During the Wu Han Dynasty, the imperial court had an articles of tribute
which included a glass of wine that was supposed to give the drinker eternal
life. One day, a guy named Dongfang Shuo drank some of the wine thinking that
nobody had seen him. Unfortunately, the King learnt about his act and was
furious. He decided to put Dongfang Shuo to death.
Dongfang Shuo pleaded the King: "My Lord, the wine I drank was supposed to
give me eternal life. That means I wouldn't die even if you kill me. If I should
die, then the wine is not the real wine of eternal life."
The King was amused by what Dongfang Shuo said and he pardoned him.