Ji An served during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 24). He was widely respected for his integrity, justice, and fearless honesty. He focused on practical results rather than minor formalities in both personal conduct and official duties. Though his governance was not flashy, he maintained perfect order in the Donghai Prefecture. Impressed, the imperial court promoted him to a central government position overseeing the appointment and dismissal of local officials.
Once, Emperor Wu announced his intention to implement the Confucian policies of benevolence and justice for the people's benefit. Before the emperor could finish, Ji An interjected that such declarations were unnecessary. He bluntly questioned why the emperor would pretend to uphold benevolence and justice when he was inwardly greedy and avaricious. Stunned into silence, Emperor Wu abruptly dismissed the assembly. The court officials held their breath, fearing Ji An had doomed himself. Later, the emperor remarked to his attendants that Ji An was rather rude and too straightforward.
Consequently, Ji An received no further promotions. When he held his central post, both Gongsun Hong and Zhang Tang were low-ranking, insignificant officials. Over time, they were continuously promoted—Gongsun Hong became Prime Minister, and Zhang Tang rose to Imperial Censor—while Ji An's position remained unchanged. One day, Ji An told Emperor Wu that his method of employing ministers was "like piling up firewood: the latecomers surpass the old-timers." The emperor understood this as a complaint. Turning to his other ministers, Emperor Wu said, "Indeed, one should never cease learning. Look, Ji An's remarks grow increasingly indiscreet."
This story originates from Records of the Grand Historian. Later generations adopted the phrase "the latecomers surpass the old-timers" to mean that successors can excel their predecessors, a meaning quite different from Ji An's original, critical implication.