During the Warring States period, Lord Mengchang was preparing to visit the Qin state in the west.

One of his retainers advised him with an allegory: "I heard a conversation by the Zishui River between a clay figure and a wooden figure. The wooden figure warned the clay figure that since it was made of earth, it would dissolve upon contact with water. The clay figure retorted that the wooden figure was made from an Eastern garden peach tree and would drift aimlessly if it encountered water, just like being adrift in a foreign land.

The Qin state has the heart of a tiger and wolf (meaning it is cruel and ambitious); you must not go."

Lord Mengchang heeded his retainer's advice and dared not go to Qin.