During the Warring States era戰 國 時 期 , there was in the State of Qi齊 國a chief minister by the name of Zou Ji鄒 忌. He had a friend who was indisputably the most handsome man in the city at the time called Xu Gong徐 公 .
One day Zou asked his wife, “As compared with city north’s Xu Gong, who is more handsome, he or I?” His wife replied, “Of course it is you, how can Xu Gong compare with you!”
Zou asked the same question of his concubine and she answered, “ Definitely you are more handsome than he.” Zou was pleased.
The next day a guest came to his house and Zou asked, “ Compare me with Xu Gong, who is more handsome?” The guest answered, “ Xu Gong is not as good as you.” Zou was completely convinced.
After a while, it happened that Xu Gong came to visit him. Zou carefully observed him and realized that he was no match with Xu Gong. Then he realized the truth: “ My wife said I am more handsome because she loves me with prejudice. My concubine said I am more handsome because she fears me. My guest said I am more handsome because he had something to ask of me.”
The next day, when Zou was in Court, he told his incident at home to the King of Qi齊 王together with his conclusion: “ Qi has a thousand miles of land. None of your consorts and concubines are not without prejudice in loving you. None of the ministers in court are not without fear towards you. All Qi’s people and neighbouring states are wanting something from you. From these, it seems that you are much more shielded from the truth than I.”
King of Qi was greatly impressed by what he heard. He instantly passed a decree: “ Anyone who can tell me my faults and shortcomings in my presence, he deserves a top prize. Anyone who can persuade me in writing, he’ll get a medium prize. Anyone who can criticize my faults in front of friends and subsequently heard by me shall get a low prize.”
After the decree was issued, all sorts of ideas and comments regarding the administration of the country came from the people of Qi and the reception of the imperial court’s office was as busy as a market place. Because of this unstoppable channel of ideas, Qi became a much more stronger state among its neighbours.
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