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In ancient times, Wu Qi explained to King Dao of Chu the customs of Chu: “High ministers hold excessive power, and too many nobles hold fiefdoms. This pressures the ruler above and oppresses the people below, a path to poverty and military weakness. We should revoke noble titles and stipends after three generations of…
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Pearls and jade are what rulers urgently desire. Although He Shi presented unpolished jade which was not yet refined and brought no harm to the ruler, he still had both feet cut off before the treasure was acknowledged. How difficult it is to judge a treasure!
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He Shi, a man of Chu, found an unpolished jade stone in the Chu Mountains. He presented it to King Li of Chu. King Li ordered a jade craftsman to examine it, who said: “This is merely a stone.” The king thought He Shi was lying and cut off his left foot.