In the summer of 634 B.C., there was a serious disaster in the state of Lu. Duke Xiaodong of Qi took advantage of the crisis and led a large army to crush Lu. Duke XI of Lu sent his doctor, Zhan Xi, on a mission to the Qi army. On the way, Zhan Xi met Duke Xiaogong of Qi.
Zhanxi said to Duke Xiaogong of Qi, "Our king has sent me to comfort your army."
Duke Xiaogong of Qi asked: "Are you people of Lu feeling afraid?"
Zhan Xi said, "Those who have no knowledge may be a little afraid, but we are not afraid at all."
Duke Xiaogong of Qi said, "Your state of Lu has an empty treasury, and not even grass grows in the ground, so what makes you not feel afraid?"
Zhan Xi said, "We are relying on the legacy of King Cheng of Zhou. In the beginning, Duke Zhou, the ancestor of the State of Lu, and Duke Tai, the ancestor of the State of Qi, worked together to assist King Cheng. King Cheng was so grateful to both of them that he had them make an oath of alliance that their descendants would remain friendly for generations to come. If our ancestors were so friendly, how could you, my lord, renege on the covenant of our ancestors and attack us? We rely on this not to be afraid."
Hearing Zhan Xi's words, Duke Xiao of Qi dismissed the idea of crusade and had to return to his country with his division.
A Chinese idiom story for every day
"Have no fear" means to be unafraid or unconcerned because you have something to rely on.
"The room is like hanging in exhaustion" describes that there is nothing in the room and it is very poor. The word "exhausted" is also used as "磬", an ancient musical instrument with a hollow center.