Chinese Idiom: 一网打尽 (Yi Wang Da Jin)
English Translation: Capture Them All in One Net
pīn yīn: yī wǎng dǎ jìn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom is used to describe catching or eliminating everything or everyone in one go.
Historical Source: Zuo Zhuan, “The Sixth Year of Duke Hui.”
Idiom Story: In the State of Jin, during the Spring and Autumn Period, two brothers, Prince Yiwu and Prince Chong’er, were in a power struggle. With the help of the states of Qin and Qi, Yiwu ascended to the throne as Duke Hui of Jin.
Within Duke Hui’s court, two factions emerged. One faction, led by Que Mao and Lü Sheng, supported Duke Hui, while the other faction, led by Li Ke and Pi Zheng, secretly supported Prince Chong’er. When Pi Zheng was sent on a mission to the State of Qin, Duke Hui used the opportunity to kill Li Ke. Upon Pi Zheng’s return, he was filled with fear, dreading the same fate. However, when nothing adverse happened, he felt more at ease. Despite this, he harbored deep resentment towards Duke Hui and secretly conspired with his allies to depose Yiwu and install Prince Chong’er as the ruler.
One day, Tu Anyi came to see Pi Zheng, waiting from midday until late at night. When Pi Zheng finally received him, Tu Anyi expressed his fear of being killed by Duke Hui and pleaded for Pi Zheng’s help. Pi Zheng suggested he seek help from Lü Sheng instead. Tu Anyi vehemently rejected this, expressing his hatred for Lü Sheng and Que Mao, and swore he intended to see them dead.
Pi Zheng, initially skeptical, was convinced when Tu Anyi bit his finger, letting blood flow, and swore a solemn oath: “Heaven above, if I harbor any treacherous thoughts, may my entire family be wiped out.” Convinced, Pi Zheng and his conspirators drafted a letter to Prince Chong’er, inviting him to return. The letter was signed by Pi Zheng, Gong Hua, Tu Anyi, and seven other officials.
Tu Anyi took the letter and hid it close to his chest. The next day, as they attended court, Duke Hui confronted Pi Zheng, asking, “Why are you conspiring to bring back Prince Chong’er?” The conspirators were shocked and realized they had been exposed. Ultimately, all of them were captured and executed.
This event led to the creation of the idiom “Capture Them All in One Net” (一网打尽), symbolizing the complete and sudden capture or elimination of all conspirators.
