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三顾茅庐 (san1 gu4 mao2 lu2) - Three calls at the thatched cottage
By Zhang Ciyun |
August 17, 2008, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
In Chinese literature, there are many stories about the Three Kingdoms (220-280 AD). Among them, the story called san gu mao lu or "making three calls at the thatched cottage" is one of the best.
Before becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Shu, Liu Bei tried very hard to find talented people to help him for the cause of unifying the country.
One day he learned that there was a highly-gifted strategist by the name of Zhuge Liang living a hermit life in Longzhong. Liu decided to meet him.
When Liu and his two best friends arrived at Zhuge's thatched cottage, they were told by the houseboy that his master was away for several weeks. Very disappointed, they left.
A few months later, Liu and his friends came to Zhuge's cottage again in a heavy snowstorm. But once again, they were told Zhuge was not at home and probably would not be back for a couple of days.
Feeling frustrated, Liu's friends tried to persuade him to give up. One of them said: "Zhuge is impolite for not making a returned call. Maybe he is but another self-acclaimed sage in the countryside."
Liu replied: "At present, I very much need all kinds of talented people to support my cause. I will not give up my efforts. If you don't want to go, I'll go by myself. I believe Zhuge will be moved by my sincerity."
When Liu went to Longzhong for the third time, he was met by Zhuge personally at the entrance of the village.
The two had a long discussion on the political and military situation at that time and made a long-term plan for unifying the country.
Later, Zhuge became the top military adviser and prime minister for Liu's regime.
Nowadays, the title of the story has become a widely-quoted idiom. It is used to refer to a potentate who repeatedly requests someone to take up a responsible post. It also implies someone's deep sincerity in seeking the assistance and trust from another person.
Before becoming the ruler of the Kingdom of Shu, Liu Bei tried very hard to find talented people to help him for the cause of unifying the country.
One day he learned that there was a highly-gifted strategist by the name of Zhuge Liang living a hermit life in Longzhong. Liu decided to meet him.
When Liu and his two best friends arrived at Zhuge's thatched cottage, they were told by the houseboy that his master was away for several weeks. Very disappointed, they left.
A few months later, Liu and his friends came to Zhuge's cottage again in a heavy snowstorm. But once again, they were told Zhuge was not at home and probably would not be back for a couple of days.
Feeling frustrated, Liu's friends tried to persuade him to give up. One of them said: "Zhuge is impolite for not making a returned call. Maybe he is but another self-acclaimed sage in the countryside."
Liu replied: "At present, I very much need all kinds of talented people to support my cause. I will not give up my efforts. If you don't want to go, I'll go by myself. I believe Zhuge will be moved by my sincerity."
When Liu went to Longzhong for the third time, he was met by Zhuge personally at the entrance of the village.
The two had a long discussion on the political and military situation at that time and made a long-term plan for unifying the country.
Later, Zhuge became the top military adviser and prime minister for Liu's regime.
Nowadays, the title of the story has become a widely-quoted idiom. It is used to refer to a potentate who repeatedly requests someone to take up a responsible post. It also implies someone's deep sincerity in seeking the assistance and trust from another person.
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