When Lord Mengchang toured the various states and arrived in the kingdom of Chu, the King of Chu presented him with an ivory bed. The officer Dengtu, charged with escorting the bed, was reluctant to undertake the task, so he approached Gongsun Shu, a retainer of Lord Mengchang, and said, "This ivory bed is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Should it suffer even the slightest damage, not even selling my wife and children could compensate for it. If you can spare me this errand, I have a heirloom sword that I would gladly offer you." Gongsun Shu agreed. He then went in to see Lord Mengchang and said, "Do you truly intend to accept the ivory bed from the King of Chu?" Lord Mengchang replied, "Indeed." Gongsun Shu said, "The reason small states have all entrusted their seals of office to you is that they have heard you relieve the poor in Qi and uphold the great principles of preserving doomed states and continuing broken lineages. The finest talents of every nation have placed their affairs in your hands, truly admiring your righteousness and revering your incorruptibility. Now, upon arriving in Chu, if you accept an ivory bed, this is not the proper course. If you accept it, then what shall the states you have yet to visit offer you in kind?" Lord Mengchang said, "Well spoken." Thereupon, he declined the ivory bed. Gongsun Shu hurried away, but before he had reached the inner chambers, Lord Mengchang summoned him back and said, "You have advised me not to accept the ivory bed—excellent counsel. Yet why do you walk with such lofty strides and an air of exultation?" Gongsun Shu replied, "I have three great joys. First, among your many retainers, none dared to offer remonstrance. Second, my remonstrance was not met with your displeasure. Third, my counsel prevailed, enabling you to rise above covetousness for material wealth." Lord Mengchang asked, "What do these three joys signify?" Gongsun Shu answered, "If you had accepted the King of Chu's ivory bed, it would have tarnished your reputation; by declining it, you have manifested your virtue. That my counsel succeeded is the first joy. That you did not reproach me is the second. That you heeded my advice is the third." Lord Mengchang said, "Well spoken. Have you accepted the sword?" Gongsun Shu replied, "I dare not." Lord Mengchang said, "Hasten to accept it." Thereupon, Lord Mengchang inscribed on his gate: "Whoever can proclaim my virtue, correct my faults, and privately obtain treasures from without—let him come forthwith to offer counsel."
💡 商战启示录
Mengchang Jun's decision to decline the ivory bed embodies what modern business calls "reputation risk management." In commerce, every move a leader makes can become a benchmark for public and partner judgment, thus requiring a careful balance between short-term gains and long-term brand value. For instance, a well-known tech company CEO once sparked public controversy by accepting lavish gifts, leading to a drop in stock prices. Conversely, Huawei's Ren Zhengfei has insisted on staying unlisted and refraining from chasing short-term windfalls, focusing instead on long-term technological accumulation and customer trust, thereby building a formidable reputation in the global market. Gongsun Shu's admonition also highlights the importance of an "internal advisory mechanism," akin to a modern enterprise's compliance department or ethics committee, which helps avert potential reputational damage through risk alerts. Moreover, Mengchang Jun's subsequent public encouragement of remonstrance mirrors how companies foster an open feedback culture, urging employees to voice dissent for timely correction. In business negotiations, refusing undue benefits can enhance bargaining power and partner trust, just as Apple has declined government subsidies to preserve its independence. In sum, ancient wisdom reminds managers that reputation is an intangible asset—momentary greed can destroy years of accumulated brand value, while the courage to reject short-term temptations earns enduring market respect.