A handful of yellow earth, primarily used as a metaphor for a grave or tomb, symbolizing a person's final resting place. It can also refer to a small or insignificant piece of land.
他一生漂泊，最终不过化作家乡的一抔黄土
He roamed his entire life, eventually becoming nothing more than a handful of yellow earth in his hometown.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During Emperor Wen of Han's reign, Zhang Shizhi, the Grand Judge, disagreed with the Emperor over the punishment for a man who stole a jade ring from Emperor Gaozu's temple.
Emperor Wen intended to execute the thief's entire family, but Zhang Shizhi argued for only the thief's execution.
He famously asked, 'If stealing a jade ring warrants the extermination of one's entire family, what punishment would be fitting for someone who stole a handful of yellow earth from the imperial tomb?'
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