【Source】"Strategies of the Warring States · Qi Strategies IV"
Said: "I wish to return; eating late is as good as meat, walking slowly is as good as riding in a carriage, being free from guilt is as good as being honored, and maintaining calmness, purity, and integrity is sufficient for self-contentment."
【Meaning】: To walk slowly and steadily, treating it as if one were riding in a vehicle.
Story: During the Warring States period, there was a noble scholar in the State of Qi named Yan Chu. King Xuan of Qi, having heard of his reputation, summoned him to the palace. Yan Chu walked casually into the palace and stopped at the steps before the hall, seeing that the king was waiting for him to come forward and pay his respects. He halted, refusing to advance further. The king, finding this strange, called out, "Yan Chu, come here!" But to his surprise, Yan Chu did not move an inch and instead called back, "Your Majesty, please come here!" King Xuan was displeased. His ministers, seeing Yan Chu's apparent disrespect and bold words, exclaimed, "The king is the sovereign; you are a subject. The king can summon you, but how can you summon the king?" Yan Chu replied, "If I go to the king, it shows that I covet his power and status. If the king comes to me, it shows that he honors and respects worthy scholars. It is better that the king honors scholars than that I covet his power." King Xuan angrily asked, "Who is more noble—the ruler or the scholar?" Without hesitation, Yan Chu answered, "Of course the scholar is more noble; the ruler is not truly noble!" The king asked, "Do you have any basis for saying this?" Yan Chu calmly replied, "Certainly. When Qin attacked Qi in the past, the King of Qin issued a decree: anyone daring to cut firewood within fifty paces of the tomb of the noble scholar Liu Xia Ji would be put to death without mercy! He also issued another decree: anyone who could bring him the head of the King of Qi would be enfeoffed as a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households and awarded a thousand yi of gold. From this, we see that the head of a living ruler is not even as valuable as the grave of a dead scholar!" King Xuan was left speechless, his face full of displeasure. The ministers hurried to intervene: "Yan Chu, come here! Come here! Our king possesses a thousand chariots—east, west, north, and south, who would dare not submit? The king can have whatever he desires; the common people all bow in obedience. You scholars are truly insignificant!" Yan Chu retorted, "You are wrong! In the time of Emperor Yu, there were ten thousand feudal lords. Why? Because he respected scholars. By the time of King Tang of Shang, there were still three thousand. Now, only twenty-four rulers remain, calling themselves 'lonely ones' and 'few ones.' Thus, whether or not scholars are valued is the key to a state's success or failure. From ancient times to the present, no one has ever achieved fame under heaven without engaging in practical affairs. Therefore, a ruler should feel ashamed for not frequently seeking advice and feel humbled for not learning from those of lower status." Upon hearing this, King Xuan realized his own shortcomings and said, "I have brought this humiliation upon myself. After hearing your profound words, I understand the behavior of petty men. I hope you will accept me as your student. From now on, live here with me. I guarantee you will eat meat, ride in a carriage when going out, and your wife and children will all wear fine clothes." But Yan Chu declined, saying, "Jade originally comes from the mountains. Once it is carved by a craftsman, its natural form is destroyed. Though it remains valuable, it loses its original essence. A scholar born in a remote village, if promoted to office, may enjoy wealth and honor—but though he may become noble and powerful, his outward demeanor and inner world may be corrupted. Therefore, I respectfully ask Your Majesty to let me return. Eating later in the day will taste as good as meat; walking slowly and steadily is sufficient as riding in a carriage; living in peace is no worse than being a powerful noble. Tranquility, inaction, purity, and integrity—this is where true joy lies. It is Your Majesty who summoned me to speak, but it is I, Yan Chu, who have sincerely declared my loyalty." Having spoken, Yan Chu bowed twice to King Xuan and then took his leave.