伯乐相马 — “To be a discerning judge of talent”

According to legend, the celestial deity in charge of horses was named Bole. In the human world, people also referred to individuals skilled in discerning the quality of horses as Bole.The first person to be called Bole was originally named Sun Yang, and he lived during the Spring and Autumn period. Because of his exceptional expertise in horses, people forgot his original name and simply called him Bole, a practice that continues to this day.

Once, Bole was entrusted by the King of Chu to purchase a 'thousand-li horse,' one that could travel a thousand li in a day. Bole explained to the King of Chu that such horses were rare and difficult to find, requiring him to travel to various regions to search. He asked the king not to worry, assuring him he would do his best to accomplish the task.

Bole traveled through several states, even meticulously searching the Yan-Zhao region, known for its famous horses, enduring great hardship. Yet, he found no suitable steed. One day, as Bole was returning from the State of Qi, he saw a horse pulling a salt cart, struggling uphill on a steep slope. The horse was panting heavily, each step arduous. Bole, who always had an affinity for horses, instinctively approached. Upon seeing Bole, the horse suddenly raised its head, widened its eyes, and neighed loudly, as if wanting to confide something. Bole immediately recognized from its cry that this was a rare and exceptional horse.

Bole said to the cart driver, 'This horse, when galloping on the battlefield, is unrivaled. But for pulling a cart, it's not even as good as an ordinary horse. Why don't you sell it to me?'The cart driver thought Bole was a fool. He considered the horse too common, lacking the strength to pull a cart, eating too much, and terribly thin. He agreed without hesitation.

Bole led the 'thousand-li horse' away and headed straight for the State of Chu. Upon arriving at the Chu King's palace, Bole patted the horse's neck and said, 'I've found you a good master.' The 'thousand-li horse,' as if understanding Bole, stomped its front hooves, making a clattering sound, then stretched its neck and neighed loudly, its voice resonant like a great bell or stone chime, soaring to the heavens. Hearing the horse's neigh, the King of Chu stepped out of the palace. Bole pointed to the horse and said, 'Your Majesty, I've brought you the 'thousand-li horse'; please observe it carefully.' The King of Chu, seeing the emaciated horse Bole had brought, thought Bole was making a fool of him and was displeased. He said, 'I trusted your judgment in horses, which is why I sent you. But what kind of horse is this? It can barely walk; how can it go to battle?'

Bole replied, 'This is indeed a 'thousand-li horse,' but it has been pulling a cart and was not fed carefully, which is why it looks so thin. With diligent feeding, its strength will surely recover within half a month.'Hearing this, the King of Chu was somewhat skeptical but ordered the stable hands to feed the horse with great care.

Sure enough, the horse became strong and majestic. The King of Chu mounted the horse and cracked his whip, feeling the wind rush past his ears, and in the time it takes to breathe, he had already galloped a hundred li away. Later, the 'thousand-li horse' served the King of Chu on the battlefield, earning many merits. The King of Chu held Bole in even greater esteem.