從善如流　(cóng shàn rú liú)

Following Good Advice

The best advice you can give anyone is to tell them to follow good advice.

And in the Chinese language, there are a number of expressions to this effect.

One of them is Cong Shan Ru Liu, or “follow good advice as naturally as a river follows its course.”

People first cited this idiom to describe Luan Shu, a Jin State general during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

In the later years of that period, the States of Chu and Jin were two big powers among the warring states. And with its military might, Chu kept annexing nearby small states.

In 585 BC, the Chu troops began to invade the State of Zheng, which turned to Jin for help. Since the small state had good relations with Jin, the Jin ruler decided to send troops to fight the invaders. General Luan Shu was appointed commander-in-chief.

But as they approached, the Chu troops withdrew from Zheng to avoid a direct confrontation with the Jin troops.

Luan was furious and decided to attack a small state which was under Chu’s protection.

This time, the Chu troops came to help that small state set up a defense line.

Luan now had to decide whether to take them on, and as he pondered, three of his top aides came to see him and persuade him to back off.

They pointed out that this time, the Chu troops were fully prepared for the battle and it was unwise to confront the dashing spirit of the well-prepared enemy.

However, most of his other aides thought otherwise.

After listening carefully to arguments of the two sides, Luan decided to take the safe option and left the small state.

Someone asked the commander why he followed the advice of a minority of his aides and rejected the proposals of the majority.

He answered: “Only the correct opinion represents the majority.”

“Although only three of my aides were for withdrawal, theirs was good advice. Therefore, they are true representatives of the majority.”

Two years later, Luan found a favorable opportunity to attack the Chu troops and won several decisive battles. This time, he had followed the advice of the same three aides, who advised him to attack the Chu troops.

Later, a famous historian called Luan a man who was ready to follow good advices.

Today, the saying Cong Shan Ru Liu is often used to depict anyone who follows what is good naturally and happily.