One day, King Min of Qi, accompanied by a grand entourage, set out on a tour and arrived in Dongguo. The local people flocked to catch a glimpse of their ruler. However, amidst the crowd, a woman named Su Liu was focused on picking mulberries by the roadside, completely unfazed by the king’s presence. This woman was known for her plain appearance and a visible lump on her neck.
A peculiar encounter
Curious and slightly displeased by her lack of interest, King Min summoned her. “Everyone has stopped their work to watch my procession, yet you continue picking mulberries without even a glance. Why?” he asked.
Calmly, Su Liu replied: “I am here under my parents’ orders to pick mulberries. I have not been instructed to watch the king.”
Her composed response caught the king’s attention, but he couldn’t help but notice the unsightly lump on her neck. “You are an extraordinary woman, but it is unfortunate that you have this lump,” he sighed.
Unfazed, Su Liu responded: “My duty is to perform my tasks diligently and not forget my upbringing. What does a lump on my neck matter if my heart is pure?”
An unexpected proposal
King Min was deeply impressed by her wisdom. “You are indeed a virtuous woman!” he declared. Feeling a sudden affection for her, he decided to take her back to the palace.
Despite the sudden offer of wealth and status, Su Liu remained steadfast to her principles. “I am grateful for your kindness, but my parents are still at home. Leaving with you without their permission would be eloping. What use would I be to you then? It is against proper conduct, and I cannot comply,” she explained.
Realizing his impulsive behavior, King Min felt ashamed and sent Su Liu back home. Later, he dispatched envoys with lavish gifts to formally ask for her hand in marriage.
Remaining true to herself
Su Liu’s parents, overwhelmed with fear, wanted her to bathe, change clothes, and adorn herself before entering the palace. However, she firmly refused, believing that changing her appearance would betray her true self. She followed the envoys in her usual simple attire.
The power of humility and wisdom
King Min had informed his concubines about the arrival of a “holy woman” who could teach them. Dressed in their finest attire, they awaited her arrival, only to be taken aback by her plain appearance and mocking her imperfections.
King Min scolded them: “She is just not adorned. The difference is tenfold, a hundredfold!”
Su Liu, however, calmly interjected: “The difference is far greater than ten or a hundredfold. It could be a million times more.”
Intrigued, King Min asked her to elaborate, and she explained the profound principles of governance. “In the past, emperors Yao and Shun were virtuous and lived simply, earning reverence for thousands of years. Meanwhile, tyrants Jie and Zhou lived extravagantly and met their demise, remaining subjects of ridicule even after a millennium.”
Su Liu transformed the kingdom
The concubines were filled with shame, and King Min, recognizing her wisdom, made Su Liu his queen to assist in governing the kingdom. Under her influence, the palace adopted a simpler lifestyle, with King Min living in modest quarters and reducing the scale of his pleasures. Inspired by Su Liu, the entire court dressed plainly, leading neighboring states to follow their example. During King Min’s reign, the state of Qi reached unprecedented heights, a testament to the transformative power of Su Liu’s wisdom and humility.
Historians attribute the success of King Min’s reign to the guidance and teachings of Queen Su Liu, whose virtues brought prosperity and harmony to the kingdom.
Translated by Elaine
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