During the founding of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu, started his campaign with scarce resources and harsh conditions, causing some followers to desert him. However, Feng Yi, who served as his chief secretary, remained steadfast, never complaining and fighting on without wavering.
Once, Liu Xiu led his troops past the Wulou Pavilion in Raoyang (in present-day Hebei), where they were both hungry and cold, and the soldiers could barely hold on. That night, Feng Yi managed to cook a large pot of bean porridge for everyone to eat, instantly relieving their hunger and cold. Later, the army arrived in Nangong County and encountered a fierce storm; everyone's clothes were soaked through, and they shivered uncontrollably. Just as the men could hardly bear it, Feng Yi again found some firewood, lit a fire for them to dry their clothes and warm themselves, and cooked wheat rice to fill their stomachs. These two acts by Feng Yi in such dire circumstances left an unforgettable and favorable impression on Liu Xiu.
In 25 AD, after Liu Xiu became emperor, he sent Feng Yi to pacify the Guanzhong region, a task Feng Yi completed admirably. When someone submitted a memorial warning Liu Xiu to be wary of Feng Yi's growing power and potential rebellion, the emperor not only dismissed the accusation but sent the memorial itself to Feng Yi, telling him, "You need not worry or fear—I trust you completely."
In 30 AD, Feng Yi came from Chang'an to the capital Luoyang to pay homage to Emperor Guangwu. Pointing at him, the Emperor said to the assembled ministers, "This was my chief secretary when I raised my army. He cleared the thorny brambles and removed countless obstacles on my path to founding the empire, and he also pacified the Guanzhong region for me!"
After the morning audience, Emperor Guangwu bestowed upon Feng Yi a great deal of gold, silver, and treasures, and also wrote him a letter. The letter said, "I still remember the bean porridge you served me at Wulou Pavilion and the wheat meal you handed me in Nangong County. These deep affections I have yet to repay!"
Later, the idiom "Pushing Through Thorns and Brambles" came to describe clearing obstacles, overcoming difficulties, and forging ahead in an undertaking or journey.
Source: *Book of the Later Han*, "Biography of Feng Yi"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "披荆斩棘" came to describe clearing obstacles, overcoming difficulties, and forging ahead in an undertaking or journey.