'Formerly,
the officer Châo Chien made Wang Liang act as charioteer for his
favourite Hsî, when, in the course of a whole day, they did not get
a single bird. The favourite Hsî reported this result, saying, "He
is the poorest charioteer in the world."
Some one told this to
Wang Liang, who said, "I beg leave to try again." By dint
of pressing, this was accorded to him, when in one morning they got
ten birds. The favourite, reporting this result, said, "He is
the best charioteer in the world." Chien said, "I will make
him always drive your chariot for you."
When he told Wang Liang
so, however, Liang refused, saying, "I drove for him, strictly
observing the proper rules for driving, and in the whole day he did
not get one bird. I drove for him so as deceitfully to intercept the
birds, and in one morning he got ten. I am not accustomed to drive for a mean man. I beg
leave to decline the office."
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