InMing DynastyAt the beginning of its establishment,Zhu YuanzhangQuite proudly showing his knowledge and cultural level, he published a six-character couplet, claiming that he was the first in the world. This uplink seems to be complimentingTaoismLao Tzu, in fact, implies that he is the highest-ranking person among the emperors of the ages, and no one can compare with him. The couplet silenced the ministers, because any answer would be offensive to the emperor. Zhu YuanzhangFeeling dissatisfied, he asked Liu Bowen next to him to answer, but Liu Bowen shirked it. This scene makes people feel strange, because Liu Bowen has always been clever, why can't he even match a couplet?At this time, a minister took the liberty of standing up and said that there was a lower couplet. Zhu Yuanzhangimmediately asked what the next link was, and the other party said "Sun Tzu is unparalleled in the world". This sentence infuriatedZhu Yuanzhang, who thought the minister was arrogant and arrogant, ordered him to be dragged out and beaten to death. Although this minister thought that the lower link named after the soldier saint Sun Wu could be opposedZhu Yuanzhang, but he didn't know that his recklessness led to his own tragedy.
First, let's find outZhu Yuanzhangbackground. Zhu YuanzhangIt's ChinaHistoryThe famous grassroots emperor, he was born poor, grew up by hunting geese for a living, and later participated in the Red Turban Army uprising, achieved major military and political victories, and finally ascended to the imperial throne. Despite the fact that the level of education is only at the elementary school level, butZhu YuanzhangBut I like to show my knowledge very much, and I am in becomingMing DynastyThis is even more true after the emperor. He often showed off his literary brilliance in the court, showing his outstanding talent.
Zhu YuanzhangThe six-character couplet "Lao Tzu is the first in the world" is meaningful. On the surface, he seems to be complimentingTaoismLao Tzu regards his status very highly. In reality, however, this couplet suggestsZhu YuanzhangHe is the number one person in the world, and he is unsurpassableSovereign。This is a manifestation of his extreme conceit and self-confidence in his position. However, such arrogant remarks caused a silence among the court ministers, because everyone knew that no matter how they answered, they would provokeZhu Yuanzhangof grievances and punishments.
Zhu YuanzhangPerhaps because he could not see the existence of an opponent in the court, he hoped that the ministers would be able to compete and argue with him, and show the talent and wisdom they had learned. So, he asked Liu Bowen beside him to answer this question. Liu Bowen isZhu Yuanzhang's right-hand man, tooHistoryHe is a famous military strategist and politician, and is known as a clever man. However, on this question, Liu Bowen refused, saying that he could not answer. This reaction was very surprising and confusing, because Liu Bowen was known as a wise man, and with his talent and courage, he should be able to make a suitable couplet.
Just as the court was at an awkward stalemate, one of the ministers chose to take the risk. He rushed through the crowd and stoodZhu YuanzhangIn front of him, he said that he had a pair of lower links. Zhu YuanzhangImmediately look forward to him, hoping to see the minister's answer. However, when the minister blurted out that "Sun Tzu is unparalleled in the world,Zhu YuanzhangBut he was furious. He thinks that this lower link is arrogant and rude praise of himself, and he does not see his own nobility and uniqueness in the slightest. InZhu YuanzhangThe moment he spoke, the minister's fate was sealed. Jin YiweiThen he appeared and dragged the minister out and beat him to death. This ending is fully embodiedZhu YuanzhangThe absoluteness of authority and the fragile tolerance of rhetoric.
We can't help but feel sorry and bewildered by the minister's actions. Didn't he know that such an act would provokeZhu Yuanzhangof rage?Perhaps, he was inspired by Sun Tzu's Art of War and felt that he had a unique advantage in resourcefulness and military affairs, and he could match itZhu Yuanzhanguplink. However, he did not expect itZhu YuanzhangExtreme self-confidence in one's own status, and does not accept praise from others.
HistoryThere were many emperors known for their exceptional talent and wisdom, and they were often adept at demonstrating their knowledge and abilities during their reigns. Zhu YuanzhangAs a grassroots emperor, although the level of education is not high, he likes to show off his literary talents. He came out with a couplet "Lao Tzu is the first in the world", implying that he isAn emperor through the ages, no one can compare with it. However, the ministers were speechless about this, because no matter how they answered, they would invite the emperor's displeasure and punishment. In this atmosphere, a minister took a risk to answer, regardless of the risk, but it turned out to be arousedZhu YuanzhangThe story tells us that in the world of emperors, words can determine life and death, and at the same time, they are expressedZhu YuanzhangExtreme confidence and arrogance in one's own position. Only by truly understanding and respecting the authority of the emperor can we survive and develop in the court.