Han Wangxi

WHAT is comparison and verification? In fact, it is very simple; it means being in line with the facts and seeking truth from facts.

Han Feizi once told this story: The King of Chu cherished his concubine Zheng Xiu very much, but good times didn’t last forever. One day, the king fell in love with a beauty from the State of Wei and then neglected Zheng.

The king drank, danced and enjoyed performances with the Wei beauty day and night, ignoring Zheng’s crying. After several days, Zheng realized that she needed a plan. “Those who rely on their looks to attract people will lose their charm when their beauty fades.” Zheng felt a sense of crisis.

The next morning, she combed her hair, washed her face and wiped away tears. With a graceful appearance, she went to the Wei beauty’s palace. Seeing the Wei woman, she said, “My sister, you are so beautiful that I’m very fond of you. No wonder the King of Chu likes you. You came from afar from the State of Wei. Do you feel lonely without your family around?”

The Wei woman replied, “You are right. How can I not feel lonely?”

Zheng then said considerately, “Dear, do you want to be favored by the king for a long time?”

The Wei woman said, “Definitely, but how?”

Zheng replied, “It’s not difficult. The King of Chu loves women who are graceful and charming. Next time you see him, cover your nose and mouth with your hand to make you look coy.”

Feeling enlightened, the Wei woman said, “Thank you, dear, I will follow your advice.”

When the Wei beauty met the king the next day, she immediately covered her nose, refusing to put her hand down all the time. She did so for a week and the king became suspicious, thinking to himself: “My darling, what’s wrong with you? You didn’t cover your nose like this when you came from the State of Wei. What happened?”

Finishing the imperial court business, the king went to Zheng’s palace and asked her: “Why does the beautiful Wei woman cover her nose every day?”

Pretending to be pitiful, Zheng replied: “I know. The Wei beauty told me that she thinks you stink!” Hearing this, the king was taken aback and made up his mind to kill the Wei woman.

The next day, the Wei woman came covering her nose again. Before she could sit down, the king ordered, “Cut off her nose!”

The guards rushed forward, held the Wei woman down and brutally cut off her nose.

How could the Wei woman be so wronged? How foolish was the king? It is all because of the lack of “comparison and verification.” If the King of Chu couldn’t figure out why the Wei woman covered her nose, shouldn’t he go and ask her? Why did he blindly believe Zheng’s words? Everyone in this world has his or her own interests and positions. Without verification, nor a comprehensive understanding, investigation and thinking, how do you know what is true or false? This story helps us understand how tragedies like this in the world have happened.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Cao Zhen)