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本姓鍾離，名春。戰國齊人，生於無鹽邑（山東東平縣東）。貌雖奇醜，但有智慧。一日，至臨淄，見齊宣王曰：「仰慕大王美德，願執箕帚，聽從差遣。」王曰：「後宮有沉魚落雁，閉月羞花之佳麗，比比皆是，汝妙想天開，不自量！」
無鹽鄭重曰：「殆哉！殆哉！」王驚問：「何故？」對曰：「大王有四危殆，一者，內政不修，忠奸不辨。二者，興築漸臺，玩物喪志。三者，忠良隱山，諂佞在側。四者，外不修諸侯之禮，內不秉國家之治。」
王曰：「得聆言教，猶如暮鼓晨鐘，苟有寸進，皆君所賜。」於是勵精圖強，招賢納諫，齊國大治，拜無鹽為后。
註解：
天地間有百千萬億種人，可是每個人的樣子都有多少不同之處。在這麼多人裡，有的相貌生得端正，有的相貌生得醜陋；端正的人心裡不一定端正，醜陋的人心裡不一定醜陋。
古來有一句話：「以貌取人，失之子羽。」人，要看他的心，不可看他的外表，心地好才是眞好；心地不好，外貌怎麼美貌都是靠不住的。
戰國時在齊國出了個無鹽，本名叫鍾離春，因為她生於山東無鹽，故以地而名，她的本姓反而不令人注意。她生來聰明有智慧，可是相貌奇醜，長得不像一個女人的樣子，很粗野，也不柔和。
此時，齊國齊宣王荒淫無度，吃喝玩樂，無所不為。鍾離春覺得宣王所行所做是不對，如果這樣下去，齊國很容易就滅亡。於是她去見齊宣王。她到臨淄見齊宣王說：「我很仰慕你有治國之才，教民之德。我很願意以身相事，從事箕帚來侍候你。你叫我做什麼，我都願意。」這意思就是毛遂自薦，她有才華能把國家治好。
齊宣王聽她這樣說，以為她想入宮做一般的妃嬪之類，說：「我後宮裡有沉魚落雁，閉月羞花之佳麗，比比皆是，多得很。怎麼會輪到妳？妳的相貌那麼醜陋，妳眞是妙想天開，太不量力了！」
待續 |
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Text:
Her original surname was li, and her first name was Chun. She lived in the State of Qi during the Period of Warring States. She was born in Wuyan County (located in the eastern part of modern day Dong-ping County of Shandong Province). Her features were unusually displeasing, but she had wisdom. One day, she arrived in Lingzi and on meeting King Xuan of Qi, she said, "I deeply admire Your Majesty's inspiring virtue, and I wish to take up the broom and dustpan to wait upon Your Majesty."
The king responded, "The royal harem has exceptional beauties whose charm can make the fish drown, make the geese fall from the skies, make the moon go into hiding, and put the flowers to shame; I am surrounded by these beauties. You must be dreaming! You need to re-evaluate your qualifications!"
Lady Wuyan solemnly responded, "Perils indeed! Perils indeed!" The king asked in astonishment, "Whatever do you mean?"
She replied, "Your majesty is menaced by four perils. First, there has been no progress in domestic policies, and loyal officials cannot be distinguished from traitors. Second, by constructing pavilions, your Majesty is indulging in amusement and abandoning your aspirations. Third, the loyal and righteous have retreated to the mountains, while the fawning and obsequious are right by your side. Fourth, abroad your Majesty is not exercising proper diplomacy with the other feudal lords, while domestically your Majesty is not focused on the proper governing of the country."
The king replied, "Your words of teaching are like the drums at dusk and the bells at dawn; if I should make any improvement, it would be due to your generous giving." From then on, the king diligently worked to strengthen and improve the country. He sought to employ the righteous and listened to others' exhortations. The State of Qi became well governed, and with adoration the king made the Lady Wuyan his queen.
Commentary:
In this universe, there are billions of kinds of people, but each person's appearance is unique. In this multitude of people, there are some whose looks are fine and handsome, and others whose looks are ugly. However, good-looking people do not necessarily have good hearts; ugly people do not always have evil hearts.
There is an ancient saying: "Judging others by appearance, one can mistake a good man like Zhiyu." When dealing with a person, one should look at his heart and not make judgment based on his outward appearance. Having a good heart is true excellence; with a bad heart, a person is simply not dependable no matter how good-looking he is.
During the Period of Warring States, from the kingdom of Qi came a lady named Wuyan. Her original name was Zongli Chun. Because she was born in the Wuyan area of Shandong province, she was better known by the name of her hometown and her original name became disregarded. She was born intelligent and wise, but her looks were unusually displeasing, such that she did not resemble the expected image of a woman. Her demeanor was rough and wild, rather than smooth and serene.
At that time, King Xuan of the State of Qi was exceedingly debauched. He indulged in all the exorbitant pleasures of dining, wining, and frolic. Zongli Chun felt that the behavior of her king was wrong, and that if it continued, the State of Qi would surely be ruined. Therefore, she went to see King Xuan. Arriving at the capitol of Lingzi, she met King Xuan and told him, "I admire your talent in governing and your virtue in guiding the people, so I wish to volunteer myself to perform household chores and to serve you. Your wish shall be my command." She self-assuredly offered her skills, for she had the talent to help properly govern the country.
However, upon hearing her words, King Xuan misunderstood and thought that she wanted to enter the palace and become one of his many consorts, so he replied "The royal harem has exceptional beauties whose charm can make the fish drown, make the geese fall from the skies, make the moon go into hiding, and put the flowers to shame; I am surrounded by these beauties. They are numerous. How could you ever have a chance to join them? Your looks are so ugly. You must be dreaming! You need to re-evaluate your qualifications!"
To be continued
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