Lacquering One's Body and Swallowing Charcoals

During the late Spring and Autumn Period, Jin State was actually governed by six ministers: Zhi, Zhao, Han, Wei, Fan and Zhonghang families. In 458 B.C., Zhi Bo united with Han, Zhao and Wei to eliminate Fan and Zhonghang, and divided up their land successfully. In 455 B.C., Zhi Bo forced the families of Han, Zhao and Wei to cede territory to him. Zhao Xiangzi refused the demand and destroyed the family of Zhi in alliance with Han and Wei in 453 B.C..

There was a man called Yu Rang in Jin State who once served the families of Fan and Zhonghang and remained in obscurity. However, he was greatly appreciated after he became the family-minister of Zhi Bo. After Zhi Bo was killed, Yu Rang swore to take revenge and assassinate Zhao Xiangzi. Therefore, he concealed his identity and his name, plastering the toilet walls with a hidden dagger in Zhao Xiangzi's palace. Yet Zhao Xiangzi was very alert, and when he went to the toilet, he suddenly had doubt and ordered his guards to capture Yu Rang who was plastering the wall. When Yu Rang's hidden weapon was found, he declared frankly that he was seeking revenge for Zhi Bo. The guards intended to execute Yu Rang, but Zhao Xiangzi said,“He is a loyal man. I will be more cautious to keep away from him later on.”Then he released Yu Rang.

After some time, Yu Rang began to lacquer all over his face and body as if he had suffered from some kind of serious skin disease. He also made his voice hoarse by swallowing charcoals. He made himself a beggar in the streets, and even his wife didn't recognize him face to face. One of his intimate friends recognized him and told him with tears,“You can easily get favor and trust from Zhao Xiangzi by means of your abilities if you serve Zhao family. Wouldn't it be easier to kill him when he was off guard? There is no need to hurt yourself in this way.” Yu Rang said,“If I am the family-minister of Zhao and conceive the idea of killing him, I am not a faithful person. I lacquered myself and swallowed charcoals only to shame those people and the later generations who are unfaithful to their masters.”

One day Yu Rang lurked under a bridge which Zhao Xiangzi was certain to cross. When Zhao came to the bridge, his horses were suddenly shied. Xiangzi said,“Yu Rang must be here.” His guards searched and hauled out Yu Rang from under the bridge.

Yu Rang asked Zhao Xiangzi to take off his dress and allow him to cut it with his sword, indicating that he had revenged. Zhao agreed. Having realized his wish, Yu Rang committed suicide with his sword. This idiom indicates the determination to sacrifice oneself to requite one's intimate friend or to seek revenge.