Chinese Idiom: 天罗地网 (Tian Luo Di Wang)
English Translation: Heaven’s Net and Earth’s Web
pīn yīn: tiān luó dì wǎng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where the net of heaven and earth is cast, meaning the surroundings are so tightly secured that there is no way to escape. “罗” refers to a net used for catching birds.
Historical Source: Yuan Dynasty playwright Li Shouqing’s (李寿卿) play Wu Yuan Plays the Flute (《伍员吹箫》).
Idiom Story
This story originates from the Yuan Dynasty play Wu Yuan Plays the Flute by Li Shouqing. The general outline is as follows:
During the late Spring and Autumn period, King Ping of Chu (楚平王) had a sycophant named Fei Wuji (费无极). Once, Fei Wuji was sent to the State of Qin to escort a bride for Crown Prince Hua Jian (太子华建). Seeing that the bride was extraordinarily beautiful, Fei Wuji persuaded King Ping to take her as his own consort. The foolish and lecherous King Ping agreed, creating a scandal.
Wu She (伍奢), the upright minister and teacher of Crown Prince Hua Jian, posed a threat to Fei Wuji. Fearing retribution, Fei Wuji incited King Ping to lure Wu She and his eldest son back to the palace and kill them. Still unsatisfied, Fei Wuji suggested sending the Crown Prince to guard the frontier and later plotted to have him killed.
Hearing this, Crown Prince Hua Jian fled at night. He sought refuge with Wu She’s younger son, Wu Yuan (伍员), who was stationed in Fancheng (樊城). The Crown Prince informed Wu Yuan of the tragic events and warned him that Fei Wuji had sent his son, Fei Dexiong (费得雄), to deceive him into returning to the capital, where he would be killed.
Upon hearing this, Wu Yuan cursed Fei Wuji and King Ping and prepared to deal with Fei Dexiong.
A few days later, Fei Dexiong arrived in Fancheng, deceitfully claiming that King Ping wished to reward Wu Yuan for his military accomplishments and summoned him to return immediately.
Wu Yuan pretended to be concerned about his family’s well-being, asking, “I have not returned home for six months. How is my family?”
Feigning ignorance, Fei Dexiong replied, “Your family is thriving; no household is as prosperous as yours.”
Angered, Wu Yuan seized Fei Dexiong’s collar and rebuked him, “You villains killed my entire family and still have the audacity to claim we are thriving.” Fei Dexiong, thinking Wu Yuan was unaware of the details, demanded proof. Wu Yuan retorted, “If it weren’t for Crown Prince Hua Jian revealing your plot, I would have fallen into your 天罗地网 (heaven’s net and earth’s web)!”
Fei Dexiong was left speechless. Wu Yuan beat him up and resigned from his post.
Later, Wu Yuan fled to the State of Wu, disguising himself as a beggar and playing the flute in the bustling streets. Eventually, he was invited by the King of Wu to become a minister. With his help, Wu defeated Chu, avenging his father and brother.
