Describes a strategically important and dangerous pass or choke point where one person can hold back a large army, emphasizing its formidable and inaccessible nature.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the poet Li Bai observed the corruption within the imperial court and the rise of treacherous officials. He foresaw an impending crisis of rebellion.
On the occasion of sending a friend off to Shu (modern-day Sichuan), he wrote the famous poem 'Shu Dao Nan' (Hard Roads in Shu) to reflect on the perilous times.
In this poem, he vividly described the treacherous landscape and strategic importance of the region with the lines: 'The Sword Gate Pass is towering and steep, one man guarding the pass, ten thousand cannot open it. If those who guard it are not loyal, they will turn into wolves and jackals. In the morning, one avoids fierce tigers; in the evening, long snakes, grinding teeth, sucking blood, killing people like flax.'