Chinese Idiom: 乌合之众 (Wu He Zhi Zhong)
English Translation: A Disorganized Crowd
pīn yīn: wū hé zhī zhòng
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes a group of people who are disorganized and lack cohesion, similar to a flock of crows that gather without any particular order or purpose. It implies that the group is chaotic and ineffective.
Historical Source: Guānzi (《管子》)
Idiom Story
During the late Western Han Dynasty, after Wang Mang was overthrown and Liu Xuan proclaimed himself emperor, various factions emerged claiming power. Among them was Wang Lang, who claimed to be Liu Chong, the son of Emperor Cheng of Han. With the support of Liu Xiu and wealthy figures like Li Yu, Wang Lang declared himself emperor and established his capital in Handan.
At this time, Geng Qin, a follower of Liu Xuan, was advised by his subordinates, Sun Cang and Wei Bao, to support Wang Lang. Geng Qin, however, was vehemently opposed to Wang Lang, whom he viewed as a usurper. He declared that he would call upon Emperor Liu Xuan to mobilize troops from various regions to defeat Wang Lang’s forces. Geng Qin expressed his confidence that the disorganized forces of Wang Lang, whom he referred to as a mere “rabble,” could be easily crushed by a coordinated and disciplined attack.
The term “乌合之众” (a rabble) thus reflects Geng Qin’s disdain for Wang Lang’s supporters, seeing them as a chaotic and ineffective mob. This historical reference illustrates the idiom’s meaning, emphasizing the lack of organization and cohesion within such groups.
