During the Spring and Autumn Period (722--484 B.C.) Wu Tzu-hsu, the great general of the state of Wu, decided to wipe out the state of Cheng. The king of Cheng promised to richly reward anyone who could make Wu Tzu-hsu withdraw his troops.
Four days later, a little fisherman came to see the king. He said that neither chariots nor grain were needed--thousands of soldiers and horses could be beaten back with just one of his oars. No one believed him, but since they had no other choice they let him give it a try.
The fisherman went to the enemy camp to see Wu Tzu-hsu, singing and tapping his oar as he went. When the general asked him who he was, the fisherman replied, "Don't you see this thing in my hands? My father used it once to save your life." Wu Tzu-hsu then remembered how he was saved by a fisherman once while making an escape at Luhua Ford. He couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude.
When he learned why the fisherman had come, Wu Tzu-hsu said, "That I could become what I am today is due entirely to your father's kind deed." He immediately ordered his troops to withdraw, and the fisherman went back joyfully to report to the king.
Everyone in Cheng looked on the fisherman as their savior. The king granted him 100 li of land, and the people of Cheng called him "Lord Fisherman."
