TODAY, we will discuss the idea of thrift leading to national prosperity.

It is widely known that Dixin (better known as King Zhou), the last king of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.), was the epitome of debauchery and tyranny. Ancient philosopher Han Feizi once told an anecdote to illustrate this. One day, King Zhou was eating his meals using a pair of ivory chopsticks. Seeing this, his uncle Jizi remarked, “The kingdom is bound to fall.” Those who heard this proclamation were puzzled: How would the act of the king using ivory chopsticks lead to the downfall of the kingdom?

Jizi said that upon using ivory chopsticks, the king would not want to eat from a rough bowl; he would want one made of gold and jade to match his utensils. Furthermore, would he accept a simple soup of wild vegetables in a golden bowl? No, he would demand soups made from elephants, yaks or leopard cubs. Only these would appease his luxurious palate.

Eating with ivory chopsticks, from a golden bowl, and savoring such exotic fare, he definitely would not be content with wearing ragged clothes. Instead, he would wear opulent silk garments. Dining in such grandeur, he would find it unfitting to sit in a simple thatched house, instead preferring to dine atop a nine-tiered platform. This opulence, Jizi argued, would only lead him down the path of excessive indulgence and ubiquitous debauchery.

Jizi’s words were prophetic, suggesting the lessons to be learned from the outset to prevent an end in destruction. As it turned out, King Zhou’s debauchery did lead to his downfall, turning him into an object of ridicule for ages to come.

Numerous tales depict the king’s debauchery, including the story of his other uncle, Bigan. Many of us know the popular tale of Bigan’s dissected heart. One day, King Zhou and his consort Daji were indulging in festivities in the star-gazing tower. His uncle, Bigan, consistently beseeched him to return and attend to state affairs, irritating the king greatly.

In anger, King Zhou descended from the tower and sarcastically told Bigan: “Uncle, I’ve heard that the hearts of benevolent men have seven orifices. I’m curious if your heart has seven orifices as well, given your concern for the kingdom and its people?” He then ordered his uncle to be killed and Bigan’s heart dissected.

Such was King Zhou’s debauchery and audacious tyranny, shown by his brutal treatment of his uncle’s well-intentioned counsel. The kingdom eventually crumbled, and he fell into ruin. He was subsequently overthrown by King Wu, and driven to immolation on the Deer Terrace.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)