To regard death as returning home; to face death unflinchingly and without fear of sacrificing one's life.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
Bao Shuya recommended Guan Zhong to Duke Huan of Qi. Duke Huan consulted Guan Zhong on his grand strategies to reform politics and revive the state.
Guan Zhong replied, 'For developing land, expanding cities, boosting production, and maximizing land benefits, I am not as good as Ning Chi. Please appoint him as the chief official for economic affairs. For appropriate promotions and demotions, precise commands, graceful conduct, and refined etiquette, I am not as good as Xi Peng. Please appoint him as the chief official for diplomatic affairs. For diligent work from dawn till dusk, disregarding personal safety and value, and daring to admonish the ruler, I am not as good as Dong Guo Ya. Please appoint him as the chief official for supervision. For orderly armies, valiant fighting, and making the entire army advance resolutely, regarding death as going home, once the war drums sound, I am not as good as Wangzichengfu. Please appoint him as the Grand Sima. For wise judgment in cases, never executing the undeserving, and never wronging the innocent, I am not as good as Xian Zhang. Please appoint him as the chief official for justice.'
Guan Zhong continued, 'If you merely wish to govern the state and strengthen its military, these five men are sufficient. But if you aspire to become the hegemon among the feudal lords, then I, Guan Zhong, am all you need.'
Duke Huan was greatly pleased. He followed Guan Zhong's counsel implicitly and ultimately achieved hegemony.