TODAY, let’s hear a story about pretending competence. Chinese culture greatly values the seeking of truth from facts, knowing what one knows and admitting what one doesn’t know. This cultural concept is crucial for governance.

During the Warring States period (475-221 B.C.), there was a man named Nanguo who was well read over the years and was somewhat clever. However, he was lazy and his family was getting poorer and poorer, nearly unable to make ends meet.

One day he heard that King Xuan of Qi, who loved the yu (an ancient Chinese pipe instrument), was recruiting 300 yu players to form an orchestra. Nanguo then sold the only things of value in his house and bought a high-quality yu.

Actually, the yu is not a simple instrument, while requires several years of practice to play. This was Nanguo’s first experience with the yu, so he mimicked others, pretending to play. If one were to perceive him based on his mannerisms alone, one might mistake him for a maestro.

The next day, Nanguo carried his brand-new yu to the imperial palace to take the exam, arrogantly stating that he did not casually play for anyone, and that King Xuan of Qi was the only person who truly appreciated music. He would only be willing to perform before him. Others might not appreciate his skills.

Seeing his demeanor and the valuable yu in his possession, the examiner had no room for doubt, and without an exam, Nanguo became a yu player in the royal palace.

While Nanguo knew nothing about the yu, he was quite adept at imitating others. When he played for King Xuan of Qi with other yu players, he closed his eyes and swayed, pretending to be lost in the music. No one could discern that he was a fake. With 300 people playing together, the king could not tell that there was one who was pretending to play.

Thus, Nanguo lived comfortably in the palace for quite a while. Later, King Xuan passed away, and his son, King Min came to the throne. The new king also loved music, but he particularly appreciated solo performances. One day, he ordered the 300 musicians to perform one by one. Solo performances indeed had unique beauty; the melodies transported listeners into a dreamlike state.

Nanguo was initially able to remain calm. As King Min listened, enjoying each performance, as Nanguo’s turn approached, he began to sweat profusely and grew increasingly anxious. After a while, when his name was called, no one responded. As it turned out, the guilty Nanguo had quietly slipped away as everyone was engrossed in the performances. He packed up his essentials and fled.

This story was told by Han Feizi who believed in thorough cross-checking of what people say: Measure it with the earth, plan it by heaven, verify it with things and contrast it with people.

(The author is a cultural scholar.)

(Translated by Shenzhen Daily)