During the Southern Dynasties, a minister of the Liang Dynasty, Zhang Xu, observed his son Zhang Chong constantly associating with idle young men. Zhang Chong would carry a hawk on his left hand and lead a dog with his right.

Zhang Xu admonished his son, asking, "Performing two tasks at once (一身两役), isn't that exhausting and unproductive?"

After this reprimand, Zhang Chong surprisingly began to study diligently, greatly improving his scholarship. He then took the imperial examinations and achieved official status. Later, he rose to the positions of Sanqi Changshi (Palace Attendant) and Guozijian Jijiu (Libationer of the Imperial Academy), which was also considered a highly successful outcome of performing two significant roles simultaneously.