His concubine also said:

"Who is more handsome, Xu Gong or I?"

The guest answered positively:

Xu Gong of the north of the city was a well-known handsome man in the State of Qi. Zou Ji really didn't believe he was more handsome than Xu Gong. So he asked his concubine:

The next day, a guest came to discuss some matter with him. Zou Ji asked his guest the same question:

One morning, he tidied his clothes and hat, looked into the mirror, and asked his wife:

"Xu Gong is no match for you!"

"Look, who is more handsome, Xu Gong or I?"

In ancient times a man named Zou Ji, 8 chi tall and impressive looking, had served as the prime minister of the State of Qi.

"Xu Gong is not as handsome as you."

His wife replied:

"Look, who is more handsome, Xu Gong living in the north of the city or I?"

"You are far more handsome. Xu Gong is no match for you!"

Another day passed and Zou Ji met Xu Gong in person. He stared closely at the other for some time and carefully compared him with himself. He really couldn't see that he was more handsome than Xu Gong. Later, he again looked into the mirror. The more he looked at himself, the more he felt he was not as handsome as Xu Gong.

"My wife says I am handsome because she shows favouritism to me. My concubine says I am handsome because she is afraid of me. My guest says I am handsome because he wants to curry my favour."

Zou Ji was rather restless in his mind. At night, lying on the bed, he pondered: He was not as handsome as Xu Gong, but why did these three persons say he was more handsome? In the end, he came to understand the reason: