Li Wu was a famous politician in the early Warring States period and one of the representative figures of the Legal family. He was an important adviser to Marquis Wenhou of Wei and was deeply trusted by Marquis Wenhou of Wei, and when Marquis Wenhou asked him who could serve as the chancellor of the State of Wei, he recommended Wei Cheng, who had a general relationship with him, instead of his good friend Zhai Huang. Why is that?
1. Intimate relationship
Zhai Huang was a famous minister during the Wei Wenhou period, who was not only capable of excellence, but also good at recommending talents. Wu Qi of the State of Lu could not continue to mix in his own country, so he came to him. Many people say that Wu Qi was cruel and unkind, and even killed his own wife, and he could not be reused. Zhai Huang did not care about the pressure of public opinion to recommend him to Wei Wenhou, and said that Wu Qi's military talent was outstanding and he was a rare talent. Wei Wenhou also reused Wu Qi, giving him a stage to show his talents, and later eventually became a generation of famous generals.
Yecheng was an area that was reused by the State of Wei, but the taxes in this place had not been collected, and Wei Wenhou was very worried. Zhai Huang recommended Ximen Leopard to Wei Wenhou. Ximen Leopard arrived in the local area, and after investigation, it was found that it was the local gentry who colluded with witches to pay tribute to the river god and wantonly amassed wealth, resulting in the people being miserable and unable to pay the state's taxes. Ximen Leopard made a decisive move, killed the witches, straightened out the gentry, and built water conservancy to protect the interests of the common people. Within two years, Yecheng Dazhi.
Because the talents recommended by Zhai Huang are very capable, many people are willing to make friends with them. Li Wu then turned to him. Although Li Wu was relatively depressed at that time and had no background, Zhai Huang valued this young man very much and admired his ability to govern the country and the theory of the law. The two often talked together by candlelight, discussing the strategy of governing the country, and the relationship was extraordinary, like brothers. Therefore, he was recommended to Wei Wenhou as Wei Wenhou's adviser.
2. Recommend Wei Cheng
Wei Cheng was a relative of the Wei clan and was the younger brother of Marquis Wen of Wei. This patriarch did not ascend to the throne by the power of his brother, but by his own ability. At that time, his position was that Shangqing and Zhai Huang were on an equal footing. Wei Cheng not only has outstanding ability, but also especially likes to learn. He befriended the famous scholars of the time, Bu Zixia, Tian Zifang, and Duan Ganmu. He often discussed knowledge with these three. Later, he recommended three good friends to Wei Wenhou. Wei Wenhou made them Taishi, Taifu, and Taibao. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, the most powerful were Taishi, Taifu, and Taibao, known as the "Three Dukes", and in the Warring States, the "Three Dukes" were an honorary duty, and they were actually advisors to the monarch.
The State of Wei had always lacked a chancellor to command the hundred officials. Previously, it was All Wei Wenhou who served concurrently. But without the prime minister, he was a monarch with limited energy and felt particularly tired. He thought that both Wei Cheng and Zhai Huang could serve, but he couldn't get the idea, so he approached Li Wu for consultation.
"The family is poor and thinks of a good wife, and the country is chaotic and thinks of a good wife." At present, there are many state affairs, and the widows are tired of energy, you see Wei Cheng and Zhai Huang, who can help the widows to share? Wei Wenhou said.
"The junior minister is of a low status and does not dare to talk nonsense." Li Wu sorted out his clothes while respectfully speaking.
"Well, wrong, the widow doesn't blame you." Wei Wenhou looked at Li Wudao.
With this sentence, Li Wu let go: "To observe whether a person can serve as a minister, there are five main aspects, one is to look at his friends around him, but to see the people he recommends, the third is to look at his behavior, the fourth is to look at his character, and the fifth is to look at his interpersonal relations." From this point of view, I don't say, I'm afraid the lord also knows it! ”
After Li Wu's nod, Wei Wenhou suddenly realized and made up his mind.
3. Tell a friend
After Li Wu told Wei Wenhou of his thoughts, he left the palace and went to Zhai Huang's house. Zhai Huang heard that Li Wu was coming, so he received him in the hall. Li Wu said bluntly, "Today, the lord asked me to recommend who is the prime minister, and I recommended Wei Cheng, not you." ”
Zhai Huang was confused as soon as he heard it, and hurriedly said, "Say what you say, say it again." ”
Li Wu repeated.
"Why don't you recommend me, we're good friends?" Zhai Huang asked loudly, "I recommend that Wu Qi and Ximen Leopard are both talents of the Wei Kingdom. ”
"The person you recommend is a talent, but Wei Cheng recommends the master's teacher." Therefore, Wei Cheng is more suitable for being a minister. Li Wu said calmly.
Zhai Huang was silent, and the original anger had long since dissipated.