天罗地网 — “Heaven's net and Earth's snare”

The idiom "Tian Luo Di Wang" (Heaven's Net and Earth's Snare) originates from Li Shouqing's Yuan dynasty play, "Wu Yuan Chui Xiao." The story recounts the tumultuous life of Wu Yuan, a high official from the State of Chu.

During the Spring and Autumn Period, King Ping of Chu had a sycophantic official named Fei Wuji. Fei Wuji was sent to Qin State to escort the bride for Crown Prince Hua Jian. Upon seeing the bride's beauty, he persuaded King Ping to keep her for himself.

This scandalous act angered Wu She, the Crown Prince's upright teacher. Fearing future retribution, Fei Wuji manipulated King Ping into killing Wu She and his eldest son. Still not satisfied, Fei Wuji attempted to assassinate Crown Prince Hua Jian, who managed to escape.

Hua Jian fled to Fancheng, where Wu She's second son, Wu Yuan, was stationed. He informed Wu Yuan of his father's and brother's murders and warned him that Fei Wuji's son, Fei Dexiong, would soon arrive to lure him back to the capital to be killed.

A few days later, Fei Dexiong arrived at Fancheng. He falsely claimed that King Ping wanted to reward Wu Yuan for his military achievements and urged him to return to the capital immediately. Wu Yuan, pretending ignorance, asked about his family's well-being. Fei Dexiong deceitfully replied, "Your Wu family is thriving, unmatched by any!"

Enraged, Wu Yuan seized Fei Dexiong, exposing his lies. He declared, "If Prince Hua Jian had not come here to explain the truth and expose your wicked lies, I would have almost been lured into your inescapable 'Heaven's Net and Earth's Snare'!" Fei Dexiong was left speechless.

Wu Yuan then beat him, resigned from his post, and eventually fled to the State of Wu. There, he rose to prominence and later helped Wu defeat Chu, thus avenging his family.