A beadle garrisoning the frontier of Changwu said to Confucius's student, Zi Lao: "When I grew crops in the past, I was repaid with a poor harvest because I ploughed the field absent-mindedly and hoed the weeds carelessly, allowing the weeds to grow higher than the crops. Afterwards, I ploughed diligently and hoed with extra care, leaving the field thoroughly tilled. As a result, the crops grew extraordinarily well, and I was rewarded with an improved harvest, gaining ample food and clothing. If you deal with government affairs as assiduously as I ploughed the field, your success is guaranteed."
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