In the Song Dynasty, when rebels Miao Fu and Liu Zhengyan demanded an iron treaty as a guarantee, the minister Zhu Shengfei did not refuse outright. Instead, he asked his staff to search for precedents and instructions on how to make such a treaty. Unable to find any, the rebels quietly withdrew their request.
The wisdom lies not in saying “no,” but in letting the other party realize the impossibility on their own. Direct refusal often provokes anger and stubbornness, while a gentle, indirect approach preserves peace and dignity.
In life, many conflicts can be resolved not by confrontation, but by subtle guidance. True strength is not in shouting louder, but in knowing when to stay silent and let reality speak for itself.