English Original
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC), the State of Yue had two renowned senior officials: Fan Li and Wen Zhong. King Gou Jian of Yue initially ignored Fan Li's advice and launched a reckless attack on the neighboring State of Wu, suffering a disastrous defeat. He was captured and enslaved by the King of Wu.
Fan Li persuaded Gou Jian to endure humiliation, feign surrender, and bide his time for revenge. Wen Zhong later undertook diplomatic missions to Wu, helping to restore Gou Jian's standing. Years later, Gou Jian was released. With the crucial assistance of Fan Li and Wen Zhong, the State of Yue rapidly rehabilitated its strength and eventually annexed Wu.
For their immense contributions, both men were lavishly rewarded. Gou Jian even offered Fan Li half his kingdom. However, Fan Li, knowing the king's nature all too well, declined and chose to live in seclusion. From his retreat, Fan Li wrote to Wen Zhong, warning: "When all the birds are shot, the good bow is stored away; when all the hares are caught, the hounds are killed for food. I advise you to withdraw to avoid disaster."
Wen Zhong heeded the advice and pretended to be ill, ceasing his court attendance. But it was too late. King Gou Jian, influenced by slanderous gossip about Wen Zhong, ordered him to commit suicide. This story gave rise to the idiom meaning that trusted aides are eliminated once they are no longer useful.
中文翻译
春秋时期（公元前770–476年），越国有两位著名的大臣：范蠡和文种。越王勾践起初未听从范蠡的劝告，贸然进攻邻国吴国，遭遇灾难性的失败。他被吴王俘虏并沦为奴隶。
范蠡劝勾践忍受屈辱，假装投降，等待复仇的时机。文种后来出使吴国进行外交活动，帮助恢复勾践的地位。数年后，勾践获释。在范蠡和文种的关键协助下，越国迅速恢复了国力，最终吞并了吴国。
因二人功勋卓著，越王给予了丰厚的赏赐。勾践甚至要将一半的国土分给范蠡。然而，范蠡深知君王本性，拒绝了赏赐，选择归隐。隐居后，范蠡写信给文种，警告道：“飞鸟尽，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。我建议你急流勇退，以免灾祸。”
文种听从建议，称病不再上朝。但为时已晚。越王勾践听信了关于文种的诽谤性谗言，下令让他自尽。这个故事衍生出一个成语，意指心腹助手在失去利用价值后便被铲除。