To completely wipe out, leaving no living thing behind; signifying utter devastation or extermination, to the extent that not even chickens and dogs are spared.
Era:
Early Modern
Frequency:
Story:
During the Spring and Autumn Period, after Confucius was marginalized in his home state of Lu, he led his disciples on a journey through various states. They encountered numerous setbacks and hardships in places like Wei, Song, and Zheng.
His disciples advised him against going to Jin, but Confucius, determined, insisted on continuing. In the city of Zhongmu, he witnessed a horrifying scene of massacre carried out by Yang Hu, where no living thing, not even chickens or dogs, was spared.
This brutal sight finally persuaded Confucius to abandon his intention of going to Jin and instead focus on heading to Chen to promote his philosophy of 'benevolent governance'.