To substitute one thing for another, especially to take the blame or suffer for someone else; to serve as a scapegoat; to sacrifice oneself for another, originally in the context of brothers helping each other.
Era:
Ancient
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During the Spring and Autumn period, Tuan Jia, a treacherous minister of the Jin state, incited Duke Jing of Jin to annihilate the Zhao family, who had made significant contributions to Jin. Tuan Jia led three thousand soldiers to surround the Zhao mansion, slaughtering everyone, young and old, without leaving a single survivor. Fortunately, Princess Zhuang Ji, Zhao Shuo's wife, had been secretly sent into the palace.
Upon hearing this, Tuan Jia was determined to eradicate the lineage entirely and demanded Duke Jing kill the princess. The Duke, remembering their aunt-niece relationship, refused. The princess was already pregnant. Seeing that the Duke would not kill her, Tuan Jia devised a plan to 'cut the grass by the roots' and kill the infant once born.
The princess gave birth to a baby boy. Tuan Jia personally led men to search the palace, but the princess hid the infant in her trousers, thus escaping the search. Tuan Jia suspected the infant had been smuggled out of the palace and immediately offered a reward for his capture.
Gongsun Chujiu and Cheng Ying, loyal retainers of the Zhao family, discussed a plan to save the orphan. Gongsun Chujiu suggested: 'If we can switch an infant with the Zhao orphan, I will take this substitute infant and flee to Mount Shouyang. Then you can go and inform Tuan Jia, so he will find the fake Zhao orphan and stop his pursuit. Only then can the true heir of the Zhao family be preserved.'
At this time, Cheng Ying's wife had just given birth to a baby boy. He decided to use his own son to replace the Zhao orphan. He persuaded his wife, with great sorrow, to let Gongsun Chujiu take their son. Cheng Ying proceeded according to the plan and informed Tuan Jia.
Tuan Jia swiftly led his troops to Mount Shouyang. In Gongsun Chujiu's hut, they found a baby boy wrapped in brocade. The ruthless Tuan Jia then dashed the infant to death. Believing he had 'cut the grass by the roots,' he relaxed his vigilance. With the help of the loyal minister Han Que, a trusted confidant disguised himself as a doctor and entered the palace to 'treat' the princess. He then secretly carried the Zhao orphan out in his medicine chest.
Cheng Ying had already heard that his own son had been killed by Tuan Jia. Suppressing his immense grief, he took the true Zhao orphan and fled to a distant place.
Fifteen years later, the orphan grew into a young man. After learning of his true identity, he, with Han Que's assistance, raised an army, killed the treacherous minister Tuan Jia, and avenged his family.
Seeing that the Zhao family's great revenge had been exacted and their injustice cleared, Cheng Ying refused to enjoy the resulting wealth alone. He drew his sword and committed suicide. He was buried with Gongsun Chujiu in a tomb later known as the 'Tomb of Two Righteous Men.' Their noble names have been passed down through the ages.