孺子可教

6月 03, 2024

【What a teachable boy!】

孺子, a child. " a child can be taught" means that young people can be taught and cultivated.

Used to express praise. The words come from "Historical Records." Volume 55. Liuhou Family".

Allusion explanation

"Ruzi" was originally a general term for young children, and it can also be used to refer to young people.

"Ruzi can be taught" means that this young person is worth teaching.

"Historical Records. Volume 55. It is recorded in "Liuhou Family" that Zhang Liangyuan was an aristocrat of the Han State during the Warring States Period.

After Han State was destroyed by the Qin State, he wanted to avenge the country, so he invited a strong man to assassinate Qin Shihuang with him, but he failed .

Therefore, he was wanted and had to hide his name and take refuge in Xiapi(下邳).

One day, Zhang Liang went for a walk on the bridge.

An old man in brown clothes deliberately dropped his shoes under the bridge in front of Zhang Liang and said rudely to Zhang Liang:

"Young man, go down and pick up my shoes for me!"

Zhang Liang was very surprised and wanted to go up and beat him up.

But seeing that he was old, he reluctantly endured it and went to the bridge to pick up his shoes.

After picking it up, the old man said, "Put it on for me!"

Zhang Liang was reluctant in every possible way, but he thought a good man should do his best, so he knelt down and helped him put on his shoes.

The old man put on his shoes and left with a smile.

Zhang Liang was shocked and watched him go away.

The old man walked a mile and then came back and said, "What a teachable boy!

Come here and meet me at dawn in five days."

Later, the old man tested Zhang Liang several times in succession to confirm that he could endure what others could not tolerate and that he was a rare man.