. It is really regrettable.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Zuo Ru
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