Accomplished Men

 

Romance of the Three Kingdoms:

[Inspector] Shen Yi [of Cao-Wei]: “Zhongda, I heard you were reappointed [by the Emperor of Cao-Wei] to office [as head of the army at Mt Qi]. My most heartfelt congratulations! If I may ask, are you not worried about being demoted [and, perhaps, executed] . . . after you’ve performed your deeds in office?”

General Sima Yi [of Cao-Wei] : “Of course I am. My neck is also made of flesh. How can I not be afraid?”

Shen Yi: “Then why did you accept office again?”

Sima Yi: “Out of greed!” <crazy laughter by both characters> “Brother, you know that I am greedy for fame and accomplishments. I am constantly craving to do something. Even in my dreams, I want to contest with Zhuge Liang [the prime minister of Shu-Han].”

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI6aZmOsGd0&t=2180s> (at 1:15ff);

Seth Barrett Tillman, ‘Accomplished Men,’ New Reform Club (Nov. 3, 2023, 10:38 AM), <https://reformclub.blogspot.com/2023/11/accomplished-men.html>;