The National Languages of China (403 B.C.-221 B.C.)
Shawn met Han, who worried because he was poor. He was surprised when Shawn
congratulated him. Han said, "I have a position as an official, but I am not as
rich as my colleagues. Therefore, I am worried and wonder why you congratulate
me?"
Shawn said, "In the past, Official Luan had only a small farm. He could not
afford the items needed for worship on his salary. However, he followed the
moral codes and was dedicated to virtue. His virtuous reputation spread
throughout the countries in China. The kings of all the countries in China
befriended him. Even the kings of foreign countries admired him. Thus, Official
Luan made his country, Jinn, secure and peaceful. Luan enforced the law
according to his conscience, so he was exempt from God's discipline. Luan's son,
Hwan, was extravagant, insolent, and had an insatiable desire for sensual
pleasure. He did whatever he wanted, disregarded the law, and built wealth
through usury. He escaped punishment because people respected his father. Hwan's
son, Hwai, did not follow his father's evil ways and was dedicated to Luan's
virtue. Even though Hwai was blameless, he was exiled to Country Chuu because of
Hwan's crimes.
"As for the Shih family, its wealth was equal to half that of Country Jinn
and its number of family servants equal to half of Jinn's army. Because of
Shih's exceeding wealth, he was profligate and insolent. As a result, he was
sentenced to death and his corpse was hung for public viewing. In addition, his
family was killed in City J. Before this tragedy occurred, three members of the
Shih family were earls, and five of them were viscounts. It could be said that
the family was very powerful. Once they were killed, no one mourned them because
they lacked virtue. Now, because you are as poor as Luan, I expect you will
continue to seek to gain his virtue. This is the reason why I congratulate you.
If you do not worry about your virtue and, instead, only worry about your
financial status, it will give me reason to mourn you. Why should I congratulate
you?"
Han kneeled in front of Shawn and thanked him, “You saved me from
self-destruction. I must thank you for your advice. All my ancestors should
praise your great gift as well."