Wang Yuqi was a well-known expert in driving carriages in the State of Zhao.

王于期是赵国有名的驾车能手。

When Xiang Zi of Zhao heard of this, he asked Wang to teach him to drive a carriage. Not long after, Xiang Zi of Zhao thought he had already mastered the skills, and suggested a race against Wang_ He didn't expect that after he had changed horses three times in succession, he still lost the race to Wang.

赵襄子听说后，让王于期教他驾车的本领。不久，赵襄子自以为已经学会了，就提出要和王于期比赛驾车。他没想到，一连换了三次马，都输给了王于期。

Xiang Zi of Zhao was flustered¹ and exasperated². He said to Wang:

赵襄子气急败坏，很不满意，对王于期说:

"In teaching me to drive, have you held anything back and not taught me all your skills?"

“您教我驾车，是不是留了一手，没有把全部本领教给我?”

Hearing this, Wang smiled and said:

王于期听后，笑着说:

"You ought to believe that I have taught you all the skills in driving a carriage. But, when Your Highness was racing³ against me, you always tried to keep in front of me. Once you lagged behind, you strove to overtake me; but after you overtook me, you were afraid that I would catch up with you. You focused all your attention on me. You forgot that in driving a carriage, the most important thing is to take care of the horses wholeheartedly and pay attention to the handlebars of the carriage and the harness to see whether they fit or not. Only then can you give the rein⁴ to the horses and let them gallop⁵ for 1,000 li. But during the race, you not only strove to be the first but also feared to lag behind. How could you concentrate your mind on driving the carriage?"

“您应该相信，我把驾车的本领已经全部教给您了。但是，大王在跟我比赛的时候，总是跑在我的前面。一落后就想拼命地追上我;而大王跑到我前面以后，又怕被我追上。您把注意力全部放在了我身上，忘记了凡是驾车，最关键的是首先要一心一意地调理马匹，注意车把、马套合适不合适;然后才谈得上纵马飞腾，奔驰千里。而您在比赛的时候，既想争先，又恐落后，怎么会集中思想驾车呢?”赵襄子听了恍然大悟，感叹地说:

Hearing this, Xiang Zi of Zhao was enlightened. He gave a deep sigh and said: "Your words certainly hit the nail on the head. That is the very reason why I lagged behind."

“您的话，真是一针见血。这才是我落后的根本原因啊!”