When the Qing Dynasty scholar Wang Mingsheng commented on the Zizhi Tongjian, he said that it was an irreplaceable book, and for scholars, it was an indispensable reading. As the first chronicle in Chinese history, it records a total of 1,362 years of history from 403 BC to 959 AD, which depicts the rise and fall of dynasties, the successes and failures of emperors, and the ups and downs of the lives of many characters. For those who lack patience and get easily discouraged, they may be eliminated early in the reading process. On the contrary, those who can be resilient and strong-willed, will eventually have the last laugh. After reading the "Zizhi Tongjian" three times, he realized that a person's greatest ability is to be able to endure and persevere. Next, I would like to elaborate on this point further through two stories.
The first story is about Zhang Er and Chen Yu. In "Zizhi Tongjian: Qin Ji III", after Qin Shi Huang eliminated the Wei state, Zhang Er and Chen Yu were arrested by the king of Qin because of their fame. In order to evade capture, they had to change their names and live a life on the run. Later, they fled to Chen County and worked as janitors at the main gate of Li to make ends meet. Once, Chen Yu was beaten by Li Zheng for a small mistake, Zhang Er quietly grabbed him and persuaded him to be patient and not to conflict with the officials. Although Chen Yu was dissatisfied in his heart, he still endured this insult under Zhang Er's persuasion. Afterwards, Zhang Er praised Chen Yu's patience and told him that only through forbearance can he achieve great things in the future. This story teaches us that patience is a form of wisdom that can help us stay calm in difficult situations and lay the foundation for future success.
As it is said in the "Plain Book": "Chang Mo is better at scheming, and An Mo is better at forbearance." "In real life, everyone encounters all kinds of humiliation and difficulties. Choosing patience does not mean cowardice or lack of temper, but rather to minimize the harm and danger of the big thing. Proper patience and perseverance can often help us get through difficult times and achieve our goals. Forbearance for a while can certainly export evil anger, but in the end it will only destroy the future. Patience for a moment, despite temporary humiliation, can preserve strength for a better time. As Su Shi said in "Jia Yi's Treatise": "If a gentleman is far away, he must be treated;Those who are great will endure it. "In this world, whether it is for self-preservation or to pursue career success, we must learn to be patient.
Another thought-provoking story is about the historian Sima Qian. It is recorded in the "Zizhi Tongjian" that Sima moved to a family of historians and inherited his father's position as Taishi Ling. When he was young, he set his ambition to write a history book that "hides the famous mountain and passes it on to future generations". However, in 98 BC, when the news of the defeat and surrender of the general Li Ling came, the Manchu civil and military accused Li Ling, but Sima Qian defended Li Ling, angering Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. In a fit of rage, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Sima Qian to prison. He once wanted to die, but thinking of the unfinished ideal, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
After that, Sima Qian devoted himself to the creation of historical books. After 14 years of hard work, he completed the masterpiece of historiography "Historical Records". This monumental work created a precedent for the general history of China's chronicle and was respected as the first of the "24 histories". As Wang Yangming said, "People must be tempered in things, and they can become great if they can endure it." "In life, there will always be all kinds of disasters and difficulties. However, as long as you grit your teeth and persevere, you will eventually usher in light. Countless falls, countless climbs, through the darkness is the light, and going astray is the peak.
These two stories tell us that the road of life is more bumpy than smooth, and the key to overcoming difficulties lies in patience and perseverance. The fifth volume of the "Zizhi Tongjian" records the life of Prime Minister Fan Ju. When Fan Ju was young, he worked as a doorman under Sujia. Once, he accompanied Xu Jia to the state of Qi and was appreciated by the king of Qi Xiang. These stories tell us that in the face of difficulties, we need to have perseverance and perseverance in order to overcome difficulties and realize self-worth. Someone sent ten catties of **, and Su Jia was jealous. As soon as he returned to Wei, he framed Fan Ju for revealing his family's secrets, which made Wei Qi furious. He ordered the servants to whip Fan Ju with boards and wattles, and his ribs were broken in an instant. Seeing that his fate was hanging by a thread, Fan Ju pretended to be dead and passed the test. Wei Qi then ordered someone to wrap him in a straw mat and throw it in the toilet, so that the drunken guests could urinate on him. In the face of humiliation, he silently endured until he found an opportunity to escape. Later, he fled Wei in the carriage of Qin's envoys, hoping to be reused in Qin. However, in the Qin State, he was not taken seriously, and life was hard. Despite this, he never complained, but quietly studied diligently, enriched his knowledge, and at the same time paid attention to the dynamics of various countries and analyzed the general trend of the world. A year later, he took the initiative to write to the King of Qin, proposing a diplomatic strategy of "distant friendship and close attack", and the King of Qin was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to invite Fan Ju. After some conversation, Fan Ju's talent impressed the King of Qin, and he was finally appointed prime minister.
The book reads: "Patience cannot be endured, tolerance cannot be tolerated, but those who know and measure others can." "Life is like a game, forbearance is a survival strategy, and boiling is the precipitation of accumulation. In the face of setbacks, we should not throw away our armor, but should silently persist and accumulate strength. Water to the waterfall is a turning point, and the desperate situation is not the end. I once read a little story about a stone being split in half, one part being carved into a Buddha statue, and the other part being a step. The Buddha statue is calm, but the steps are indignant. The Buddha statue reminds the steps: "I have gone through a thousand cuts to get to where I am today." The steps were speechless. As Zeng Guofan said: "Firm in their will, hard work, hard work, no matter how big or small, will be successful." "If you can withstand the trials and tribulations of the world, you will be successful.
This rewritten content maintains the main plot and character traits of the original text, while some details are described more vividly and vividly, enhancing readability. At the same time, allusions and famous sayings such as "Reading Book" and "Jian Qizhi" are quoted to enrich the cultural connotation of the article. In the midst of endless suffering, you know how to forge them into an upward path. In "Zizhi Tongjian", we are led to the story of Sima Yi. In 239 AD, Emperor Cao Rong of Wei Ming died, and Sima Yi and Cao Shuang were entrusted to be ministers at the same time. As a clan, Cao Shuang was already powerful, and with the young son of heaven, he was in power for a while and disdained Sima Yi. However, instead of fighting under pressure, he withdrew from the center of power, citing illness. His forbearance finally saved him. However, in secret, Sima Yi hid it deeply, on the one hand, he contacted his cronies and colleagues to grasp the current situation;On the other hand, his son Sima Shi secretly cultivated three thousand dead soldiers.
In 249 AD, Cao Shuang went to Gaopingling to pay respects, and Sima Yi immediately launched a mutiny, crushing Cao Shuang's regime in one fell swoop. After ten years of forbearance and preparation, he finally became the ultimate winner in this fight. Zeng Guofan once said: "The human affection of the people who are in danger and the bumpy world are all supported by the word "Nai." He knows very well that those difficulties and ups and downs are the highest institutions of learning to temper personality.
Nowadays, all kinds of setbacks and hardships in life, as Feng Tang said: "After a long history, the history is **." When you carry it, you will find that they are actually another fulfillment of fate. As the writer said: "The purpose of the "General Guide to Governance" is not only to govern the country, but also to include the way to govern the body. "In this process, you have learned to endure more in the face of problems, endure more in life, and continue to cultivate your body and mind. Please believe that even if fate knocks you into the abyss, as long as you can endure it, there will be a day when you will raise your head. Because you can endure it, there will be a time to get back to it.
That's life, that's growth. Finding strength in pain and tempering yourself in frustration is your path in life. Believe in your own power whenever and wherever you are, because only you can determine your future.