Describes intricate and irregular boundaries or situations, like dogs' teeth that are unevenly interlocked; implying complexity and interweaving elements.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
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The idiom "Quanya Xiangcuo" originates from the Western Han Dynasty. After establishing the dynasty, Emperor Gaozu, Liu Bang, enfeoffed many of his relatives and meritorious officials as kings, granting them significant territories. These vassal kings gradually grew powerful, often challenging the central authority.
During the reign of Emperor Jing, this tension culminated in the "Rebellion of the Seven States." Despite this major conflict, Emperor Jing later made a similar decision, granting extensive territories to his thirteen sons.
Years later, when Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, he sought to centralize power and reclaim some of these large fiefdoms. However, the vassal kings resisted, arguing that the former emperors had intentionally divided the lands in an intricate and interlocking (犬牙交错) way. They claimed this geographical arrangement was designed to make them mutually dependent and collectively defend the dynasty's vast domain, rather than allowing their territories to be easily consolidated or taken back.