The carriages and horsemen in the marquis’s retinue were extremely numerous.
Gazing at the spectacle in the distance, the king asked his attendants, “What are those people coming for?” “That’s Qing the marquis of Cheng,” his attendants said.
“The state is very poor,” said the king.
“Why does he go about in such a showy fashion?” “‘One who gives to another has something to demand; one who receives from another has something to transform,’ quoted the attendants.
“Why not question him and see what he says?” “When the marquis of Cheng arrived, he stood before the king and said, “I am here.” The king made no response.
Again the marquis said, “I am here.” The king still made no response.
Yet again the marquis said, “I am here.” Then the king spoke: “The state is very poor—why do you go about in such a showy fashion?” “Will you spare me the death penalty and allow me to say a word in explanation?” asked the marquis.
“I shall grant it,” said the king.