北门之管 — “A crucial strategic point or a vital defensive responsibility”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 北门之管?

用以喻军事要地或守御重任。

北门之管 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a crucial strategic point or a vital defensive responsibility”. Literally, “the key to the North Gate”.

Frequency

北门之管 Pronunciation and Pinyin

北门之管 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
北	běi	5	north
门	mén	3	door, gate, entrance
之	zhī	4	possessive or connective particle
管	guǎn	14	manage or a tube

Example Sentence with 北门之管

这个数据中心是公司业务的北门之管，必须确保其绝对安全。

This data center is the 'key to the North Gate' for the company's operations; its absolute security must be ensured.

Origin and Story of 北门之管

During the Spring and Autumn period, a man from Qin named Qizi, who was stationed in the State of Zheng, gained control of the keys to the capital city's north gate. He sent a messenger to urge Duke Mu of Qin to attack Zheng.

Duke Mu of Qin, however, ignored the advice of Jian Shu and dispatched General Meng Mingshi and others to lead an expeditionary force.

Xuan Gao, a merchant from Zheng, discovered the Qin army's intentions. He cleverly pretended to offer gifts to welcome the Qin troops, while secretly sending intelligence to his own state.

Seizing this opportunity, the State of Jin sent out its army and defeated the Qin forces.

Afterwards, Duke Mu of Qin admitted that the failure was entirely his own fault.