During the Three Kingdoms period, the Kingdom of Eastern Wu launched a surprise attack on the strategic stronghold of Jingzhou, killing the Shu general Guan Yu. Determined to avenge his sworn brother, Shu's ruler Liu Bei declared himself emperor in 221 AD and personally led a massive campaign against Wu.
Sun Quan, ruler of Eastern Wu, seeing Shu forces approaching, urgently summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures and ultimately decided to seek aid from Cao Wei. He sent Imperial Advisor Zhao Zhi as an envoy to Wei. Before departing, Sun Quan repeatedly instructed Zhao Zhi not to lose face for Eastern Wu. Zhao Zhi replied, "Rest assured, my lord. If anything goes wrong, I would rather drown myself in the river!"
Zhao Zi arrived in Luoyang, the capital of Wei. Emperor Cao Pi of Wei, knowing he came seeking aid, deliberately asked during the audience, "What kind of ruler is Sun Quan?" "My lord Sun Quan is wise, benevolent, and possesses great talent and bold vision," Zhao Zi replied.
Cao Pi listened, smiled faintly, and believed Zhao Zi was exaggerating.
Zhao Zi then offered examples to illustrate his point: "The King of Wu showed wisdom by promoting Lu Su, discernment by elevating Lu Meng, benevolence by sparing Yu Jin after capturing him, intelligence by taking Jingzhou without bloodshed, ambition by holding three provinces and eyeing the four corners, and strategy by humbling himself before Your Majesty. How can he not be called a ruler of wisdom, benevolence, ambition, and strategy?"
Cao Pi, impressed by Zhao Zi's eloquence, shifted to a threatening tone and asked, "What if I decided to attack your kingdom of Wu?" Zhao Zi, showing no fear, replied calmly, "A large state may have the power to conquer a small one, but a small state also has its strategies to resist a large one!" Cao Pi pressed further, "Aren't you afraid of us?" Zhao Zi answered with composure, "Our Eastern Wu has a million brave troops and holds the natural defense of the Yangtze River—why should we fear anyone?" Cao Pi, amazed by Zhao Zi's fearless and fluent responses, softened his attitude and asked warmly, "How many talented people like you does Wu have?" Zhao Zi replied, "There are no fewer than eighty or ninety truly outstanding talents; as for those like me, they are as numerous as fish crossing the river—too many to count, even if measured by the cartload or the bushel!"
Cao Pi and his courtiers, upon hearing Zhao Zi's words, were filled with awe and sincerely praised, "'A mission to the four corners of the earth without disgracing the sovereign's command'—you are truly worthy of this highest praise for an envoy!"
Upon returning to Eastern Wu, Sun Quan held Zhao Zi in even higher regard and appointed him as a cavalry commander.
Later, people used the idiom "cartloads and bushels" to describe a large quantity but average quality.
Source: *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, "Book of Wu: Biography of Sun Quan"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "车载斗量" came to describe a large quantity but average quality.