Deng Wan was a Song Dynasty official serving as a magistrate in Ningzhou during Emperor Shenzong's reign. Known for his extreme slickness, he constantly shifted his stance to match the prevailing political winds.
At the time, Wang Anshi, enjoying Emperor Shenzong's trust, monopolized court affairs. Deng Wan submitted a memorial on current issues, arguing that the Song Dynasty, having enjoyed over a century of peace and stability, had grown lax in governance and needed reform. He then wrote, "Your Majesty has found a minister as capable as Yi Yin or Lü Shang, implementing the Green Sprouts and Labor Exemption laws. The people sing and dance in gratitude for your grace. From my observations in Ningzhou, I see this is true across the region; from this region, I see it is true across the empire. This is an unprecedented reform! I beg Your Majesty to persist and ignore idle gossip." These words were clearly flattery for Wang Anshi. Deng Wan also sent him letters, heaping praise and sycophantic adulation.
Deng Wan's scheming finally paid off when Wang Anshi recommended him to Emperor Shenzong, who summoned Deng for an audience. Just then, bandits attacked Qingzhou, and Deng reported the situation in great detail. The emperor asked about Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing, and Deng replied that he did not know them. Emperor Shenzong said, "Wang Anshi is a modern-day sage; Lu Huiqing is a worthy man." Thus, Deng won the emperor's favor. After leaving the palace, Deng acted as if he and Wang Anshi were old friends at first sight. When Chancellor Chen Shengzhi and Feng Jing, seeing Wang was busy, decided to send Deng back to Ningzhou as prefect due to his border expertise, Deng was displeased and asked, "Why summon me urgently to the capital only to send me back?" Someone inquired, "What position do you seek then?" Deng answered, "At least a minor post in the capital." Another asked, "Could you be a remonstrance official?" Deng replied, "Exactly that." The next day, Deng was appointed as Collator in the Academy and Inspector of the Central Secretariat's Document Office. Fellow townsmen in the capital mocked and ridiculed him, but Deng shamelessly said, "Laugh and curse as you will—I've secured a fine official post."
Years later, when Wang Anshi was dismissed as prime minister, Deng Wan quickly shifted his allegiance to Lü Huifang. But when Wang Anshi was reinstated, Deng Wan shamelessly flattered him again, exposing Lü Huifang's misdeeds. Emperor Shenzong, seeing Deng Wan's treacherous nature, declared, "You discuss state affairs and personnel with no integrity, always acting beyond your station." He then demoted Deng Wan and banished him from the capital. Despite subsequent reassignments, Deng Wan never again held a position in the imperial court.
Later, the idiom "Laugh and Scold as You Please" came to describe someone who acts as they please, ignoring others' ridicule.
Source: *History of Song*, "Biography of Deng Wan"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "笑骂从汝" came to describe how someone acts as they please, ignoring others' ridicule.