Learn Chinese chengyu(means idiom): zhi3 lu4 wei2 ma3

Today I’ll tell you a funny but meaningful story to help you learn Chinese chengyu(means idiom). The name of this idiomatic story is "Deer or Horse?"

In Qin dynasty, there was a powerful and evil counselor named Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao wanted to rebel, but he didn't know how many people in the court would stand by his side. So he worked out a way to test the people. He presented a deer as a tribute to the emperor in front of the court, and said that it was a swift horse. The emperor not accepting his statement said, "This is obviously a deer." Then, Zhao Gao took this opportunity to ask the court, "Is this a deer or a horse?" In the court, those who didn't dare to go against Zhao Gao agreed with him and said that it was a horse, those who dared to go against Zhao Gao said that it was a deer. Later, Zhao Gao remembered the counselors who didn't agree with him and persecuted them to solidify his power. This story is still popular even today. People use this idiom to describe someone who calls white black.

Although this story maybe a little ridiculous, but it also present a period of history of ancient China. Zhao Gao used an absurdity as a political tool to realize which side the court stood, and then cut opponents to enhance his power. As above, there are many Chinese idioms full of amusing stories you can find via online Putonghua learning.

Nowadays, more and more people realized the beauty of Chinese language, e study Chinese also became more improved. So what are you waiting for? So join us to do Putonghua online learning now!
Source: http://amusingbucket.tumblr.com/post/103960471911/learn-chinese-chengyu-means-idiom-zhi3-lu4-wei2