木人石心 — “Wooden man, stone heart”

During the Jin Dynasty, there was a renowned scholar named Xia Tong. He was highly talented and eloquent, gaining considerable fame. Many people at the time urged him to enter officialdom, but he consistently declined.

Once, when he visited Luoyang, the capital, Grand Commandant Jia Chong sought to leverage Xia Tong's talent and reputation to enhance his own power. He persuaded Xia Tong to join his retinue as an official, but his offer was politely refused.

Unwilling to give up, Jia Chong arrayed an orderly army, adorned with splendid carriages and horses, and marched them past Xia Tong, with blaring trumpets. Jia Chong then said to Xia Tong, "If you agree to serve by my side, you could command these troops and ride in such magnificent chariots—how enviable that would be!" Xia Tong regarded the luxurious and grand display before him as if he hadn't seen it at all, remaining completely unmoved.

Still persistent, Jia Chong then brought in a group of exquisitely beautiful women, who sang and danced gracefully before Xia Tong. Yet, Xia Tong stood impassive, completely unshaken.

Seeing that none of these could stir Xia Tong's heart, Jia Chong, bewildered, exclaimed, "Such an eccentric person exists in this world! He truly is like a man made of wood, with a heart of stone!"