Duke Huan of Qi was aggrieved that the prince of Song State, Yu Shuo, left without permission. So he returned to Qi State, rested for a while, and then prepared to attack Song State. As the leader of the Beixing Alliance, he issued an order to ally Lu, Wei, and Chen
The six kingdoms of Cai, Cao and Zhu responded one after another. In order to build momentum, he also sent people to Luoyi to ask King Zhou Xi to send troops to support.
In the second half of 680 BC, envoys from the State of Qi arrived in Luoyi. King Xi of Zhou readily agreed to send troops and expressed that he would personally lead the troops there.
The rumors of war between Qi and Song Dynasty were getting tighter, and for a while, people were panicked.
At this time, Duke Huan of Qi took in a capable man. He was a man from Wei State, whose surname was Ning and whose given name was Qi. He was quite talented and learned. Ning Qi could not find an official position in Wei State, so he thought of asking for a job under Duke Huan of Qi, but he was very poor and could not
Recommend yourself. No matter how talented a person is, survival is the first priority. So he went to help the people of the Weiguo caravan to feed cattle. "Lu's Spring and Autumn" calls it "rice cattle". It means the same thing.
Once, a caravan from Wei State went to Qi State to sell goods. Ning Qi followed the caravan to Qi State. That night, the caravan camped outside Linzi City. Coincidentally, Qi Huangong was going to the suburbs to greet guests that night.
The scene at that time was like this: In the dark night, the city gate was opened, and Duke Huan of Qi came out in a crowd on a carriage. The torches were bright, and there were many followers. The traders were in a panic, and they seemed to be fleeing with the loaded ox carts.
avoidance.
But Ning Qi didn't run. Of course he didn't run, because this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. Ning Qi waited for Duke Huan of Qi's motorcade to gradually approach, then he knocked on the horns of an ox and sang a song. The song was called "Song of the White Stone"
, the song sings:
Nanshan gangue, white stone rotten,
Life will not be like that of Yao and Shun.
A short piece of cloth is appropriate.
From midnight to dinner, the beef is thin,
When does Long Night Manman happen?
It means that he was born at the wrong time and did not meet a wise monarch like Yao and Shun, so he wore short cloth clothes and helped others feed cattle from morning to night. The so-called "When does the long night end?" refers to his living conditions.
, also contains his desire to be discovered.
The ancients described: "When Duke Huan heard this, he held his servant's hand and said: 'What a strange thing! The person singing this song is very human.'"
In other words, when Duke Huan of Qi heard the singing, he held the servant's hand and said, "It's not ordinary. This person who sings is not an ordinary person."
Duke Huan of Qi held the servant's hand, which must have been caused by excitement, and he sighed, probably because he had the urge to get out of the car. However, Duke Huan of Qi was experienced after all. He did not get out of the car in the end, because he was going out this time.
The guests were picked up in the suburbs, not the "singer". So Duke Huan of Qi ordered the car behind him to pick up the singer, and wait until he picked up the guest before going back.
Duke Huan of Qi came back from the suburbs, settled the guests, and when he was free, he thought of Ning Qi. He planned to meet Ning Qi.
He sent two guards to invite him. The guards suddenly discovered that Ning Qi was in shabby clothes and looked unseemly. It was not elegant to see the king like this. So one of the guards ran back to report to Duke Huan of Qi.
"Lord, we don't dare to invite him."
"Why?"
"The clothes he is wearing are really shabby, and he smells like cow dung all over his body. I really don't dare to invite him into the palace."
"You are stupid enough. Just take him to take a bath and change his clothes. Go and do it quickly."
The guards responded and ran out quickly. They took Ning Qi to take a bath, and then randomly took a suit of palace clothes for Ning Qi to wear. Then they brought him to see Duke Huan of Qi.
Ning Qi had already changed his appearance when he saw Duke Huan of Qi. Although he was wearing the clothes of a palace official, his appearance was full, his nose was straight and his mouth was square, his eyes were bright, and his overall appearance was calm and calm. He was completely out of this world.
The style of a person.
That day, he discussed with Duke Huan of Qi the strategy for managing affairs in the territory. The discussion lasted very late. Duke Huan of Qi was still unfinished. The next day, Duke Huan of Qi summoned Ning Qi again. This time, Ning Qi discussed his views and opinions on dominating the world.
The two people had a very speculative talk. It can be said that they met each other late and cherished each other. "Lu Shi Chun Qiu" records, "Huan Gong made a great speech and will accept it."
The ministers thought that it was nothing for Duke Huan of Qi to talk happily. The problem was that once they were happy, they wanted to accept this unknown person and turn him into their colleague. This was too hasty. So someone gave Duke Huan of Qi some advice.
Said: "Ning Qi is from Wei State. We don't know the details. Wei State is not far from Qi State. It's better for my lord to send someone to find out the details of this person. If he is really a virtuous person, it will not be too late to use him."
Duke Huan of Qi gave a wonderful answer. Let’s share the original text:
Duke Huan said: "Otherwise, if you ask about the small evils caused by others, the small evils of others will destroy the great beauty of others. This is the reason why this person has lost the people in the world. Moreover, it is difficult to protect people, and the right to use their elders."
What he means is that if you ask, you will definitely be able to find out some minor problems. Using a person's minor problems to cover up his great advantages is the reason why so many monarchs in the world miss out on outstanding talents. Besides, no one has a problem.
For a perfect person, I don’t look at his shortcomings and just use his strengths.
It should be said that more than 2,000 years ago, Qi Huangong had this idea of employing people, and he was indeed superior. Just the aspect of "employing his elders" may not be possible for many people even today.
In the end, Duke Huan of Qi still hired Ning Qi. Not only did he use him, he also asked him to become a minister.
A few days after Ning Qi took office, he saw the Qi people preparing to go to war. When he inquired about it, he found that they were preparing to fight against the Song Dynasty. When asked about the reason for the war, it turned out that Gongzi Yu said that during a meeting in Beixing, as soon as he got the "formal appointment"
" He didn't buy Qi Huangong's account anymore. Not only did he sneak away that night, but he also didn't participate in the "group activities" later. In today's terms, he was a bit "disobedient". This is why Qi Huangong wanted to beat him.
Ning Qi thought, not long after the Beixing Alliance ended, Qi, as the leader of the alliance, went to war over this matter. Wouldn't that be trying to undermine himself? So, he went to see Duke Huan of Qi.
Ning Qi asked: "Why did my lord want to attack the Song Dynasty?"
Duke Huan of Qi said: "Song Gongyu made an alliance but did not abide by it. During the alliance meeting, he ignored the overall situation and wanted to fight for power. Later, he left without authorization. Later, the princes of the allied countries sent troops to invite him, and he
Never participate."
Ning Qi smiled and said: "Song Gong is not in harmony with the princes. But what if he is?"
Qi Huangong said: "That's a different matter. If we agree with him, of course we won't beat him."
Ning Qi said: "My lord has been ordered by the King of Heaven to unite the princes in order to stand for justice, so we should be polite before fighting. I am willing to go to the Song Dynasty to lobby and persuade the Duke of Song to seek peace. Do you think it is feasible, my lord?"
Duke Huan of Qi said: "If Doctor Ning can persuade Duke Song, I will not send troops."
Guan Zhong heard that Ning Qi was going to be a lobbyist and said to Qi Huan Gong: "If he just goes like this, he will definitely not get anything done. We should prepare two hands. He will be his lobbyist. We should mobilize troops here and continue to mobilize.
"Wen attack requires weapons and equipment. Only with soldiers and horses to follow up can Dr. Baoning succeed."
Duke Huan of Qi thought so.
The next day, Ning Qi received the scepter, carriage and horses. Before leaving, Guan Zhong came to see him off. He told Ning Qi what he had said to Duke Huan of Qi yesterday.
Ning Qi patted his head and said, "Oh, it's fortunate that there is a minister in charge of the country. I was so greedy for merit that I neglected this aspect. The minister is so smart." After that, the two sides said goodbye. Ning Qi set off with his entourage.
A few days later, they arrived in Song Dynasty.
The first thing Ning Qi said when he saw Song Gongyu was: "The Song Dynasty is in danger."
Song Gongyu was surprised and asked: "Why did Dr. Ning make such threatening remarks?"
Ning Qi said: "Now the world is in chaos. Above, the emperor has lost power; below, the princes are fighting in a melee. People who seek to usurp the throne often come from various countries. The monarchs are worried about enriching the country and strengthening the army. The princes of Qi act according to the imperial edict.
, united the princes, allied with Beixing, and established Song Gong's status. However, Song Gong left without saying goodbye and left late at night. To put it mildly, this matter did not take the allied princes seriously, but to put it more seriously,
He did not take the emperor into his eyes. Now, the emperor will personally march and lead the army of the eight countries to question the crime. The name is just and unstoppable. If Song Gong wants to fight, he will cause trouble for himself. It can be said that he is ignorant of wisdom and unreasonable.
That’s it. Foreign Minister Ning Qi has always heard that Song Gong is wise. Let’s take a look at the current situation. In terms of emotion, reason, pros and cons, it is not suitable for Song Gong to fight. Please think again, Song Gong.”
Ning Qi talked eloquently, and the more he listened, the more he felt it made sense, and he couldn't help but nod. After Ning Qi finished speaking, Song Gongyu asked: "Doctor Ning knows the pros and cons. What can you do?
?”
Ning Qi said: "In the opinion of foreign ministers, Song Gong can prepare some gifts to apologize to the emperor, and then express his sincerity to Qi and other princes. Then someone will naturally speak for you. As long as the emperor forgives you, Song will be safe.
."
Song Gongyu thought, I'm afraid it's not that simple. Soldiers and horses from all over the world have come from afar, how can they just retreat? So he said: "I heard that the Eight-Nation Allied Forces have been dispatched. The princes are traveling far away and will not accept any gifts.
Just withdraw?"
Ning Qi said: "The Marquis of Qi is a tolerant man. You must have heard of this, Duke Song. Guan Zhong shot him with an arrow, but he made Guan Zhong the prime minister. Qi and Lu met in Ke, and the general of Lu
Cao Mo openly showed his weapons in front of the Marquis of Qi, but the Marquis of Qi didn't care and returned Wenyang to the State of Lu. His benevolence, justice and tolerance are evident. In fact, the so-called gifts are not all about money and material.
, it’s all about the heart.”
Song Gongyu suddenly became enlightened and smiled. He said: "Okay, please convey the sincerity of the Song Dynasty to the Marquis of Qi, Dr. Ning, and mediate among them to facilitate this matter. I would like to express my gratitude in advance."
Then he bowed.
After Ning Qi left, Song Gongyu said that he then sent envoys to meet the Eight-Nation Allied Forces. When the Song envoys arrived at the allied army camp, they first gave gifts to King Xi of Zhou to apologize. Then they went to see Duke Huan of Qi.
Send gifts, then apologize, and finally express that you will abide by the Beixing Alliance. And so on. Then you give gifts one by one until they are delivered to the youngest king of Zhu.
King Xi of Zhou was very happy, so he called Duke Huan of Qi and expressed his love for the state of Song. Duke Huan of Qi's goal had been achieved, and he was happy to be a favor. He respectfully expressed his obedience to the king's will.
One day later, Duke Huan of Qi transferred the gifts from Song to King Xi of Zhou and the princes. Everyone was happy and withdrew their troops.