Liang Qiu was trying to get rid of the Zhu and Shi brothers who were against him everywhere (Zhu Gu and Shi Huan, Zhu Gu once called Liang Qiu "like an aunt to do politics" when sacrificing to the ancestors, and Shi Huan recorded him many times in the Jianshu "drama chaos of the country"), so he said to Qi Jinggong: "The sacrifices we serve the ghosts and gods are extremely rich, even exceeding the specifications of the ancestors. However, Zhu and Shi were very disrespectful to the ghosts and gods of the ancestors, and always said some murderous things when they made their statements, saying how many people starved to death in the harvest year, how many people evaded their obligations and were cut off their hands and feet, how many cool officials were killed by the mob in the rampant conquest, and how many people left their homes and fled from the Qi country.

"How can the spirits be happy when they hear those words? The ghosts and gods also had to take revenge, so they fell ill with the prince. The prince is now ill for a long time, and even caused the princes to worry, this is completely the sin of Zhu and Shi, so please kill Zhu and Shi, and thank the envoys of the countries with this action! The prince can completely put aside Zhu Shi and sacrifice to the ghosts and gods, and the ghosts and gods can't hear the worries, and the prince's illness will naturally be cured! ”

Qi Jinggong happily thought that he could be healed in this way, and turned around and told Yan Zi what he said.

Yan Zi said: "In the 'Song Alliance', the state of Chu ordered Yin Qujian to ask Zhao Wu about the virtues of the scholars' society, and Zhao Wu said: 'The master's family affairs are upright, and there is no selfishness in official affairs. When the family wishes and the history is sacrificed, he does not ask for any favors from the ancestors. After Qu Jian returned to China, he reported to King Chu Kang, and King Kang said: "Neither the gods nor the people have any grievances, and I finally know the reason why Sui Wuzi was able to assist the five monarchs and the Marquis of Jin to become the leader of the princes again!" After saying that, he closed his mouth and waited for Qi Jinggong's reaction.

Qi Jinggong asked: "Liangqiu is said to be a widow who can serve ghosts and gods, so he wants to kill Zhu and Shi." What does it mean for the Master to say this allusion without answering it directly? ”

Yan Zi continued: "If the monarch is virtuous, then the duties inside and outside the office will not be wasted, and the government and the opposition will not complain about each other. Officials and countrymen act according to the king's orders, and they will not be blamed at every turn. Zhu and Shi Chen's statements are credible and evidence-based, and they are worthy of their hearts; Therefore, the ghosts and gods can enjoy the sacrifices with peace of mind, and the country will also receive blessings, and Zhu and Shi will also receive national blessings.

"If the monarch is lewd, he will desecrate his duties inside and outside the office, and the government and the opposition will intrigue with each other. Evil laws are rampant in the country, and the people are neither advancing nor retreating. Do what is normal today, and become a prisoner tomorrow. The doctor in the office is insatiable, with a high platform and a deep pool, which is full of bell chime dancers. The monarch and the doctor cut off the people's power, plundered the wealth, destroyed the society, and did not care about the future generations; The nobles are violent, ignorant and fearless, not jealous of ghosts and gods, and unrepentant; So God was angry with the people, disasters and bloodscrapes were frequent, but the magnates still did not repent. At this time, if Zhu and Shi tell the truth, it is to expose the crimes of the monarch's doctor; If you pretend to be true, you are deceiving the gods. The gods are deceived and will not enjoy the sacrifices and will bring misfortune on the kingdom. Zhu and Shi are speechless, and this is the reason why the prince suffers from this illness. ”

Qi Jinggong asked, "So what?" ”

Yan Zi said: "There is no way. Now the public office is tyrannical, and even the inner favorite concubines dare to seize the city, and the outer favorite ministers are arrogant in the suburbs; The people are miserable and have nothing to say. Even if the office has the most flattering blessings and histories in the world, how can one or two beautiful words resist the curse issued by tens of millions of people? If the prince wants to execute Zhu and Shi, it is better to wait until he has given favors to the people and made the people stable and prosperous! ”

Qi Jinggong nodded thoughtfully, and then abolished some cool laws and prohibitions, canceled many tax levels, lightened taxes slightly, and often did self-reflection; Qi Jinggong's life has become regular, and his condition has gradually been relieved.

In December of this year, when Qi Jinggong went to Peize to hunt, he saw the public servant (the official guarding the mountain) standing nearby, so he raised his bow and summoned him. The public opinion glanced at him but ignored his actions and did not move. Qi Jinggong was furious and immediately ordered him to be brought over, intending to investigate him for the crime of disrespect.

The public opinion man defended: "In the past, the ancestors came here to hunt, and summoned the doctor with a banner, the sergeant with a big bow, and the public opinion with a leather crown. The minister didn't see the leather crown, so he didn't dare to step forward. ”

Qi Jinggong said: "It's the fault of the widow. And he let him go.

A few days later, Qi Jinggong led his team back to Linzi, and Yanzi went outside the city to greet Yiyi. Qi Jinggong only notified Yan Zi in advance, but Liang Qiuji heard the wind from nowhere, and he also rode his horse and whip to pick up the car.

Qi Jinggong was very surprised, he smiled and said, "Only Doctor Liangqiu and the widow are in harmony!" ”

Yan Zi said: "He is just 'the same' with the prince and the marquis, where can he be called 'harmony'?" ”

Qi Jinggong asked: "Is there a difference between harmony and sameness?" ”

Yan Zi said: "There is a world of difference! 'He' is like cooking a good meal, you need water, fire, salt, vinegar, plums, meat sauce, and fire to cook fish. Chefs need to reconcile flavors, add insufficient flavors, and reduce excessive flavors; The gentleman was at peace after eating the delicacies. The same is true of the monarch and the minister, what the monarch wants to do, the courtiers should make different voices and complete the monarch's affairs with different voices; And vice versa, so that the politics are clear and the people do not break the law. Therefore, the "poem" says: "There is also a soup, and there is both precept and peace." There is no word, and there is contention. 'The first king adjusted the five flavors and the five tones of music to calm his heart and make the decree measured. Peace of mind is virtue and harmony, so the poem says: 'Virtue is flawless. ’

"But Liang Qiu is different: if the monarch thinks 'may', he also calls it 'may', and when the monarch thinks 'no', he also calls 'no', and he never contradicts the prince for several years. Not only that, but he also forbade others to advise the princes: when the doctors spoke differently, he slandered them for being disloyal to the office and making false arguments about the king. It's like a prince who adds water to a broth, and he adds water; He added salt to the soup, and he added salt; The food cooked in this way is either extremely light, or extremely salty and sour, and even pigs and dogs don't eat it, and people can still swallow it? Just like the music only has the guqin and no bells and drums (equivalent to 400 people speaking stand-up comedy), the one that is played is a key; Who can get into such a harsh noise? ”

Liang Qiu's face suddenly became extremely ugly, and Qi Jinggong hurriedly diverted the topic and announced the start of the banquet.

The kings and ministers began to drink and have fun. Qi Jinggong suddenly said: "If the ancients didn't die, what would be the tone of today's music?" ”

Yan Zi said: "This place was first occupied by the Shuang Jiu clan, and later ruled by Ji Ze, Youqi and Pu Gu clans, and finally returned to the Taigong of Qi. If the ancients had not died, what would be played now would be the music of the Shuang Dove clan. Tan and some small Dongyi countries are members of the Shuang Dove clan, and their music princes have heard it. ”

When Qi Jinggong was drinking happily, when he heard Yan Zi's words, he suddenly put down the wine glass in his hand and said miserably: "How short life is! If the widow does not die of old age, can this happiness last forever? ”

Liang Qiu also suppressed his laughter, and began to wipe his tears as he did.

Yan Zi wanted Liang Qiu to die of disgust, he couldn't help but put down his chopsticks, and said impatiently: "Junhou! If people don't die of old age, they should still be the prince who is sitting in the position of the prince now, where is the turn of the prince to enjoy here? ”