English Edition | C#64 程嬰的二十年沉默與堅持 | 《趙氏孤兒》 Some stories are quickly forgotten after I read them. But others stay with me for a long time. For me, “The Orphan of Zhao” is one of those stories. When people talk about it, the first thing that usually comes to mind is revenge. At the end of the story, the orphan grows up and avenges his family. It’s dramatic, powerful, and easy to remember. But for me, the most moving part is not revenge. It’s a promise. A promise made in impossible circumstancesThere is a doctor in the story named Cheng Ying. He is not a warrior or a nobleman—just a friend of the Zhao family. When the Zhao family is wiped out, he makes a promise to the princess: “He will save the only surviving child of the family.” It sounds simple when you say it like that. But in reality, it’s a deadly mission. If he is discovered, not only the child will die—but everyone involved will be executed. Cheng Ying knows this. And still, he agrees. A role no one would want to playTo protect the child, Cheng Ying has to act in a cruel and painful play. He must make everyone believe he betrayed his friends and handed over his own child. So in the eyes of the world, he becomes: A traitor. A selfish man. A disgrace. And that part hurts the most. Because think about it— In daily life, when we do something good, we usually hope to be recognized. And when we are misunderstood, we rush to explain ourselves, right? But Cheng Ying doesn’t. He stays silent. For twenty years. Twenty years of being misunderstoodFor two decades, he lives under the weight of public judgment. Every day, he carries the identity of someone people despise. He hears whispers. He sees judgment. He lives with misunderstanding. And yet—he never breaks his silence. That kind of courage is very different from what we usually think of as bravery. Some courage happens in a moment—like charging into battle. But Cheng Ying’s courage is something else: It is long-term endurance. The ability to keep going when the world refuses to understand you. Honestly, I often ask myself: Could I do that? Even being misunderstood for a day feels difficult. Let alone twenty years! Why this story still matters todayWe may not live in a world where we must risk our lives to keep promises. But values like integrity and keeping your word are still extremely important—especially in workplaces and relationships. In Chinese culture, there is a key concept called “yi” (義). It refers to righteousness, loyalty, and responsibility—especially in relationships and commitments. Simply put: If you promise something, you should do your best to fulfill it. In Taiwan and many modern societies, trust still matters deeply. Whether in business, friendships, or teamwork—people value reliability. If someone often breaks their word, trust disappears quickly. A different kind of successCheng Ying’s story reminds us of something important: Doing the right thing does not always lead to immediate understanding. Sometimes you are misunderstood. Sometimes you are judged unfairly. Sometimes you are even isolated. But if you know why you made the choice—and you are willing to accept the consequences—then that choice still has meaning. The quiet endingIn the end, Cheng Ying watches the child grow up and complete his mission. He asks for nothing in return. No recognition. No reward. No explanation. For him, staying true to his promise is enough. And maybe that is the most powerful part of this story: Sometimes we don’t do things to be seen. We do them simply because we believe they are right. Even if the whole world misunderstands us. Phrase of the Week守承諾 (xìn shǒu chéngnuò)Meaning: To keep a promise; to remain faithful to one’s word. This phrase highlights integrity and responsibility, even under extreme pressure. Sample Sentences:
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