In the year 383 AD, Fu Jian personally led an army of 870,000 troops from Chang’an. Along the southern road, dust billowed as infantry, cavalry, vehicles, horses, and supplies formed a massive, nearly thousand-li-long column.

About a month later, Fu Jian’s main forces reached Xiangcheng (present-day south of Shenqiu, Henan). The naval forces from Yizhou sailed down the river eastward, and troops from north of the Yellow River arrived at Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu). Along the more than ten-thousand-li-long front from east to west, the Qin army advanced both by land and water, pressuring the southern regions.

The news reached Jiankang, causing panic among Emperor Xiaowu of Jin and the officials in the capital. The Jin army and civilians were unwilling to let the south fall into the hands of Qin, and they all looked forward to Prime Minister Xie An’s plans.

Xie An was from Yangxia, Chen Commandery (present-day Taikang, Henan). Born into a noble family, he was close friends with Wang Xizhi in his youth, often strolling and reciting poetry around Dongshan in Kuaiji. He was highly respected among the scholar-official class and known for his talent. However, he preferred to live in seclusion on Dongshan and was reluctant to serve in office. When nominated to be an official, he resigned after just over a month. Among the scholars, there was a saying, “If Xie An doesn’t take office, what will become of the people?”

When he was over forty years old, Xie An finally returned to official service. Because he had long been secluded in Dongshan, his return to political power is called “Dongshan Zaichi” (东山再起) — rising again from Dongshan.

Summary

  • Idiom: 东山再起 (Dōng Shān Zài Qǐ)
  • Pinyin: dōng shān zài qǐ
  • English Translation: rise again from Dongshan
  • Extended Meaning: Refers to regaining an important position after a setback; metaphorically, it means to make a comeback or to recover from a loss of power or status.

Character Introduction

  • Xie An (谢安): Xie An was a noble-born scholar and statesman of the Jin Dynasty, known for his cultural refinement and political talent. After a period of retirement and seclusion on Dongshan, he returned to high office and played a crucial role in stabilizing the Jin Dynasty during a time of crisis. His story symbolizes resilience and the ability to make a strong comeback.