Yi Qiu Zhi He

Literal Meaning: raccoon dogs from the same mound

Metaphorical Meaning: people tarred with the same brush; birds of a feather.

In the West Han Dynasty (202 BC – 8 AD), there lived a noble named Yang Dan. His father Yang Chang was the Prime Minister for the Emperor Zhao of Han and his mother was the daughter of the famous historian, the writer of Historical Records Sima Qian. He received good education when he was a young boy and became famous in his adolescence. When the Emperor Xuan ruled the country, the General Huo Guang planned to rebel. Yang Dan was the first person telling Emperor Xuan Huo’s conspiracy.

After appeasing the rebellion, Yang was given a dukedom. At that time the corruption was quite normal among the officials. The rich people could use money to buy an official position or bribed their superiors to reduce their work and enjoy themselves outside. The ones who didn’t give bribes had to be busy with work all the year. Yang Dan tried his best to abolish these defects of the officialdom and reached certain achievements. His colleagues all praised his efficiency and probity.

However, he was quite pride for his achievements and usually looked down upon his colleagues, who were gradually dissatisfied with him.

One day, Yang heard that the head of the Turk tribe was killed. He said: “An emperor like him didn’t use the governance policies that his ministries had stipulated. His death was of no value. The emperors of the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC), who also trusted the villains and killed the good and loyal people, brought death to their own country. If the Qin Emperors didn’t act like that, the Qin Dynasty may last till now. The emperors from the ancient time to now all trust the villains. They are just like the raccoon dogs from the same mound without any difference.”

Those words were heard by Emperor Xuan, who was quite angry and removed Yang Dan from his post. People said that it is fortunate for Yang Dun who just lost his post instead of being killed for what he said. The words “Yi Qiu Zhi He” was popular from then on.