Who knows Tao Zhugong, the founder of China’s business world? Who doesn't know? Several times he started a business and made a fortune, and several times he scattered all his wealth and gave it away to his relatives, neighbors and friends. This is the second half of his life, which is legendary enough. But when it comes to the first half of his life, it is even more legendary. He is Fan Li.

Statue of Fan Li

In the first half of his political life, he and Wen Zhong worked together to help King Gou Jian of Yue to prosper Yue. Sit down and taste the courage, three thousand Yuejia finally swallowed up Wu. It goes without saying that Fan Li and Wen Zhong have made great contributions to the rise of Yue and the destruction of Wu. Moreover, Fan Li and Gou Jian spent a long and difficult time together when they were prisoners in the state of Wu. The friendship between Fan Li and Gou Jian is deep.

Statue of Gou Jian

However, Fan Li understands the principle of retirement after success. He had been with Gou Jian for a long time and knew Gou Jian's character and conduct. He understood that Gou Jian was a man who was prone to adversity and difficult to wealth, and the small boat of friendship could capsize at any time.

Before Fan Li left, he advised his close friend Wen Zhong, who had been kind to him, not to miss power and wealth and leave as soon as possible. Wen Zhong refused to listen, and was eventually forced to commit suicide by Gou Jian.

Fan Li said when admonishing Wen Zhong: When the cunning rabbit dies, the lackeys will cook it; when the birds are gone, the good bow will be hidden; when the enemy's country is destroyed, the adviser will perish. ?This eternal famous saying is also an eternal admonition. The image outlines the weakness and unbearable side of human nature.

This famous saying is still regarded as a guideline by people in the workplace.

It is said that Fan Li and Xi Shi were boating on the West Lake and disappeared from Gou Jian's sight. Hope this is true.

From then on, he changed his name to Tao Zhugong.

This is a man who has no plans left, but in his later years he also encountered very sad and helpless things. He could obviously accomplish something and save his son's life, but he couldn't do anything.

The story goes like this: Tao Zhugong’s second son had a dispute with someone in Chu State, accidentally killed someone, and was arrested and imprisoned. When the news came, the family was a little panicked, and they were all waiting for the decision of the backbone, Duke Tao Zhu. Tao Zhugong said softly, asking the third child to take ten thousand gold to the Chu State to save people. People around me were very surprised! You look at me, I look at you. Did you hear that right? The third child is a fool, fooling around with a bunch of street kids all day long, bragging, spending money lavishly, like running water, a complete dandy.

Can such a person do things and save people? Tao Zhugong is old, is he confused?