分道扬镳 — “To part ways”

The idiom "Fēndào Yángbiāo" originates from the "Book of Wei, Biography of Prince Hejian Qi" in the Northern Dynasties. Emperor Xiaowen once said, "Luoyang is my 'Feng and Pei' (a reference to his personal base), so it's natural for you to go your separate ways. From now on, you may proceed along different paths." "Yángbiāo" literally means to raise the horsewhip and urge the horse forward. Thus, "Fēndào Yángbiāo" means to go separate ways, metaphorically describing individuals pursuing their own paths or goals.

The story dates back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties. There was a talented man named Yuan Qi in Northern Wei, who achieved many merits and was highly respected by the emperor, who ennobled him as Prince Hejian. Yuan Qi had a son named Yuan Zhi, an exceptionally bright, well-read, but also arrogant young man. Emperor Xiaowen admired him and appointed him as the Magistrate of Luoyang. Soon after, Emperor Xiaowen, acting on the advice of Li Biao, the Imperial Censor-in-chief, moved the capital from Pingcheng to Luoyang. Consequently, the Luoyang Magistrate became the equivalent of the "Mayor of the Capital."

In Luoyang, Yuan Zhi, relying on his superior intellect, often showed disdain for some less educated but high-ranking officials. One day, Yuan Zhi was out for a ride when Li Biao's carriage approached rapidly from the opposite direction. By convention, Yuan Zhi, being of lower rank, should have yielded to Li Biao. However, due to his long-standing contempt for Li Biao, he deliberately refused to give way. Seeing Yuan Zhi's blatant disregard, Li Biao publicly challenged him, "I am the Imperial Censor-in-chief, much higher in rank than you. Why do you not yield to me?" Yuan Zhi, unfazed, retorted, "I am the local official of Luoyang. In my eyes, you are merely a resident of Luoyang. How can a local official yield to a resident?"

Their argument escalated, and they brought their dispute before Emperor Xiaowen. Li Biao argued that as the Imperial Censor-in-chief, a mere local official should not defy him by refusing to yield. Yuan Zhi countered that as the chief administrator of the capital, all residents of Luoyang, including Li Biao, fell under his jurisdiction, and therefore he should not yield to an Imperial Censor-in-chief like a common local official. Emperor Xiaowen listened to their debate and found merit in both sides. Unable to rebuke either of them, he smiled and said, "Luoyang is my capital. I hear you both have your reasons. I think you two can simply go your separate ways, each taking your own path, wouldn't that be fine?"