Yue Zu Dai Pao

Literal Meaning: walking across the ritual vessel to take the place of a cook

Metaphorical Meaning: It is used to describe that people do the things which should be done by the others.

In the ancient China, there was a man named Xu You living around Yang Cheng (in today’s Shanxi). He was a well-educated man and polite to everybody around him. People all admired him very much.

Admiring Xu’s talents, Emperor Rao wanted to abdicate his throne in Xu You’s favor. So he said to Xu You: “You see, compared with the sun and moon, the candles can not be said to be bright. The rain has fallen from the sky, so it is not necessary to irrigate the farming land artificially. You have great talents. If you become the emperor, you will govern the country very well. I would feel ashamed if I continue to keep the throne on my head. So please take the place of me and use your talents to govern this country.”

Xu You said: “No, My Lord, you have governed the country so well. I don’t know why you want me to replace you. A tree is large enough for a bird to build its nest. When the mole drinks water by the river, it just fills its stomach. So forgive me, My Lord! I don’t want to be the emperor. When the sacrifice ceremony is held, the cook is quite busy with cooking and preparing wine. However, the one in charge of the ritual vessels for sacrifice can’t leave his own job to help the cook. You can not leave the throne. Even if you do it, I will not be the new emperor.” After saying these words, Xu You went back to his home.

Later, this story was spread among the folks. People used the words “Yue Zu Dai Pao” to describe one’s action of doing something beyond his responsibility.