The rumor of "sheep eating cabbage" in the late Qing Dynasty was a slanderous metaphor for a married young woman and an official named Yang. This slander triggered an unjust case, in which officials defended each other. In order to suppress dissidents, Cixi also used this to weaken the power of the Hunan Army. From a local unjust case to a major personnel change within the imperial court, this really shocked half of the officialdom.

This incident happened when Gebishi and Gepin even rented in the home of official Yang Naiwu. Because Gebishi was very beautiful and often wore green clothes and white trousers, everyone called her Xiaobaicai. Gepin quickly made money. During the day, his wife was the only one left at home. Yang Naiwu often interacted with Gebishi, which triggered the rumor that "Yang eats cabbage."

Ge Pinlian and his wife later moved away, but Ge Pinlian died suddenly of illness in October of that year. So the Ge family reported the official Yang Naiwu to the Yamen because of the rumor that "Yang eats cabbage". Liu Xitong happened to be in charge of this matter at that time. He had had a quarrel with Yang Naiwu before, so he avenged his personal hatred and beat Ge Bishi to death, and appealed to the court to cut Yang Naiwu's official position. Yang Naiwu lost his official position and was beaten to death.

During this process, many officials complained for Yang Naiwu. This matter reached Cixi's ears. Yang Naiwu turned out to be a Hunan Army. Empress Dowager Cixi had always wanted to weaken the strength of the Hunan Army. This was the best opportunity. Cixi immediately launched an investigation into Hunan officials. More than 100 Hunan military officials were implicated, and more than 30 of them were dismissed.

Of course, the culprit Liu Xitong was not taken advantage of in the end. He was sentenced to be exiled to Heilongjiang. Cixi finally strengthened her voice and influence in Jiangnan this time. An unjust case shocked half of the court, and they all took advantage of it. The power suppresses dissidents and ignores justice.