如释重负 — “To feel a great sense of relief”

The idiom "Ru Shi Zhong Fu" (如释重负) originates from "Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zhao's 29th Year" (《左传·昭公二十九年》), which states: "When Duke Zhao fled, the people felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted." This idiom describes the feeling of lightness and joy a person experiences after being freed from a burden or heavy responsibility, indicating a past tense mood of tension followed by relief and pleasantness.

In 542 BC, Duke Xiang of Lu passed away, and Prince Tiao succeeded him as Duke Zhao. At that time, the actual power in the State of Lu was held by three ministers: Ji Sun Shu, Shu Sun Bao, and Meng Sun. Ji Sun Shu wielded the most power, rendering Duke Zhao a mere puppet. Duke Zhao himself was not diligent, indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs. Even during the mourning period for his birth mother, he showed no sorrow, laughed and chatted, and even went hunting for amusement. This further eroded his popular support within the state.

Grand Master Zi Jia Ji, concerned by Duke Zhao's increasingly irresponsible behavior, repeatedly advised him to consolidate royal power to prevent its usurpation by outsiders. However, Duke Zhao disregarded his counsel and continued his self-indulgent ways. Over time, Duke Zhao eventually realized that the three ministers, led by Ji Sun Shu, were steadily expanding their influence, posing a serious threat to his authority. Consequently, he secretly sought out ministers who opposed the three powerful clans, looking for an opportunity to strike at them.

Soon after, Ji Sun Shu died, and his grandson, Ji Sun Yi Ru, assumed his position. Grand Masters Gong Ruo, Qiu Sun, and Zang Sun had existing conflicts with Ji Sun Yi Ru. They planned to eliminate the Ji Sun clan and discussed this privately with Gong Wei, Duke Zhao's eldest son. Gong Wei naturally agreed. After consulting with his two younger brothers, Gong Wei concluded that his father, Duke Zhao, must resent the Ji Sun clan's monopolization of power, and thus persuaded Duke Zhao to remove them.

Upon hearing that Qiu Sun and Zang Sun had grievances with the Ji Sun clan, Duke Zhao was delighted. He secretly summoned them to the palace, enlisting their help to eradicate the Ji Sun clan. He then called Zi Jia Ji and informed him of the conspiracy. To Duke Zhao's surprise, Zi Jia Ji objected vehemently, saying, "This must not be! If this is merely an opportunist scheme used by slanderers to manipulate Your Majesty, and should it fail, Your Majesty will bear an indelible stain of guilt." Duke Zhao, seeing his firm opposition, ordered him to leave. However, Zi Jia Ji declared that having learned of the secret, he could not simply leave his post, lest the plot be leaked and he be held accountable. Thus, he remained in the palace.

That autumn, Shu Sun Bao, one of the three ministers, left the capital for some reason, entrusting his household affairs to his retainer, Pian Li. Duke Zhao perceived this as a golden opportunity, believing no one would come to Ji Sun's aid. He then commanded Qiu Sun and Zang Sun to besiege Ji Sun Yi Ru's residence. Ji Sun Yi Ru, unable to mobilize his forces for a counterattack or receive assistance from Shu Sun Bao, had no choice but to fortify his mansion. He appealed to Duke Zhao, offering to resign from his position as minister and return to his fief, or even to go into exile. Zi Jia Ji advised Duke Zhao to accept Ji Sun Yi Ru's request, but Qiu Sun insisted on having him killed. Duke Zhao found Qiu Sun's opinion more appealing and followed it.

Meanwhile, Pian Li, Shu Sun Bao's retainer, upon learning of Ji Sun's siege, consulted with his subordinates. They concluded that if the Ji Sun clan were annihilated, the Shu Sun clan would be next. Therefore, he immediately mobilized troops to rescue Ji Sun Yi Ru. Duke Zhao's army lacked combat effectiveness and scattered immediately upon seeing Shu Sun's forces charge. Meng Sun, the third minister, seeing that Shu Sun's clan had already dispatched troops to assist Ji Sun, also sent his forces. Along the way, they encountered the retreating Qiu Sun, whom they captured and killed.

Duke Zhao, realizing that the three ministers' armies had united, knew his cause was lost. He fled with Zang Sun to the State of Qi for refuge. Because Duke Zhao had long since lost the support of his people, the populace showed no sympathy for his flight. On the contrary, they felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from them.