Chiyi Zipi served Tian Chengzi. When Tian Chengzi fled the State of Qi for Yan, Chiyi Zipi carried the luggage and accompanied him. Upon reaching Wangyi (Wang County), Chiyi Zipi said: “Have you not heard the tale of snakes in a dried-up marsh? When the marsh ran dry, the snakes prepared to move. A small snake told a large one: ‘If you walk ahead and I follow, people will take us for ordinary snakes and kill you. Let us cling together, with you carrying me. Then people will regard us as divine spirits.’ They traveled along the public road in this way, and all passers-by kept out of their way, calling them divine snakes.
Now you have a distinguished appearance, while I look plain. If you are treated as my honored guest, people will take you for a lord with a thousand chariots. If you are seen as my envoy, they will think you are a minister of a great state. You had better pretend to be my attendant.”
Thereupon Tian Chengzi took up the luggage and followed behind him. When they reached an inn, the host received them with great respect and presented wine and meat.
Note
This text is excerpted from Han Feizi, Chapter: The Forest of Persuasions (Part I).
The story tells us that when in danger, rigid adherence to original status will bring trouble. Proper disguise and flexible adjustment of external roles can mislead others, eliminate risks and gain favorable treatment.
Late Warring States Legalist philosopher. He uses this fable and story to illustrate flexible survival tactics.
Tian Chengzi
A powerful noble of Qi. He fell into political trouble and had to go into exile.
Chiyi Zipi (Chiyizi Pi)
A resourceful follower of Tian Chengzi, skilled at disguising identity to avoid danger.
Fable of Dried-Marsh Snakes
A classic allegory in ancient China. It explains that changing external form can alter others’ perception and help one escape harm.
Exile in the Warring States Period
Politicians who lost power often fled to other states. They needed to hide their true identities to stay safe on the road.
Status and Appearance
In ancient society, people judged others’ rank by bearing, attire and master-servant order. Changing the master-attendant relationship was an effective way of disguise.
Travel Lodging
Roadside inns were public places where strangers gathered. A person’s status would directly affect how they were treated.
鸱夷子皮事田成子，田成子去齐，走而之燕，鸱夷子皮负传而从。至望邑，子皮曰：”子独不闻涸泽之蛇乎？泽涸，蛇将徙。有小蛇谓大蛇曰：”子行而我随之，人以为蛇之行者耳，必有杀子者。不如相衔负我以行，人以我为神君也。乃相衔负以越公道。人皆避之，曰：’神君也。’今子美而我恶，以子为我上客，千乘之君也；以子为我使者，万乘之卿也。子不如为我舍人。”田成子因负传而随之。至逆旅，逆旅之君待之甚敬，因献酒肉。
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