Hanzi

The idiom "Fu Yu Wan Kang" (负隅顽抗) originates from "Mencius, Jinxin Part II." The term "fu" (负) means to rely on, and "yu" (隅) refers to a strategic, often dangerous, corner or position in a mountain. It is a metaphor for relying on certain conditions or a defensible position to stubbornly resist.

During the Warring States period, there was a famine in the state of Qi, and many people starved to death. Mencius's disciple, Chen Zhen, came to his teacher with a heavy heart, saying, "Teacher, have you heard? There's a famine in Qi, and people are dying. Everyone thinks you will once again persuade the King of Qi to open the granaries in Tang to relieve the people. I don't think we should do that again, should we?"

Mencius replied, "If I do that again, I would become Feng Fu." Mencius then proceeded to tell Chen Zhen the story of Feng Fu.

Feng Fu was a hunter from the state of Jin, renowned for his skill in fighting tigers. Later, he became a benevolent person and stopped hunting tigers; his name was almost forgotten. One year, a fierce tiger appeared in a certain mountain, frequently harming travelers. Several young hunters teamed up to hunt the tiger. They chased the tiger deep into the mountains, where it backed against a treacherous, winding mountain corner, facing the crowd. It glared with wide eyes and roared, and no one dared to step forward to capture it.

Just then, Feng Fu was passing by in a carriage. The hunters saw him and quickly went to greet him, asking for his help to hunt the tiger. Feng Fu got out of his carriage, rolled up his sleeves, and wrestled with the tiger. After a fierce struggle, he finally killed the tiger, eliminating a menace to the people. The young hunters thanked him happily, but some scholars ridiculed him for reverting to his old ways. The idiom "Fu Yu Wan Kang" describes the tiger's action of relying on its advantageous position in the mountain corner to resist stubbornly.