To fawn upon someone in a servile and abject manner; to be slavishly subservient and obsequious; to show obsequious deference.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Southern Song forces were engaged in battles with invading Mongol troops. Due to insufficient military strength, the Song Dynasty consistently suffered defeats, and the nation faced the crisis of its demise.
However, the incompetent Song emperor continued to indulge in pleasures, while Chancellor Jia Sidao concealed intelligence about the enemy.
Minister Chen Zhongwei, realizing the gravity of the situation, told the emperor: 'During Emperor Gaozong's reign, both the monarch and his officials were extremely muddle-headed. When enemies attacked, some people would kneel and surrender to them, smiling obsequiously like slaves and begging for mercy like maidservants. We should learn from this lesson!'
Yet, the foolish Song emperor paid no heed, and later, the Southern Song Dynasty fell.