Since ancient times, many feudal emperors have wanted to have the desire to "live another five hundred years", for example, Qin Shi Huang once sent Xu Fu to find the elixir of immortality, in the final analysis, it is to prolong their life, so that they can rule the country longer and enjoy the supreme glory brought by power. However, as Cao Cao's "Guancang Hai" said: "Although the divine turtle lives long, it is still full of time." "Whenever the emperors remember that their life expectancy is so short, they will feel an inexplicable sadness, and some monarchs will even cry, such as the Qi Jinggong to be introduced by the next editor."
Legend has it that in the 26th century BC, after the Yellow Emperor defeated Xuan You, he ordered two generals to capture a cow, kill it under a mountain on the bank of the Zihe River to celebrate the feat, and bury the bones and skins of the cow on the mountain. It is said that at night, the nearby residents can hear the sound of cattle on the mountain, so the locals go to the mountain to sacrifice cattle after spring ploughing and autumn harvest, praying that the cow god can bring a good harvest to the locals.
In the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Qi Jinggong of the State of Qi took Aikong, Liangqiu, Yanzi and other ministers to climb Niushan to visit the scenery. When the group reached the top of the mountain, Qi Jinggong looked at the capital city of Qi at the bottom of the mountain, and suddenly cried: "Why is a person's life so short, as fleeting as the flowing water under the mountain?" The meaning of Qi Jinggong's words is self-evident, that is, he has not lived enough.
At this time, the two ministers, Ai Kong and Liang Qiu, saw Qi Jinggong crying, and naturally shed sad tears, but Yan Zi laughed after hearing it. Qi Jinggong was very angry, so he asked Yanzi why he laughed at himself. Yan Zi explained: "If the people of ancient times were immortal, then Qi Taigong (the founding monarch of the State of Qi) and others would always have the State of Qi, and you could only wear coarse clothes and carry buckets to work in the fields, so when would kung fu worry about when you would die?" If you are sad about this, you are an unkind monarch, and now you have two flattering ministers by your side who are crying with you, which is why I laughed privately!" Qi Jinggong was very ashamed when he learned of this, so he raised his wine glass and punished himself with a glass of wine, and also asked Ai Kong and Liang Qiu to each punish him with a glass of wine to express his apology to Yanzi.