During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhang wanted to grant official titles and noble ranks to the relatives of the Empress Dowager’s family.

The Empress Dowager strongly opposed this. She said to Emperor Zhang,

“My family members only know how to hold power and indulge in pleasure. I have seen many people visit them to pay respects. The road in front of their house is always so busy—carriages flowing like water, horses moving like dragons.”

She warned that promoting them would only harm the country.

Let’s review this idiom:

  • Idiom: 车水马龙 (Chē Shuǐ Mǎ Lóng)
  • Pinyin: chē shuǐ mǎ lóng
  • English Translation: carriages like flowing water and horses like swimming dragons
  • Extended Meaning: Describes a scene bustling with busy traffic and vibrant activity. Often used to depict lively, crowded streets or places full of movement and noise.

Character Introduction:

  • Emperor Zhang of Han (东汉章帝) — Emperor Zhang ruled the Eastern Han Dynasty from 75 to 88 CE. He is known for his relatively stable and prosperous reign, but like many emperors, faced challenges from powerful court families.
  • Empress Dowager (皇太后) — The Empress Dowager was the emperor’s mother and held significant influence in the court. In this story, she acts as a voice of caution against nepotism and corruption.