Reward or No Reward
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Yan Ying was the governor of Dong'e. Three years into his term, there were so many complaints about him that Duke Jing, the ruler of Qi, decided to relieve him of his post.
"I've realized my mistakes now, Your Highness," said Yan Ying. "If you let me stay on for another three years, I promise I will improve."
Three years later, indeed there was much commendation about him. The duke was so pleased he summoned him to the court to be rewarded, but Yan Ying declined the honor.
"When I went to Dong'e the first time," he said, "I cleaned up corruption in the government. Those who were affected resented me. I punished criminals. Law-breakers hated me. I refused to give special consideration to the rich and influential. They were offended. When those around me asked for a favor, I only gave them what was legally allowed. They were displeased. When I entertained my superiors, I never exceeded the limit of normal standards. My superiors did not like that. All of them heaped slanders on me."
"In the last three years, I changed my way of doing things. No more clamp-down on corruption. No more punishment for those who broke the law. Whatever those around me asked for, I granted with a smile. Special consideration was given to the rich and influential. And I treated my superiors with lavish hospitality. As a result, all of them said good things about me."
"Frankly, I should have been rewarded for what I did in my first three years and punished for what I did in the last three years. That's why I can't accept any reward."
Duke Jing was struck. He appointed Yan Ying prime minister and Qi became a very prosperous country under Yan Ying's management.
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Wise Proverbs
- Wise men change their minds; fools never do.
- 智者通权达变，愚者刚愎自用。
- Lookers-on see most of the game.
- 旁观者清，当局者迷。
- Where there's life there's hope.
- 留得青山在，不怕没柴烧。
Editor Says:
Sometimes taking a step back is better than taking a step forward for achieving your objective. Yan Ying helped Duke Jing discern between right and wrong by temporarily retreating from principle.