During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Huan of Qi had a military advisor(军师) named Guan Zhong. Guan was a wise man who had helped Qi become a powerful state at that time.

One spring, the Shanrong, a minority group(少数民族) from the north, ①attack the state of Yan. The ruler of Yan asked Qi for help. Duke Huan of Qi led his army to ②rescue Yan. Guan also went with him.

When the Shanrong soldiers heard that the Qi army was coming, they ran away from Yan and into the mountains of the state of Guzhu. The Qi soldiers followed and fought with them there. The battle(战争) lasted for almost a year. When the Qi army finally ③defeated the enemy, it was already winter. Duke Huan of Qi was then ready to lead his army back to Qi, but he and his soldiers got lost in a valley(山谷).

Duke Huan of Qi sent several teams of soldiers to look for a way out. However, the valley was covered by sand and rocks. In that cold winter, even the sky was dark. All the teams returned in vain(徒劳无功). As time went by, the soldiers would soon run out of food. Duke Huan of Qi was as anxious(焦急的) as an ant on a hot pot.

Suddenly, Guan came up with an idea. “I’ve heard that when dogs were taken away from their homes, most of them could find their way back. Horses may also have the ability to ④recognize their way back home,” said Guan. “We can pick some old horses and let them lead the way. Maybe they can help us get out of here.”

Duke Huan of Qi agreed. Guan chose a couple of old horses and let them walk ahead. The horses looked around and then walked along the hillside. The army followed them. Luckily, with the old horses leading the way, the army was able to get out of the valley and returned safely to Qi.

New Words:

①attack: use knives, guns etc. against an enemy in a war

②rescue: to save sb. from a dangerous situation

③defeat: to win against sb. in a war or a competition

④recognize: to know what something is when you see it because you have seen it before

In the Western Han Dynasty, there was a boy called Kuang Heng. He was born in a poor family and couldn’t go to school. Luckily, one of his relatives taught him to read and he became very interested in reading.

At that time, books were expensive. Kuang Heng couldn’t afford books, so he decided to borrow some. He worked for a rich man without getting paid. The rich man asked, “Why don’t you want the money?” Kuang Heng said, “I like reading. You only need to lend me some books.” The rich man was surprised at his diligence(勤奋) and agreed to lend him books.

In the daytime, Kuang Heng had to work, so he could only read in the night. However, he was too poor to buy even a candle. How could he read in the dark night? He found that his neighbor lit(点燃) candles in the house, and he had a good idea. He dug a small hole on the wall so that he could use the light to read books. From that day, he read every night until the light went out.

Finally, Kuang Heng became a successful person with great knowledge.