King of Qin Playing the Fou

The event of this idiom took place during the Warring States Period, King Huiwen of Zhao State and the King of Qin met in Mianchi.

At the banquet, the King of Qin had been drunken, so he said,“I heard the King of Zhao likes music very much, please play the Se for fun.”

The King of Zhao played the Se and the historian of Qin approached them and wrote down“in a certain month of a certain year, the King of Qin drank with the King of Zhao, and the King of Qin ordered the King of Zhao to play the Se.”

Lin Xiangru walked forward and said,“The King of Zhao heard the King of Qin is good at Shaanxi opera, please give the Fou to the King of Qin to play, so they can amuse each other.” The King of Qin was not glad and he did not agree.

Lin Xiangru said,“In five steps, I can splash my blood over Your Majesty's body.”

The underlings of the King of Qin wanted to kill Lin Xiangru. Xiangru glared at them and scolded loudly. Those underlings drew back.

The King of Qin had no choice but to play the Fou once. Lin Xiangru asked the Historian of Zhao to write down,“The King of Qin played the Fou for the King of Zhao.” Eventually, Lin Xiangru defended the dignity of Zhao State.

Young people should learn the intelligence and bravery from Lin Xiangru, so that they can base themselves on the society.