To stand out like a crane among chickens; to be head and shoulders above the rest; to be preeminent.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Jin Dynasty, there was an imperial guard named Ji Shao, who was the son of Ji Kang, one of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" from the Wei and Jin periods. Ji Shao was tall and strong, intelligent and handsome, standing out significantly among his peers. During Emperor Hui of Jin's reign, Ji Shao served as a chamberlain.
At that time, members of the imperial family were embroiled in a power struggle, constantly attacking each other in what history refers to as the "War of the Eight Princes." Ji Shao remained exceptionally loyal to the emperor throughout this period. One day, when the capital experienced unrest and the situation was critical, Ji Shao rushed into the palace without regard for his own safety. The guards at the palace gate drew their bows and prepared to shoot him. However, a senior guard, seeing Ji Shao's awe-inspiring demeanor, quickly stopped his men and snatched the arrow from the bow.
Not long after, another rebellion broke out in the capital. Ji Shao accompanied Emperor Hui of Jin to engage the enemy in Tangyang. Unfortunately, they suffered a defeat, and countless soldiers were killed, wounded, or fled. Only Ji Shao remained, steadfastly protecting Emperor Hui, never leaving his side. Enemy arrows rained down like a shower. Ji Shao was struck by several arrows, and his blood flowed freely, dripping onto Emperor Hui's imperial robe. Ji Shao died in battle. Afterwards, Emperor Hui's attendants wanted to wash the bloodstains from the robe, but the emperor said, "Do not wash it, do not wash it! This is Chamberlain Ji's blood!"
While Ji Shao was alive, someone once remarked to Wang Xu, "Yesterday, I saw Ji Shao among a crowd, and his noble bearing was like a wild crane standing among chickens." Later, the idiom "