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Hui Ang was a statesman, rhetorician and philosopher from the State of Song during the Warring States period. Hui Ang paid a visit to King Kang of Song. King Kang stamped his foot, cleared his throat and said impatiently, ‘I value courage and strength above all else; I have no time for talk of benevolence,…
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Ji Shengzi was training a fighting cock for King Xuan of Zhou. Ten days later, King Xuan asked whether the cock was ready. Ji Shengzi replied, ‘Not yet; it appears fierce, but this is merely a pretence.’ Another ten days passed, and King Xuan asked again. Ji Shengzi said, ‘It is still not ready; it…
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In Yangli, in the State of Song, there lived a man named Hua Zi, who, in middle age, suffered from forgetfulness. He forgets by evening what he picked up in the morning, and by morning what he was given in the evening; while out walking, he forgets to walk, and while indoors, he forgets to…
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Duanmu Shu was a descendant of Duanmu Ci (Zi Gong), a disciple of Confucius, and lived in the State of Wei during the Warring States period. Duanmu Shu inherited the vast fortune accumulated by his ancestors. He took no interest in worldly affairs, indulged his whims and led a life of luxury; the standards of…
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Once, there was a man who claimed to possess the art of immortality, so the ruler of the State of Yan sent an envoy to learn it from him. However, before the envoy had even reached him, the man had already died. The ruler of Yan flew into a rage and was about to have…
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In the Zhou dynasty, there was a man surnamed Yin who had a large estate. The labourers in his employ toiled from dawn till dusk without rest. One elderly servant was utterly exhausted; whilst working during the day, he would groan and cry out, and at night he would fall into a deep, drowsy sleep,…