汗马功劳 — “Meritorious service of sweating horses”

In ancient times, warfare primarily involved horses. Warhorses would gallop across battlefields, charging into enemy lines, and would sweat profusely in every battle. The more battles fought, and the more intense the combat, the more sweat they produced. Therefore, military achievements came to be described as '汗马' (sweating horses).

The *Han Feizi: Wu Du* (五蠹) already contained the phrase '汗马之劳' (the toil of sweating horses). The *Zhan Guo Ce: Wei Ce* (魏策) also records: 'Zhang Yi persuaded Chu, saying: "Without expending the toil of sweating horses, and without ten days, we can defend Hanguan (扞关, a place name)."'

The *Records of the Grand Historian: Jin Shijia* (史记·晋世家), when recounting a story about Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period, also mentioned '汗马之劳'. Duke Wen of Jin, named Chong'er, was the son of Duke Xian of Jin, hence also known as Prince Chong'er. He lived in exile for nineteen years before returning to become a ruler, eventually dominating the various states.

Upon his return and enthronement as Duke Wen, he began to reward those who had followed him during his exile according to their contributions. A minor official named Jie Zhitui did not claim any merit nor seek rewards, instead retreating into the deep mountains to live as a recluse. Another minor official named Hu Xu, seeing that he was overlooked in three rounds of rewards, said to Duke Wen of Jin: 'You have given three rounds of rewards, but none have reached your servant. I dare to request punishment!'

Duke Wen immediately explained the criteria for rewards: 'Those who guided me with benevolence and righteousness, and protected me with virtue and kindness, receive the highest reward; those who assisted me in my conduct and ultimately helped me establish myself, receive the second reward; those who faced the dangers of arrows and stones, and performed the toil of sweating horses, also receive the second reward; if one served me with strength but did not make up for my shortcomings, they also receive the second reward. After these three types of rewards, then it will be your turn.'

The *Records of the Grand Historian: Xiao Xiangguo Shijia* (史记·萧相国世家) and *Book of Han: Xiao He Zhuan* (汉书·萧何传) also contain a story related to '汗马之劳'. Xiao He was a fellow villager of Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han. When Liu Bang raised an army to revolt against the Qin Dynasty, Xiao He consistently assisted him, devising strategies and remaining utterly loyal, becoming Liu Bang's most reliable and capable aide.

After the fall of Qin, Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and established the Han Dynasty, becoming emperor, with Xiao He serving as chancellor. Liu Bang considered Xiao He's contributions to be paramount, and thus first enfeoffed him as 'Xanhou' (酂侯, a county name, now Guanghua County in Hubei), with a territory of eight thousand households. However, many other meritorious officials were dissatisfied. They said: 'We fought desperately, some engaging in over a hundred battles, the least in dozens of battles, yet Xiao He had no '汗马之劳'. He only wielded a pen and offered advice, never having been on the battlefield. His enfeoffment is above ours; what is the logic in this?'

Liu Bang asked: 'Do you know about hunting?' Everyone responded in unison: 'Yes.' He then asked: 'Do you know about hunting dogs?' Again, everyone responded in unison: 'Yes.' Liu Bang then continued: 'When hunting, it is the dogs that chase and kill the beasts, but it is the human who locates and points out the beasts' whereabouts and direction for the dogs to pursue ('夫猎，追杀兽兔者狗也，发踪指示者人也'). You only know how to chase and kill; you are merely '功狗' (meritorious dogs). As for Xiao He, he can '发踪指示' (locate and point out the direction); he is the '功人' (meritorious human). Moreover, most of you followed me alone; it was rare for two or three members of the same clan to join the army. But Xiao He, he called dozens of men from his entire family to join our army and contribute together with me. His great contribution can never be forgotten!' Upon hearing this, no one dared to utter a word.