A Word of Advice Makes A World of Difference
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Daoguang was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty. His first three sons all died young. His fourth son, Yi Zhu, naturally became the heir apparent according to the imperial tradition. But the emperor's favorite was Yi Xin, his sixth son.
Yi Zhu's mentor, Du Shoutian, was a learned man with a calculating mind. Concerned by the emperor's attitude, he was anxious for a chance to help his pupil.
One day Emperor Daoguang took the princes on a hunting expedition. Before their departure, Du said to Yi Zhu, "When you are in the hunting ground, do not kill. You must also forbid your subordinates to kill anything."
"What should I say if my father asks me?"
Du told Yi Zhu what to say.
The princes were eager to show off their hunting skills, especially Yi Xin who managed to catch the biggest quarry. But Yi Zhu did nothing. He just sat on his horse, looking on.
At the end of the day, the emperor was not pleased at all to see Yi Zhu going home empty-handed. "You are here all day but you did not even catch a rabbit."
"I chose not, Father," Yi Zhu was ready to seize the opportunity. "If I ordered my men to hunt, I would have caught quite a few animals. But it is spring time, the time when animals are mating and reproducing. I don't have the heart to kill. Moreover, I'm not interested in competing with my younger brothers."
"Absolutely." The emperor was greatly impressed. Convinced that his fourth son possessed the requisite qualities for being a ruler, he soon announced that Yi Zhu was to be his successor.
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Wise Proverbs
- Venture a small fish to catch a great one.
- 欲钓大鱼，先舍小鱼。
- It takes two to make a quarrel.
- 一个巴掌拍不响。
- Second thoughts are best.
- 三思而后行。
Editor Says:
Sometimes doing nothing is the best course of action.