During the Spring and Autumn period, a Chu state official named Wu Ju and a Cai state official named Shengzi were lifelong close friends.
Wu Ju's wife was the daughter of Prince Mou. When Prince Mou committed a crime and secretly fled, rumors spread that Wu Ju had tipped him off and helped him escape. Fearing King of Chu would believe the rumors and punish him, Wu Ju fled with his family to the neighboring state of Zheng.
Wu Ju stayed in Zheng for a while but felt unsafe, so he prepared to flee to Jin. At that time, Shenzi, a high official of Cai, happened to be on a diplomatic mission to Jin. Passing through Zheng, he met Wu Ju and asked, "Why have you come to Zheng? What happened?"
Wu Ju told Shengzi the full story of why he fled and his plan to escape further to the State of Jin. Shengzi, feeling indignant for Wu Ju, said, "It's fine for you to take shelter in Jin for a while, but I will surely help you return to the State of Chu soon."
Upon hearing this, Wu Ju immediately packed his belongings, gathered his family, and followed Shengzi to the state of Jin.
Shengzi, having completed his mission to the State of Jin, made a special trip to the State of Chu. Zimu, the prime minister of Chu, received Shengzi and asked, "Tell me, between the ministers of Jin and those of Chu, which country's ministers are more capable?"
“Though Jin has many talented ministers, most are originally from Chu,” the official observed. “Unable to find proper roles in Chu, they’ve come to Jin, where they’re valued—like fine timber and leather. Some call it ‘Chu’s talents serving Jin.’” Shengzi replied, “Indeed, that’s the truth.”
Then Shengzi said, "Chu does not value its talents, allowing them to flow abroad. That is why in the conflicts between Jin and Chu, Jin has defeated Chu several times. Why is this? It is because many Chu people are devising strategies for Jin."
After hearing this, Zimu suddenly understood. Shengyin then added, "Now your senior official Wu Ju has been falsely accused and has fled. I hear he has also gone to Jin. Another talented person from Chu will be used by Jin. This is yet another loss for Chu!"
“You're right! I'll send someone to bring him back immediately!” Zimu said.
Zimu immediately issued an order, reinstating Wu Ju as a high-ranking official, and dispatched messengers to escort Wu Ju back to the state of Chu.
Later, the idiom "Chu's talent used by Jin" came to refer to employing talent from other countries or the outflow of talent.
Source: *Zuo Zhuan*, "Duke Xiang's 26th Year"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "楚材晋用" came to describe employing talent from other countries or the outflow of talent.