Hanzi

During the Spring and Autumn period, Wu Zixu, a great general of the State of Wu, led his soldiers to attack the State of Zheng. Duke Ding of Zheng, the ruler of the State of Zheng, declared, "Whoever can convince Wu Zixu to withdraw his troops and not attack us will be handsomely rewarded." Unfortunately, no one could think of a good solution.

On the morning of the fourth day, a young fisherman came to Duke Ding and said, "I have a way to make Wu Zixu not attack Zheng." Upon hearing this, Duke Ding immediately asked the fisherman, "How many soldiers and chariots do you need?" The fisherman shook his head, "I don't need soldiers, chariots, or even food. I only need this oar of mine to send tens of thousands of Wu soldiers back to their state." What kind of oar could be so powerful?

The fisherman tucked the oar under his arm and ran to Wu Zixu's camp. He sang a song while tapping his oar: "Man in the reeds, man in the reeds; who was kind enough to help you cross the river? The seven-star pattern on your precious sword; I return it to you, keep it with you. You are triumphant today, but do you remember the old fisherman?"

Wu Zixu saw the oar in the fisherman's hand and immediately asked, "Young man, who are you?" The fisherman replied, "Don't you see the oar in my hand? My father made a living with this oar, and he used this very oar to save you." Wu Zixu exclaimed, "I remember now! When I was fleeing, an old fisherman saved me, and I've always wanted to repay his kindness! So you are his son. Why are you here?"

The fisherman said, "It's because your State of Wu is attacking our State of Zheng. All of us fishermen have been summoned here. Our ruler, Duke Ding, said, 'Whoever can persuade General Wu to withdraw his troops and not attack Zheng will be handsomely rewarded!' I hope General Wu, in consideration of my deceased father who once saved you, will not attack Zheng, and allow me to return with some reward."

Wu Zixu, with a tone of gratitude, said, "Because your father saved me, I was able to survive and become a great general. How could I ever forget his kindness? I will certainly help you with this!" As soon as Wu Zixu finished speaking, he immediately led all the Wu soldiers back.

The fisherman happily conveyed this good news to Duke Ding. Instantly, all the people of Zheng regarded the fisherman as a great savior, calling him "the Fisherman Grandee," and Duke Ding even bestowed upon him a hundred li of land!

Wu Zixu, in order to repay the kindness the fisherman's father had shown him, not only refrained from attacking Zheng but also enabled the fisherman to receive a reward. This is what "Gǎn ēn tú bào" means.