噤若寒蝉 — “To keep quiet out of fear or apprehension”

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, there was an upright scholar named Du Mi. During his tenure as Grand Administrator and other positions, he participated in the struggle against the eunuch faction, enforcing strict laws and punishing wrongdoings by eunuch relatives. Later, he was dismissed and returned to his hometown in Yingchuan. Even at home, he remained concerned about public affairs, often visiting the Grand Administrator and county magistrates of Yingchuan to discuss the state of the world.

However, Liu Sheng, a former Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery from the same district, took a completely different approach. He resigned his post and secluded himself, refusing all visitors. The Grand Administrator of Yingchuan, Wang Yu, mentioned to Du Mi, "Liu Sheng is a man of high integrity; high-ranking officials have repeatedly recommended him for office, but he has always declined."

Du Mi, sensing Wang Yu's implicit message that Liu Sheng should serve, stated bluntly, "A person like Liu Sheng should do more for the country and its people. But he neither recommends good people nor exposes and criticizes evil deeds. He plays it safe, remaining completely silent, like a cicada in cold weather. He is truly a sinner of his time. In contrast, I stand with you, encouraging you to reward the good and punish the wicked, offering my humble assistance."