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Lighting a candle to find the flint
One night, Ai Zi asked his pupil to strike a flint to light the lamp.
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Ancient Books for Ancient Bronze
A scholar, hard-pressed for money, listed a few hundred of his books, packed them up, and set out for the capital, intending to sell them.
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A new lake for an old
Wang Anshi, prime minister of the Song Dynasty, was fond of public utility projects.
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The wild goose sentry
The smallest and the most alert of a flock of wild geese is often chosen to keep vigil for the others during the night. At the slightest untoward sound it raises the alarm and the flock start from their sleep and make off.
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The recycled flattery
The local gentry are holding a grand banquet for a newly appointed prefect, and many musicians are here to entertain the party.
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The Doomed Fawn of Linjiang
A man in Linjiang captured a fawn. When it was brought home, the dogs came licking their chops and wagging their tails. The man angrily drove them off. Afterwards, he took the fawn among the dogs, warning them to keep their peace, and making them frolic with it. In time, the dogs learned their…