The allusion to the theory of slaughtering sheep in the poem comes from Zhuangzi's "Let the King". Tu Yang is said to be the butcher of Chu, and fled with the slain King Zhao of Chu. On the wandering road, Wang Zhao got his help in food, clothing, housing and transportation. Later, with the restoration of King Chu Zhao, Zhao Haoqi sent a minister to ask Tu Youyou what he wanted to be. Tu Yang replied:? The king of Chu lost his old country, and I also lost my stall selling mutton. Now that the King of Chu has restored his land, I have also restored my mutton stall. Business is still booming. What else can I get?
Zhao Haoqi was very sorry. He had to kill the sheep and said he would receive a reward. So Tu Yang said further:? Chu's failure was not my fault, so I pleaded not guilty and killed me. Now I have restored my country, which is not my credit, so I can't get the reward. My knowledge and skills in civil and military affairs are not good, just because I happened to be with the king when I ran away. If the king wants to summon me for this, it is against the political system. I don't want the whole world to laugh at the lack of legal system in Chu. ?
Hearing this theory, King Zhao of Chu felt that the owner of this mutton stall was not an idle person, so he sent a bigger official to invite Tu Yang to speak and said that he would be appointed as the three public officials. But he still refused to buy it, and refused to come anyway. He also said, I know very well that the official is at the top, which is many times more noble than me guarding the mutton stall all day. That generous salary is many times richer than what I earned by killing a few sheep. This is the king's deep love for me, a useless person. How can I leave my monarch with a bad reputation of excessive reward because I covet high office and rich salary? Therefore, I absolutely can't accept three stickers. I'm still more at ease with my mutton stall. ?
Who doesn't want to have a mansion, beautiful clothes and rich family wealth, and who doesn't want to be successful, respected and praised. However, in the face of the splendor that suddenly fell from the sky, Tu Yang said that he did not get carried away, but kept a rare normality, which not only reflected? Success, fame, retirement, and heaven are also the spirit of Laozi and Zhuangzi, and they are also self-protection to a certain extent. Because the sudden arrival of good luck, of course, makes people happy and excited, but it may also be a disaster. The so-called joy begets sorrow, wealth turns into fortune, and it is difficult to be practical, so China has always had it? Cherish happiness? Said.
Zeng Guofan quoted this allusion to warn his younger brother. He taught his younger brother to look down on fame and fortune in the world, you know? Multiplication and division are everywhere? . It's like Guo Rongfu in A Dream of Red Mansions, how famous Yuan Fei was when he visited relatives and friends, and the magnificent Grand View Garden did everything it could. Its edible oil potential is impressive, but before long, Yuan Fei's words made him powerful, and Jinshan Yinshan also had a day of profligacy. They don't know how to be modest, don't know how to hide their strength, and are arrogant. As a result, the government was raided and their home plummeted. And then what? Everything is too empty? In other words, honor or slander is just a cloud in the blue sky, which will be blown away by the wind and become a thing of the past. The blue sky is still clear. He knew that the environment at that time was extremely unfavorable to the two brothers, and there were many people who spoke ill of them inside and outside the court. He must keep his head and avoid disaster.
Zeng Guofan's remarks also show that even if a person is successful, he should be modest and polite. On the one hand, fame is relative, full of losses and moderate gains; On the other hand, if you are conceited and arrogant, others will ignore you. Wang Yangming once said? Today's illness is probably just pride. All kinds of sins and sins come from pride, and pride is self-esteem, and it is unwilling to succumb to servants. Therefore, you can't be filial to your son, loyal to your brother, and loyal to your minister. ?
Therefore, people must be patient, or they will harm others and themselves. How to endure arrogance and madness? Wang Yangming believes that the opposite of arrogance is modesty, and modesty is the right medicine. True modesty is not superficial respect and humble appearance, but heartfelt recognition of the harm of madness and heartfelt modesty. You can often find yourself inferior to others. You can exercise self-restraint, know how to advance and retreat, accept criticism from others with an open mind and be polite to others. Don't rest on your laurels, don't take credit, follow the good and reflect on yourself. All kinds of sins and sins come from pride, and pride is self-esteem, and it is unwilling to succumb to servants. Therefore, you can't be filial to your son, loyal to your brother, and loyal to your minister.