Historical story

Yu Qian, style name Tingyi, was a renowned minister of the Ming Dynasty. Before being transferred to the capital, he served continuously as a local official. He was known for his integrity, imposing strict requirements on all subordinate officials and resolutely prohibiting bribery and embezzlement. He led by personal example.

Zhang Rong was a man of the Southern Dynasties. Although his appearance was unremarkable, he was exceptionally intelligent and excelled in poetry, literature, painting, and calligraphy, particularly in wild cursive script. His works were unconventional and uniquely styled. In his conduct, he was lofty and transcendent, associating only with those of genuine talent and insight.

In the early Warring States period, with seven major states vying for supremacy and frequent wars, the state of Wei, where Wu Qi was from, was relatively weak and became a target for stronger states. Born into a wealthy family and possessing great ambitions, Wu Qi, faced with his fragmented and war-torn homeland, spared no expense in his efforts to achieve something significant and contribute to the unification of his country. However, he failed to attain fame or fortune and exhausted his family's wealth, leading to ridicule and mockery from his hometown. In frustration, he left Wei for Lu to pursue studies.

The idiom originates from the "Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), Tang Dynasty Annals, the First Year of Emperor Xuanzong's Tianbao Reign": "When Li Linfu served as chancellor... he especially resented men of letters and talent. Sometimes he would pretend to be friendly with them, luring them with sweet words while secretly plotting their downfall. People of the time said of Li Linfu, 'He has honey on his lips and a sword in his belly.'"

Lu Kang, a renowned general of the late Eastern Wu state, was appointed Colonel of Ardent Military Action at the age of twenty, taking command of the five thousand troops left by his father, Lu Xun. In 264 AD, when Sun Hao ascended the throne as ruler of Eastern Wu, the thirty-eight-year-old Lu Kang became Grand General Who Guards the Army. At that time, the Eastern Wu court was extremely corrupt. Sun Hao was licentious and cruel, maintaining a harem of several thousand women and plundering from the common people.

This idiom originates from the Song Dynasty text Jingde Chuandeng Lu (Jingde Era Record of the Transmission of the Lamp), Volume 10, "Chan Master Congshen of Zhaozhou's East Courtyard": "When the assembly gathered in the evening, the Master said: 'Tonight, anyone who understands my words may step forward.' At that moment, a monk stepped forward and bowed. Master Congshen said: 'I was just throwing a brick to attract jade, yet all I've drawn is a lump of raw brick!'"

After Liu Bei seized control of Jing Province, Zhou Yu, the great general of Eastern Wu, became determined to retake it. Hearing that Liu Bei's wife had recently passed away, Zhou Yu devised a plan: he would arrange for Sun Quan's younger sister to marry Liu Bei, inviting Liu Bei to come to Eastern Wu for the wedding.

In the year 219 AD, Cao Cao fought fiercely with Liu Bei to seize Jing Province, a strategically vital location. Liu Bei's general Guan Yu heavily besieged Xiangyang, while Cao Cao's cousin Cao Ren held firm in Fancheng, adjacent to Xiangyang, putting him in a difficult situation.

After personally leading his army to defeat Lü Bu, Liu Bei followed Cao Cao to the capital city of Xuchang. Although Cao Cao outwardly treated Liu Bei with great respect, he was actually very suspicious and often sent people to spy on Liu Bei's activities.

In 202 AD, Yuan Shao fell seriously ill and soon died. His three sons immediately began a power struggle: the eldest son was excluded, power passed to the second son, and the youngest supported this decision. Naturally, the eldest son refused to accept it, and thus the Yuan brothers began a civil war.