成语典故：管鲍之交

As Close as Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya

　　Explanation：

　　Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were paragons of friendship， like David and Jonathan in the Bible.

　　Story：

　　Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya lived in the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period. They were business partners as well as very close companions. Bao Shuya invested two-thirds of the money in their business ventures but insisted on receiving only one-third of the profit. When the members of his family complained that this was not fair ，he simply said ，“Guan Zhong's family is poor ；he needs more money than I do ."

　　When Guan Zhong became a senior general he never led his soldiers into battle， and when the fighting turned unfavorable to his side， he was always the first to turn and flee. But whenever people called him coward， his friend Bao Shuya sprang to his defense， saying， "Guan Zhong has to look after his aged mother； he is duty-bound to preserve his life in order to support her. He certainly does not flee from danger because he is afraid." The king of Qi had two sons， Jiu and Xiaobai. Guan Zhong was prince Jiu's teacher， and Bao Shuya， prince Xiaobai's. Later， in a struggle for the throne， Xiaobai killed his brother and took power. Bao Shuyai immediately recommended GuanZhong to the new king， saying that Guan Zhong would make an excellent prime-minister. King Xiaobai replied， "But you were my teacher， sir. I hope you will accept the post of prime-minister." Bao Shuya said，“I thank Your Majesty for your trust. It is true that Guan Zhong was Prince Jiu's teacher. Nevertheless， he is the only man who can help you achieve your ambitions."

　　The king took Bao Shuya's selfless advice and appointed Guan Zhong his prime-minister. Under Guan Zhong's wise administration， Qi attained the height of its wealth and power.

管鲍之交

　　解释：

　　形容朋友交谊深厚。

　　故事：

　　管仲和鲍叔牙是春秋时代的人，两人互相照顾，亲如手足。

　　鲍叔牙与管仲合伙做生意，叔牙出三分之二的本钱，赚了钱却只要三分之一。鲍叔牙的家人表示不满，叔牙却说：“管仲家里穷嘛！”

　　后来，管仲当了大官，带兵打仗，可是不敢身先士卒，打败仗的时候，他总是第一个逃走。人们讥笑管仲胆小如鼠，是个没有勇气的人。这时，叔牙却出来说：“管仲家里有年老的母亲需要他奉养，其实，他并不是个怕死的人。”

　　管仲和鲍叔牙都是齐国人。齐王有两个儿子，纠和小白。管仲是公子纠的老师，鲍叔牙是公子小白的老师。后来两个公子为争夺王位互相残杀，公子纠被杀，小白即位，叔牙立刻向齐王小白推荐管仲，说：“管仲是一位有才干的人，请大王聘请他做宰相。”

　　齐王说：“你是我的老师，我愿拜你为相。”鲍叔牙语气坚定地说：“多谢大王的信任。以前管仲是公子纠的老师，难得他对公子纠的一片忠心。主公如果要干一番大事业，管仲可是个用得着的人。”

　　齐王终于采纳了鲍叔牙的建议，任命管仲为相。管仲整顿内政、开发资源、发展农业，很快就使齐国强盛起来，当上了盟主。