During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Yuchi Jiong was renowned from a young age for his sharp wit and lofty ambitions. After becoming a commander within the Grand Chancellor's camp, he married Princess Jinming, daughter of Emperor Wen of Wei, earning the title of Commandant-Escort. He then achieved repeated military successes, conquering cities and capturing territories, eventually taking Sichuan, earning a reputation as illustrious as the famed General Huo Qubing.
When Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou ascended the throne, he appointed Yuchi Jiong as governor of Xiang Province. After the emperor's death, the future Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, acted as regent for the young ruler. Fearing Yuchi Jiong's immense power, high position, and strategic mind might harbor ulterior motives, Yang Jian ordered the Duke of Weian, Chun, to keep Yuchi Jiong in check. In response, Yuchi Jiong moved swiftly, believing Yang Jian was plotting to usurp the throne. He gathered his advisors and declared, "Yang Jian's regency is a cover for usurpation. We must rise against him." He then detained Chun, refusing to accept the order to be replaced.
Yang Jian, failing once, devised another plan. He sent Po Liuhan Pou to inform Yuchi Jiong to obey the imperial decree, while secretly delivering a letter to the chief administrator of Xiangzhou, Jin Chang, and others, ordering them to cooperate with the dispatched officials and prepare to act as internal allies.
At this critical moment, Yuchi Jiong saw through the carefully orchestrated plot by Yang Jian and his allies, preemptively striking by beheading Chief Clerk Jin Chang and others like Po Liuhan Pou. Meanwhile, he gathered his civil and military officials along with numerous soldiers, standing atop a tall tower north of the city and declaring to them:
“Yuchi Jiong declared, ‘Yang Jian is a man of mediocre talent who, relying on his position as the emperor’s father-in-law, has coerced the young ruler into issuing decrees across the land, rewarding and punishing at his own whim without any regard for reason. His ambition to seize the throne is as clear as day to every traveler on the road. As a general and a relative of the current emperor, both in public duty and private loyalty, I must share the fate of the nation—this aligns with the universal principle of justice! The late emperor stationed me here in Xiangzhou precisely to entrust the kingdom’s hopes to this place. Now, I call upon you to join me in recruiting loyal and righteous warriors to restore the state and protect the people. If fortune favors us, we shall enjoy wealth and honor; if not, we can still serve the emperor faithfully as ministers. What say you all?’”
As soon as Yuchi Jiong finished speaking, cheers erupted from those around him, all declaring their willingness to join his cause. Thus, Yuchi Jiong proclaimed himself Grand Administrator, established his own government offices, appointed officials, and set policies, raising a banner of rebellion against Yang Jian.
The idiom "Wei Fu Zi Ji" refers to making all decisions on rewards and punishments entirely at one's own discretion.
Source: *Book of Zhou*, "Biography of Yuchi Jiong"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "威福自己" came to describe making all decisions on rewards and punishments entirely at one's own discretion.