I often hear people complain that it is better to do well than to speak well, and that hard-working people are not promoted as fast as flatterers.

This kind of complaint is not only found in the modern workplace, but also in the ancient officialdom.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Jin defeated the Chu army in the battle of Chengpu and established its hegemony in one fell swoop.

After returning home, Jin Wengong held a summary meeting, and those guilty will never let go easily. They are rewarded with strict discipline and meritorious service to inspire their spirit.

Then, the problem appeared, and the greatest credit actually fell to Hu Yan, who spoke the fastest.

The generals were unconvinced: "This battle, from strategy to tactics, was all attributed to the sage ZH Lu. How did the first hero become Hu Yan?"

"You don't understand." Jin Wengong patiently explained to them: "In the battle of Chengpu, Xian Zhen said,' We must fight with Chu, so that other countries will submit to us.' Hu Yan said, "You must avoid Chu. When our master exiled Chu, he promised the king of Chu that if there was a war between the two countries in the future, he would stay away. "We can't break our word in this world," defeating the enemy is only a temporary achievement; To win the trust of the people is to benefit the world. Isn't it obvious which is more worthy of praise? "

The generals were completely convinced, blaming themselves for their lack of reading and low ideological level. They only know how to do rough work with knives and sticks, but words are better than deeds!

The ancients said that there are three immortals in life, the first is virtue, the second is merit, and the second is speech. Lide refers to creating vertical laws and giving alms to the masses; Meritorious service refers to saving the nation from extinction and giving charcoal in the snow; Making a statement means that it is important and reasonable enough to pass on.

Of course, none of these ministers in Jin Canguo can reach the height of virtue, meritorious service and independent speech, but Xian Zhen's mouth is an ideological program, and he guides the direction of action, while the generals who have made meritorious deeds on the battlefield are only executors. Jin Wengong's order of honours also reflects his overall pattern and long-term vision.

Therefore, we should not only bury ourselves in doing things, but also learn to look up and think.