Lietse (4)

1 Cao Shang was a citizen of the State of Song. King Song dispatched him to the State of Qin as messenger. In order to strengthen his vigor, King Song granted some attendants and wealth (equal to several carriages of rice) to him for use on the way.

2 Cao Shang was smart and agile. He completed his task assigned by King Song smoothly and the king of Qin also felt contented to him. In the eve of leaving Qin, the king of Qin bestowed wealth (equal to one hundred carriages of rice) on him. He in glory came back.

3 Someday, Cao Shang met Chuang Tzu. He boasted complacently, “You are so great! You live on knitting straw shoes, leading a destitute life. Living in slum, you are thin and hungry but you still enjoy the life. Your practice is better than mine. However, I moved the king of great power and am honored to be bestowed a lot of wealth, which is my ability and worth showing off.”

4 Seeing his mean and complacent look, Chuang Tzu felt sullen. He decided to depress him. What make you meet me? Taking a look at him, Chuang Tzu said, “I hear that there are several ranks of reward for doctor who treats the king of Qin. He who can cure sore is rewarded money equal to one carriage of rice; he who can lick hemorrhoids to relieve his pain is rewarded money equal to five carriages of rice. The humbler method is, the more his reward is. For example, he who can taste stool to diagnose the illness is rewarded the largest amount of money. You must have cured the king of Qin’s hemorrhoids. You therefore are rewarded so much money. No wander I smell the stink. Get away! You blasted idiot.”