Speaking of Guan Zhong, everyone is no stranger, he is the prime minister of the State of Qi; but when it comes to his master, he is even more famous, that is, the famous Duke of Qi Huan in history, one of the five hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period. Regarding the story of Guan Zhong, there are also many legends in history. Today we will talk about the life of Guan Zhong, the "first phase in China".
Biography
Guan Zhong (Guan Zi, c. 723 BC – 645 BC), courtesy name Zhong, Was a descendant of King Mu of Zhou ,a descendant of King Mu of Zhou, a representative figure of the Jurists during the Spring and Autumn Period, a famous economist, philosopher, politician, and military figure in ancient China, known as the "Pioneer of the Dharma", "The Teacher of the Saints", "The Protector of Chinese Civilization", and "The First Phase of China". In 685 BC, he was recommended by Bao Shuya as a xiang, and the Duke of Qi Huan called him "Zhongfu". During his term of office, he vigorously carried out reforms, straightened out the administrative management system, selected talents and appointed talents, paid attention to economic and agricultural development, and enriched the country and strengthened the army, making the state of Qi a strong country. He died of illness in 645 BC.
"One Arrow of Vengeance" to "Prime Minister of the State of Qi"
The Duke of Qi Huan was a well-known generation of overlords in Chinese history, and before he succeeded to the throne, he was in an extremely difficult situation. Gongzi Xiaobai's elder brother Qi Xianggong was absurd and indiscriminate during his reign, and his brothers had to go out and take refuge. The Duke of Qi Xiang was eventually killed, and the State of Qi had no king, and people were looking forward to two candidates for the new King, both of whom were the younger brothers of the Duke of Qi Huan, one was the Prince Of Qi who had taken refuge in the State of Lu, and the other was Xiao Bai, the prince who had taken refuge in the State of Ju. Whoever of the two princes rushed back to the State of Qi first, he would be able to seize the opportunity and ascend to the throne. In order to assist Gongzi Gui to ascend to the throne smoothly, Lu Guo sent Guan Zhong to lead a group of men and horses to intercept and kill Gongzi Xiaobai halfway. When Gongzi Xiaobai hurried to the vicinity of Jimo, Guan Zhong, who was ambushed there, drew a bow and arrow and secretly shot at Xiao Bai. Hearing a scream from inside the carriage, Guan Zhong thought that Xiao Bai had been shot to death, and immediately returned to the country of Lu to report the victory and escorted the prince back to China.
However, Gongzi Xiaobai was not shot to death, but returned to the capital of the State of Qi before Guan Zhong and Gongzi Gui, and became the new monarch, who was the later Duke Huan of Qi. Duke Huan of Qi sent a letter to Lu Guo, saying that Zi Gui was my brother, and I couldn't bear to kill him with my own hands, so I asked the King of Lu To kill him. And Guan Zhong is my enemy, and I can only be willing if I chop him into meat sauce with my own hands. As a result, there was a war between Qi and Lu. As a result, the Lu army was defeated, so it had to agree to the conditions of the State of Qi, forced the Prince to death, and then arrested Guan Zhong, tied him up, and escorted him from the State of Lu to the State of Qi. Everyone believed that Guan Zhong, who had a vendetta against Qi Huan, would be retaliated against and die without a place to die after being taken to the State of Qi. However, Duke Huan of Qi had a grand plan, and in order to change the messy situation in the state of Qi, he put aside a one-arrow vendetta and appointed Guan Zhong as Xiangguo. Bao Shuya also personally went to greet Guan Zhong and volunteered to be his deputy.
In the 40 years of Guan Zhongzhiqi, the country was rich and the people were strong, and the capital city of Linzi had 300,000 people, which was one of the most prosperous and developed cities at that time. However, Guan Zhong died in 645 BC, and 2 years later Duke Huan of Qi starved to death in the palace, and the State of Qi declined.