However, in the Spring and Autumn Period, a man's crying was recorded in history. The man cried for seven days and seven nights, accompanied by his master's self-mutilation without eating or drinking. It is no exaggeration to say that without this cry, Chu, one of the seven heroes of the Warring States, would have perished long ago, and nothing would have happened in the future.
This man's name is Shen, and he is an aristocrat who has worked for Chu all his life. During the reign of King Chu Ping, he served as a small diplomat and often traveled between some small vassal states.
I don't know why there are so few records about Shen in history, and no one even knows his date of birth and death, nor what private school he studied in, what books he read and what education he received. I only know that his hometown is Jianli County, Hubei Province.
To say the most brilliant thing Shen did in his life, the only thing that future generations know is that he cried in Qin's posthouse for seven days and seven nights, and finally moved the king of Qin to send troops to help him save Chu.
Shen and Wu Zixu, both nobles of Chu State, were close friends at the turn of the Eight Ancestors, and Shen first stepped onto the historical stage because he met Wu Zixu on the Yangtze River.
At that time, Wu Zixu's father, Wu She, was a teacher of Prince Jian, who held a high position. Later, treacherous court official Fei Wuji framed Wu Zixu's father and brother, and Wu Zixu fled overnight to save his life. Try every means to escape to the Yangtze River to get rid of the pursuit of Chu soldiers. He went barefoot all the way along the river to find a way out, and finally decided to go to Song State to find Prince Jian.
As it happens, Shen came back from a mission and met Wu Zixu like a lost dog. Shen hurriedly asked, "Zixu, how did you get yourself into this? Run here? " .
Wu Zixu once again cried that Wang Ping had killed his father and brother for nothing. Bao Yong was very sympathetic and shed tears.
Then they had a classic conversation. Wu Zixu said to Shen, "In the future, I will destroy Chu." .
Shen said to Wu Zixu, "I understand you and hope you can do it, but if you destroy Chu, I will save Chu." .
Later, they all did it. It was also because of this conversation that the two eventually parted ways and went their separate ways in life. Interested friends can learn about it.
Everyone should know the history of Wu Zixu's attack on Chu. In order to avenge the father and brother killed by the King of Chu, in 506 BC, Wu Zixu led the Wu army to attack and invade Chu, occupied the capital Ying, and almost destroyed Chu.
At the critical moment of Chu's life and death, Shen knew that it was impossible to revitalize Chu without relying on external forces to borrow soldiers. Who can I borrow soldiers from? At that time, the situation in Qi was unreliable. Only Qin Jin has the strength to help Chu defeat Wu, but Jin Chu has been fighting for hegemony for a long time, and Wu was also supported by Jin to weaken Chu.
There is only one choice before Shen, and that is to go to the state of Qin to borrow soldiers. After all, Qin Chu and his family are closely related. Ladies and gentlemen, this King Zhao of Chu was born to Princess Qin, the sister of Qin Aigong. King Zhao of Chu was also the nephew of Qin Aigong. At that time, Qin also had the strength to help the revival of Chu.
In addition, in the impression of Shen, who often went to various vassal States, Qin people were simple, generous, credible and intimate. So Shen went on his way alone, just like when Wu Zixu left Chu.
Shen then set foot on the road to help, as difficult as Wu Zixu's escape. However, in those days, Wu Zixu was the east, but now Shen is the west.
Chuying is not far from Qin Yong, and the road is uneven, which is similar. It is said that Shen traveled day and night, his legs were swollen, his toes were cracked, his knees were bleeding, and he was covered in clothes. In the state of Qin, I became a beggar like Wu Zixu.
At the end of Qin, Shen pretended to be a special envoy and urgently requested an audience with Qin Aigong. Shen persuaded Qin Aigong with just reasons: "Master, Wu people are not human beings, but wild boars and poisonous snakes. They have repeatedly invaded our Central Plains country, and Chu bears the brunt! Your nephew, King Chu, is now living in the wild and homeless. He sent me specially to ask for help. Please save Chu for my nephew and uncle. We Chu people will remember Master's great kindness from generation to generation. Please be kind. "
Qin Aihong wanted to think, the relationship between Qin and Chu is actually average. Moreover, the State of Wu was so fierce that even the State of Chu was instantly destroyed by them. Besides, Jin is not as good as Chu, and Qin people are always defeated by Jin, asking us to fight Wu. Isn't this self-defeating?
So Qin Aigong didn't want to get involved in this muddy water, so he shirked and said, "Our country of Qin is far to the west of the border, and our army is outnumbered. We even have problems protecting ourselves. How can we save your state of Chu? "
It was useless for Shen Jian to persuade Qin Aigong with legitimate reasons, and Qin refused to send troops to rescue him, so he resorted to the second trick: intimidation.
Shen said to him, "Barbarians like Wu are insatiable! If you stand by and watch yourself perish, then Wu will destroy Chu, and your next goal will be Qin! Your state of Qin will soon be finished! You are saving yourself by sending troops to save Chu now! "
Qin Aihong certainly knows it's not that serious. Wu is in the far east and Qin is in the far west. How do we get here by taxi? He didn't want to get burned, so he shirked and said, "Chu Renmei, go to the hotel and have a rest first, and then we can discuss it."
Borrowing soldiers in ancient times, like borrowing money today, had no interest and no income. Besides, you're broke. Who dares lend it to you? So Qin Aihong won't borrow it.
Shen's two moves have been exhausted. If they don't work, that is to say, Qin Aihong can't move. What shall we do? He has a third trick: that is "Lai". He doesn't give any reasons, nor does he need any negotiation skills or eloquence. He just stayed there until others agreed. Of course, after using this trick, the other party still refused and then it was completely hopeless.
So, Shen stood in the Qin court, holding the pillar and crying, and refused to leave. I cried sometimes high and sometimes low, so I kept crying.
This cry lasted for seven days and seven nights, without dripping water or crying strength. Qin Aigong thought that Chu should have such loyal officials and should not destroy them, so he relented and decided to borrow soldiers to save Chu.
In the end, Qin Jun sent troops to help King Zhao of Chu drive away Wu Jun and save Chu from extinction. The king thought that Shen had made the greatest contribution this time and decided to make him You Yin.
Shen said to him, I am your servant. I asked for help for your safety, not for myself. I have done my duty as a courtier and let you return home safely, and my goal has been achieved. This is my duty. How can I be greedy for extra benefits if I do my duty?
King Zhao of Chu insisted on being an official and doing his part for the State of Chu. However, Shen finally learned the lessons of his predecessors and fled into the mountains with his wife and children, and never came out again.
Interestingly, in order to govern the state of Chu, according to Shen's idea, King Zhao of Chu made a gate in Shen's alley in his hometown, found a stonemason and carved a banner stone sign: the gate of loyal subjects.