The historical allusions of self-improvement are as follows:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, wuyue and China were adjacent to each other and often fought. On one occasion, the King of Wu led troops to attack the state of Yue, and was hit by Gu Ling, the general of Gou Jian, the king of Yue, and finally died of serious injuries. After the death of the King of Wu, his son Fu Cha succeeded to the throne. Three years later, Fu Cha led troops to attack Yue State to avenge his father.
In 497 BC, the two countries fought in Fujiao, and Wu won a great victory. Gou Jian, the King of Yue, was forced to retreat to Huiji. The prince of Wu sent troops to pursue and besieged Gou Jian on Huiji Mountain. The situation is very critical. At this time, Gou Jian listened to the doctor's tactics, prepared some gold and silver treasures and some beautiful women, sent someone to secretly give them to Wu Taizai, and pleaded with the king of Wu through Taizai, and finally agreed to the peace of the King of Yue Gou Jian.
Later, Fu Cha, the king of Wu, became ill. In order to show his loyalty to Fu Cha, Gou Jian personally tasted Fu Cha's stool to judge the date of Fu Cha's recovery. The date of Fu Cha's illness coincides with Gou Jian's prediction. Fu Cha thought Gou Jian was loyal to him, so he put him and his wife back in Yue. After returning to China, Gou Jian, King of Yue, was determined to avenge himself.
In order not to forget the national humiliation, he slept on the firewood, and there was a gall hanging in the place where he sat, indicating that he did not forget the national humiliation and the national disaster. After ten years' accumulation, the State of Yue finally changed from a weak country to a strong one, and finally defeated the State of Wu, who committed suicide in shame.