Chinese Idiom Stories 负荆请罪 Background information: This story happened in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). The State of Qin was a powerful country and finally unified China. The State of Zhao was a weak country. Lian Po was one of its generals and Lin Xiang Ru (abbreviated as Lin) was its prime minister who was good at diplomatic stuff. ------- Lian Po said: "As the general of Zhao, I take credit for leading combat in the wilderness and having many towns annexed, but Lin is going to be in a higher position than mine merely because of his eloquence. It is unfair! Plus, Lin was born in a low-class family, so I feel humiliated and cannot bear for being under him!" Lian Po continued to swear: "The next time I meet him, I will definitely humiliate him." Heard this, Lin started to avoid meeting with Lian Po. Every time all the generals and ministers were going to attend the conference, Lin always claimed to be sick and tried to avoid getting involved in the conflict with Lian Po. Before long, Lin went out and accidentally came across him. Lin turned his carriage and avoided to meet. The members of Lin's think tank ended up gathering around Lin and complained: "The reason why we left our homes to serve you was that we admired your nobleness and sense of justice. However, even though you are now in a higher position than Lian Po, you are still afraid, trying to avoid him after he made such an offensive remark! Even we ordinary people would feel insulted, let alone a prime minister like you! You are too cowardly and we do not want to serve you any longer, please let us quit!" Lin insisted on retaining them, he asked: "Among the general Lian Po and the king of Qin, who do you think is more powerful?" The members answered: "The king." Lin said:" To the king of Qin, I still dared to reprimand him in his court and humiliated his courtiers. Am I afraid of Lian Po? No. I thought that the only reason why the powerful Qin did not dare to invade Zhao is that we stuck together. However, we are now fighting each other. Just like tigers' fighting, it will inevitably result in one's death. I have been so tolerant, is to set the country's crisis prior to the personal hatred!" Touched by these words, Lian Po took off his coat, exposed his upper body, tied the twigs to his back, and came to Lin's door to ask for punishment. He said: "I, a coarse and lowly person, unexpected that you are so broad-minded!" In the end, they forgave each other and swore to live or die together.