Zhao Guo handled the case in Laiwu, and the two missions sent by Deng She to Jiangnan also arrived at their destinations one after another.

Yang Xingjian went to Taizhou, the distance was far, and the arrival time was a little late. Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe went to western Zhejiang, the distance was closer, and when Deng She was worrying about the window, the two of them had just entered Pingjiang Mansion. Pingjiang Mansion, also known as Suzhou. In the sixteenth year of Zheng, Zhang Shicheng got Pingjiang Road and changed its name to Longping County. The following year, Zhang Shicheng surrendered to Mengyuan, awarded the title of Taiwei, opened Pingjiang, and changed the name of the road back, still called Pingjiang.

Suzhou City, as early as ancient times, belonged to the domain of Yangzhou in Kyushu.

At the end of the Shang Dynasty, the son of the ancient prince of Zhou, in order to avoid the throne and make way for the virtuous, ran south from Zhou Yuan under Qishan Mountain in Shaanxi Province to build the "country of Gouwu" in the south of the Yangtze River. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the 20th monarch of Wu moved the capital south to the area of Suzhou. After another few decades, in the first year of the reign of Hulu, the minister Wu Zixu was ordered to build the city, which was the beginning of the construction of Suzhou. By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, it had a history of nearly 2,000 years.

Suzhou has the sea in the east, Taihu Lake in the west,—— Dongting Mountain in Taihu Lake, which is famous all over the world. And there are canals passing by the city, a horse flat river, and the river network is intertwined. In the Tang Dynasty, it was already known as the only Xiongzhou in the south of the Yangtze River. To the Song Dynasty, "Su Changshu, the world is full". It can be seen that the land is prosperous and rich. Later generations have called it: "The abyss of Jiangnan's wealth is also, since the Tang and Song dynasties, the national economy is admired." ”

If nothing else, let's just talk about the fields. In just one place, the amount of land reclaimed is as much as nearly 100,000 hectares. The world is 100 percent, and Suzhou occupies one point. And because of its fertile land, the harvest of a year is farther away, even higher than that of other places in the south of the Yangtze River, almost eleven in the world.

"There is heaven above, and there is Suzhou and Hangzhou below". The word "heaven" is well deserved in Suzhou. The majesty of the scenery is the best in the world. And the humanities are flourishing.

Since the Song Dynasty crossed to the south, all the clothes went south, as early as that time, eastern Zhejiang has become an important town of academic prosperity. "In the south of the Song Dynasty, Confucianism in eastern Zhejiang is extremely prosperous." Among them, Wuzhou is the most prosperous, and Wuzhou is also Jinhua, which is called "Little Zou Lu". Jin Hua Laize Academy is one of the famous universities in the Southern Song Dynasty. Zhu Xi once lectured here. Although Zhu Xi did not like Zhejiang in his life, it was in eastern Zhejiang that he could inherit and carry forward the science in the end. On the occasion of the Song and Yuan dynasties, Zhuzi in eastern Zhejiang was famous, which could be equal to Jiangxi. "It is a scholar of science in modern times, Wu is the most prosperous", inherited by teachers and students, stretching for several generations, known as the lineage, and is regarded as the authentic science of science. Not only is Confucianism prosperous, but also extremely outstanding in literature, which can compete with Wuzhong.

Although Suzhou does not belong to the scope of eastern Zhejiang, it is not far from Wuzhou and Huizhou. I have been in such an environment for a long time, and I have been influenced by this style of study and literature, and I have also produced many scholars and culture. In the Tang and Song dynasties alone, there were more than ten champions.

It is no wonder that Hong Jixun said that Zhang Shicheng was very humble as a little salt, but because he was born in a good time, he was able to achieve his ambition to win the championship because of this. It occupies such a rich, rich, and romantic territory, "less than three generations, the armor soldiers in the northwest, the financial resources in the southeast, and can compete for the world." If he is really ambitious, "winning the world" is not a lie.

Suzhou is a big city with many city gates.

As early as when Wu Zixu built the city, there were eight roads in the land gate and eight roads in the water gate. In the Song Dynasty, Prime Minister Shi Miyuan asked for repair, which was the most important city in the south of the Yangtze River. After Meng Yuan entered the Central Plains and pacified Jiangnan, he had an order to destroy the city, "all the cities are ordered to be destroyed". Suzhou is also among them.

Then to the eleventh year of Zhizheng, the world was in turmoil, Emperor Yuan reinstated the world and ordered the world to complete the city, and Suzhou was to build a fortress and open a trench. and Zhang Shicheng have been in the database for several years.

The city gates of Suzhou mostly follow the ancient names.

The gate in the northwest is named after Wu Zixu when he built the city. It is the south gate of the legendary Heavenly Palace. When the king of Wu was in Lu, Sun Wu and Wu Zixu led the Wu army to attack Chu, that is, starting from this gate, and triumphing at this gate, so it is also known as breaking Chumen. There is a Xu Gate in the west, that is, Wu Zixu's Xu, and Wu Zixu's head was hung on the city gate. On the east side of the gate, Wu Zixu said: "My eyes are hanging on the east gate of Wu", that is, this gate also. Qi Gate in the north of the city, according to legend, the daughter of Qi is named after Wu. "Qi Nu is homesick". If it is said that the gate is the most majestic, and the gate of Xu and the gate are the most legendary, then this gate is the saddest.

Luo Guoqi, Fang Congzhe and others, who came to the envoy this time to act in secret, did not raise the banner. Since I landed, I have traveled all the way to the east.

Fang Congzhe is okay, he is a native of Zhejiang, and he has long been accustomed to the prosperity of cultural relics in the south of the Yangtze River. Luo Guoqi is a native of Shandong, except for the last envoy, he has never been to the south of the Yangtze River. With only one mission, how can you see all the scenery in the south of the Yangtze River? Two eyes are not enough to see. Seeing the scenery and listening to the soft Nong Wu language. Walking in the water town is beautiful, and you come into contact with the people. Compared with Liaodong in Black Mountain and White Water, there is no difference between cloud and mud! Even Shandong, which is known as wealthy, does not say that in addition to the war now, the place is ruined, and the people's power is withering, even in its heyday, it is greatly inferior to it. He walked all the way and admired all the way.

When they finally arrived in Suzhou, they came from the east and naturally entered through the east gate.

Walking is the east craftsman gate of the city. Craftsman, whose real name is Jiangmen. In the Spring and Autumn Period, King Wu Lu once made cadres cast swords here. The "general" of the gate is about the general who comes from the cadre. Later, he was called a "craftsman" by false rumors. There is also a craftsman pond in the east of the city, which is between the Fengmen and the Loumen of another city.

And the people entered the city.

Although it was raining and the ground was muddy, when I entered the city gate, a noise and bustle came to my head. A straight avenue that runs from east to west. On both sides of the street, there are many shops. Pedestrians wear raincoats or paper umbrellas, you come and go, and the river is endless. The traffic is crowded and crowded.

Facing the fine rain line, some are in a hurry, and some are leisurely and slow. The men's clothes and hats are distinct, and the women's clothes are fragrant and sideburns. Both men and women are all the same. The drizzle is like weaving, and the pedestrians are weaving. Walking in the meantime, the voices of "I Nong" and "You Nong" are heard one after another. Charge * ears.

The customs of Suzhou and Hangzhou are still obscene and luxurious. At that time, people commented that they thought that the customs of western Zhejiang were too thin. For example, he said that "daily food and drink, but the new and expensive ones." If you are a little cheap, you will indulge in it, and you will be afraid of laughing at your neighbors." There is a wind of comparison. The character style of the Suzhou and Hangzhou people can also be seen from this.

Luo Guoqi, Fang Congzhe and others are all people in Haidong. Especially Luo Guoqi, the current governor of Yidu, is the ruler of the government. They came on a mission again, so they naturally paid attention to their dress. Put it in Haidong, go out and take a look, everyone knows that this must be a "big official". However, when you step into the city of Suzhou, you will be "unexpected". From the clothes alone, you can't see their "noble" status at all.

Everyone walked and watched the customs of the city.

Most of the members of the mission were new to Suzhou. They compared the dress of the Sioux people, and then looked at their own clothes, and they were all ashamed of themselves. Especially those natives from Liaodong, who have never been to Jiangnan, how can they have never seen such a rich city? It's even more shameful. I was so ashamed that I couldn't even lift my head.

One whispered to the other, "Hugh hold your head high, and don't look around." Hurry up and clean up your face. You don't see the people in this city, who come and go without white ding, and who are dressed in all their ayas. Your posture of staring at you like this doesn't scare people. It didn't matter if it frightened people, so when people asked, they said that they were from Haidong. Finger-pointing is indispensable. But it is a loss of face for our Haidong! ”

The other was bold, glanced at the person who spoke, and said disdainfully: "What is the use of wearing a good dress?" has such a good skin, but he has lowered the tartars, and he has no power to fight back when he is suppressed by Wu Guogong. Compared to my Haidong, it's far worse! "That being said, it's inevitable that there is a lack of confidence.

This is also human nature, just like Grandma Liu entered the Grand View Garden, what she saw and heard was unheard of, and what she had never seen was unseen. How can you not feel empty in your heart? It seems to be dismissive, not so much self-confidence, but self-confidence caused by low self-esteem. The man before was shocked, and hurriedly stretched out his hand to cover his mouth, and said, "Silence! Silence! What is the gibberish? Don't forget why we're here! ”

It was to ask Zhang Shicheng to borrow grain. If you say these words, if passers-by hear them, let alone complete the task, I am afraid that it will be difficult to even want to get out of the city.

The man knew he had said the wrong thing. But it was also because of the stimulation of this prosperous scene that he lost his words for a while. Seeing Luo Guoqi, who was walking in front, he turned his head, as if he heard movement. I didn't dare to say any more, so I snorted twice. Instead, he listened to the advice of his companions, cleaned up his face a little, and walked with his head bored, no longer looking left and right.

Suzhou City is dozens of miles in circumference, and the place is huge. One hundred and ten miles of streets are neat, and more than 10,000 pavilions are uneven.

They walked for a long time, but they only finished one street. There are not only Han Chinese residents in the city, but also many green-eyed people. In the shops on the street, there are not only men, but also women who are in charge, shouting and buying. Tourists and women, or accompanied by each other, or alone in the rain, in and out of it.

Suzhou is also a water town, and there are many bridges in the city. Across the river, drizzle in the mist.

From time to time, I saw women and women dressed in homely clothes, holding oil-paper umbrellas and dragging shoes, like the wind blowing weak willows, walking across the bridge and hiding behind the trees. It only leaves a slender back with a glimpse. From time to time, I saw children, chasing back and forth, not avoiding the drizzle, laughing and running on and off the bridge, playing games. The crisp laughter melted into the rain curtain and spread far away.

Luo Guoqi looked at this side, looked at that side, and was dazzled.

He couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "'The whole world is a splendid township, and the sea is romantic. ......, this answer is rich and noble, embroidering curtains all over the city, and people gather in a hurry. Guan Hanqing's song, although it is sung in Hangzhou, but if it is used in Suzhou, it is also the most suitable and very appropriate. ”

Fang Congzhe smiled softly and said, "'This answer is rich and noble', what he said is really good. The one behind him was also right. It's a pity that there is nothing rich and rich, and Shicheng has occupied such a good place, but he has no ambition at all, and he only wants to keep it. Tyrannical creatures. What a thing, what a thing! ”

Before Fang Congzhe sent an envoy, he was promoted from the guest house by Deng She, and Luo Guoqi did not know him. However, in the past ten days, through contact with him on the road, Luo Guoqi can be regarded as having a deeper understanding of him. I am also deeply impressed by the extraordinary talent he has shown.

This man's eloquence is truly wonderful.

Able to speak good ways. And not only can you speak, but you can get to the point as soon as you say it. The vision is also very unique. I also read a lot. As soon as the interest came up, he quoted scriptures and classics, and was extremely eloquent. There is a kind of person who can make people forget the passage of time, and talk tirelessly until the middle of the night, or even days and nights. Fang Congzhe is this kind of person.

And it's not nonsense, it's not the so-called "clear talk". Pointing out the country and reprimanding the strength.

The views he put forward on current politics and the development trend of the current situation are often refreshing, and they can't help but applaud. To be honest, just like those Liaodong buns who were surprised by its unimaginable prosperity when they saw Suzhou for the first time, Luo Guoqi often felt a sense of surprise and even vague self-shame when he talked to Fang Congzhe.

It's not that he hasn't seen talented people.

As far as Haidong is concerned, Hong Jixun, Yao Haogu, and even Wu Henian, including Fang Buzhen, who likes to spray people, as well as Yang Xingjian and Ju Sheng of Yunwen Yunwu, the sage Miao descendant Yan Zhixi, and Lianzhong Sanyuan Wang Zongzhe, who is not a rich scholar, and which one is not talented? Even Luo Guoqi himself came out of Nishan Academy. Although he later lost some of his knowledge because of his later career, the foundation is still there. It's not a person who doesn't learn and doesn't know how to do it.

And if compared with Fang Congzhe, Hong and Yao are either longer than the foresight, or act calmly, or have a unique talent for governing the people, or specialize in the upright way, or brave, or erudite, or follow the etiquette, follow the rules, or be more martial, and are not afraid of battle, there is no doubt that they do have their own strengths, and they all have their advantages, but if you only talk about the art of vertical and horizontal, there is no one who can compare with him.

When they were still on the boat, Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe were chatting at the bow of the boat, remembering that Deng She had repeatedly imitated the story of Guan Duo and asked the generals about their ambitions. Therefore, by extension, I will briefly talk about the answers of the people at that time. asked Fang Congzhe again, "I don't know what Zhonghan's ambition is?" ”

Zhonghan is the word of Fang Congzhe.

Fang Congzhe greeted the sea breeze, looked at the vastness from afar, his thin face was radiant, he stood with his hands up, his clothes were sassy, and he replied angrily: "When the times are turbulent, there is no peace. Not holding a foot of soldiers, a bucket of food, or to solve the difficulties of the two countries, or to make the two countries like brothers. Those who use me will survive, and those who do not use me will perish. It is also from Tetsushi. ”

This sentence is derived from Zigong's words. Luo Guoqi saw that he was in his prime and generous, and he was not dizzy, so he praised him from the bottom of his heart and said: "Debater! The ambition of the former virtuous. ”

After the Warring States Period, the Confucians of the past dynasties were actually unaccustomed to the Zongheng family, thinking that Su Qin and his ilk were just taking advantage of their tongues, running among the princes, and going to Qin and Chu, saying that they would be profitable, and there was no morality to talk about. However, Fang Congzhe borrowed Zigong's words to Mingzhi, the essence is the same, and the meaning is different. "The ambition of the former sages."

This time, the Haidong delegation traveled a long distance to Soochow for the purpose of borrowing grain. However, whether Zhang Shicheng can be said to be moved, not only Deng She, who is far away in Yidu, is not sure, but also Luo Guoqi, who is immersive, is not too sure about this. Soochow is rich, and there must be food.

However, there are two biggest troubles. Or rather, three.

First, there are many officials in Zhang Shicheng's mansion, all of whom were originally officials of Mengyuan. It was only because of his surrender that he turned to his men. For example, Zhou Boqi, the provincial Zuocheng, was the one who recruited Zhang Shicheng, who was originally the governor of Mengyuan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. Another example is that the governor of the province is strict and Mongolian, and he was originally the commander of Mengyuan Yixing. Again, if the provincial constitution is complete, he is the general manager of Changzhou Road in Mengyuan. Wait a minute.

These people are all high-ranking and powerful, and most of them are loyal to Meng Yuan. It's just like Wanyan and Yan Mongolia don't spend money, and now they are nominally Zhang Shicheng's subordinates, but before Zhang Shicheng surrendered, the two of them also knew the same thing as Changzhou Road, and the other one called Li Bingfang joined forces and resisted Zhang Shicheng in Yangshan for 16 months. The loyalty to Meng Yuan is self-evident.

Haidong came to borrow grain for a great matter. It is expected that they will not be able to hide it, and there will be many obstacles.

Second, even if you can convince them, or you can bypass them, you can go directly to Zhang Shicheng. However, are you sure that you can move Zhang Shicheng?

Although Zhang Shicheng surrendered to Mengyuan, he and Haidong were even enemy countries. But his surrender, first, is not necessarily sincere, and second, he has no grudge against Haidong. Speaking of which, maybe he won't embarrass Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe too much. If he really moved him, maybe he would also give some grain and Haidong for the sake of trade with Goryeo. However, the trouble lies in the trouble, but he has an enmity with Zhu Yuanzhang. And Haidong and Zhu Yuanzhang are both Song Chen.

Although so far, Deng She and Zhu Yuanzhang have not had much contact. However, will Zhang Shicheng be willing to pay attention to this? What does it look like in his eyes? No matter how little Deng She and Zhu Yuanzhang have contacts, they are also ministers in the same hall, and they are in the same air. No matter how much Deng She and Soochow had contacts, they were also enemies of each other.

Today, Zhang Shicheng's power has developed to Xuzhou, which is not far from Shandong. If he lent grain to Haidong, Haidong would have stabilized his territory in Yidu. Will it cause Deng She to join forces with Zhu Yuanzhang, one in the west and the other from the north, and the two roads will join forces to attack Eastern Wu? If this is the case, wouldn't it become a tiger breeding, and he Zhang Shicheng will suffer the consequences?

I have to think deeply about it and be cautious. This deepened the difficulty of Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe's envoys.

Third, it is still Xuzhou.

King Xiao Ming is now Anfeng, and it is not very far from Xuzhou. Although Liu Futong fell to Pingyang, his momentum has not fallen. If he borrowed grain to Haidong, even if Haidong didn't care about joining forces with Zhu Yuanzhang to capture Eastern Wu because he wanted to deal with Chahan, would he send a partial division all the way to cooperate with Anfeng to seize Xuzhou because of the will of King Xiaoming? Xuzhou is an important town. Winning Xuzhou is equivalent to opening up the passage of Huaisi. Yidu and Anfeng will be able to become one. Further as Jinling. Three points and one line. Make a surface with a point. The north and the south echo, and the east and west echo the harmony. The upper can welcome the Jin and Hebei, and the lower can sweep through Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Don't be left unguarded.

All in all: regardless of the public, Zhang Shicheng surrendered to Mengyuan and made Haidong an enemy country; Or to be selfish and help Haidong, it is very likely to cause Soochow to ask for hardship. He had no reason to lend grain to Yidu. It's too difficult to get it to work and complete the task successfully. Yang Xingjian's envoy to Taizhou, is there any difficulty? Yes. However, it is still far less difficult than Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe to envoy to Eastern Wu.

Luo Guoqi and Fang Congzhe discussed, worried, and said: "Today, I and the king make Eastern Wu, and if it is successful, it will benefit from stability." If it doesn't work, the benefits will be worried. Speak out, the safety of the country is at stake. When I am at this time, it is true that I am safe. The heavy responsibility is on my shoulders, and I am honestly afraid. May I ask Zhonghan, how sure are you and me about this trip? ”

Fang Congzhe refused to answer him, and only said: "How sure is it that the adults asked, this is a fallacy. ”

"Why?"

"Go to the Quartet and live up to the king's life. Even if you can't do it, you have to do it with all your might. That's what my subordinates are supposed to do. Although this trip is full of difficulties, it is necessary to rise to the difficulties, so why bother to ask how sure you are? ”

Luo Guoqi was silent and said, "That being said. Insisting on asking Fang Congzhe, he said, "When the self-benefit is out, the lord has a lot of praise for you, and tells me that if you are in trouble, you might as well ask your opinion." Now you and I are on an envoy, I think about it day and night, I can't sleep at night, and I have no good solution. It is precisely because I am afraid of insulting the king's life that I want to ask you, how sure are you of this trip? But is there a good solution? ”

Fang Congzhe still refused to answer, but said again: "Take the law from the top, only get the middle." The method is in the middle, and the only way to get it is to get the bottom. It doesn't matter if there is no good solution. The most important thing is how to do it. Don't worry. When I entered Suzhou and saw Shicheng, I just had to bring the program and leave the rest to me. ”

"You and I are talking on our knees, and there are no six ears in the cabin. Zhonghan, Zhonghan! Why be so tight-mouthed? If there is any good idea, please tell us as much as possible. It's also a good thing to worry about. ”

Fang Congzhe was promoted by Deng Shechu and received this important responsibility, and he was also under great pressure. But it's not like Luo Guoqi, who sighs for a long time. Luo Guoqi asked again and again, but he really had no choice but to say: "The culture of Wu is brilliant, and the scholars are romantic. There are many capable people and many wise men. Shicheng is also known as a good man, and has always had a reputation for generosity. In his house, there will certainly be no shortage of talented people.

"Now that I and I have a heavy responsibility to go to a great power, we will have to face many wise men, even if we can plan one or two good strategies in advance, what use is it? For example, in the decisive battle, the warriors of the enemy and the enemy are arrayed, the trumpets are sounding, the war drums are sounding, and they are about to rush to kill. At this juncture, I would also like to ask your Excellency, will the enemy be willing to obey the arrangements and arrangements of our army? If I ask for a good answer, I really don't know how to answer the adult. There are only four words of 'emergency response'. If I want to talk about good policies, this is my four-word good policy. ”

The connotation is reasonable. I'm just worried that I won't be able to fulfill the mission given by my lord. ”

"The public invites himself to sit in the town, although the swords are mountains and fires, and the thorns are all over the place, he has done it from the past." is a light and clever sentence, which is not a bold statement, but compared to the status of the two, it seems that the identity is reversed. Luo Guoqi was ordered to send an envoy to Taizhou earlier, and he did a good job. At this time, there is only a nod of yes.

In the drizzle, enter Suzhou.

The members of the mission found the connector, but it was the Dongwu courtier who sent the envoy to Yidu last time, and told him of his intentions. When the man heard this, he knew that the relationship was deep, and he didn't dare to make an arbitrary judgment, so he first properly placed Luo Guoqi and others, and then hurried away, and then entered the Taiwei Mansion and reported to Shicheng that he knew.

——

1. In the land of a government, the number of fields is nearly 100,000 hectares.

In the 26th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, the land of Suzhou Prefecture was 98,507 acres and 71 acres, accounting for 1 percent of the country. The total amount of taxed grain, rice, and wheat was 2,810,490 stone, accounting for almost one-tenth of the country's taxable grain.

Of course, the reason why there are so many taxes and grains in Suzhou is that Zhu Yuanzhang was angry because the Su people helped Zhang Shicheng, so the taxes on Suzhou have increased significantly. Suzhou's "Diding's heavy armor in the world". But from this, it can also be seen that Suzhou is rich.

2. Customs in western Zhejiang.

"The people of Hangzhou are still lewd and extravagant, and the men are sincere, and the women are mostly concerned with the stomach and do not practice female labor. As for daily food, but there are still new and expensive ones. If you are a little cheap, you will despise and indulge in it, and you are afraid of laughing at your neighbors.

"To the winter of December, the Jinling guerrilla army cut into the pass, rushed to the city, the city gate was closed for more than three months, the grain roads were not passed, the price of rice in the city was expensive, and a bucket was straight twenty-five yuan. After a few days, the rice is exhausted, and the dregs are the same as the daily price of rice, and those who have the means can eat, but the poor cannot either. And for a few days, the grain was exhausted, and he was beaten with chaff cakes from oil carts. Old and young women, in groups of three or five, begging in the city. Although the posture is gorgeous and the clothes are well-dressed, I am not ashamed of myself, and there is a family of fathers, sons, couples, and brothers who sink their arms together in the water, and they are pitiful. The people of a city are sixteen or seventeen who die of starvation. The army retreated, Wu Songmi sailed wide, so as to live, and too half of them died of disease. Is it true that the Creator has a warning against the transgressions of the past? ”

"The customs of western Zhejiang are too thin, and there are women who take care of their own livelihood and want to fight against their husbands, which is called selfishness. It is the people who are in charge of each of them, and they are not subordinate to each other, so that they are promoted to the house, and it becomes unpleasant. Or the husband and relatives go back and forth, and the wife is the same, which is called the ladder to ask for letters, so that the travel to the banquet gradually becomes the wind of the *, as well as the mother and son. Eastern Zhejiang or if it is, there is a cover. ”

3. Shoes.

"The people of Western Zhejiang are covered with grass, and there is no follow. The name is called the shoe, and the woman who is not bound to the foot is dragged through it. ”

— that is, slippers.

4. Do not hold a foot of soldiers, a bucket of food, or solve the difficulties of the two countries, or make the two countries like brothers. Those who use me will survive, and those who do not use me will perish.

Confucius climbed Jingshan and asked his disciples about their aspirations. Zigong said: "The two countries are in difficulty, and the strong men are arrayed. The dust rises to the sky. Give not a foot of soldiers, a bucket of food, to solve the difficulties of the two countries. Those who use the giver will survive, and those who do not need to give will die. Confucius praised him and said, "O debater! ”

Confucius climbed Rong Mountain and asked his disciples about their aspirations. Zigong said: "You have to be dressed in plain clothes, so that between the two countries, there is no size of the soldiers, and the food of the fight." Make the two countries like brothers. Confucius praised him and said, "O debater! ”

Zigong, that is, Duanmu Ci, the word Zigong.

The four subjects of Confucius, virtue, speech, political affairs, and literature, Zigong is the leader in the language department. He has been with Confucius for a long time, with clever words, good at rhetoric, and rich in diplomatic skills, and is praised by Confucius as a "Hu Lian" instrument worthy of great responsibility. Hulian, that is, the heavy weapon of the temple.

Zigong's diplomatic skills are very good, "As soon as Zigong came out, he saved Lu, chaotic Qi, broke Wu, and forced Jin to dominate Yue." Zigong made a messenger, so that the situation was broken, and in ten years, the five countries have changed. ”