Su Dongpo cleverly rejected an old friend's job search by making up a story about grave robbers digging graves for treasure

In Zhang's Song Dynasty Mozhuang Manju, there is a story that Su Dongpo cleverly rejected a friend's job search through an old friendship. The content of this story is interesting and can provide lessons and inspiration for officials to get rid of the personal interests of friends and relatives and avoid getting into trouble.

It is said that Su Dongpo and Zi Su became high-ranking officials through two brothers, and a friend who had a deep friendship with his brother came to visit to ask for their help in finding a job in a government office. This person first went to see Su Zi Yuan and later Su Dong Po. Su Dongpo knew what he was up to and told him a joke before he started work.

Su Dongpo said, "Long ago, there was a man who, because his family was poor and unable to make a living, started digging graves and robbing them. While he was digging graves, he saw a naked man. The undertaker said to the grave digger, "I am Yang Wangsun of the Han Dynasty. I am famous for my funerals. Haven't you heard of me?" What could possibly satisfy you in the grave of a buried man? "The gravedigger had to dig another grave and entered it, only to find that the owner of the grave was a king. The king said to the gravedigger, "I am the emperor of China. "I had an imperial decree before I died that all my burial goods could not be made of gold or silver, but only of pottery. There's nothing of value here that can't fulfill your request." When the tomb robber came out of the Han tomb, he saw that the two tombs were connected. He was very happy and immediately began to dig the hole on the left. As soon as he entered the tomb, he saw a man who said, "I am Bo Yi, who was thin and hungry in those days and died at the foot of Shou Yang Mountain." There's nothing here, I can't fulfill your request. The gravedigger sighed and said, "I've spent so much effort digging graves, but I've found nothing." Better dig the grave on the right, or hope I can dig something from there. Boi said to him, "I advise you not to dig that kiln grave." Look, I'm skinny and ugly. My brother Shu Qi is starving to death. He is worse off than I am.'

Su Dongpo's old friend knew this very well, so he did not mention the job search and said goodbye to Su Dongpo according to etiquette.

It is obvious that this so-called story of the grave robbers digging for treasure was deliberately made up by Su Dongpo. In fact, he politely suggested, "Leave me alone. I, Su Dongpo, really don't have the ability to help you find a job at the Yamen. He also advised him not to go to Su Ziyuan, who couldn't help him either.

With this move, Su Dongpo skillfully got rid of a potentially troublesome nuisance and achieved his goal without having to face his old friend.