Declination to Throne (7)

1 King Zhao of Chu exiled himself for losing the war. Tu Yang Yue followed him.

2 After a few years, the king reoccupied his land and came into power again. To thank those faithful fellows who followed him in the exile, he decided to give them an audience and some rewards.

3 When he sent an envoy to Tu Yang Yue, asking him to the palace for audience, Tu Yang Yue; however, declined it.

4 He said, “The king lost his country which made me unemployed. Now the king comes into power, I am employed again. Now that I have job and income, I am satisfied. What do I asked for?”

5 Disagreeing with Tu Yang Yue, King Zhao insisted that Tu Yang Yue has to come for audience and reward asking.

6 Tu Yang Yue’s explained: “The king losing his power has nothing to do with me, a small potato, so losing power is not my fault. Also, I can’t take the credit on for the king coming into power, so I should not receive the King’s reward.

7 The king didn’t give up yet and insisted on giving Tu Yang Yue an audience. Then Tu Yang Yue explained it again. He said, “According to the law of the state of Chu, only a man who made great contribution to the state is qualified to be received an audience by the king and to receive handsome rewards. I, a small potato, have no enough bravery to defend our state. When enemy attacked our city, I fled because of fear, not because I was loyalty, faith, and dutiful to the King. Now the king breaches the regulation and the rule of state to give me an audience exceptionally. I don’t think it is right and expect the king to think it over again.”

8 King Zhao insisted again. He sent Sima Ziqi to persuade Tu Yang Yue. The king said to Sima Ziqi, “I think Tu Yang Yue’s views and ideas are very insightful though he is a peddler who slays and sells mutton in the market. With the dignity of high position, please represent me to visit him in person. You tell him that I want to promote him to a high position and ask him to work for our state.”

9 Sima Ziqi went and persuaded Tu Yang Yue. However, he didn’t change his idea. Tu Yang Yue said, “I know that the high position really is much dignified than I as a butcher of mutton and its salary is higher than mine. But I can’t make the king be reproached for abuse of appointment because of my greed. Please go back and tell the king that I really dare not accept his kindness. Let me be a common person all the same.”

10 The king found no way to persuade the stubborn and stiff guy to act as official in his government, so he gave up the appointment eventually.