Duke Huan of Qi, the first overlord of the Spring and Autumn Period, lit a bright torch in front of his palace day and night to show his sincerity in enlisting able and virtuous men. Yet, the torch burned for a full year without a single visitor.
One day, a villager from the eastern suburbs of the capital requested an audience, claiming he could recite the multiplication table. Duke Huan found this amusing and sent an officer to ask, "How can you hope to see the King just for knowing the multiplication table?"
The villager replied, "I heard the palace torch has burned for a year with no visitors. This is because Your Majesty is a ruler of great talent and vision. Talented men from afar doubt you would value them, so they dare not come. My skill is trivial, but if you receive me courteously, you need not worry that those with real ability will stay away."
He continued, "Mount Tai is immense because it does not reject a single stone; the sea is deep because it gathers every stream. The Book of Songs says: 'Wise kings of old sought advice even from woodcutters and grass-gatherers. Only thus can one pool the wisdom of the masses.'"
Hearing this, Duke Huan repeatedly nodded assent and received the villager with great honor. As expected, within a month, many able and virtuous men came to see him.