During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, Li Chui of Liaocheng (present-day Shandong) passed the imperial examinations and served successively as Editorial Director and Imperial Library Collator. He authored a three-volume work, *Guide to River Management*, offering many practical suggestions for controlling old river channels.
Li Chui was a man of great talent and integrity, who detested the sycophantic flattery rampant in official circles, and thus never received the promotion he deserved.
The prime minister at the time, Ding Wei, had won Emperor Zhenzong's favor through sycophantic flattery. He manipulated power, sidelined rivals, and monopolized court affairs. Many officials seeking promotion constantly praised him. When someone asked Li Chui why he had never visited Ding Wei to advance his career, Li Chui replied, 'If I were to seek favor from Ding Wei, even if he promoted me to a high position, I would be ashamed to look others in the eye.'
Li Chui said, "As the prime minister, Ding Wei not only fails to handle affairs impartially but also bullies others by relying on his power, betraying the court's trust and the people's expectations. Why should I pay homage to such a person?"
When these words later reached Ding Wei, he was furious and used a pretext to demote Li Chui to a post in a remote region.
After Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty ascended the throne, Ding Wei fell from power and was exiled to a distant post, while Li Chui was recalled to the capital. Some concerned friends advised him, "Certain ministers in the court recognize your scholarly talents and wish to recommend you as a drafter of imperial edicts. However, the current prime minister does not yet know you. Why not pay him a visit?"
Li Wei calmly replied, "If I had curried favor with the prime minister Ding Wei thirty years ago, I might have become a Hanlin Academician—the emperor's most trusted advisor and secretary, a position that could lead to the chancellorship—long ago. But now that I am old, whenever I see a high official acting unjustly, I openly rebuke him to his face. How could I stoop to flattery and ingratiate myself with others, watching their every expression to win their recommendation and patronage?"
These words soon reached the ears of the prime minister, and once again, he was forced out of the capital to serve as a local governor in a distant province.
Later, the idiom "currying favor with the powerful" came to describe those who frequent the homes of the influential or flatter and cling to those in power.
Source: *History of Song*, "Biography of Li Chui"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "趋炎附势" came to describe those who frequent the homes of the influential or flatter and cling to those in power.