In an ancient country, there is a prosperous capital. In the capital, officialdom is like a magnificent scroll, depicting the struggle for power and the struggle of human nature.

Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang are two important figures in the court. Minister Li is highly positioned and powerful. He is shrewd and capable. After years of struggling in officialdom, he is well versed in the way of contending for power and profit. Vice Minister Wang is young and promising, talented and full of lofty ambitions.

At first, Vice Minister Wang was extremely respectful to Minister Li and asked for advice humbly. Minister Li also quite admired Vice Minister Wang's ability and often gave him pointers. However, as time went by, Vice Minister Wang's ambition gradually expanded, and he began to long for higher power and status. So he secretly pulled in some officials and formed his own power.

Minister Li sensed the change in Vice Minister Wang and couldn't help but be vigilant. He knew very well that officialdom is like a battlefield, and contending for power and profit is inevitable, but he also understood that once the degree is lost, it will lead to an uncontrollable consequence. He tried to talk to Vice Minister Wang, hoping that he could restrain himself a bit and not be too eager for quick success. But Vice Minister Wang didn't take it seriously and thought that he had enough ability and wisdom to contend for more power.

As a result, the conflict between the two intensified gradually. In the court, they often argued endlessly over some policies and decisions. In private, they also resorted to various means to try to suppress each other. The entire officialdom fell into chaos.

The reason lies in the loss of degree, that is, the imbalance of yin and yang. The struggle between Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang broke the original balance of officialdom. Those originally neutral officials also had to choose sides, leading to the fragmentation of the court. The lives of the people were also affected, with blocked government orders and a declining people's livelihood.

However, in this country, there is also a wise man named Grand Tutor Zhang. He was once the teacher of the late emperor and is highly respected and deeply respected by everyone. Grand Tutor Zhang saw the chaotic situation in officialdom and was extremely worried. He decided to mediate the conflict between Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang.

Grand Tutor Zhang talked to Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang separately. He said to Minister Li, "Your Excellency Minister, having been an official for many years, you should understand the principle that one yin and one yang is called the Way. Contending for power and profit is the way of officialdom, but there must also be a bottom line. Now that you are constantly in conflict with Vice Minister Wang, you have plunged the court into a crisis. You should put the overall situation first, let go of personal grievances, and work together with Vice Minister Wang to seek well-being for the country and the people."

Then he said to Vice Minister Wang, "Your Excellency Vice Minister, you are young and promising with a boundless future. But you can't lose your reason because of temporary ambition. Contending for power and profit is certainly important, but you must also consider the stability of the country and the peace of the people. You should respect Minister Li's status and experience and work hand in hand with him to serve the court."

Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang fell into deep thought after hearing Grand Tutor Zhang's words. They began to reflect on their own actions and realized that they had indeed lost their degree and caused an imbalance of yin and yang. They decided to follow Grand Tutor Zhang's advice, put aside the struggle, and work hard for the country and the people.

From then on, Minister Li and Vice Minister Wang began to cooperate with each other. In the court, they discussed national affairs together and formulated a series of policies beneficial to the people. In private, they also often communicated and learned from each other. The entire officialdom gradually regained its former order and stability.

The lives of the people also gradually improved. When they saw that the court officials were working together to seek benefits for them, they were filled with gratitude and respect. This ancient country regained its vitality and vigor.

This story tells us that contending for power and profit is the way of officialdom, but at the same time, the bottom line of contending for power and profit is to maintain stability. One yin and one yang is called the Way. Only in a state of balance between yin and yang can officialdom develop healthily and the country prosper. In real life, we should also learn to grasp the degree and not let our desires and ambitions get out of control. Only in this way can we go further and more steadily on the road of life.