Ruan Zhi Dao: Looking down 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 pride of arrogance, to remain unassuming, so as to effectively protect oneself while fully utilizing one's talent. Gong Su was an able official during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. At that time, disasters had plagued the region of Bohai for years, 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 office with a simple 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 bunches of water chestnuts, 50 onions, and a row of chives, as well as two sows 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 became stable, the people lived in peace and prosperity, and there was more than enough to eat. Gong Su's reputation soared.
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 officials, strict enforcement, and clear rewards and punishments, it might appear as if he was boasting of his own achievements, which could bring him trouble or even disaster. Therefore, he cleverly replied, "This is not the merit of the humble servant but rather the result of the divine power and majesty of His Majesty." Emperor Xuan was delighted 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 strategic and knowledgeable. Under such a wise ruler as Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang had nothing to worry about being suspected, and Liu Bei also relied on him heavily. Thus, he could fully utilize his talent 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, 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, became flustered, knelt down crying and said, "How could a servant not exert all effort, remain loyal and steadfast until the very end without slackening?" 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. By saying he should become the ruler, how could he know there wasn't a hidden intention to kill him? Therefore, Zhuge Liang acted cautiously, devoted himself wholeheartedly, and often engaged in military campaigns to prevent others from seizing an opportunity against him. Moreover, he restrained his sharp edge, deliberately showing 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.
Those who suffer misfortune due to showing too much sharpness are classic examples in ancient times of ministers whose achievements frightened the ruler. When building an empire, heroes from all walks of life gathered under the banner, each more capable than the last. The ruler naturally needed their talents 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 vanish. Their abilities then became a source of trouble for the emperor, making him feel threatened. Thus, there were frequent instances of killing meritorious ministers in the early days of founding a new dynasty, known as "killing the donkey." The execution of Han Xin and the burning of the celebration tower by the Ming Dynasty Emperor Zhu were examples of this.
Li Guang, known as the Flying General of the Han Dynasty, was such a formidable figure that the Xiongnu army would flee at the mere mention of his name.