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Chapter Eighty-ninth Son-in-Chief

After the "Military Alliance", Shi E, the official of the State of Wei, heard that Duke Xiang of Wei had killed Ning Xi. He thought that since he was Ning Xi's wife, he would be in trouble when he returned. So he went to find Zhao Wu and went with Zhao Wu.

Wu went to Jin.

The "Mibing Meeting" also had a huge impact on Liangxiao, the official of the Zheng State. He was originally a powerful figure in the Zheng State. This time he represented the Zheng State at the meeting and showed his face in front of the officials of various countries. His reputation suddenly rose. He was a bit

After Liangxiao returned home, he became more and more tyrannical, as if Zheng State belonged to him, and he simply ignored Zheng Jiangong. Soon after, a civil strife broke out in Zheng State where two young masters were fighting for power, and Liangxiao was involved in it and was killed.

Duke Jiang of Zheng appointed a capable person to govern, which led to a small stage of revival in Zheng. This man was named Gongsun Qiao, a famous politician in the Spring and Autumn Period, and a pioneer of Legalism in later generations.

Gongsun Qiao, whose surname was Ji, was also called Ji Qiao and whose courtesy name was Zichan. (584 BC - 522 BC). He was the grandson of Zheng Mugong and the son of Zheng Gongzifa. His life left many legendary stories:

As early as 563 BC, in the third year of Duke Jiang of Zheng, there was a rebellion. Several local officials were dissatisfied with the oppression of their superiors and led a group of slaves into the palace of Zheng. The leaders were Wei Zhi, Si Chen, and Hou

Jin, Du's daughter and father, son's master and servant, etc.

That day, the dawn first appeared, and the earth was still asleep in a half-dream. A burst of noise broke the silence of the dawn. Zheng Jiangong's palace guards were unprepared and were caught off guard. They quickly fled. Zheng Jiangong was taken prisoner and was captured.

He was kidnapped and taken to Beigong.

Zichan's father, Gongzi Fa, as well as the royal family's Gongzi Qi, Gongsun Zhe and others hurried to the palace. They originally thought that as long as they went there, they could organize effective resistance. Unexpectedly, there was a chaos in the palace at this time, and before the prince could wait,

Fa and others organized a resistance, and the rebels came and killed them. Gongzi Fa, Gongzi Qi, Gongsun Zhe and others had no choice but to draw their swords to fight, and all three of them died in the West Palace.

Then, Zichan also rushed over. He first summoned skirmishers to guard the palace gate, and at the same time arranged for officials to close the archives and store them carefully. Then he lined up the collected soldiers and attacked the West Palace. Once the soldiers are organized, they will be powerful.

. Zichan and others killed the rebels and collected the bones of Gongzifa and others.

At this time, another member of the royal family, named Gongsun Hui, led his countrymen to reinforce him. After a fight, the situation was finally settled. Wei Zhi and his servants were killed on the spot. Most of the others were killed, and all those left behind were killed.

Captured, Hou Jin escaped and went to the State of Jin, where his father-in-law, Si Chen, Wei Pian and Siqi fled to the State of Song.

After the rebellion was put down, Prince Jia (named Zi Kong) came to power. He ordered that all the sons of criminal officials and traitors be beaten into slaves, and alchemy books (identity documents for slaves) were made. Many people were implicated at that time. Many officials,

The officials and Qing's legitimate son refused to obey. Zi Kong was furious and prepared to kill all these people.

Zichan dissuaded him and asked for the alchemy book to be burned. Gongzijia disagreed, saying: "The alchemy book is used to stabilize the country. If everyone burns it when they are angry, what is the prestige of the country? Isn't it difficult for the country if everyone interferes in politics?"

Zichan said: "It is difficult to offend when the public is angry. To offend the public and monopolize the power is the danger of governing the country. It is better to burn the alchemy book and stabilize the people. In this way, you can monopolize the power and everyone can be in peace. This is not the best of both worlds.

?"

Gongzijia listened to Zichan's suggestion, so he sent people to burn the alchemy book in front of Zheng Guo's warehouse, and the turmoil was finally settled. This incident made Zichan famous, and everyone said that Zichan was lenient.

Have vision.

In 548 BC, Duke Jiang of Zheng sent Zichan and Zizhan (Gongsun Shezhi) to lead an army to attack the state of Chen. The Zheng army won. Zichan ordered that no palaces be plundered and no people massacred. After the surrender of the Chen state,

, and he returned all the land occupied by Zheng's army to Chen.

After the Zheng army returned to the court, Duke Jiang of Zheng rewarded Zichan with a piece of land in view of his meritorious service in attacking Chen, but Zichan refused to accept it. His high profile was appreciated by Duke Jiang of Zheng.

Later, Zichan was entrusted by Zheng Jiangong to go to the Jin State to donate the spoils of war. Fan Wenbo, an official of the Jin State, was dissatisfied with Zheng Guo's attack on Chen. He questioned Zichan: "The Mibing Alliance has made provisions, and it has been agreed that disputes between the countries should be negotiated.

Don't use force. Why did Zheng Guo break the rules?"

Zichan said: "Brothers are angry and still have fists. Chen Guo also participated in the military meeting. If we want to negotiate peace, why don't we talk?"

Zhao Wu appreciated Zichan's statement and said: "There can be no peace talks without fists. Sometimes you can only have peace talks by using fists first."

Everyone burst out laughing after hearing this. Fan Wenbo gave up.

In 554 BC, Gongzi Jia, Liangxiao and others were killed at the same time in a civil strife. Zheng Jiangong appointed Zichan as his minister.

After Zichan came to power, he first implemented the reform of the land system. He specially appointed officials to measure the land, encourage land reclamation, and collect taxes according to the number of acres owned by each household. He also stipulated that there must be ditches on the four boundaries of the land. Cottages cannot occupy farmland.

Fields, etc. In short, he tried every means to stimulate the production of agriculture. At the same time, he advocated frugality and opposed pride and luxury.

Secondly, he also carried out some purification of the political system. He believed that knowing etiquette, respecting etiquette, and observing etiquette are the foundation of life and work. He respected the distinction between superiors and inferiors, and everyone should keep their own way and perform their duties without overstepping.

Officials at the top level must be loyal, thrifty, and conscientious in their duties. Under his supervision, Zheng's government changed.

In 536 BC, Zichan also did something that caused a sensation in the world. He ordered the legal provisions of Zheng to be cast on a bronze tripod and published to the whole country. It was known as the "Casting Book" in history.

At that time, the laws of various countries were in the hands of the government, and the people suffered lawsuits and left it to the officials. The officials also used the law to do whatever they wanted, and there were many who took advantage of the law and enriched their own pockets.

Zheng is a country that values ​​commerce. Merchants trafficked and traveled around, and were often blackmailed by officials from all over the country. Of course, there were also farmers, who had no way to sue when they were squeezed by land lords. The people were afraid of officials, and the key was that they didn't know the law.

Unable to use the law to protect himself. In order to change this shortcoming, Zichan did something like "casting a punishment book".

As soon as this move came out, first of all, the nobles of the country opposed it, and then, even the princes of other countries also opposed it.

Uncle Xiang, a senior official in the Jin Dynasty, wrote to Zichan and asked: "If the people know the law, they will not listen to the officials. How can the officials govern them? Do you know how to govern the country? Do you have the talent?"

Zichan replied: "Only when you know the law can you abide by the law. If the people know the law, they will not dare to cause chaos. If the officials abide by the law, they will not dare to cause chaos. If the whole country follows the law, the country will be in peace. You blame me for not having talent. I admit that I have no talent.

.I just use this punishment tripod to save the world." Finally, in order not to offend Shuxiang, Zichan wrote another sentence: "Since I can't accept your order, how dare I forget your kindness?"

Zichan withstood various pressures and insisted on promulgating the law. Later generations regarded him as the pioneer of Legalism because he was the first to "cast a punishment book".

During this period, the land tax reform implemented by Zichan also encountered resistance. Some land lords began to criticize or curse Zichan because of the increase in tax collection. Zichan let it go, completely unmoved.

Among the Mu tribe (Zi Chan is a descendant of Zheng Mugong, Zheng Mugong's clan is also called the Mu tribe) there was a man named Zi Kuan. He told Zi Kuan some of the things others had said against Zi Chan, hoping that Zi Chan would change.

.

Zichan said: "If they want to scold, let them scold. What's the harm? If what I do is beneficial to the country, I don't care whether I live or die. I have heard that if you do good deeds, do not change the law, it is inherent.

It is done. The people cannot be manipulated, and the law cannot be changed. "Poetry" says, 'If etiquette and justice are not wrong, how can we care about what others say'. I will not change."

During this period, there was also an incident of "Zi Chan destroyed Jin Dynasty".

Once, Zichan and Duke Jiang of Zheng went to Jin to pay tribute. Duke Ping of Jin did not see them and did not send ministers to receive them. He only asked people to arrange for them to stay in the embassy. Duke Jiang of Zheng was very angry.

Zichan said: "He did this because he clearly doesn't take us seriously. If we don't resist, we will be even more cowardly and passive in the future."

Zheng Jiangong said: "We can't defeat them, how can we resist?"

Zichan said: "You have to express your position even if you can't win. I have my own way."

Zichan asked his men to tear down the door of the Jin embassy and drive all the carriages into the embassy yard. The news reached Duke Ping of Jin, who asked Fan Gai to inquire.

Fan Gai questioned Zichan and said, "You tore down the door of the Jin embassy, ​​which is a great disrespect to the Jin state."

Zichan said: "We came to pay tribute to Jin with a respectful intention, but no one received us. We couldn't pay for the things we brought. There were too many thieves outside, so the tributes could only be placed in the embassy. Unexpectedly, you

The door of the Jin embassy is too small. We have no choice but to widen the door ourselves to allow the carriage to park."

Fan Gai heard Gongsun Qiao's sarcasm, but he also knew that he was in the wrong. So he said, "Everyone says that Dr. Zichan is a shrewd man. It seems that he is not in vain."

After Fan Gai returned, he reported to Jin Ping Gong. Zhao Wu said: "Zi Chan is right. We should apologize to them."

Duke Ping of Jin personally received Duke Jiang of Zheng and Gongsun Qiao the next day.

In 530 BC, Duke Jiang of Zheng passed away, and Zichan presided over the funeral as prime minister. After that, he assisted the crown prince and became Duke Zheng Dinggong.

Zheng is a vassal state of Jin, so the newly enthroned Duke Dinggong of Zheng is going to Jin State to pay homage to the new monarch of Jin State, Duke Zhao of Jin. Zichan will accompany him.

In the fourth year of Duke Dinggong of Zheng Dynasty, Han Xuanzi, a senior official of the Jin State, visited the State of Zheng. As a minister of the suzerain state, Han Xuanzi was naturally a bit arrogant when he arrived in the State of Zheng. News came out that Han Xuanzi asked for a jade ring from a merchant of the State of Zheng. After Zichan learned about it, it was difficult to explain clearly.

, but he didn’t want to let Han Xuanzi do whatever he wanted. For this reason, he found Han Xuanzi and had some insinuations.

Zichan asked: "What does the political power rely on to stabilize?"

Han Xuanzi said: "The people."

Zichan said with a smile: "Doctor Han is quite knowledgeable. He hit the nail on the head. So, what can the people rely on to return to their hearts?"

Han Xuanzi said: "Of course it is benevolence. Are there others?"

Zichan said: "The State of Zheng regards the State of Jin as its superior. When the officials of the superior state come to the State of Zheng, if they can educate the people with benevolence and virtue, the people will naturally follow their example."

Han Xuanzi heard the smell and said, "You reminded me well. There is a jade ring, I should buy it."

This incident made Han Xuanzi respectful to Zichan. When he was leaving, Zichan brought the other five ministers of Zheng to say goodbye. Both parties wrote poems, answered gifts, and left happily.

This year, there was a severe drought in the state of Zheng. Zheng Dinggong sent three ministers, Tu Ji, Zhu Mian and Li Zhi, to worship Sangshan. As a result, after Tu Shi, Zhu Mian and Li Zhi were sacrificed, it still didn't rain. Tu Ji felt anxious.

, people cut down the trees on the mountain.

After they came back, Zichan asked: "Sacrifices to the mountain gods should be done respectfully. Every stone, tree, flower, and grass is a gift from God and should be cherished. What a shame for you, you actually cut down a large area of ​​trees on the mountain. It's a great sin."

"

Therefore, Zichan suggested to Zheng Dinggong that they should be deprived of their official titles and fiefdoms.

In addition to these things, Zichan also did an enlightened thing, which was called "not destroying the township school." The so-called "village school" is the place where people gather in the village. Whenever night falls, the villagers gather here after dinner and chat.

Naturally, discussions on current affairs are inevitable, and some of the discussions are critical.

Ran Ming, the official of the State of Zheng, said to Zi Chan: "How about destroying the rural school?"

Zichan said: "Why destroy it? People come back from work in the morning and evening and gather here to discuss the quality of the policy measures. If they like it, we will implement it; if they hate it, we will correct it. This is our teacher

.Why destroy it?”

Ran Ming said: "Someone slandered you."

Zichan said: "I have heard that acts of loyalty and kindness can eliminate resentment. I have never heard of anyone who can use power to prevent resentment. It is easy to block speech. But it is like blocking a river. Once it breaks, the damage will be even greater.

I can't cure it. Why don't we listen to these discussions and use it as a good medicine to cure the disease."

Ran Ming said: "I know now that my son will achieve great things. If he does this, Zheng Guo will really have support, and it will not only benefit us and other ministers!"

In short, under the painstaking efforts of Gongsun Qiao (Zichan), the people of Zheng State got the opportunity to recuperate and recuperate. The situation of Zheng State improved. The people were grateful to him and even made up songs to praise him:

My son,

Zichan imparted enlightenment,

my land,

Zichan advised farming,

If the child passes away,

Who will succeed?


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