Xu Wugui (1)

1 Through the introduction by Nvshang, Xu Wugui to have be grand an audience with the Marquis Wu of Wei in the capital. For despising him as a bumpkin from the countryside, Marquis Wu thought that he spared time to give an audience, Xu Wugui should feel that it is a supreme honorable.

2 When they sat down, Marquis Wu said to Xu Wugui, “You look rather languishing. It is bitter and painstaking to live such a long time in the poor and remote countryside. Now that you take the opportunity to visit me, you better stay in the capital for more days, and enjoy the life here. Perhaps it is the reason why you would like to see me, isn't it?”

3 Xu Wugui felt averse to Marquis Wu’s arrogance. As a guest, he had to be rudimentally courteous, but he could not stand being regarded as a guy who clung to the dignitary. Resorting to the point is necessary.

4 Looking up, he rebutted, “Staying in the capital, you have to deal with thousands of affairs and various peoples every day. It is you, look bitter and painstaking. As for me, I live in the countryside, there is nothing bothering me. My life is simple and feels no bitter and painstaking at all.

5 So, it is me who come to capital to soothe you, instead of you soothing me.

6 It is sensible to say so, Sir. As an emperor, you should carry out a lot of policy. The criteria of social moral is well established, who is the kind man and who is the evil; what is allowed to do and what is not, are all clear-cut before you.

7 You become happy when your ideas are carried out; you feel sad when it fail. You feel satisfied when meet kind people; you feel angry and decide to crack down them when you meet evil people or mob. Stimulated by the changing environment, your mood is disturbed all the time. Under this condition constantly, I am sure you certainly have some physical problems.

8 Today, I am here to persuade you to reduce your desires and ideas. Free you from the bondage of worldly creeds of righteousness, benevolence, loyalty and credit; so that your problems are resolved smoothly. ”

9 Hearing what he said Marquis Wu felt awful somewhat. But he couldn’t find the reason for anger, so he sat silently there and the atmosphere of audience suddenly reached a deadlock.

10 After a while, Xu Wugui broke the ice, “Marquis, I know that you like dog. Let’s talk about dog. You know, I have been in the countryside for a long time, I know something about it.”

11 The marquis’s eyes were lightened. Xu Wugui went on, “The dog of low quality seizes his food only. It sleeps after eating. It is unworthy as the fox. All it wants is food nothing else.

12 The dog of medium quality can be bred for watching the door. It can bark for pre-alarm to remind us of prevention.

13 The best dog is bold and fierce to protect its master on its duty of guard. It doesn’t care for its own safe at all. Indeed, my aptitude for appraising the horse is better than that of dog.”

14 The marquis’s eye became round because he had a mania for horse. Xu Wugui said, “A good horse usually is thought that its performance is to the point and strict. It walks straightly. It is right square when walking by square; it is right round when walking by round. However, I hold that a really good horse should be symmetric in physique, composed in mood, with a ghost of depression and loss. It stands still, ready for start as if an arrow on a full-pulled bow is ready for shoot. The horse like this is second to none when it gallops. ”

15 Entranced by him, the marquis burst into laugh and applaud. The audience ended with great joy.

16 When Xu Wugui stepped out of the palace, Nvshang was waiting him. Nvshang asked him, “What did you talk about? Why did Marquis Wu laugh so happily?

17 As we usually talked with him about the poem, music, etiquette, reading, classic book and strategy in court, he seldom responded despite how we spouted. What did you say on earth made him so joyful?”

18 Xu Wugui said calmly, “Nothing else. What I have talked about with him is the methods of how to appraisal of the dog and horse.”

19 Nvshang asked in doubt, “Is it so?” Xu Wugui stopped to say, “Don’t you hear about the criminals who were exiled to the State of Yue in the south. After a few days of exile, they felt very glad when meeting acquaintance. After a few months, they felt very happy and amicable when meeting their compatriots. After a few years, they felt very happy so as to cry when meeting any persons despite them are acquaintance or not.”

20 How did they become so? Isn’t it because they have left people for long time? Like me, I alone live in a cave located in the wild and remote place, where old and big trees shade the sunshine. Sometimes I feel lonely. Once I hear footfall outside the cave, my heart will instantly beat faster and feel exited. If some day my brothers or relatives pay a visit to me and sojourn for days with me, I become very happy. Today Marquis Wu is so joyful; since you have neglected him too much and too long so that he is lonely in deep of his heart. ”