Impartial and Selfless: Appointing People According to Their Ability

(Clearwisdom.net) Qi Xi, also known as Qi Huangyang, was a scholar in the Jin Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period. Later, he was appointed as the First Lieutenant. He was impartial, selfless, put the welfare of the country first, and never paid attention to either people's gratitude or resentment.

One time, the Ping King of Jin asked scholar Qi Huangyang, "Nanyang County needs a governor. Who is most capable for that position?" Qi Huangyang answered, "Xie Hu is the most capable." The King said, "Isn't Xie Hu your enemy?" Qi Huangyang replied, "Your Majesty asked me who is the most capable of being the governor, not who is my enemy." The Ping King exclaimed, "Great." When Xie Hu was appointed the governor of Nanyang County, all the people in Jin praised him highly.

Later, the Ping King of Jin asked Qi Huangyang, "Our kingdom needs a junior military officer, who is the most capable for that position?" Qi Huangyang answered, "Qi Wu is capable." The King said, "Isn't Qi Wu your son?" Qi Huangyang replied, "Your Majesty asked me who is most capable of being the junior military officer, not who is my son." The Ping King exclaimed, "Great." Qi Wu, therefore, was appointed as the junior military officer. All the people in Jin praised him again.

Later, Kong Zi, also known as Confucius, heard about it and exclaimed, "What Qi Huangyang said was truly great! The recommendation of outsiders does not exclude enemies, and the recommendation of insiders does not exclude his own son." Qi Huangyang was indeed impartial and selfless!

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/11/25/114783.html

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