Chinese Idiom: 旁敲侧击 (Pang Qiao Ce Ji)
English Translation: Tapping from the side
pīn yīn: páng qiāo cè jī
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of speaking or writing in a roundabout way, not expressing one’s opinion directly. Instead, it employs irony or euphemism to convey a message indirectly.
Historical Source: Records of the Grand Historian (《史记 · 滑稽列传》)
Idiom Story:
During the Warring States period, there was a learned minister from Qi State named Chunyu Kun. He was known for his wit and eloquence, often using humor, irony, and subtlety to advise the King of Qi.
In 349 BCE, when King Xuan of Chu launched a massive attack against Qi, King Wei of Qi sent Chunyu Kun to Zhao State to request military aid. As a gesture of goodwill, he instructed Chunyu to bring along 100 pounds of gold and ten carriages as a condition for support. Upon hearing this, Chunyu Kun burst into laughter, so vigorous that his hat strap snapped.
Confused, King Wei asked, “What are you laughing about? Do you think the offerings are insufficient?”
Chunyu Kun, still chuckling, replied, “I don’t dare to think they are too few!” When pressed for an explanation, he recounted a story: “This morning, while walking through the fields, I saw a farmer kneeling by the road praying to the earth god. He held up a small pig’s foot and a cup of rice wine, saying, ‘Earth god, please bless me with a bountiful harvest, full pens of livestock, abundant treasures, and many descendants!’ I found it amusing that he had so little in hand but wished for so much.”
Understanding the underlying meaning of Chunyu Kun’s words, King Wei felt a twinge of embarrassment. He decided to increase the offerings to a thousand pounds of gold, ten pairs of white jade, and a hundred carriages. Chunyu Kun then delivered these gifts to Zhao State, which promptly sent 100,000 elite troops and a thousand chariots to assist Qi. Upon hearing this, the Chu army retreated in haste.
Thus, the idiom “旁敲侧击” emerged, symbolizing the art of indirectly expressing one’s thoughts or criticisms through clever and roundabout means.
