Fair Share
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Two brothers were involved in a bitter argument over the division of the asset their late father had left behind. Because they were related to Emperor Zhenzong, the judge was afraid of them and would not rule. Even the emperor did not know what to do. When his prime minister Zhang Qixian heard of it, he offered to solve the dispute.
He summoned the two brothers to his office.
“Is it true that both of you think the other person has received a bigger share?” he asked.
“That’s right,” the two men replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“You must make a written statement to that effect.”
Thereupon the younger brother wrote: I believe my elder brother received more asset than I.
Then he signed the statement.
The elder brother wrote: I believe my younger brother received more asset than I.
Then he signed the statement, too. Thereupon Prime Minister Zhang announced his verdict.
“As each of you believe the other person received a bigger share of your father’s legacy, to make both of you happy, I order you to exchange the asset you have with your brother.”
The two men were shocked, but agreed it was a fair solution.
Next Story
Good Intention
Last Story
Family Line
Wise Proverbs
- We both grew out of the same root,
- Why roast us so mercilessly?
- 本是同根生，相煎何太急 ？
- There is a skeleton in the cupboard.
- 家家有本难念的经。
- A just war is better than an unjust peace.
- 公平的战争胜过不公平的和平。
Editor Says:
This reminds me of another story. A man wanted to leave a piece of land to his two sons. But the two sons each wanted to have a bigger share. The man decided that one of them should divide the land and the other should choose first. The son who offered to divide the land did his best to split it into two exactly equal portions. As a result, the father and sons were all satisfied.