Han Wangxi

CHINESE classics reflect wisdom of life. Today, let’s hear the story of “Three persons make a tiger.” The story is about cross-checking and how only by examining carefully can one know the truth.

Once upon a time, an official named Pang Gong from the State of Wei (403-225 B.C.) was going to accompany the Wei crown prince to the State of Zhao. They were sent as hostages as part of diplomatic strategies.

Before leaving, Pang felt there was still something he needed to tell the king of Wei, so he entered the palace and said, “Your Majesty, if someone says a fierce tiger has appeared in the market, would you believe it?” The king replied: “You must be joking. How could I believe such a thing? We haven’t seen a tiger there for many years.”

Pang continued, “If two people say there’s a tiger, would you believe it?” The king replied, “I still wouldn’t believe it.” Pang pressed on, “What if three people all come and say there’s a tiger?” The king said, “Then I would believe it.”

Pang said: “Your Majesty, you know that it’s impossible for a tiger to appear in the market. Just because three people say so, you would believe it without cross-checking. Now I will be three years away from the capital and in the distant city of Handan. Imagine that many people speak ill of me and spread malicious rumors in front of you. Your Majesty, will you be able to discern the truth then?”

After Pang finished speaking, he left the palace with an anxious heart and went to the State of Zhao. True enough, as soon as he left, countless slanders surrounded the king of Wei. Three years later, when Pang returned, he could no longer see the king because the king had already believed the slander and distanced himself from Pang.

Han Feizi told this story to advise rulers to be wise and listen to different perspectives to gain insight, instead of favoring only one side. Han hoped all rulers can have a broad and clear understanding of the world beyond the confines of their palaces.

Here’s a story about a wise ruler in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) book “Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government.” One day, King Wei of Qi (378-320 B.C.) summoned the official in charge of the city of Jimo and said: “Since you became an official in Jimo, I have been constantly hearing people speak ill of you. However, I kept my suspicions and sent my secret envoy to investigate the situation. The truth is that the land is fertile and spacious, the people live and work in peace, and the government is clean and just. But why do so many people speak ill of you? You must be extremely upright and honorable, never trying to bribe my attendants. It is because of your integrity that I wish to give you a large reward.”

Later, the king called upon the official in Edi and said: “Ever since you were stationed in Edi, all I hear every day are words of praise. However, when I sent my secret envoy to investigate, I discovered that the fields are barren, people are displaced, and the government is corrupt. But why do I hear only praises? It must be because you have bribed my attendants.”

The king then ordered the execution of the Edi official, followed by the execution of all the attendants who spoke in favor of him. From then on, the State of Qi became extremely powerful.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Cao Zhen)