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桓公自莒反于齐，使鲍叔牙为宰。辞曰：君有加惠于其臣，使臣不冻喂，则是君之赐也。若必治国家，则非臣之所能也。其唯管夷吾乎。臣之所不如管夷吾者五，宽惠爱民，臣不如也。治国不失柄，臣不如也。忠信可结于诸侯，臣不如也。制礼义可法于四方，臣不如也。介胄执枹，立于军门，使百姓皆加勇，臣不如也。夫管子、民之父母也。将欲治其子，不可以弃其父母。公曰：管夷吾亲射寡人中鈎，殆于死，今乃用之、可乎。鲍叔曰：彼为其君也。君若宥而反之，其为君亦犹是也。公使人请之鲁，囚管仲以与齐，桓公亲迎之郊，遂与归，礼之于庙而问为政焉。 |
| | The Duke Huan returned from Ju to Qi, and appointed Bao Shuya as prime minister. He declined by saying: "If the lord bestows additional grace upon his ministers, and enables them to avoid cold and hunger, that is the lord's gift." "If it is indeed necessary to govern the state well, then that is not within my ability." It can only be Guan Yiwu. There are five ways in which I am inferior to Guan Yiwu: In being broad-minded, kind, and loving the people, I am not as good as he. In governing the state without losing control, I am not as capable as he. In being loyal and trustworthy enough to gain the trust of the feudal lords, I am not equal to him. In establishing rites and righteousness that can serve as a model for all directions, I am no match for him. "In donning armor and holding the drumstick, standing at the gate of the army, and inspiring all the people to become braver, I am not comparable to him." Guan Zi is the father and mother of the people. If one wishes to govern the children, one cannot abandon their parents. The Duke said: "Guan Yiwu personally shot me in the central hook of my armor, nearly killing me. Now you want to use him—how can that be acceptable?" Bao Shu said: "He was acting for his lord." "If you forgive him and bring him back, he will serve you as faithfully as he served his former lord." The Duke sent envoys to request him from Lu, and the State of Lu handed over Guan Zhong to Qi. Duke Huan personally met him at the outskirts, then returned with him, honored him in the ancestral temple, and asked about governance.
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管仲相三月，请论百官。公曰：诺。管仲曰：升降揖让，进退闲习，臣不如隰朋，请立以为大行，辟土聚粟，尽地之利，臣不如宁戚，请立以为司田，平原广牧，车不结辙，士不旋踵，鼓之而三军之士视死如归，臣不如王子城父，请立以为大司马，决狱折中，不杀不辜，不诬无罪，臣不如宾胥无，请立以为大理，犯君顔色，进谏必忠，不避死亡，不挠贵富，臣不如东郭牙，请立以为大谏之官，此五子者，夷吾一不如，然君若欲治国强兵，则五子者存，若欲霸王，夷吾在此。桓公曰：善。 |
| | After three months of serving as prime minister, Guan Zhong requested to assess all government officials. The Duke said: "Agreed." Guan Zhong said: "In ascending and descending, bowing and yielding, in advancing and retreating with ease and familiarity, I am not as good as Xi Peng. Please appoint him as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In opening up land, gathering grain, and making full use of the land's potential, I am no match for Ning Qi. Please appoint him as Da Si Tian [Grand Agricultural Officer]. In managing vast plains and pastures where chariots do not block each other's wheels and soldiers do not turn their heels in retreat, and where the beating of a drum makes all three armies regard death as returning home, I am inferior to Wang Zichengfu. Please appoint him as Grand Marshal. In judging cases fairly, without killing the innocent or falsely accusing those who are guiltless, I cannot compare with Bin Xuwu. Please appoint him as Da Da Li [Grand Justice Officer]. In confronting the ruler directly and offering loyal advice without fear of death or avoidance of wealth and rank, I am not equal to Dongguo Yayu. Please appoint him to serve in the position of Grand Censor. These five men are all superior to me in one respect; I do not match them at all. However, if you wish to govern the state well and strengthen your military forces, these five men must be retained. If you desire hegemony or supremacy, then I am here." Duke Huan said: "Well said."
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