Chinese Idiom: 纵虎归山 (Zong Hu Gui Shan)
English Translation: Letting the tiger return to the mountain
pīn yīn: zòng hǔ guī shān
Idiom Meaning: Refers to the act of releasing an enemy, which can lead to endless future troubles. It is also expressed as “放虎归山” (fàng hǔ guī shān).
Historical Source: Chapter 21 of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” (《三国演义》).
Idiom Story:
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao seized power by taking the emperor hostage, commanding the loyalty of various warlords. In the midst of this turmoil, Emperor Xian of Han, feeling threatened by Cao Cao’s dominance, secretly issued a decree to assassinate him. Liu Bei, a member of the Han royal family, was involved in this clandestine plot.
To avoid raising Cao Cao’s suspicions, Liu Bei pretended to have no ambitions. He often locked himself in his house, tending to his garden and projecting an image of a humble man with simple desires. However, strategist Cheng Wu recognized Liu Bei’s true potential and warned Cao Cao, saying, “Liu Bei possesses great ambitions and a heroic spirit. If we do not eliminate him now, he will certainly become a threat in the future.”
Cao Cao was indecisive about what to do and consulted another strategist, Guo Jia. Guo Jia argued that it was crucial to utilize talent effectively. He noted that Liu Bei was indeed a hero who had fled to Cao Cao after experiencing defeat. If Cao Cao killed Liu Bei, it would lead to a bad reputation for harming capable individuals and would not yield any benefits. Cao Cao agreed with Guo Jia’s assessment.
Later, after Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, Liu Bei requested troops to attack Yuan Shu. Cao Cao granted him 50,000 soldiers, after which Liu Bei left Cao Cao’s camp and declared his independence.
The story illustrates the risk of underestimating capable rivals. By allowing Liu Bei to escape, Cao Cao inadvertently set the stage for future conflicts. Thus, the phrase “纵虎归山” serves as a warning against releasing potential threats, as it may lead to severe consequences later.
