16

Kao Shih (702–765) grew up in Honan province in a family sufficiently impoverished that he had to beg for food. But through tenacity he gained an education and eventually an appointment as a secretary in the military. He was one of the few great poets of the T’ang who enjoyed a successful career. Here, he refers to the biography of Fan Shu (aka Fan Sui) in the Shihchi. Fan accompanied Hsu Chia as an aide on a mission from Wei to the state of Ch’i, whose king ignored Hsu but presented Fan with delicacies and gold. Hsu suspected Fan had divulged state secrets, and when they returned to Wei he reported this to the prime minister, who had Fan beaten and left for dead. Fan, however, managed to escape, changed his name, and rose to the rank of prime minister in the state of Ch’in. When Fan heard that the state of Wei was sending Hsu on a mission to Ch’in, he disguised himself as a pauper and met Hsu at his inn. When Hsu saw his former aide in such straits, he took off his silk robe and gave it to the man he had once maligned. Fan then revealed his new identity, and Hsu expected to be executed. But Fan pardoned Hsu because of his compassion for an old friend. Kao, however, condemns Hsu for his blindness and offers this oblique critique of those in power who fail to discern the true qualities of others.

Ode to the Past

KAO SHIH

He made a gift of his robe

concerned Fan Shu was cold

but unaware of his noble rank

he still saw a common man