Guan Zhong's surname was Ji, and his name was Yiwu. He was born in Yingshang (now Yingshang, Anhui) around 723 B.C. His ancestors were descendants of the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty. By Guan Zhong's generation, his family was already very poor.
Bao Shuya's surname was Si. He was also born in Yingshang (now part of Anhui) around 723 B.C., and his family's economic conditions were good.
Guan Zhong met Bao Shuya when he was in his 20s. The two became good friends and started a business partnership. Guan Zhong invested less while Bao Shuya invested more. The money earned had not yet been credited to the account, so Guan Zhong used it to pay off his own debts privately. At the end of the year, Bao Shuya gave him half of the bonus, and he accepted it without hesitation. Bao Shuya's men complained," Guan Zhong invested too little. He used everyone's money to pay off his personal debts. At the end of the year, he will still share the profits with you. If I were Guan Zhong, I definitely wouldn't be thick-skinned enough to accept this money.”Bao Shuya said," Guan Zhong's family is in trouble. He needs money more than me. I want to help him by doing business with him. I'm willing to do so." Don't say these words again in the future.”
Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya became soldiers together, and the two of them depended on each other. Once, when the Qi Kingdom was at war with its neighboring countries, Guan Zhong always hid at the back and ran very slowly when they were charging. However, when they retreated, Guan Zhong ran as fast as he could. The commander wanted to kill Guan Zhong as a warning to the soldiers who were afraid of death. Bao Shuya pleaded for Guan Zhong." I know Guan Zhong the best. His mother, who is over 80 years old, has no one to take care of her. He has no choice but to live shyly to fulfill his filial piety."”The commander said,"So Guan Zhong was afraid of death because he wanted to show filial piety to his mother!" Alright." Release Guan Zhong.
Later, the second brother of Duke Xiang of Qi, Gongzi Jiu, discovered that Guan Zhong was a talent and made him his chief strategist. Xiao Bai, the third brother of Duke Xiang of Qi, took a fancy to Bao Shuya and made him his chief strategist.
Gongzi Jiu lost the fight for the throne with Gongzi Xiaobai. Gongzi Xiaobai became Duke Huan of Qi and wanted to eliminate future troubles. He wrote to the monarch of Lu, Duke Zhuang of Lu, who had fled to Lu, saying,"Please kill Gongzi Jiu. I have a grudge with Guan Zhong. Please hand Guan Zhong over to me. I want to kill Guan Zhong with my own hands.”
Guan Zhong was tied up by the soldiers of the State of Lu and escorted to the State of Qi."I almost killed Duke Huan of Qi with an arrow. Duke Huan of Qi will definitely take revenge and kill me. I wonder if Bao Shuya can save me this time?”
In fact, Guan Zhong's worries were unnecessary. Bao Shuya had already saved him.
After Duke Huan of Qi ascended the throne, he was going to worship Bao Shuya as prime minister. Bao Shuya hurriedly said,"Your Majesty, if you want to govern Qi well, I can do it. If you want to dominate the vassal states, you have to use Guan Zhong.”Then he offered a plan to Duke Huan of Qi: " Let us assume that the King of Lu hates Guan Zhong to the bone and forbids the King of Lu to kill Guan Zhong. He must escort Guan Zhong here so that the King can kill him himself.”
Unexpectedly, this plan was seen through by Duke Zhuang of Lu's subordinates. He advised Duke Zhuang of Lu,"Qi Jun wants to make use of Guan Zhong's talent. Sending Guan Zhong to Qi Jun is equivalent to letting a tiger return to the mountain.”
"It's not as serious as you say, right?" He couldn't afford to make Qi Jun unhappy because of a mere Guan Zhong.”According to the request of Duke Huan of Qi, Guan Zhong was tied up and sent to Duke Huan of Qi.
After Guan Zhong was sent to Qi State, he was immediately released and arranged to stay in a high-class hotel. He was treated well. Duke Huan of Qi chose an auspicious day to welcome Guan Zhong in person with a very grand ceremony. He talked with Guan Zhong for three days and three nights in a row.
In 685 B.C., the first year Duke Huan of Qi became king, he fasted for three days and appointed Guan Zhong as prime minister.
After Guan Zhong became the Prime Minister, he carried out a series of reforms and implemented a series of policies to enrich the country and strengthen the army.
implement a new administrative system. "Three countries and five countries." Outside the capital, there were four levels: county, township, soldier, and city, each with a chief. It allowed scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants to do their own jobs. The organizational structure of the administrative region was more refined, effectively maintaining social stability.
implement a new employment system. His principle of employment was: "Those whose virtue and righteousness are not clear in the court cannot be given a high position; Those who have not shown their achievements in the country cannot be given high salaries. Those who do not trust the people in the face of government affairs cannot be appointed as high officials.”Breaking the boundaries of birth, selecting talents, and expanding the source of talent.
Strengthening economic development. Put agriculture, commerce, and craftsmanship in an equally important position, oppose empty talk, create professional skills education, and promote the comprehensive development of the social economy.
Strengthening the army. They established a combat system that combined society and military, and created a powerful army with tight organization and strong combat effectiveness.
implement a flexible foreign policy. He raised the banner of 'Respecting the King and Resisting the Barbarians', and asked Duke Huan of Qi to use his status as the leader of the vassals to suppress the Son of Heaven and punish him for his disrespect.
Guan Zhong's series of reform measures allowed the people to live and work in peace and prosperity. Duke Huan of Qi's political, economic, and military strength had greatly increased. He admired Guan Zhong and called him " Zhongfu."
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