During the reign of Duke Xiang of Qi, several of his talented brothers were worried about their own misfortunes and fled abroad one after another. One of them was called Gongzi Jiu and the other was called Gongzi Xiaobai. Gongzi Jiu and his teacher Guan Zhong arrived in the state of Lu.
Young Master Xiaobai and his teacher Bao Shuya arrived in Ju State.
Although Guan Zhong and Gongzi Jiu were far away in the state of Lu, they were always concerned about the affairs of the state of Qi. Therefore, they knew everything about what happened before and after Gongsun Wuwu came to power. Therefore, when the people sent by Guan Zhi's father found Guan Zhong, Guan Zhong refused
Guan Zhong thought that Gongsun Wuzhi had aroused public anger, and it was hard to say how many days he would be able to remain on the throne. Going to Qi State at this time would be like jumping into a pit of fire. It is better to wait and see what happens.
Guan Zhong's prediction was good. Gongsun Wuzhi really didn't sit on the throne for long. Amid the undercurrent of opposition from both the government and the public in Qi, Qi Minister Yong Lin gathered a group of ministers and conspired to murder Gongsun Wuzhi. In this coup,
Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu, who were Gongsun Wuwu's accomplices, were also killed.
After the incident was completed, the ministers had serious disagreements over who to choose as the new king. At that time, two candidates were proposed, one was the young master Jiu from the state of Lu, and the other was the young master Xiaobai from the state of Ju. The ministers were divided into
The two factions, each holding their own opinions, are at a stalemate.
Yong Lin came up with an idea. He said: "Young Master Jiu and Xiao Bai are both similar in ability and character. They are both very good. Even the old minister, I can't make up my mind. I think you should stop fighting. Just let God's will come to you."
Decide."
Someone asked: "How can we let God decide?"
Yong Lin said: "The distance from Lu and Ju to Linzi of Qi is about the same. Let's notify the two young masters at the same time to see who of them will return home first. Whoever arrives first will be the king. What do you think?"
The ministers felt that this idea was fair and they all agreed. So Yonglin sent two envoys at the same time to inform Prince Jiu and Prince Xiaobai respectively.
The news was sent to the hands of Prince Jiu and Prince Xiaobai at the same time. Guan Zhong immediately decided to set off quickly. At the same time, Prince Xiaobai and his master Bao Shuya in Ju State also made the same decision.
History directed a race by a wonderful coincidence. Guan Zhong and Prince Jiu set out from the State of Lu, while Bao Shuya and Prince Xiaobai set out from the State of Ju. Although they were not on the same track, they had a common goal - Linzi.
.Although they couldn't see each other, they all knew the other's existence. Therefore, they all ran to Linzi with the same urgency and tried their best.
This is a competition between two princes for the throne, and it is also a contest of ability and wisdom between two good friends.
Here I would like to insert a story about Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya. There is an idiom called "Guan Bao Zhijia", which refers to the friendship between the two. The ancients wrote such a paragraph:
First, it talks about two people going to serve as soldiers together. During the war, Guan Zhong always refused to rush forward, and his companions laughed at him for being timid. Bao Shuya helped him out and said: "Guan Zhong has an eighty-year-old mother at home, and he is not
He is afraid of death because he is worried that no one will fulfill his filial piety after death. When it comes to courage, he is much braver than you guys."
After hearing this, Guan Zhong sighed and said: "My parents gave birth to me, and Bao Shuya is the one who knows me."
Second, it talks about two people starting a business partnership. Guan Zhong's family was poor and could not afford the capital. Bao Shuya used his own money to advance him. But when it came time to share the profits, Bao Shuya shared it equally with Guan Zhong. Some people said that Bao Shuya was crazy.
The water was gone. But Bao Shuya said: "Guan Zhong's family is poor and he needs more money than me. Give him more and I feel better." This is how the allusion of "Guan Bao divides the money" comes from.
Let’s get back to business, let’s talk about their race.
Let’s talk about Young Master Jiu’s journey first. Duke Zhuang of Lu attached great importance to Young Master Jiu’s affairs. In order to support Young Master Jiu in power, he personally led his troops, with Cao Mo as general, to escort Young Master Jiu back to his country. Guan Zhong accompanied him.
Not long after the motorcade set off, Guan Zhong got confused. He said to Duke Zhuang of Lu: "The state of Ju is closer to the state of Qi than us. If we go like this, we will definitely fall behind. Please give me an army of Marquis of Lu so that I can
First go and stop them halfway. This way you can buy some time."
Duke Zhuang of Lu thought this was a good idea, so he allocated twenty military chariots to Guan Zhong and asked Guan Zhong to intercept young master Xiaobai's road. Guan Zhong took these chariots and took a shortcut to intercept young master Xiaobai.
They ran wildly for more than half an hour to Jimo. Guan Zhong inquired and found out that the convoy of Young Master Xiaobai and Bao Shuya had just passed by. Guan Zhong chased after him on horseback and chased for more than 20 miles in one go. He saw the flag of Ju State in the distance.
Guan Zhong took the lead in catching up with the convoy.
When the Ju army saw the Lu people coming up from behind, they also stopped and took up their positions. Guan Zhong stopped at a stone's throw away from the Ju fleet.
When Bao Shuya saw Guan Zhong, he drove forward and shouted angrily: "Guan Zhong, what are you doing here?"
Guan Zhong smiled and said, "What are you going to do?"
Young Master Xiaobai said: "Let's go back to Qi State to hold funerals."
Guan Zhong said: "Your brothers will take care of the funeral in Qi, so you don't have to go."
Bao Shuya stared and shouted: "Guan Zhong, everyone has his own business. You go your way, and we will go to our funeral. What are you talking about here?"
This sentence choked Guan Zhong. Bao Shuya turned around and ordered the motorcade to drive on. Guan Zhong saw that young master Xiaobai's motorcade was about to start. Guan Zhong felt anxious, so he secretly took his bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed at young master Xiaobai, and fired an arrow.
Unexpectedly, the young master Xiaobai was very clever. As soon as the bowstring sounded, he glanced at Guan Zhong. Before Xiaobai could react, Guan Zhong's arrow had already flown in front of Xiaobai, and Xiaobai saw his big arrow.
He screamed, vomited blood, and lay on his back on the chariot. Guan Zhong saw clearly that he hit his horse and ran away without waiting for the Ju soldiers to react. His Lu chariots also followed him and ran away quickly.
Guan Zhong ran for a while, and when he saw that Ju's soldiers and horses did not come to catch up, he slowed down his carriage and horses. Then he calmly went to catch up with Lu's convoy.
Two hours later, Guan Zhong caught up with Duke Zhuang of Lu and his entourage. He reported what happened to Duke Zhuang of Lu and said: "I can see clearly that the arrow hit Young Master Xiaobai. Even if he doesn't die, he can't get on his way."
.”
Duke Zhuang of Lu said happily: "So, Master Jiu is very sure this time. Then we don't need to rush on the road in such a hurry. Let's just keep marching at a normal speed."
In this way, Gongzi Jiu and Guan Zhong, who were all on the road, walked leisurely with a good mood that they were sure of victory. They had to eat when it was time to eat and sleep when it was time to sleep.
Let's talk about Young Master Xiaobai. Guan Zhong's arrow hit a hook between his neck and shoulder blade. Young Master Xiaobai reacted quickly. He deliberately screamed, bit his tongue, spit out a mouthful of blood, and took advantage of the situation to fall into the car.
Go down. However, when he fell down, he used too much force. His face hit the armrest of the car, his mouth and nose were broken, and two front teeth were knocked out. Bao Shuya and all the sergeants all gathered around to rescue - Guan Zhong took advantage of this chaos.
slipped away.
Young Master Xiaobai was lying in the carriage. When he heard the carriages and horses of the State of Lu going away, he sat up. He grinned at Bao Shuya, touched the cracked hook and said, "Thankfully, I have this. Otherwise, I would have been killed by that."
Guan Zhong took his life. Master, I'm fine. Let's hurry up and get on our way."
Bao Shuya lifted Young Master Xiaobai's shoulder and took a look. It was true that he had only scratched his nose and mouth. He hurriedly shouted to the general of Ju State: "Hurry, hurry. Rush all night, and get better and better. No matter what the cost, hurry up."
!quick!"
The general of Ju State shouted, and the convoy started running rumble, faster and faster, and even started running wildly. Smoke and dust were rolled up behind the car. In the blink of an eye, the team disappeared, leaving only
A burst of dust slowly dispersed...
Young Master Xiaobai finally arrived in Linzi first.
Unexpectedly, the opposition ministers did not give up, and they put forward another reason: Gongzi Jiu was old, so he should be established as Gongzi Jiu.
Bao Shuya argued in court and said: "Do you still remember what happened to Zheng Guozi Tu? Just because the Song State helped Zi Tu once, the Song State asked Zheng Guo for thanks every year. Not only did the two countries become enemies, but they also fought several wars. Now Lu
The state of Lu is helping the young master. Think about it, will the help of the state of Lu be in vain? They will also ask for gifts of thanks in the future. When the time comes, will you give them? Of course, the state of Ju will also want gifts of thanks. But the state of Ju is a small country, so give
Not much. Even if I don’t give it, Ju State doesn’t dare to go to war with Qi State. Everyone, let’s compare the two sides, which one is more cost-effective?”
Bao Shuya was a businessman. He used a businessman's thinking to settle the accounts for the ministers of Qi. The ministers all felt that it was more cost-effective to establish the young master Xiaobai. So Yonglin first agreed, and then the ministers unanimously agreed to support the young master Xiaobai.
He ascended the throne. This is Duke Huan of Qi.
Young Master Xiaobai sat on the throne, and Yonglin immediately sent someone to inform Duke Zhuang of Lu who was on the way.
The envoy of the State of Qi went in the direction where the young master Jiu came from, and soon saw Duke Zhuang of Lu. He said: "The State of Qi has established a new king, the young master Xiaobai. Please ask the Marquis of Lu to take the young master Jiu back."
When Duke Zhuang of Lu heard the news, he was so angry that he screamed strangely. He couldn't swallow this breath. Not to mention that the soldiers and horses of Lu State had already reached the border of Qi State, and there was no advantage in traveling far away. What made him even more annoyed was that Qi State
The one who was favored by the country was Young Master Xiaobai. His bad temper got worse, so he ordered the soldiers and horses to continue moving forward and take Linzi directly.
When the people of Qi saw that Duke Zhuang of Lu was about to act recklessly, they immediately sent out a force of troops to stop him. The Qi and Lu armies met while they were fighting, and the battle was fought. Lu was defeated. Cao Mo, the general of Lu, almost lost his life.
The Chinese army took advantage of the victory and pursued it, chasing Duke Zhuang of Lu's defeated troops all the way into the State of Lu, and occupied Wenyang of Lu State and two surrounding small cities in one fell swoop.
Duke Zhuang of Lu fled back to Qufu with the remaining defeated generals. Along the way, he kept complaining to Guan Zhong: Aren't you very good at calculating? Why didn't you calculate that the young master Xiaobai would take the lead? If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have been in such an embarrassing situation this time.
Such a situation made Guan Zhong feel disgraced and didn't know what to say.
Three or five days later, before Duke Lu Zhuang's anger had subsided, the border officer came again to ask for help, saying that Qi soldiers and horses had invaded again. Duke Lu Zhuang almost jumped up with anger, and in desperation, he could only order the army to prepare for battle.