Everyone in the world knows that Fan Li is a generation of "business saints", assisting King Goujian of Yue to retreat bravely after destroying Wu and living in seclusion. But few people know that this wise man was also a loving father. It is said that one day, Fan Li's second son was imprisoned for fighting and murder and faced the death penalty. When the news came, Fan Li's home suddenly fell into a gloomy fog. When the eldest son heard the news, he was eager to go to Chu to rescue his younger brother. Who knew that Fan Li said something incomprehensible: "If you go, your brother will die." What do you mean by that? Why didn't Fan Li let the eldest son save the second son? Doesn't he want to save his son? Or did this wise man see a crisis that ordinary people can't see? Did Fan Li's prophecy finally come true?
At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Wu Yue competed for hegemony, and Fan Li, with his outstanding talent, became the right-hand man of King Goujian of Yue. In 494 BC, the state of Wu defeated the state of Yue, and Gou Jian was captured. Fan Li followed Gou Jian into Wu, and through ingenious strategies, Gou Jian won the trust of Wu Wangfu and was able to return to Yue.
After returning to China, Fan Li and Wen Chong jointly assisted Gou Jian and formulated the famous "Nine Techniques of Destroying Wu". These nine techniques include: accumulating food, recruiting talents, treating the people well, training troops and preparing for war, befriending princes, dividing the monarchs and ministers of Wu, taking advantage of the internal contradictions of Wu, waiting for opportunities, and winning the final blow. Fan Li's strategy is not only reflected in the military, but also in the economic and diplomatic aspects.
At Fan Li's suggestion, Vietnam implemented a series of reform measures. He advocated "agriculture-oriented" and encouraged the people to cultivate and increase grain production. At the same time, he also advocated the development of handicrafts and commerce, such as iron smelting, shipbuilding, salt making, etc., in order to strengthen the country. In terms of diplomacy, Fan Li advocated an alliance with powerful countries such as Qi and Jin to isolate Wu.
After twenty years of lying on the back, the Yue Kingdom finally destroyed the Wu Kingdom in 473 BC. Gou Jian named Fan Li as a general, but Fan Li knew that "all the birds are flying, and the good bow is hidden; The cunning rabbit died, and the lackeys cooked", and decided to retreat bravely from the rapids. He took the gold and silver rewarded by Gou Jian and left the country of Yue by boat.
Fan Li came to the country of Qi, changed his name and surname, and settled by the sea. With his ingenuity, he quickly amassed a great fortune. Fan Li is enthusiastic about public welfare, willing to give, and has won a good reputation. Later, the king of Qi asked him to serve as the phase, but Fan Li chose to retire again and came to Taoyi in the Song Kingdom.
In Taoyi, Fan Li relied on his business talents to become the leading wealthy businessman in the local area in just a few years. He gave himself the nickname "Tao Zhu Gong", which means "the rich merchant of Taoyi". Fan Li's business wisdom is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
First of all, he is good at observing the market and grasping business opportunities. Fan Li found that there was a shortage of cattle in the local area, so he bought cattle from the surrounding area and sold them in Taoyi, making a huge profit. Secondly, he pays attention to product quality and reputation. The goods sold by Fan Li are guaranteed to be of high quality and fair price, so they have won a good reputation. Thirdly, he understands money operation and risk management. Fan Li will adjust the investment direction in a timely manner according to market conditions to avoid capital backlog or loss.
Fan Li's business achievements are not only reflected in the accumulation of personal wealth, but also in the innovation and dissemination of his business ideas. He summed up the theory that "those who make good use of wealth have three thousand gold", which means that a person who is good at business can accumulate thousands of gold and family wealth three times. This theory later became an important part of ancient Chinese business thought.
Fan Li's legendary life, from politics to business, to seclusion, shows his superb wisdom and vision. He was not only a brilliant strategist and military strategist, but also a successful businessman and thinker. Fan Li's experience tells us that a person's success requires not only talent, but also wisdom and foresight. He knows when to forge ahead and when to retreat, and this insight and decisiveness is the key to his success in different areas.
Although Fan Li has achieved great achievements in politics and business, she also faces many challenges in her family life. He has three sons, each of whom has different personalities and characteristics, which brings a lot of tests to Fan Li's family education.
The eldest son was born in Fan Li's Yue Kingdom period, and followed his father to experience the rise and fall of the country since he was a child. He has a steady personality and is cautious, but he has an obvious shortcoming, which is that he loves money too much. This may have been influenced by his father's accumulation of wealth in his early years, but the eldest son did not inherit his father's virtue of philanthropy. He often cares about some small profits, which makes Fan Li have a headache.
The second son was also born in the Yue Kingdom, and his personality is more straightforward and bold than his brother. However, this character also brings its fair share of troubles. The second son often argues with others, even causing fights. Fan Li admonished many times, but with little effect. The second son's impulsive personality eventually led to a catastrophe, and he was arrested and imprisoned by the Chu government after a mistake.
The youngest son was born to Fan Li after coming to Taoyi, and he has lived in a rich environment since he was a child. Unlike the two elder brothers, the youngest son is gifted and has a gentle personality, which is the most loved by Fan Li. Not only was he knowledgeable, but he also inherited his father's business acumen and philanthropic virtues. Fan Li often sighs that if he could give birth to his youngest son earlier, he might have less trouble.
Faced with three sons with very different personalities, Fan Li adopted different education methods. Treating his eldest son, Fan Li often uses his own experience as an example to teach him that although money is important, it should not be the whole pursuit of life. He often said: "Wealth is like flowing water, take it in a proper way, use it in a certain way, and only then can it be endless." Fan Li hopes that the eldest son can understand that true wealth is not only gold and silver, but also virtue and wisdom.
For the second son, Fan Li took a stern attitude. He repeatedly warned his second son to control his temper and not to easily get into conflict with others. Fan Li once said to his second son: "A moment of anger can ruin a lifetime's efforts, remember to think twice before acting." However, the second son does not seem to take his father's words to heart, and it eventually leads to a catastrophe.
As for the youngest son, Fan Li gave more care and guidance. He not only taught his younger son about business, but also taught his youngest son how to behave in the world. Fan Li often said: "The way of business, integrity-based, altruism first." Under the careful teaching of Fan Li, the youngest son gradually grew into a young man with both talents.
However, the incident of the second son's imprisonment brought a huge blow to Fan Li's family. When the news came, Fan Li was handling business in Taoyi. He immediately put down what he was doing and gathered his family to discuss countermeasures. The eldest son advocated going to the state of Chu immediately to rescue his younger brother, believing that with the family's financial resources and influence, he would definitely be able to get his younger brother out of danger.
Fan Li disagreed. He knew very well that the laws of Chu were strict, and it was an unchangeable iron law that killed people to pay for their lives. Even if you are rich and powerful, it is difficult to change this fact. Moreover, the state of Chu had a holiday with the state of Yue, and Fan Li was worried that his identity might adversely affect the rescue.
After careful consideration, Fan Li decided to send his youngest son to the state of Chu to seek the help of his old friend Zhuang Sheng. Zhuang Sheng has a lot of prestige in the state of Chu, and may be able to seek a ray of life for his second son without violating the law. Fan Li prepared a thousand taels of gold, put it in a box, and asked his youngest son to take it to the Chu State.
Fan Li's decision caused dissatisfaction with the eldest son. The eldest son thought that his father did not trust him and sent his younger brother to deal with such an important matter. He was so emotional that he even threatened to commit suicide. Faced with the reaction of the eldest son, Fan Li had to change his mind and agreed to let the eldest son go to the state of Chu.
However, Fan Li was not optimistic about the eldest son's decision. He solemnly said to his eldest son: "On this trip to the Chu State, if your third brother goes, your second brother may still be saved; If it is changed to you, your second brother will surely die. These words made the eldest son feel puzzled and unconvinced, but he still said that he would obey his father's arrangement.
Fan Li's words not only reflect his understanding of the character of his sons, but also show his deep insight into human nature. He foresaw that the greedy nature of the eldest son might influence judgment at a critical moment, leading to a failed rescue. How this prophecy will ultimately be fulfilled will be revealed in the following story.
After Fan Li learned the news of his second son's imprisonment, he immediately began to formulate a careful plan to save his son. As an experienced strategist, he understands the complexity and danger of this rescue operation. The historical grievances between the Chu State and the Yue State, as well as the harsh laws of the Chu State, have become a huge obstacle on the road to saving the son.
First of all, Fan Li prepared a thousand taels of gold. The money was not used to bribe Chu officials, but as a strategic preparation. Fan Li knows very well that in a big country like Chu, it is difficult for money alone to shake the majesty of the law. This money is more of a status symbol, used to show the financial strength and status of the demonstrator, in order to open up the situation in the state of Chu.
The most critical step in Fan Li's plan is to seek the help of his old friend Zhuang Sheng. Zhuang Sheng was a virtuous and respected wise man in the Chu State, and he had known Fan Li for many years. The two had in-depth exchanges during the Yue Kingdom period, and they admired each other's talents and character. Fan Li believes that Zhuang Sheng's prestige and influence in the Chu State may be the key to rescuing the second son.
However, Fan Li did not intend to go to the state of Chu in person. He knew that his identity might cause the court of Chu to be vigilant. As a strategist who once helped the Yue State destroy Wu, Fan Li may encounter unnecessary trouble in the Chu State. Therefore, he decided to send someone to go on his behalf.
At first, Fan Li planned to let his youngest son carry out this task. The youngest son is smart, good at words, and most importantly, he doesn't have much historical baggage. Fan Li believes that the youngest son can be an unbiased young man, and it is easier to get Zhuang Sheng's sympathy and help.
Fan Li explained the rescue plan to his youngest son in detail. He told his youngest son that when he arrived in the state of Chu, he would first visit Zhuang Sheng and explain the situation to him. Fan Li specially advised that when meeting Zhuang Sheng, he should be humble and polite, and he must not be arrogant. He also taught his youngest son how to skillfully use the 1,000 taels of gold, which did not appear to be a bribe, but also showed the sincerity of the Fan family.
Fan Li also prepared a handwritten letter for his youngest son, in which he detailed the case of the second son and implored Zhuang Sheng to seek a ray of life for the second son without violating the laws of the Chu State. In the letter, Fan Li particularly emphasized that he did not want Zhuang Sheng to bend the law for personal gain, but hoped to fight for a fair trial opportunity for his second son through legal channels.
However, just as the younger son was about to set off, the eldest son suddenly offered to go to the state of Chu in person. The eldest son believes that as the eldest son in the family, he should take on the responsibility of saving his younger brother. He assured Fan Li that he would definitely act according to his father's plan and would never live up to his father's expectations.
Faced with the insistence of his eldest son, Fan Li fell into a dilemma. He is well aware of his eldest son's character flaws and fears that his money-loving nature may affect the success of the rescue. But on the other hand, the eldest son is older after all and has more experience in dealing with complex matters. In the end, Fan Li reluctantly agreed to the eldest son's request.
Before the eldest son left, Fan Li repeatedly told him to emphasize the importance of this trip. He told his eldest son: "This thousand taels of gold seems to be a lot of money, but it is actually the key to saving your brother's life." Remember not to be greedy in the slightest, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable. "
Fan Li also specially told his eldest son that he must be cautious in his words and deeds in the Chu State and not reveal his true identity. He told his eldest son that if anyone asked, he would say that he was a guest of Tao Zhugong and that he had been ordered to come and deal with commercial disputes. This can avoid arousing the suspicion of Chu officials.
Despite these arrangements, Fan Li was still worried about the outcome of the trip. He said to his firstborn, "If you go, your brother will die." This sentence is both a warning to the eldest son and a foresight of the development of events.
Fan Li's plan to save his son reflects his wisdom as a strategist. Not only did he think about the role of money, but he also made the most of his network. At the same time, he also fully considered the political environment and legal system of the state of Chu, and tried to avoid direct conflict. The success of this plan is not only related to the life and death of the second son, but also will test the accuracy of Fan Li's insight into human nature.
The eldest son took his father Fan Li's entrustment and a thousand taels of gold and embarked on a journey to the state of Chu. The journey was not easy, and he experienced many twists and turns along the way. First, he encounters a group of bandits. The bandits saw that the eldest son was carrying a large amount of possessions, and became greedy. The eldest son, with his wit and a part of his money, barely escaped the entanglement of the bandits. This experience made him realize the danger of this trip, and it also made him cherish the gold in his hand even more.
After arriving in the state of Chu, the eldest son did not immediately go to find Zhuang Sheng, but first inquired about the news in the local area. He found that the laws of Chu were indeed very strict, and murder cases were usually life-for-life. This made the eldest son even more worried about his younger brother's situation.
In the process of finding out the news, the eldest son meets an intermediary who claims to be able to unblock the relationship. The man told the eldest son that as long as he gave him three hundred taels of gold, he would be able to arrange for the eldest son to meet the official in charge of the case. The eldest son hesitated, he remembered his father's advice, but he felt that this was a rare opportunity. Eventually, the greed for money prevailed over reason, and he gave the man three hundred taels of gold.
However, this middleman disappeared after getting the money, and the eldest son lost three hundred taels of gold in vain. This lesson made the eldest son deeply remorseful, and he began to realize that his father's words were right, and that his greedy nature might indeed affect his actions to save his younger brother.
After losing three hundred taels of gold, the eldest son finally followed his father's plan to find Zhuang Sheng. However, Zhuang Sheng was not at home, and it is said that he went on a study tour far away. The eldest son had no choice but to wait for Zhuang Sheng to come back in the state of Chu.
While waiting, the eldest son met another person who claimed to be a close confidant of the minister of Chu. The man told the eldest son that if he gave him another five hundred taels of gold, he would be able to arrange for the eldest son to see the minister directly, so that he would have the opportunity to intercede on behalf of his younger brother. The eldest son is again in trouble. He had already lost three hundred taels of gold, and if he lost another five hundred taels, there would be little left. However, he was worried that if he missed this opportunity, his brother would really not be rescued.
After some struggle, the eldest son finally decided to take another gamble. And he gave the man five hundred taels of gold. This time, the man did take him to meet a richly dressed man who claimed to be a certain minister of the Chu State. After listening to the eldest son's story, the "minister" said that he would consider the matter, but it would take some time.
The eldest son awaited with hope news from the "minister". However, a few days passed, and there was no response from the "minister". Only then did the eldest son realize that he had been deceived again.
At this time, the eldest son only had two hundred taels of gold left in his hand. He began to regret his impulsiveness and greed, but it was too late. Just when he was at a loss, Zhuang Sheng finally returned to the state of Chu.
The eldest son immediately went to visit Zhuang Sheng and handed him his father's letter. After reading the letter, Zhuang Sheng expressed sympathy for Fan Li's plight, but also bluntly said that this matter was difficult to handle. He told his eldest son that the laws of Chu were so harsh that even he could hardly intervene in the judicial process.
The eldest son almost despaired when he heard this, and he knelt down and begged Zhuang Sheng for help. Seeing this, Zhuang Sheng sighed and said, "Fan Li's old friend's son is so sincere, although I can't directly intervene in the case, I can introduce you to an upright official, and maybe I can fight for a fair trial for your brother." "
The eldest son was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly thanked Zhuang Sheng. Zhuang Sheng asked again: "Didn't Brother Fan let you bring a thousand taels of gold?" The money can be used to hire a good lawyer to defend your brother. "
The eldest son's face turned pale and he was speechless. Seeing this, Zhuang Sheng shook his head and sighed: "It seems that Brother Fan's prophecy to you has been fulfilled." Your greed and stupidity may really kill your brother. "
When the eldest son heard this, he was ashamed and fell to his knees and wept bitterly. Seeing him like this, Zhuang Sheng softened his heart a little and said, "That's it, although I can't guarantee that I can save your brother, I will do my best." Come with me to the officer. "
In this way, the eldest son followed Zhuang Sheng to meet the upright official. After hearing the facts of the case, the official said that the case would be reopened and the second son would be given a fair chance. However, due to the lack of sufficient funds to hire a good lawyer, the second son's situation was still very precarious.
The eldest son's experience in the state of Chu not only confirmed Fan Li's prediction, but also exposed many of his shortcomings. His greed and credulity almost ruined the hope of saving his brother. Although he eventually gained a chance of life with the help of Zhuang Sheng, the fate of the second son still hangs in the balance. This experience also made the eldest son deeply aware of his own shortcomings, and planted the seeds for his future growth.
During the days when Fan Li was waiting for news in Taodi, he was worried about the fate of his second son every day. When he learned what his eldest son had done in the Chu State, he was even more furious. He realized that if he continued to act in the current way, the life of his second son could not be saved. So, Fan Li made a difficult decision: to go to the state of Chu in person.
Fan Li knew that his trip to the state of Chu might arouse the vigilance of the court of the state of Chu. As a strategist who once helped the Yue State destroy Wu, he may encounter misfortune in the Chu State. But in order to save his son, he had no choice.
Before setting off, Fan Li made full preparations. He assumed the name of an ordinary merchant and carried a large amount of precious goods. These goods can be used not only as a cover for his status as a businessman, but also as a gift to unblock relations if necessary.
Fan Li's itinerary is very cautious. He avoided the main official roads and chose some of the more remote paths. On the way, he encountered many difficulties. Once, he was almost robbed of all his belongings by a group of bandits. With his wisdom and eloquence, Fan Li not only kept his property, but also persuaded the bandit leader to let him go.
After arriving in the state of Chu, Fan Li did not immediately look for Zhuang Sheng or his eldest son. He first inquired about the news in the market to understand the political situation and public opinion of the Chu State. He found that the state of Chu has recently strengthened the building of the legal system, and the trial of homicide cases is particularly strict. This made Fan Li realize that relying on the network alone may not be able to save the second son.
In the process of inquiring about the news, Fan Li met a retired old official. This old official had worked in the judicial department of Chu State for many years and knew the legal system of Chu State well. Fan Li talked to him and learned an important piece of information: the Chu State has an ancient law that few people know about, and if the prisoner's family can prove that the prisoner has made a significant contribution and can be used by the Chu State, the punishment can be reduced.
This news gave Fan Li a glimmer of hope. He decided to use his business talents to develop an economic development plan for the state of Chu in exchange for the life of his second son.
Fan Li worked day and night and spent seven days developing a detailed economic development plan. This plan included how to improve the agricultural production of the Chu State, how to develop the handicraft industry, how to expand foreign trade, and so on. Fan Li used the business wisdom he had accumulated over the years to make this plan bring practical benefits to the Chu State without endangering the interests of the Yue State.
After completing the plan, Fan Li finally met the upright official through Zhuang Sheng's connections. Fan Li explained his plan in detail to the officials, and said that if the state of Chu adopted this plan, he was willing to stay in the state of Chu to assist in the implementation.
After listening to Fan Li's plan, the official was shocked. He did not expect a businessman to be able to come up with such a comprehensive and profound strategy for economic development. He immediately reported the matter to the King of Chu.
When the king of Chu heard this, he was also very surprised. He summoned Fan Li and personally listened to Fan Li's plan. The king of Chu was impressed by Fan Li's intelligence and immediately decided to adopt this plan. But he also put forward a condition: Fan Li must stay in the state of Chu and serve as an economic adviser to assist in the implementation of this plan.
Faced with the request of the king of Chu, Fan Li was in a dilemma. Staying in the state of Chu can save the second son, but it means that he has to leave his beloved Yue country and family. After some careful consideration, Fan Li finally agreed to the conditions of the King of Chu.
The king of Chu was overjoyed and immediately ordered the release of Fan Li's second son and pardoned him for his crimes. At the same time, the king of Chu also named Fan Li as the economic adviser of the state of Chu and bestowed him with high-ranking officials.
Fan Li successfully rescued his second son, but the price was to stay in Chu forever. At parting, he said to his second son: "You have made a great mistake and almost died. In the future, we must be cautious in our words and deeds, and we must not make the slightest mistake. For the Father's salvation, I have to stay here. After you return to Vietnam, you must take good care of your mother and younger brother and do your filial piety for me. "
The second son tearfully agreed and embarked on the road back to Vietnam. Fan Li stayed in Chu and started his new life. Although he lost his freedom, he made great contributions to the economic development of Chu and improved the relations between Chu and Vietnam to a certain extent.
Fan Li's decision not only reflects his selfless dedication as a father, but also shows his foresight as a politician and economist. He traded his talents and freedom for his son's life, while also contributing to the development of both countries. It was a difficult decision, but it was probably the best option under the circumstances.