Mencius meets King Xuan of Qi

King Xuan of Qi met Mencius in the villa Snow Palace. King Xuan of Qi asked: A virtuous person living in such a villa will also feel the joy of playing here. Happy?

Mencius said: Of course, people will blame their monarchs if they do not get such happiness, but it is wrong to do so. However, it is also wrong if the monarch does not enjoy happiness with the people. The king takes the happiness of the people as joy and the sorrow of the people as sorrow.

Once upon a time, Qi Jinggong once asked Yan Zi, I want to travel to Zhuanfu and Chaowu. How can I do it like the ancient emperors' parades?

Yanzi said, That’s a good question. When the emperor goes to various vassal countries, he is patrolling. If the purpose of the inspection in the spring is to observe the farming situation and provide food for those who don’t have enough food to eat; In the autumn, inspections were conducted to provide subsidies for poor harvests.

There is a proverb in the Xia Dynasty that says, if the king does not go out to travel to the princes, how can he have time to rest, and how can the people get rewards. But this was no longer the case after the Spring and Autumn Period. Whenever the king went on a trip, he would definitely mobilize troops and ask for food. In this way, hungry people cannot fill their stomachs, and tired people cannot get more rest.

That’s why everyone was afraid of the king’s travel. Everyone complained, and some people began to do things that were harmful to nature. Therefore, traveling in this way goes against God’s will.

From upstream to downstream, there is a stream of play, from downstream to upstream, there is a chain. Hunting without knowing how to be tired is called famine, and drinking without restraint is called death. The kings of ancient times had no desire to indulge in pleasure, nor did they allow desolation to continue.

Now, Your Majesty, how you choose depends on your own decision. After hearing this, Qi Jinggong ordered the traveling troops to be stationed in the suburbs so as not to disturb the people's lives, and opened warehouses to help the poor. Mencius said to King Xuan of Qi

Mencius said to King Xuan of Qi: My lord, one of your ministers entrusted his wife and children to his friend, and he did so because he felt he could trust him, so he felt at ease. Heart travel. But when he came back, he found that his friend did not do what he told him to do. Not only was his family not given a good place to live, but his friends were not even provided with basic life guarantees such as adequate food. My lord, what would you do if you encountered this situation?

King Xuan of Qi said: If I had broken up with this kind of friend long ago, I trust you so much, but you betray me in turn.

Mencius continued: What should a judicial official do if he cannot manage his subordinates well?

King Xuan of Qi said: I will remove him without mercy. As an official, your responsibilities require you to lead your subordinates well.

Mencius finally said: If the lord cannot serve the people wholeheartedly when governing the world, then what should be done to such a person?

King Xuan of Qi understood that Mencius was implying that he had slacked off in handling important affairs in the court, and felt a little embarrassed. So he looked around at the ministers and started talking about other things.

Mencius pushed forward step by step, from things in life, to middle-level cadres, and then to the emperors who governed the country. He followed the instructions carefully. We have to admire Mencius' courage and dare to say such remarks in front of the king of a country. .

And the actions of King Qi Xuan also made people laugh. Mencius promoted benevolent government and naturally wanted the king to implement his own ideas. King Qi Xuan was very hesitant. Mencius took this opportunity to wake up King Qi Xuan, and King Qi Xuan was also witty. avoided the embarrassment.