To be exactly what one wishes for or hopes for; to fall right into one's expectations or plans; to be just what one wants.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
The idiom '正中下怀' (zhèng zhòng xià huái) originates from the classic Chinese novel *Water Margin* (水浒传). After Lu Junyi returned from the outlaw stronghold of Liangshan Marsh, he was falsely accused and imprisoned by his wife and her lover, Li Gu. Yan Qing, a loyal follower, attempted to rescue him but was unsuccessful.
Later, Shi Xiu, another brave hero from Liangshan, known as the 'Desperate Third Lang,' bravely saved Lu Junyi from execution. However, outnumbered by the authorities, Shi Xiu also ended up being captured and imprisoned.
Liang Zhongshu, the Prefect of Daming Prefecture, was deeply concerned that Song Jiang and the other heroes from Liangshan would launch an attack to rescue their comrades and besiege the city. To buy time and avoid immediate confrontation, he ordered that Lu Junyi and Shi Xiu be put into death row but not executed immediately.
This decision was precisely what the jailer, old Cai Fu, had hoped for (正中下怀). He then discreetly managed to protect the two heroes, awaiting a chance for their complete liberation.