蕭何

While my friend was talking about Zhu Yuanzhang, I could not stop thinking of a story of Xiao He (蕭何) - the prime minister of Liu Bang (劉邦).

Here you go:

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漢十二年秋，黥布反，上自將擊之，數使使問相國何為。相國為上在軍，乃拊循勉力百姓，悉以所有佐軍，如陳豨時。客有說相國曰：「君滅族不久矣。夫君位為相國，功第一，可複加哉？然君初入關中，得百姓心，十餘年矣，皆附君，常複孳孳得民和。上所為數問君者，畏君傾動關中。今君胡不多買田地，賤貰貸以自污？上心乃安。」於是相國從其計，上乃大說。
《史記 卷五十三 蕭相國世家》

The story was simple: While Liu was out for a battle, Xiao was in charge of the capital Chang'an (長安). Although Xiao was loyal, the emperor might not think so. To ease the mind of his boss, Xiao was advised to take advantage of his government position and earn as much money as possible - by every legal and illegal means. And, seeing that his prime minister was only interested in a financial gain, Liu was happily assured.

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I believe you do not agree with the story. Neither do I. A man interested in money may also be interested in power and building his own empire.

But, the wisdom is correct: If one put too much effort in expanding his own pocket, he would not be able to go very far in his other ambitions.