◎Yanzi’s Spring and Autumn Annals
Yanzi, a senior official of the State Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC), was to pay an official visit to the State Chu. Learning the news, King of Chu said to his ministers, “Yan Ying (formal name of Yanzi) is an eloquent person in the State Qi. Now he is coming to visit us. I am thinking of insulting him. Do you have any ideas?” A minister replied, “After he arrives here, we will tie up a person, and let him pass by Your Majesty. Then, you will ask, ‘Where does this criminal come from?’ We will answer, ‘He is a Qi native.’ Then, you will ask again, ‘What crime has he committed?’ We will answer, ‘He has committed the crime of theft.’”
After Yanzi reached the State Qi, King of Chu entertained him with a big banquet, and conferred him wines. While they were enjoying the delicacy, two soldiers escorted a tied-up strong man to King of Chu. Seeing the man, King of Chu asked in a high voice, “Who is this tied-up man?” The soldiers replied, “Your Majesty, he is Qi native, and committed the crime of theft.” Hearing the reply, King of Chu turned to Yanzi with joy, “Do your Qi natives like stealing things since birth?”
Yanzi rose from his seat, walked to King of Chu with respect, and answered, “According to my best knowledge, orange trees will yield oranges if they grow to the south of the Huaihe River, but will yield bitter fruits if they grow to the north of the Huaihe River. Though the leaves of the trees are very similar, the fruits they yield are very different: one is sweet, and the other is bitter.
How come? This is because of the different climates. The tied-up person didn’t steal anything when he was in the State Qi, but rather he learned to steal after he came to the State Chu. Isn’t it because the climate in the State Qi makes the residents to learn to steal easier?”
Hearing the eloquent remarks, King of Chu was fully convinced, and smiled, “It is really inadvisable to make fun of a clever person. Today, I have failed to fool you, but had myself fooled.”
