One Word Worth a Thousand Taels of Gold

At the end of the Warring States Period, there was a rich merchant named LuBuwei living in Yangzhai. He once happened to meet Zi Chu, the prince of Qin State who was held as a hostage in the capital of Zhao State,Handan. He considered it a good chance to grab power and wealth, so he used some stratagems to help Zi Chu escape from Zhao and return to Qin. Later on, Zi Chu became the King of Qin State. He conferred the title of prime minister to Lu Buwei so as to reward his favor.

Lu Buwei was very puissant and powerful. He had the fiefdom of twelve counties in Lantian and one hundred thousand families in Luoyang. In order to establish his prestige, he organized scholars and guests in his house to compile a book“Spring and Autumn by Lushi” which contained twenty-six volumes, one hundred and sixty essays. When the book was finished, Lu Buwei ordered his men to stick it on the gates of Xianyang, the capital of Qin. He also announced that if anyone could add or delete a word, he would award him a thousand pieces of gold.

Later on, people use this idiom to indicate that the language of an essay is very valuable, or to praise that some essays are appropriate and wonderful with beautiful diction.

We should be serious and encourage others to correct our mistakes no matter in work or study.