‘Yang Chau’ once remarked to the King of ‘Liang’, “It is as easy to govern the world as to turn the palm of your hand.” The King, however, retorted, “Sir, you have a wife and concubine, yet struggle to manage them. Your three-acre garden remains overrun with weeds. How can you claim that governing the world is as simple as turning one’s palm?”
‘Yang Chu’ answered, “Have you ever observed a flock of sheep? Despite their numbers, a mere bamboo switch in the hands of a five-foot-tall boy can direct them east or west. Yet, imagine Emperor ‘Yao’ leading a sheep while Emperor ‘Shun’ follows with a switch—they would fail to move the sheep. Just as a fish capable of swallowing a boat cannot navigate a tiny brook, and swans that dominate the sky avoid stagnant pools, so too does the slow cadence of the Yellow Bell differ from the lively steps of a popular dance. Those destined for greatness cannot be burdened with trivial matters.”
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In this exchange, ‘Yang Chau’ highlights the paradox of governance: seemingly simple tasks can prove challenging, while profound responsibilities demand a different approach.