The characters in this article include Zheng Wu Gong, Wu Gong's wife Jiang, Wu Gong's eldest son Zhuang Gong, his younger son Gongshu Duan, Ji Zhong< Zheng Guo doctor, a famous politician and strategist in the Spring and Autumn Period. 〉, Gongzi Lu (surname Ji, given name Lu, given name Zifeng), the younger brother of Zheng Wugong . Help Zheng Zhuanggong eliminate Gongshu Duan. 〉, Ying Kaoshu 〈Doctor Zheng Guo was an upright and selfless man, known as a filial friend. 〉.
Yan, now in the north of Yanling County, Henan,
Zheng Wugong married Shen Hou's daughter, Wu Jiang. The eldest son was born, Duke Zhuang, and the younger son was the same uncle as Duan. The eldest son was born in Wujiang due to dystocia, so he didn’t like it. Wu Jiang loved his son more and wanted him to inherit the throne, but Duke Wu refused.
After the eldest son Zhuang Gong succeeded to the throne, Wu Jiang asked for a residence in Jingyi for his younger son Gongshu Duan. Ji Zhong warned Duke Zhuang that the capital of Gongshu Duan exceeded the standard for the residence of ordinary ministers of the country. He was worried that he would cause harm and reminded Duke Zhuang to eradicate it as soon as possible. Duke Zhuang replied that he would kill himself if he did too much unrighteousness.
Communist uncle Duan soon secretly placed the western and northern border areas under his own jurisdiction. Prince Lu couldn't stand it anymore, and reminded Duke Zhuang that if he didn't eradicate Gongshu Duan, he would assist him, in order to persuade Duke Zhuang. Zhuang Gong responded to Gongzi Lu by saying that Gong Shu Duan would bring his own consequences ( shows that Zhuang Gong was very good at making use of the virtues promoted by the society at that time to check and balance Gong Shu Duan. ). Gongshu Duan designated two more areas for his own management. Young Master Lu came to remonstrate again, and Duke Zhuang said that if you don't kiss an unjust person, your downfall will be faster.
Uncle Gong began to build the city wall and stationed troops to attack Duke Zhuang by surprise. Wu Jiang prepared to respond internally. Duke Zhuang inquired about the date of the revolt and ordered Prince Lu to lead 200 chariots to attack Gong Shu Duan's capital city. Gong Shu Duan fled to Yan, and Duke Zhuang attacked Yan. On May 23, Gong Shu Duan fled to the Republic of China. .
Annotation from the author of Guwen Guanzhi: In the Spring and Autumn Annals, it is written " Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan ", which means that Uncle Gong Duan did not abide by his duty as a younger brother, Duke Zhuang did not discipline his younger brother well, and the two brothers were like two countries. Fighting, so the word "gram" is used, which has an ironic meaning. The historian had difficulty and special meaning in naming the book this way.
Because his mother Wu Jiang Nei Ying had the same uncle, Duke Zhuang placed her in Chengying and said: "We will never see each other again until we reach the underworld!" It didn't take long for Duke Zhuang to regret it. Uncle Ying Kao, who was in charge of Ying City at that time, heard about this and went to see Duke Zhuang with the intention of donating items. Zhuang Gong rewarded Uncle Yingkao with the meat, but he put it aside and said that he would take it back to his mother to taste the king's delicacies. Duke Zhuang admired his filial piety and envied him for having a filial mother. Uncle Ying Kao found out the reason and told Duke Zhuang how to dig a tunnel to see his mother and solve the problem. Duke Zhuang complied, and the relationship between mother and son returned to its original state.
Uncle Yingkao's filial piety is pure. He loves his mother and extends his love to Duke Zhuang. " Book of Songs " says: "A filial son will never lack, and he will always be like you." It means that a filial son's filial piety is endless, and he can always teach others of his kind to learn.
When we read this article, the logic we have to remember is that the Zhou Dynasty period advocated virtue and paid great attention to virtue. It can be said that morality was as deeply rooted in the people's hearts as the law at that time. That's why Gongshu Duan became more and more unruly, while his brother Zhuang Gong took it calmly. It can be said that Duke Zhuang has been waiting for the queen to settle accounts, so he deliberately allowed his brother to fall into greed step by step. That's why the author satirized Zhuang Gong, thinking that his younger brother was responsible for his evil deeds.
In fact, no matter which period, history has its own characteristics. Virtue was nothing more than a tool used by the ruling class at that time. Of course, you also had to abide by the rules of virtue, otherwise you would not be able to convince the public.
Zhuang Gong’s father, Wu Gong, was a man who knew right from wrong. Wu Jiang wanted him to pass the throne to his younger son, but he refused. The succession of the eldest son to the throne was also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people at that time. Therefore, the entire Zhou Dynasty paid great attention to morality.
Zhou Gong praised virtue, Confucius said it was benevolence, Mencius said it was righteousness, and Xunze said it was worshiping etiquette. Throughout the Zhou Dynasty, after virtue was established, benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom, and trust appeared and developed.
Today we also need to know the importance of virtue. It is the foundation of being a human being.Of course, Wu Jiang’s preference is worthy of reflection by us today. Parents must be upright. Only when they do not favor any of their children can they develop harmoniously, help each other, and love each other.
and Uncle Ying Kao's filial piety are also touching. I think Uncle Yingkao's mother is also a sensible and reasonable person, otherwise she would not have taught Uncle Yingkao filial piety. Parents and children influence each other and develop good conduct from each other. Don't believe in the so-called nonsense that if you don't educate your children and let your children learn on their own, then you can do whatever you want as a parent without setting an example or establishing any moral character.
Duke Zhuang is good at strategizing and playing tricks. Ji Zhong tried to persuade him before, and he said go easy. Young Master Lu tried to persuade him, but he said go easy, because Zhuang Gong knew that in the social environment at that time, Gong Shu Duan's methods were serious. Violation of virtue leads to self-destruction. Mr. Zhuang has his own cleverness.
Uncle Duan was also very clever. He didn't know the social morals at that time, or he acted knowingly, so he became more and more greedy, and fell into the trap of ethics and morality step by step. Such a coward with no virtue will not win the support of the people.
Assessing the situation is a necessary condition for being a good person and doing things well. Every era has its own standards, ethics, and social factors, so we must see the form clearly to avoid making mistakes ourselves.
Digression: Assuming Wu Jiang does not prefer the younger son, maybe the younger son's fate will not be so tragic. Many family fights and conflicts within the family are caused by parents' favoritism. So when we read this article today, we must understand that as parents, the palms of our hands are filled with flesh, and we must try our best to be fair and equitable. Treat each of your own children. This is beneficial to family harmony and allows brothers and sisters to coexist peacefully and lovingly.
Everyone reads articles to obtain different information and has different standards. It is possible to maintain common ground while seeking differences. But don't be clever, impose yourself or wrong information on the article, and then teach others bad things.
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