There came a time when the scholars-in-residence gathered in the palace and confronted Dongfang with the question: "When Su Qin (蘇秦) and Zhang Yi (張儀) served their masters, they were soon promoted chancellors of their states and their achievements lasted to benefit their descendants. Now, you sir, who acquire the political art of the ancient rulers and follow the principles of the late saints. The classics you read and the thinkers you quote are countless. Your works are inscribed on bamboo splints or silk; you deem yourself unequaled. You seem nothing short of erudition and eloquence. However, you have been serving the Emperor with all-out efforts, day in, day out, up to decades, and yet you've never served a position higher than Lang, never done anything other than trifling formality. We wonder if we are missing something here? Why has it come to this?" Dongfang replied, "This is of course beyond your understanding. That was then; this is now. How could two different cases come to one same result? When Zhang and Su served, the Zhou Dynasty was nearing its end, and its court, an empty shell. The dukes no longer reported to the emperor; instead, they strengthened their military forces to vie for power and to butcher each other. In the end, 12 dukedoms survived, but none prevailed. In their case then, whoever sought a good strategist won the game; whoever failed to find one lost the game. Therefore, strategies, when offered and proved effective, promised strategists ranks and honor that lasted for generations and benefited their descendants. In my case now, a sage sovereign is in reign and his sagacity prevails. The dukes obey and the neighboring nations respect. Within and without, all territories are bound in one expanse (as a seating mat), secure and stable (as a bowl placed upside down). All are equally cared for and collectively faithful. All are so closely united as one family that a total mobilization for any given purpose is as easy and sure as handling something already in hand. There is no way to tell a good strategist from a bad one. In our far-flung empire, among the multitude of people, countless talents are swarming in painstakingly in all directions to recommend themselves to the court. There are people, studious and righteous, fail to seek positions and struggle on meager means. If Zhang and Su were to be born into our times, they would never even make it to a low-rank position as a Zhang-Gu. Would they ever dare to dream of serving as a Lang, the royal consultant-in-ordinary? As recorded in one of the Classics (specifically Huai Nan Zi 淮南子), 'When the world is free of ills, saints can be of no avail; when the world is in harmony, sages can be of no merit.' Hence, in different times, talents are rewarded differently. Even so, can one stop making efforts to improve oneself? As recorded in Shi Jing (詩經), 'When the bells are sounded within the palace, the sounds are heard without.' 'When the cranes are shrilling in the swamps, the shrills are piercing through the skies.' When self-improving efforts are made, glory surely ensues (All three are causes and corollaries.). Jiang Taigong (姜太公) had been walking the ways of the ancient saints for 72 years before he met King Wen of Zhou. Afterwards were his strategies received and practiced and Qi to him was endowed as a fief of a dukedom which stood for seven hundred years. Likewise, scholars of our times are making efforts, day and night, for academic and moral improvements, without hesitation nor resignation. Hermits like me, though of no avail for the present, dare to stand aloft and alone. We look up to saints like Xu Yo and Jie Yu; we learn from sages like Fan Li and Zi Xu. In times of peace, we live up to the teachings of saints and sages throughout our lives. There are few who understand us; there are few who follow us. And this is the way it is. So why do you cast doubts on me?" At this, all scholars were silenced.
