During the Tang Dynasty, in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, two notorious corrupt officials, Ji Wen and Luo Xishi, were skillful flatterers who won the trust of the powerful Prime Minister Li Linfu. They were then given control over judicial matters.

Following Li Linfu's instructions, they would fabricate charges against anyone he disliked, essentially operating on the principle of 'if you want to condemn a person, you can always find a charge.' They relentlessly helped Li Linfu eliminate his opponents. For anyone who fell into their grasp, it was as if they were caught in a 'net' or seized by 'pincers,' with no hope of escape.