Chinese Idioms Learning (12)

Chinese Idioms Learning (12)
Dec 25, 2007 01:28
ZOEY Points: Join Date: Nov 29, 2004 Status: offline	No.1 卧薪尝胆 (Wo 4 Xin 1 Chang 2 Dan 3). It means" Sleep on the brush-wood and taste gall-undergo self-imposed hardships (to strengthen one;s reslove to wipe out a national humiliation or to accomplish some ambition). History: During the period of Spring and Autumn, there were two ancient states Wu and Yue neighbouring each other. As neighbours, they were not in harmony but fought with each other. In 497 BC, Wu had a stunning victory in the war against Yue. Gou Jian, the king of Yue was forced to retreat to Kuaiji Mountain and was surrounded by Fu Chai's troops, the king of Wu. In order to survive, Gou Jian surrendered. After the battle, Gou Jian and his wife were sent to Wu to do some nidering jobs, raising horses and clean Fu Chai' father's tomb. In order to eliminate Fu Chai's suspicion, Gou Jian even tasted Fu Chai's shit. After a while, Fu Chai thought that Gou Jian was loyal to him so that he sent Gou Jian back to Yue. After back home, Gou Jian swore to revenge. Every night, he slept the brush-wood and tasted gall. Ten years later, Yue became very rich and strong. Gou Jian led his troops to defeat Wu. Finally, Fu Chai suicided.

Dec 25, 2007 01:28

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Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
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No.1 卧薪尝胆 (Wo 4 Xin 1 Chang 2 Dan 3). It means" Sleep on the brush-wood and taste gall-undergo self-imposed hardships (to strengthen one;s reslove to wipe out a national humiliation or to accomplish some ambition).

History: During the period of Spring and Autumn, there were two ancient states Wu and Yue neighbouring each other. As neighbours, they were not in harmony but fought with each other. In 497 BC, Wu had a stunning victory in the war against Yue. Gou Jian, the king of Yue was forced to retreat to Kuaiji Mountain and was surrounded by Fu Chai's troops, the king of Wu. In order to survive, Gou Jian surrendered. After the battle, Gou Jian and his wife were sent to Wu to do some nidering jobs, raising horses and clean Fu Chai' father's tomb. In order to eliminate Fu Chai's suspicion, Gou Jian even tasted Fu Chai's shit. After a while, Fu Chai thought that Gou Jian was loyal to him so that he sent Gou Jian back to Yue. After back home, Gou Jian swore to revenge. Every night, he slept the brush-wood and tasted gall. Ten years later, Yue became very rich and strong. Gou Jian led his troops to defeat Wu. Finally, Fu Chai suicided.

Dec 25, 2007 01:42

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Join Date: Nov 29, 2004
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No. 2 完璧归赵 (Wan 2 Bi 4 Gui 1 Zhao 4). It refers to "return the jade intact to the state of Zhao---return something to its owner in perfect condition."

History: In the period of Warring states, there was a state called Zhao that had a precious jade. The king of Qin state heard of the precious jade and wanted to own it. Thus, he told the king of Zhao that he would like to use 15 cities to trade the jade. The king of Zhao has no choice but to accept it. But they were afraid that Qin broke its promise. Lin Xiangru, an official of Zhao told the king that he was willing to bring the jade to Qin state and trade with them. He promised the king that he would bring back the jade intact if Qin did not give 15 cities.

After arriving in Qin, Lin Xiangru noticed that the king just wanted to own the jade and wouldn't realize his promise. Thus, he sent the jade back to Zhao secretly and condemned the king that he didn't keep his promise. The king knew that the jade had been sent back to Zhao so that he had no other ways but to let Lin Xiangru go back.

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