寄人篱下 — “To live under someone else's roof”

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, in the Southern Qi dynasty, there was a scholar named Zhang Rong. He was the son of Zhang Changshi and the grandson of Zhang Wei. He was naturally eccentric and behaved unusually. Although Zhang Rong was short and had an unsightly appearance, he liked to walk with his head held high, as if nobody else was around. He was also quick-witted and often responded fluently to others' questions.

Xiao Daocheng, who later became Emperor Gao of Southern Qi, admired Zhang Rong's talent and character even before he ascended to the throne. Zhang Rong was eloquent and humorous. Once, when Zhang Rong took a leave to visit his hometown, Xiao Daocheng asked him where he lived. Zhang Rong replied, "I live on land but not in a house; I live on a boat but not on water." Xiao Daocheng didn't understand, so he asked Zhang Rong's relative, Zhang Xu. Zhang Xu explained to the emperor, "Zhang Rong's family lives near Dongshan, without a fixed residence. They temporarily pull a small boat ashore, and the whole family lives in it." Xiao Daocheng burst out laughing.

On another occasion, Xiao Daocheng had verbally promised to appoint Zhang Rong as Sima Changshi (an official position), but the official decree was delayed for a long time. One day, Zhang Rong rode a pitifully thin horse to and from court. Xiao Daocheng saw him and asked, "Why is your horse so thin? How much feed do you give it daily?" Zhang Rong replied, "I promised to feed it one shi (a unit of measure) of millet, but I haven't actually fed it!" Xiao Daocheng immediately understood Zhang Rong's clever hint and promptly issued the official decree appointing him Sima Changshi.

Once, Xiao Daocheng discussed calligraphy with Zhang Rong. Xiao Daocheng said, "Your calligraphy already has considerable strength, but it still lacks the methods of the Two Wangs (referring to the renowned calligraphers Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi)." Zhang Rong replied, "Your Majesty should not say that I lack the methods of the Two Wangs; rather, you should say that the Two Wangs lack my methods." In writing essays, Zhang Rong also advocated for originality and having one's own distinctive style. In his "Preface to Menlü," he wrote, "As a true man, one should write essays like Confucius edited 'The Book of Odes' and 'The Book of History,' and formulated 'Rites' and 'Music,' developing one's own creativity. Why imitate others, like sparrows nesting under someone else's fence?"