The state of Chu has thousands of miles of land, with millions of armor, and its vast territory and fierce folk customs make this country have a strong war potential. The kings of Chu in the past dynasties also clearly understood that the kingdom in a corner of the country would perish sooner or later, and there were Ming monarchs and mediocre talents among them. But the purpose has always been the same, that is, to bring the country to the top and enter the Central Plains.

However, Chu has always been regarded as barbarian by the princes of the Central Plains, and even if the civilization is not advanced, even if it has strong force, it is often looked down upon by the so-called civilized and knowledgeable monarchs of the Central Plains. Although the powerful combat power gave the Chu State the foundation to chase its dreams, the road was not smooth. The kings of Chu also understood this, and their thirst for talents far exceeded that of the northern princes.

With his own fame, Sun Shuao gradually stepped into the field of vision of the leadership of the Chu State. No monarch would be willing to let his kingdom fall, and the reason why there are so many fallen kings is not that these kings are born with a penchant for the fall of their power, but that they are not talented enough to accurately discern whether a courtier's ultimate purpose is for the country.

In the spring and autumn period, agriculture was the foundation. Whether a country has sufficient war potential and voice is closely related to the country's agricultural strength. Human beings have come all the way from the wilderness, and it is precisely because of agriculture that human society can gradually move forward in the vast world. Although every king attached great importance to agriculture, backward science and technology and all kinds of uncontrollable and irresistible natural disasters have cast a shadow on the progress of agricultural civilization.

In 605 B.C., Sun Shuao presided over the construction of water conservancy in the period of Si Lou (now in the territory of Shihewan Experimental Zone, Gushi County, Henan Province), and built the earliest large-scale canal system water conservancy project in China, the Qi Si Lou Irrigation District (Qi Si Pi District).

It is located in a narrow strip on the east bank of the Shi River and the west bank of the Quanhe River in Gushi County. Shihe River is called "breaking water" in ancient times, it is a tributary with the longest flow, the most tributaries and the largest basin area on the south bank of the Huaihe River, with a total length of 263 kilometers and a basin area of 6,880 square kilometers, originating from the Dabie Mountains of Jinzhai County, Anhui Province, and flowing into the Huai River through Gushi County. In the territory of Gushi County, there is Yangquan water (i.e., the spring river) that branches from south to north, and the Yangquan water flows to the northeast, and the downstream still enters the Shi River.

The water is broken and the north right will be Yang spring water, and the water will be broken water.

- "Notes on the Book of Water"

Shishui flows north, passes through Liji Shizuitou, Longtan Temple, goes to the north of Gushi County, Huiguan River (ancient name Qu River), and then enters the main stream of Huai River at the tip of the three rivers. The tip of the three rivers is named after the confluence of the Huai River, the Shi River and the Guan River. In Gushi County, the rainfall is abundant, but the water that falls depends on the Shi River for discharge. And the upper reaches of the Shi River are narrow, the slope is steep again, every time the flash flood occurs, the water potential is fierce, the water level of the Shi River Estuary can be raised several meters when the water is big, and the Huai River is supported by the Huai Shui, so that the flow rate of the Huai River is greatly reduced, causing the Huai River to flow backwards, forming a flood. As a result, waterlogging and drought cannot be irrigated, causing local agriculture to suffer.

Sun Shuao clearly knows that people can never choose their fate, they are born in a disaster place, and if they don't advance, they will die. In this era of backward technology and tools, it is difficult to resist disasters caused by special geographical environments by relying on manpower alone. The young Sun Shuao did not have time to discern whether the platform given to him by God was fair and reasonable, and he needed to solve this problem as soon as possible to save the local people.

So in the quiet moonlit night, there was a running figure, and the ancient trees in the forest were dyed with silver light, quietly swaying in the wind, making a rustling sound, as if cheering for this young and stubborn figure. The light of dawn gradually pierced the darkness, and the golden sun arched the vast horizon, jumping and jumping, as if there were two hands, struggling to hold up the light. The craggy rocks are like silent listeners, and the babbling brooks in the mountains seem to be stirred by the mischievous wind and small fish, singing a song of ding dong softly. The majestic Taihang Mountains also seemed to be like a smile from an old man who had always been serious, and suddenly, a little more vigorous.

Uncle Sun Ao sometimes sat in the mountains, sometimes strolling along the river, and he seemed to see something. The river kept running, with a natural stretch and an unstoppable force. It turns out that the water is not just a disaster for the common people, "heaven and earth are not benevolent, and all things are dogs", the distant sky and the earth, all living beings are equal, and human beings do not have anything special to be favored by heaven and earth. It is better to be sparse than blocked, and conforming to the way of heaven is the right way to turn trouble into benefit.

At this time, Sun Shuao's reputation among the people played a crucial role, and he began to integrate the people's forces and prepare for the construction of the diversion project. Unlike other conscriptions, the project did not provoke a violent backlash from the local population. No one thought that this kind-hearted young man would have any evil thoughts, and he must have done it for the sake of the local people. Therefore, under the design and leadership of Sun Shuao, this project was quickly started.

As a result, this legendary project, which has been used by later generations for more than 2,600 years and is still on the side of Enze, began in full swing. First of all, the mouth of the Liji Shizui on the east bank of the Shi River in Gushi County was excavated, and the water was diverted to the north, and the water was called the Qing River in later generations. In the east bank of the lower reaches of the Shi River, the loess ditch Chaijiagang opened to divert water, and later generations called it the Kan River. The two canal rivers of Qing and Kan meander in the narrow strip between the Shi River and the Quanhe River, and the irrigation is channeled, and there are canals and pi in the area, and the drainage is good. In addition, in the upper and middle sections of the Xiqu River (now Guan River) in the county, the dams were built by sluice gates respectively, and the water was diverted into the pond. In addition, irrigation outlets are set up in the southern rapids of the county, Yangxing and other river sections. Diversion and reduction, secondary diversion, construction of sluices and dams, construction of ponds, irrigation of paddy fields. Since then, the damage of waterlogging in the lower reaches has subsided, and water can be diverted for irrigation in case of drought. Since then, the turbulence of the mountains has become the beauty of fertile soil, and its water conservancy project area has been praised by later generations as "a hundred miles do not seek the sky".

Such an outstanding talent naturally attracted the attention of the king of the Chu State, and nothing could be more convincing than the facts. The political arena of the Chu State, which is full of intrigue and conspiracy, is not exactly what the king of Chu needs. It is true that the emperor needs to check and balance his courtiers and rule the overall situation, but no one will hate a minister who is really talented and hard-working and has a great reputation among the people.

Ling Yin's position, which had always been cautious and very entangled by the king of Chu and the civil and military officials, became a platform for Sun Shuao to move towards the top of the Chu political arena. In a trance, the floodgates of Sun Shuao's memories were quietly pushed open by a pair of invisible hands. The tragedy of his father's coup d'état and civil war is like yesterday, and now, having fled to a foreign land, he has once again returned to this strange and familiar court. He did not want to evaluate the political stance and deeds of his father, if people have or pursue desires and positions that cannot match their talents, then there is only one way to perish.

In this way, the young man who fled with his mother in a hurry returned to the core of the power of the Chu State. This vast state apparatus was working day and night, for the king's desires.

No matter what purpose a person does or what he does, there will be people who are dissatisfied. This mindset has been ingrained in this land for thousands of years. Sun Shuao is no exception. One day, a hermit from Huqiu visited this newly promoted minister and had a long conversation with him, which later generations called "the talk of three benefits and three grievances." ”

The Hermit of Fox Hill was not humble and tactful because of Uncle Sun Ao's high position, but asked very bluntly: "I heard that there are three benefits and three evils, do you know?" ”

Sun Shuao was not proud of his power and status, so he replied very sincerely: "I'm not smart, how can I know." What are the three benefits and what are the three evils? ”

The fox hill said, "If the lord is high, people will be jealous of him; The ruler will be disgusted with the ruler; If he is rich, the resentment will concentrate on him. These are the three benefits and three harms. ”

Sun Shuao said: "I don't think that's the case. If the higher my rank, the more my mind lies below; If I am a heavier officer, the more cautious I will be; The more I give, the more extensive my giving. Will this be spared? ”

The fox hill said, "Well said! This kind of thing even Yao and Shun feel difficult and suffering. ”

Uncle Sun Ao met the fox hill master, and the fox hill man said: "The servant heard it: there are three benefits and three troubles, what does the son know?" Uncle Sun Ao suddenly changed his face and said: "The kid is not sensitive, how can he know it?" Dare to ask what are the three benefits and what are the three troubles? The fox hill said: "The husband is high, and people are jealous; The ruler is evil; Those who are generous will be resentful. That's right. Uncle Sun Ao said: "Otherwise, my lord is high, and my ambition is good; My official is big, and my heart is small; I am rich, I am rich, I can be free from trouble? ”

The fox hill said: "Good words! Yao and Shun Qi are especially sick. ”

- "The Biography of Korean Poems"

No one has ever been able to make everyone approve of it, especially for officials, from the king to the king, and to the people. The lust of power, the pride of status, and the jealousy of wealth can be lost.

For the monarch and the minister, the high position and the power must have power, if the heart of the disobedience is not subordinate, the light will beware of constraints, crowding out and alienation, the heavy will be degraded and withdrawn, and the king will suspect the death of the minister; For colleagues, if the power and status they possess are supplemented by arrogance, they will create barriers in their hearts, intrigue among their ministers, and jealousy and slander and resentment at worst; For the rich and poor, the money and food of the officials are all the fat and ointment of the people, and the high-ranking officials are naturally generous, if the difference between the high and the low, the light will be exhausted, the people will be disobeyed, and the government decrees will be difficult to carry out, and it will be difficult to govern the country.

Humility, which lacks the support of strength and status, is not a true virtue, it is just a means of self-preservation. And benevolence with power and wealth is precisely a virtue that is difficult to find fault.

The three advantages and three harms proposed by the hermit of Fox Hill are not alarmist. Since ancient times, the hardest thing to do has always been control. Whether it is to control others or to control oneself, it takes great wisdom and perseverance to do so. And the young Sun Shuao, wading on the dripping blood left by his fathers in this court, is walking on thin ice, cautious, just like an old man who has been in the WTO for decades, he looks down on what should be looked down upon, respects what should be respected, and controls everything that should be controlled. In this way, he calmly and lightly stepped through the obstacles that Yao Shun was also troubled by in the mouth of the hermit of Fox Hill, and walked towards the peak of his life step by step.