苟延残喘 — “To barely cling to life”

In the late Spring and Autumn period, there was a high official in the Jin State named Zhao Jianzi. One day, while hunting in Zhongshan, he suddenly saw a wolf emerge from the forest and shot an arrow at it. The wolf, hit by the arrow, fled desperately with it still lodged in its body, and Zhao Jianzi chased after it in his chariot. This wolf is what we commonly refer to as the 'Zhongshan Wolf,' later regarded as the epitome of ingratitude.

At this time, a man named Mr. Dongguo was traveling north. He was leading a donkey laden with sacks of books. As he walked, he encountered the Zhongshan Wolf, which was desperately fleeing for its life. The wolf said, 'Sir, aren't you known for helping those in distress? In the past, Mao Bao bought a turtle and released it, and later, when he was fleeing in battle, the turtle carried him across a river. A man named Sui Hou saved a snake, and later, the snake brought him precious pearls as a reward. Please let me hide in your bookbag and just barely prolong my dying gasp (苟延残喘). If you save my life today, I will certainly repay you like the turtle and snake!' Under the wolf's desperate pleas, Mr. Dongguo reluctantly put the wolf into his bookbag and covered it with books. When Zhao Jianzi caught up, he asked Mr. Dongguo about the wolf's whereabouts, but Mr. Dongguo claimed he knew nothing.

After Mr. Dongguo deceived Zhao Jianzi and his party, he released the wolf. However, the wolf then declared it was hungry and, saying 'help people to the end,' intended to eat Mr. Dongguo. Just then, a farmer happened to pass by. After learning the situation, the farmer tricked the wolf back into Mr. Dongguo's bookbag. He then picked up his hoe and quickly struck the wolf dead.