A Former Enemy
In ancient China, namely before the era of First Qin Emperor, there was a state called Qi under authority of the collapsing Zhou Dynasty.
But the ruleer of Qi, called Duke Xiang, was an outrageous man. Accordingly, the Duke was killed by his cousin. Yet, this cousin of the Duke was also killed by soldiers. So, ministers of Qi decided to call back other younger brothers of Duke Xiang who had already fled from Qi as they were afraid of terrible Xiang.
And then, one official named Guan Zohng was bringing back one, and another official called Bao Shuya was taking another brother to Qi back from other state. But Guan Zohng tried to prevent another brother of the late Duke from reaching the state of Qi first. So, Guan ambushed his target coming in a carriage, shooting him with an arrow. But, the arrow hit only a metal part of armor of this good prospect for the next ruler of Qi. So, the attacked one pretended to be killed in a carriage but sped up his horses to his home state. Eventually, this younger brother of the former ruler, protected by Bao Shuya, could return to the royal palace of Qi earlier than his rival brother helped by Guan Zohng who tried to assassinate him.
Now, the one supported by official Bao Shuya became the ruler of Qi. So, he wanted to kill Guan Zohng who actually shot at him. But, Bao Shuya remonstrated with the new ruler, recommending, with enthusiasm, forgiving Guan Zohng and rather appointing him to a key position in the government. So, the new and young ruler of Qi, now called Duke Huan of Qi, suppressed his bitterness and decided to see Guan Zohng in person, following advice of his loyal subject Bao Shuya.
When Guan Zohng met with Duke Huan, he eloquently explained how to govern the state Qi, making it stronger and prosperous. So, immediately the new ruler of Qi appointed Guan Zohng to the prime minister. Bao Shuya voluntarily took a lower position to serve new prime minister Guan. And, the state Qi became the leading state among several competing states in the era called the Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 403 BC).
At the time, still the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC) had nominal sovereignty over local states, though actual political power shifted from the royal court of Zhou to each government of virtually independent states. So, Duke Huan of Qi behaved sometimes arrogantly before the Zhou authority. In such a case, Guan Zohng always remonstrated with Duke Huan so as not to cause unnecessary political friction. And, his lord Duke Huan always accepted Guan's advice.
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Mar 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.