Han Wangxi

HERE’S a story of Bian Que meeting Duke Huan of Cai. Everyone knows that Bian (407-310 B.C.) was a highly skilled doctor. In traditional Chinese medicine, doctors use observation, listening, questioning and pulse analysis to diagnose diseases.

One day, Bian saw Duke Huan of Cai and noticed that he didn’t look well. Bian told him: “Your illness is in your skin, which can be easily treated. You must do it quickly, or it will worsen.” The duke said: “Oh, who’s sick? You are the one who is sick. Leave!” Bian had to leave. The duke then said to his ministers: “What kind of doctor is he? He likes to treat people who are not sick to show off his skills. I’m not sick at all. He just wants my money.”

Ten days later, Bian saw the duke again and said: “Your illness has worsened. It’s no longer in the skin and if you don’t treat it soon, it will get worse.” The duke again ignored him. After Bian left, the duke was unhappy all day.

Ten days later, Bian came to visit the duke again and said, “Your illness is getting worse. It has now moved to your intestines and stomach. If you don’t treat it promptly, the consequences could be dire.” The duke still ignored him. After Bian left, the duke was unhappy the whole day. Another 10 days passed, and when Bian saw the duke, Bian immediately turned around and ran away.

The duke was suspicious and sent someone to catch him. When they asked him why he ran away, Bian replied: “When I first saw you, your illness was on the surface, which could be treated with medicated wash and a hot compress. Later, I found that your illness was in the muscles, which could be treated with acupuncture. Then, your illness gradually moved to the intestines and stomach, and could be treated with soup that clears heat and detoxifies. But now, your illness has penetrated your bone marrow, and there is nothing I can do to help you, even if I were a deity.”

Five days later, the duke became seriously ill, suffering from unbearable pain all over his body. He sent someone to find Bian to treat him, but Bian had already escaped to the State of Qin. The duke soon died.

The story comes from “Han Feizi,” an ancient Chinese collection of essays attributed to the philosopher Han Fei. It speaks to the act of concealing diseases and being hesitant to seek medical treatment, which is similar to the act of refusing to take honest advice. Bian was a highly skilled doctor who would sometimes use painful therapies to cure serious illnesses for patients. Han used this story as a metaphor for governing a country. Wise rulers who hear unpleasant but honest advice may not agree with it at first, but later realize that “the medicine may be bitter, but it cures the disease,” and “candid advice, though hard to hear, benefits the conduct of affairs.” Whether treating diseases or governing a country, the same principle applies.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Cao Zhen)