The situation is so critical or pressing that action must be taken; there's no turning back or avoiding the impending action.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao, aiming to attack Cao Cao, commissioned Chen Lin to compose a denunciation titled 'Proclamation for Yuan Shao Against Yuzhou.' In this document, Chen Lin listed Cao Cao's alleged offenses and severely criticized his lineage.
After Yuan Shao suffered a defeat against Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin took the opportunity to defect to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao inquired why Chen Lin had written such a scathing denunciation. Chen Lin responded that at that time, 'the arrow was on the bowstring,' implying he was compelled by Yuan Shao and had no choice but to write it.