You shouldn't just believe what others say,
you should see it with your own eyes to confirm the truth.(耳聞不如眼見)
During the time of the Northern and
Southern Dynasties in China, there was a famous minister in the Northern Wei
Kingdom, his name was (Cui Hao).
There is a story about him recorded in the
history books.
He was a famous scholar in the Northern Wei
Kingdom. The king of the Northern Wei Kingdom often listened to him explain
some ancient Chinese classics.
He also had extensive knowledge of
divination and astrology.
He could accurately see the connection
between heavenly phenomena and human affairs.
The king would ask for his advice when he
was faced with a difficult decision, or even when he had to make important
decisions about the government of the country.
In 439 AD, the king of the Northern Wei
Kingdom wanted to send troops to attack the Northern Liang Kingdom.
The king called for a war council.
In this military meeting, some ministers
raised objections.
These few dissenting ministers said
The land in the Xiliang Kingdom is very
barren and water is scarce.
If our army launches an attack, when our
army reaches the territory of the Xiliang Kingdom, our soldiers will be hungry
and thirsty because there is no water, and our horses will be weak because
there is no grass to eat.
So we should not attack the Kingdom of
Xiliang.
Cui Hao said to these ministers after
listening to their words.
I have read a book on written geography by
scholars from the Han Dynasty. There is an article in the book that describes
the situation of this piece of land that is now the territory of the Xiliang
Kingdom.
This land has abundant water resources and
is very suitable for the development of animal husbandry.
That is why ancient China built cities on
this piece of land.
You said that the land of the Xiliang
Kingdom lacks water resources and is very barren.
I think your information is wrong.
The few ministers who had objections
replied.
There is a saying. You shouldn't just believe
what others say, you should see it with your own eyes to confirm the truth.
We have visited the Kingdom of Xiliang, and
we can guarantee that what we say is true.
When Cui Hao heard these words, he said
angrily to the ministers.
I think you may have received benefits from
the Xiliang Kingdom, so you have deliberately distorted the facts.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to lie so openly.
After hearing Cui Hao's conversation with
these ministers, the king did not immediately express his opinion.
The king watched the movements and
expressions of these dissident ministers.
Later, the king personally gave the order
to attack the Xiliang Kingdom, and all the ministers must cooperate fully.
A few months later, the army of the
Northern Wei Kingdom defeated the Northern Liang Kingdom.
The territory of the Northern Liang Kingdom
is just like the geography book Cui Hao read. It is a very fertile area,
suitable for the development of animal husbandry.
The meaning of this saying is that you
shouldn't just believe what others say, but you should see it with your own
eyes to confirm the truth.
Dear friend, what inspirations or thoughts
do you have after listening to this story?
If you were a king, would you dare to stand
by your decision? Have you ever read books about the geography of countries
around the world?
I hope this story can give you some new
insights.
耳聞不如眼見(You shouldn't just believe what
others say, you should see it with your own eyes to confirm the truth).
在中國的南北王朝時代，北魏王國有一個著名的大臣，他的名字叫做(崔浩)。
歷史書上記載了一個他的故事。
他是北魏王國的著名學者，北魏王國的國王經常聽他講解一些中國的古代經典書籍。
他對於占卜與星象學的知識也很豐富。
他可以準確地看出天象與人事之間的相互關係。。
國王在遇到一些難以做出決定的事情的時候，甚至在治理國家的一些重要決策上，都會請教他的意見。
西元439年，北魏王國的國王想要出兵攻打北涼王國。
國王召開了一場軍事會議。
在這場軍事會議中，有些大臣抱持著反對意見。
這幾個反對的大臣說。
西涼王國的土地非常的貧瘠，那邊的水資源缺乏。
如果我們的軍隊發動攻擊，那麼我們的軍隊到達西涼王國的境內的時候，我們的士兵會因為缺水而飢渴，我們的戰馬會因為沒有青草吃而衰弱。
所以我們不應該發動對西涼王國的攻擊。
崔浩聽到這些大臣的話後對這些大臣說。
我看過漢王朝時代的學者所寫的地理書，在那本書中有一篇紀載了現在西涼王國的國土所擁有的這一塊土地的情況。
這塊土地有充足的水源，這一塊土地非常適合畜牧業的發展。
也因為如此，中國古代才會在那一塊土地上建立城市。
你們表示西涼王國這塊土地的水資源缺乏而且非常貧瘠，我認為你們的資訊是錯誤的。
那幾個抱持反對意見的大臣回答。
有一句俗話說。你不應該只聽別人說就相信，你應該親眼去看看才能確認事實的真相。
我們曾經訪問過西涼王國，我們可以保證我們說的話是正確無誤的。
崔浩聽完這些話後，他很生氣的對這些大臣說。
我認為你們有可能收受了西涼王國的好處所以才會這樣故意扭曲事實。
不然你們不可能會公開的說謊。
國王聽到崔浩與這些大臣的對話後，他沒有立刻表示意見。
國王在一旁觀察這些反對的大臣的動作與表情。
後來國王親自下令決定要攻打西涼王國，所有的大臣必須完全配合。
幾個月後，北魏王國的軍隊打敗北涼王國。
北涼王國的國土就如同崔浩所看的地理書一樣，是一塊非常肥沃的適合發展畜牧業的地區。
這句成語的意思是你不應該只聽別人說就相信，你應該親眼去看看才能確認事實的真相。
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。
你如果是國王，你敢堅持自己的決定嗎?你是否有看過那些與世界各國的地理的相關書籍呢?
我期待這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為魏書-列傳卷23-崔浩傳
