Liu Laogu's wisdom in foolishness, the way of muddling through

Author: Dong Yon Jun
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Features: Life is a life experience full of countless variables. Throughout Liu Luogu's long eighty years of official career, he experienced the unpredictable changes of the world and came to understand the saying of Banqiao that "it is even harder for a clever person to become foolish." He summarized a unique and unbeatable philosophy for a successful life—the way of wisdom in ignorance, or "the path of foolishness in wisdom." He navigated the reigns of the Qianlong and Jiaqing emperors, like a fox, hiding his tail, blurring the lines between black and white, right and wrong, and mastering the inner world. Outwardly, he appeared smooth, ambiguous, humorous, and ever-changing, earning the Qianlong emperor's praise as a "wise minister" and the Jiaqing emperor's title of Gao Rong Que, a "true prime minister under heaven." In the complex society, without understanding how to apply the path of foolishness, it is difficult to maintain a calm and detached mindset, to avoid the harm of hidden and open attacks, and to truly experience the joy of life. Throughout the history of the world, those who have truly enjoyed life and achieved great success are those who master and consciously adhere to and apply the path of foolishness.