Chinese Idiom: 金城汤池 (Jin Cheng Tang Chi)
English Translation: Golden city and boiling moat
pīn yīn: jīn chéng tāng chí
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a place that is heavily fortified and extremely difficult to attack. It is often used metaphorically to refer to a strong defense.
Historical Source: Han Shu · Biography of Kuai Tong (《汉书·蒯通传》).
Idiom Story:
The idiom “金城汤池” originates from events during the early Qin Dynasty, around 209 BC, when Chen Sheng and Wu Guang led the first major peasant uprising against the oppressive rule of the Qin Dynasty in China.
After successfully capturing the region of Daze, the rebel forces rapidly gained momentum, capturing multiple cities. When they reached Chen County (modern-day Huaiyang, Henan), they found that the local officials were absent, allowing them to seize control of the city quickly. Chen Sheng was then proclaimed king, establishing the state of Zhang Chu.
As the uprising gained support, Chen Sheng sent his general Wu Chen to lead attacks on various regions, including Xiangyang and Jiujiang. Many cities, however, were well-defended and proved difficult to conquer. One such city was Fanyang (located in modern Shandong), where the city commander, Xu Gong, was particularly afraid of the rebel forces.
In a bid to avoid catastrophe, a strategist named Kuai Tong offered to negotiate with Xu Gong. He advised the commander to surrender, arguing that if they killed him after his surrender, other commanders would hear of it and refuse to surrender, leading to even more difficult defenses. He suggested that if Xu Gong were treated kindly, other city leaders would also consider surrendering.
Wu Chen accepted Kuai Tong’s advice, treated Xu Gong with respect, and as a result, many other cities’ defenders began to surrender. This strategic approach led to the rapid conquest of over thirty cities, including Handan, the former capital of the Zhao state.
The phrase “皆如金城汤池，不可攻也” (they are all like a golden city and boiling moat, impossible to attack) was subsequently shortened to “金城汤池,” symbolizing the idea of strong fortifications and a robust defense. This idiom highlights the importance of strategy and good governance in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
