The idiom 'Two Peaches Kill Three Valiants' originates from 'Yanzi Chunqiu, Jian Xia Er'. Gongsun Jie, Tian Kaijiang, and Gu Yezi were three brave warriors serving Duke Jing, renowned for their strength in fighting tigers.

One day, Yanzi, the chief minister, passed by them, walking quickly as a sign of respect, but the three warriors did not rise, showing great disrespect to Yanzi. Yanzi was furious and went to see Duke Jing, saying, 'I have heard that valiant warriors kept by a wise ruler should be able to suppress internal rebellion and deter external enemies. Their achievements are praised above, and their courage admired below, thus they are given esteemed positions and generous stipends. However, the warriors Your Grace now keeps show no courtesy to their superiors nor respect for their elders. They cannot suppress internal rebellion nor deter external enemies. These are men who bring disaster to the land and its people; it would be better to eliminate them quickly.'

Duke Jing said, 'These three are very strong. It would be difficult to confront them directly, and assassinating them might fail.' Yanzi replied, 'Although these men are strong, combative, and fearless, they lack respect for proper etiquette between elders and juniors.' Seizing the opportunity, Yanzi asked Duke Jing to send someone to award them two peaches, saying to them, 'You three, divide these two peaches according to your merits!'

Gongsun Jie looked up and sighed, 'Yanzi is truly a wise man. He has asked Duke Jing to have us divide the peaches based on our achievements. If we don't accept the peaches, it shows a lack of bravery; but if we do, there are too many of us and too few peaches, so we must divide them by merit. I once defeated a wild boar, and a second time, a tigress. With such merits, I can surely eat a peach without sharing.' So, he took one peach and stood up.

Tian Kaijiang said, 'I, holding my weapon, repelled enemy forces twice. With such merits, I too can eat a peach alone, without sharing.' So, he also took a peach and stood up.

Gu Yezi then said, 'I once accompanied our Duke across the Yellow River. A giant turtle bit the left horse of our carriage, dragging it into the middle of the river. At that time, I could not swim on the surface, but dove into the water, fighting the current, swimming a hundred paces against it, then nine li with the current, to finally seize and kill that giant turtle. I held the horse's tail with my left hand and the turtle's head with my right, leaping out of the water like a crane. The people at the crossing were astonished, saying, 'The River God has appeared!' Upon closer inspection, it was the turtle's head. With merits like mine, I too should eat a peach alone and not share it with others! Why do you two not quickly put back your peaches?' With that, he drew his sword and stood up.

Gongsun Jie and Tian Kaijiang said, 'Our bravery cannot compare to yours, nor do our merits match yours. Taking peaches without deference is greed; yet to live on, what bravery is there in that?' So, both of them returned their peaches and slit their own throats.

Gu Yezi, seeing this, said, 'They both died, yet I alone live; this is not benevolent. To shame others with words and praise oneself is not righteous. To regret one's words and actions, yet not dare to die, is not brave. Although they both should have appropriately shared one peach, and I alone should have had the other, I am deeply ashamed.' He then put down his peach and slit his own throat.

The Duke's messenger reported, 'All three of them have died.' Duke Jing ordered them to be dressed, placed in coffins, and buried with the honors befitting valiant warriors.