Historical Figures of Qi (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Chen Shuyi, Yu Kongbao, Sun Qingyong, Chen Zhongyuan | Editor-in-Chief/Origin: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Tai Gong was fishing in Jianxi River with a coarse hook, without any bait, and as a result, he caught only one fish in three years. A high-minded scholar nearby gave him advice, telling him to use a fine line, lightly cast, and bend the hook with fragrant bait. Following the scholar's instructions, Tai Gong caught a big fish, which, when opened, revealed a silk handkerchief inscribed with four large red characters: "Tai Gong" (Tai Gong Appointed as Lord of Qi), along with a military manual titled "Yuxian Chapter." This extraordinary event spread rapidly throughout Zhou, becoming widely known, and Tai Gong's fame spread throughout the land. One day, King Xibo of Zhou went hunting and consulted an oracle before setting out. The oracle predicted: "Today's catch will not be a dragon or a qili, nor a tiger or a bear, but rather a worthy assistant to a king." As fate would have it, King Xibo encountered Tai Gong by Jianxi River. They engaged in a deep conversation, finding great mutual understanding. King Xibo exclaimed with joy, "Since the time of Grand Tutor Gugong Yifu, we have longed for a sage—someone who could govern with wisdom and secure the realm with martial prowess—to assist Zhou in overthrowing Shang and establishing the Zhou dynasty. You are such a talent! 'Tai Gong has longed for you!' From that day on, the name "Tai Gong Wangzi" (Great Sage Awaiting) also became widely known in Zhou. King Jichang rode in the same carriage with Tai Gong, appointing him as Grand Tutor and advisor to the crown prince Ji Fa, placing him above all officials but beneath the king. From then on, Jiang Shang embarked on his political career. In truth, this was a script long prepared by the ministers of Zhou and Jiang Shang—it was merely the grand performance. Many historical records state that Jiang Shang met King Wen when he was over 70 years old. After joining Zhou, Jiang Shang assisted King Xibo in governing with virtue, strengthening the state, and building a powerful army, quickly elevating the Western Zhou to a major power in the west. King Wen did not complete the great task of overthrowing Shang and passed away in 1050 BCE, leaving behind a lifelong regret. His second son, Ji Fa, ascended the throne as King Wu of Zhou. Inheriting his father's legacy, King Wu held Jiang Shang in the highest regard, honoring him as "Shang Fangfu" (Teacher Shang), allowing him to continue to exercise his talents. After King Wu ascended the throne, Jiang Shang, alongside the younger brother of King Wu's mother, King Gōng of Zhou, assisted him in three major achievements: the military review at Mengjin, the Battle of Muye, and the establishment of the Zhou dynasty. In 1048 BCE, Shang Fangfu accompanied Ji Fa in the military review at Mengjin. After King Wen's death, King Wu remained "taking Tai Gong Wangzi as his teacher, King Gōng as his assistant, and Zhaogong and Bigong as his (left and right ministers)," actively preparing to overthrow the Shang dynasty. In the second year of his reign, he gathered eight hundred feudal lords at Mengjin.
P7 Guan Zhong advised Duke Huan of Qi to govern with the people in mind, as this was the minimum requirement for becoming a hegemon among the feudal lords. And to govern with the people in mind meant ensuring they lived in peace and prosperity and maintaining a well-ordered society. There is also a story of "The Sage of Yougong." Duke Huan of Qi loved hunting. One day, while hunting outside, he encountered a fat deer. The duke spurred his horse to chase it relentlessly, unknowingly following it into a valley, where the deer vanished without a trace. At that moment, an old man carrying firewood passed by, his clothes ragged and his face deeply wrinkled, as if carved by knives. With a benevolent demeanor, he approached Duke Huan, just as the duke eagerly asked, "Where is this place?" The old man replied, "This is Yougong Valley." Intrigued, Duke Huan asked, "Why is it called Yougong Valley?" The old man answered, "It is named after me. Because I am foolish and live in this valley, the nearby people call it Yougong Valley." Confused, Duke Huan said to the old man, "Judging by your demeanor and speech, you are no fool. Why do they call you the Sage of Yougong?" The old man sighed, "I once raised a cow, which gave birth to a calf. Later, I sold the calf and bought a foal. A young man saw it and claimed the foal was his, saying, 'A cow cannot give birth to a horse,' and took it away, mocking my old age and weakness. The locals heard about it and thought I had been wronged but did not argue on my behalf, calling me foolish and naming this valley after me." After hearing the story, Duke Huan found it amusing and said to the old man, "You are indeed foolish! How could you let that young man take the foal away?" With that, he mounted his horse and returned the way he came. The next morning at court, Duke Huan told the story to Guan Zhong. To his surprise, Guan Zhong stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "This is my fault. If Emperor Yao were on the throne and Jiaoyao presided over justice, how could someone openly snatch someone else's foal? The old man was unjustly wronged and did not file a complaint against the perpetrator, showing that our legal system is unjust and riddled with flaws." Guan Zhong's words made Duke Huan realize that he had only focused on strengthening the military and neglected the governance of the court, social order, and the people's suffering. He felt remorse and regret. From then on, Duke Huan devoted himself to domestic governance, no longer having any reservations about Guan Zhong's methods of ruling.
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