Why did Fan Li say that Goujian can share hardships and bear wealth together? There are four main reasons for this. Below, the History Encyclopedia editor will provide a detailed introduction. Let’s continue reading~
In 468 BC, Fan Li helped Goujian conquer Wu and achieve hegemony. Due to his great achievements, Goujian appointed him as the founding general. But Fan Li left a letter thanking Goujian for his kindness and left the state of Yue. Not only that, he also wrote a letter to a fellow writer in the state of Qi who worked hard for Goujian, saying: ‘When all the birds fly together, good bows hide; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks. The King of Yue is a man with a long neck and bird beak, he can share hardships with others, but not enjoy them together.’.
1. Misconduct
Before experiencing the destruction of the country, Goujian’s moral character was not good. The Guoyu Yueyu records that our ancestors passed away and Bugu ascended to the throne. My age is young and there is no constant. When I leave, there is a shortage of birds, and when I enter, there is a shortage of wine.
During that period, Goujian was in the midst of wealth and prosperity. Absurdity was his true face, and the humiliation and burden he endured in poverty were just an illusion.
2. Goujian’s actions of being close to petty people and disrespectful to ministers
According to Yue language, Goujian had planned to attack Wu three years after ascending the throne. Fan Li strongly advised him that the timing was not right, but Goujian’s response was “Wang Futing” and “Guo Xingshi attacked Wu, fought in the Five Lakes, was unsuccessful, and settled in Kuaiji.” There are also records that Dao Goujian favored a doctor named Shi Mai (Yue Jueshu?), listened to his words, and distanced himself from Fan Li. Even Wen Zhong couldn’t help but fight for Fan Li.
Regarding Wen Zhong, Goujian probably did not show enough respect in his early years. Otherwise, when Wen Zhong was defeated, he would not have accused him, saying, “Now that the king is perched on Kuaiji, he only seeks advisers, and there is nothing else to do.” Goujian was stubborn and self willed in his bones, and did not listen to the opinions of this group of wise ministers. When he was defeated, he had the courage to ask them to clean up the mess for himself. This kind of arrogant and respectful attitude, Wen Zhong is an honest person and doesn’t care about it, but the shrewd Fan Li secretly remembers it in his heart.
3. Poor facial appearance
This reason may seem absurd and superstitious, but ancient people placed great importance on facial features. In the Records of the Grand Historian, Fan Li said: The King of Yue was a man with a long neck and bird beak, who could share hardships with him, but not enjoy happiness with him. We don’t know what ‘long necked bird beak’ means, but it’s definitely not a good face.
4. Forget kindness and hold grudges
Although there is no empirical evidence on this point, it can be inferred from what Fan Li said when he bid farewell. I have heard that those who serve as courtiers are worried about their labor, and they are humiliated and killed. In the past, when kings humiliated Kuaiji, I did not die because of this. Now that the situation has been resolved, I respectfully request that you comply with the punishment imposed by Kuaiji
The implicit meaning of this sentence is that the insults suffered by Goujian in the state of Wu were all attributed to his subjects, and now his merits and demerits have been balanced, and he has fully recovered.
History has proven that what Fan Li said is true. Goujian can only share hardships, not wealth and prosperity. After Fan Li left the state of Yue, Tian Zhong was forced to commit suicide.
