A Taste of the Gallbladder

 A Taste of the Gallbladder (吃苦)

We Chinese often hear of the term “吃苦” (chī kǔ), which literally mean “eat bitter”. Chinese language, unlike English, is not grammatically rigid. An “activity” term can also be used to describe a “virtue”. I am no expert, but I believe it is one of the virtues that has shaped Chinese DNA for millennia and generations.

Chi ku means the all-out preparedness to slog hard for one’s future – it can be one’s own future, but it can also be one’s next generations’ future, or it can also be the future of the nation.

I really do not know how this term has originated, but having had an interest in Chinese history, I always believe it has to do with an idiom. The origin of this idiom, I suspect, is based on a historical fact that happened during the dying days of the Spring & Autumn period of the Chinese history.

The idiom is: 卧薪尝胆

In 496 BC, near the end of the Spring & Autumn Era of the Chinese history, He Lu [阖闾], the King of the State of Wu[吴], invaded the State of Yue, but was soundly beaten by the king of Yue Gou Jian [勾践]. Helu was fatally injured and before his death he urged his son Fucha [夫差] to avenge his loss.

After two years of preparation, Fu Cha’s army defeated Gou Jian. Gou Jian contemplated suicide, but a trusted minister Wen Zhong [文种] advised against it and suggested to him to bribe a key, but vulnerable to corruption, minister in the Wu court for him to have an audience with the King of Wu, pledging that Gou Jian’s total subserviency.

Wu’s key minister, Wu Zixu [伍子胥], was totally against the suggestion, saying that Gou Jian would bid his time and make a comeback. But the Wu king thought Yue was already a spent force and agreed to the surrender. Gou Jian brought his wife to serve in Wu and won the trust of Fu Cha.

Three years later, Gou Jian returned to Yue. In his room, he hanged the gallbladder of an animal and every morning, he would bring himself to have a taste of it. He also lived a very simple and exemplary life. After ten years of hard slog, he has rebuilt his army to be sufficiently strong. In the meantime, the king of Wu was going everywhere to exert hegemony. But his people are suffering. It had already started to show decline.  

In 482 BC, Fu Cha was in a campaign to battle for supremacy with the State of Jin [晋], Gou Jian launched a surprise attack and dealt a big blow to Wu and later sued for peace. Although it was granted, Gou Jian in 473BC launched a second attack and finished Wu. Fu Cha committed suicide.  

I have never tasted any gallbladder myself. But I heard it is ultra-bitter in taste.

Biden should know this is China's invincible weapon!