Chapter 68 Bending and Stretching to Great Things

Throughout the ages, anyone who can achieve great things must know the principle of being able to bend and stretch.At this point, Li Hongzhang got the true biography of Zeng Guofan.When he was in Zeng Guofan's shogunate, Li Hongzhang got an oral mental method "Ting Jing" from his teacher. Regarding this secret method, Li Hongzhang described it like this: The secret teaching method taught to me by the teacher is "Ting Jing" 19 This is really the secret to master good fortune and keep one's self in the world.There is such a story in the first article of this secret method.

Once upon a time, there was an old man who invited distinguished guests one day and wanted to keep the guests at home for lunch. Early in the morning, he ordered his son to go to the town to buy some fruit dishes, but it was almost noon, and the son had not come back yet.The old man was anxious to cook and entertain guests, so he ran to the entrance of the village to see if his son had returned. When he arrived at the entrance of the village, the old man found that his son was not far ahead, carrying a load of vegetables, and met a salesman carrying a load on the field ridge. Refusing to give way, the two sides have been deadlocked there for a long time.

The old man hurried forward to make a rescue, and said politely to the shopkeeper: "Brother, I have guests at home, and I am eager to ask for these things to cook and entertain them. Can you go down to the paddy field and make room for my son to come?" Isn't it possible for the old man to pass?Unexpectedly, the man said: You asked me to go into the water, why didn't you tell your son to go into the water first?The old man went on to explain: My son is short in stature. If he goes down into the paddy field, the vegetables at both ends of the burden will be soaked in water.Your elder brother is tall and tall, so he can't get wet.That is why I ask you to let me go first.The man said: "Your son's burden is just some ordinary vegetables and fruits. Even if it is soaked, it can still be used."My load is full of valuable goods from Jingguang, if it gets caught in the water, it will be worthless.So how do you get me into the water?

Seeing that there was no way out, the old man simply took off his shoes, rolled up his trousers, and prepared to go down into the paddy field: "Okay, okay, since it's not convenient for you to go into the water, it's my old man who went down to the paddy field. Your brother will deliver the load to me. I'm on the top of my head, please pass by my son alone, and I will return the burden after you pass, how about it?Seeing that the old man was like this, the man felt sorry, so he had no choice but to say: Since the old man is so polite, I am too embarrassed to argue. I will go to the paddy field and let your son go first.Immediately go to the field to avoid.The old man stood up deliberately like this, and a stalemate dispute was resolved.

"Ting Jing" is the secret method of Li Hongzhang handed down by Zeng Guofan. Unfortunately, there are no other written materials handed down to the world, and it cannot be seen in its entirety today.However, Li Hongzhang has always regarded this secret as a treasure in his official career in the future, as a guide for himself to conduct himself in the world. In 1894, the long-planned Japanese invaders launched a war against China. The decadent Qing Dynasty was vulnerable. The Beiyang Navy built by Li Hongzhang was almost wiped out in this war, and the whole country was shocked. This is history. Sino-Japanese War.Facing the danger of national subjugation and genocide, the Qing Dynasty had to bow its knees and beg for peace.

In 1895, the 72-year-old Li Hongzhang was once again forced onto the stage of history. Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu appointed him as a plenipotentiary representative to Japan to seek peace.Li Hongzhang once again confronted his old rival Ito Hirobumi. Although he defended China's sovereignty in every possible way during the negotiations, the weak country had no diplomacy. Emperor Guangxu was eager to seek peace, and he couldn't wait to instruct Li Hongzhang to sign the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", which humiliated the country and humiliated power. The signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" dealt a great blow to Li Hongzhang. Although the content of the treaty was completely proposed by Japan and approved by Emperor Guangxu, it seems that all the historical crimes fell on Li Hongzhang. The sinner of the ages, Li Hongzhang became the scapegoat of the corrupt Qing Dynasty!The governor of Zhili, the Beiyang Minister, was dismissed from his position as the Beiyang Minister. Li Hongzhang, who was old and frail, lived alone in the Xianliang Temple, reflecting behind closed doors.

Half a year later, Li Hongzhang finally survived this hurdle again, and the imperial court gave him a major task, which was to go to Russia to negotiate, and to go to Europe and the United States to study and study.