黄石公

黄石公（？—？），秦朝末年人物，曾传授张良兵法。相传《素书》和《三略》为其所著，一说为假借其名所著。

圯下拾履

张良改名换姓逃亡在下邳时，曾经在闲暇的时候散步到下邳的桥上，黄石公身穿粗布短衣，走到张良身边，故意把鞋子掉到桥下，黄石公看着张良说：“小子，下去取我的鞋！”张良吃了一惊，想要殴打黄石公，因为黄石公年老，就强忍着，下桥去取鞋。黄石公说：“给我穿起来！”张良先给黄石公取了鞋，接着跪着给黄石公穿上。黄石公伸出脚接受张良穿鞋，笑着离去。张良特别惊讶，目送黄石公离去。黄石公离开一里左右，又返回来说：“小子值得教导。过五天天亮，与我在此相会。”张良因而感到奇怪，跪着说：“是。”第五天天亮时，张良前往桥上，黄石公已经先到，愤怒的说：“和老人相会却晚到，为什么？”黄石公离去说：“过五天早点来相会。”过了五天，张良在鸡叫时就去了，黄石公又先到，再次愤怒的说：“晚到了，为什么？”黄石公离去时又说：“过五天再早点来。”五天后，张良夜半就去了。一会儿，黄石公也来了，高兴的说：“应该是这个样子。”黄石公拿出一册书说：“读了此书就可以成为帝王的老师。十年后，你就会发迹。十三年后小子会在济北见到我，谷城山下的黄石就是我了。”黄石公于是离去，没有其他话，再也不见了。张良天亮后看了那书，原来是《太公兵法》。张良觉得此书非同一般，经常温习诵读它。

张良自从在下邳桥上见到黄石公送给兵书，十三年后他跟随刘邦经过济北，果然在谷城山下见到一块黄石，张良将黄石取回来当做宝贝一样祭祀。张良死后和黄石一起下葬，他的后人每当伏日和腊日上坟扫墓，也要祭祀黄石。

山东后有谷城黄石公祠，唐朝李栖筠曾作《济州谷城黄石公祠记》传世。

Huang Shigong (Chinese: 黃石公; lit. 'Yellow Rock Old Man') is a semi-mythological figure and Taoist hermit who lived between the Qin dynasty and Han dynasty. He gave Zhang Liang a treatise on military strategy called Huang Shigong San Lue (The Three Strategies of Huang Shigong) and the Lingqijing divination manual that allowed Zhang Liang to transform into an adept statesman and powerful war theorist.

Legend

According to legend, Huang Shigong was an important minister of Qin Shi Huang's father, King Zhuangxiang of Qin, surnamed Wei, and named Che. After King Zhuangxiang died, it was Qin Shi Huang's turn to ascend to the throne and govern. However, he proved to be arbitrary and tyrannical, ignoring the advice of his loyal ministers. Wei Che, dismayed by the situation, chose to retire and left the court.

Upon learning of Wei Che's departure, Qin Shi Huang considered two factors. Firstly, despite his youth and recent ascension to the throne, he recognized the need for assistance in firmly establishing his rule. Secondly, Wei Che, a seasoned minister from the previous emperor's era, leaving might subject Qin Shi Huang to ridicule for being intolerant. Determined to retain Wei Che's support, Qin Shi Huang gathered trusted men and horses and chased him to the foot of Mount Li. There, he earnestly attempted to persuade Wei Che to return with kind words. Wei Che, however, remained resolute in his decision and refused to go back. Subsequently, Wei Che chose to live in seclusion in the Huanghua Cave at the base of Mount Huang in the northwest of Pizhou. Due to the unknown nature of his real name, people began referring to him as Huang Shigong.

Meeting Zhang Liang

As a wanted man by the government, Zhang Liang travelled to Xiapi and stayed there for some time, using fake identities to evade the authorities. One day, Zhang Liang took a stroll at Yishui Bridge and met an old man there. The man walked towards Zhang Liang and chucked his shoe down the bridge on purpose, after which he yelled at Zhang, "Hey boy, go down and fetch me my shoe!" Zhang Liang was astonished and unhappy but obeyed silently. The old man then lifted his foot and ordered Zhang Liang to put on the shoe for him. Zhang Liang was furious, but he controlled his temper and meekly obliged. The man did not show any sign of gratitude and walked away laughing.

The old man came back after walking a distance and praised Zhang Liang, "This child can be taught!" and asked Zhang Liang to meet him at the bridge again at dawn five days later. Zhang Liang was confused but agreed. Five days later, Zhang Liang rushed to the bridge at the stroke of dawn, but the old man was already waiting for him there. The old man chided him, "How can you be late for a meeting with an elderly man? Come back again five days later!" Zhang Liang tried his best to be punctual the second time, but the old man still arrived earlier than him, and he was scorned by the old man once more and told to return again five days later. The third time, Zhang Liang went to the bridge at midnight and waited until the old man appeared. This time, the old man was so impressed with Zhang Liang's fortitude and humility that he presented Zhang with a book, saying, "You can become the tutor of a ruler after reading this book. Within ten years, the world will become chaotic. You can then use your knowledge from this book to bring peace and prosperity to the empire. Meet me again 13 years later. I'm the yellow rock at the foot of Mount Gucheng."