At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao sought to unify the Central Plains and realize his political ambitions. He recruited soldiers, stockpiled grain, and went to great lengths to attract talented individuals.Cao Cao had two strategists under him: Mao Jie and Xun Yu. One day, they offered Cao Cao two suggestions. First, he should use the emperor's authority to command the feudal lords, a strategy known as "Holding the Emperor Hostage to Command the Vassals."

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs monopolized power and the imperial government declined, causing heroes from all over the land to raise armies. Liu Bei, a member of the Han royal family, had been raising troops for many years. Many people came to join him, and he himself actively sought out talented individuals.

During the Spring and Autumn period, there was a man named Yu Boya in the State of Chu. He was highly skilled in music theory and an exceptional zither player, renowned as a master musician of his time. When Boya was young, he was bright and eager to learn. He had studied under a master musician and had already achieved a high level of technical proficiency.

During the Spring and Autumn period, there were two close friends in the state of Qi: one named Guan Zhong, the other named Bao Shuya. Guan Zhong came from a poor family and had to support his mother. When Bao Shuya learned of this, he invited Guan Zhong to go into business together. After making money, Guan Zhong took a larger share, while Bao Shuya received very little.

Once, they worked together in the fields, weeding a vegetable patch. Both labored diligently without stopping to rest, quickly clearing a large area.Guan Ning raised his hoe and, upon striking down, hit a hard object. Curious, he turned over a large clod of earth. Amidst the dark soil, something bright and yellow glittered.

"During the transition period between the Sui and Tang dynasties, there lived a man named Chunyu Zun in Guangling. In his courtyard stood a large, luxuriant pagoda tree. On summer nights, when the moon was bright and stars were few, its shadow swayed gently in the cool evening breeze—a perfect place to cool off.On the day of Chunyu Zun's birthday, relatives and friends came to celebrate. Overcome with joy, he drank a little too much. When night fell and his guests had all left, he sat alone beneath the pagoda tree, slightly tipsy, enjoying the cool air. Drowsy from the wine, he soon drifted into a deep sleep.

One day, while returning from Kunshan to Heshan, King Mu heard of a man named Yan Shi, whose craftsmanship was so exquisite that the animals he created could sing and run. Finding this hard to believe, the king immediately summoned Yan Shi and said, 'I've heard you can make all kinds of ingenious devices. Show me one so I can see it for myself.'

King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation, appointing ministers Wen Zhong and Fan Li to reorganize the state. For ten years they built up their population and resources, and for another ten years they educated and trained the people, transforming the nation from weakness to strength. Finally, they defeated Wu and avenged their national humiliation. King Fuchai of Wu, defeated in battle, fled and repeatedly sought peace with Yue seven times, but Wen Zhong and Fan Li insisted on refusing. With no other choice, Fuchai tied a letter to an arrow and shot it into Fan Li's camp.

Legend has it that King Zhou, the last ruler of the Shang dynasty, was a corrupt and tyrannical monarch who indulged in extreme luxury and cruelty (see "Helping a Tyrant Do Evil"). Ji Chang, known as "Xibo" (the Chief of the Western Tribes), who later became King Wen of Zhou, was imprisoned for opposing King Zhou. He managed to secure his release only after employing many stratagems. At that time, the Zhou capital was at Qishan (present-day Qishan County, Shaanxi Province). After returning to Qishan, King Wen of Zhou resolved to overthrow the Shang dynasty.

This idiom originates from the "Records of the Grand Historian: The Account of Dayuan": "Qian went from Yuezhi to Daxia, but ultimately could not obtain the essential stance of Yuezhi."When Emperor Wu of Han first ascended the throne, defectors from the northern Xiongnu tribes all said that the Xiongnu had defeated the Yuezhi (yuezhi), used the skull of the Yuezhi king as a large wine cup, driven the Yuezhi people away, and that the Yuezhi harbored intense hatred towards the Xiongnu.