Lu Dan persuaded the Lord of Zhongshan three times but gained no approval. He then distributed fifty pieces of gold to win over the lord’s attendants. When he met the lord again, before he could speak, the lord invited him to dine together.
After leaving the palace, Lu Dan did not return to his lodging but set off to leave Zhongshan at once. His coachman asked: “The lord has just treated us kindly. Why do we leave?”
Lu Dan replied: “He treats me well because of others’ words, so he will surely condemn me because of others’ slander.”
Before they crossed the border, a prince accused Lu Dan of being a spy from Zhao sent to infiltrate Zhongshan. The lord immediately ordered his arrest and punishment.
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I). This story warns that trust and favor built on others’ remarks are fragile. A person who judges others based on hearsay will easily be misled and turn against you.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher, using this story to reveal the fickleness of power and interpersonal trust.
Lu Dan
A traveling persuader. He was insightful and foresaw impending danger.
Lord of Zhongshan
Ruler of the State of Zhongshan, who relied heavily on his attendants’ opinions.
Royal attendants
Servants around the lord, bribed by Lu Dan to speak for him.
Prince of Zhongshan
The one who later slandered Lu Dan.
Coachman
Lu Dan’s servant, confused about the hasty departure.
Political persuasion
Wandering scholars traveled among states to present proposals to rulers, a common practice in the Warring States period.
Bribery of attendants
Court attendants often influenced a ruler’s judgment; winning them over was a common but risky tactic.
Fickle favor
Favor gained through others’ recommendations is unstable. Gossip and slander can easily reverse a ruler’s attitude.
Espionage accusation
Framing someone as a spy from a rival state was a typical means to eliminate opponents in interstate conflicts.
魯丹三說中山之君而不受也，因散五十金事其左右，復見，未語，而君與之食。魯丹出，而不反舍，遂去中山。其御曰：「反見，乃始善我，何故去之？」魯丹曰：「夫以人言善我，必以人言罪我。」未出境，而公子惡之曰：「為趙來閒中山。」君因索而罪之。
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