During the Warring States Period, the power of the landlord class grew day by day, the power of the aristocratic rulers weakened, and the status of the lords became increasingly critical.
Even so, this does not mean that there are no conflicts between the aristocratic lords and the ruling monarchs. The aristocratic lords have a good reputation for supporting scholars. The so-called big tree attracts wind, and the monarchs of various countries naturally dare not take it lightly. Therefore, just like the Four Young Masters of the Warring States Period, although they were famous all over the world, they easily aroused the monarch's wariness and even jealousy. Therefore, on many occasions, history shows that these princes are idle, taking the country's salary, relying on fiefdoms to live and cultivate their own power. Although they occasionally participate in discussing national affairs, few of them can really influence the country. politics.
According to the "Historical Records: Biography of Mr. Wei", one day, Lord Xinling was playing chess with the King of Wei comfortably. After several games, Lord Xinling was not defeated. The King of Wei was naturally unwilling to give in. Just as he was preparing to kill all parties, a guard came over in a hurry and reported to the King of Wei that Wei had just received a report of the war on the northern border, and the Zhao army invaded Wei's northern border in large numbers. .
When the King of Wei heard this, he was shocked and asked Lord Xinling to wait for a while. After he summoned the ministers to discuss the countermeasures, he could play chess with Lord Xinling again.
Unexpectedly, Lord Xinling was not moved at all. Instead, he told King Wei not to panic and said calmly: "King Zhao just found his entourage of soldiers to hunt together. He will not come to attack Wei." When Wang heard this, he naturally didn't believe it and felt uneasy. Although he sat down and continued the game with Lord Xinling, he seemed to be in Cao's camp and at heart in Han. At this time, another battle report came from the north, confirming what Lord Xinling said was true. King Wei suddenly felt a chill in his chest, and asked curiously: "How could the young master know about this?" Lord Xinling also said bluntly: "I have countless diners under my sect, and they all have their own talents. They can easily find out what King Zhao is doing. Once he has any unruly behavior, the diners will report it to me." , I will take advantage of the opportunity to tell the king about this matter."
Through this incident, King Wei further saw the talents of Lord Xinling and the profound strength behind him. In order to avoid losing power, he could only restrict Lord Xinling's power at many times, and he did not dare to hand over major national affairs to him without authorization. .
No matter how stupid Lord Xinling is, he still knows that King Wei deliberately neglects and guards against him. What's more, he is such a smart person? However, he didn't care about all of this. What he wanted in his heart was to cultivate scholars, accumulate talents, keep a low profile, accumulate more and more, so that the Wei Kingdom could gradually get rid of the fate of decline, so that those who had no ambitions could show their talents and make themselves Being able to leave a name in history and achieve great success.
It was a coincidence that just when Lord Xinling was about to go to the mountains and rivers to look for hermits and talents, a person's name came to his ears. This person is Hou Ying.
This Hou Ying was also a hermit, and he served as a Yimen in Daliang (now Kaifeng, Henan), the capital of Wei State (Sima Qian once said that he once visited the Yimen in Daliang, and this gate is the east gate of Daliang) A small city guard official. When Lord Xinling found out about him, he was already over seventy years old. Because his family was poor, he could only hide his talents due to the livelihood and work as a little-known official here.
Lord Xinling knew that this person must have talent, but it was a pity that he was buried in the market. So Lord Xinling prepared a generous gift and went to visit Hou Ying. Unexpectedly, this man was indeed poor but ambitious, and would not accept the gift from Lord Xinling no matter what. He also said to Lord Xinling: "I am from a humble background, but I have not lost my ambition at all. I have been cultivating myself for decades. Although I am now in dire straits, I don't want anyone to pity me. So, Sir I will never accept your property." After hearing this, Lord Xinling realized that he was very wrong. You should know that generally talented scholars highly value integrity. I am not equal in status to him, and my status is very different. Treating others with such an attitude, what is it if it is not charity? A gentleman is not immune to the food that comes when he complains. How can Hou Ying accept this?
There is no greater good than knowing a mistake and being able to correct it. The young master knew his mistake, so he held a banquet at home to gather the guests, and soon it was full of guests. After everyone was seated, only the upper seat was still empty. Lord Xinling asked everyone to drink, eat, and chat by themselves while he and his entourage got into the carriage and went to greet Hou Ying.
Hou Ying had long heard of Corporal Xinlingjun Lixian, but he had never actually seen him. Seeing Lord Xinling come to greet him in person this time, Hou Ying got on the car without ceremony and sat in the upper seat. He thought to himself that if he was not sincere, he would definitely look displeased. Unexpectedly, Lord Xinling actually mounted the carriage himself, and did not show the slightest displeasure at what Hou Ying did. Instead, he was even more respectful, without any suspicion of pretentiousness.
Hou Ying is really good at it. In this case, I will test you again, and said to Lord Xinling: "I have a good friend who works as a butcher in the market. I have an unkind request. I hope that the young master can drive the carriage. When we get there, I want to go and see him." The young master thought to himself, since that person is Hou Ying's good friend, if Hou Ying is really talented, and he talks and laughs with scholars, and has no ordinary people in his contacts, even if his friend is a Butchers must also have extraordinary talents. Therefore, Lord Xinling did not hesitate to drive the car to Hou Ying's friend Zhu Hai.
When Hou Ying saw Zhu Hai on the pavement, he immediately got out of the car and hugged Zhu Hai. It's really strange to say that I can't see what's so special about Zhu Hai. His appearance is average, and he's not as wise or powerful as Lord Xinling thought. But when Hou Ying saw him, he seemed to be a different person, completely ignoring that Lord Xinling was still waiting anxiously, and only focused on talking and laughing with Zhu Hai.
In fact, it was during this process that Hou Ying secretly observed Lord Xinling's face and thought to himself that as long as Lord Xinling showed a slightly displeased expression, he would not have to follow Lord Xinling and would just be a peaceful person. The hermit is more at ease. What surprised Hou Ying was that although a long time had passed, Lord Xinling's face became gentler and warmer than the spring breeze.
Faced with Hou Ying's deliberate delay, Lord Xinling did not show the slightest impatience. Instead, his face was filled with longing and joy. Who in the entire Daliang City does not know Lord Xinling? Passers-by couldn't help but feel suspicious when they saw that he not only drove the car himself but also waited patiently for a bad old man who was working with a butcher. Not to mention Lord Xinling's followers. When they saw this, they had already scolded Hou Ying bloody in their hearts. At the same time, they were also secretly surprised that Lord Xinling used to do things vigorously and resolutely, but today he would spend so much money today. It is really puzzling to wait grovelingly for an unknown old man for a long time.
At this time, history has tested not only the patience of his followers or the patience of Lord Xinling, but also the patience of Hou Ying. It is precisely because of this that Lord Xinling was truly achieved, and history also Only then can we truly embrace them and be infected by their integrity.
Finally, Hou Ying realized that he could not go on any longer. Perhaps Lord Xinling's patience could wait indefinitely, but Hou Ying felt that that would be too cruel. So Hou Ying said goodbye to Zhu Hai and returned to his mansion with Lord Xinling. When the two arrived at Lord Xinling's house, everyone was in high spirits. Lord Xinling immediately introduced Hou Ying to everyone one by one and praised him greatly. After the introduction, the two of them took their seats. Afterwards, Lord Xinling stood up and toasted to Hou Ying himself. His diners could not help but murmur to themselves, they had never heard of this man before. Could it be that he really had some extraordinary talent that made Lord Xinling so condescending? expensive.
When the wine was full, Hou Ying finally couldn't bear it anymore. He felt it was time to tell the truth to Lord Xinling, so he said to Lord Xinling sincerely: "Hou Ying is originally a young man from the Yi clan. The officials guarding the city, but the young master did not hold back, and personally drove a carriage to greet Hou Ying. Hou Ying was originally in a place of filth and evil, and the young master should not be too close to Hou Ying, but today the young master deliberately came to get close to him Hou Ying. Hou Ying wanted to achieve the reputation of the young master as a courteous and virtuous corporal, so he stood for a long time and let the young master's riders wait in the market. Passers-by saw the young master and became more respectful when they saw the young master. Everyone in the world thought that Hou Ying was a good man. A villain who doesn't know how to praise, but thinks that although the prince is in a high position, he can treat the virtuous and corporal. In this way, there will be an endless stream of talented people who join the prince."
When Lord Xinling heard this, he realized that everything Hou Ying said was true, and his behavior was even more unexpected. He was willing to sacrifice his reputation to achieve his own reputation. Why couldn't he trust him? As a result, Hou Ying became the minister of Lord Xinling's mansion.
Soon, Hou Ying recommended another talent to the young master. This person was Zhu Hai. Hou Ying introduced him like this: "The Zhu Hai whom the minister and the young master visited on the road looked like a butcher on the surface, but was actually a butcher." A wise man, but few people in the world know his true nature, and he is happy to live in seclusion in the world as a butcher." Lord Xinling heard that Hou Ying actually praised Zhu Hai so much, Zhu Hai must be outstanding, so He visited Zhu Hai many times and brought a large number of gifts. Unexpectedly, Zhu Hai never thanked him. Lord Xinling couldn't help but wonder, what kind of person is this? He didn't even know the principle of repaying a favor. How could Hou Ying, who was so arrogant, be so close to a common man?
Lord Xinling didn't know that in fact, in this short period of time, he had formed an indissoluble bond with Hou Ying and Zhu Hai through his sincerity. If necessary, these two people would definitely work for him.
