“Enlightenment” is the beginning of this way, “breaking” is the continuation of this way, “learning” is the transformation of this way.
Duke Huan of Qi was originally a generation of heroes. With the assistance of the Xian Xiang Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, he became the first overlord of the princes in the spring and Autumn period. But in his later years, his will declined, he spoiled his concubine, used adultery, and became a sycophant. He had six sons, all of whom were born from concubines, and all of whom were qualified to inherit the throne. Duke Huan of Qi first established Zhao as the crown prince, while Zhu Diao, Yi Ya and others wanted to establish Wuji as the crown prince. They were extremely dissatisfied with Guan Zhong and slandered him many times by taking advantage of his status as a near minister. When Guan Zhong warned Duke Huan to stay away from these three people, he was a little reluctant. After leaving for a few days, he felt that life was very difficult, because other people were not as good as these three people, and their work was in line with his wishes. So he recalled the three people to his side.
When Guan Zhong was critically ill, Duke Huan asked his ministers who could be prime minister, but Guan Zhong didn’t give a positive answer. Duke Huan asked how Yi Ya was. Guan Zhong said such people were unreliable. Duke Huan asked about Fang Fang again. Guan Zhong said such people were disloyal. Duke Huan asked how about shudiao again. Guan Zhong said that such people were not really loyal. Guan Zhong exposed the three courtiers and believed that they had other intentions and could not be entrusted with important tasks.
When Duke Huan fell ill, Yi Ya and Duandiao took the opportunity to start. After Guan Zhong’s death, Duke Huan of Qi was old and spoiled, and his body was difficult to support, so the power of the court fell to the court coup, and Duke Huan was imprisoned in the palace. First, they passed on a false edict, forbidding Duke Huan’s sons and ministers to visit the palace, and then cut off Duke Huan’s diet. Only a palace maid yan’e crawled in from the cave to serve. Duke Huan asked her why she was hungry and thirsty. No one sent water and food. Yan e told him that Yiya and Zhudiao had been making trouble outside and blocking the court for a long time. Duke Huan didn’t realize it until he died, but it was too late. Finally, he died with hatred, and Yan E also crashed into the column and died.
After Duke Huan was starved to death, he changed his teeth, kept his secrets secret, and poisoned the court officials who gathered at the gate of the palace. Then the eldest son Wugui ascended the throne, and other princes competed to occupy the left palace, the right palace and other important strongholds, making the whole Qi country a hell on earth. But the body of Duke Huan has been ignored.
The next year, Duke Xiang of song joined forces with other princes to attack Qi, and bandits such as Yiya and Zhudiao were either killed or absconded. After experiencing this turmoil, the national strength of the state of Qi was far from comparable when Duke Huan was the overlord. If Duke Huan of Qi could listen to the advice of virtuous officials such as Guan Zhong and stay away from sycophantic officials such as Yi Ya, he would not end up in such a tragic end. The prosperity of Qi could last longer.
Event analysis:
Even if their own talents are not very high, real masters can still get the world and govern the world well, because they are good at employing people with high morality and talents to help themselves. As a monarch, there must be some key people around him to help him, so how to handle his relationship with these people has become a direct factor in the success or failure of a monarch. Duke Huan of Qi died miserably, but no one in the palace knew it. The reason why he ended up so miserably was that he failed to grasp the relationship between himself and his cronies.
To put it more thoroughly, Duke Huan of Qi was defeated because he failed to understand people well. Duke Huan misused people because he didn’t realize it. Finally, he personally sent himself into the mouth of the tiger. “One leaf blinds the eyes” means that Duke Qi Huan, who cannot fully understand others, mistook these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” for real sheep with hypocritical faces. Naturally, he will inevitably become the food of these “wolves”. Such a tragic end, just because there is no “Enlightenment”!