Zhong Lichun is ugly, that is, the so-called "ugly girl without salt". She "has a broad forehead and deep eyes, a high nose and throat, a hunchback and a fat neck, long fingers and big feet, hair like autumn grass, lacquered skin and rags." Nearly 3 years old, she is still unmarried, but she is talented, ambitious and talented in running the country.
At that time, after the death of King Wei of the State of Qi, Zi Pijiang ascended the throne to announce the king. After Qi Xuanwang acceded to the throne, he reused Tian Ji and Sun Bin to rectify the state affairs. After that, he saved Korea and defeated Wei, and killed Pang Juan, the general of Wei. All the governors were frightened. After many years of reconciliation, Qi gained great prestige. Qi Xuanwang, relying on his strength, indulged in debauchery, built a snow palace in the city for feasting, and set aside 4 miles outside for hunting. Thousands of tourists gathered around Jimen to talk about daily affairs, failed to improve the real government, won the autocratic power of the ministers, and left the loyal ministers, which led to the decline of Qi.
When Zhong Lichun learned about this, she was worried about the safety of her country. So I decided to meet Qi Xuanwang. One day, Qi Xuanwang held a big banquet in the Snow Palace to entertain Chen Nv. She came to the palace gate and said she had something to meet the king of Qi. The gatekeeper saw that she was ugly and wouldn't let her in. And said that she is "the daughter of the world's strong frequency." She said, "My name is Zhong Lichun, and I am in my thirties, so I can't choose to marry. I heard that the king left the palace for a banquet, and I came to ask for an audience. I would like to enter the harem in case of sweeping. " So the gatekeeper told Xuanwang and was called in. When the ministers and waiters saw her ugly, they all covered their mouths and smiled. King Xuan asked, "I have a maid in my palace. You are ugly and can't stand being a king in the countryside. Do you have any special talents?" "I don't have miraculous powers, but I have unique argot skills." "You show it to the lonely, and if it doesn't work, behead me." Zhong Lichun was not afraid. She raised her eyes and dazzled her teeth, raised her hand four times, knelt down and shouted, "Danger, danger!" Xuanwang didn't understand, and when he asked his ministers, they didn't understand his meaning. King Xuan called Zhong Lichun to the front and asked her to explain. Zhong Lichun said, "I dare to say it only if your majesty forgives me." Xuanwang agreed. She said, "Your Majesty has made four mistakes. I raise my eyes to show the change of bonfire; Dazzle your teeth and punish the king for refusing to remonstrate; Raise your hand and wave the courtiers on behalf of the king; Kneel and tear down the banquet table on behalf of the king. " Qi Xuanwang was furious and wanted to kill her. "Request the king let me explain your four mistakes, and then kill me. I heard that Shang Yang was used in Qin Dynasty, and the country was prosperous and powerful. Soon, he would send his troops out to compete with Qi, and there was no good soldier in the king, so he would suffer from it, so I raised my eyes and looked at him. I've heard that' you have an imperial minister, but you won't ruin your country; A father has a son, but his family will not die. Your majesty indulges in womanizing at home, despises state affairs abroad, and doesn't accept loyal remonstrance, so I dazzle my teeth to be remonstrated for the king. Besides, the king trusts people who flatter him. I'm worried about the wrong country, so I raise my hand and wave it for the king. The king built a palace, a terrace and a pond, exhausted the people's strength and wasted the national tax, so he pulled down his knees for the king. Your majesty, these four mistakes are at stake, and you still steal the current security, regardless of the future. I risked my life to speak, and if I am listened to, I will die without hatred. " After listening to this, Qi Xuanwang woke up like a dream and was deeply moved. He said, "Without Zhong Lishi, I still don't understand my fault." So I went on a banquet and drove Zhong Lichun to the harem. By divination, he chose a good day and made Zhong Lichun the queen. And "stop gradually, stop female music." Retreat flattery and carve. Choose military forces, real treasures. Fourth, open the door, recruit outspoken, and extend to the side. " Qi ruled the country, "and because Qi ruled the country, ugly women also contributed." And Zhong Lichun's family was named as a salt-free city, and Zhong Lichun was named as a salt-free king. Later generations also called it "Salt-free Empress". Up to now, the legend that "the Salt-free Empress is ugly, and she laid the foundation for the State of Qi" is still widely circulated among the people. In the stone reliefs of Wushi Temple in Han Dynasty in Jiaxiang, there are two inscribed portraits of "Zhong Lichun, Qi Xuanwang without salt". Later generations put the story of the Salt-free Empress on the stage of literature and art, and edited her story in Yuan Zaju and local operas. Zhong Lichun's story is recorded in Liu Xiang's Biography of Lienv.