Chinese Idiom: 社稷之臣 (She Ji Zhi Chen)
English Translation: Ministers who stabilize the state and nation
pīn yīn: shè jì zhī chén
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to important ministers or officials who are capable of ensuring the stability and prosperity of a nation.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记·项羽本纪》).
Idiom Story:
In 208 BC, a significant year in Chinese history, the country faced the first major peasant uprising, which tested the resolve and capability of its leaders. At that time, the uprisings led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had been suppressed, and the main force of the Chu army was defeated by the Qin general Zhang Han at Dingtao, leading to the death of General Xiang Liang. The Zhao state was on the brink of collapse due to being surrounded by Qin forces.
Amid this turmoil, the Chu Huai Wang, Xiong Xin, appointed the former Chancellor of Chu, Song Yi, as the supreme general and designated Xiang Yu as a duke, with plans to send troops to assist Zhao. When the reinforcements arrived at Anyang (in present-day Shandong), Song Yi ordered a prolonged halt of 46 days.
Frustrated, Xiang Yu sought out Song Yi, urging him to advance quickly to save Zhao from the Qin siege at Julu. However, Song Yi had no intention of aiding Zhao; he preferred to sacrifice Zhao to weaken the Qin forces and secure an easier victory later. Dismissively, he replied to Xiang Yu, “In terms of charging into battle, I cannot compare to you; but in terms of strategy, you cannot compare to me!”
After issuing harsh orders to execute any soldier who disobeyed him, Song Yi’s son was appointed as the Prime Minister of Qi, and Song Yi held a lavish farewell banquet for him, ignoring the suffering of their troops in the harsh winter conditions.
Xiang Yu lamented, “We should unite our strength to attack Qin, yet we linger here. The people are starving, and the soldiers have no food. Instead of taking advantage of Zhao’s supplies to join forces against Qin, Song Yi prefers to hold banquets. If the strong Qin attacks the newly established Zhao, Zhao will surely fall. This is not how a minister who serves the state should act.”
In the end, in a dramatic turn of events, Xiang Yu executed Song Yi in his tent for his betrayal and lack of concern for the state’s wellbeing, declaring that Song Yi had conspired with Qi against Chu. Following this, Xiang Yu was appointed as the supreme general and led his forces decisively to aid Zhao and ultimately defeat Qin at Julu.
This story highlights the importance of having ministers who prioritize the stability and interests of the nation, embodying the essence of “社稷之臣.”
