Just as Qingji was about to leave Zhaoxian Hall and return to the King of Wu's Palace, he saw Taizai Ji Zha hurrying over.
"Uncle, what's the matter?"
"My king, happy news, happy news!"
Ji Zha could hardly hide the joy on his face.
This made Qingji curious. There were not many things that could make Ji Zha so happy!
"What's the happy event?"
"I have found a great sage for the king. How can this not be a happy event?"
"Daxian?"
"That's right. Does your Majesty know Xin Wenzi?"
“…”
Qingji shook his head, indicating that he did not know the so-called Xin Wenzi.
Whether it was Qingji's original memory or the historical overview, he knew nothing about Xin Wenzi!
Seeing this, Ji Zha was not depressed, but smiled and said: "It is not surprising that the king does not know Xin Wenzi. Xin Wenzi is Xin Yan, with the courtesy name Wenzi, also known as Ji Ni, Ji Yan, Ji Ran, and Yufu!"
"Xin Wenzi was a man of great learning and talent, and was well versed in astronomy and geography. He was upright in character and loved mountains and rivers, so he often went boating and traveled around mountains, seas, lakes and marshes."
"But he refused to take the initiative to lobby and recommend himself to the princes. Therefore, even though Xin Wenzi is the most talented person in the world, he is unknown to the world!"
"I have met Xin Wenzi once before and discussed the way to govern a country with him. I found that he is indeed a talent to assist the king. His philosophy of governing a country should be very consistent with the national conditions of our Wu State."
Ji Ran?
Qingji grasped the key point.
Of course, he had never heard of Xin Wenzi.
But Qingji knew a little about the historical figure Ji Ran!
In history, there are three geniuses who contributed to the rise of the Han Dynasty. Xiao He, Zhang Liang and Han Xin were praised by historians. King Goujian of Yue "spent ten years on population growth and ten years on training", and he also had three geniuses, namely Wen Zhong, Fan Li and Ji Ran.
During the conflict between Wu and Yue, Wen Zhong directly managed the political affairs of Yue, while Fan Li assisted Gou Jian with military affairs.
Unlike Wen Zhong and Fan Li, Ji Ran's main contribution is in the economic field!
Qingji vaguely remembered that Ji Ran was very knowledgeable about the strategies of governing the country and was good at discussing the strategies of governing the country from an economic perspective.
According to historical records, when Ji Ran traveled south to the State of Yue, the official Fan Li was impressed by his talent and decided to take him as his teacher.
Ji Ran taught Fan Li seven strategies. Fan Li assisted King Gou Jian of Yue and used only five of them to destroy the powerful State of Wu!
It washed away the "Huiji Shame" that occurred twenty years ago when King Gou Jian of Yue knelt down and surrendered after his capital Kuaiji was conquered by King Fu Chai of Wu, and then went to Wu to serve the king.
Moreover, Ji Ran's philosophy of governing the country should fall into the category of Taoist Huang-Lao school of thought.
Ji Ran was also proficient in physiognomy, and when Fan Li was about to recommend him to Gou Jian, Ji Ran said: The King of Yue is a man with a long neck and a bird's beak. He can share hardships with you, but not happiness and prosperity with you!
Fan Li listened to him and later retired from the army after defeating Wu, leaving behind the famous saying "When the birds are all gone, the bows are put away; when the rabbit is dead, the running dog is cooked."
"Where is Ji Ran now?"
" Reporting to the king, I have already found out that Xin Wenzi is now temporarily living at the foot of Gusu Mountain. Your Majesty may choose a minister, or let me go in person, to persuade Xin Wenzi to serve Wu!"
"I can go in person."
In order to seek a great sage, Qingji does not mind being humble to others!
Soon, Qingji went to Gusu Mountain with Xiong Zidan, Heifu and a group of guards. After asking for the way, they followed the narrow path and found Ji Ran's residence among the green mountains and waters.
Ji Ran is indeed a travel expert, his life is particularly romantic.
There were three low thatched houses located at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by simple fences. The area was lush and green with dense vegetation. There was also a waterfall flowing down the side, forming a clear pool of water.
This scene makes people feel relaxed and happy!
It turns out that the great men in ancient times all liked to live in seclusion in places like this.
Qingji couldn't help but complain in his heart.
"Excuse me, is this Mr. Xin Wenzi's residence?"
After knocking on the door, a young man in plain clothes came out. Without waiting for Qingji to speak, Xiong Zidan on the side stepped forward and asked.
"That's right. This is the new home that my master Xin Wenzi moved into not long ago. May I ask where you are?"
Qingji replied, "Please tell Mr. Wenzi that I am here to visit you and want to discuss something with you."
"Ah! Qing...but King Wu?"
The boy couldn't help but feel surprised.
Qingji nodded slightly and did not deny it!
The young man bowed and said, "I am here to see the King of Wu. King of Wu, to be honest, my master has gone out on a boat yesterday to travel around the five lakes. He is not here now!"
What a coincidence?
Qingji was quite hesitant.
"I wonder when Mr. Wenzi will be back?"
"Reporting to King Wu, it's hard to say. My master is devoted to the mountains and rivers. Sometimes he goes out for as short as three to five days, or as long as one to two months. It varies."
Hearing this, Qingji could only shake his head with regret and said, "If Mr. Wenzi comes back, please let me know. I will definitely visit you again some other day!"
"I will obey your orders."
After knowing that the search for Ji Ran was fruitless, Qingji led his group to leave Gusu Mountain and return to the King of Wu's Palace.
…
"Xuan, the Prince of Chu wishes to see you—"
King Wu's Palace, Main Hall.
The eunuch standing on one side of the steps shouted loudly, and then the shouts spread layer by layer, and the sound of the announcement almost spread to the front hall of the King of Wu's palace!
Young Master Shen (Zi Xi), who had been waiting outside the hall, immediately followed a eunuch and entered the hall.
Zixi, who was in his thirties, looked straight ahead. After arriving at the steps, he saluted Qingji in a dignified and dignified manner and said, "I, the minister Xiong Shen, pay my respects to the King of Wu! Long live the King of Wu!"
"Please stand up."
It is not without reason that Zixi called Qingji the King of Wu.
According to the Zhou royal system of feudalization, the titles of Chu and Wu were both viscount, the lowest class!
However, the three kingdoms of Wu, Chu and Yue, which were isolated in the south and dominated the south, had long stopped paying homage to the Zhou emperor and refused to accept the king's rule, so they all declared themselves kings.
Zixi had something to ask of him, so it was understandable that he called Qingji "King of Wu" to show his respect.
"Mr. Shen, you've come just in time."
Qingji said with a fake smile: "My Wu king and his ministers are discussing the matter of sending more troops to Shudi. How about you sit aside and listen, Master Shen?"
"King Wu is joking."
Zixi knew that Qingji was trying to intimidate him, but he did not dare to get angry. He could only say solemnly: "King Wu, to be honest, I am here for the important diplomatic affairs between Chu and Wu!"
"The armies of Chu and Wu are now in a stalemate at the Qian and Shu fronts, wasting money and food, which is of no benefit to the country. I am here as a foreign minister on the king's orders to discuss with the king of Wu how to stop the war and restore peace between the two countries!"
Hearing this, Qingji just smiled and said nothing.
The Imperial Household Official Bo Yu had no choice but to stand up and said indignantly: "Your Majesty, you must not make peace with the Chu people!"
"The Chu State is treacherous and cannot be trusted. Just last time, it signed a non-aggression pact with our Wu State, but now it has turned around and launched an army to attack Wu. How can this be possible?"
"I beg the king to send more reinforcements and use all the troops in the country to attack Chu and avenge the previous humiliation!"