To Rely on Others to Succeed in Work; a Silver Tongue

“To Rely on Others to Succeed in Work” is the word that Mao Sui used to criticize his peers.“A Silver Tongue” is the word that Lord Pingyuan used to compliment Mao Sui.

After arriving in Chu State, Lord Pingyuan immediately inquired for the King of Chu to talk about the military alliance with Chu to fight against Qin State, and also asked that the Chu sent a reinforce army to help Zhao in no time. But the King of Chu was fear of Qin, so he couldn't agree. The talk between them lasted from early morning to mid-noon, but nothing turned out.

The twenty members, including Mao Sui, of Lord Pingyuan's delegation were waiting outside the palace, worrying about the negotiation. The other 19 members made fun of Mao Sui and said,“Mr. Mao, how about entering the palace to show you off.”

Without any reply, Mao Sui went upstairs to the palace with a sword in hand. He took it easy and asked Lord Pingyuan,“it is easy to express the advantages and disadvantages of the military alliance of Chu and Zhao to fight against Qin. How could it take so long a time?”

The King of Chu turned to Lord Pingyuan and asked,“Who is this man?”

Lord Pingyuan replied,“He is one of my retainers, my servant.”

“Get out! I am talking with your lord, how dare you be so rude?” The King of Chu turned to Mao Sui and scolded.

Mao Sui put his hand on the sword and went forward towards the King of Chu and said,“How can you scold people like that only because Chu State is a powerful big state? You see! I can kill you easily in this short distance no matter how powerful your state is. Shut up!” The King of Chu said nothing and fell into silence.

Mao Sui continued,“At present, Chu has acreage of more than 5,000 li and more than a million soldiers, which are the base of building a new empire of Chu State. No states can withstand your army. But General Bai Qi of Qin has fought against your state for three times only with tens of thousands of soldiers. The first time, they got your cities like Yan and Ying;the second time, they burnt down your ancestor's tomb in Yiling; the third time, they captured your forefathers. Qin is your deadly enemy. Zhao State feels ashamed of this, how can you feel noting? The military alliance between our two states is at your advantage. How dare you shout in the face of my lord?”

The King of Chu felt scared and ashamed and nodded to say,“What you have said is true, and I will ally with Zhao State with all my soldiers.”

Mao Sui asked forcefully,“Is that military alliance against Qin settled?”

The King of Chu answered immediately,“Yes, it is a deal.”

After the ceremony, Mao Sui said to the other 19 outside companions,“You all are those who need to rely on others to succeed in work.”

This great event was completely succeeded due to Mao Sui's eloquence. Lord Pingyuan said high of Mao Sui on this event and the other 19 companions admired him more.

Coming back to Handan, Lord Pingyuan sighed with emotion and said,“I dare not to appreciate person with ability any more. The reputation of Zhao State was enhanced by 100 times because of Mao Sui's visit to Chu. His three-inch long tongue is more powerful than one million soldiers.” Since then Mao Sui was treated as senior consultant.

Since then, people use the idiom“To Rely on Others to Succeed in Work” to describe those who are unable to do their own work and rely on others, and the idiom Silver Tongue to describe those who have the gift of gab and are good at debating.

Young people should practice their eloquence. They should not only have a silver tongue, but also should convince people by reasoning.