Chinese Idiom: 一诺千金 (Yi Nuo Qian Jin)
English Translation: Yi Nuo Qian Jin – A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces
pīn yīn: yī nuò qiān jīn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a person who keeps their promises and values integrity. “Promise” (诺) refers to a commitment or pledge, and “thousand gold pieces” (千金) signifies the high value of such a promise.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian, “Biographies of Ji Bu and Luan Bu.”
Idiom Story: During the late Qin and early Han dynasties, there was a man from the state of Chu named Ji Bu. Known for his straightforward nature and willingness to help others, Ji Bu was highly regarded because he always fulfilled his promises, no matter how difficult.
During the Chu-Han Contention, Ji Bu served under Xiang Yu. He was known for his strategic insights and military prowess, which caused considerable trouble for Liu Bang. After Liu Bang became the emperor, he remembered Ji Bu’s actions and issued a bounty for his capture. Many people who admired Ji Bu’s character secretly helped him. A man named Zhou covertly took him to the home of a man named Zhu in the Lu region.
Zhu then went to Luoyang to find Marquis Xiahou Ying of Ruyin and said, “Ji Bu’s actions were appropriate for the time. During the chaos and the rise of various warlords, he only knew of Chu and not Han. How could he serve Han when he was loyal to Chu?”
These words resonated with Xiahou Ying, who persuaded Liu Bang to revoke the bounty on Ji Bu. Liu Bang, impressed by Ji Bu’s loyalty and integrity, made him an official in the court, later promoting him to the position of governor of Hedong.
At that time, a man named Cao Qiusheng, who also hailed from Chu, sought to gain favor with powerful officials to boast about his connections. Hearing about Ji Bu’s high position, he asked Dou Changjun, a mutual acquaintance respected by Ji Bu, for an introduction. Dou Changjun warned Cao Qiusheng that Ji Bu disdained people like him but agreed to write a letter of introduction.
When Cao Qiusheng visited Ji Bu, Ji Bu initially looked at him with disdain. However, Cao Qiusheng, undeterred, bowed respectfully and said:
“I’ve heard that people in Chu often say, ‘A promise from Ji Bu is worth more than a hundred gold pieces.’ How did you earn such a good reputation throughout Liang and Chu? I’m a Chu native like you, and I’ve been spreading your good name. Doesn’t this help in making your reputation known far and wide? Since you agreed to see me, why do you show such reluctance?”
Hearing these words, Ji Bu changed his attitude. He treated Cao Qiusheng with respect and hospitality, giving him generous gifts upon his departure. As a result, Ji Bu’s reputation for keeping promises and valuing integrity spread even further.
From this story, the idiom “a promise worth a thousand gold pieces” (一诺千金) emerged, highlighting the immense value of keeping one’s word.
