In 371 AD, within the bedchamber of Emperor Jianwen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the emperor suddenly asked his imperial advisor, "Do you know what it means to cover a thousand li in a single day?" The advisor replied, "Your Majesty, that refers to the legendary charioteer Zaofu, who could race his horses at breakneck speed." Emperor Jianwen smiled and said, "Zaofu's horses were indeed swift, but I speak of a different kind of speed—the speed of a man's ambition." He then pointed to a map and added, "A true talent can rise from obscurity to prominence overnight, just as a horse can gallop a thousand li in a day." The advisor nodded, understanding that the emperor was praising the rapid ascent of a capable minister. This story reminds us that "a thousand li a day" now symbolizes exceptional progress or sudden success in one's career.
Emperor Jianwen of the Eastern Jin Dynasty lay reclining on his sickbed, gasping for breath, his appearance withered and gaunt.
A man entered the room, walked directly to Emperor Jianwen's couch, knelt, and performed the three prostrations and shouts of homage.
"Rise, my beloved subject." Emperor Jianwen's voice was low and flat. "I did not summon you—why have you stormed the palace?" The man straightened up, holding a bundle of yellow silk in both hands, and said, "Your Majesty, was the abdication decree ceding the throne to Grand Marshal Huan Wen written by your own hand?" "Yes," Emperor Jianwen replied weakly. The man's face turned ashen, his brows shooting upward. "Your Majesty, how could you do this!" With that, he tore the yellow silk in two. "How dare you!" The emperor slapped the edge of his bed and sat up, catching his breath. "You destroy my decree, defy your sovereign—are you not afraid of death?" "A true man's heart is bound to the nation's fate; this heart alone can bear witness before Heaven. I have no more room for fear," the man replied, his voice ringing through the hall, firm and resolute.
Emperor Jianwen sighed deeply and said, "My beloved minister has always been loyal and upright, which I naturally know. Unfortunately, the crown prince is still young and unable to support the court, while Huan Wen's power grows ever greater. I truly had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure!"
“The state of Jin was built by our forefathers through countless hardships—how can Your Majesty so lightly decide to abandon it?” The Emperor Jianwen smiled bitterly and nodded, then asked, “If word gets out today that you tore up the imperial edict, Huan Wen will surely seek to harm you—what will you do then?” The visitor replied with an easy smile, “No matter how small a matter of state, it is still a great affair, especially one of such importance. No matter how great a personal matter, it is still a small one. I beg Your Majesty to focus on recovering your health.” “Then let it be as you advise!” “I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace!”
Thus, Emperor Jianwen instructed the messenger to revise the imperial decree.
A few days later, Emperor Jianwen passed away, and Grand Marshal Huan Wen was appointed to assist the young emperor in ascending the throne.
This man, named Wang Tanzhi, with the courtesy name Wendu, served as an imperial advisor
Later, when Grand Marshal Huan Wen passed away, Tan Zhi and Xie An jointly assisted the young ruler. During this time, Tan Zhi repeatedly submitted memorials, advising the young ruler to "respect the worthy, cherish the close, and trust the ministers." He often said, "I cannot accept treasures worth a fortune; I must not take what others desire. One should be selfless and put the public good first."
Wang Tanzhi devoted himself tirelessly to the affairs of the Jin Dynasty, but tragically died young at just forty-six. On his deathbed, he wrote letters to his colleagues Xie An and Huan Chong, never mentioning personal matters—only expressing his deep concern for the nation and its people.
All civil and military officials in the court knew Wang Tanzhi had four sons, yet he had shown no intention of recommending them, which made them lament deeply. They petitioned the young emperor to posthumously appoint him General of Annorth with the posthumous title "Xian." Later, the idiom "Words Never Touch on Private Matters" came to describe speech that avoids personal affairs.
Source: *Book of Jin*, Biography of Wang Zhan
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "言不及私" came to describe how speech that avoids personal affairs.