During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Xiang of Qi was a debauched ruler, so his two younger brothers, Prince Jiu and Prince Xiaobai, repeatedly advised him to no avail. Fearing they would bring disaster upon themselves, they fled to the states of Lu and Ju for refuge.
Soon after, civil war erupted in the state of Qi—Duke Xiang was assassinated, and a new ruler was installed. The very next year, ministers killed that new ruler too, then sent envoys to the state of Lu to invite Prince Jiu back to take the throne. Determined to secure Prince Jiu's smooth ascension, the Duke of Lu personally led an army to escort him home.
Guan Zhong, tutor to Prince Jiu, feared that Prince Xiaobai, who had fled to the state of Ju, was closer to Qi and might race back to seize the throne. So Guan Zhong led a detachment to intercept Xiaobai. When they met, Guan Zhong seized the moment while Xiaobai was off guard, fired a stealthy arrow, and nearly struck him dead.
Later, Prince Xiaobai raced back to Qi first and claimed the throne, becoming Duke Huan of Qi. Prince Jiu arrived too late, and the Lu army escorting him was defeated by Qi forces, forcing Prince Jiu to take his own life.
Duke Huan of Qi initially wanted to capture Guan Zhong and avenge an arrow wound. But his mentor Bao Shuya advised him, "Guan Zhong is a man of exceptional talent. You must not kill him—you must entrust him with high office if you wish to make Qi a hegemonic power."
Duke Huan of Qi, following Bao Shuya's advice, sent an envoy to the state of Lu under the pretext of bringing Guan Zhong back to Qi for punishment.
The envoy escorted Guan Zhong to the border of Qi, starving and famished, so he begged the border guard for some food.
To the official's surprise, he knelt respectfully before Guan Zhong and personally served him food, for he had learned that Bao Shuya had recommended Guan Zhong to Duke Huan of Qi and suspected Guan Zhong would soon be elevated to high office.
After Guan Zhong finished his meal, the official asked him privately, "If you meet Duke Huan and not only avoid execution but also gain his favor, how will you repay me?"
Guan Zhong replied without hesitation, "As you say, if I am to be appointed, it shows the ruler is wise, able to set aside personal grudges and appoint the worthy. Then if I am employed, I too should appoint the worthy. What could I possibly use to repay you?"
The official fell silent, unable to find a reply.
After arriving in the Qi capital, Duke Huan of Qi conversed with Guan Zhong and discovered his extraordinary talent. Instead of punishing him, the duke appointed him as prime minister.
Later, the idiom "appointing people on their merit" came to describe selecting officials solely based on their virtue and ability.
Source: *Han Feizi*, "Wai Chu Shuo Zuo"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "任人唯贤" came to describe how selecting officials solely based on their virtue and ability.