枕戈待旦 — “To be constantly on guard and ready for action or battle”

During the Western Jin Dynasty, Zu Ti and Liu Kun were two spirited and chivalrous individuals. In their youth, they not only excelled in literature but also enjoyed practicing martial arts, both determined to serve their country.

At that time, the Jin Dynasty, though seemingly in control of the central plains, was in fact plagued by internal strife and external threats, constantly on the verge of collapse. Whenever Zu Ti and Liu Kun discussed the national situation, they would become impassioned, often chatting late into the night.

One evening, Zu Ti and Liu Kun were again deep in conversation, feeling very excited. Liu Kun eventually fell asleep, but Zu Ti remained wide awake, immersed in the exhilaration of their discussion. "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" A rooster crowed from the wilderness. Zu Ti leaped up, waking Liu Kun: "Listen, how inspiring is this rooster's crow! Let's get up and practice sword!"

From then on, they would both grab their swords and practice fencing on a high slope at the first rooster's crow every morning.

Liu Kun was deeply moved by Zu Ti's patriotic fervor and resolved to dedicate himself to the country. In a letter to his family, he once wrote: "In this time of national peril, I often 'make a pillow of my spear, waiting for daybreak' (枕戈待旦), determined to repay the country, constantly worried about falling behind Zu Ti. But he has indeed moved ahead of me!..."