手不释卷 — “To hold a book constantly in one's hand”

During the Three Kingdoms period, Lu Meng was a great general of the State of Wu. Once, he led 30,000 soldiers with over 80 boats to attack Jingzhou. The sailors were all dressed in white, with a large number of elite soldiers hidden in the cabins. In the dead of night, the boats reached the bank of Dangyang River. The Han soldiers at the beacon tower sternly questioned them. The Wu army falsely claimed to be merchant ships, requesting to dock to avoid the wind, and the Han soldiers believed them.

Around the second watch, the Wu army on the boats suddenly attacked, seizing the beacon tower. Subsequently, Lu Meng led his troops directly, easily taking Jingzhou.

Lu Meng was brave in battle but usually unwilling to read. Sun Quan advised him, "If you read some history and military strategies, you will be a more brilliant commander." Sun Quan continued, "Emperor Xian Wu of Han, though rising from the ranks, always had a book in hand." From then on, Lu Meng diligently taught himself and benefited greatly.