很久以前，在春秋戰國時期，齊國的國君:齊桓公，正坐在他的宮殿裡發愁。他的鄰國楚國日益強大，擁有一支精銳的軍隊。齊桓公擔心，如果楚國發動進攻，齊國將難以抵擋。他望著窗外的遠方，思考著如何才能讓齊國在不發生戰爭的情況下保持安全。
智慧的謀臣管先生看穿了齊桓公的心思。他走上前，輕聲說：「大王，戰鬥不一定要用刀劍。我們可以用另一種方式——錢財。」管先生提出了一個大膽的計劃：齊國將以極高的價格，收購楚國特產的鹿皮。他認為，當財富誘惑足夠大時，人們就會忘記勤奮工作的本質。
在楚國的一個小村莊裡，農夫阿福和他的兒子小虎正看著自家的農田。聽說一對鹿皮就能換回一年的口糧，阿福毫不猶豫地扔掉了手中的鋤頭。他對小虎說：「兒子，別種地了，種地太累又賺不到錢。快去拿弓箭，我們去山裡捕鹿！」
就在楚國人沉浸在賺錢的喜悅中時，齊國的宮廷裡，管先生再次向齊桓公進言：「大王，時機成熟了。現在請下令關閉邊境，禁止糧食出口，並停止收購鹿皮。」齊桓公點了點頭，派人登上了高高的城牆。
楚國的熊王突然發現不對勁了。雖然國庫裡堆滿了金銀，但市場上的糧食卻消失了。他憤怒地看著桌上的晚餐——那只是一碗清淡的野菜湯。他意識到，楚國的百姓都去捕鹿了，沒人種田，現在連金子也買不到糧食。
阿福和小虎感到肚子很餓。他們背著沉重的錢袋去市場，卻發現糧店全都關門了。人們紛紛望向齊國的方向，聽說那裡的糧倉滿滿當當。阿福嘆了口氣，拉起小虎的手說：「我們走吧，去齊國，那裡才有活下去的希望。」
Long ago, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Duke Huan of Qi sat in his palace, deep in thought. His neighbor, the state of Chu, was growing increasingly powerful, possessing an elite army. Duke Huan feared that if Chu launched an attack, Qi would be unable to withstand it. He gazed out the window, pondering how to ensure Qi's safety without war.
His wise advisor, Guan Zhong, saw through Duke Huan's worries. He stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, battles don't always have to be fought with swords. We can use another method—money." Guan Zhong proposed a bold plan: Qi would purchase Chu's specialty deer hides at exorbitant prices. He believed that when the temptation of wealth is great enough, people will forget the importance of hard work.
齊桓公採納了管先生的建議。管先生隨即找來了齊國最富有的商人，交給他沉甸甸的黃金。「去楚國吧，」管先生吩咐道，「告訴那裡的人，無論有多少鹿皮，齊國都願意出三倍的價格收購。」商人接過黃金，眼中閃爍著對這場奇特貿易的好奇。
Duke Huan adopted Guan Zhong's suggestion. Guan Zhong then summoned Qi's wealthiest merchant and presented him with a heavy wad of gold. "Go to Chu," Mr. Guan instructed. "Tell the people there that Qi is willing to pay three times the price for any number of deer hides." The merchant accepted the gold, his eyes gleaming with curiosity about this unusual trade.
消息很快傳到了楚國。楚國的熊王聽說齊國人竟然花大價錢買那些沒用的鹿皮，忍不住哈哈大笑。他對臣子們說：「齊桓公真是糊塗了！他把錢送給我們，我們正好可以用這些錢去買更多的兵器。傳令下去，讓百姓們多抓些鹿！」
The news quickly reached Chu. King Xiong of Chu, upon hearing that the people of Qi were spending such a high price on useless deer hides, couldn't help but laugh heartily. He told his ministers, "Duke Huan of Qi is truly foolish! He's giving us money; we can use it to buy more weapons. Send the order down to the people to catch more deer!"
In a small village in Chu, the farmer Afu and his son Xiaohu were tending their fields. Hearing that a pair of deer hides could be exchanged for a year's worth of food, Afu unhesitatingly threw down his hoe. He said to Xiaohu, "Son, stop farming. Farming is too tiring and doesn't earn much. Go get your bow and arrows; let's go hunting deer in the mountains!"
幾個月過去了，楚國的崇山峻嶺間到處都是捕鹿的人。阿福和小虎在森林裡穿梭，終於發現了一隻鹿。他們全神貫注地追逐著獵物，卻完全沒有注意到，村莊裡的農田已經長滿了雜草，原本綠油油的稻苗早已枯萎。
Several months passed, and the mountains of Chu were teeming with deer hunters. Afu and Xiaohu trekked through the forest and finally spotted a deer. Completely absorbed in their pursuit, they failed to notice that the village fields were overgrown with weeds, and the once lush rice seedlings had withered.
While the people of Chu were basking in the joy of their newfound wealth, in the Qi court, Master Guan once again advised Duke Huan of Qi: "Your Majesty, the time is ripe. Now, please order the borders closed, prohibit grain exports, and cease the purchase of deer hides." Duke Huan nodded and sent men to scale the high city walls.
The King of Chu, Xiong, suddenly realized something was amiss. Although the treasury was overflowing with gold and silver, the grain in the market had vanished. He angrily stared at his dinner—a mere bowl of bland vegetable soup. He realized that the people of Chu had all gone to hunt deer; no one was farming, and now even gold couldn't buy grain.
Afu and Xiaohu felt very hungry. They carried heavy bags of money to the market, only to find all the grain shops closed. People all looked towards the direction of Qi, hearing that its granaries were overflowing. Afu sighed, took Xiaohu's hand, and said, "Let's go to Qi; only there is hope for survival."
最終，強大的楚國因為糧荒而失去了戰鬥力，百姓們紛紛投靠齊國。齊桓公和管先生站在豐饒的稻田邊，看著農民們辛勤耕作。管先生感嘆道：「真正的強大不在於一時的財富，而在於根基的穩固。」齊桓公點點頭，深深地記住了這個教訓。
Ultimately, the powerful state of Chu lost its fighting strength due to famine, and its people flocked to Qi. Duke Huan of Qi and Master Guan stood beside the bountiful rice paddies, watching the farmers toil diligently. Master Guan sighed, "True strength lies not in temporary wealth, but in a solid foundation." Duke Huan nodded, deeply remembering this lesson.
Long ago, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Duke Huan of Qi sat in his palace, deep in thought. His neighbor, the state of Chu, was growing increasingly powerful, possessing an elite army. Duke Huan feared that if Chu launched an attack, Qi would be unable to withstand it. He gazed out the window, pondering how to ensure Qi's safety without war.
His wise advisor, Guan Zhong, saw through Duke Huan's worries. He stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, battles don't always have to be fought with swords. We can use another method—money." Guan Zhong proposed a bold plan: Qi would purchase Chu's specialty deer hides at exorbitant prices. He believed that when the temptation of wealth is great enough, people will forget the importance of hard work.
Duke Huan adopted Guan Zhong's suggestion. Guan Zhong then summoned Qi's wealthiest merchant and presented him with a heavy wad of gold. "Go to Chu," Mr. Guan instructed. "Tell the people there that Qi is willing to pay three times the price for any number of deer hides." The merchant accepted the gold, his eyes gleaming with curiosity about this unusual trade.
The news quickly reached Chu. King Xiong of Chu, upon hearing that the people of Qi were spending such a high price on useless deer hides, couldn't help but laugh heartily. He told his ministers, "Duke Huan of Qi is truly foolish! He's giving us money; we can use it to buy more weapons. Send the order down to the people to catch more deer!"
In a small village in Chu, the farmer Afu and his son Xiaohu were tending their fields. Hearing that a pair of deer hides could be exchanged for a year's worth of food, Afu unhesitatingly threw down his hoe. He said to Xiaohu, "Son, stop farming. Farming is too tiring and doesn't earn much. Go get your bow and arrows; let's go hunting deer in the mountains!"
Several months passed, and the mountains of Chu were teeming with deer hunters. Afu and Xiaohu trekked through the forest and finally spotted a deer. Completely absorbed in their pursuit, they failed to notice that the village fields were overgrown with weeds, and the once lush rice seedlings had withered.
While the people of Chu were basking in the joy of their newfound wealth, in the Qi court, Master Guan once again advised Duke Huan of Qi: "Your Majesty, the time is ripe. Now, please order the borders closed, prohibit grain exports, and cease the purchase of deer hides." Duke Huan nodded and sent men to scale the high city walls.
The King of Chu, Xiong, suddenly realized something was amiss. Although the treasury was overflowing with gold and silver, the grain in the market had vanished. He angrily stared at his dinner—a mere bowl of bland vegetable soup. He realized that the people of Chu had all gone to hunt deer; no one was farming, and now even gold couldn't buy grain.
Afu and Xiaohu felt very hungry. They carried heavy bags of money to the market, only to find all the grain shops closed. People all looked towards the direction of Qi, hearing that its granaries were overflowing. Afu sighed, took Xiaohu's hand, and said, "Let's go to Qi; only there is hope for survival."
Ultimately, the powerful state of Chu lost its fighting strength due to famine, and its people flocked to Qi. Duke Huan of Qi and Master Guan stood beside the bountiful rice paddies, watching the farmers toil diligently. Master Guan sighed, "True strength lies not in temporary wealth, but in a solid foundation." Duke Huan nodded, deeply remembering this lesson.
沒有留言:
張貼留言