Mencius refutes the rumor that Baili Xi sold himself for sheepskins to herd cattle and seek office. He praises Baili Xi’s wisdom in abandoning a doomed lord and serving Duke Mu honorably, arguing virtuous men would never degrade themselves for power.
This article interprets Sun Tzu’s view on strategists choosing lords. It highlights their independent spirit to pick wise rulers or leave incompetent ones, citing ancient figures. It also reflects the scholar-strategists’ philosophy of mutual selection in the Spring and Autumn Period.
Han Feizi tells of the Rong king: indulged in female entertainers, ignored advice, lost his realm to Qin.
Xian Gao was a native of the State of Zheng. During the reign of Duke Mu of Zheng, seeing that the state was being pressured by Qin and Jin, Xian Gao chose to live in reclusion and not serve as an official, instead becoming a merchant.
A figure from the time of Duke Mu of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period (circa 7th century BCE), Bo Le’s given name was Ziliang, and he was renowned under the honorific title “Bo Le.” He was famed for his exceptional ability to evaluate horses and treat equine illnesses.
Baili Xi (c. 725–621 BCE) was a virtuous minister of Duke Mu of Qin during the Spring and Autumn period. His courtesy name was Ziming, and he was from Wan in the state of Chu (present-day Nanyang, Henan).