洗耳恭听 — “To listen with utmost attention and respect”

In ancient times, Emperor Yao intended to abdicate his throne to Xu You. Xu You was a man renowned for his detachment from politics, prioritizing 'purity'. Not only did he decline Yao's offer, but he also fled into Jishan Mountain overnight to live as a recluse.

Believing Xu You was merely showing humility, Yao's respect for him grew even stronger. He then dispatched another envoy to invite Xu You, saying, 'If you steadfastly refuse the imperial throne, I hope you would at least agree to serve as the 'Chief of the Nine Provinces.' Upon hearing this message, Xu You was even more repulsed. He immediately rushed to the Ying River at the foot of the mountain and scooped up water to thoroughly wash his ears.

At that very moment, Chao Fu, a friend of Xu You who also lived in seclusion there, happened to be leading his calf to the river for a drink. He inquired of Xu You's actions. Xu You recounted the message and declared, 'How can I not immediately cleanse my pure ears after hearing such 'unclean' words!'

Chao Fu listened, then scoffed, saying, 'Hmph, who urged you to parade around and cultivate such a reputation? Now you've brought trouble upon yourself; it's entirely your own doing. Why bother washing your ears! Forget it; don't contaminate the mouth of my calf!' With those words, he led his calf upstream, away from Xu You.

According to the 'Chao County Annals,' there was a square pond known as 'Xierchi' (Ear Washing Pond) by the east gate of ancient Chaocheng, with an adjacent alley called Qianniuxiang (Leading Calf Alley). Legend has it that 5000 years ago, while Chao Fu was leading his calf to drink water at the pond, he criticized Xu You, a sage of that era, for 'floating in the world and avariciously seeking fame.' Xu You, feeling deeply ashamed, immediately used the pond's clear water to wash his ears and wipe his eyes, signaling his willingness to heed Chao Fu's wise counsel. Later generations, to commend Xu You's virtue of acknowledging and rectifying his mistakes, named the square pond 'Xierchi,' and the idiom 'Xǐ ěr gōng tīng' (wash ears and listen respectfully) originated from this very tale.