When Ji Zha first set out on his mission, he passed north through the state of Xu. The Lord of Xu coveted Ji Z…
When Ji Zha first set out on his mission, he passed north through the state of Xu. The Lord of Xu coveted Ji Zha's sword, but dared not speak his desire.
Ji Zha knew this in his heart, yet as he was on a mission to vassal states, he did not offer the sword.
Upon his return to Xu, the Lord of Xu had died. So Ji Zha unbuckled his sword and tied it to a tree by the lord's tomb before departing.
His attendant asked: "The Lord of Xu is dead. Who will you give this to now?"
Ji Zha replied: "Not so. My heart had already promised it to him. How could I betray my heart because he died?"