In 686 BC, Guan Zhong became the prime minister of Qi. When Qi's economy was backward, its productivity was underdeveloped and its economic situation was embarrassing, Guan Zhong opened a brothel, the earliest brothel in China, in order to become a rich country and a national network beauty, and also increased taxes. Guan Zhong opened a brothel himself, but he has never been there. He took a night off and went to a brothel. As soon as Guan Zhong entered the brothel, the officials in charge of the brothel rushed to meet him. Guan Zhong was relaxed and happy when he saw the magnificent brothel, the school where the strings were singing and dancing, and the beautiful women were like clouds. Guan Zhong asked the foreman if he could play a beautiful woman, and the foreman immediately took him to Maeda to meet him. Maeda is a seventeen-year-old woman with outstanding beauty, and Guan Zhong is very happy. I didn't expect Maeda to sing and dance first-rate. From then on, Guan Zhong came to the brothel every day and met Maeda every time, which was naturally an affair. Guan Zhong also sent two maids to wait on Maeda. He came to have a drink with Maeda as soon as he had time, and asked Maeda to stay for the night.
Although Guan Zhong is a politician and scholar, he is narrow-minded and jealous of talents. There was a learned man in the state of Qi named Ning Qi. Ning Qi is plain-looking, but he has the heart to serve the country, but he is very depressed and lets Niu go to Shan Ye. One day, Qi Huangong inspected farming and saw Ning Qi driving cattle and singing the vast water! Qi Huangong wants to know who sang such puzzling lyrics. The voice is euphemistic. Qi Huangong asked the people around him, and the people around him said that Ning Qi was a driver who herded cattle and drove for himself. Qi Huangong ordered people to call Ning Qi. Qi Huangong asked Ning Qi: "What does the white sea mean?" ? Ning Qi said, Your Majesty can go back and ask Lord Guan Zhong.
Qi Huangong returned to the palace and called Guan Zhong. When Guan Zhong heard that Ning Qi met Qi Huangong, he thought that if Qi Huangong knew that Ning Qi had knowledge and talent, wouldn't it be a threat to himself? Guan Zhong thought for several days and didn't know what the vast white water meant. He was so depressed that he couldn't help looking for Maeda in a brothel. Maeda saw Guan Zhong's unhappiness and thought hard. Maeda asked why. Maeda heard that there was a hermit named Ning Qi in the countryside. Maeda's father is a rural scholar, and Maeda has been influenced since childhood. He is in the yard of * * *, and his mind is on his hand and some things. She knew that Guan Zhong was narrow-minded and jealous of talent, so she wanted to enlighten Guan Zhong. So Maeda told Guan Zhong that he had something to say, and Guan Zhong asked her to say it. Maeda said politely: My father once taught my little daughter not to despise her because she is old, not to think that she is incompetent because of her humble background, and not to think that she has no talent because she is unreasonable. Grass grows in ten steps, and a bosom friend in ten miles. I wonder if dad said it right?
Guan Zhong was shocked! Guan Zhong asked Maeda to continue. Maeda said: Taigong slaughtered cattle among merchants at the age of 70 and worked as a small trader at the age of 80. The king of Zhou worshipped him as a teacher, destroyed merchants and established Da Zhou. Yi Yin became a slave at the age of 90, and later became a saint of Shang Dynasty, assisting Bi Shang Tang to establish Shang Dynasty.
Guan Zhong looked at Maeda in shock. He didn't expect * * * to have such talent and unusual political opinions. So I asked Maeda, what does Ning Qi mean? Maeda replied: Have adults read the Book of Songs? Guan Zhong nodded and motioned Maeda to continue.
Maeda said: vastness is like white water, and fish is like a tree. If you come like me, I will live in peace? The country is undecided. What about me? Guan Zhong praised Maeda as a strange girl. Maeda said that Xiang Ye has been worried about his country since he took office. Personally, he always feels tired. In order to make Qi rich and strong, he made a lot of efforts. This is a remarkable achievement. Isn't it more useful to have an assistant? Especially those who have the ability to be assistants, isn't it that the dragon rides on the clouds and the wind is blowing, and the gas is more prosperous?
Although Guan Zhong is jealous of talent, he is also a wise man. After listening to Maeda's words, I can't help but admire him and sigh: As a country, I am not as good as a woman. Really confused! Put forward the plan of uniting Zhao, so that the Huns dare not despise it and hold the world hostage in the name of Zhou. Guan was willing to follow the political proposition and began to govern Qi wholeheartedly. Guan Zhong took Maeda back to the office and became a concubine. At the same time, he became his own political adviser. Guan Zhong regards Maeda as a national treasure.
The next day, Guan Zhong ordered someone to take Ning Qi into the house, praised Ning Qi's talent, and gave a banquet to invite Ning Qi. During the dinner, Ning Qi's talk attracted Maeda and made him feel admired. There is a sigh of meeting each other late. Guan Zhong was afraid that his image and reputation would be damaged and wanted to marry himself, so he had to ask Qi Huangong to make a decision. Qi Huangong summoned Maeda. When he saw that this was really a strange girl, he lamented Maeda's talent and beauty, but he couldn't snatch the minister's love. He gave Maeda some brocade and silk so that Guan Zhong could marry Maeda and become his official wife.