Chinese Idiom: 请君入瓮 (Qing Jun Ru Weng)
English Translation: Please enter the jar
pīn yīn: qǐng jūn rù wēng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the act of using someone’s own methods against them, leading to their self-inflicted suffering. It suggests a sense of poetic justice where individuals are punished by their own schemes.
Historical Source: From Zizhi Tongjian (《资治通鉴 ·唐纪》).
Idiom Story:
During the Tang dynasty, when Empress Wu Zetian ruled, there was a report accusing the minister of justice, Zhou Xing, and the general, Qiu Shenjiao, of conspiring to rebel. In response, Wu Zetian ordered another official, Lai Junchen, to investigate the matter. Knowing it would be difficult to extract a confession from Zhou Xing, Lai Junchen devised a cunning plan.
Feigning friendship, he invited Zhou Xing to his home for a drink. During the banquet, as Zhou Xing was in high spirits, Lai Junchen asked him, “What would you suggest for dealing with prisoners who refuse to confess, no matter how much torture they endure?”
Zhou Xing, proud of his harsh interrogation methods, confidently replied, “That’s easy! Just prepare a large jar, heat it with charcoal around it, and command the prisoner to enter. What wouldn’t they confess to then?”
Upon hearing this, Lai Junchen had a large jar brought in, surrounded by burning coals, and then turned to Zhou Xing with a grin, saying, “There’s a matter concerning you. Please enter this jar!” This implied that there was an accusation of treason against him, and he was ordered to enter the very device he suggested.
Realizing his predicament, Zhou Xing was terrified and quickly knelt, begging for mercy and confessing his crimes. Following the confession, Lai Junchen executed Zhou Xing according to the law. Though Wu Zetian initially pardoned him, he was later exiled to Lingnan (modern-day Guangxi) where he ultimately met his end at the hands of enemies.
This story gives rise to the idiom “请君入瓮,” highlighting how one’s own methods can backfire, leading to their downfall through their own designs.
