Story:
At the end of Qin Dynasty, there was a man named Lu Bu in Chu State. He is an honest and frank man and very trustworthy. As long as he agrees, he will do his best. Therefore, he was praised by many people and everyone respected him.
He used to be a general in Xiang Yu's army and defeated Liu Bang many times. So when Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty and became emperor, he ordered the arrest of Lu Bu, and announced that anyone who caught Lu Bu, such as Jin Qianliang, the hider and the three families would be punished together. However, Ji Bu is honest and often shows great bravery, so everyone wants to protect him. At first, Ji Bu hid in a friend's house. After a while, the news of catching him became tighter. His friend shaved off his hair, disguised himself as a slave, and sold it to the Zhu family in Lu as a laborer, with dozens of servants.
Zhu's master appreciated Lu Bu very much, so he made a special trip to Luoyang to find Liu Bang's good friend Ru Yin Hou Tenggong to intercede for Liu Bang, hoping to cancel the arrest warrant against Lu Bu. Later, Liu Bang did pardon Lu Bu and gave him an official position. There is a fellow countryman named Cao Qiusheng in Jixia. He always likes to associate with powerful friends, so he asked someone to write a letter of introduction to Lu Bu, hoping to meet Lu Bu and make friends. However, Ji Bu was disgusted at the sight of him and didn't want to talk to Cao Qiusheng at all. However, in the face of Lu Bu's annoying eyes, he casually continued: You also know that we are all Chu people. People often say that' keeping a promise is the result of my preaching and teaching for you everywhere, but why do you always refuse to see me? Lu Bu was very happy after hearing Cao Qiusheng's words, and immediately changed his attitude and regarded him as a guest of honor.
Mu Yi Shin Kuhn
In 359 BC, Shang Yang legislated to enrich the country in good faith. Qiang Bing Shang Yang drafted a political reform, but he was afraid that people would not trust him and would not abide by the new law. First, he had a 30-foot-high log erected at the south gate of the capital, and ordered, "Whoever can carry this log to the north gate will be rewarded with 12 gold." Soon, there were many people around the south gate, and everyone was talking about it. Some people said, "Anyone can carry this piece of wood, so where do you need a reward of twelve taels of silver?" Someone said, "This is probably a joke played by Zuo Shu." Everybody look at me. I look at you, but no one dares to go up and carry wood. Knowing that people still didn't believe his orders, Shang Yang raised the reward to fifty taels. I didn't expect that the higher the salary, the more unreasonable the onlookers felt, and no one dared to mention it.
When everyone was talking about it, one of them ran out and said, "I'll try." He really picked up the wood and left until he reached the north gate. Shang Yang immediately sent a message to the man who carried the wood and rewarded him with 520 gold, not a penny less. The matter immediately spread and caused a sensation in Qin. The common people said, "Zuo Shu's orders are unambiguous."
Knowing that his order had worked, Shang Yang announced the new law he had drafted. The new law clearly stipulates rewards and punishments, stipulating that the size of official positions and the level of titles shall be based on meritorious service in the war. Nobles who have not served in military service have no titles; Those who produce more grain and cloth are exempt from official duties; Anyone who is poor because of business and laziness, together with his wife and children, is punished as a servant of the government.
A person who repays kindness with heavy oil.
Story:
Han Xin, the great general who helped Emperor Gaozu paint the world, was in a very difficult situation without success. At that time, he often fished at the gate, hoping to solve his life with good luck. However, this is not a reliable way after all, and we should always be hungry. Fortunately, where he often fishes, there are many floating mothers (old women who clean silk floss or old clothes and old fabrics) working by the river. One of them sympathized with what happened to Han Xin and kept giving him relief and food. Han Xin thanked her industrious and floating mother for her kindness in struggling to make ends meet, and told her that she would be rewarded in the future. Floating mother was very unhappy at Han Xin's words, saying that she would not be repaid by Han Xin in the future. Later, Han Xin made great contributions to Hanwang and was named King Chu. He remembered that he had been loved by his wandering mother before, so he ordered his entourage to send her food and even gave her 1200 gold to thank her. This idiom comes from this story. It means: don't forget that even a little help is valuable when you are in trouble, although you get little benefit; When we have the ability, it is natural to reward those who do human feelings. When we use this idiom, we must thoroughly understand its meaning: first, a person who really helps others will never expect others to repay him; Second, the relief of the rich to the poor is a donation. Even if one day the poor really succeeded in repaying him, it could not be called a meal. Third, the most valuable thing is to help others out of love and sympathy when you are in a very difficult situation. In the eyes of others, such help is really worth 1000 yuan.
Retreat to avoid conflict
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Jin Xiangong listened to rumors, killed Prince Shen Sheng, and sent someone to arrest Shen Sheng's younger brother Zhong Er. Zhong Er heard the news, fled the state of Jin, and forgot about it for more than ten years.
After many hardships, Zhong Er came to the State of Chu. King Chu Cheng thought that Zhong Er would make great achievements in the future, so he greeted him with state gifts and regarded him as a distinguished guest.
One day, the King of Chu gave a banquet in honor of Zhong Er, and the two chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. Suddenly, the King of Chu asked Zhong Er: If you return to the State of Jin and become a monarch one day, how can you repay me? Zhong Er thought for a moment and said, "A beautiful woman is waiting for you, precious silk, Your Majesty. You have many rare birds' feathers, ivory skins, and even more in Chu. How can the state of Jin have any rare things for your majesty? "? King Chu said: My son is too modest. Having said that, you must show me something, right? Zhong Er smiled and replied, "Thanks to you." . If I can really return to China to be in power, I would like to get along well with your country. If one day, Jin Chu goes to war, I will definitely order the troops to retreat first (one house equals thirty miles). If I can't get your forgiveness, I will fight you again.
Four years later, Zhong Er really returned to the State of Jin and became a monarch. This is the famous Jin Wengong in history. The state of Jin became stronger and stronger under his rule.
In 633 BC, the two armies of Chu and Jin fought. In order to fulfill his promise, Jin Wengong ordered the troops to retreat 90 miles and stay in Chengpu. When Chu Jun saw that 8 Jin J was retreating, he thought the other side was afraid and immediately pursued it. The Jin army took advantage of the weakness of the Chu army's pride in underestimating the enemy, concentrated its forces and defeated the Chu army greatly, and won the battle of Chengpu.
The story comes from Zuo Zhuan Xi Gong Twenty-two Years. The idiom "stay out of it" means not arguing with others or making concessions voluntarily.