On the first day of the new year, the local people in Handan can make an exception and flock to the mansion in Zhao Jianzi. They all came to provide Zhao Jianzi with turtledoves so that Zhao Jianzi could be released. Zhao Jianzi was very happy and gave them a generous reward. On the first day, from morning till night, there was an endless stream of people offering turtledoves.
Zhao Jianzi's doorman stood by for a long time and asked him why he did it. Zhao Jianzi replied: "I let it go on the first day of New Year's Day to show my love and kindness to creatures!" The doorman went on to say, "it's rare that you have such a kind heart for creatures." I wonder if it ever occurred to you, my Lord, that if the people of the whole country knew that you were going to release the turtledoves, they would scramble to catch them, and as a result, many turtledoves would be killed and injured! If you really want to release the turtle and save its life, don't catch it without the following order. Just like now, if you reward people to catch so many turtledoves for you, and then you release them, then your kindness to turtledoves can't really compensate for the disasters you have caused them! "
Zhao Jianzi listened to the janitor's words, walked up and down the door with his hands behind his back, thought carefully for a while, and nodded silently and said, "That's right."
Moral: This fable reveals the hypocrisy of some people who only talk about form but not effect.