The power of the whip will decrease with
the length(鞭長莫及)
In the Spring and Autumn Period of China,
(Chu Kingdom) sent troops to attack (Song
Kingdom), the army of (Chu Kingdom) has surrounded (Song Kingdom).
The king of (Song Kingdom) sent people to
(Jin Kingdom) to seek assistance.
After the king of (Jin Kingdom) received
the messenger of (Song Kingdom) and understood the whole situation,
He wanted to send an army to assist (Song
Kingdom).
There is a minister named (Bo zong) in (Jin
Kingdom) who is against sending troops.
He said to the king of (Jin Kingdom).
Because our country has solid diplomatic
relations with the Kingdom of Song, it is right to send troops to help this
decision.
But according to the current situation,
(Song Kingdom) has been surrounded by the
army of (Chu Kingdom), and the army of (Chu Kingdom) will then rest fully, and
then attack with full force at the right time.
We are now sending an army expedition, and
when our army arrives (Song Kingdom), our soldiers must be very tired.
Although our country is strong, like a long
and powerful whip,
But the power of the whip will decrease
with the length of the whip.
So please consider again whether to send
troops.
The king finally decided not to send troops
to assist (Song Kingdom).
This idiom is used to describe that the
distance is too far apart so the power cannot be conveyed.
Dear friend, what kind of inspiration or
ideas do you have after listening to this story?
Why when (Bo zong) communicates with the
king, he first expresses his agreement with the king's decision? If you are (Bo
zong), how would you express your opinion to the king?
Hope this story will give you some new
gains.
鞭長莫及 (The power of the whip will decrease with the length)
中國的春秋時代，
(楚國)派出軍隊攻打(宋國)，(楚王國)的軍隊已經將包圍了(宋國)。
(宋王國)的國王派人到(晉國)尋求援助。
(晉國)的國王接見了(宋國)的使者並且了解整個情況後，
他便想派出軍隊去協助(宋王國)。
在(晉國)有一位名字叫做(伯宗)的大臣，他反對出兵。
他對(晉王國)的國王說。
我們國家因為和宋王國有穩固的邦交，所以出兵幫忙這個決定是對的。
但是根據目前的情勢，
(宋王國)已經被(楚王國)的軍隊所包圍，(楚王國)的軍隊接下來會充分的休息，接著在合適的時間全力進攻。
我們現在派出軍隊遠征，等我們的軍隊抵達(宋國)的時候，我們的軍人一定很疲累。
我們的國家雖然很強大、就像是一隻長而且有力的鞭子一樣，
但鞭子的力量會隨著鞭子的長度而衰減。
所以請您再次地考慮是否要出兵。
國王最後便決定不出兵協助(宋王國)。
這句成語被用來形容距離相隔太遠，所以力量無法傳達。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的啟發或有怎樣的想法呢。
為何當(伯宗)在與國王溝通的時候，他先表示自己認同國王的決定呢?若你是(伯宗)，你會如何對國王表達你的意見呢?
希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。