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一鸣惊人 (yi1 ming2 jing1 ren2) - The first sweet song
By Zhang Ciyun |
January 10, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
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From time to time, an obscure person may leap to fame with a single brilliant feat. In China, people tend to quote the idiom "yi1 ming2 jing1 ren2" or "amazing the world with its first song," to describe anyone who sets the world on fire overnight.
This expression was first introduced by a king during the Warring States Period (476-221 BC).
King Wei of the State of Qi was enthroned when only in his 20s. The young ruler paid little mind to state affairs.
Instead, he played away the days and spent whole nights drinking. For three consecutive years, his ministers rarely saw the king in court.
As a result, the political and economic situation in the state kept deteriorating. And several neighboring states started to invade its border areas.
Most of the court officials were deeply worried about the future of the state. So, they asked Chunyu Kun, a silver-tongued politician, to warn the young ruler about the possible collapse of the state.
Chunyu knew that the king appreciated subtlety in language. So, one day he went to see the king and told him a story.
He said that there was a bird perching on a tree near the imperial court. For three years, it had never fluttered its wings or uttered a sound. "Does Your Highness know what's wrong with that bird?"
The king immediately saw the point of the story. He answered: "I know the bird. Should it desire to fly, it would soar into the sky with great flourish, and should it desire to sing, it would amaze the world with its first song."
Next morning, by pushing aside his concubines and maids of honor and kicking away his wine cups, the king went into the court.
He summoned the 72 magistrates of the state to his presence. He then honored one magistrate for his diligent performance and executed another for dereliction of his duties.
In the following months, the king personally led the royal armies to repel the invaders.
After winning the border battles, the king began to concentrate on boosting agricultural production in the state.
Thanks to the arduous efforts of the king and his aides, the State of Qi remained a strong power for the next 36 years.
Nowadays, the idiom "yi1 ming2 jing1 ren2" is often cited to make note of a person who amazes the world with his first work. It is also used as a compliment to anyone who has made a successful debut in his career.
This expression was first introduced by a king during the Warring States Period (476-221 BC).
King Wei of the State of Qi was enthroned when only in his 20s. The young ruler paid little mind to state affairs.
Instead, he played away the days and spent whole nights drinking. For three consecutive years, his ministers rarely saw the king in court.
As a result, the political and economic situation in the state kept deteriorating. And several neighboring states started to invade its border areas.
Most of the court officials were deeply worried about the future of the state. So, they asked Chunyu Kun, a silver-tongued politician, to warn the young ruler about the possible collapse of the state.
Chunyu knew that the king appreciated subtlety in language. So, one day he went to see the king and told him a story.
He said that there was a bird perching on a tree near the imperial court. For three years, it had never fluttered its wings or uttered a sound. "Does Your Highness know what's wrong with that bird?"
The king immediately saw the point of the story. He answered: "I know the bird. Should it desire to fly, it would soar into the sky with great flourish, and should it desire to sing, it would amaze the world with its first song."
Next morning, by pushing aside his concubines and maids of honor and kicking away his wine cups, the king went into the court.
He summoned the 72 magistrates of the state to his presence. He then honored one magistrate for his diligent performance and executed another for dereliction of his duties.
In the following months, the king personally led the royal armies to repel the invaders.
After winning the border battles, the king began to concentrate on boosting agricultural production in the state.
Thanks to the arduous efforts of the king and his aides, the State of Qi remained a strong power for the next 36 years.
Nowadays, the idiom "yi1 ming2 jing1 ren2" is often cited to make note of a person who amazes the world with his first work. It is also used as a compliment to anyone who has made a successful debut in his career.
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