preface
In feudal times, the fate of courtiers was often in the hands of kings, and the slightest carelessness could lead to the loss of their lives. So, when a courtier angers a domineering king, how can he save his life and that of his family?
The Qing minister Liu Yong was furious at Qianlong's victory, and as a result, Qianlong was furious and threatened to kill him, and Liu Yong easily defused the crisis with a single sentence.
One
During the Qianlong period, Liu Yong was already a highly respected minister, he was honest and incorruptible, and he was deeply supported by the people. This also allowed him to gain Qianlong's appreciation, and he was often summoned to discuss politics and play chess with Qianlong.
Qianlong was a typical autocratic monarch, who acted perversely and was very happy. He liked to show off his talents, and often competed with his subordinates for literary brilliance and chess skills. Liu Yong knows Qianlong's temperament well, and he always lets Qianlong score three points on weekdays, hides his weakness, and never shows his edge in front of Qianlong.
The reason why Liu Yong was appreciated by Qianlong was also due to his strong political skills and wisdom. He came from a prestigious family and showed great talent from an early age. After entering the junior high school entrance examination, he successively served in the local prefecture and prefectural government, and his political achievements were outstanding and he was deeply supported by the people.
In the process of becoming an official, Liu Yong fully understood the true meaning of power. He understood that in order to gain a foothold in the court, he must always obey the king's wishes, and not exceed the slightest measure.
Therefore, Liu Yong was modest and courteous on the surface, always safeguarding the imperial power, but in his heart, he always remembered his identity, dealt with it carefully, and never took a step beyond the thunder pond.
Qianlong looked at Liu Yong's powerful political skills and deep city government. Qianlong also understood that to govern this vast empire, he must have the support of a minister like Liu Yong who was knowledgeable and capable. Therefore, he promoted Liu Yong to serve in Beijing and personally placed high hopes on him.
The two were one prince and one minister, and they needed each other, Qianlong trusted Liu Yong's talents, and Liu Yong did not live up to Qianlong's instructions, and he handled things smoothly, which was deeply relied on by Qianlong.
Two
However, on this day, Liu Yong and Qianlong played against each other in the imperial garden. It was the height of summer, the sun was high and lotus flowers were blooming in the imperial garden. The two sat on the stone bench next to the pavilion, seeing that Liu Yong was about to make Qianlong a few moves, and suddenly heard a chirping bird in the garden, Liu Yong couldn't help but be distracted, and his hand fell down, just restraining Qianlong's first opportunity.
Qianlong originally sat up straight, and when he saw Liu Yong's hand, his face changed. He became angry, slammed the stone bench, and roared angrily: "Liu Yong, are you deliberately going against Xuan? If you actually win, you can know that you deserve death!"
Liu Yong knelt on the ground in fright, his forehead against the stone slab, and made amends repeatedly.
Qianlong huffed and gasped, furious, and said, "I believe you are so, I didn't expect you to dare to be so blind!" If it weren't for the merits of your father, I'm afraid you and your whole family would have already fallen into the law!"
Qianlong was thunderous at this time, and his tone was full of threat. Liu Yong's heart tightened, he pondered for a moment, and spoke: "Your Majesty, you are the son of heaven in the prosperous world, and you must have the world in your heart, and the four seas of Kyushu are your chessboard, Your Majesty, you will not care about winning or losing between these square inches, so Your Majesty has the courage to win Your Majesty." ”
Liu Yong's tone was deferential, and he respectfully admitted his mistake, which not only expressed his gaffe, but also expressed his caution in the future.
These words slightly defused Qianlong's anger, and he snorted, frowning and pondering.
Liu Yong knelt quietly in front of Qianlong, motionless. He understood that at this juncture, he had to bow his head and let Qianlong take his anger out on him. If he justifies or contradicts, it will only make Qianlong more angry and unfavorable to himself.
After a while, Qianlong said with a cold face: "I wanted to cure you for your crimes, but now I see that you still know how to repent, and I only punish you for asking for three cups of tea, and you must not miss any more!"
Liu Yong replied and carefully poured new tea for Qianlong, only to resolve the crisis caused by this winning chess rage.
In fact, the reason why Qianlong was so angry was not really concerned about winning or losing, but to give his subordinates a disgrace. He wants ministers to know at all times that he is the master of the country.
Three
In the face of Qianlong's anger, Liu Yong was able to calm down and fawn over him, expressing both obedience and Qianlong's majesty, and finally turned the danger into a disaster. It was precisely because of his resourcefulness that Qianlong naturally forgave his "mistakes".
After this incident, Liu Yong recalled the incident to his friend: "In the face of the king's anger, the courtier can only endure the humiliation and bear the burden and give in to merit. Fortunately, I reacted quickly and spoke appropriately, which defused Qianlong's anger and saved myself and my family from annihilation. ”
His friend praised: "A tyrant like Your Majesty, only a wise man like you can serve and not incur the scourge of killing."
Liu Yong smiled and said nothing, but he understood the hardships of being a courtier very well in his heart.
After winning a game of chess in Qianlong, Liu Yong almost lost his life. He felt that he had been lucky, and if he had not reacted quickly and complimented Qianlong's majesty, the consequences would have been unimaginable. This strengthened his belief that he should deal with Qianlong carefully and must not have any trespassing.
Liu Yong also understood that the reason why Qianlong was angry at every turn was because he had absolute power, and the greater the power, the more he could not tolerate a little challenge. He must always play a humble and loyal courtier, and he must not give Qianlong any reason to be displeased.
This incident also reminded Liu Yong that in front of Qianlong, he must be careful and think deeply about every word and every action. Only in this way can we gain a foothold in this unpredictable court. Otherwise, even a small mistake can have devastating consequences for yourself and your family.
Four
It also reminded him of the shocking incident in which the crown prince Liu Qi accidentally killed Liu Xian, the son of King Wu during the Han Dynasty.
At that time, the crown prince Liu Qi and Liu Xian, the son of King Wu, were playing against each other in the palace, and Liu Qi's skills were inferior, and he smashed Liu Xian's head with a stone chessboard under gambling, and Liu Xian's brain pulp burst and died. This incident eventually led to the Seven Kingdoms Rebellion in the future, which shows how terrible the consequences of the king's wrath are.
Liu Yong couldn't help but sigh that the temper of a king can decide the life and death of many people. It was a fluke that he could resolve the crisis of Qianlong's anger in winning chess.
Thinking of this, Liu Yong couldn't help but feel both pity and regret for Liu Xian.
Liu Qi gambled and beat his own brother Liu Xian to death, so that Liu Yong could not help but sigh how cruel the competition within the court was, and the royal family and the state were inevitably fatal.
Liu Qi's death also achieved the imperial cause of Emperor Wen of Han in the future. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he devoted himself to running the country, putting the Han Dynasty on the right track. The martial arts of Wenzhi have shaken the ancient and modern times, and the prosperity of the Han Dynasty was created in the hands of Emperor Wen.
If Liu Qi did not die, Emperor Wen might not be able to become emperor in his lifetime. Liu Yong couldn't help but think that above the court, the heart of a king was determined by the great deeds of thousands of years. Liu Qijiao eventually killed himself, and Emperor Wen was not shocked and understood the great righteousness, which made the Han Dynasty prosperous.
In this regard, Liu Yongji learned a profound lesson. Being by Qianlong's side, he must guard against arrogance and irritability, and carefully master the proportions in order to save the rest of his life
epilogue
Liu Yong's handling of Qianlong's anger in winning chess shows his wit and wisdom as a courtier. Under the feudal autocratic political system, the life and death of courtiers were completely controlled by the king, and the slightest mistake could lead to a different head.
Liu Yong was able to lower his posture and respond appropriately, which not only defused Qianlong's anger, but also saved his own life and that of his family. This was invaluable in the circumstances of the time.
Liu Yong's way of dealing with the world has also given profound enlightenment to future generations. As a courtier, he understood the rules of power, feared and saw the king clearly, advanced and retreated, and finally turned the danger into a remarkable. His wisdom and skill shone through the politics of power in the feudal dynasty.