During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Zhou royal family declined, the ceremonies collapsed, and the various princely states chased after the Central Plains. Among them, the first to dominate was Qi Huangong. The main reason why Duke Huan of Qi was able to stand out from the monarchs of various countries was because of the auxiliary government of Guan Zhong. However, people familiar with history know that Guan Zhong initially mixed with The Elder Brother of the Duke of Qi Huan, and in order to prevent the Duke of Qi Huan from returning to china to inherit the throne, he also shot an arrow at the Duke of Qi Huan. Then what means did Qi Huangong use to make Guan Zhong serve him? Today Xiaobian will introduce it to you.
In 698 BC, Duke Qi died, leaving behind three sons: Prince Zhu'er, Gongzi Gui, and Gongzi Xiaobai. Later, the crown princes succeeded to the throne, that is, the Duke of Qixiang. Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya assisted Gongzi Gui and Gongzi Xiaobai respectively. Because Duke Xiang of Qi had an affair with Duke Wen Jiang of Lu Huan and killed Duke Huan of Lu, Guan Zhong, foreshadowing that there would be a great disturbance in the State of Qi, fled to the State of Lu with his son. And Bao Shuya escorted Gongzi Xiaobai to Juguo.
In 686 BC, Gongsun of the Duke of Qi killed the Duke of Qi xiang in ignorance and established himself as a monarch. The following year, the Yonglin people killed Gongsun Ignorant, and the Qi state was leaderless. The ministers secretly informed Gongzi Gui and Gongzi Xiaobai to return to China to succeed to the throne. Time is victory, and if anyone can take the lead in returning to China, who will be the next monarch of the State of Qi. In order to prevent Gongzi Xiaobai from returning early, Gongzi sent Guan Zhong to intercept and kill Gongzi Xiaobai. Guan Zhong shot an arrow at Gongzi Xiaobai, thinking that Gongzi Xiaobai had died, so he went back to correct Gongzi's life.
Gongzi Gui heard that the competitor was dead and began to march slowly towards the State of Qi. As everyone knows, Gongzi Xiaobai was just shot with a hook and pretended to be dead to deceive Guan Zhong. He hid in a carriage and rushed back to the State of Qi by starry night, and succeeded to the throne as the Duke of Qi huan with the support of the noble state of Qi and the Gao Liang clan. And Gongzi Gui could only return to the country of Lu with resentment. For his brother who wanted to kill himself several times, Qi Huangong was not soft. However, he did not want to be accused of murdering his brother, so he ordered the prince of the State of Lu to kill Gongzi Gui and send back the criminal Guan Zhong, otherwise he would attack the State of Lu. The strength of the State of Lu was not as good as that of the State of Qi, so the Duke of Lu zhuang obeyed the instructions of the State of Qi and killed Gongzi Gui.
After Guan Zhong was escorted back to the State of Qi, Qi Huangong gritted his teeth in hatred and planned to open his stomach. However, Bao Shuya persuaded Duke Huan of Qi to take Guan Zhong for his own use. Qi Huangong said, "He wanted to kill me, and I still want to reuse him?" Do you have bubbles in your brain, or do I have bubbles in my brain? Bao Shuya calmly asked Qi Huangong a question: "Does Junshang only want to govern the State of Qi well, or do he want to achieve world hegemony?" If you only want to govern the country of Qi well, then it is enough for me and Gao Dai. But if you want to achieve some hegemony, you have to manage zhongzhong. Which country Guan Zhong goes to, which country will be strong. ”
Duke Huan of Qi was very ambitious, and naturally he was not willing to be the monarch of the State of Qi, so he did not kill Guan Zhong. But is Guan Zhong really as talented as Bao Shuya said? This will have to be examined by him himself. When Guan Zhong entered the dynasty, Qi Huangong asked him: "In the years that Xianggong has reigned, he has been arrogant and lascivious, and the atmosphere is very bad. He built pavilions everywhere, and he also liked to go out hunting and playing games with beautiful women. Now the status of beautiful women is higher than that of the sages. How do you think this matter should be resolved? ”
Guan Zhongluo sighed and replied, "It's very simple, just advocate etiquette, righteousness, and shame." Before, the atmosphere in the State of Qi was not good because of the bad conduct of the monarch. He himself had an affair with his sister, so how could the people below become upright gentlemen? If we advocate courtesy, righteousness, and shame from top to bottom, and the people understand etiquette, the atmosphere will naturally improve. Rancang is honest and knows etiquette, and has enough food and clothing to know honor and disgrace. You must ensure that the country is rich and that the people have no worries about food and clothing, so that they can know etiquette. ”
Qi Huangong asked again, "Then how do you think you can achieve hegemony?" Guan Zhong said: "Four words, the sky is precious." This heaven is not the heaven above your head, but the heaven of the people. As long as the people support you, why worry about hegemony? On the contrary, if the people resent you and hate you, you will not only be unable to compete for hegemony, but will shake the foundation of your rule. Qi Huangong listened to Guan Zhong's wonderful remarks and thought that he was indeed a talented person, so he asked his subordinates: "I plan to entrust the State of Qi to Guan Zhong, what do you think?" ”
As a result, before the ministers could speak, Guan Zhong himself said, "No! Qi Huangong asked, "Why is this?" Guan Zhong said, "You can't be expensive." Qi Huangong thought to himself, "Guan Zhong thinks that his status is low!" Therefore, he paid homage to Guan Zhong as Shangqing and became the official of the State of Qi. This Dazai is equivalent to the prime minister of the hereafter, one man is above ten thousand people. Qi Huangong asked, "There is no problem this time, right?" Guan Zhong said, "Still not, I came from a poor background and have no money in my hands." When Dazai lost the face of Qi Guo! Therefore, the Duke of Qi Huan ordered that three-tenths of the annual municipal rent of the State of Qi be distributed to Guan Zhong.
With all the power and money, is there anything guan Zhong is not satisfied with? Don't say, Guan Zhong really has it. Guan Zhong then said to Duke Huan, "Neglect cannot control relatives. "What do you mean?" Guan Zhong's meaning is that no matter how high and powerful I am, I am still an outsider, and I cannot control the Qi royal family and the Gong clan. Qi Huangong said, "This is easy to do! He then called Guan Zhong "Zhong's father." This zhongfu is the meaning of the later gan father, Qin Shi Huang also called Lü Buwei in that year, and Xiang Yu called Fan Zeng "Ya Father". After Duke Huan of Qi met Guan Zhong's conditions, Guan Zhong finally took over the position of Dazai of the State of Qi and helped Duke Huan of Qi to embark on the road of hegemony. And because of his outstanding contribution to the State of Qi, he is also known as the "First Phase of China"!