Killing a chicken and showing it to a monkey is a common way to establish authority. Whether this method is effective depends on key steps and key techniques. In the following short story, we will explore this issue. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi was besieged by Jin and

Killing the chicken and showing it to the monkey is a common way to establish authority. Whether the

method can exert its power depends on the key steps and key techniques.

Let’s explore this issue in the following short story.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Qi State was besieged by Jin State and Yan State , and the situation was critical.

Qi Jinggong was worried about who could lead the expedition.

Qi XiangYan Yingrecommendation Tian Rang[ráng]苴[jū], Tian Rangju was a member of the Tian family, a famous family in Qi State at that time.

He said to Jinggong: "Although Tian Rangju was born as a concubine (in that era, people were very concerned about a person's origin. If the family background is not good, there will be no prestige. Those who lead troops on expeditions must have prestige in order to be able to obey the crowd. If you are a concubine, you are born to a little wife) , even if he comes from a famous family, he will be looked down upon), but he is wise and courageous, and he is both civil and military. If he serves as the commander, he will definitely defeat the Jin and Yan armies. "

When Qi Jinggong heard this, he summoned Tian Rangju - famous is not as good as meeting. He wants to do an interview.

After Tian Rangju met, Jinggong and Tian Rangju began to chat wildly - from running the country to running the army, and from internal affairs to diplomacy. After some communication, Qi Jinggong was very satisfied with Tian Ranju, so he entrusted him with important tasks and appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the three armies to fight against the invading enemies of Jin and Yan.

Tian Rangju was very clear-headed at this time and was not dazzled by the official fortune that came to him.

He calmly said to Qi Jinggong: "My lord, I came from a humble background, and you trust me to directly promote me to general. I am very grateful. However, I have not made any achievements at the moment, and I have never been an official before, so in the army I have no authority. I am worried that no one will listen to my orders. Therefore, please appoint a highly respected person as the supervisor of the army (similar to the Supreme Emperor in the army. All major and minor matters in the army cannot be done without his approval. The generals of each battalion and even the chief generals of the three armies can do it. Under his control, the emperor's cronies were usually in charge, mainly because he was afraid that the generals and mercenaries would rebel), so that the three armies could be suppressed."

Qi Jinggong heard that Tian Ranju's words made sense, so he immediately summoned his cronies and ministers, Zhuang Jia, to see him.

Qi Jinggong let Tian Ranju and Zhuang Jia get to know each other, and then appointed Zhuang Jia as the supervisor of the army.

Seeing that Tian Rangju and Zhuang Jia had no objections, Qi Jinggong asked them to retreat.

After walking out of the palace gate, Tian Ruju said to Zhuang Jia: "Master Zhuang, at noon tomorrow, we will meet at the military gate on time and swear an oath to set off. What do you think?"

Zhuang Jia readily agreed.

was speechless all night.

The next day, Tian Juju arrived outside the military gate early and waited for Zhuang Jia.

However, it was past noon and Zhuang Jia still hadn't come. So he went to the military camp and discussed the battle plan with the generals.

What is Zhuang Jia doing?

His relatives and friends knew that he was going on a long journey, so they gave him a farewell banquet.

Zhuang Jia did not take his agreement with Tian Ruju to heart - to meet up between Japan and China. Firstly, he is the Supervisor of the Army, the largest in the army, and he has the final say when the office will be held. Secondly, he does not think it is serious as to how much difference it can make if it is earlier or later.

Just like that, the sun was almost setting, and Zhuang Jia came to the military camp staggeringly (he drank too much).

When Zhuang Jia entered the Chinese army's tent, Tian Ruoju was sitting on the general's seat discussing matters with the generals.

Zhuang Jia walked unhurriedly to the supervisor's seat and sat down, looking up at Tian Ranju who was discussing the matter.

Tian Ranju did not pay attention to him immediately until he finished discussing a matter.

Tian Ranju asked Zhuang Jia: "Why are you late, Mr. Zhuang?"

Zhuang Jia replied with a smile: "I have many relatives and friends, and they all came to see me off. I had a few more glasses of wine, so I was delayed."

Tian Ranju's expression He immediately sank down and ordered: "Get Zhuang Jia down!" Hearing this, he pushed Zhuang Jia to the ground.

Zhuang Jia asked Tian Ranju: "What does General Tian mean?"

Tian Ranju said: "Jin Yan invades our Qi country, and it is imminent now. The king is worried and can't sleep, the people are in exile to save their lives, and the soldiers are at the front Fight bloody battles.From the moment we were appointed, we should put aside family ties and friendships, disregard personal safety, and put military and national affairs first. "

At this point, Tian Zhuoju asked Junzheng (the judicial officer in the army): "What should I do if I don't meet the deadline? "

Jun Zheng replied: "You should be killed according to the law. "

Zhuang Jia's entourage saw this posture and realized that Tian Rangju was serious. So he hurriedly asked an acquaintance to send a letter to Qi Jinggong asking for help.

However, Qi Jinggong's envoy came a step late.

When he arrived, Zhuang Jia's head had already fallen to the ground.

Qi Jinggong knew that Zhuang Jia was dead, so he did not blame Tian Ranju, but affirmed that he enforced the law strictly and did not avoid relatives (Zhuang Jia was a favorite of Qi Jinggong, Tian Ranju did not care about this factor, and enforced the law impartially). When the country was about to survive, he could use thunder to enforce the law. Acting by means is the style of a general.

From then on, Tian Rangju's prestige in the army was great.

The soldiers followed his orders meticulously and resolutely, creating an invincible army.

Soon after, the Jin Dynasty and the The State of Yan was defeated by Tian Rangju.

Because of Tian Rangju's outstanding military achievements, Qi Jinggong promoted him to Great Sima (the highest military position in Qi). He also took this surname as Sima Rangju

Sima Rangju. The art of war remains in the world.

During the period of King Wei of Qi , the military classics were compiled, and the contents of Sima Ranju were included as a key part. The classics were also named after him - "Sima Ranju's Art of War"

[Brief Review]

The key step in killing a chicken to show the monkey

is to find a "fat chicken". Chicks that eat rice will not work.

Zhuang Jia is a chicken that is fat enough - Qi Jinggong's favored minister, and he has a reputation for killing him. Only in this way can the soldiers be frightened and let them know that Sima Ranju is merciless - Qi Jinggong will not give him face, and his status as a favorite cannot offset the crime of violating military law.

The key skill is to choose the right time to kill the chicken, otherwise it will be very difficult. It may be criticized as making a fuss or bluffing.

Sima Ranju chose the right time to kill Zhuang Jia: firstly, he committed the crime against the odds - he had agreed on a time but did not carry out it; secondly, Qi State was going through the most critical moment, so he did it at this time. Untimely things - those who care about the family regardless of the country must be killed as a warning to others.

 Companion Reading of Chinese History Volume 1 Historical Records Chapter 144: What are the key steps and techniques for killing chickens to scare monkeys? The content involves the original volume: "The Fourth Biography of Sima Ranju"