The principle or duty of a loyal minister to offer repeated earnest advice or remonstrance to their superior, even when it is unwelcome, out of dedication to proper governance.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn period, the Rong Kingdom from the north was preparing to invade the State of Cao. Duke Cao intended to personally lead his troops to confront the enemy.
Cao Ji, a loyal minister, remonstrated, saying, "The Rong people are utterly lacking in righteousness; Your Majesty must not personally engage them in battle." Duke Cao disregarded his advice.
Cao Ji offered his counsel three times, and having fulfilled his duty as a minister by repeatedly urging caution, he then withdrew.
Later, the Cao army was decisively defeated by the Rong Di forces. This idiom thus came to symbolize the unwavering moral obligation of a loyal official to offer repeated, sincere advice to their superior, even when it is met with resistance.