Friends of Guan and Bao

Guan Zhong: A statesman of the Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period. His name is Yiwu, his courtesy name is Zhong, and he is also called Guan Jingzhong. It is said that he was engaged in business in his early years and later engaged in political activities. In the struggle between Prince Xiaobai (Gong Huan of Qi) and Prince Jiu for the throne of Qi, Guan Zhong once supported Prince Jiu. After Xiaobai obtained the throne, he appointed Guan Zhong as the most important person regardless of his previous suspicions. Guan Zhong also assisted Duke Huan of Qi in implementing reforms. Politically, he implemented the Shenguowubi system of dividing the country and the countryside, that is, the monarch and the second minister were in charge of the country. He also established military organizations at all levels in the country and stipulated that scholars, farmers, industry, and merchants should conduct their own duties. industry; economically, the tax reform was implemented, the mine fields were "taxed according to the land" (see Pre-Qin tax), and a number of policies were adopted that were conducive to the development of agriculture and handicrafts.

Bao Shuya: Also known as Bao Shuya, he was a senior official of Qi State in the Spring and Autumn Period and was famous for his knowledge of people. When he was young, he was friendly with Guan Zhong and did business together. When Duke Xianggong of Qi was in chaos, Bao Shuya followed his son Xiaobai to the state of Ju, while Guan Zhong followed his son Jiu to the state of Lu. Duke Xiang of Qi was killed, and Jiu and Xiaobai competed for the throne. Xiaobai won and became Duke Huan of Qi. When Duke Huan imprisoned Guan Zhong, Bao Shuya knew that Guan Zhong was a virtuous person and recommended Guan Zhong to replace him, while he was willing to live under Guan Zhong. The state of Qi became increasingly strong because of Guan Zhong's governance.

"Guan Bao" refers to Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, politicians in the Spring and Autumn Period of China in the 7th century BC. They were good friends. Guan Zhong was poorer and Bao Shuya was richer, but they understood and trusted each other. Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were partners in business in their early years. Guan Zhong contributed very little capital but received a lot of money in dividends. Bao Shuya didn't care. He knew that Guan Zhong had a heavy family burden, so he asked Guan Zhong: "Is this money enough?" Several times, Guan Zhong helped Bao Shuya with ideas and things, but he made a mistake. Bao Shuya was not angry and even comforted Guan Zhong. , said: "The thing can't be done, not because your idea is bad, but because the timing is bad, don't mind." Guan Zhong served as an official three times, but was dismissed each time. Bao Shuya believed that it was not that Guan Zhong had no talent, but that It was because Guan Zhong didn't meet anyone who appreciated him. Guan Zhong joined the army to fight, but ran away before the battle. Bao Shuya did not laugh at Guan Zhong because he was afraid of death. He knew that Guan Zhong was worried about his elderly mother at home.

Later, both Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya entered politics. At that time, the state of Qi was in chaos. In order to avoid disaster, the princes fled to other countries to wait for opportunities. Guan Zhong assisted Prince Jiu who lived in the State of Lu, while Bao Shuya served another prince of the State of Qi, Xiaobai, in the State of Ju. Soon, a riot broke out in Qi State, the king was killed, and the country had no monarch. When Wang Zijiu and Xiaobai heard the news, they hurried to Qi to seize the throne. The two teams happened to meet on the road. In order to make Jiu the king, Guan Zhong shot an arrow at Xiaobai. Unexpectedly, it hit the hook on Xiaobai's belt and did not hurt Xiaobai. Later, Xiaobai became the king and was called "Qi Huangong" in history.

As soon as Duke Huan of Qi became king, he asked the state of Lu to kill Prince Jiu and imprison Guan Zhong. Duke Huan of Qi wanted Bao Shuya to be the prime minister to help him govern the country. Bao Shuya believed that he had no ability to be prime minister. He strongly recommended Guan Zhong, who was imprisoned in the state of Lu. Bao Shuya said: "I am not as good as Guan Zhong in governing the country. Guan Zhong is generous, kind, loyal and honest, can formulate standardized national systems, and is good at commanding the army. These are things I don't have, so if your Majesty wants to govern the country well, he can only ask Guan Zhong should be the prime minister. "Qi Huan Gong disagreed. He said, "Guan Zhong shot me with an arrow and almost killed me. Even if I didn't kill him, how could I still let him be the prime minister?" Bao Shuya immediately said, "I didn't kill him. It is said that a wise monarch does not hold grudges. What's more, Guan Zhong served Prince Jiu. If a person can serve his master loyally, he will also serve the king loyally. If your Majesty wants to dominate the world, you will not be able to succeed. He must be appointed." Duke Huan of Qi was finally persuaded by Bao Shuya and took Guan Zhong back to Qi.

Guan Zhong returned to Qi and became prime minister, but Bao Shuya was willing to be Guan Zhong's assistant. Under the joint governance of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, Qi became the most powerful country among the vassal states, and Qi Huangong became the overlord among the vassal kings.

After Bao Shuya died, Guan Zhong cried loudly in front of his tomb. Thinking of Bao Shuya's understanding and support for him, he sighed: "At the beginning, the prince I assisted failed and the other ministers died. I swear loyalty, but I am willing to be imprisoned. Bao Shuya did not laugh at my lack of integrity. He knew that I was pursuing a great cause and did not care about my temporary reputation. It was my parents who gave birth to me, but it was Bao Shuya who really understood me!" p>

The profound friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya has become a favorite story passed down from generation to generation in China. In China, people often use the term "Guan Bao Zhijia" to describe the close and trusting relationship between themselves and good friends.

The Story of Mountains and Flowing Waters

In the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a man named Yu Boya in the Chu State who was proficient in music and had superb piano skills. However, he always felt that he could not express his understanding of various things superbly. After the teacher knew about it, he took him by boat to Penglai Island in the East China Sea, allowing him to appreciate the natural scenery and listen to the sound of the sea. Boya saw turbulent waves and splashing; seabirds flew and sang in his ears. The harmonious and beautiful music of nature seemed to ring in his ears. He couldn't help but play the piano, turning the notes at will, integrating the beauty of nature into the sound of the piano, but no one could understand his music, and he felt very sad. Isolation and loneliness, extremely distressing.

One night, Boya took a boat trip. Facing the breeze and the bright moon, he had a lot of thoughts. He played the piano and the sound was melodious. Suddenly he felt that someone was listening to him. Boya saw a woodcutter standing on the shore and asked him to get on the boat. Boya played a tune praising the mountains. The woodcutter said: "It's majestic and solemn, like Mount Tai, which towers into the clouds!" When he was playing to express the surging waves, the woodcutter said again: "It's vast and vast, as if you can see rolling water and the boundless sea!" Boya said excitedly: "Bosom friend. This woodcutter is Zhong Ziqi. Later, Ziqi was early." After Yu Boya learned about Zhong Ziqi's death, he played the last piece of music in front of Zhong Ziqi's grave, then cut off all the strings and stopped playing the piano.