Original text: The old soldiers and young servants of the Beiguo family were fighting for political power. The house was in ruins and they did not repair it. They were tired of it, so they called in workers to plan it. Asking for millet, he said: "My aunt can feed herself." When a servant complains of hunger, the person who comes to work will not be rewarded, but if he asks for a bribe and is not given, the death will not be rewarded. So all the workers were tired and sat down holding axes and chisels. There was a heavy rain in the sky, and the pillars of the corridor were broken, and the two verandas were ruined. Next to the hall, the worker used the words of the person who came out of the millet to make cakes, and the dove worker said: "Whatever you want, I will give it to Fu Jin." When they arrived, they all resigned as their house was unsupportable. One of them said: "Xiang Ye, I am hungry. I asked for millet but I couldn't get it. Now I drink it." The second one said: "My son is exhausted and I can't eat anything." The third one said: "My son's room is rotten. I have no use for my strength." Then he passed away and the house was destroyed.

Translation: An old servant of a family named Beiguo had a dispute with a young servant about housekeeping. The house was damaged and was about to collapse, so he summoned craftsmen to discuss repairs. The craftsmen asked for some food first, but the master said: "You can prepare your own food for the time being." The servants also complained that there was no food at home, but the steward was unwilling to report it on their behalf, and instead asked for bribes from them. , they didn’t give it, and the steward never reported it to the master. So the craftsmen were tired and resentful, so they sat with their axes and chisels without working. It happened to be a heavy rain, and the pillars of the corridor were broken, and the small houses on both sides had collapsed. Seeing that the main house was about to be endangered, the master's family accepted their request, distributed food, wine and meat to the craftsmen, and called them together and said: "All your demands will be met, and we will not be stingy." The craftsmen arrived. At the construction site, seeing that the house was about to collapse, they all declined. The first craftsman said: "Before, we were hungry and asked for some food but could not get it. Now we can eat enough." The second craftsman said: "Your rice has changed and cannot be eaten." The third craftsman said. A craftsman said again: "Your house is completely broken. I don't know where to start repairing it." So they rushed away, and the house collapsed because it could not be repaired in time.

Characteristics

The master of Beiguo: stingy

His servants: greedy for money and derelict in their duties

Workers: not interested in benefits Be tempted and act with principles.

Able to protect one's own interests

Enlightenment: Don't be greedy in anything