During the Warring States period, a skilled general named Chen Zhen fled from Chu to Qin. The King of Chu, furious, sent Zhang Yi to sow discord between Chen Zhen and King Hui of Qin. Zhang Yi warned the king, "Chen Zhen is a defector—he'll never be loyal to you." But Chen Zhen countered, "If I were disloyal, why would the King of Chu hate me so much? A true talent is only feared by his enemies." King Hui, impressed by Chen Zhen's logic, kept him in his service.
Upon hearing of this, Tian Xin warned King Hui of Qin, "Long ago, when Jin planned to attack Guo, they hesitated because of Guo's minister Zhou Zhiqiao. The Jin advisor Xun Xi advised Duke Xian of Jin, citing the *Book of Zhou*: 'Beautiful women can undermine a loyal minister's counsel.' Duke Xian then sent Guo's ruler a troupe of female musicians, drowning him in wine and music. The ruler ignored Zhou Zhiqiao's wise advice, driving Zhou away in anger—and Jin swiftly conquered Guo."
Qin Hui Wang asked Tian Xin, "Why do you say this?"
"Let me finish," Tian Xin continued. "Later, Jin wanted to attack Yu again but hesitated, fearing Yu's minister Gong Zhiqi. Advisor Xun Xi told Duke Xian of Jin, 'The Book of Zhou says that a charming man can bewilder even the most seasoned elder.' So the duke sent a handsome man to seduce the ruler of Yu and slander Gong Zhiqi. Unable to hold his ground, Gong Zhiqi fled, and Jin conquered Yu without resistance."
"I still don't understand what you mean." King Hui of Qin shook his head. Tian Xin said, "My point is, now that Chu has sent Zhang Yi here, he will surely try to drive a wedge between you and Chen Zhen. You must not be fooled!"
After arriving in the state of Qin, Zhang Yi indeed spoke many ill words about Chen Zhen, but King Hui of Qin did not heed them.
Later, the idiom "Beauty Breaks Counsel" came to describe how a minister's advice is rejected by the ruler due to a woman's slander.
Source: *Strategies of the Warring States*, Chapter "Strategy for Qin I"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "美女破舌" came to describe how a minister's advice is rejected by the ruler due to a woman's slander.