During the Spring and Autumn period, King Shoumeng of Wu lay gravely ill. Summoning his four sons—Zhufan, Yuji, Yumei, and Jizha—he declared, "I believe Jizha is the most worthy to rule." But Jizha firmly refused the throne. So Shoumeng decreed, "Let the crown pass from eldest to youngest, until it reaches Jizha." This unusual succession plan set the stage for a tale of duty and humility.
After King Shou Meng died, his son Zhufan took the throne. Thirteen years later, Zhufan was struck by an arrow and killed while attacking the state of Chu. His brother Yuji succeeded him, ruling for seventeen years before being assassinated. Thus, the third brother Yumei became king and appointed their youngest brother, Jizha, as prime minister.
Ji Zha advocated for ending warfare and bringing peace to the people, urging friendly relations with central plain states like Qi and Jin. King Yumei heeded Ji Zha's advice and sent him as an envoy to Qi, Lu, Zheng, Wei, and Jin.
In 544 BCE, the Wu envoy Ji Zha arrived in the State of Lu, weary from his journey. He told Duke Xiang of Lu, "Wu wishes to live in lasting friendship with Lu." Delighted, Duke Xiang honored him with a performance of traditional Zhou music and dance.
Ji Zha was well-versed in dance and music, appreciating and commenting as he watched. When he saw the "Shao Huo" dance of Cheng Tang, he praised, "The sage is great, but also has flaws. It seems that being a sage is not easy."
When Ji Zha heard the "Great Xia" music of Yu the Great, he exclaimed, "To be diligent without boasting of one's virtue—only Yu could achieve such greatness!"
When Ji Zha watched Shun's "Shao Xiao" dance, he concluded it was the final performance. After watching, he praised, "This music and dance are perfect! Let the viewing end here. If there are more performances, I dare not ask to see them."
Later, people began using the idiom "Tan Wei Guan Zhi" to express admiration for something they consider the absolute best.
Source: *Zuo Zhuan*, "Duke Xiang's 29th Year"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "叹为观止" came to describe how someone expresses admiration for something they consider the absolute best.