You Shi Wu Kong

Literal Meaning: To fear nothing because of self-reliance

Metaphorical Meaning:To be secure in the knowledge that one has strong backing

In the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), Duke Huan of the Qi State (present Shandong) died and his son Duke Xiao succeeded the crown. In 634 BC, Qi’s neighboring state, the State of Lu, suffered a serious drought. Duke Xiao wanted to take this opportunity to conquer the State of Lu. He led the army by himself and marched towards east, where the capital of the State of Lu was located.

Duke Xi, lord of the State of Lu, acquired the news and knew that his own army was not component with the army of Qi. So he sent one of his officials named Zhan Xi to grant the army of Qi the foods and drinks, in order to seek peace with them. Zhan Xi took a fast pace and arrived in the board between Qi and Lu earlier than Qi’s army.

After seeing Duke Xiao, Zhan Xi said: “Our lord was very glad to know that Your Highness came to our country in person. So he sent me here to grant your army with foods and drinks.”

However, Duke Xiao asked arrogantly: “Are the people of your country afraid of my army?”

Zhan Xi, who was very eloquent, said without hurry and bustle: “Those people without knowledge may be afraid. But our lord and his underlings are not afraid at all.”

Duke Xiao said contemptuously: “Your country is in lack of food, water and army. Why don’t you feel afraid?”

Zhan Xi replied defiantly: “We rely on the remaining order from the Emperor Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty. The ancestors of Your Highness and our Lord – Jiang Taigong and Zhou Gong – all served Emperor Cheng with loyalty and concentration. They together helped Emperor Cheng to realize his dream of building a peaceful and prosperous country. Therefore, Emperor Cheng was very grateful for our ancestors and asked them to vow that their offspring should not fight against each other. The grandfathers and fathers all complied with this vow and we two countries got along. Bur how can Your Highness violate the ancestors’ order and attack us? We rely on this vow and so we are not afraid.”

Duke Xiao felt that Zhan’s words were reasonable so he perished the thought of conquering Lu.