An example of a late bloomer

story (1) Cui Yan, a guest around Yuan Shao, was fond of martial arts since he was a child. He didn't start reading The Analects of Confucius and Han Shi until he was 23 years old, asking for a teacher to learn. Thanks to his hard work, his knowledge has gradually increased. At that time, Yuan Shao's soldiers were very cruel. They dug up the grave and exposed the bones. Cui Yan persuaded Yuan Shao not to do this. Yuan Shao thought that he was right and named him Riding Commandant. Later, Cui Yan followed Cao Cao and gave him many ideas. When he was a history book, Cao Cao wanted to make Cao Zhi an heir, but Cui Yan objected. He said, "The rule since ancient times is to make the eldest son. How can you make Cao Zhi?" Cao Zhi is Cui Yan's nephew. Although he is a relative, he is not partial. Cao Cao admires his justice very much. Cui Yan has a cousin named Cui Lin. When he was young, he was neither successful nor unknown. His relatives and friends looked down on him, but Cui Yan valued him very much. Cui Yan often said to people: "It takes a long time for a talented person to become a great instrument, and Cui Lin will surely become a great instrument in the future." Later, Cui Lin really became the main book of Wing State, and Cheng in the suggestion, and also worked as a commonplace under Wei Wendi. Interpretation and reading of big tools: in ancient times, it refers to valuable utensils, but now it is compared to great talents. Late: long term. Cheng: made. The original meaning is that expensive utensils need long-term carving to be made (this sentence is changed to: the original meaning is that the larger the casting (such as tripod and bell), the longer it takes to cool and solidify, and the cooling time is long enough for the casting to be "finished"). Now it means that people who can take on heavy responsibilities have to go through long-term exercise, so their achievements are late. Chapter 41 of Laozi: "There is no corner in generosity, but a late bloomer." Story (2) At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a man named Cui Yan who was good at swordsmanship, and he especially liked making friends. However, some people think that he is unlearned and ignorant, except for dancing with a knife and making a stick. Once, he went to visit a very learned man, and the master asked the housekeeper to come out and tell him, "The master is absorbed in reading and has no time to chat." Knowing that people think he has no knowledge, Cui Yan feels extremely ashamed, and secretly makes up his mind to study hard and become an able man. Since then, Cui Yan has been humbly learning from the teacher, and his knowledge has gradually increased; Yuan Shao, who dominated the north at that time, recruited him as a counselor. After Yuan Shao was destroyed by Cao Cao, Cao Cao heard about Cui Yan's talent for a long time and advised Cui Yan to submit to himself. In Yecheng (now Linzhang Yezhen), Cao Cao's stronghold, Cui Yan gave many ideas and was highly valued by Cao Cao. On one occasion, Cao Cao discussed with Cui Yan and wanted to make his youngest son Cao Zhi a prince. Cui Yan said: "Since ancient times, it has always been the practice to establish a long position rather than a young one. You have established Cao Zhi, but Cao Pi is not satisfied with it, and the ministers are not satisfied with it. This has planted a curse. Throughout the ages, is there still less cannibalism caused by wasting time and growing young? Please think twice! " Actually, Cao Zhi is Cui Yan's niece, but although she is a relative, Cui Yan is not partial. Cao Cao admired Cui Yan's justice. ? Cui Yan has a cousin named Cui Lin. Cui Lin achieved nothing when he was young, and his relatives and friends looked down on him, but Cui Yan valued him very much. He often said to people based on his own experience: "It takes a long time for people with great talents to become successful, and Cui Lin will surely become successful in the future." Later, Cui Lin really became a great official. Interpretation of this idiom means that great talents need long-term tempering to achieve success. Now refers to a person who became famous late. The source is Jin Chen Shou's biography of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Shu and Cui Yan.