Letting Go - Humbling Ourselves is Also a Great Wisdom

Author: Yang Kun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Hide your sharp edge in your pocket. As a talented person, one must learn to persuade and overcome the blind arrogance of self-pride, to remain unassuming, so as to effectively protect oneself while fully utilizing one's talents. Gong Su was an able official during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. At that time, the region of Bohai suffered from consecutive disasters year after year, and the people could not bear the hunger and rebelled in groups. Local officials failed to suppress the unrest and were helpless. Emperor Xuan sent Gong Su, who was over 70 years old, to serve as the Governor of Bohai. Gong Su arrived in a modest entourage, pacified the people, allowed them to rest, and encouraged farmers to cultivate fields and plant mulberry trees. He stipulated that each family plant one mulberry tree, 100 water chestnuts, 50 onions, and a row of chives, as well as raising two sow pigs and five chickens. For those who still carried swords out of caution, he persuaded them: "Why not sell your sword and buy a cow?" After several years of governance, the region of Bohai achieved social stability, the people lived and worked in peace, with enough food and clothing to spare, and Gong Su gained a great reputation. Thus, Emperor Xuan summoned him back to the capital and asked how he had governed Bohai. Gong Su thought that if he mentioned his appointment of capable men, strict enforcement, and clear rewards and punishments, it would inevitably appear as if he was boasting of his own achievements and abilities, which might bring him trouble or even disaster. Therefore, he cleverly replied: "This is not the merit of this humble servant but rather the result of the divine power and might of His Majesty." Emperor Xuan was very pleased and kept Gong Su by his side, appointing him to a prominent yet leisurely position.
After reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one might notice that after Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang seemed to have little significant achievement, unlike when Liu Bei was alive, when he was masterful in strategy and full of wisdom. Under such a wise ruler as Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang had no fear of suspicion, and Liu Bei also relied heavily on him. Therefore, he could fully utilize his talents to assist Liu Bei in building the empire and achieving one-third of the world. After Liu Bei's death, Liu Zhao ascended the throne. Liu Bei, in front of the officials, said: "If this boy can assist, then support him well; if he is not fit to be a ruler, then you may take the throne yourself." Zhuge Liang immediately broke into a cold sweat, was at a loss, and knelt, crying: "How could this servant not exert all his efforts, remain loyal and steadfast until the very end without relaxing?" After speaking, he bowed his head so hard that blood flowed. Even as kind as Liu Bei was, he would not have handed over the country to Zhuge Liang. How could he know that there was no intention of killing him when he said to make Zhuge Liang the ruler? Therefore, Zhuge Liang acted cautiously, devoted himself wholeheartedly, and often engaged in campaigns to prevent others from seizing an opportunity. Moreover, he restrained his sharp edge and deliberately showed himself as old and useless to avoid bringing misfortune upon himself. This was a strategy of hiding one's talents, and repressing one's sharp edge was Zhuge Liang's great wisdom.
There are typical examples of those who suffer misfortune due to showing too much sharpness. In the past, it was common for ministers to face the danger of their merits intimidating the ruler. When building an empire, heroes from all walks of life gathered under one banner, each displaying their talents and prowess. The ruler naturally needed their abilities to realize his ambition of dominating the world. But once the empire was established, the talents of these formidable generals and meritorious ministers did not disappear. At this point, their abilities became a source of worry for the emperor, making him feel threatened, which led to the frequent execution of meritorious ministers in the early days of founding a new dynasty, a practice known as "killing the donkey." The execution of Han Xin and the burning of the celebration tower by the Ming Taizu are examples of this. Li Guang, known as the Flying General of the Han Dynasty, was a renowned figure whose mere name made the Xiongnu soldiers tremble...