为何要我等形同做贼避人来见
“Why did you ask us to meet you in secrecy like thieves?”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
陛下既有此心 为何不整顿科举广纳人才
“Your Majesty, if you truly have such intentions, why not reform the imperial exam and recruit talent openly?”
为何要 我等 形同做贼 避人来见
“Why did you ask us to meet you in secrecy like thieves?”
如此纳才
“This way of recruiting men”
“We are scholars of integrity, not criminals; this undignified secrecy insults our honor.”
Traditional Chinese literati valued personal moral uprightness and honorable imperial service; sneaking around secretly conflicted directly with their self-perception as upright scholars.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
acting just like thieves / like sneaking around guiltily
A vivid four-character description used to criticize clandestine, dishonorable behavior that damages self-respect.
to avoid people / to do something behind others' backs
Commonly used when trying to keep meetings or actions out of public sight.
