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A Story of “Gems of Classical Chinese Prose”: How To Employ Politicians?

Photo: Mandy's Art

By Yuyu Chiang

May 28, 2025
4:21 pm
Los Angeles, CA

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Zipi, a senior minister of the Zheng State, wished to appoint his favored general, Yin He, to succeed him in managing state affairs. When another senior official, Zichan, learned of this plan, he advised Zipi against it, believing that Yin He was still too young and lacked experience in governance. However, Zipi defended his choice, saying that Yin He was loyal and trustworthy, and because of his affection for him, he hoped to give him a chance to learn on the job. Zichan then used several metaphors to express why he believed Zipi’s reasoning was flawed. He said, “To appoint someone simply because you like them is like asking someone who doesn’t know how to use a knife to cut something—they are more

Zichan then used several metaphors to express why he believed Zipi’s reasoning was flawed. He said, “To appoint someone simply because you like them is like asking someone who doesn’t know how to use a knife to cut something—they are more likely to injure themselves. If this becomes the norm, who would dare seek your favor in the future? It’s like using fine fabric to practice tailoring—no one would do it. Or like hunting with a chariot: if someone has neither driven a chariot nor shot a bow, how can they possibly manage the hunt without crashing the chariot or missing the prey? Government affairs are not tools for training amateurs; only capable individuals should lead. You, Zipi, are the pillar of Zheng. If you entrust the government to the wrong person, that pillar may collapse—and I would be crushed beneath it. That is why I must speak my mind.”

Zipi was suddenly enlightened and sighed, “A gentleman has broad vision, but a petty man has a narrow one.” He admitted that his perspective had been limited like that of a petty man. If he had not listened to Zichan, he would not have realized this truth. As a result, he entrusted the political affairs to Zichan, who lived up to this trust and governed Zheng with great skill. Later generations even praised Zichan as a model prime minister in Chinese history.

In the short dialogue known as “Zichan on Yin He”, we see not only Zichan’s wisdom and the precision and depth of his metaphors, but also Zipi’s capacity for self-reflection and tolerance—qualities that are commendable and worth learning from. After hearing Zichan’s advice, Zipi immediately reassessed his position, set aside personal favoritism, and handed over authority to someone more capable. For a person in power, this kind of humility and openness is both rare and admirable.

How many leaders today fail to appoint people based on merit, instead choosing based on personal preference? This leads to the formation of “inner circles” or “factions.” How many appoint favored individuals, just as Zipi intended to do, hoping to let them “learn on the job”—often with disastrous consequences? Zichan’s counsel on talent selection, along with Zipi’s self-reflection, remains highly relevant and worthy of serious consideration by today’s political leaders.