The idiom A Promise Worth a Thousand in Gold is traced to the early Han commander Ji Bu, whose integrity inspired loyalty even under Liu Bang’s order of arrest. Through Cao Qiusheng’s commendation, his renown spread, and the phrase endured as a tribute to the moral weight of a kept promise.
The idiom “Blinded by a Leaf” literally means “a leaf obscuring the eyes,” and figuratively, “to be blinded by illusion.” It portrays how the mind, clouded by illusion, loses sight of the whole and thereby falls into error of judgment and choice.The idiom originates in the Daoist classic Master He Guan: “A single leaf may obscure the eyes, hiding Mount Tai; two beans may block the ears, deafening them to thunder.” It was later cited by Han Dan Chun in his The Forest of Jests during the Three Kingdoms period, through which it became widely known.
King Zhuang of Chu set his sights on the weakened state of Yue.Court minister Du warned him: the realm had lately lost wars, bandits still prowled, and a fresh campaign would only deepen the chaos.
“A lash is too near to see,” he said. “Ignore the danger beside you, and you will misjudge the enemy beyond.”The king’s soaring ambition fell back to earth: wisdom, Du implied, begins with facing one’s own flaws, then turns outward to read the wider field.
During the Warring States period, Yue Yi led an alliance of five states to attack the State of Qi. The people of Qi, along with Tian Dan, held steadfastly to the cities of Ju and Jimo, ultimately securing victory. The idiom "Never Forget Being in Ju" has since been used to encourage people to remember hardships and setbacks as motivation to reclaim success.
Taking a path aimed at gaining fame and recognition, like a “shortcut to Mount Zhongnan,” may indeed bring some public acclaim or personal gain. However, such a route lacks genuine sincerity and true ability. When the motives and goals are misaligned, this path ultimately proves unsustainable. True success cannot be achieved through shortcuts; one must remember that there is no authentic shortcut to a fulfilling life.
During the pre-Qin period, numerous schools of thought emerged, each focusing on different aspects of statecraft and society. Han Feizi, a prominent philosopher of the Warring States period, disagreed with the Confucian and Mohist ideas of his time. In his work “Interpreting Ying’s Writings as Yan’s Words,” he criticized an approach to scholarship that forces connections where none truly exist. Through his analysis, he highlighted the dangers of baseless interpretations, satirizing how random successes in understanding are often mistaken for principles to live by, even though they may lack universal value.
The example of "adding firewood to extinguish the fire" has been prevalent since ancient times. Especially during the Warring States period, incessant warfare and annexation among states led to dire living conditions for the populace. The fragmented vassal states either formed alliances to avoid attacks or initiated wars to plunder neighboring territories. This resulted in some defeated states resorting to ceding land and seeking peace, yet such a strategy of "adding firewood to extinguish the fire" ultimately led them on a path to demise.
"Uncooked millet yet, a lifetime dream spent" is used to metaphorically depict everything experienced in the real world, ultimately fading away like a fleeting dream. In life, we often believe we possess many things, but when facing the end of life, do we similarly lament that life is like "Uncooked millet yet, a lifetime dream spent"?
Yelang was located within the present-day Guizhou province and was isolated due to formidable mountains, hindering external communication. This isolation led the locals to be unaware of the vast territory of the Han Dynasty, resulting in the expression "Yelang thinks too highly of itself" to describe shallow knowledge and arrogance.
"Birds can be caught by a net at the door" is used to describe the situation when those in power or in official positions face neglect from others after losing their authority. Later, it is also commonly used to depict the scenario of businesspeople facing a lack of customers due to poor business or a deserted establishment.