Idiom Explanation:
Sharpen the weapons and feed the horses. It is a metaphor for being ready for battle, and also for making preparations beforehand.
Pronunciation:
厉兵秣马
lì bīng mò mǎ
Origin:
《左传·僖公三十三年》：“郑穆公使视客馆，则束载厉兵秣马矣。”
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Qin state sent Qǐzi, Feng Sun and Yang Sun to lead an army to guard the state of Zheng, but in the name of helping Zheng to defend its capital. In 628 A.D., QI Zi secretly reported to Duke Mu of Qin that he had “taken charge of the northern gate of the state”, that is, he had the key to the northern gate of Zheng’s capital, and if Qin attacked Zheng, he would be Qin’s inside man to help Qin attack Zheng.
When Duke Mu of Qin received the secret message from Qizi, he felt that the opportunity was too good to miss and sent three generals, Meng Ming, Xijizhi and Bai Eibing, to attack Zheng immediately, without listening to the advice of the great doctor Jianshu.
Jian Shu’s son also went out with the troops, and Jian Shu cried and said to his son, “You will surely be defended by the army in this place of confusion, and I will come to collect your body then.”
After a long journey, the Qin army finally arrived at the country of Confusion, which was not far from Zheng, and was met by a merchant from Zheng who was doing business here, Stringgau. On the one hand, he sent someone to report to Duke Mu of Zheng, and on the other hand, he went to the Qin army and said that he came to condole with the Qin army on behalf of Zheng. He said, “Our king knew you were coming and sent me to send you a batch of livestock as a reward.”
This action of String Gao aroused the suspicion of the Qin army attacking Zheng. The Qin generals suspected that Zheng was ready for battle, so they were hesitant to continue their march.
The Duke of Zheng Mu received the secret report from String Gao and hastily sent his men to the north gate of the capital to see that the army of Qizi was “loaded, sharpened, and fed with horses”, i.e. everyone was tied up, their weapons were sharpened, and their horses were well-fed, and they were in a state to fight as an inside man. In response, Duke Zheng Mu sent his son to Qizi, saying, “I am sorry that I have not been able to entertain you properly. Your Meng Ming is about to come, so go with him!”
When Qi Zi and the others saw that the matter had been exposed, they fled to Qi and Song respectively. When Meng Ming learned this news, he also reluctantly ordered the withdrawal of his troops. This is where the idiom comes from.
Similar Idioms:
- 严阵以待
- 枕戈待旦
