User:Shenme/rs

A tale about a tiger is accepted as truth when told by three persons

It happened in the Warring States Period. In compliance with a peace treaty signed with the king of Zhao, the king of the defeated Wei decided to send the Crown Prince to the other side as hostage. Minister Pang Cong, who was to accompany the prince on his journey to Zhao, had a talk with the king before departure.

"If somebody comes to report that there is a tiger in the street," said Pang, "would your majesty believe it?" "How can a tiger come to a busy street?" countered the king. "I won't believe it." Then Pang asked again, "Would your majesty believe it if two persons say that there is a tiger in the street?" "When two persons report to that effect," answered the king, "I may half believe it." "If three persons tell your majesty the same?" Pang asked a third time. "I have to believe it," replied the king, "if three persons give the same version."

"But no tiger will dare to come to a busy street," reasoned Pang. "Your majesty will accept the hearsay as truth only because three persons allege that there is a tiger there. Now I am going to Zhao with the prince. I believe that there would be more than three persons who would speak ill of me when I am away. I beg your majesty to consider carefully before you believe what they might say about me."

The king nodded, saying, "I have gotten what you mean. You can set out on your trip with an easy mind."

Sure enough, during Pang Cong's absence from Wei, there were really many people who made malicious remarks against him before the king. By and by, the king came to believe their words.