talent palace refuses able expected deep importance politely nobody tell farmers |
Huan Gong was the king of the state of Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period. He wanted to enlist (招募) men from different places. In order to show his sincerity (真诚), he had a bright torch (火炬) lit in front of his day and night. The torch had been burning for one whole year, and yet came.
One day, a villager from a small village wished to meet Huan Gong, saying that he had the ability to recite the multiplication (乘法) table. When Huan Gong heard of this, he thought it was funny. And he sent an officer the villager. "How could you hope to see the king just because you can recite the multiplication table?"
The villager replied, "I hear that the torch before the palace has been burning for one year, but no one came. This is because His Majesty (陛下) is a king of great . All the talented men near and far couldn't be sure that His Majesty would have a high opinion of them. So they didn't dare (敢) to see him. My ability of reciting the multiplication table is truly of little , but if His Majesty could receive me , then he didn't need to worry that those with real ability would not come." He then continued. "Mount Tai is huge because it never any single small stone; the sea is because it gathers every small stream together." The Book of Song says. The wise kings of ancient times often went to who cut firewood and grass to ask for their advice."Only in this way can you pool the wisdom of the people."
Hearing this, Huan Gong nodded repeatedly, and gave this villager a big reception (接待). As , within one month, many with different abilities from all places came one after another to see Huan Gong.
