Originally, it refers to the marriage between two countries, Qin and Jin, during the Spring and Autumn Period. Later, it refers generally to the marriage or marriage relationship between the two sexes.
Idiom Pronunciation:
秦晋之好
qín jìn zhī hǎo
Origin:
《左传·僖公二十三年》：秦伯纳女五人，怀赢与焉。奉匜沃盥，既而挥之。怒曰：“秦晋匹也，何以卑我？”公子懼，降服而囚。
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, when Jin and Qin were neighboring powers, Duke Xian of Jin married his daughter to Duke Mu of Qin and called her “Mu Ji” in order to strengthen the relationship with Qin. After the death of Duke Xian, Duke Yiwu assumed the throne. Since Yiwu had been away for a long time, he asked Duke Mu of Qin to send troops to escort him back to his country, promising to cede five cities beyond the river to Qin as a reward. Who would have expected that Yiwu would renege on his promise after his reign.
Duke Hui of Jin’s words were not honored, causing Duke Mu of Qin’s discontent. However, in 641 B.C., when there was a famine in Jin, Duke Mu of Qin sent a large amount of grain anyway, which ended up helping Jin to overcome the difficulties. The next winter, the same famine struck Qin, but Duke Hui of Jin did not support him at all. The Duke of Qin was so angry that he led his own army to invade Jin and captured him alive.
When Mu Ji received the news, she dressed in mourning clothes, took her four sons and daughters up to a tower full of dry firewood, and sent someone to say to Duke Mu of Qin, “Heaven has sent a calamity to make the two kings of Qin and Jin meet each other in battle. Now the king of Jin has been captured by you. Whenever he comes to the capital, I will die, so please make your plans.” When Duke Mu of Qin was alarmed, he decided to forgive Duke Hui of Jin and placed him in Lingtai, where he was treated as a guest and the two kings concluded an alliance.
After that, Qin and Jin maintained friendly relations. Duke Hui of Jin sent his prince Zi Niang to Qin as a hostage, and Duke Mu of Qin gave his daughter Huai Ying to Zi Niang. But Zi Nian feared that he would not become the king of Jin, so he secretly fled back to Jin in the autumn of 638 BC. In the next year, Duke Hui of Jin died of illness and Zi Nian became the reigning Duke of Jin, known as Duke Huai of Jin. At this time, Duke Chong Er of Jin came to Qin. Duke Mu decided to help him return to his country and seize power. In 636 B.C., with the escort of the Qin army and the support of the ministers, Chong Er returned to the capital city of Quwo, sent his men to kill the bad Duke Huai, and became the ruler, known as Duke Wen of Jin.
He was known as Duke Wen of Jin. He was very talented, loyal and humble, and was well liked by Duke Mu of Qin. From then on, Qin and Jin lived in friendship for six whole years without any serious conflicts. This was the origin of the “Goodwill between Qin and Jin”.
Similar Idioms:
- 天作之合
