【Explanation】"Shou Shu" (literally "hesitant like a rat"): Rats are naturally suspicious; when emerging from their holes, they move forward and then backward, unable to make a decision. "Liang Duan" (literally "two ends"): unable to make up one's mind. This idiom describes being indecisive and wavering between two options.
Idiom Story:
This idiom appears in the "Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Wei Qi and Marquis Wu'an": "After Marquis Wu'an had finished court, he exited to the Zhi Che Gate, summoned Grandee of the Imperial Censors Han An'guo to ride in his carriage, and angrily said, 'Having worked with Changru to deal with this old bald man, why are you hesitating between two courses of action?'"
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, Empress Dowager Wang had a half-brother named Tian Fen. Relying on the power of the Empress Dowager, Tian Fen became the Imperial Chancellor and held great authority. Tian Fen was a despicable, sinister, arrogant, and selfish man. With Empress Dowager Wang as his powerful backer and the young Emperor Wu still inexperienced, Tian Fen acted recklessly, indulging in extravagance, engaging in corruption, and arbitrarily framing those he disliked. When Tian Fen demanded land south of the city from Dou Ying, Dou Ying refused. Upon hearing that Guan Fu was also defending Dou Ying, Tian Fen developed a grudge against both Guan Fu and Dou Ying (both Dou Ying and Guan Fu were ministers who had distinguished themselves in suppressing the Rebellion of the Seven States). Furthermore, because Guan Fu possessed evidence of Tian Fen's corruption and bribery, Tian Fen was determined to destroy both Guan Fu and Dou Ying.
On one occasion, when Tian Fen was getting married, Empress Dowager Wang, seeking to expand her own influence, issued an edict ordering all the feudal lords, members of the imperial clan, and ministers to attend the Chancellor's mansion to offer congratulations. Dou Ying and Guan Fu also attended. During the banquet, Guan Fu became enraged after being snubbed while offering a toast, and he began to curse and shout in anger. As a result, Tian Fen had Guan Fu arrested. The matter escalated to Emperor Wu, who then convened his ministers to discuss the case. Dou Ying firmly opposed punishing Guan Fu, some ministers supported punishment, while others, fearing Tian Fen's power, adopted an ambiguous stance. The Grandee of the Imperial Censors, Han An'guo, said, "Guan Fu made great contributions in suppressing the Rebellion of the Seven States. Although he caused a disturbance while drunk, he does not deserve the death penalty. However, the Chancellor believes he is in the wrong, which also has its reasoning. Ultimately, Your Majesty should decide how to proceed."
After the court session ended, at the palace gate, Tian Fen called Han An'guo to ride in his carriage and angrily said, "I am working with you to deal with this old bald man; why are you hesitating between two courses of action?"
Later, Tian Fen schemed to have Dou Ying and Guan Fu executed. Soon afterward, he himself died from fear and fright.
"Hesitating between two courses of action" (Shou Shu Liang Duan) means taking a step forward and then retreating, wanting to attend to both sides at once. According to the "Pi Ya: Interpretation of Insects," "Rats are naturally suspicious; when they emerge from their holes, they constantly look left and right, fearful and hesitant, hence the term 'Shou Shu Liang Duan.'" People commonly use this idiom to describe indecisiveness or wavering.