The more understanding people have, the more they should control their desire for expression in certain situations - being a little "slow to react" and pretending to be confused may be more beneficial to others and themselves.
The protagonist of this story is Xinlingjun.
Lord Xinling was the youngest son of King Zhao of Wei, the younger brother of King Anli of Wei, and one of the four princes of the Warring States period (Qi had Mengchang, Zhao Youpingyuan, Wei had Xinling, and Chu had Chunshen).
It is said that one day, Lord Xinling and King Anli of Wei were playing chess.
Suddenly, the waiter came to report that there were beacon smoke on the northern border of Wei State . Border beacon smoke was a kind of war warning. When the border defenders felt that there was an external invasion, they would light it. When
King Wei heard the news, he speculated that Zhao State had invaded Wei State. He immediately put down the chess pieces and ordered the ministers to enter the palace to discuss the war.
Lord Xinling, on the other hand, was calm and calm. He said to King Wei: "Don't worry, my king. It was just King Zhao passing by for hunting, not an invasion of our country. Come on, come on, keep playing chess."
King Wei listened to Lord Xinling. Having said this, although he did not insist on calling the ministers to discuss countermeasures, he was still half-convinced and was completely distracted from playing chess.
After a while, the second wave of news came (in that era, if military information was updated, it would be reported at any time). Sure enough, it was King Zhao hunting, and the soldiers they saw were just King Zhao's escorts.
King Wei's worry about war fell to the ground, but his heart was filled with surprise at Lord Xinling's ability to predict events like a god - this younger brother of mine is also amazing!
So, King Wei asked Lord Xinling: "Brother, how do you know that King Zhao is hunting and not invading?"
Lord Xinling said lightly: "Among my retainers, there are people who are related to people around King Zhao. Closely, all the guests can inquire about King Zhao's every move, and then report it to me in time."
King Wei's expression changed slightly when he heard this - since Lord Xinling knows everything about foreign monarchs, how can he be so knowledgeable about it? He, the King of Wei, who was very close at hand, naturally knew everything about it.
Lord Xinling did not notice the details of King Wei's change of color, and was still immersed in the pride of showing his face in front of King Wei.
After this incident, King Wei replaced all the servants around him - he was worried that there was Lord Xinling's spy among them.
As for Lord Xinling, even though he was still favored by King Wei, he only had the love of an older brother for his younger brother - King Wei no longer entrusted him with important state affairs and military power because he made King Wei feel insecure too much. .
[Brief Comment]
If Lord Xinling "pretended to be confused" when the waiter reported the military situation for the first time - said nothing and allowed the King of Wei to summon ministers to discuss, the King of Wei would not have had much trouble.
In this way, Lord Xinling will not be suspected and lose power, and King Wei will not feel insecure and take precautions.
Some people may question whether knowing the truth but holding back on telling it is not a sign of bullying or a problem with one's character?
I think it cannot be understood this way.
knows it well, don't say it out loud. ——Silently help your country collect intelligence, know yourself and your enemy, and it will be effective at critical moments. Why bother to show off when it doesn't matter and arouse suspicion?
I can only speculate that Mr. Xinling wanted to use this to show off that he is good at employing people and that he is capable. This is the vanity of and at work.
So, sometimes, controlling the desire for expression and pretending to be confused is a wise choice - to benefit others and yourself.
Companion Reading of Chinese History Volume 1 "Historical Records" Biographies Chapter 158: The Lesson of Lord Xinling's Fall from Favor: Unable to Control His Desire for Expression, Harming Others and Oneself The content involves the original volume: "The Seventeenth Biography of Mr. Wei" 
