During the Tang Dynasty, Li Mi discovered that many foreign envoys had stayed in Chang’an for decades, married, owned properties, yet still lived on state support. He remarked, “One should realize their potential in life—how can one remain a guest forever?” He ordered an investigation, found over 4,000 such people, stopped their allowances, and either sent them home or appointed them as officials or soldiers. This saved over 500,000 in annual expenses and strengthened the city’s defense.
Life lesson:
True support is not endless dependency, but helping others find their own place and purpose. Comfort can dull ambition; habit can blind direction. Li Mi’s decision was not about cutting aid, but about awakening responsibility.
We are not meant to be permanent guests in life. Sometimes, being “cut off” is not a loss, but a call to discover our own strength and set sail.