」孟簡子曰：「門下使者有三千餘人。
Guan Zhong received him there and proceeded to question him.
」筦仲曰：「今與幾何人來？
When you became prime minister of Liang and annexed Wei,” he asked, “how many men did you have serving you in your establishment?” “I had more than three thousand men in my establishment” was the reply.
」對曰：「臣與三人俱。
“And how many people have you come with now?” asked Guan Zhong.
」仲曰：「是何也？
“I came with three people.” “How did that happen?” asked Guan Zhong.
」對曰：「其一人父死無以葬，我為葬之；一人母死無以葬，亦為葬之；一人兄有獄，我為出之。
“One of the three had no means to provide a burial for his father when he died,” said Meng Jianzi, “so I buried his father for him.
是以得三人來。
Another of them lacked the means to bury his mother when she died, so I buried his mother for him.
」筦仲上車曰：「嗟茲乎！
The other man had an elder brother who was accused of a crime, and I secured his release.
我窮必矣！
That is how I obtained the three men.” Guan Zhong mounted his carriage and said, “Alas!
吾不能以春風風人，吾不能以夏雨雨人，吾窮必矣！」
I will surely be involved in difficulties!
I cannot blow upon people like the spring wind, nor can I rain upon them like the summer rain—I will surely be involved in difficulties!