【Explanation】
"Hu" refers to the ancient northern and western ethnic minorities. This idiom means adopting the short, practical clothing of the nomadic peoples, and at the same time learning their martial skills such as horseback riding and archery.
【Source】
Strategies of the Warring States · Zhao Ce II (Zhaocel): "One who achieves extraordinary feats for the world will inevitably bear the burden of defying conventional customs; one who possesses unique insight will inevitably face the disapproval of ordinary people. Now I intend to teach my people to wear Hu clothing and practice mounted archery, and the world will certainly criticize me."
Explanation: Those who aspire to achieve world-renowned accomplishments will inevitably face criticism and opposition from common, conventional people; those with unique insights will inevitably incur the dissatisfaction of the masses. Now I wish to instruct my people to wear Hu-style clothing and train in mounted archery, and ordinary people will certainly criticize and condemn this.
【Story Behind the Idiom】
During the Warring States period, the northern regions of the State of Zhao were mostly inhabited by Hu tribes. Although they did not engage in large-scale wars with Zhao, they frequently conducted small-scale raids and skirmishes. The Hu people wore short jackets and trousers, rode horses in battle, and their movements were extremely agile and convenient. They could draw bows and shoot arrows with great ease, and gallop back and forth swiftly and nimbly. In contrast, although the Zhao army possessed weapons superior to those of the Hu, their forces were primarily a mix of infantry and chariots. Moreover, soldiers and officers alike wore long robes and heavy armor, making it very inconvenient to ride horses. As a result, they were often placed at a disadvantage in combat.
Given this situation, King Wuling of Zhao decided to learn horseback riding and archery from the Hu people. To master these skills, he first needed to reform military attire by adopting the Hu style of short jackets and trousers. Thus, in 302 BC, King Wuling of Zhao began his reforms. His proposal was first met with opposition from certain individuals, led by his uncle, Prince Cheng. To persuade Prince Cheng, King Wuling personally visited his home, using numerous examples to illustrate the benefits of adopting Hu clothing. Eventually, he succeeded in convincing Prince Cheng, who agreed to the reform and pledged to be the first to wear Hu attire. Even after winning over Prince Cheng, however, some royal princes and ministers still strongly opposed the change.
They accused King Wuling: "Clothing and customs are based on ancient principles and laws. To change ancient laws is a crime." King Wuling rebuked them: "Customs differ between ancient and modern times—what 'ancient laws' are we to follow? Rulers are not hereditary; what rituals can we adhere to? The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties each established laws according to the needs of their times and created rituals according to specific circumstances. Systems of ritual and law must be adapted to local conditions. Clothing and equipment should be convenient to use; there is no need to rigidly cling to ancient practices."
King Wuling firmly rejected all opposition. With the support of ministers such as Fei Yi, he issued an order for the entire nation to adopt Hu-style clothing. Because the Hu attire was also convenient for daily activities, it quickly gained popular support. After the successful implementation of the clothing reform, King Wuling proceeded to train a cavalry force and transformed Zhao's military equipment. As a result, Zhao's national strength gradually grew. The state not only defeated Zhongshan, which had long plagued Zhao with constant raids, but also expanded its territory northward by over a thousand li, becoming one of the "Seven Great Powers" of the era.