During Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the Han Empire had been established for over sixty years, with a prosperous treasury and contented people, yet surrounding tribes remained unsubdued and institutions were incomplete. The emperor, eager to recruit talents skilled in both civil and military affairs, sought men of exceptional ability.
Zhu Fuyan, a native of Qi, studied the art of political strategy in his youth and only later in life turned to the *Book of Changes* and the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. He tried to gain favor among the princes of Qi but was ostracized by Confucian scholars. Too poor to even borrow money, he wandered to Yan, Zhao, and Zhongshan, yet no one recognized his talents. Concluding that no prince was worth his service, he entered the capital to seek out General Wei Qing. The general repeatedly recommended him to Emperor Wu of Han, but the emperor, unimpressed, paid him no mind. Penniless and despised by the nobles' retainers, Zhu Fuyan finally submitted a direct memorial to the throne. That very morning his letter was delivered, and by evening he was summoned for an imperial audience.
Zhu Fuyan submitted a memorial covering nine matters—eight on legal reforms and one on launching a campaign against the Xiongnu.
Xu Le and Yan An also submitted memorials on state affairs. After reviewing them, the emperor summoned all three and said, "Where have you all been? Why have we met so late?" He then appointed them all as court gentlemen. Zhu Fuyan submitted numerous memorials discussing governance, and Emperor Wu of Han, recognizing his exceptional talent, promoted him four times in a single year.
Later, Emperor Wu of Han adopted Zhu Fuyan's suggestion and issued the "Decree of Grace," allowing feudal lords to divide their lands among all their children. As the territories grew smaller with each generation, the power of the lords was weakened—yet the lords themselves were delighted. Zhu Fuyan then proposed moving the empire's most powerful and cunning families to Maoling, saying, "This will both strengthen the capital and rid the realm of troublemakers." The emperor again followed his counsel.
Zhu Fuyan, with his exceptional talent, earned the trust of Emperor Wu of Han and became one of his key advisors, eventually being enfeoffed as the Marquis of Pingjin.
Later, the idiom "Regret Meeting Too Late" came to describe people who are extremely compatible in spirit.
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Biographies of the Marquess of Pingjin and Zhufu"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "相见恨晚" came to describe people who are extremely compatible in spirit.