A Thousand Li a Day

During the Warring States Period, Prince Dan of Yan State was a hostage in Zhao State, who got along well with Prince Ying Zheng, another hostage before becoming the King of Qin State.

Later, Ying Zheng went back to his state and was made the king while Prince Dan became a hostage in Qin State. Ying Zheng did not keep their old friendship in mind and look after him, but disfavored and created difficulties for him regularly. Owing to this, Prince Dan sought a chance and fled to Yan State.

After he returned, Dan brooded on the hatred and always wished to revenge on Ying Zheng, but his dream could not come true because Yan State was not large and powerful enough.

Soon Ying Zheng dispatched troops to attack Qi State, Chu State, Han State, Wei State and Zhao State, and then Qin troops came nearer and nearer to the borders of Yan State.

The King of Yan was scared. Prince Dan was also deeply worried, so he went to his teacher Ju Wu for an idea to prevent Qin's annexation. Ju Wu told him,“I have a good friend named Tian Guang who was intelligent and full of strategies. You may consult him.”

Tian Guang was invited into the palace. Prince Dan entertained him politely and said,“I hope you can consider an idea for us to prevent Qin's annexation.”

Tian Guang listened and kept silent, then he held Dan's hand and walked outdoors, pointed at a horse tied to a tree and said,“This is an excellent steed. When it is in the prime of its life, it can run over a thousand li in a day; but when it goes old, even bad horses could run ahead of it. Can you tell me why?”

Dan said,“Because its energy declined.”

“Right. What you have heard of me happened when I was in my prime. But now I am too old and my energy has declined.”

Tian Guang paused and then went on,“I cannot help you much with the national affairs, but I am willing to recommend to you my good friend Jing Ke who can take on the important tasks.”

Later Prince Dan consorted with Jing Ke and dispatched him to assassinate Ying Zheng, the King of Qin State, but failed at last.

The idiom“A Thousand Li a Day” means that a horse runs very fast and can run a thousand li a day. Now we use it to mean that a person makes progress at a tremendous pace or his enterprise develops rapidly.

A thousand li a day is only a tempting expectation. People should be practical and do things step by step. Success will come when conditions are ripe.