1. Heartfelt acquaintances

Being in the officialdom, with its ups and downs, being attacked by political opponents, and attracting the attention of public opinion, ancient officials were able to find people with whom they could talk intimately. few. Heart-to-heart friendship refers to the friendship formed by being able to confide in each other and talk to each other in a difficult and dangerous political environment. The friendship between the heart and the heart is exemplified by Bai Juyi's poem to Yuan Zhen: "There is no separation between the heart and the heart, and the body and the body are unruly."

The fundamental reason why Yuan and Bai's friendship is praised is that the two have the same characteristics. Literary ideals and poetic opinions, political ideals of revitalizing the government and admonishing to save the world, and official experience of being marginalized and framed by political opponents, demoted to local positions, and displaced.

Liu Zongyuan and Liu Yuxi in the Tang Dynasty are also typical representatives of close friends. The two were talented young people and were Jinshi in high school. With a strong sense of responsibility and mission, they participated in the political reform led by Wang Shuwen, aiming to reform the government and reform the shortcomings. However, they were strongly obstructed by vested interest groups and ultimately failed. Liu Zongyuan and Liu Yuxi were demoted as a result.

The same political ideals and the same relegated life experience have narrowed the distance between the two. The two deepened their friendship through exchanges of poems and books, and became close friends, creating a famous story in history.

In 815 AD, Liu Zongyuan was moved to be the governor of Liuzhou, and Liu Yuxi was moved to be the governor of Bozhou. Banshu is located in the extreme southwest, and living conditions are relatively difficult. Liu Zongyuan said to his friend: "Yu Xi has a very old mother. This is a barbaric county in the southwest, traveling thousands of miles back and forth. How can I travel with my mother? If mother and son are in different places, we will be separated forever. Yu Xi and I are close friends, and Hu Ren What if this is the case?"

Liu Zongyuan then reported to the court and expressed his willingness to switch places with Liu Yuxi. Tang Xianzong then moved Liu Yuxi to Liuzhou as the governor. Liu Zong's Yuan Dynasty friend Boqian was highly praised by Han Yu. Han Yu profoundly analyzed the bad social customs at that time: "A poor scholar is a man of integrity."

Now my husband is admiring each other in the alleys, drinking, eating and playing games with each other, talking to each other with strong jokes, shaking hands and going out. The lungs and liver show each other, pointing to the sky and crying, vowing not to bear each other's burdens in life and death, if it is true, if it is true; once faced with small interests and dangers, they are just like the hairs on the head. They are all true." By comparing bad friendship habits, Han Yu finally spoke highly of Liu Zongyuan's view on friendship.

2. Friendship between gentlemen

Friendship between gentlemen refers to friends who appear to be ordinary but are actually very moral. The saying about friendship between gentlemen comes from "Zhuangzi·Shanmu": "The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water." The friendship between gentlemen is intended to emphasize that the relationship between true friends is not in form, but in heart, morality, and pattern.

In the late Western Han Dynasty, Zhu Hui cultivated a righteous spirit from an early age. When he was 13 years old, he was defeated by Wang Mang and the world was in chaos. On the way to escape from the fields with his grandmother and other family members, they encountered a group of robbers robbing women with knives on the road.

"My poor brother and the guests are all in panic. They are lying on the ground and no one dares to move." However, Zhu Hui drew his sword and said to the thief: "You can take all the property, but not the mother's clothes. Today is the day of Zhu Hui's death." Ye!" The thief admired Zhu Hui's courage and "left him."

Because of his righteousness, he is able to lend a helping hand to vulnerable groups he has never met, which reflects his elegant character of being a gentleman. After Liu Xiu became emperor, he served as the prefect of Linhuai, and he "must proceed with courtesy".

Zhu Hui is dignified and has a cold face. His fellow countryman Zhang Kan was well-known and respected Zhu Hui like an old friend. Zhang Kan took Zhu Hui's arm before his death and told Zhu Hui that he wanted to entrust his wife and children to him. Zhu Hui cupped his hands and said nothing. After Zhang Kan's death, he heard that Zhang Kan's wife and children were living in poverty, so Zhu Hui went to visit him personally and brought a large amount of money, food and property.

Zhu Hui's son was very curious and asked his father. He had never heard Zhu Hui talk about Zhang Kan, so why did he want to help his wife and children? Zhu Hui replied: "It's true that there is a confidant, and I believe it in my heart." The friendship between Zhu Hui and Zhang Kan was that of a gentleman. Usually there is no vigorous interaction, and it feels very dull. When they need help and care, they are It is obligatory.

3. Cut-to-the-neck acquaintance

A cut-to-the-neck acquaintance refers to a friend who will not change his heart even if his head is beheaded.

"Historical Records: Biography of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru" records: "The death and the joy are the acquaintance of cutting off the neck." This allusion has been passed down through the ages, telling the story of the famous Prime Minister Lin Xiangru and the famous general Lian Po from misunderstanding to sincere unity.

Jubo Xun in the late Eastern Han Dynasty was famous for his faith. Once, Jubo Xun traveled to a distant place to visit his sick friend. When he came to this place to see his friends, the barbarians attacked this place.

My friend said to him, I can’t survive now, please leave quickly. Jubo Xun said: "We came to see each other from afar, and my son ordered me to go and defeat justice in order to survive. Isn't this what Jubo Xun did?" When the Hu people conquered this place, they saw Jubo Xun and said to him: "The army has arrived, and the entire county is empty. You are a man who dares to stand alone?"

Jubo Xun replied: "If my friend is sick, I can't bear to let him die, so I would rather take my life for him." After hearing this, the Hu people were very moved and sighed. Tao, people who do not understand benevolence and righteousness should not enter a place where benevolence and righteousness are respected, so the Hu people withdrew their troops from the city, and the city was preserved.

Xun Jubo sacrificed his life to visit the sick, which can be said to be a vivid example of a friend who cut his neck to death, and an attempt to correct the bad customs that existed at that time. In terms of making friends, Xun Jubo did not "follow names and positions", did not "disagree" or "sympathize with each other", and became a typical example of "sacrifice one's life for righteousness".

4. The friendship between Guan and Bao

Guan Zhong was the famous prime minister of Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period. He assisted Duke Huan of Qi and made Qi the overlord of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period. Bao Shuya, also known as Bao Shuya, was a senior official in the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was famous for his knowledge of people. The two of them were very good friends.

Guan Zhong served Duke Xianggong’s son Gongzi Jiu, while Bao Shuya served Gongzi Jiu’s younger brother Xiaobai. When the two sons competed for the throne, the young master Xiaobai escaped Guan Zhong's assassination and successfully became the king of the country, namely Duke Huan of Qi.

After Duke Huan of Qi came to the throne, he immediately invited Bao Shuya to be the prime minister. But Bao Shuya recommended Guan Zhong, who was still in prison, to Duke Huan of Qi. Duke Huan of Qi accepted Bao Shuya's suggestion and asked Guan Zhong to be the prime minister. Later, Guan Zhong came to power in Qi and made Duke Huan of Qi dominate.

Guan Zhong later recalled: "When I was poor, I did business with Uncle Bao. We shared the money and profits and always took more. Uncle Bao never thought that I was greedy. He knew that it was because of my poverty. I used to plan things for Uncle Bao, which only made him more difficult and embarrassed. Uncle Bao didn't think I was stupid. He knew that sometimes things went well and sometimes bad times. I was expelled by the king three times when I served as an official. Thinking that I am not good, he knows that I have not encountered a good time.

I once planned things for Uncle Bao, but it made him even more difficult and embarrassed. Uncle Bao does not think that I am stupid, he knows that luck sometimes happens. It goes well, but sometimes it doesn't go well. I served as an official three times and was expelled by the king three times. Uncle Bao didn't think I was bad. He knew that I didn't have a good time.

I fought three times and ran away three times. He doesn't think I'm a coward. He knows that I have an old mother at home who needs to be taken care of. Master Jiu failed and Zhaohu died for him. I was imprisoned and suffered humiliation. Uncle Bao doesn't think I'm shameless. I feel ashamed if I don't show up in the world. My parents know me well." Before Guan Zhong died, Duke Huan of Qi asked Guan Zhong if Bao Shuya could take over his position. Guan Zhong said no. He believes that Bao Shuya has a clear distinction between good and evil and cannot tolerate the bad side. If you hand over the political power to him, it will not only harm you, Duke Huan of Qi, but also himself. After Bao Shuya learned about this, instead of being dissatisfied because Guan Zhong did not recommend him to succeed him, he was happy. Only Guan Zhong understood him best.

5. A scholar dies for a confidant

"Historical Records. It is recorded in "The Biography of Assassins" that Yurang was a native of the Jin Dynasty in the Spring and Autumn Period. At that time, there were six major families in the Jin Dynasty competing for power. Yurang once worked under the Fan family and the Zhongxing family, but was not taken seriously; later he took refuge with Zhibo, who valued him very much.

There was a deep hatred between Zhao Xiangzi and Zhibo. Zhao Xiangzi united with the Han and Wei families to eliminate Zhibo and used his skull as a wine glass. Yu Rang believed that "a man will die for the one who knows him, and a woman will look good for the one who pleases her", so he made up his mind to avenge Zhi Bo.

He first changed his name, pretended to be a criminal, sneaked into the palace, and attempted to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi with a dagger by renovating the toilet.

But when Zhao Xiangzi was going to the toilet, he suddenly became alert and ordered his men to search for Yurang. Zhao Xiangzi's entourage originally wanted to kill him, but Zhao Xiangzi thought that Yu Rang was willing to avenge his old master and was a righteous man, so he released him.

Yu Rang still refused to give up. In order to change his appearance and voice, he did not hesitate to smear his body with paint, swallow coal in his mouth, disguise himself as a beggar, and look for opportunities to take revenge. Once, Yu Rang lurked under a bridge in advance, preparing to assassinate Zhao Xiangzi when he crossed the bridge. Zhao Xiangzi's horse was suddenly frightened on the bridge, causing Yurang's plan to fail again.

After capturing Yurang, Zhao Xiangzi scolded him and said: "You used to work under the Fan family and the Zhongxing family. Zhibo destroyed them. Instead of avenging them, you turned to Zhibo. Uncle; then, you can take refuge in me now, why do you have to avenge Uncle Zhi?"

Yu Rang said: "When I was under the Fan family and the Zhongxing family, they didn't pay attention to it at all? Me, treat me as an ordinary person; but Zhibo values ??me very much and treats me as the best talent and my confidant. I must avenge him."

Yu Rang knew that he had to die this time! No, so he begged Zhao Xiangzi: "I hope you can fulfill my last wish, take off your clothes and let me pierce you; in this way, even if I die, I will have no regrets." Zhao Xiangzi agreed. , Yurang drew his sword, stabbed his clothes three times, and then committed suicide.