When Qi Hou Chujiu heard what Yan Ying said, he couldn't help but frown.
Indeed, what Yan Ying said at this time is completely different from Yan Ying's previous persona.
Although Qi Hou Chujiu didn't know what was going on, he was still at least alert.
At this time, Yan Ying continued to say:
"Now Zhongni is dressed up all day long, and his appearance and appearance are even more complicated. The etiquette of ascending and descending, and the detailed etiquette are all exquisite. A person can't learn all these red tapes in his lifetime, but what's the point? The monarch If you want to use Zhongni's method to change the atmosphere of Qi, it will only make the people more uncomfortable. Therefore, Yingqi thinks that this is definitely not feasible!"
When Confucius heard this, he was quite angry and wanted to argue with Yan Ying. Unexpectedly, at this time, Qi Hou Chujiu sighed to himself again, shook his head and said:
"Hey... that's all. I am over fifty years old and can't use anyone anymore... Qiu, you'd better find another place!"
Confucius only knew that with Yan Ying's output, he not only lost the opportunity to serve as an official in Qi, but also directly missed the opportunity to seek help from the Marquis of Lu. There was a burst of resentment in my heart.
After exiting the main hall, Confucius' face turned gray, and he returned to the official post alone, while Zi Lu beside him always looked troubled.
It wasn't until he entered the official post office that Zilu stepped forward obediently and asked:
"Honored Master...what should we do next?"
Confucius was unhappy. He was stabbed in the back by Yan Ying. He really couldn't understand.
So, without saying anything else, he immediately decided to go directly to Yan Ying's residence to find out.
Kongqiu and Zilu didn't delay. After a short rest, they headed to Yan's Mansion.
After Yan Ying learned that Confucius had arrived, he received him very warmly.
Confucius was also confused by his seemingly "abnormal" behavior.
"Doctor Pingzhong..."
Confucius was about to ask, but Yan Ying showed his palm and signaled Confucius not to say anything. And he held Confucius' hand and walked into the house. Confucius didn't even know what kind of medicine was sold in Yan Ying's gourd?
Yan Ying pulled Confucius into the inner room again, leaving Zilu outside. After closing the door, he sighed:
"Hey... Zhongni, Zhongni, why are you so smart?! Do you know that the words you said in front of me today will kill you!"
When Confucius heard this, he couldn't help but asked:
"Ah? Why did Dr. Pingzhong say this?"
Yan Ying sat down tremblingly, while Confucius supported him from the side.
"You! You made three big mistakes! First, as a foreign minister, you commented on the political affairs of Qi State. Do you know that now that Quan Qing is in power, you are not the only one in Lu State, and why is Qi State the same now? Tian Shi Nowadays, external invitations are invited to buy people's hearts, and big fights come out and small fights enter. The whole Qi country now only knows the virtues of the Tian family but does not know that there is a king. I am afraid that the widowed monarch will not even be able to save his own heirs in the future! It is even worse to say that he may end up with Lu in the future. A field like a Hou!"
"You! You clearly know the current power of the Tian family, but you still speak so openly in public. Aren't you causing trouble?!"
"Second, if I really want to use you, do you know that you will definitely become the target of public criticism?! Who can protect your life by then? Don't you still know what I mean? If the country has good intentions, How can people take your turn? You! You are such a fool!"
"Thirdly, the Qi State of today is no longer the Qi State of the past, and it is no longer able to help Lord Lu support his family. You should not place your hopes on Qi State at all!"
When Confucius heard these words, he couldn't help but be enlightened, and then he suddenly realized. At the same time, I was ashamed, knowing that my ambition was very big, so I didn't consider it at all.
Now he was rushing in, but he didn't expect that he was already in danger. If Yan Ying hadn't stopped him in time, he might have really caused a big disaster.
"Thank you Dr. Pingzhong for saving your life. Qiu is very grateful!"
But Yan Ying just waved his hand tremblingly:
"Hey... Zhongni, you are well-read and have a strong memory. Don't you still understand the meaning of 'the road is smooth and the person is chaste'? I know that you want to have a royal family. But even so, you must remember to guard against arrogance. Be impatient. You must walk on the tiger's tail, but you must not be attacked by the tiger. You must know that the world today is difficult and dangerous, and if you are not careful, you will be in catastrophe. In the future, you must be extremely careful when walking among the princes!"
(The road is smooth and smooth, Yuto Sadakichi: The reason why people who step on the tiger's tail can be frank is mainly because they know how to hide themselves)
(Walking on the tail of a tiger does not attract anyone, so it is auspicious: stepping on the tail of a tiger, but the tiger does not bite anyone, is of course auspicious)
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Yan Ying's words summarized his life experience.
He has experienced three generations of monarchs: Qi Linggong, Qi Zhuanggong, and now Qi Hou Chujiu.
During the dispute over Linggong's heirs, Cui Zhu killed Duke Zhuang, Qingfeng killed Cui Zhu, and finally drove Qingfeng away. Yan Yingke had personally experienced each of these incidents, and some of them were even directly involved.
Yan Ying had seen so much that he knew exactly what consequences Confucius' words would bring to him.
When Confucius heard this, he couldn't help but feel ashamed, and helplessly said:
"Hey... Qiu was indeed impatient and failed to think carefully. Thank you Dr. Pingzhong for reminding me!"
Yan Ying looked at Confucius and thought for a moment.
"Zhongni, as for the matter regarding Marquis Lu, you can find another person. I will fix a letter for you. You can go to this person with the letter and he will help you!"
Confucius couldn't help but asked anxiously:
"Oh? I wonder who Dr. Yan is referring to?"
"This man's name is Tian Xuanju. He is very knowledgeable in the art of war. If he gets this man, he will be better than a hundred thousand soldiers! I once recommended him to the post of Sima, and I am grateful to him. He is an upright man, and he was forced to do it not long ago. He retired and is now at home. Moreover, after all, he once served as Sima of Qi State, so he still has some private soldiers from his old army. It will definitely be helpful for you to invite him to come out!"
Confucius hesitated.
"What Qiu wants may bring disaster to this person. What's more, the Tian family may also be connected with the Ji family. If Tian Qi refuses, wouldn't he be in danger?"
"As for this, Zhongni can rest assured that Tian Ruoju is a member of the Tian family's small clan, and he is an upright man. He has always been at odds with Tian Qi. And he is a member of the Tian family, even if Tian Qi sees him being disobedient, he will always take advantage of him. There is nothing we can do."
"What's more, Yunyi is currently the territory of our Qi State in name only. Although it was snatched from the hands of the Lu State, it is reasonable for him to bring his private soldiers to garrison!"
In fact, when Yan Ying recommended Tian Ranju at that time, in addition to his outstanding general talents and loyalty to the monarch, he also wanted to use his identity as a small clan of the Tian family to achieve the purpose of dividing the Tian family.
However, with Tian Ruoju now far away from the court, this plan has been said to have gone bankrupt.
However, even so, Yan Ying can still let Tian Ruoju use some of his remaining energy.
When Confucius heard this, he immediately prostrated on the ground:
"Doctor Pingzhong, no matter whether this trip is successful or not, Qiu Du will be grateful for Dr. Pingzhong's friendship. Dr. Pingzhong's kindness to our country of Lu will be unforgettable to Qiu Meiqi!"
Yan Ying wanted to help Confucius up, but because he was old, he suddenly sat down on the mat again. Confucius hurriedly went to help him, and the two held hands, looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
"Zhongni, time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, I have already reached an old age. I feel that my life is not long..."
Confucius said quickly:
"Doctor Pingzhong, please don't say that. Dr. Pingzhong is in good health and has served for three dynasties. He is destined to live a long life!"
"Haha, but who can avoid death? Regardless of the holy king or the royal ministers, who can be exempted? I am no exception. I have made a lot of money by being able to survive until now!"
When Confucius heard this, he couldn't help but burst into tears:
"Doctor, you must take care of yourself. The country of Qi cannot do without the doctor, and the world cannot do without you, the doctor."
Yan Ying has been an upright person throughout his life, and he also knows how to be resourceful and adapt to situations. It is precisely because of this that he can always stand firm in the political turmoil of Qi State.
Not only that, Yan Ying is also the same as Yang Yangu and Zi Chan of the same era. When facing the common people in the world, he has always maintained a trace of compassion for the people.
It's like when Chujiu, Marquis of Qi, contracted scabies and then malaria, which didn't heal for a year. Yanzi took this opportunity to persuade Chujiu, the Marquis of Qi, to ask officials to relax government orders, remove checkpoints, abolish prohibitions, reduce taxes, and eliminate the debts of the common people;
Not long ago, because of the appearance of a comet in the sky, Qi Hou Chujiu was worried, and Yan Ying also took the opportunity to advise Qi Hou Chujiu to reduce the tax burden and corvee.
These are all good things that benefit the country and the people. In the chaos among the four tribes of Qi State, the Luan Gao tribe was defeated and fled. Yan Ying also argued hard and asked Tian and Bao to hand over the Luan Gao tribe's property to the Marquis of Qi. In the end, most of them You can get what you want.
It can be said that Yan Ying's ups and downs in the officialdom for more than fifty years were all about serving the emperor and the people. And he and the deceased Yang Yangui and Zichan are the most shining and dazzling stars of this era.
"Zhongni, what I have done is really insignificant in the world, so why should I care about it?"
"Save the people without boasting, act as a complement to the three kings without losing them, this is how Dr. Ping Zhong is a true gentleman!"
Confucius couldn't help but admire Yan Ying.
Then the two walked out hand in hand, and Yan Ying sent him to the gate, and finally said goodbye.
Confucius took three steps and turned around. Seeing Yan Ying's old figure, he couldn't help but feel sad.
This farewell, I don’t know when we will see each other again, maybe it will be the last time.
Zilu was very surprised to see Confucius in such a state.
"Honored Master, Dr. Pingzhong said this just now in the hall. Don't you blame Dr. Pingzhong, revered master?"
"How can such wise and benevolent people blame..."
Confucius answered briefly, but Zilu scratched his head:
"Doctor Yan is so old and has a wide reputation. I wonder how he will be an official?"
Confucius was silent for a while, and then replied:
"Linggong is dirty, and Dr. Yan does things neatly; Duke Zhuang is strong, and Dr. Yan does things with prominence; now the king is extravagant, and Dr. Yan does things with courtesy and frugality, that's what a gentleman is! Look at the three kings, but they are good and don't understand the subordinates. Dr. Yan is a petty person. also."
original:
Jinggong asked Confucius about government, and Confucius said: "The king is king, the ministers are ministers, the father is father, the son is son." Jinggong said: "How good! Faith is like a king who is not a king, a minister who is not a minister, a father who is not a father, and a son who is not a son. Although there are How can I eat millet?" The next day, he asked Confucius again about the government. Confucius said, "Government is about saving money." Jinggong said that he would like to use the Nixi field to seal Confucius. Yan Yingjin said: "Confucian scholars are funny and cannot follow the law; they are arrogant and submissive, and they cannot be inferior; they worship mourning and then mourn, and they are bankrupt and buried, and they cannot be common; lobbying and begging for money cannot serve the country. Since the great sage's breath, the Zhou Dynasty Nowadays, Confucius is in decline, and there is a lack of etiquette and music. Nowadays, Confucius adorns his appearance, elaborates the etiquette of ascending and descending, and details the etiquette. He has been unable to waste his learning over the years, and he could not study his etiquette in those days. If you want to use it to change the customs, you must not elaborate it first. The people." Later Duke Jinggong met Confucius respectfully and did not ask about his etiquette. On the next day, Jinggong stopped Confucius and said, "I can't serve you as the Ji family." He treated Ji Mengjian. Doctor Qi wanted to harm Confucius, but Confucius heard about it. Jinggong said: "I am old and can't use it." Confucius followed suit and turned against Lu.
——"Historical Records"
