負荊請罪 (To beg forgiveness)
During the Warring States Period (B.C. 403-221) in the kingdom of Zhao, there was a general named Lian Po who held an important position at court.
One day, he found himself losing his popularity because of Lin Xiang Ru - another gentleman who was made a high-ranking official after retrieving the jade intact from the kingdom of Qin.
Lian believed it was unjust, so he often told people: "You know what, Lin Xiang Ru is good at pleasing the king and that`s how he made his title. Shame on him! I swear that if I meet him, I will insult him on his face!"
Lian`s condemnation was soon heard by Lin, so he tried to keep away from Lian.
One day, Lin went out with his subordinates and saw Lian from the distance; he immediately turned his vehicle around to avoid meeting Lian. However, his subordinates weren`t happy about this at all. They felt that Lin was being too cowardly.
"Why do you have to be afraid of him," asked one of his subordinates.
"I`m not even afraid of the king of Qin, so would I be afraid of Lian? If Lian and I have a conflict, do you think Qin will take this opportunity to invade our country?" said Lin. "At the moment, the security of our country is my priority."
The next day, Lian paid a visit to Lin. He had a thorn on his bare shoulder and said to Lin: "I overheard your conversation yesterday ... I`m an idiot. I`m shallow. Now, I understand how great you are!"
Since then, Lian and Lin became the closest friends.
* The idiom is used to describe a person who asks for forgiveness.
Translation
부형청죄（負荊請罪）
부（負）：to carry
형（荊）：thorn
청（請）：to request
죄（罪）：guilt
不寒而慄 (bùhánérér)
不寒而慄(bùhánérér)
不 do not [bù] | 寒 cold [hán] | 而 but [ér] | 慄 shiver [ér] |
Shiver up and down your spine
Yi Zong was a severe bureaucrat who lived during the Western Han Dynasty (B.C. 206 - A.D. 24) in China.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Yi was assigned to be a county magistrate after a referral from emperor`s mother. Yi did an excellent job in managing his position - he was both courageous and determined in handling each case - he rewarded and punished according to the law, so everyone said he was fair and impartial.
Later on, Yi was transferred to another prefecture where he accused Prince Xiu Cheng (the emperor`s nephew) who broke the law. Once again, he won his peoples` approval and even the emperor was so proud of him.
As time went by, Yi was promoted to serve as a prefecture chief in Ding Xiang Prefecture, the district that was in a state of chaos. Yi understood that he would have to be more cautious when managing the prefecture. Therefore, as soon as he took office, Yi executed over 400 convicts in a day without thorough investigation. For him, these criminals all deserved being put to death.
From that day on, whoever heard the name Yi would tremble with fear... they would shiver all over, though not cold.
不寒而慄(불한이율)
不 do not [bù] | 寒 cold [hán] | 而 but [ér] | 慄 shiver [ér] |
Shiver up and down your spine
Yi Zong was a severe bureaucrat who lived during the Western Han Dynasty (B.C. 206 - A.D. 24) in China.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Yi was assigned to be a county magistrate after a referral from emperor`s mother. Yi did an excellent job in managing his position - he was both courageous and determined in handling each case - he rewarded and punished according to the law, so everyone said he was fair and impartial.
Later on, Yi was transferred to another prefecture where he accused Prince Xiu Cheng (the emperor`s nephew) who broke the law. Once again, he won his peoples` approval and even the emperor was so proud of him.
As time went by, Yi was promoted to serve as a prefecture chief in Ding Xiang Prefecture, the district that was in a state of chaos. Yi understood that he would have to be more cautious when managing the prefecture. Therefore, as soon as he took office, Yi executed over 400 convicts in a day without thorough investigation. For him, these criminals all deserved being put to death.
From that day on, whoever heard the name Yi would tremble with fear... they would shiver all over, though not cold.
不寒而慄(불한이율)
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