Feng Xuans Loyalty and Wisdom Shine | Generated by AI
Question: Provide the English translation of “冯谖客孟尝君” from the University Chinese (大学语文, course code 04729) textbook.
Answer:
冯谖客孟尝君 (Feng Xuan as a retainer of Lord Mengchang) is a famous chapter from Strategies of the Warring States (战国策), specifically from the Qi Ce (齐策) section. It is one of the classic texts commonly included in the Chinese university course “大学语文” (University Chinese / College Chinese, course code 04729 in many Chinese self-study / adult higher education programs).
English Translation (full story, slightly condensed for clarity while keeping the original meaning)
Feng Xuan Takes Shelter with Lord Mengchang
When Feng Xuan was poor and had nothing, he went to take shelter with Lord Mengchang. Lord Mengchang asked him, “What do you like?” Feng Xuan answered, “I like nothing.” Lord Mengchang then asked, “What are you good at?” Feng Xuan replied, “I am good at nothing.” Lord Mengchang laughed and still accepted him.
The retainers thought Feng Xuan was a worthless man, so they gave him only coarse food. After some time, Feng Xuan leaned on a pillar and sang:
“Long sword, let us return!
There is no fish in the meals here.”
The steward reported this to Lord Mengchang. Lord Mengchang said, “Give him fish, same as the others who receive good treatment.”
Some days later, Feng Xuan again sang:
“Long sword, let us return!
There is no carriage here for me to ride.”
The steward told Lord Mengchang again. Lord Mengchang ordered: “Give him a carriage, treat him like the guests who have carriages.”
Not long after, Feng Xuan sang once more:
“Long sword, let us return!
I cannot support my family here.”
Now the retainers hated him, thinking he was greedy. But Lord Mengchang asked: “Does Feng Xuan have family?” He was told that Feng Xuan had an old mother. Lord Mengchang then ordered grain and money to be sent to support his mother, and from then on Feng Xuan no longer sang.
Later, Lord Mengchang asked his retainers: “Who among you is well versed in accounting and can help me collect debts in Xue?” Feng Xuan volunteered. Before leaving, he asked, “When the debts are collected, shall I buy anything back for you?” Lord Mengchang casually said, “See what my household lacks and buy that.”
When Feng Xuan arrived in Xue, he gathered all the debtors and checked the loan documents. For those who could pay, he set a deadline; for those who were truly poor, he burned the loan documents in public and declared, “Lord Mengchang does not want to exploit the poor; these debts are forgiven.” The people cheered and shouted “Long live Lord Mengchang!”
When Feng Xuan returned empty-handed, Lord Mengchang was surprised and angry. He asked, “Why did you burn the bonds and bring back nothing?” Feng Xuan replied:
“I saw your house already has plenty of beautiful women, fine dogs and horses, and rare treasures. The only thing it lacks is yi (righteousness / benevolence). So I bought yi for you with the debts. Now the people of Xue will be grateful to you and support you forever.”
Lord Mengchang was displeased but could say nothing.
Not long afterward, Lord Mengchang was dismissed from his position as Prime Minister of Qi and had to return to his fief in Xue. When he was still one hundred li away from Xue, the people of Xue came out to welcome him early in the morning and lined the road to show their love and support. Only then did Lord Mengchang turn to Feng Xuan and say:
“Today I see the yi you bought for me.”
Feng Xuan replied: “A cunning rabbit has three burrows. You only have one so far. Allow me to dig two more for you, so you can rest easy.”
Later Feng Xuan helped Lord Mengchang restore his position, secure favor with the King of Qi, and even arrange for an ancestral temple to be built in Xue (giving him ritual legitimacy and political protection). Thus Lord Mengchang survived many political storms and lived out his days in safety and honor.
This story is best known for the famous lines:
- “长铗归来乎，食无鱼” (Long sword, let us return! There is no fish for meals.)
- “狡兔三窟” (A cunning rabbit has three burrows.)
- “市义” (buying righteousness / purchasing loyalty through benevolence)
It is a classic example of the Warring States persuader-retainer culture and shows the importance of wisdom, strategy, and long-term thinking in political survival.
References:
- None (this is a classical Chinese text translation based on the standard version appearing in 大学语文 textbooks, course code 04729)