七擒七纵 — “Seven captures, seven releases”

In 225 AD, during the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu Han, led a southern expedition to stabilize the region. As he was preparing to withdraw his troops, Meng Huo, a respected chieftain of the Yi people, gathered his forces and attacked the Shu army.

Zhuge Liang knew Meng Huo was not only courageous but also highly regarded by his people. Therefore, he decided to win him over rather than simply defeat him. Meng Huo, though brave, lacked military strategy. In their first encounter, he was lured into an ambush and captured.

Expecting to be executed, he was surprised when Zhuge Liang personally untied him and kindly urged him to surrender. Unconvinced, Meng Huo refused arrogantly. Zhuge Liang did not force him but instead showed him around his camp, which Meng Huo perceived as weak and easily conquerable. Zhuge Liang then released him, anticipating a night raid.

As expected, Meng Huo attempted to ambush the Shu camp that night but was caught again in a pre-arranged trap. Despite being captured repeatedly, Meng Huo remained defiant. Zhuge Liang continued to capture and release him, explaining to his puzzled officers that securing Meng Huo's sincere loyalty was crucial for long-term peace in the south, equivalent to having a formidable army.

After several more captures and releases, during which Zhuge Liang demonstrated both military prowess and profound magnanimity, Meng Huo's resolve finally broke. He was deeply moved by Zhuge Liang's wisdom and benevolence. On the seventh capture and subsequent release, Meng Huo, in tears, proclaimed, 'Being captured seven times and released seven times is an unprecedented act in history. The Chancellor has shown us immense benevolence and righteousness; I have no face to return!'

From then on, Meng Huo willingly pledged his allegiance to Shu Han, bringing peace to the southern regions.