plain book

Chapter 7 Interpretation of Plain Books (5)
Slander has been the root of disasters since ancient times, and many people have suffered from it.Was Qu Yuan, the great poet of the Warring States Period, dismissed from his post and exiled because King Huai of Chu and King Qingxiang listened to Yin Zilan and Jin Shang's slander?Wu Zixu, a veteran of the state of Wu in the late Spring and Autumn Period, was also taken advantage of by Bo Pi because of his direct remonstrance, and was finally killed by his slander.Even Zeng Shen, the most benevolent and filial student of Confucius, was once misreported to kill someone, and his mother was so frightened that he wanted to "throw a stick over the wall and leave."Thousands of years later, Li Bai was still angry and sighed: "Zeng Shen is a murderer! Slander is three and a loving mother is shocked."

To what extent do people hate slander, even the great sage Confucius cursed slander as "a sharp mouth that overwhelms the country", which shows that the disaster of slander is really embarrassing.Dongfang Shuo of the Han Dynasty was funny and seldom said serious scriptures throughout his life, but before he died, he said to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty that "a man who is about to die has good words", that is, "be far away from cleverness and withdraw from slander".It made Emperor Wu very strange, why did this old guy suddenly become serious?
There is a very interesting poem in the "Book of Songs": "Take the other person and throw it to the jackal and tiger. The jackal and tiger will not eat it, and if you throw it away, you will have the north. If the north will not accept it, you will throw it to Wu!" Grab the bad guy who chews his tongue, Throw him to the wolves and tigers!Jackals, tigers, and leopards thought he was pickled and unpalatable.Throw him to the northern wilderness to freeze to death!The northern wilderness also thought he was disgusting and ignored him.Then throw him high into the sky, and let the Lord of Heaven destroy him!

But hating slander is not enough. First of all, we must have the ability to distinguish.Lin Bu, a man of the Song Dynasty, put forward several distinguishing principles in his "Xingxinlu": "Slanderous words are clever, flattering words are sweet, loyal words are straightforward, and trustworthy words are few." Clever, opportunistic, clever, glib.Why do slanderers have to be clever?Because cleverness can cover up conspiracies, lies, and flaws, as long as you discern carefully, it is actually not difficult to see through.

[Original Code] Push the past to test the present, so don't be confused.

The note said: "Because of the traces of the ancients, push the hearts of the ancients to test the things of the present, is there any confusion?"

Wang said: "The first emperor was tyrannical and immoral and lost the country. The great ancestor was lenient and generous, and he gave benevolence to prosper the country. In ancient times, the sages and virtuous ministers should be righteous and self-cultivating, and they can govern the country and the world. If you are willing to straighten your mind and cultivate your body, you will also be able to regulate your family, govern your country, and bring peace to the world. If you compare the current public affairs with the principles of the past, and deduce the reasons for success or failure, there will be no confusion."

[Interpretation] Summarize experience from the development of history and learn the rules from past anecdotes, in order to clarify the chaotic things, understand the direction of the evolution of things, and keep a clear mind at all times.

During the Warring States Period, under the influence of his father Zhao She, Zhao Kuo, a general of the State of Zhao, was familiar with military books and eloquent when he was young, but had no actual combat experience.In 260 BC, Zhao Kuo replaced General Lian Po with Zhao Kuo as an anti-indirect strategy against Qin.During this period, several breakouts were organized, but they were all unsuccessful.After being besieged for 46 days, Zhao Kuo was shot and killed by the Qin army when he broke through the siege. More than 40 Zhao soldiers had to surrender, and they were all killed by Qin general Bai Qi.This campaign is the famous Battle of Changping.

During the Three Kingdoms period, after Ma Su, the general of Shu, arrived at Jieting, he decided to deploy his army on Jieting Mountain, which was far away from the water source.At that time, Wang Ping, the deputy general, raised objections to this. Instead of listening to dissuasion, Ma Di said confidently: "Ma Di knows the art of war, and everyone knows it. Even the prime minister sometimes has to ask me for advice. But you, Wang Ping, grew up in an army and couldn't write with your hands. How do you know the art of war?" As a result, the enemy cut off the water source, cut off the food road, besieged Ma Di's troops on the mountain, and then set fire to the mountain.The hunger and thirst of the Shu army was unbearable, the morale of the army was lax, and there would be chaos without a fight.

Zhao Kuo and Ma Su are separated by hundreds of years, and they are both losers.If the reason for their failure is investigated, it can be said that they all failed because they had theory but no practice, and they were self-righteous.

It can be seen that although our society is progressing and the times are advancing, the stories of the past will repeat themselves in different ways, and history will repeat itself in another state.What we are experiencing or will experience is just repeating the old stories of our ancestors, and human beings may never get out of this circle.Hence the saying: There is nothing new under the sun!I don't know the past, I only know the present, and I can't predict the future.

Successful people have a common advantage, that is, they are good at summing up experience.From this point of view, most of the successful people are also "bringers", who melt the experience of the past and others' blood and tears into their own wisdom.

[Original Code] Kui first and degree later, so it should be died.

The note said: "Practice the measure of one foot, and the length of the world is determined. Lunzu things come, and those who respond to them are infinite, and the measure is countless."

Wang said: "Predict things before they are done, and respond to the situation when Lun dies. First, you can predict the current affairs in front of you, and then you can determine what you will do. All affairs must be calculated first. The amount of material is determined, and then But it’s okay, there will be no mistakes temporarily.”

【Interpretation】The world is gloomy, and those involved are confused.Where are you lost?Can't be reasonable. "Shuowen" says: Kui, degree also.It means to judge, to measure, to estimate.Therefore, those who achieve major events must make a plan and then act. Before the event happens, they must predict the direction of the event and prepare a plan in advance, so that even if there is an emergency, they will not be confused.

The Chinese have always paid great respect to those who predict things like gods. Needless to say, Zhuge Liang in the Three Kingdoms period, Guo Jia in the Three Kingdoms period is also a figure that people talk about.

Guo Jia, styled Fengxiao, was Cao Cao's number one counselor, and he predicted things like a god.For example, Cao Cao fought Lu Bu three times, and his soldiers were tired and ready to withdraw.Guo Jia insisted on fighting again, and concluded that if he fought again, he would win. As a result, Lu Bu was captured.Cao Cao conquered Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, Lien Chan and Lian Ke, the generals advocated fighting again, and Guo Jia advocated withdrawing the troops. As a result, the brothers Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang set up Xiaoqiang, and Cao Cao benefited.When Cao Cao fought Yuan Shao, some people worried that Sun Ce would take the opportunity to attack Xudu, but Guo Jia said he would not come; when Cao Cao conquered Karasuma, some people worried that Liu Biao would take the opportunity to attack Xudu, but Guo Jia said he would not come.Everything has a foresight.So that after Guo Fengxiao's death, after Cao Cao's defeat in Jingzhou, he cried and said: "Guo Fengxiao is here, don't let me alone here!"

In fact, "foreseeing things like a god" is not so mysterious when you put it bluntly. As long as you see people through, you can naturally predict the timing.Guo Fengxiao is actually thinking about people thoroughly. He has seen through Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, Sun Ce, Liu Biao, Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, so he can know how these people would react under the circumstances. .

Similarly, if you understand the laws of nature and the laws of the development of things, it can also help you to achieve glory.According to legend, there was a philosopher named Taylor in ancient Greece. One year he studied astronomy and learned that there would be a bumper harvest of olives in the next year.So he spent money in advance to monopolize the local oil press, and when the olive harvest was as scheduled, he rented out his own oil press at a high price and gained a huge fortune.

It is often said that opportunities always belong to those who are prepared.The so-called preparation is to be reasonable about the work you are going to do.

[Original Code] Set changes to lead to power, so untie the knot.

The note said: "There is righteousness, there is change, there is power, and there is scripture. Fang Qizheng, if something can't be done, then change and return to righteousness; Fang Qijing, if something can't be used, then power returns to scripture and also."

Wang said: "When rewards and punishments are given, they can be changed at a moment's notice; to distinguish good from evil is to be wise at a moment's notice. Those who are resourceful and changeable will be able to discern good from evil and distinguish right from wrong. Administering with power, using opportunities to make changes, It can solve the enmity of people."

【Interpretation】Smooth sailing and good luck in everything are people's good wishes, but it is not the case.There are knots that cannot be untied at any time in life and career.How to do it?Then it is necessary to "set changes to give power", that is, to be adaptable, flexible, and not to be stubborn when things happen.There is a solution to any difficulty in the world, as long as you are good at discovering it, there is no obstacle you cannot overcome.

When it comes to flexibility, among the cultures in the world, only China has this characteristic the most, because we are the ancestors of "dialectics". "Book of Changes" is one of the sources of Chinese culture, and its core idea has only one word, which is "change". The so-called "God has no body, Yi has no way" refers to change. Where the 64 hexagrams and lines are placed has no meaning, but as long as one line moves, the whole hexagram will move accordingly.Only in dynamic changes can the world appear vibrant.

In the same way, when dealing with various contradictions in the world and resolving various difficulties on the way forward, only by making changes through opportunities can we cope with them freely and get out of the predicament.Many successful people may not have very deep knowledge, but they all instinctively understand the principle of using the machine to make changes.

Cao Cao wanted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but was concerned about Lu Bu's bravery.On that day, Cao Cao came to the Prime Minister's Mansion with a treasured sword in his hand, and planned to drive Lu Bu away. He drew out his sword and was about to assassinate him.Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuo saw Cao Cao drawing his sword behind his back from the mirror of his clothes, and turned around anxiously and asked, "What is Cao Cao doing?" At this time, Lu Bu had already led his horse outside the pavilion.Cao Cao couldn't help but secretly panicked. As soon as he had an idea, he knelt down with his hands up and said calmly, "I have a precious knife today, and I dedicate it to my benefactor." Dong Zhuo took it and saw that it was indeed a precious knife: inlaid with seven treasures, sharp Incomparable.Dong Zhuo then handed the sword to Lü Bu to put it away, and Cao Cao also took off the scabbard and handed it to Lü Bu.Then, Dong Zhuo took Cao Cao out of the pavilion to watch the horses, and Cao Cao took the opportunity to ask for a test ride.Without thinking, Dong Zhuo ordered the saddle and bridle to be ready and handed over the horse to Cao Cao.Cao Cao led his horse out of the prime minister's mansion, whipped him and headed southeast.

Instinctive wit saved his life, otherwise it would not be possible to have the excitement of the Three Kingdoms.

[Original Code] Kuo Nang Shun Hui, so there is no blame.

The note said: "A gentleman's words are silent when they are spoken, and the source is the way: they don't see the beauty when they are included, and they don't take advantage of the meeting, so they are exonerated."

Wang said: "The mouth invites misfortune, but the tongue is the knife to cut the body. If you can hide your tongue and keep your mouth shut, there will be no harm to your body. As an official, if you say something that is inappropriate, you will be blamed, and you will be blamed. , Frustrated the opportunity. If you act with caution, there will be no disaster."

【Interpretation】A person with ambition, what should he do when his ambition has not been realized? "Su Shu" gives an answer: Kuonang Shunhui! "Kuang" means to tie up the pockets, and "Shunhui" means to follow the timing.Don't tell the world about your great aspirations, but keep a low profile, do all the preparations, and wait for the time to come.

People who talk about their ambitions all day long are usually those who just sit and talk about Taoism. In fact, they just have an idea in their heads, and they are not real ambitions.Those who are truly ambitious will regard their ambitions as treasures, cherish them deeply in their hearts, and secretly inspire themselves.

From a contingency point of view, if you have a good idea and shout it all over the world, you will definitely not be the one who realizes this idea; if your idea will pose a threat to some people or damage their interests, then There will be a group of people that you will never see the day come to fruition.

At the end of the Warring States Period, King Goujian of Yue had just succeeded to the throne, but the capital of Yue was captured by King Fuchai of Wu, and the Kingdom of Yue was defeated.Gou Jian, the king of a country, was also forced to surrender, and followed his husband to the country of Wu, serving the king of Wu like a slave, and was pardoned and returned to the country.Since Goujian's defeat in the war, he has never forgotten the shame of Kuaiji, and has been living hard every day.In 473 B.C., the Vietnamese army once again broke through the state of Wu. Fu Chai, the king of Wu, was besieged on Mount Gusu to the west of the capital of Wu.

Think about it, if King Gou Jian of Yue clamored all over the world to avenge blood hatred, his determination to revenge is really doubtful, and Fu Chai would never let him live until the day he leads troops to attack Wu. The ten years of "relying on salary and tasting courage" were the ten years of keeping a low profile and "having nothing to blame". He finally waited for the opportunity. Weak defenders.

Success does not lie in the quality of the conditions, but in the attitude towards the opportunity and the preparation for the opportunity.People without ambition miss opportunities in superior conditions, but people with ambition create opportunities in absence of conditions.

[Original Code] Prongs and stalks are stalks, so they make meritorious deeds; they are diligent and gentle, so they will survive.

The note said: "Those who are prongs have something to rely on but cannot be shaken; Nothing wrong."

Wang said: "If you are not benevolent, you should speak out and remonstrate bitterly; if the country is in chaos, use the way to bring order and peace to the people. I can serve the army and love the people. I have no selfishness in my heart, and I have a clear sense of reason. If a person is just in his heart and dares to do what he wants, he can make great achievements.

Sincerity and integrity are the foundation of self-cultivation; self-denial and courtesy are the first to cultivate virtue.When you are an official in charge of the law, you worry that the country cannot be governed and the people cannot be peaceful; always have a cautious heart in governing, live in peace, worry about danger, and think about being favored and humiliated, so that you will be safe from disaster in the end. "

[Interpretation] It is easy to make aspirations, but persistence is the most difficult thing in the world. Therefore, at the end of this chapter of "Su Shu", we encourage everyone with "橛橛犬石, diligently and gracefully", which translates to four sentences : Persistence, perseverance, diligence, excellence.Only in this way can aspirations be turned into reality.

In 1948, Oxford University held a lecture called "Secret of Success", and the invited speaker was Churchill.On the day of the speech, the venue was crowded with people, and all major news media from all over the world were present.People are ready to listen to the secret of success of this statesman, diplomat and writer.

Churchill stopped the thunderous applause with gestures and said: "I have three secrets of success: the first is perseverance; the second is never giving up; the third is perseverance and never giving up! My speech is over."

After a minute of silence in the venue, the prolonged applause broke out.

There has never been a free lunch in this world, and no one has ever achieved success easily.The so-called successful person, in a sense, is the person who has failed the most times.Edison invented the light bulb and tried more than 1000 kinds of filaments, which means that he failed more than 1000 times; Nobel invented dynamite and did more than 200 failed tests.

The most unlucky person was Liu Bei in the Three Kingdoms period. In the contest among heroes at the end of the Han Dynasty, he was originally a small and weak warlord.He fought five battles, lost four, and lost his wife and children in three.After that, he was defeated twice by Cao Ren and Cao Cao.But he has a kind of indomitable and persistent spirit, which finally made him achieve some hegemony.Later, when "Three Kingdoms" commented on him, it said: "If you don't catch Wei Wu, you can't catch Wei Wu, so the basic characters are also narrow. But if you don't bend, you will never be inferior."

No matter what a person does or what aspirations he has, as long as he has the spirit of "prosperity and diligence", he will be able to achieve what he wants.

Ben De Zong Dao Zhang

The note said: "Speaking of this sect cannot be divorced from morality."

Wang said: "A gentleman takes virtue as his foundation, and a sage takes Dao as his sect. In this chapter, we discuss the principle of doing business, cultivating virtue, keeping the Dao, and clarifying the principles of the sect."

【Interpretation】To achieve an extraordinary life, it is inevitable to have the ability to change and deal with it.However, the art of the world is like a double-edged sword, and the method of manipulation is all in one mind.Although this chapter talks about specific strategies for dealing with life, and teaches people how to turn dangers into fortunes, seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, it repeatedly warns people: the application of techniques lies in the four words "honor and respect".If a sage and a gentleman use it, it can benefit all people; if someone with a wrong mind uses it, it will hurt others and themselves.

[Original Code] The skill of a husband who is dedicated to practice is better than seeking.

The note said: "The desire to gain a lot of money."

Wang said: "Tao, morality, benevolence, and wisdom are stored in the heart; etiquette, righteousness, honesty, and shame are used externally; people can be determined and dedicated, which is the foundation of a person's reputation. For example, Yi Yin was the prime minister of the Yin Dynasty and received the edict of the late emperor. It is right to assist the young master Taijia. Taijia cannot govern benevolently. Yiyin came to the court as regent and released Taijia to the Tong Palace for three years. In this way, there are few people in ancient and modern times who are loyal to the administration, sages and good ministers;

If you are not benevolent and sage, it is difficult to rectify the country and secure the people.The minister has no good strategy and good plan, and cannot perform meritorious service.There is nothing wrong with organizing the family and governing the country.To attack the city and destroy the enemy, one must win if there is a strategy, and there must be an opportunity to change.If there is an opportunity to change and plan, you can be a teacher if you plan to set up a temporary matter. "

(End of this chapter)